How to Grow the Best Lawn in Your Neighborhood

Some Simple And Timely Steps Can Produce Awesome Results…

When we first moved into our new or used home, we were probably told by our friends and neighbors and from their past experience with their lawn that the first thing you do in the spring after the existing lawn has expired its winter snow cover is to rake up the old dead grass from the previous year or years, supposedly giving the new growth for this coming year room to “breath”. It certainly sounds like a rational idea, but is it ? The previous year’s cuttings that were missed by the “catcher” have now decomposed and can only benefit this year’s grass roots. So, why not just leave them. Contrary to popular belief, removing dead grass clippings will not help the grass “breath” better and leaving it lie will only help feed the present root system. What it will do is eventually break down completely into rich black sod and before it does, it will hold any rain water that falls to help keep the present root system from drying out in short drought conditions.

So, How Do You Prepare New Or Existing Lawns ?

It always begins in the fall of the previous year, if this is at all possible, but the food required to feed your lawn is a year round process. If there is any mowing in the fall just before winter, some of the grass clippings should be kept in a pile in some appropriate area or corner of your yard and probably about half should not be picked up, but instead do a second pass with the mower. This will “grind up” the residue to eventually be turned into a fine composting and water absorbing material that will also help to protect the tender root system of the grass through the winter months. As the pile of saved cuttings begin to accumulate, layer this with some sod or any accumulation of soil from your garden and if this is not possible, try using a purchased “starting soil” from your local nursery. It is usually very inexpensive. A 20 pound bag will usually do the trick. The layers can be very thin and 1/2 2inch should suffice. The grass clippings should be a couple of inches per layer. Rain will do the rest and if there is a long dry period, just make sure your lawn sprinkler catches this pile on a regular basis.

Be Patient And Each Season You Will See Improvement…

To get a top notch lawn takes time. So be patient. Just keep in mind that this process of building a green and plush lawn takes years…well a few anyway. Also remember that you will not have to purchase a thatch rake like your neighbor does. There is also the fertilizer, which is needed on a regular basis to keep your lawn fed. When you see a bare area of your lawn, you just mix your grass cuttings in your pile, add some of your starting soil and make sure you always have much more clipping to soil ratio. As time goes on, you will see its process unfold along with the results.