Lawn Garden Care

Lawn garden care is a large part of the garden as a whole, and creating the perfect lawn is a lot simpler than you may think, you just need a few guided tips to get you started.

Lawn is more than just cutting the grass on a sunny day, the lawn can be used by all the family and pets to play games (in Australia backyard cricket) we love it.

Below I will provide you with a great plan, and a load of tips to create a wonderful lawn. So, let’s get started.

Lawn Garden Care & Soil for your lawn

The key to growing any plant successfully is to have quality soil.  Unfortunately many of us do not have fantastic deep friable soils.  Do not despair; your soil can be improved over time by slowly adding organic matter and aerating.  Many people like to go for the short time fix and apply chemical fertilizers to their lawn; they are cheap and easily accessible at many supermarkets and nurseries.  By apply chemical fertilizers you are actually contributing to a longer term problem, as these fertilizers to not improve the soil, they actually destroy soil life, then you have to repeat the process over and over, with no long term improvement.

Organic fertilizers for lawns

Organic fertilizers help the soil to become alive with microorganism which helps in the upkeep and overall health of the lawn.  The best lawn I have ever seen was up kept by a green keeper who lived across the road from my home when I was a small boy.  Everybody admired that lawn; funny thing though, so did all the dogs in the street. 

He used a trusted method that still works to this very day.  Chicken manure dust, a sprinkle three times a year, early spring, midsummer, and autumn.  He also moved his lawn at one height and never mowed it too short.  A longer lawn helps protect the soil from the sun, and also holds the soil in place to be built up over time.

This is what he had to say: “Organic lawns are generally mowed higher than conventional lawns”. Longer grass shades the soil, helps prevent weed seed germination, keeps the soil cooler, and reduces water loss.

Organic lawns are now becoming much more popular and buying organic fertilizers are also readily available.  Enquire at your local nursery as to which ones are suitable.  By applying organic lawn foods you will not only help produce a lovely lawn and build up your soils over time, but you will be doing the world a large favour.  DID YOU KNOW THAT MOST BLUE GREEN ALGEA BREAKOUT IN RIVER SYSTEMS ARE DUE TO CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS FROM LAWNS!

The rain washes access phosphates (chemical fertilizers down the drain) and into the rivers providing the algae with food (nitrogen).

Lawn Garden Care & Creating a new lawn

When creating a new lawn lay down top soil and do not compact the soil.  This reduces beneficial oxygen to the grass roots.  A soft friable soil helps the grass roots penetrate deeply.  Yes, this means less watering over time, saving you money!

Purchase pre -sown grass in squares (mats or rolls) from a local provider as they will have the best variety for you area.  If you lawn is in the shaded by trees or buildings, ask for a lawn that performs well in a shady area.

Old existing lawn improvement

Let’s say you just purchased a house and the lawn is looking a little shabby, following the tips above in organic lawns will be a great start.  The soil may also be compacted so purchase a pitchfork and spike the lawn regularly about once a fortnight, pierces the earth deeply to allow oxygen and water to penetrate.  Sprinkling lime or gypsum over the grassed area, and water the lawn deeply.  The lime/gypsum helps loosen up clay type soils to become more friable.

Lawn Garden Care & Tips for your lawn

•1.       Apply organic fertilizers 3 times a year.

•2.       Keep lawns long to avoid sun exposure (sun exposure dries soils).

•3.       Do not compact your soils. (Driving the car on the grass compacts the soil) this reduces water penetration, oxygen, grass roots can’t go deep,

•4.       Apply lime or gypsum to clay soils to create a friable deep soil.

•5.       Avoid short watering and water deeply less often.  This encourages grass roots to penetrate into the soils deeply and not spread too much across the surface.

•6.       Aerate compacted (lawn) soils with a pitchfork.

•7.       Remember your lawn is an extension of your garden.

•8.       Use your lawn for family activities.

•9.       Love your lawn and your lawn will love you back.

Reference

Lawn Garden Care