6 SIMPLE STEPS TO FIX YOUR UGLY LAWN!

Let’s face it: When you live in the suburbs, a healthy, well-kept lawn is a must, because before anyone even steps into your house, it’s your front lawn that makes the first impression of your home. “Your yard is an important extension of your home and with today's busy schedules, low maintenance care is key,” echoes one of our lawn and garden ads.

 Achieving a lush lawn doesn't have to be a constant struggle; you don't have to pay big bucks for a lawn service to douse your yard with chemicals either. Growing healthy, green grass is mainly just a matter of knowing what to give your lawn, and when to give it.

Here are 6 steps you follow that will help to wake up your tired lawn: 

Step 1 - Clear lawn of thatch and weeds

Thatch and weeds can be an ongoing problem that keeps your lawn from living up to its potential. Thatch is an almost impenetrable mat of tangled, intertwined grass and other material on the ground surface. Removing thatch helps you get the best from your lawn. To prevent thatch, keep leaves raked and remove some of the grass clippings after mowing.

Eliminate weeds in your lawn and prevent their return by maintaining healthy grass, using a minimum of weed killers, and good timing.

Step 2 - Level up the Lawn

One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to lawns is how to level a lawn. The best time to fill uneven lawn low spots is during vigorous growth, which usually depends on the type of grass grown. Sand is oftentimes used to level lawns but putting sand on lawns can cause problems. Avoid putting sand on a lawn by itself. Using a dry topsoil and sand mix is much better for leveling uneven areas than putting sand on a lawn without mixing.

You can easily make your own lawn patching soil by mixing sand and dry topsoil in equal parts of half-and-half, spreading the leveling mix into low-lying areas of the lawn. Some people also use compost, which is great for enriching the soil. Only add one-half inch of soil mix to the low spots at a time, leaving any existing grass showing through.

After leveling, fertilize lightly and water the lawn thoroughly.

Step 3 - Feed the lawn

The trick to a beautifully lush lawn is the application of the right fertilizer at the right time. Fertilizers give plants essential nutrients to survive and thrive. All lawn fertilizers contain three primary nutrients that are labeled in this sequence on the packaging: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK).

Nitrogen (N) promotes rapid growth and lush green color. 

Phosphorous (P) helps develop healthy root systems.

Potassium (K) boosts the overall health of your grass

Fertilizing your lawn at the right time will help ensure the grass is getting fed when it is most beneficial for the turf. It is recommended that the months of April – August are the best months to fertilize your lawn while the grass is growing and storing nutrients.

Step 4 - Make the lawn breathe again. 

Aeration can be an extremely vital element to a healthy lawn because it allows air and water to penetrate built-up grass or lawn thatch.

Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.

To aerate the lawn you can use a spike aerator, you simply use the tool to poke holes into the ground with a solid tine, or fork. (photo on the left)

Step 5 - Prepare and over-seed the lawn.

Over-seeding is one of the most important tasks involved in growing a healthy, lush lawn. Over time, lawns that have not been over-seeded will grow thin and unhealthy, making it much easier for weeds to overtake the lawn. 

Many experts in lawn care recommend the months June – August as the ideal months for over-seeding 'tired', worn or drought-damaged lawns. Sowing your grass seed is very easy, follow these simple steps and soon you will have a lawn that will turn your neighbours’ green with envy. 

 1 - Rake or scarify the existing lawn 

2 - Spread the seeds

3 - Tread the seeds into the lawn

It's best to try and keep off the lawn area for around 6 weeks after sowing. This is to allow the seeds a chance to get established.

Step 6 - Caring for the young plants.

So, you've recently planted some new grass seeds, but now you're wondering, what am I supposed to do next? Not to worry. Your work to this point will be in vain if you do not care for the young grass plants as the seeds germinate and begin to grow. After you've planted your grass seed, continue to water it at least twice a day assuming no rain. Once your new grass is established, you can go back to a normal watering routine. 

At Rayneau, we can help you with the right advice and the right products to ensure you get the results you are looking for. Keeping your lawn lush, green, and weed-free can be accomplished with the right lawn equipment. You’ll find everything you need to cultivate a healthy lawn from the roots up in our Lawn and Garden Department.

If you can't find the product you need on our website, just get in touch with us. We may well have the perfect solution for you. If you'd rather have a chat with us, so we can steer you towards the right solution for your needs, give us a call at our hardware stores conveniently located in Corinth 450-7247, Vide Bouteille 450-7246, Monchy 450-7248, or Babonneau 450-5759. You can also follow us on FaceBook.