How to Keep a Green Lawn
A lush, green lawn can transform the appearance of your Florida property, making it look beautiful and well cared for. A dry, patchy lawn, on the other hand, gives the impression of disrepair and neglect, even if you are trying your best to keep it healthy. Of course, you’d probably rather fall into the former category than the latter. Follow these tips to help keep your lawn looking its best throughout the year.
Choose the Right Grass for the Climate
Florida is a great place to grow grass, thanks to the humidity and frequent rain. However, some grass types are better-suited to Florida’s climate than others. It is important that you select your grass variety based on its ability to handle the heat and sunshine, not solely on its appearance. What thrives in cooler, drier climates will likely not do well in the ample sunshine we get here throughout the year. Floratam, CitraBlue, Seville, Icon and Scotts ProVista, among others, all grow well in Florida, and we’ve got the sod for sale you need to install any of these varieties in your yard.
Get Your Watering Schedule in Order
Delivering the right amount of water to your lawn is one of the most important factors in keeping it green. Over-watering and under-watering can both have negative impacts on the health of your grass, so you’ll need to fine-tune your watering schedule throughout the year to stay in that sweet spot in the middle. You’ll also need to be aware of any irrigation restrictions in your area, as each jurisdiction sets its own requirements for when, how much, and how frequently homeowners can water their lawns.
Make sure to take into account any shade as well.
Shady areas will need less water than sunnier spots because any moisture will evaporate more slowly, so adjust your sprinkler heads or irrigation zones to accommodate this. Do your best to take advantage of any upcoming rainfall too, switching your sprinkler days to non-rainy days when allowed by local watering restrictions.
Maintain Your Grass’s Preferred Height
Different grass types require varying mowing heights for optimal health. Take the time to identify the style of grass you have so you know how tall or short to let it grow. Grass that is too tall can provide a breeding ground for common lawn pests and diseases, while mowing too short can stress the grass and diminish its ability to develop a strong, drought-resistant root structure. Aim to trim no more than a third of your lawn’s total height during each mowing session. Cutting off more than that can over-stress your lawn and damage its overall health.
Keep Pests and Weeds at Bay
In some cases, brown, dry patches in your lawn are the result of pest activity, disease or weeds, rather than too much or a lack of water. Be vigilant about checking your lawn for common pests so that you can catch burgeoning infestations before they become major problems. When it comes to weeds, always pull them out manually, taking care to pull up the entire root structure. Relying on your lawn mower to cut back weeds can actually spread their seeds throughout the lawn, making your weed problem even worse.
Fertilize in the Spring
Many grasses enter a dormant phase during the colder months, limiting their growth to preserve warmth. Then, in spring, they begin to grow more rapidly once again. This is why spring is the perfect time to begin fertilizing, as your grass will welcome the extra nutrients during its growing phase. You should test your soil composition during this time of the year as well, as this will guide you in choosing the appropriate type of fertilizer to meet your lawn’s needs.
Freshen Up Brown Patches with New Sod
Even with great care and attention to your lawn, you can still find yourself with barren patches from time to time. If your lawn doesn’t seem to want to bounce back, it can be beneficial to apply fresh sod to any bare areas to bring your lawn back to full health. Then, you can provide proper care for your new grass right from the start.