Shattuck Turf Farms 515-331-4900
6 Steps To The Perfect Lawn
Is your lawn struggling? Most people don’t know the ideal fertilizing, cutting, or watering techniques, therefore setting their lawn up for failure. Maybe you’ve tried everything, or maybe you’re just getting started, but either way, these lawn care tips will help you revive your natural turf into a lush, green lawn.
1. Know When to Fertilize
For cool season grass types, you should fertilize once in the fall and once in the spring, staying away from the heat of summer. In the spring, make sure to use pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from flourishing.
2. Find a Middle Ground
Mowing can be a hassle, which drives many people to mow their lawn very short to extend the amount of time until the next mowing. That’s not the way to a beautiful lawn. Cutting too short puts stress on the grass to grow back very quickly, and in turn the root growth is disregarded, allowing weeds to find their way through the soil. The general rule is to cut off one third of the grass, as long as it’s still at least two inches high after the cut.
3. Water According to Recommendations
If your grass is well established, stick to watering less often and for longer periods of time instead of watering lightly multiple times per week. Doing that will allow deep roots to grow and stop weeds in their tracks. The majority of lawns need one inch of water per week, whether that’s provided by Mother Nature or provided by your hose. The amount of water needed will also depend on the grass type, and whether it’s shaded or in full sun.
If you’ve just installed sod, follow these watering recommendations.
4. Choose the Right Grass
Certain grasses grow better in certain regions, so do your research and find the best blend for your area. In Iowa, cool-season grasses are your best bet. Shattuck Turf Farms offers two types of cool season grasses: bluegrass and fescue. If you get sod from us, you’ll know you’re getting the best grasses for the Des Moines area climate.
5. Use Your Local Experts
Find someone to back your efforts, whether that’s your local greenhouse, a lawn-obsessed coworker, or a lawn maintenance professional. They can give you tips such as what grass to use, or identify certain types of lawn diseases.
6. You Might Have to Start Over
Depending on the state of your grass, you may need to bite the bullet and plant new seed or sod. If you’re seeding with cool-season grass, we recommend waiting until early fall to begin. If you decide to install sod instead, follow our season installation tips to make sure the job gets done right.
Read more:
How Sod Helps the Environment
Do It Yourself Sod Installation
Seasonal Tips
Keeping Shaded Sod Healthy
Dormant vs. Dying Sod
Your Sod Questions — Answered
Natural Turf Farm
How to Keep Sod Healthy With Dogs
Helping Sod Survive Drought
How to Get Rid of Mushrooms In Your Lawn
Should You Rake or Mulch Leaves?