Have you just moved into your first home with a yard?

Learning how to care for it properly can be daunting, so here are some helpful tips that will ensure a thriving lawn all year.

Learn to read fertilizer labels so you can select products to meet the needs of your lawn, and scatter grass seed over any bare spots so that they will return.
Weeding

Weeds have an enormous effect on grass. Not only can they compete for space and resources needed by their host plant (grass), they also spread seeds that compete with new grass seed and cause diseases like crabgrass and grubs in your lawn.

Combatting weeds is an integral component of spring lawn maintenance. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide before they germinate in March or April to get rid of them quickly.

After mowing, carefully blow or sweep lawn clippings off paths and driveways. This helps avoid clogged storm drains and the wash-in of phosphorus pollution into rivers and lakes. Instead of disposing of them as trash, use them as mulch in your garden or compost them – either option can reduce wasteful disposal.
Aerating

Regular aeration of your lawn is crucial. Aeration allows compacted soil to more readily absorb water and nutrients while breaking up thatch that prevents grass roots from growing properly. paving contractors adelaide

For optimal results, it is best to aerate cool-season grasses during spring or fall aeration and during drought conditions in summer for warm-season grasses. Prior to aerating, water the lawn in order to soften up its soil and make penetration easier by an aerator or spikes.

When using a plug or spike aerator, make two to four passes in different directions; any soil plugs left behind should eventually decompose over time. With power aerators, one pass may suffice.
Fertilizing

Fertilize once or twice in spring and again after the hottest part of summer to minimize leaching of nutrients into the environment. Use slow-release nitrogen fertilizers that minimize leaching.

Time Estimate: 30-45 minutes. Rotary spreaders work well for larger lawns while drop spreaders may work better in smaller yards.

Raking leaves is one of the more laborious lawn care tasks, yet essential to keeping your grass healthy and free of weeds. Without regular raking, thatch builds up, blocking water, oxygen and nutrients from reaching its roots; this then promotes fungus, pests and weed growth. Dethatching also allows grass roots to absorb more light and absorb more water; making your turf stronger against drought conditions or weed growth.
Mowing

No matter if you plan to store away your lawnmower for winter or continue regular lawn maintenance throughout the season, several factors can help your yard remain beautiful and healthy – one being tried-and-tested mowing techniques.

Mowing grass in different directions each time can help minimize mowing patterns and soil compaction, while grasscycling, the practice of leaving clippings on your lawn to decompose into valuable nutrients for the soil, is another environmentally beneficial practice.

Mow your lawn one to two inches shorter in late fall and early winter to prepare it for dormancy. Edging weekly adds the final touch – unruly edges make even healthy lawns look messy!
Mulching

Mulching is an indispensable asset in the toolbox of any lawn care professional, recycling the nutrients contained within grass clippings to save on costs associated with fertilizer purchases.

As grass grows and photosynthesizes, it absorbs water, sunlight and nutrients that it stores in its leaves for later use. If left on the lawn after being cut, grass clippings provide valuable fertilizer while soil-dwelling organisms break them down into organic fertilizer – either way providing ample nourishment to keep grass growing well!

Ecological Horticulture refers to mulch as material placed over the ground that acts like a blanket to protect and regulate its temperature while adding essential nutrients to its ecosystem. By employing this strategy, mulch saves both time and effort when it comes to clearing away leaves from your garden.
Late-Winter Care

Lawn care practices will vary from property to property depending on a variety of factors; however, here are a few general guidelines you can follow in order to get the most out of your lawn care efforts.

Watering early morning is ideal because it allows grass to dry quickly and reduces disease risks, while deep watering encourages roots to penetrate deep into the soil, rather than staying at its surface.

Another essential tip is aerating your yard during late winter. This allows the grass to breath while alleviating soil compaction issues that often surface in warmer months.