Top 5 Practices to Support Your Lawn Care Program

Cultural Lawn Care Practices

Maintaining a beautiful lawn starts with establishing healthy habits. These regular tasks, known as cultural practices, are the foundation of good lawn care.  Take note of the following tips, incorporate them into your lawn care routine, and you’ll be well on your way to a lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Setting Your Blades

Mowing is the first task that comes to mind when most of us think of lawn care. It seems straightforward, but improper mowing can cause a number of issues over time. 

The key to good mowing is setting the correct mower height. Some believe shorter is better, mostly in order to increase time between mowings, but the opposite is true. For almost all Michigan grass varieties, the correct mowing height is 3.5 to 4 inches. Mowing grass at this length shades soil and prevents weed growth, as well as preventing heat and drought damage. Cutting more than the top third of the grass at any time can result in discoloration and weakened growth due to limited photosynthesis. 

In addition, keeping mower blades properly sharpened is a must. The general rule is to sharpen once at the beginning of the season and once in the middle. Mowing with dull blades can crush and injure grass, which can invite insects and disease, and eventually cause widespread turf discoloration.

Keep It Fed

A healthy lawn is a well fed lawn. Creating a thick, dense lawn is the best way to defend against weeds and disease. This starts with implementing a regular fertilization schedule. 

Unless your lawn care team has indicated otherwise, a standard balanced lawn fertilizer is best. For Michigan lawns, this means a 20-0-10 fertilizer. These numbers refer to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In our part of the Midwest, most lawns have a naturally high phosphorus level, so it’s important to be sure your fertilizer’s middle number is relatively low. It’s also wise to avoid “triple” fertilizers that have the same numbers for all three elements. 

Proper Watering

There’s a lot of conflicting information on lawn watering out there, so homeowners can easily end up over or under watering based on unclear or incorrect information. Fortunately, the basics are easy to remember.

As a rule, 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week is a good goal, whether in the form of rain or irrigation . Deeper, less frequent watering is the best way to achieve a beautiful lawn, as more frequent, shallow watering can result in a weakened root system and poor growth. In spring and fall, twice weekly watering is usually sufficient, while the heat of summer may require an additional watering. Early morning watering is best throughout the season because afternoon watering can result in quick evaporation and leaf burn, while evening watering leaves grass wet long enough to invite fungus and other diseases.

Patch It Up

Bare or damaged spots in your lawn are prime real estate for weeds. Left unrepaired, the spots will continue to grow and weeds can end up overrunning a large area.

The first step is to identify the cause of bare patches. Possibilities include heavy foot traffic, salt burn, grubs, pet damage, or chemical burn. Once you’ve taken steps to address the underlying issue, spot repair is pretty straightforward (note: for larger areas, consult your lawn care team). After that, simply rake away any debris or dead grass, break up the soil to a depth of several inches, then rake the surface level. Next, apply new seed, making sure to seed into the surrounding grass to ensure well blended edges. Finally, water well and be sure to keep evenly moist until well established. Weed and carbgrass control products will inhibit seed germination so it is important to communicate with your lawn care team about the timing of your seeding. Wait at least four to six weeks before applying weed or crabgrass control to the newly planted area.