How To Improve Your Lawn

by Gillian Markson | More from this Blogger

16 Jun 2006 04:16 PM

Each spring, homeowners scramble to get their lawns in tip-top shape for the summer season. Because the harsh winter climate in most areas of the US causes lawns to freeze, many people have to replant grass seeds and fertilizer so that their lawns flourish. Some people find that they need to even roll out new strips of lawn if the winter has been particularly destructive. Here are some simple how-to tips to help you improve your lawn.

Fertilizer Fertilizing your lawn will help to enrich your soil with essential nutrients that it needs to grow healthy and lush. There are two types of fertilizers: the spray kind and the kind that comes in small seed-like pellets. The spray kind of fertilizer uses a spray system to dispense the fertilizer with a stream of water from your hose. The seed-like pellets require manual spreading, using either a push-spreader or by hand.

De-Weed In order to make sure that your lawn grows healthily, you will need to remove all weeds. To remove the weeds, you will need to purchase a weed-extermination chemical from your local greenhouse. These chemicals are dispensed in the same way as the fertilizer, but are more toxic. If you have small children, you will need to emphasize the importance of staying off the lawn as long as the chemicals are present. Be sure, also, that you do not breathe in the chemicals, as they can be harmful to your lungs.

Landscaping Improving your lawn also may involve landscaping. Your landscaping can be as elaborate or as simple as you desire. In general, keep in mind that landscaping is meant to improve the look and feel of your lawn through the use of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and other items, such as rock gardens. Your yard will require different types of plants, depending on your climate, so visit your local greenhouse to find the information that best fits within your climate.

Water It is important to make sure that once you plant your flowers and shrubs and get plenty of water. Water helps to infuse your plants with essential vitamins and minerals they help them photosynthesize. Most people use sprinkler systems to water their plants. You can either invest in an irrigation sprinkler system, which is a permanent installation in your yard, or a temporary sprinkler system, which is one that you put out each day that you want to use the sprinkler system.

An irrigation system is easier to use because it does not require that you set the system up and take it down when you are ready to water your yard. You simple put it on a timer. The temporary sprinkler system requires that you set it up and take it down when you are ready for it, but it can also be cheaper, as you control when and how much water you put in your yard each week.

Improving your lawn is easy. The most important thing to remember is that you water it regularly and plant vegetation that is appealing to you. Depending on the shape your yard presently is in, you may have some work ahead of you to get it in tip-top shape. Yet you'll find that once it is finished, it's a pleasure to see every day. Enjoy your lawn!

Learn more about Gillian Markson

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger