|
||
If you are thinking of changing the way that your garden looks, usually changing the type of grass that you have is one of the easiest ways to do it. However, just because it will easily change the appearance, it does not mean that it will be easy to maintain! Generally it is all about knowing the different types of grass available and knowing which ones are more suitable for you.
Knowing Your Area
The area in which you live will determine which type of grass you can actually successfully grow. Many people do not realize that different types of grass need different living conditions and whilst some can live healthily in Northern climates, others may prefer a more Southern climate instead. This means that if you do purchase a grass which is more suited to a Northern climate but you live in the South, it is more than likely that your grass will not survive and if it does it will certainly not be at its best.
So, before you rush out and buy any type of grass, do a little research and see whether it can in fact live in your area.
Knowing the Grasses Needs
Another important thing to consider is what the grass needs in order to survive. Some grasses can live perfectly well with just a little water sprayed over them every now and again. However, for others there are certain factors which tend to come into play.
The soil will make a huge difference to the grass and how it grows. Different grasses need different types of soil so you should really know what type of soil you do actually have. Is it dry? Is it quite fertile soil? If you don't know try and find out as otherwise you could end up purchasing the completely wrong grass for you.
Another consideration you will need to make is whether the grass can be in the shade. Some grasses live perfectly well in partial shade whilst others will die through lack of sunlight. So, research as much as you possibly can on the type of grass which you are after and that way you should be able to find something to suit you and your garden.
Overall different grass does need different things and it is important that you take everything into consideration. You may even want to consider ornamental grasses which are not used as a lawn; they are used to make the garden look nicer. Whatever you decide pay particular attention to its needs and you should end up with something which lasts you a long time.
Have A Great Looking Lawn
With the right maintenance routine you too can have a lawn to be proud of. It's not actually that difficult to get your grass as green and luscious as the one you can see at golf courses: you can definitely achieve a great result by following the few tips and tricks thereafter.
How To Care For Your Turf
It's actually really easy to get a beautiful, green and healthy looking lawn: all you need is to follow the rule of third and the rule of 25 mm. Here is how these work.
The 25mm Rule, Or How To Water Your Lawn
The theory is that you should give the lawn enough water to cover what it needs and what is evaporating. The rule of 25 is an easy way to figure this out. Next time you water your lawn, place a bowl in the area you watering and allow it to fill up to about 25mm, or one inch. Keep an eye on it and when all the water is gone, it is time to water your lawn again: you only really need to do this once to find out what is the ideal watering frequency for your garden, unless you experience abnormal drought conditions. Make sure you water in the morning to avoid the mid-day heat: this will give the water plenty of time to get where it is needed.
You cannot over water your lawn and it is always best to water more, less often: this promotes healthy root growth. Combined with a regular feed rich in nitrogen this will give you the luscious green and light to the foot lawn that you dream of. You may want to check that the area has good drainage though, as a water-logged patch could kill the grass.
The Rule Of Third, Or How To Mow Your Lawn
To keep your grass looking its best you need to keep it healthy. The best way to encourage this is by making sure you do not cut out too much each time you mow. Military short is not a good look for lawns, and can promote diseases to boot. You should ideally aim to cut off about one third of the height of the blades – hence the name of the rule.
If you go too short you also risk preventing the good development of the roots and you grass will grow slower as a result. The exact amount to cut may vary slightly from type to type, and how long the blades are: you should check how much to allow the grass in your yard to grow by, and then cut a third off for best results. Most mowers collect grass cuttings as they go along but it can be beneficial to leave them on the turf as a natural fertilizer. If you decide to give this a try just be careful not to over cover the growing grass with too much: this is known as thatching and can restrict the growth rather than promote it.
These two very simple rules can really get you on your way to a stunning, healthy looking lawn.