5 Tips to Make Other Yards Green with Envy
Is the grass greener on the other side? Get out into the yard now and heed these 5 tips for greener grass. Your lawn could make your neighbors green with envy.
Overseed Your Lawn
By seeding your lawn regularly, you’ll help your grass edge out competing weeds. To give the seed the best chance for growth, prepare the soil first by top-dressing it with compost. Then protect the lawn from foot traffic and water gently on a daily basis.
Weed Control
Spring is the best time to proactively prevent weeds by laying down pre-emergent herbicides. Apply corn gluten meal in late spring and activate it with water. The organic meal will remain effective for five to six weeks after every application. Keep in mind that herbicides will also prevent new seed growth, so pick whether the lawn needs more seeding or weed-control.
Compost Tea
Home-brewed or purchased, either way, compost tea sprayed on your lawn throughout the growing season will invigorate your grass. The potent brew contains microorganisms that provide nourishment and other benefits to the soil. And because it’s liquid, it works faster than using dry compost. Be sure to water after spritzing to help the compost tea soak in.
Clover to the Rescue
A green lawn requires nitrogen and nothing provides nitrogen better than clover, which draws it from the air and affixes it into the soil for your grass to access. Supplement grass seed with clover and the healthy mix will make your lawn pop with green.
Treat Your Soil Kindly
Don’t guess at what your lawn needs. Instead, visit your local extension agent for a soil test. The data will guide your choices when deciding how to prepare your lawn for the growing season. Also, don’t forget to aerate: Pulling plugs out of the soil with a specialized machine or hand tool will make the lawn more receptive to air, water, and fertilizer.