Nine lawn care tips for lusher grass

As the temperature rises and the sun starts to linger longer, it’s time to break out the equipment needed to ensure your lawn is in tiptop condition and prepared for the warmer months ahead. Lawn care for a healthy and lush looking garden starts with keeping the grass watered, using lawn fertiliser and staying on top of weeding. Follow these nine tips for healthy lawn care and maintenance.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. 

1. Water strategically

To enjoy a healthy lawn, especially in spring and summer, water deeply and sparingly to promote root growth and reduce water waste. Use sprinklers or adjustable hose nozzles suited to your lawn’s size and design and minimise evaporation by avoiding watering during the hottest part of the day. Instead, do it in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler, allowing water to penetrate into the soil. Always check with your local authority if watering restrictions apply in your area.

2. Use lawn fertiliser

There’s no time like spring to give the grass a boost with a dose of lawn fertiliser. For granular formulations, a spreader makes the job clean and simple as well as ensuring even application of the product across the ground. A spreader also comes in handy for sowing grass seed over any bare patches in need of repair. 

3. Chemical-free weed removal

If neglected, weeds can spread rapidly across even the most neatly mowed lawn. A weed puller is a chemical-free way to get rid of these unwanted invaders by uprooting them at their source. And the task doesn’t have to be backbreaking – models with an extension handle eliminate the need for you to bend over. 

4. Tidy up with a line trimmer

Also known as a whipper snipper or string trimmer, a line trimmer is a great tool for clearing growth that you can’t get to with the lawn mower. It’s a great tool for neatening up areas around trees and along fence lines and edges, and to give your lawn area a tidy and well-maintained appearance.

Tip: To achieve a smooth line, maintain a steady pace when using an edger. 

5. Use a soil aerator

Over time, soil compaction can impede the uptake of nutrients and water, resulting in dwindling grass growth. Aerators solve this problem and revitalise your lawn from the ground up by creating holes in the soil that let oxygen, water and nutrients reach deep into the root zone, plus it’s a satisfying job!

6. Rake regularly

While it might seem lo-fi, a rake is an incredibly useful lawn-care tool. Use one to clear leaves, thatch and debris so that all-important sunshine can reach your grass. Choose from a range of rake types to meet your particular requirements, such as dethatching or spring cleaning.

7. Clip edges with grass shears

A pair of grass shears provides unparalleled control for trimming with precision around delicate plants or garden features. Their small size and portability make them the perfect go-to tool for tidying stray growth and making edges appear flawless.

8. Test the pH

Knowing the pH of your soil is key to keeping your grass growing in the best possible conditions. By providing you with useful information about the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, a pH tester gives you the knowledge to feed your lawn appropriately.

Test the soil: Check for pH, moisture and light.

9. Smarten up with a lawn edger

Clean, crisp and well-defined edges make a big difference when improving the overall look of your garden. An edger adds a polished touch by creating a neat line between areas of lawn and features such as driveways, flowerbeds and garden paths.

Looking for lawn-care troubleshooting tips?

Find out how to fix a flooded lawn.

Photo credit: Gap Photos/Elke Borkowski.