by Mindy Laughton

One of the main responsibilities that comes with home ownership is caring for your lawn. Many find caring for their lawn as a hobby and you should treat it that way because the time you put into it will definitely amount to a beautiful garden. Your lawn is the first thing people see when they look at your home so a great presentation begins with a lush, green garden.

Focus on Your Soil

Choosing a sufficient soil is the start of growing any good lawn. Healthy soil leads to strong plants and trees. Your garden may need a lot of work but it is important to begin with the soil because that is your lawn’s foundation. Start with a soil test; you can find do-it-yourself soil kits at your local home improvement store. Soil tests tell you what you will need to improve your soil’s health if anything.

Look for the right kind of grass that fits the type that would naturally grow. If your chosen grass patches don’t fit well because of the climate or the ground beneath then it may not grow efficiently or thrive at all. Lawn care professionals at your local home improvement store can most likely help you find which grass is best for you. Ask these professionals which type of seed and fertilizer you will need so that you can care for your lawn and nurture it into good standing. Stay healthy along with your lawn and go green.

Take Time with the Planting Process

Planting new grass is a simple task and can be easy if you determine the right type of grass. Then the rest of the process is a walk in the park.

The soil can become compacted which makes it rather difficult for the actual lawn to contain oxygen and water. Oxygen and water are the essentials needed for the grass roots to grow and continue to absorb nutrients. Aerate the soil to increase the nutrients available, as well as the oxygen and water movement in the soil which leads to healthy root growth. Homeowners can use a hand aerator for smaller lawns, owners with larger lawns should consider a core aeration machine.

Always make sure that you spread fertilizer evenly, grass fertilizer and grass seed can be distributed by hand or by using a machine spreader. Remember to add a layer of soil over the seed you spread. Covering seeded area with soil provides even more nutrients and will ensure healthy growth of your grass. Watering your grass is very important but don’t water it too much. The soil should be moist but if you water the grass too much then the seeds will drown and no new grass will be able to grow. Here are a few additional tips on growing healthy grass.

Try turning your lawn over to a professional to get the soil process correct for first time homeowners. TruGreen has a great lawn care service and you can take a look at their services at www.greenlawncare.net. It’s not DIY anymore at that point, but let’s face it: inevitably, even rugged homeowners need to turn a task or two over to the professionals.

Fertilizer is the catalyst behind fast and healthy grass growth. It provides the nutrients needed for your garden, if done correctly. Use a spreader to spread the fertilizer but avoid fertilizing the same area more than once. Do this fertilizing process during the fall or the spring.

Growing a healthy lawn can be daunting but approach the task as a hobby and that will make the care taking much more enjoyable.