Things You'll Need:
- Lawn Care Equipment
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Step 1
Choose between sod and seed for a new lawn. There are advantages to both if you are trying to establish your yard for the first time. Sod is obviously quicker to establish and really helps to prevent wash out in hilly areas. It is also much more expensive than seeding your lawn. Seeding your lawn is cheaper but takes more time to establish. You also need to worry about washing out the soil in your yard during times of heavy rain. In the long run, seeding is more effective at sustaining a healthy lawn. This is because the seed was started in the existing soil and can adapt whereas sod was originally grown at a different location.
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Step 2
Add fertilizers to your yard throughout the year. In the spring, it is important to apply a crabgrass prevention fertilizer to established lawns to keep out these nasty weeds. If your lawn is new, you need to add fertilizers with higher phosphorus content to help your seedlings grow. If you are looking for greener grass, then a fertilizer higher in Nitrogen should be applied. Be sure to read the fertilizer labels to match your needs with the appropriate application. Make sure you don't over fertilize your yard or it can damage your grass and the environment over time.
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Step 3
Aerate your yard at least twice per year. This is one of the most important steps in sustainable lawn care. Depending on the area and climate that you live in, you should try and aerate your yard in the spring and in the fall. The soil needs to be opened up so that air can filter down in the ground. This helps your roots grow further down which is very important, especially in clay soils.
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Step 4
Mow your lawn no more than one time per week if possible. You should set your mower no lower than 3 inches high and preferably more towards 4 inches if possible. The important thing to keep in mind is that the roots tend to grow as long as the leaf blade. The longer your roots, the easier it is to keep sustainable lawn care.
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Step 5
Water your lawn as needed. Ideally, a lawn needs a good slow soaking of water one or two times per week. Most lawns (depending on the type of grass) require no more than 1 inch of water or rain per week. If you have a sprinkler system, then it is recommended to water about 1/2 inch twice per week at most. Over watering will prevent your roots from growing deep in the ground. This will cause issues if you are trying to sustain your lawn care.
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Step 6
Dethatch your lawn after it becomes establish to allow for more air circulation. To assist in sustainable lawn care, it can help to dethatch your lawn once a year - usually in the spring.
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Step 7
Topdressing your lawn with topsoil will also help towards sustainable lawn care. Topsoil is full of natural nutrients which helps your grass and prevents you from applying non-organic fertilizers to your yard. In addition, applying topsoil overtime will allow your roots to grow deeper which is desired.
Comments
susan1712 said
on 8/5/2009 Applying fertilizer, lots of water and continual mowing isn't sustainable!
There are much more eco-friendly grass mixes out there. We planted Earth Turf and it has been really great - nitrogen fixating, doesn't need chemicals and doesn't need to be mowed often. http://www.earthturfco.com
Upon-Request said
on 1/9/2009 Great tips for a sustainable lawn.