The Greenest Grasses

Aeration

• Over time as people walk on your lawn and rain pounds it down, the soil can become compacted. This can lead to grass not getting everything it needs to be the greenest and healthiest possible. Compacted soil cuts off air to the roots of your grass and may be depriving it from other essential nutrients. Aeration will prevent this problem. Use a lawn aerator early in the spring and again late in the season to keep your soil in good condition. The best aerators pull small plugs out of the ground. You can pick these up and dispose of them or simply run them over with the lawnmower to chop them up. This process will make the roots stronger and will eventually lead to a greener, lush landscape.

Proper Zones

• Keep in mind that if you do not have the proper type of grass on your lawn then you will have trouble keeping it green and beautiful. If you live in a mild climate then you are best suited for cool season grasses. These grasses start growing early in the spring and will continue growing as long as mild temperatures prevail. They tend to go dormant and turn brown during extreme heat and drought. If you live in a place where hot, dry conditions prevail then you'll need warm season grasses. These grasses have extensive roots and conserve water. They start growing later in the spring but will remain green during the hot part of the season even if it is dry. Bluegrass and Fescue are among the common cool season grasses, while Bermuda grass, St. Augustine and Zoysia are warm season grasses.

  Bermuda, Zoysia and St. Augustine grasses are generally greener grasses than other types because of their tendency to not turn brown during the hottest part of the year. This is why the warm season grasses, particularly Bermuda, are used on golf courses in the South and other warm climates. Golf courses want fairways as green as possible during the busiest golfing season. Overseeding is a common method of planting this grass to make it as dense and green as possible.

Water

• Adequate water is essential to green grass on your lawn. You can't always rely on the rain to keep your lawn hydrated properly. Without enough water your grass, regardless of the type, may begin to turn brown. To keep the grass green the yard needs regular, infrequent deep watering. Watering in the early morning and providing about 3/4 to 1 inch of water will be sufficient in most cases. Use a rain gauge to determine how much water you are putting down. This amount will give the roots a good soak. How often you water varies according to climate, soil type and other factors. The best way to know is to watch the grass. If it begins to curl or wilt or if footprints in the grass remain visible after walking on the lawn then it is likely time for watering.

Fertilizer

• To get lush growth from your grass it's important to fertilize it every year. Many people may only choose to fertilize at the beginning of spring, but it is much better to apply fertilizer two to four times throughout the growing season. Fertilize warm season grasses during the spring and summer and fertilize cool season grasses during the spring and fall. It is a good idea to water the lawn after applying fertilizer to soak the nutrients into the soil and to prevent burning on the surface of the grass.