Basic Things to Know About Lawn Care

Warm or Cool

• Warm-season grasses, such as zoysia and Bermuda grass, thrive in warm climates. Cool-season grasses, such as fescues and bluegrass, however, slow down in the summer during hot, dry spells. Knowing lawn type determines how high to mow, when to fertilize and is helpful in determining what other care your lawn may need. The Extension.org website differentiates between warm/arid and warm/humid southern states, and in the northern United States, cool/arid, cool/humid and cool/humid northwest areas. In addition, there is transition zone where lawns may be either cool or warm season turf.

Soil Test

• s regularly need nitrogen fertilizers, but may not need other nutrients. If your soil is low in potassium or phosphorus, you need to know. Soil acidity is another important issue; grasses grow best in soils with a pH between 6 and 8, advises the Ohio State University Extension. A soil test will provide information about how much lime, phosphorus and potassium you need, says the North Carolina State University Extension.

Fertilizing and Liming

• Once you know your turf type and have your soil test results, you will know how much fertilizer and lime your lawn needs. Fertilizer type, application methods and timing are critical, however. The Alabama Cooperative Extension advises that slow- and quick-release nitrogen fertilizers differ not only in how soon they are accessible to the lawn, but in the likelihood of burning the lawn, leaching and how often they need applying. The Extension recommends applying half the amount of any fertilizer in one direction and the other half perpendicular to the first direction to assure even coverage. Finally, apply fertilizers to cool season grasses in fall or very early spring, and to warm season grasses during the summer. You can apply lime virtually any time, however.

Mowing

• The most constant care a lawn needs and the thing that will make the most difference, is proper mowing. Keep warm season grasses short, typically between 1/2 and 2 inches, depending on the variety. Keep cool season grasses longer, at 2 to 3 inches. If you mow at the right frequency and at the right height, you'll also minimize weeds, raking, fertilizing and the need for dethatching. Mow often enough that you never remove more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blades, recommends Washington State University Extension. Be sure to maintain your mower so you are cutting with sharpened blades.

Watering

• Lawns prefer deep watering, soaking the soil to a depth of 6 inches, suggests the North Carolina State University Extension. During dry spells your lawn can survive without watering for as much as four to six weeks by going dormant. Washington State University notes that light, sandy soils may need lighter, more frequent watering than heavy clay soils.

Problems

• Proper care prevents lawn problems, but even a well-maintained lawn may need aeration to combat compaction, dethatching to remove thatch build-up or treatment for weeds, insects or diseases. If you keep up with the basics, you'll likely to notice such problems in time to learn about how best to deal with them.