| Aerating,
which removes small cores of soil, is one of the best things you can do
for your lawn. It improves water and nutrient penetration, increases
the amount of air that reaches the roots, and helps reduce thatch (see
next tip). You can hire a lawn service to aerate your lawn, or rent a
power aerator from a local rental yard and do it yourself. |
Thatch is a
dense layer of organic matter that forms between the leaves and roots
of your lawn. If it gets over a 1/2-inch thick, it prevents air, water
and nutrients from reaching the roots and the lawn begins to suffer.
You know you have thatch when your lawn has a spongy feel when you walk
on it; or when you turn on the sprinklers, the water is slow to be
absorbed and runs into the gutter. You can also check for thatch by
cutting a slice out of your lawn with a shovel and examining between
the leaves and roots. |
Don’t
start watering until you’re sure your lawn needs it
(you’ll notice a change in color from bright green to dull
gray-green). Waiting as long as possible will encourage deeper roots
and better drought tolerance later. When you do water, wet the soil to
a depth of about 6 — 8 inches (check by probing the soil with
a stiff wire; it will move easily through moist soil and stop when it
reaches dry), then don’t water again until the soil has
partially dried. |
