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How to Improve your lawn
Soil
The first step towards developing a healthy, more attractive lawn is improving your soil quality. The best lawns grow in loam soil, with a relatively even mixture of clay, silt and sand. Improve your lawn’s texture by adding compost or manure.
Aerate your soil at least once a year to create air spaces that permit the flow of water and nutrients, allowing them to reach the grass roots.
Fertilize your lawn every year to ensure your soil has enough nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium—the three most common ingredients found in fertilizers. Use a slow-release fertilizer, which feeds lawns slowly.
Watering
By watering slowly and deeply, you’re ensuring the grass roots grow further down into the soil, allowing them to find additional moisture during dry periods. Use a soaker hose or trickle irrigation to resemble a light rainfall when you’re watering.
Water your lawn in the morning to reduce evaporation. This helps you conserve a considerable amount of water, especially during the hot summer months. Allow your lawn to fully dry before watering again.
Mowing
Keep your lawn fairly high when mowing. Longer grass has more surface area to absorb the suns rays and shield the soil surface, keeping it cooler and helping it retain more moisture. Check your mower’s height setting.
Remember to keep your mower’s blades sharp! Dull blades can result in damage caused by tearing.
Thatching
Thatch is an important layer of dead plant material between the grass blades and the soil. Often, the thatch gets too thick and prevents water and important nutrients from penetrating the soil. By raking your lawn periodically, you can ensure an optimal amount of thatch.
by Michael Gaspar