Did you your yard look amazing this summer or could it use some extra TLC? Whether you own your own home or rent your home, don’t let this last season’s hard work fall to the wayside just because summer is coming to an end. There is still work to be done to ensure that your lawn keeps looking its best!
Watering: Did you know that proper watering can promote a deep rooted, heathy turf? The type of soil, amount of water, frequency of watering, weather and time of day can all play a part in the look and health of your lawn. According to Colorado State University Extension, it is best to water your lawn 1 to 2.5 inches per week between 10 pm and midnight or 8 am and 9 am because “it generally is less windy, cooler and more humid at this time, resulting in less evaporation and more efficient use of water.” For more in-depth information on watering practices, visit the CSU Extension website.
Mowing: Height and frequency are the two most important facets of mowing your lawn. The perfect height range for Colorado lawns is 2.5 to 3 inches. A good rule of thumb is to mow the lawn when it is 3 inches tall and adjust your lawn mower accordingly so your finished product is between 2 to 2.5”.
Weed Control: Whether you use an herbicide or plain old elbow grease, it is important to keep up on unwanted weeds in your lawn, mulch and rock areas. Once you let them get out of control, it is hard to reel them back in. It is especially important to keep weeds at bay in your lawn area and near bushes or trees so the foliage you have worked so hard on is not competing with weeds for water and soil nutrition.
Soil Conditioning: Between now and the end of August, use an organic soil conditioning treatment such as Revive to maximize watering and help turf recover from the stress of the summer elements. According to its website, Revive recommends using this product every time you fertilize.
Fertilizing: Between now and the end of August, apply a slow release fertilizer. Six weeks later apply another slow release fertilizer, but one that is higher in potassium and Sulphur to assist in winterizing the lawn. According to TheSpruce.com “ If the lawn has been properly fertilized in the late summer and fall, turf grass can begin to store carbohydrate reserves in the stems, rhizomes, and stolons. These carbohydrate reserves help grass resist winter injury and disease, and serve as a source of energy for root and shoot growth the following spring. A late fall fertilization will also provide better winter color, enhanced spring green up and increased rooting.”
Aeration: Thatch is a tight, brown, spongy, organic layer of both living and dead grass roots and stems that accumulates above the soil surface. Thatch buildup decreases water effectiveness since thatch heats up and dries up quickly therefore damaging your lawn’s root zone. Fall aeration is a great way to get a jump start on next year’s healthy lawn. Aeration removes 2-3 inch plugs of grass and thatch from your lawns surface which relieves soil compaction while improving the root zone as well assisting with thatch build-up. You can consider this a ‘breather’ for your lawn. Whether you hire a professional, buy your own manual aerator tool or rent a power aerator from your hardware store, you will be glad you did. It is relatively inexpensive at any route.
Keeping up on the needs of your lawn now means less work later. This theory may also equate to less money spent on your lawn in the future. It is much more expensive and less rewarding to replace the lawn than it is to do the necessary upkeep.
Stay tuned for the next issue of The Dirt! In the meantime, if you have questions regarding residential or commercial real estate and/or property management, please give Your Neighborhood Realtors a call! You can also visit our website at www.DistinctiveDenver.com.
Brought to you by Sondra Lockett-Cameron, Marketing Coordinator for TJC Real Estate and Management Services.
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