One of the areas where Australian homeowners take pride in is their lush green lawn. It provides the classic Aussie ambience for every home, giving you the perfect space to host a barbecue or simply enjoy your children playing.
However, achieving the lush green you often see in other lawns requires some effort in maintenance. In this guide, we’ll share a few of the most essential tips that can help give your lawn the desired clean and green outlook regardless of the climate in your region.
Choose the Right Lawn Mower and Maintain It
If you are a new homeowner or have had your lawn mower for a while and are struggling to give your grass the perfect cut, you need to look at the market. However, not all lawn mowers are created equal – they vary based on the grass type, terrain, yard size, and personal preferences.
Depending on preferences and lawn size, you can choose a push, self-propelled mower, a ride-on, or even a robotic lawn mower. You can also select between a manual, petrol-powered, and an electric one, but this shouldn’t be hard as you can buy lawn mowers online.
When you get the right one, it’s always best to maintain it to ensure it performs well. Keep your blades sharp to guarantee a clean cut, then check the oil, filters, and spark plugs for the petrol models. Lastly, ensure you clean the underside of the mower deck after every session as it helps prevent grass buildup.
Water Deeply but Infrequently
Watering your lawn the right way is essential, especially considering the varied climates and seasons in the country. What works best in one region may not suit the other, so the trick is to water deeply but infrequently.
This has several benefits. First, it encourages the roots to grow deeper, making your lawn more drought-resistant. It also prevents diseases as the grass doesn’t stay foggy and ensures the soil is strong enough to resist shallow weeds.
Instead of watering your lawn lightly once a day, give it a deep soak once or twice a week. In the hotter regions, you can slightly increase this frequency and reduce it in the year’s colder months. Ideally, water the lawn in the morning as the water won’t evaporate, and your grass won’t stay damp for long hours.
Nourish & Weed Out Your Lawn
Adding nutrients to the soil will benefit you in two ways. It will ensure your grass is well-fed and therefore stays green and lush throughout the year. This then helps the grass choke out weeds, reducing your need for weeding out.
Lawn grass generally requires a balanced fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium just at the start of the growing season. Ideally, you should opt for slow or controlled-release fertilisers as they ensure your soil is nutritious throughout the year. But if you feel this is inadequate, you can also try organic fertiliser. Ensure you water the grass after adding fertiliser to prevent leaf burns.
If weeds still grow, you can use selective herbicides for common invaders like Bindii, Creeping Oxalis, Catsear, and Clover. Otherwise, you can hand-pluck the few ones that grow – just make sure to pull out the root.
Aerate Your Lawn for Better Growth
Over time, the lawn soil becomes compacted, especially areas with high foot traffic or where the soil is heavy clay. This makes it hard for water and nutrients to penetrate, and the roots will also have a tough time growing.
Use a garden fork, lawn aerator sandals, or a tine aerator during the growing season to loosen the soil. You can do this twice a year or more frequently in heavy clay areas, but ensure you give it time to recover before winter dormancy.
Ensuring a Thriving Lawn Year-Round
When you adopt these lawn care techniques and stay consistent throughout the year while using the right mowing techniques, your lawn will feed, drink, and breathe properly. It will then give you that healthy and lush appearance you’ve always desired.
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