Inside story

Every gardener dream to have a lush and healthy lawn. But the mighty weeds could crush their dreams.

Weeds grow rapidly in every season and damages the lawn. Many home gardeners use weed killers to kill weeds.

But it simultaneously affects the soil nutrients which eventually impacts plant growth.

Therefore, it is beneficial to restrict the use of chemicals for weed killing.

Obstructing weed growth could ultimately save the trouble of weed killing. It will eventually help you in lawn maintenance.

We are fortunate that we have several ways to control weed growth without using chemicals. I would like to share the best of them with you.

Every gardener should follow these 9 ways to control weed growth –

1. Keep the Lawn thick:

Your single distraction from the lawn could spur up the weed growth.

So, keep your lawn thick and don’t leave any room for the weed growth.

You can also use thick plantings and decorative beds to serve the purpose.

Additionally, use high-quality grass seed for the highest germination rate.

It will help to make your lawn thick.

2. Soil maintenance:

Expert says, ‘weeds can grow in any type of soil and condition.’

However, anything which promotes plant growth can reduce weed problems.

To encourage plant growth, soil maintenance is essential. For this, conduct a pH test and use fertilizers accordingly.

3. Till the garden:

Tilling is the best way to rotate weed seeds.

There are a lot of weed seeds lying on the surface, tilling helps to bury all of them in-depth which disable the weeds to establish on the soil.

4. Hoe the topsoil layer:

Hoeing is an effective way to control annual weeds.

Short hoeing can cut off the weeds at the soil level. But don’t hoe deeper, because it can bring the weed seeds in germination zone.

5. Use mulch beds:

Organic mulch is an important factor to prevent weed growth.

It creates blockage between sunlight and the soil. This action doesn’t let the weed grow.

It is advisable to use mulch as it has many benefits beyond weed growth.

6. Landscape fabric to cover the ground:

Landscape fabric also creates a barrier to weed growth.

Fabric is covered with tiny holes. These holes allow water and air to reach the soil but block the weed growth.           

7. Burn weeds:

The stubborn weeds on the sideways or lawn edges should be removed by burning.

You can torch the weeds by small landscape flamers. It can kill the weeds.

To determine whether the weed is dead or not, pinch the weed leaf with thumb and forefinger. If it leaves a fingerprint, it is dead.

8. Use biological controls:

Some insects like small orchids are the weed eaters.

You can use them in your garden to kill the weeds. But some insects are grass eaters too.

So, ask the experts before using this trick.

9. Vinegar:

Vinegar is the most common herbicide.

You can prepare a weed killer at home by using vinegar with salt and dish soap. But this mixture can kill everything it strikes.

So, take high precaution while using vinegar on your lawn.

Healthy lawns significantly boost the curb appeal of a house. It prevents soil erosion, makes the environment cool, and improves air quality.

Furthermore, it adds value to a property.

However, achieving a healthy lawn is more than just watering and adding fertilizers. You should follow a proper lawn maintenance routine.

But there are many lawn-care mistakes every homeowner should avoid.

We have compiled 5 such mistakes here –

Mowing short –

Mowing the grass too short is the most common lawn care mistake.

It is usually done to save time and energy. However, this inadvertently damages the grass.

It becomes vulnerable to disease and insects attack.

It is advisable to set the mower blades high and trim only 1/3rd of the actual grass length.

Planting one type of grass –

For healthy grass growth, it is important to plant different types of grasses.

This action will prevent damage from poor weather conditions like drought and snow.

Moreover, different types of grasses are responsible for the healthy lawn!

It is, therefore, advisable not to plant only one type of grass.

Watering too much/too little –

Watering too much or too little is equally harmful to a healthy lawn.

Our lawn needs about an inch of water every week. It is not possible to get water from rainfall.

Therefore, make sure to water the lawn frequently.

You should water the lawn every morning and evening. Avoid watering during noon hours.

Inappropriate use of fertilizers –

Fertilizers provide nutrient to the lawn.

It helps in proper growth, improves thickness and color. However, over application could damage the lawn.

It could hamper the growth completely. It is, therefore, advisable to fertilize twice every year.

Planting grass in the dead area –

Many people plant seeds in the dead area of the lawn.

Unfortunately, such dead patches do not promote any growth. It is a sheer waste of seeds and time.

Every person relishes the warmth and peace, a garden offers! Ahh! Imagine walking barefoot on a freshly mowed and lush green lawn! Soothing isn’t it? Well, what if you own one?

A luscious and healthy lawn requires lots of hard work. Your efforts shall never go waste if your kids are loving the lawn you created.

But how to get a luscious lawn? What are lawn maintenance tips for summer? How to keep a lawn healthy?

DIY gardeners around the world google such questions to get the best possible advice. Well, to begin with, you have stopped by at the right place to seek your answers.

I am here to guide you regarding lawn maintenance during the summer season.

But before we begin, if you have any queries or more interesting tips than below, feel free to share them with me!

You can leave a comment below or mail me at- batesjim10@outlook.com.

Now let’s explore 5 ultimate lawn maintenance tips for DIY gardeners-

Water correctly –

Summer season can take a toll on your lawn. The water gets vaporized during the day and hence the lawn grass becomes weak and brittle.

Many gardeners water the lawn during noon. However, it is a wrong practice.

Always water between 5 to 6 am in the morning or between 6 to 7 pm in the evening.

This action will offer moisture to your lawn throughout the day.

Fill the bare spots –

Bare spots in your lawn will give an unsightly appearance. Moreover, weeds will find a way into such bare patches.

In order to prevent weed growth, fill the patches with sod or grass seeds.

If you are planting grass seeds, sow the seeds first and thereafter cover it with loose soil.

For sod, cover the patch and press it firmly with the soil.  

Watch out for the weeds –

Weeds always find a way into a healthy lawn. They can suck the moisture out of grassroots thus making them dry out quickly.

Moreover, weeds multiply too quickly. They can overtake an entire lawn in a few weeks.

Therefore, controlling weeds is a critical step in lawn maintenance.

If you find weed growth in your lawn, either pull it out or use conventional methods to remove weeds.

Keep your mower ready –

Is your mower thick with grime? Well, it’s time to clean it and make it ready for some action!

Lawn mowing is the most important lawn maintenance step every DIY Gardener should follow.

If you do not have a lawn mower, invest in a good one. Mow the lawn once or twice a month.

Always set the mower to high and cut 1/3rd of the total length of the grass.

Give your lawn a dose of fertilizer –

Just like human beings, grass needs nourishment too.

The soil has limited nutrients and hence it needs fertilizers to provide food to your lawn.

For rapid growth, give a dose of fertilizers during springtime.

Thereafter, fertilize the soil during the fall season.