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Simple guide to keeping your grass green

August 16, 2015 - 2 min read

Do you have brown and patchy grass at home? Many people think the key to keeping your grass green lies in the amount of water it gets, when that’s simply not true!

While water is one factor, there are many other variables that can have an impact on your lawn’s health. From fertilising and mowing to avoiding harmful chemicals and knowing when to water, getting picture-perfect grass is not easy as you think. If you’re worried that you aren’t using the proper lawn maintenance techniques, then we’ve got a few tips to get you on the right track!

Don’t over-fertilise

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Sometimes giving your lawn too much love can have a detrimental impact. Stick to fertilising once or twice a year, ensuring it’s watered in properly afterwards. Too much fertiliser can cause excess amounts of nitrogen and salts, which damage the roots and burn the grass. Also, over-using fertiliser can encourage rapid grass growth without the appropriate root structures, making it vulnerable to disease and insects.

Longer rather than shorter

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While many people love the crisp, well-maintained look of low-cut grass, this is not healthy. Taller grass shades out weeds and makes the soil cooler, which in turn keeps the grass moist for longer—helping it absorb more nutrients and promoting deeper root penetration. However, this doesn’t mean leaving your grass until it’s overgrown! Mowing it to around 6 to 10 centimetres in height is perfect.

Be very careful with harmful chemicals

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Pesticides, insecticides and fungicides are designed to kill livings things in your garden. While you might have insects or diseases infecting your lawn, applying these harmful chemicals will also kill the good microbes and earthworms that keep your soil and grass healthy. If you’re worried about disease or insect damage with your lawn, seek help from a local landscaping or pest control expert.

Know how to water your lawn

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Again, when it comes to watering your grass, sometimes too much love is not good. You want your lawn to develop a strong root system and constant watering won’t encourage these roots to dig deeper searching for water. Give your turf a long soak 2 to 3 times a week, as opposed to short daily soaks. Try to water your grass in the morning so it can better absorb, rather than watering at night—as the prolonged damp environment can encourage disease.