Have you ever been to the lawn and garden center and been confused about which fertilizer you need? There are many different formulations and brands of fertilizer for new lawns. The only way consumers can make wise decisions and purchase the right fertilizers for new lawns is to be able to understand the numbers on the bags.

When you go to purchase fertilizer, you will see three numbers listed on the bags. These numbers are important. These numbers will tell you the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer.

The first number listed on fertilizer bags refers to nitrogen. Nitrogen is good for lawns because it can really help to green up a dull yard. If you already have a mature, existing lawn, you will probably not need a high percentage of nitrogen in your fertilizer.

The second number listed on fertilizer bags refers to phosphate. Phosphate helps the grass seed to germinate and it promotes root health. New lawns will need an application of fertilizer fairly high in phosphate.

The third number listed on fertilizer bags refers to potassium, or potash. Potash helps to strength lawn grass. Strong roots and healthy grass is the key to great ground cover.

You should consider doing a soil test on your soil before you choose a fertilizer for new lawns. Soil test results can truly save you money in the long run. Who wants to purchase fertilizer if it is not needed? Likewise, you may damage your lawn by adding things to it that it does not need.

Lawn grass grows best when it is planted in soil that has a pH of 6.2 – 6.5. This means that your lawn grass will receive the most nutrients if planted in soil within this pH range. Most soil tests will give you recommendations on what amendments to make or fertilizers to add to your soil to get it to the desired pH level. Soil tests will show you the levels of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium that are currently in your lawn soil so you don’t make costly mistakes.

If you have cool-season grass such as Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Rough Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Creeping Fescue, Annual Ryegrass and Perennial Ryegrass, you will want to fertilize your new lawn in the fall. The months between September and December are the best months for fertilization. This will promote root growth and help the grass to be tolerant to heat and drought in the summer heat. It will also help your grass to green up faster in the spring, which is a major plus.

If you have a warm-season grass, such as Argentine Bahiagrass, Pensacola Bahiagrass, Common Bermuda, Improved Bermuda, Carpetgrass, Centipede, St. Augustine and Zoysiagrass, you should add fertilizer to new lawns in the spring and summer. The months between April and July are the best time to add fertilizer.

There was once a time when it was a very fashionable to have stately homes and gardens, with a number of gardeners taking care of the garden grounds and lawns. But technological methods have improved drastically since then and we no longer need a scythe to maintain a well-kept lawn. Nowadays, there is a number of gardening implements which can be used to ensure that your lawn is kept in the perfect green velvety form with never a weed daring to raise its impertinent head.

First of all, we need to remember that the basics of lawn maintenance start with the necessary implements. This means investing in an excellent lawnmower, depending on how large your lawn is. A grass lawn positively enjoys being trimmed drastically, and mowing your lawn is going to be extremely good therapeutic exercise for you when you have nothing else constructive to do. And if you happen to be behind a good lawnmower, lawn mowing becomes a positive pleasure. The end result of an well-groomed lawn is going to be worth the effort of lawn mowing. After that, you can always invest in an edger and a trimmer. These can either be manual or even gas and electric models and can be used for trimming grass in inaccessible places where no lawnmower has ever gone before.

Along with these tools, you need an tool for spread fertilizer on your lawn. This is known as a spreader and is basically a tub which is pushed all over the lawn, spreading the fertilizer evenly over the surface of the grass. The spreaders last a long time, and if you want to add seed to some areas of on your own, you can buy a spreader which has a rotating handle and can be held in the hand.

It is a necessary fact of gardening that autumn leaves fall and drift down past your window every year. However, if they manage to spread a blanket all over the lawn, they are going to dehydrate the grass by not allowing it to get water. That is the reason for having a good rake, as the collected leaves can be used as compost. The rake can also be used in the winter to remove any snow thatch from the surface of the grass, giving your lawn air to breathe.

It is also necessary to have a shovel with a narrow blade and a long handle. Rounded blades are good for digging and doing other gardening tasks. Getting these basic implements organized means you are now prepared to take on the task of caring for your lawn.

Do you know that in 2008 more then 150,000 cases of lawn mower injury were treated in emergency rooms across United States? If gardening is your hobby or landscaping is your profession then the lawn mower is part and parcel of your day-to-day life. Used for making your lawns more beautiful, this equipment can also cause serious injuries to both users and bystanders. Patients have reported loss of fingers and also toes, plus broken or dislocated bones, deep wounds and cuts and various other injuries. By following some simple yet effective lawn mowing safety procedures you can save yourself a ride to the hospital.

Teenagers looking to make some extra pocket money often take up lawn mowing jobs. Care should be taken while providing them with mowers. It is recommended that children under 14 should not be allowed to work with ride-on lawn mower equipment and if the child is not yet in his or her teens walk-behind lawn mowers are a big no-no.

With advancements in technology, there are land mowers available which stop as soon as you lift your hand from the handle. This equipment will surely go a long way in helping you maintain lawn mowing safety.

Another important lawn mowing safety instruction that should be followed is to ascertain that the mower operator is wearing proper shoes and not open sandals. A set of comfortable sturdy shoes will not only make your movement easier but also protect your feet from injury. Other lawn mowing safety must-haves are glasses or goggles or eye-wear protection gear which will prevent eye injuries.

Before starting with lawn mowing it is always advisable to clear your lawn of stones, toys and other decorative items which may fly up when struck and cause severe injuries. Also, while mowing the lawn ask others to keep a safe distance from the equipment to ensure their safety.

Refuel and start your lawn mover outside and not in a closed shed or garage. Also, care should be taken that the mower’s motor is not on and that the mower is properly cooled before refueling it.

Another lawn mowing safety precaution to be kept in mind is that the blades of the mower should be properly adjusted so that they don’t get stuck in the debris of the cut grass. This blade adjustment should be performed by an adult after the spark plug of the lawn mower is removed.

As correctly stated that prevention is better than cure, by making use of the above lawn mowing safety measures you can add beauty to your lawn and stay safe.

Lawns play a significant role in the overall look of the home. A lot of effort, dedication and time is required in order to make a lawn beautiful and healthy. For families, lawns are an integral part of their memories as their children grow up while playing there. Lawns are very useful for small family and friends get-togethers and they are eco-friendly as well. Lawns are an important part of the house and family and they should be taken care of to the maximum possible level. However, due to busy schedules people get little time for this and it becomes difficult to take care of gardens properly. So it’s better to hire a lawn care professional who can take good care of the lawn. Optimum-level maintenance of lawn can be done only by a lawn care professional who understands the requirements and needs of a family very well to develop the lawn accordingly. Unkempt lawns detract from the overall look of a house.

So, if you want your house to look beautiful, attractive and appealing then it is better to hire a lawn care professional. Lawn care professional services can be expensive, so thorough research needs to be done before hiring one. The most important point is to hire a lawn care professional who is qualified enough for his job. Experience and a good track record for the maintenance of lawn are important qualities here. Besides these qualities a lawn care professional needs to be aware of environmental issues because only then will he be able to understand the importance of a chemical-free and healthy residential environment. Before hiring a lawn care professional there are few other things also which we must consider such as:

A lawn care professional must have a license as per government laws.

If you are hiring a lawn care professional from a particular company then the company must possess the license or have the relevant memberships and associations.

It is important for you to collect all information about annual cost and ongoing costs following each visit by the lawn care professional.

There is a wide range of services offered so you should be clear about the kind of services you want from the lawn care professional, such as seeding, aeration, maintenance, pest control etc.

It is also helpful and extremely convenient if you hire a lawn care professional from your own neighborhood.

Most companies offer guaranteed services and refunds; in case of sub-standard results, such companies also offer occasional discounts.

It is a must to get all this information prior to hiring a lawn care professional or company and by being a little prudent you can be a proud owner of a highly attractive lawn.

Weeds are unwanted plants that steal the nutrition and minerals of the important plants and crops that are growing in your garden. And they may grow on the nutrition and food meant for your important plants and may hamper their growth. It is very important to protect your plants and garden from weeds. Weeds grow much faster than other plants in your garden.

Weed control is also known as pest control in which weeds are prevented from reaching a mature stage where they can harm livestock and plants. Different weed-control strategies can be applied to reduce weed growth prevent their growth.

The commonest and most preferred method applied to remove and destroy weeds is ploughing. Today there are many other chemicals present in the market that can help you decrease the number of weeds in your garden. Herbicides are widely used worldwide to control the growth of weeds.

In domestic gardens different methods are used to control weeds, such as covering the area of the garden with layers of newspaper for several weeks. Also, black plastic sheeting can be used instead of newspaper. The newspaper prevents sunlight from penetrating and kills unwanted plants. Dead plants also help to increase soil nutrition and minerals. After a few weeks you will find most of the weeds are dead and can be removed easily. If you are using black plastic sheets then the greenhouse effect will help you by killing the plants and weeds beneath them. Weeds tend to reproduce at a much faster rate than other plants and you will be able to see that they survive most adverse conditions also. It is very important to know the kind of weeds growing in your garden so that you can easily eradicate them using correct methods.

A common technique used by growers is the Stale seed bed in which soil is cultivated and is left for about a week. When the seeds germinate in the ground, there are increased chances for the growth of weeds, hampering the growth of plants and eating up their nutrition. Stale seed bed helps in killing the weeds at the time of germination and help to retain essential soil nutrients.

Are you looking for the scoop on how to plant a new lawn? Are you wondering which method is the least expensive? Maybe you want to know how to plant a new lawn so that you will get instant results? Whatever your questions, we are here to answer them. We will guide you through the three different options you have so you can choose which growing method is right for you.

How to Plant a New Lawn – Seed Information

Of all three methods, sowing grass seed is the least expensive way you can get a new lawn started. The best time to sow seed is in late summer and into early fall. The only investment you will have in seeding is buying seed and either buying or renting a seed spreader. You will also need to buy top dressing to cover your seed bed. This can be straw or peat moss.

How to Plant a New Lawn – Sod Information

If you are looking for an instant result, sod is the way to go. It is much more expensive than seed. However, one of the advantages of installing sod is that it can be done at any time of year. The most important thing about sod is that is should be bought fresh and installed immediately.

How to Plant a New Lawn – Plugs and Sprigs Information

If you have a small lawn area and live in a warm region, you have the option of planting plugs and sprigs. Plugs and sprigs come in containers. You should measure your area to see how many containers of grass you will need. Plugs and sprigs are planted about every eight to twelve inches apart. With adequate watering, your plugs and sprigs will turn into a full lawn by eight weeks.

Soil Preparation

Many people get caught up in deciding how to plant a new lawn and forget about the soil that new grass will be growing in. The type, condition and texture of the soil are the most important elements for getting healthy grass. Whether you are seeding, laying sod or planting plugs and sprigs, you should do all you can to ensure that your soil is properly prepared.

If you really want to get your new lawn off to a great start, you should have your soil tested. If you do not want to find a lab to test your soil, simply purchase a soil-testing kit and do it yourself. Soil tests will tell you what amendments should be made to your soil prior to planting.

Whether you plant seed, install sod or plant sprigs and plugs, you should first have the growing area tilled. If you do not till, grass may have trouble establishing roots – especially if the soil in the growing area is very heavy. The soil should be tilled to at least six to eight inches. After you have loosened up the growing soil, add any amendments/fertilizers needed based on your soil test and till them into the soil. Next, rake the growing area free of debris and you can start sowing your seed, planting your sprigs or plugs or installing sod.

Now that you know the three basic options you have and how to plant a new lawn, you simply have to decide which growing method will work for you.

The feeling of soft lush green grass under your feet as you take a morning stroll in your lawn is surely an endearing thought. To maintain a healthy body we need a balanced diet; in the same way, we need fertilizers to bring out the best in our lawns.

We need to provide our lawns with a nourishing diet to make them grow and glow. Fertilizing lawns has multiple benefits such as promoting growth of new leaves and plant roots, plus controlling and reducing lawn weeds, replenishing the soil with lost nutrients and, last but not the least, fertilizers help with pest control.

There are two different types of fertilizers for lawns available on the market:

Liquid-based fertilizers: these fertilizers are easy to use and have a faster effect as the soil rapidly absorbs them. All you need to do is to mix liquid fertilizers with water and spray it on plants. Liquid fertilizers should be used bi-weekly or once every 21 days for greater impact.

Granular fertilizers: these fertilizers are added to the garden using a spreader followed by watering. The advantage of using granular fertilizers is that you are well aware of the quantity of fertilizer being added to the lawn. They are available in two varieties: quick-release fertilizers which have an impact for a month and slow-release fertilizers which last for up to 3 months.

There are a few factors to be aware of before applying fertilizers to your lawn. Determine the type of lawn grass, find out the soil type and measure the size of your lawn. This information will help you in selecting the right fertilizers for your lawn. Also follow the instructions on the fertilizer pack on the quantity to be used and how frequently the fertilizer has to be applied before adding them to your soil.

Here are some important tips to be aware of before applying fertilizers to lawns:

Mow the lawn and moisten the soil as a dry lawn can get burnt when fertilizers are being applied.

Remember, application of fertilizer is not the same as weed control, so both products should not be used simultaneously or in combination.

You should be very cautious while handling fertilizers as some can be poisonous. Always wear gloves and also wear a dust mask while handling fertilizers for your own safety.

The right kind of fertilizers can help you get that lush green garden cover that looks so good.

If you are a proud owner of a beautifully landscaped lawn and love to throw outdoor parties, then regular lawn aeration is a must to maintain the ravishing look of your lawn. Don’t panic if the term lawn aeration sounds foreign as this is just a simple procedure of removing plugs and cores from the lawn soil to make it more porous and healthier for plant growth.

The soil of our lawns loses its porosity and becomes compacted due to heavy usage from walking, running or even during the rainy seasons. The trampled soil is able to hold less oxygen and neither the water nor the nutrients are able to seep deep inside the earth to the plant roots, resulting in slower plant growth and marring the look of your lawn.

Lawn aeration can be done using mechanical lawn aerators, a device having a drum-like structure with spoons or tines attached at its base to remove soil cores. Lawn aerators can be hired out from any landscaping firm. The following steps will help you get your lawn properly aerated:

The first important step is to moisten the lawn soil by watering it thoroughly for a couple of days. For lawn aeration we need moist but not wet soil which may otherwise cling to the aerator’s tines.

If you live in an area experiencing heavy rainfall then wait till the soil has dried sufficiently before starting on the aeration procedure.

Once the soil reaches a properly moist state you should use a lawn aerator to remove the soil cores. The aerator should be moved in at least two different directions for better coverage.

Another important point is to mark the position of your garden sprinklers, cable and underground wiring lines carefully so that the aerator tines do not damage them.

After taking out soil cores, use manure and fertilizers on the lawn surface to replenish the soil.

The best time to carry out lawn aeration in areas experiencing warm climate is in the months of June and July, whereas areas near the east coast should use land aerators in months of August and September to promote good garden growth.

Lawn aeration helps increase microbial activity in soil, in turn improving thatch decomposition. Also, the airy soil promotes better penetration of water and other nutrients to the plant roots, resulting in faster growth. Another benefit of lawn aeration include an increase in the underground water table due to incursion of more rainwater in the soil. Aerate your lawn at least once every year to enjoy and lush and green lawn forever.

You have to take care of new sod lawns. Sod, or turf, is a living and breathing element and it can die. You should never schedule a delivery of sod until you are ready to install it. Sod should never be stored for more than a couple of days.

When you go to buy sod, you should make sure it is freshly cut. You should also look for sod that has been grown on soil similar to the soil in your yard. When you install your sod, try to avoid stretching it or leaving any gaps, which might encourage weeds to grow.

You should know that heat can build up inside a roll of sod. As soon as it has been laid, you should take care of new sod lawns by giving them a good drink of water. Allow the water to penetrate to a depth of at least six inches.

During the first two weeks, you should take care of new sod lawns as if they were dehydrating. You cannot over-water them, so you can water your new sod lawn up to five times a day. The key is keeping the sod moist so the roots have time to firmly take root. You should keep people and pets off of your new sod lawn until it has had its first mowing. Most sod lawns can be mowed approximately two weeks after installation. However, if your lawn has been laid in the cold months, it may be a while before mowing is required. Keep in mind that it is better to mow high than to scalp your new lawn.

During the third and fourth weeks, you can start to reduce the frequency of waterings. While you may decrease the frequency of your waterings, you may want to increase how long you water. Sod lawns at this age really like deeper and less frequent waterings because that helps their roots grow more deeply to reach water. This establishes your new lawn into the soil and makes it stronger. If you want to check to see if your lawn is getting firmly rooted, simply tug on the turf. At the four-week mark, you should apply fertilizer to your new lawn.

Problem Solvers for New Sod Lawns

If you think that your sod is not taking root fast enough, you should know that sod lawns planted in excessive shade will put down roots more slowly than sod lawns which are in full sun. Adjusting your watering schedule can help a lawn that is having problems establishing roots. Doing less frequent but deeper soakings may help.

If your sod is shrinking, that is a sign that it is not receiving enough water. Immediately begin increasing the duration and frequency of waterings and the gaps should fill in.

Does your sod have bluish-grey spots? If so, these are drought spots. Take care of new sod lawns by increasing watering time. If you are using a sprinkler to water, make sure it is reaching the areas that are spotting.

Do you have a new lawn? If yes, then you should know the keys to maintaining the health of your grass.

New-lawn care involves three main components: water, mowing and traffic.

Water

New lawns should be watered daily during their first few weeks. This is crucial in new lawn care. Daily watering will help the roots to get established. Keep the turf very moist. If you are experiencing a drought in your area, or if you live in a very hot climate, you may need to water your new lawn twice a day at the very least.

While the key to new lawn care requires keeping the turf moist, you should not over-water your new lawn to the point where it is a wet, muddy mess. Try to not saturate the soil. If puddles are forming in your lawn, you are watering too much. Too much water in the soil can keep the roots of your new grass from achieving a deep hold.

If your grass starts to take on a gray color, this tells you that it is not getting the water it needs. A quick way to see if your lawn is getting enough water is to use a knife or screwdriver to dig into the soil. The dirt should be damp to a depth of six inches.

Once your new lawn has passed the two week time period, you can reduce watering to two or three times per week. How often you water your new lawn at this stage will depend on your environment. A new lawn in a dry climate or in an area experiencing significant drought may need to be watered four or five times per week.

Mowing

New lawn care guidelines for sod state that initial mowing can be done within three weeks of planting.

New-lawn care guidelines for seeded lawns state that it may be eight weeks before mowing is needed.

Another key component to maintaining the health of your new lawn is to mow your grass only when it is dry. Mowing new, wet grass can pull the newly rooted grass out of the soil.

Never scalp your new lawn grass. It is better for the grass to be a little high than to be too short. By allowing your new lawn grass to grow a little higher before cutting will ensure that the grass is well rooted and established before it undergoes the trauma of a lawn mower blade.

Traffic

You should try to limit the amount of traffic on your new lawn during the first few weeks after planting. While it is unnecessary to keep all traffic off your new lawn, traffic should be kept to a minimum. You will not want your children riding bikes or playing ball on your new lawn grass.

A lawn that is not protected from high traffic may get damaged and die. Friction on the new grass can pull up newly established roots that are still weak. Reducing friction is important in new lawn care.