A well-manicured lawn helps the ecosystem by keeping the air clean as the grass converts carbon dioxide into oxygen. But achieving and maintaining a lush, healthy lawn requires patience and commitment.

Healthy lawns don’t just look great, but they also benefit the household and the environment. A healthy lawn prevents water run-off better than hay or wheat fields. More importantly, it provides a suitable habitat for beneficial insects and birds.

However, there are essential lawn tasks that you need to take care of to keep the grass vibrant and healthy. While this can differ depending on the type of grass, location, and timing of treatment, everything is vital to ensure healthy grass growth.

Some lawn treatments in West Chester Ohio might only be necessary once or twice a year, while some are required all year round.

Here are eight essential lawn and landscaping treatments to ensure the health and beauty of your yard.

1. Watering

Just like any living thing, your grass needs water to grow and flourish. Watering deeply and infrequently is the best way to water your lawn. The amount of water it needs will depend on the climate, so monitoring how much rain you get is vital. Too much water will not just make the roots of the grass weak, but also encourage thatch accumulation.

If there isn’t enough rain, you need to water your lawn once it shows stress from dryness. An easy way to determine if your turf needs water is when the footprint remains as you walk over it.

Take extra precautions when watering in areas with hollows or on slopes. For instance, stop watering when runoff happens, and wait for at least 30 minutes before watering it again. Repeat this process to ensure that the sloped lawn receives the water it needs.

2. Mowing

Mowing will keep your grass well-kept, alive, and growing. Following the one-third rule also encourages the growth of stronger roots. Experts in landscaping in Mason, Ohio recommend doing it in the morning or evening. However, avoid mowing when it is wet from recent rain or watering because the mower can get clogged, and your grass can become highly vulnerable to diseases.

It may be tempting to mow the grass short since the grass of the golf course or baseball diamond looks great. But cutting the grass too short will deplete the food reserves stored in the roots, making the grass weak and highly susceptible to weeds and diseases.

Also, make sure you sharpen the mower blade before mowing the grass. A dull blade will not just tear the grass but will also draw out tender new growth.

3. Fertilizing

Fertilizers are your lawn’s food that keep it vibrant and strong. Applying it will entail research and accurate timing, so make sure to read the product label before putting it into the soil. Moreover, use only those appropriate for the type of grass you have and season to ensure that you are applying the right kind and amount of fertilizer.

Choose a product that works best for the problem you want to address. For instance:

• A potassium-rich fertilizer is recommended for grass that is suffering from dry conditions. It encourages high tolerance to drought and diseases.
• A phosphorus-rich fertilizer is the right choice if the lawn has bare spots. This mineral promotes excellent root development and seedling.
• A nitrogen-rich fertilizer is an excellent choice if you want to make your yard luscious and thick. It makes the grass greener and promotes healthy growth.

4. Aeration

Compacted soil and dense thatch can build up over time, preventing the essential nutrients, air, and water from reaching the grass roots. And this can result in thin turf and dead spots.

To prevent soil compaction, aeration is necessary. This is the process of creating new pathways for important nutrients to reach the grass roots. Aeration can be combined with regular weed management and feeding to give the grass room to grow and ensure proper nourishment.

5. Overseeding

Overseeding refers to spreading grass seeds to your lawn. This is usually done after aeration to let the seeds penetrate the soil, resulting in thicker grass. This is also a way to fill in bare spots.

6. Weed control

Preventing the growth of weeds in your yard will help maintain excellent grass health. Weeds can’t thrive if you have dense grass, so keeping your turf deeply rooted is your best defense to discourage weed growth.

Here are ways to control weeds:

• Pre-emergent: Even before you notice weeds in your yard, you can use pre-emergent weed control agents to prevent germination. But since you don’t know exactly where they will grow, apply pre-emergent agents in broad areas where they will most likely thrive.
• Post-emergent: Post-emergent weed control agents are used to kill specific weeds like clover and dandelions. It is applied to eliminate visible weeds, thus minimizing the chances that the weeds will appear later.
• Physical removal: If you have a small lawn with a few weeds, removing them manually is the most reasonable option. You can remove them by hand or cut the roots with a knife.

7. Pest control

Aside from weeds, pests can also invade and harm your yard. But a strong, healthy lawn can withstand pest infestation.

Here are common pests that can ruin your yard:

• Grubs: Larvae from different types of beetles can damage your lawn. Grubs burrow into the soil and eat the grass roots.
• Fire ants: Fire ants are challenging to deal with. They can ruin the grass and even sting or bite you to discourage you from enjoying your yard.

Targeted treatments can be done to get rid of these pests. Be careful, though, when using pest control agents because they may also damage healthy grass and other plants, as well as kill beneficial organisms.

8. Disease control

Most grass diseases happen in yards that are improperly watered, mowed too short, and over-fertilized. So take care of your grass properly to prevent it from getting sick.

Achieving and maintaining a healthy yard entails commitment and access to the tools necessary to apply all the required treatments. If you’re unwilling to invest, it is highly recommended that you hire a reputable lawn care and landscaping company. Allowing professionals to care for your lawn offers many benefits.

Besides, the cost of using these professional lawn care services is worth many times the value they give to your home. More importantly, you can gain valuable insights and knowledge about how to care for your grass properly from experts so you and your family can enjoy a lush, healthy lawn all year round.