When spring rolls around, it’s just a matter of time before the first signs of green appear on lawns across the country. But if you’re not careful, your grass can turn brown and become patchy over the summer months. That’s why we’ve put together some tips to help keep that yard looking good all season long.
Fertilize, aerate, and water.
- Fertilize in the spring and fall. Fertilize your lawn with a good quality fertilizer at the recommended rate for your type of grass. This will help keep it green and healthy throughout the year.
- Aerate in the spring and fall. Aerating loosens compacted soil, improves drainage, and encourages root growth by making it easier for water to penetrate into deeper layers of soil where roots reside; this also helps prevent thatch build-up on top of your lawn which can cause fungus problems down below.
- Water deeply during drier periods, and ease up during rainy periods.
- It’s best to water early in morning so that plants have time to dry off before nightfall—this prevents disease outbreaks from moisture trapped under leaves overnight; also avoid watering when its windy outside because excess moisture will evaporate away instead being absorbed by thirsty roots.
Mow high.
When you mow your lawn, it’s important to do so at a high enough level. You should never cut the grass shorter than 1 inch in height. If you cut it shorter than this, scalping can occur and your lawn will lose its beautiful green color. When the grass is left a little longer, it encourages deep root development which improves drainage and reduces the buildup of thatch (dead roots and stems that haven’t yet decomposed).
Apply weed control if needed.
Weed control is an essential part of keeping your lawn healthy, green, and beautiful. There are a variety of chemicals available for weed control, but many homeowners prefer to use products that are less toxic. Whatever product you choose, it’s important to follow all precautions on the label and be careful not to get any on your skin or clothes.
Avoid overloading your lawn with too much nitrogen fertilizer.
You can avoid overloading your lawn with too much nitrogen fertilizer by using a soil test to determine how much nitrogen you need. A slow-release fertilizer can also help add nutrients over time.
If you have clay in your soil, consider adding sand to help improve drainage.
If you have clay in your soil (a common issue in Oklahoma), consider adding sand to help improve drainage.
Clay soil is heavy and compacted. Adding sand helps to break up that compaction so that water can get through the ground more easily. You can also mix with clay soil to improve drainage or add it directly on top of existing clay soil if you want to change its structure altogether.
Keep your Oklahoma lawn green.
When it comes to keeping your lawn green, there are a number of things you can do. You can fertilize, aerate, and water it. You can mow high, apply weed control and avoid overloading your lawn with too much nitrogen fertilizer. If you have clay in your soil or sandy areas that need better drainage then consider adding sand for better results.
Our local Oklahoma State University extension is always a great resource for anything related to horticulture, and has many fact sheets with researchers’ best recommendations.