Not all homeowners are blessed with a huge tract of land or an expansive, beautiful garden. You might even be living in an urban area where the space is limited. Alternatively, you could be starting out in building a garden of your own, or have limited resources.
Any of these situations may prevent you from developing the lawn of your dreams. But no need to worry. Even a small plot of land has the potential to become a rocking orchard or shrubbery.
Let our experts on Lawn treatments Manassas va share their tips and insights on how you can turn your tiny land space into an outdoor haven you can be proud of.
Choose the right tools
Tending to a garden involves many tasks. The amount of time and effort you need for the task at hand depends on the equipment you use. One of the essentials: a lawnmower.
Lawnmowers come in many types and sizes. If you have limited space available, experts on Lawn Care in Manassas Park VA recommend the push-behind type. For larger yards, models that allow you to ride them or a self-propelled one would be most suitable.
For edge work around stones, outdoor furniture, walls, sidewalks or fences, use a string trimmer. An alternative is to install mowing strips. If you need to spread seeds, get a spreader.
There are many other types of gardening tools. Consider the tasks you plan on doing and the size of your yard. From these aspects, you can get the tools designed specifically for the job.
Read the manuals
Learn the tools you plan on using, whether it is as small as a hand spade to a large riding lawn mower. Knowing how to use the equipment efficiently is not as easy as it sounds. There are proper and improper ways of wielding the devices, and this takes time and effort.
Take mowing the lawn, for instance. There is a right and wrong way of cutting the grass. Without knowing the basics, you may not know how tall you should leave the grass. Note that cutting it too short can make it more vulnerable to weeds.
Reading the user manual also allows you to learn more about your machine, including how you should hold, charge, or maintain the tool.
Choose the right grass
Much like plants, it is important to find the right species of grass for your lawn. What you choose can determine how much work you have to do to grow and keep your garden healthy.
For instance, if you are just starting out, or have a small yard, experts recommend using artificial turf as it requires minimal maintenance. On the other hand, for a more natural feel, choose real grass. But keep in mind that real grass will need more resources if you want to keep the blades strong and healthy.
It is also worth considering the local climate. Native grass varieties thrive better as they are used to the weather and temperature. Make a note of these widespread grass species per region in the US when choosing one for your yard:
Southeastern region
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North, and South Carolina, are some states that fall under this region. Its warm, humid climate makes for the ideal environment for these types of grass:
- Bahia
- Bermuda
- Augustine
Southern region
Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi comprise the south. The warm, arid conditions there are perfect for grasses such as the following:
- Zoysia
- Buffalo grass
- Bermuda
Western region
The western region includes the states of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California. The climate here is still arid, much like the southern states, but cooler. Taking this into account, recommended grass types include:
- Wheatgrass
- Canada bluegrass
- Buffalo grass
Northern Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Northeastern states
Compared to the other previously mentioned regions, this area is the most expansive. With a cool but humid climate, the best grass species that can thrive in this environment include the following:
- Bentgrass
- Bluegrass
- Perennial ryegrass
Start with the basics
The first year of gardening may seem boring and exhausting. You put in the work, but barely anything is growing. Instead of waiting, use this time to learn more about your yard.
Perhaps you want to experiment with a different species of grass. The first year is when you observe how it grows and reacts to the climate, and for making adjustments. If you have grass that turns brown during the summer, you may want to replace it with a variety that does well in warmer temperatures.
See how the other plants are faring. You may have flora that prefers a lot more sunlight or water. This is also the best time to make plans for next year’s batch.
Remove weeds
Tackle any weeds as soon as you see them. Weeds such as the yellow medick, dandelions, and plantains may be easy to remove but also spread quickly. They can steal away the nutrients of the soil and choke up the young glass blades.
Lift the weeds with a small trowel. Doing so weakens the hold of the weeds, preventing it from spreading. In some cases, the trowel is enough to remove the weeds, although, for larger ones, you can use the lawnmower.
Avoid using any type of weedkiller or chemical herbicides, as much as possible. Without the help of professionals, they can be expensive and dangerous to use. Plus, they can weaken the plants, allowing weeds to thrive even more.
Water your lawn
As with other types of plants, the amount of water you give your grass is critical to its growth. Too much, and the roots won’t go deep. On the other hand, not providing enough water will cause the blades to turn brown, especially during the summer months.
Sprinklers make it easy to water your yard evenly. However, you may need to check local regulations as to what models are permitted in your area. If you want a more practical option, you can collect rainwater, or wash water and reuse that to water your plants.
Building or maintaining a lawn doesn’t have to be a pain. Follow these tips for a better lawn and garden. You can also call experienced lawn care specialists for help with your yard.
