New homeowners will need to decide if they will invest in the
necessary tools and equipment or contract with a professional landscaping
company to maintain their lawn. Many homeowners enjoy the time spent outside
but do not always know the right steps to take to make the best use of the
limited growing season. Creating a garden journal for your property including
dates can help you to remember each year what steps were taken in each season,
as well as map out the additions you’ve planted along the way. When you move
the new homeowners can keep adding to this garden journal or refer to it
through the seasons to better understand how to maintain the lawn, perennials,
trees and shrubs.
Evaluate the square footage that you have to work with and decide how much area should remain or be designated for your lawn. This will help you to determine how much seed, fertilizer and other materials you will need. Think about how much time and effort you are planning to routinely devote to lawn care during the season. Consider allowing less used areas to “go wild” and having more natural growth. Encourage native species of wildflowers to grow by planting. Many homeowners are finding this style can save them a significant amount of time as well as water.
If there is equipment or tools that you do not have and need
to budget for consider whether or not you can borrow or rent the item(s)
including things like a riding or push lawn mower, weed whacker, leaf blower,
loppers, bow rake, aerating tool, grass seed spreader, leaf rake, hose(s), watering
sprinkler(s), garden bags and gloves. Do not overlook the logistical considerations
like where you will be dumping things like grass clippings, leaves, etc and if
not located on your property how, where and when they will be removed.
Great looking grass begins with having the right amount and
type of topsoil with adequate drainage. Observe the sloping of your lawn to
confirm that it slopes away from the house and there are no low areas where
water can puddle. Small grade (slope) changes for better drainage can be done with
small equipment like a wheel barrel and bow rake but larger projects will
require the use of a tractor or a bulldozer. There should be a minimum of 4 to
6 inches of topsoil and to learn what should be added to your soil for optimal
growth send a sample to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for
testing. Dethatching is a critical step removing all of the dead grass and
letting new grass seed to reach the soil and may be done using a bow rake or
renting a thatcher. Aerating your soil can be done with a variety of tools
which drive 3 inch spikes down into the ground to loosen the soil. Remove weeds
and any damaged sections of grass to be replaced.
Buy new grass seed each year and choose the correct type for
our area and purpose. Using a drop spreader helps to consistently spread the
seed. To get the best results do twice by dividing seeds in half doing two
passages; the first passage in one direction then the second in right angles to
the first passage. Water and cover with clean straw to help keep moisture in
while germinating and prevent from being washed away. It is important to
consistently water the grass seed so having a sprinkler set up that can be
intermittently left running to reach these areas will be helpful. Once new
grass reaches around 4 inches you can begin to mow it.
Keeping your grass a little bit longer during the hot summer
months can help to reduce or prolong it from turning brown by being scorched in
the sun, and water on occasion in the evening or early morning.
Nicole Foster is a Broker with Locations Real Estate Group who resides in Windham and loves people and real estate.
No comments:
Post a Comment