Lawn Fertilizing, Mowing and Watering Tips

With the soil prepared and the seed down, you’re well on your way to greener grass. Get tips on fertilizing, mowing and watering your lawn in this Lowe’s video:

Fertilizer: Measure you lawn’s square footage to determine how much fertilizer you’ll need. You can use either a broadcast or drop spreader; just make sure to check the bag for the correct spreader setting. You want to get the amount of fertilizer right as too much is as bad as too little for your grass. Apply the fertilizer evenly; do not overlap passes. Using weed and feed is a convenient way to deal with weeds and fertilize your lawn in one pass. Just don’t use these types if you’re sowing grass because they work by preventing seeds from germinating. If you’re sowing grass, use a lawn starter fertilizer instead.

Mowing: Only mow when the lawn is dry, otherise the grass clippings may clump. Make sure to cut the right height for your type of grass. Typically cool season grasses are cut taller and warm season grasses are cut a bit shorter. If you’re not sure, use the 1/3 rule – only remove 1/3 the length of each blade. Be mindful of your grass type when mowing, and slow your mowing frequency for cool season grasses when the weather is hot and arid. Keep your mower blades sharp for a clean cut that is disease-resistant. Alter your mowing patterns so grass won’t lean in one direction.

Watering: Most lawns need about an inch of water per week. A rain gauge can help you monitor rainfall. Deeply water your lawn in the morning to avoid loss of moisture from evaporation. Watering deeply is the most efficient method. It gives the water time to reach the root system and allows the soil to dry between waterings. It’s a good idea to hook your sprinkler to a timer to avoid runoff and wasted water.