Lawn Care Tips


Watering
These are general guidelines, as many factors will influence amount and frequency of watering.

  • Infrequent, heavier watering is the general rule. This encourages deeper root growth, less weed activity, and a better ability to fend of drought and disease (frequent, light irrigation encourages weed seed germination and makes your lawn more prone to insect and disease problems )
  • Water 2-3 times per week. Sandy loam soils may require more frequency. Clay loam soils may require less frequency
  • Provide at least 1/2 to 1 inch of water at each watering. This can be measured by placing an empty container on the lawn and seeing how long it takes to fill that container with at least 1/2 to 1 inch of water, then watering each area of lawn that same amount of time.
  • AVOID watering after 6 PM. Many lawn diseases are associated with this practice. It is especially damaging in conditions of high humidity and nighttime temperatures greater than 68 degrees F.
  • The BEST time to water is between 4 AM – 10 AM. During very hot, dry days, your lawn may also benefit from an additional watering at mid day, 12 PM – 2 PM.

Mowing
These are general guidelines, as every home is effected by different conditions (sun, shade, irrigation, etc).

  • Height - cool season grass varieties found here in Connecticut should be cut to a height of 3 - 4 inches (3 inches in early Spring and late Fall, 4 inches in late Spring, Summer and early Fall ). This will discourage weed seed germination and help establish a deeper root system.
  • Frequency - this may vary. The key is to not cut any more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one cutting. If the grass is seriously overgrown, break it down by mowing 2 – 3 times ( 2-3 days apart ) to return the grass to a proper height.
  • Clippings - when mowing only 1/3 of leaf blade at a time, you can safely leave clippings in the lawn. Contrary to popular opinion, grass clippings do not add to thatch build-up. In fact, clippings return valuable nutrients and water back to the soil.
  • Blades - make sure you are mowing with sharp blades. This will ensure a clean cut. Dull blades tear the leaf, allowing better chance for a disease pathogen to enter.
  • Wet Grass - try to avoid mowing when grass is wet. Disease pathogens, if present, can get picked up on the mower blades and spread to other areas of the lawn.