Having a beautiful, lush lawn is something many homeowners in Canberra take pride in. However, lawn care can seem tricky, especially in Canberra. Fortunately, with some simple tips and tricks, even young ones can learn how to keep their lawn looking great all year round!
What is a Lawn?
Let’s start with the basics. A lawn is an area of soil that is covered with grass. Not just any grass though – lawns are made up of very specific types of grass that are bred to grow thick and lush. The most common lawn grasses in Canberra are buffalo, couch, and kikuyu.
Why Lawns Need Care in Canberra
Just like people need food, water and exercise, so do lawns! If you don’t take good care of your lawn, it can become patchy, dry and overgrown with weeds. This is why lawn care in caberra is so important. With some basic maintenance, your lawn will stay healthy and vibrant.
Mowing Your Lawn
One of the most important lawn care tasks is mowing. Mowing helps keep your grass at the perfect length – not too long and not too short. Generally, you’ll want to mow when your lawn has grown to around 6-8cm tall. Any taller and your lawn can look shaggy and untidy.
Edging is another mowing task that gives your lawn nice, clean edges along garden beds and paths. This keeps everything looking neat and tidy.
Watering Your Lawn
Like humans, lawns need water to survive – especially in Canberra’s hot, dry summers! However, you don’t want to overwater either, as this can lead to fungus growth. The perfect amount is around 2.5cm of water per week in the cooler months, and maybe a bit more when it’s really hot.
Morning is the best time to water, as less moisture is lost to evaporation. You’ll also want to make sure you’re watering the entire lawn evenly.
Feeding Your Lawn
Just as people need food to stay strong and healthy, so do lawns! Lawn fertilizer provides essential nutrients that grass needs to grow thick and green. The best times to fertilize are in early spring and late summer/early fall.
There are different types of fertilizers too – some release nutrients quickly while others are slow-release. Your lawn care professional in Canberra can recommend the best fertilizer schedule.
Aerating Your Lawn
Over time, a lawn’s soil can become compacted from things like foot traffic. This makes it hard for air, water and nutrients to penetrate down to the grass roots. That’s where aerating comes in – it creates small holes in the soil to allow better movement of these essential elements.
Most experts recommend aerating once or twice per year, ideally in early spring or fall when the grass is actively growing.
Dealing With Weeds
Pesky weeds can quickly take over a lawn if left unchecked. Dandelions, clover, and crabgrass are some of the biggest culprits. Pulling weeds by hand is effective on small areas, but larger lawns may require herbicides to really get weeds under control.
Be sure to use herbicides carefully though – you don’t want to damage your healthy grass! In Canberra Many professional lawn care services offer eco-friendly weed control options.
Dethatching Your Lawn
“Thatch” refers to the layer of dead grass, roots and stems that can build up between the grass blades and soil over time. A thin thatch layer is normal, but too much thatch can prevent air, water and nutrients from reaching the roots.
Using a special dethatching rake or machine helps remove this excess organic matter and keeps your lawn breathing easy. Most lawns only need dethatching every few years.
Lawn Care Seasons in Canberra
Lawn care needs change somewhat from season to season in Canberra’s climate. Here’s a quick overview:
Spring
- Start mowing and fertilizing as weather warms up
- Aerate soil if needed
- Apply pre-emergent weed control
Summer
- Mow regularly, leaving grass slightly longer
- Water as needed during hot, dry spells
- Treat any weeds that emerge
Fall
- Keep mowing and fertilizing
- Aerate soil again if needed
- Clear fallen leaves off lawn
Winter
- Mow less frequently as grass goes dormant
- Avoid heavy traffic on frozen/dormant lawn
Following a seasonal lawn maintenance schedule helps ensure your yard always looks its best!
When to Call the Pros
While kids can certainly help out with basic lawn care tasks, sometimes it’s best to call in the professionals, especially for larger yards. Likewise, Experienced lawn care services in Canberra have the equipment and expertise to really keep your lawn looking flawless.
Some services they typically offer include with Lawn Care:
- Fertilization programs
- Weed control and prevention
- Aeration and dethatching
- Seeding and over seeding
- Soil testing and amendments
With their help, you can spend more time playing and relaxing on your perfect lawn!
So there you have it – the basics of lawn care, Canberra-style! By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to keep your yard healthy, lush and beautiful all year round. It just takes a little bit of regular care and maintenance. Get the whole family involved for an activity that’s both fun and rewarding. A great lawn is something everyone can enjoy!
