How to Care for a Lawn
It’s the yard that first greets you and your guests. Not long ago, a housewife’s pride was endless rows of cucumber and tomato beds, and true joy came only from a harvest ‘better than the neighbors’. But times have changed, as have the women themselves. And not just that — our views on life have evolved, along with the reasons for pride. Today, a yard’s beauty no longer depends on how many kilograms of cucumbers it yields. Most people enhance their garden spaces with flower beds, garden sculptures, small fountains, and lawns with lush, green grass. Moreover, the lawn forms the foundation for all other decorative plants you plan to use to beautify your plot. Thanks to a lawn, all plants harmoniously blend into a single landscape. I’d also like to mention the beneficial impact on physical and mental well-being — and how mowed grass helps evaporate excess moisture, increasing air humidity. This explains the pleasant coolness that always lingers on such a lawn.
I hope you’re already mentally lying on your envisioned lawn, smiling softly, while I burn with anticipation to tell you how to care for it properly.
There’s a common belief that lawn installation and maintenance are complex tasks best left to landscape designers. If you have the budget, hiring a professional definitely simplifies the process. But what if, as they say, 'finances are singing ballads' and you can’t afford a designer? Should you give up on your dream? Absolutely not!
To begin creating your lawn, first level the soil using a spade and rakes. There must be no holes or mounds left on the designated area. Next, dig and remove all plants, weeds, and old grass. Then, use rakes to harrow the soil, breaking up clumps to fully level the ground for seeding.
Seeding should be done in two stages. First, scatter seeds evenly across the future lawn. Then, use wooden boards as a makeshift roller to firmly tamp down the soil. You’ll need at least two boards placed tightly together. Walk firmly on them, moving from one spot to another, until the entire lawn area is compacted. Water the seeded lawn twice daily with abundant water for a week. The best times for watering are early morning and late evening, and the growth speed directly depends on how much water you apply. You’ll see results in 2–3 weeks. That’s also when you should do the first mowing. After one year, your lawn will be indistinguishable from those created by a professional landscape designer.
Next, maintain proper lawn care. To keep a thick, emerald-green carpet, water your lawn 1–2 times per week. As they say, you can’t ruin porridge with butter, so many experts recommend watering as often as possible — the more frequent, the better. Monitoring water levels on your lawn is easy, and everyone can see when it’s time to water. If your lawn has already been healthy and green for several years, water it less frequently but more deeply. Never water during the day, especially in hot weather — it may not kill the lawn, but it will definitely burn it.
Regarding mowing, it’s best done once a week, with the cutting height not exceeding or falling below 3–4 cm. Consistency is key. Long gaps between mowings may reduce soil nutrients. Regular, timely mowing not only stimulates grass growth and strengthens lawn plants but also effectively controls weeds. Most weed species can’t survive constant top pruning, leading to their natural decline. If weeds still threaten your lawn’s beauty despite regular mowing, simply buy selective herbicides from a specialized garden store. Overgrowth may be due to excessive shade, constant rain, or poor soil quality.
Occasionally, parts of the lawn may grow poorly or dry up completely. In such cases, re-seed — ideally in early spring or, at the latest, early autumn.
Additionally, for lawn health and beauty, perform soil aeration. Use rakes to poke holes every 1–1.5 meters, down to 1 meter deep. This improves air and soil exchange. Aerate your lawn at least twice a year — in spring and autumn.
If you decide to fertilize, apply it just before watering, spreading it evenly over the grass surface. Use macro- and micro-nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, zinc, nitrogen, magnesium, etc., to strengthen and nourish your lawn. Apply feedings throughout the growing season, depending on soil type, lawn variety, and fertility level.
