How to Turn Grass Green
- 1). Aerate your lawn in the fall, especially if you have fescue-type grasses. Rent or borrow an aerator that takes plugs out of your lawn. This is important to break up hard soils like clay and to allow water, oxygen and nutrients to more easily enter the soil. Also consider using a slitter that cuts long slits rather than removing plugs.
- 2). Over-seed your lawn following aeration or slitting. Choose a seed that is suitable for your climate. Fescue seeds, for example, are more suited to cooler climates while Bermuda and St. Augustine are good choices for hotter climates. Add topsoil and spread the seed with a spreader.
- 3). Water your lawn wisely. As water restrictions grip many parts of the country, watering can be eliminated or be expensive. Thoroughly water your lawn in the morning to avoid needless evaporation during the heat of the day. Avoid watering in the evening as a wet lawn overnight can promote fungus. Regular watering is especially needed for new grass. Move your water hose and sprinkler frequently to avoid over-watering.
- 4). Get on track with a fertilization schedule and stick to it. Spring is the time to apply a fertilizer with pre-emergent to prevent the growth of weeds. A nitrogen-rich fertilizer will help promote lush green growth. Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer in spring such as a 20-5-5 NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) analysis.
- 5). Cut your grass regularly. Make sure your lawn mower blade is sharp and avoid cutting the grass too low and especially avoid scalping. Grass can become stressed when cut too low, especially when the temperature is hot. Fescue should be cut between 2 1/2 to 3 inches; Bermuda and other warm-season grasses can be cut lower. Tall and thick growths of grass will choke out and prevent weed growth.
