Wisconsin Yard Tips- Grass

Yards are something most Wisconsin homeowners take pride in. From sledding hills to bonfires, year round we work to keep them not only looking nice but functional as well. The base to these beloved yards is the grass. The type of grass you have in your yard can be based on the yard properties listed below.

Yard Property #1: Type of Grass. Knowing what type of grass you have or what type of grass will work best in our lawn is an important factor to growing a lush lawn. The amount of time you have to care for your lawn and type of sunlight your yard gets will determine which type of grass will work best. Warm-season grasses are thick and thrive in hot sunny regions. Cool-season grasses perform better in slightly shady yards and places where the climate has major temperature fluctuations.

Yard Property #2: Thatch. Give the yard a good look. Does it looked matted down with dead stuff? Dead or dying grass shoots are also known as thatch. Thatch is actually good for your lawn, however if it is too thick or long it can suffocate the lawn. After a long Wisconsin winter, it is a great idea to dethatch your lawn. Dethatching the lawn is easy, all it takes is a good raking. If you have very heavy thatch you may want to consider a power rake, otherwise a regular yard rake should do it. Early spring is a great time to rake the lawn as it discourages pests and diseases while the lawn grows.

Yard Property #3: Growing Conditions. Consider the growing conditions for your lawn. If you have a hard time getting an even, beautiful grass to grow, consider testing the pH of your lawn. If the dirt is too alkaline or acidic (the pH is too high or low) this will cause irregular growing conditions, making it difficult to maintain that beautiful green. If the pH is off, you can spread either sulfate (for alkaline soil) or lime (for acidic soil). If you aren’t sure how to safely do this, get professional help.

Yard Property #4: Soil. Another growth factor is the compaction of the soil. A thriving lawn needs soil that is aerated so water and nutrients can be easily absorbed and roots have room to grow. Late spring is the perfect time to aerate as this gives the lawn ample time to heal after aerating. Aerating can be done with aeration shoes, manual push aerators or gas-powered aerators.

Growing a lush lawn can be a challenge. Putting into consideration the above properties could help get your lawn looking greener than ever this year.