How To Care For Your Lawn

A beautiful lawn and garden are not only great to look at, but they can also enhance the value of your property. A lawn is an ideal way to add a green space to your property which can help improve air quality and is always a versatile space for a range of activities like sports to picnics. However, as it is constantly growing, a lawn requires regular maintenance to ensure it’s in pristine condition.

With a little TLC, your lawn can go from dull and lifeless to flourishing and hearty. At Jim’s Mowing NZ, we’re the lawn care experts! Here are our easy tips to care for your lawn and keep it healthy and thriving.

house with a beautiful lawn - Jim's Mowing

Tips on how to care for your lawn

Regular mowing

Generally, grass grows faster at its healthiest, which is in the summer months. So it is recommended that during this period, you mow once a week or at least once a fortnight. Once winter comes around, it’s fine to mow your lawn every three to four weeks instead.

During the other seasons and depending on your climate, it’s best to mow at least once every three weeks. You’ll also need to take in account how rapidly your own individual grass is growing. Sporadic mowing can cause your lawn to grow to be ‘stalky’ and reduce its attractiveness, so it is important to mow frequently, with razor-sharp blades, to ensure that your lawn always looks its best. Regardless of how much you are mowing, make sure you are mowing your lawn at the right times.

Edge your lawn

Taking the time to do the edges of your lawn can go a long way in improving the aesthetics and prevent your lawn from becoming overgrown which can cover footpaths or interfere with your other plants. Follow our advice on how to get the perfect clean lines when edging your lawn.

Use mulch & fertiliser

Mulch and fertiliser is great for your lawn, helping to add essential ingredients which aids in growing. You recycle your grass clippings as mulch for your lawn. The mulching mower blades are created to turn excess grass into insignificant pieces which are then dispensed equally over your lawn, supplying precious supplements for your lawn resulting in continuous growth. You can also use a lawn specific fertiliser.

Adjust your mower’s height settings

Your lawn grows much slower in the cooler months so it would be wise to elevate cutting height so as not to cause it harm. During the hotter months, your grass will grow faster therefore reducing your blade height to 2.5cm will not have much of an effect. Mowing any lower than 2.5cm is quite risky and can cause scalping which turns your grass brown. Scalping repeatedly is hazardous, resulting in a weakened lawn permitting weeds to take over.

Avoid overwatering

Some tips to help reduce your water bill while still nourishing your lawn and garden are as follows:

  • Regularly check your hose nozzle and sprinkler for leaks
  • Depending on your local water regulations or restrictions, it is best to water your yard and garden in the early mornings or late afternoons to reduce evaporation and maximise nourishment
  • Mulch regularly to better the water holding ability in sandy soil
  • Cease watering as soon as the water stops soaking into the garden and lawn otherwise you will be wasting precious resources.

Aerate your lawn

If you’ve experienced some heavy rainfall or simply noticed your lawn is looking a little compacted, we recommend aerating your lawn. The technique of aeration creates tiny holes in the lawn to provide oxygen and sunshine to the roots of your lawn. Aeration is especially important to apply after your lawn has received a lot of water, whether from flooding or overwatering, as it prevents the lawn from becoming waterlogged. It also helps nutrients reach the roots which is ideal before applying fertiliser.

Keep an eye out for pests & disease

Nothing destroys your lawn as quick unwanted pests or diseases! Keep any eye on your lawn and ensure to check for any symptoms of disease by using our identifying lawn disease guide. Prevention and early intervention are always more effective than trying to cure a dying lawn. Lawns tend to be a thriving environment for insects, but it can be tricky to know which insects are pests and which are actually beneficial for your lawn! Use our friend or foe insect guide before rushing to apply pesticides.

Ask the experts

When it comes to lawn care, sometimes it is best to ask the professionals for their expert advice. You can contact Jim’s Mowing NZ to receive tailored advice and care for your lawn. No matter if you need mowing, watering, aeration, fertilisation or any other maintenance on your lawn, Jim’s Mowing NZ can get it done! Simply Call Jim’s Mowing NZ on 0800 454 654 or receive a free quote for your lawn care via our online form!