The Grass is Greener on Your Side – Here’s How

When lawn care hasn’t been your top priority over the years, it’s easy for your lawns to no longer look at their best. You may even be looking at neighbouring properties with envy, wondering if your grass will ever look as vibrant as theirs. It can. In fact, if you focus more on what your lawns are lacking, you may see them end up looking even better than the properties around you.

What to Do First

One of the first things on your to-do list is a soil test. This can help you establish whether your soil is too alkaline, too acidic, or just right. It can also help you understand what your lawn has high levels of, dictating whether or not what you add to it next will do its job.

For example, if your grass has too much copper, it can lack nitrogen and iron. Too much nitrogen and it can lack copper. If your lawns are high in calcium, you may find it lacks magnesium, boron, iron, and potassium. However, if you have too much potassium in your grass, it’s likely to lack magnesium and calcium.

While lawn care can seem like a complicated science, it doesn’t have to. Lawn care experts and even your local garden store worker may be able to shed some light on the nutrients your lawn needs for brightness and vitality.

Iron

One of the best nutrients for a greener lawn is iron. It features in many winter fertilisers and can improve your lawn’s hardiness to frost while enhancing the leaf colour. Carry out a soil test and ensure your soil pH level is around six or below. You can then consider applying a liquid iron product that also contains magnesium.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an ideal option for homeowners who have just applied iron. It gives your grass a better chance of using iron while also putting it in the most desirable position to handle winter weather.

Nitrogen

One of the most popular nutrients for healthy, green grass is nitrogen. It assists with protein growth in the cells that your grass uses to grow. It’s also an ideal nutrient for grass growth and that beautiful shade of green.

Manganese

If you’re having a challenging time getting your grass to use the iron you gave it, then manganese can be a worthwhile addition. It can also be ideal if you’ve noticed that your grass appears a little yellow or droopy. This nutrient promotes early growth and also improves the health of grass for winter conditions.

I’m Not a Scientist, What Do I Do?

Learning about grass health can all seem a little bit complicated – and that’s okay. You don’t need to be a scientist to apply a balance of all the nutrients your grass requires to look at its best.

Instead, you’ll be pleased to know that most decent slow-release fertilisers come with a mix of all the essential nutrients for lawn health. There are even detailed instructions for how and when to apply them.

The grass may not be greener on your side of the fence right now, but it’s only a matter of time. Start with a soil test and get the fertiliser application process underway. You may just be surprised by the results.