Lawn Care Tips
One of the first things someone notices when they look at a listing photo or pass by a home, at least during the warm months, is the lawn. Lawns in Ohio trend towards green and lush, and a well-maintained lawn can really make a home stand out. Even if you aren’t thinking about selling your house anytime soon, it’s important to stay on top of your lawn maintenance. Taking even one year off of proper lawn care can set your goals of a lush green lawn back years.
Keep your lawn healthy with these tips from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences
A common mistake is to mow your lawn too short. Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences published a Lawn Care Facts Sheet that recommends following the one-third rule for mowing, meaning you never mow more than the top third of a blade of grass and never mow grass shorter than 3 inches. The last mow of the season before winter can be slightly shorter to help reduce the risk of snow mold- a fungal disease that can cause root damage to grass. This Fact Sheet also recommends you leave your lawn clippings in the lawn instead of bagging them up. “Leave clippings on the lawn; they break down quickly, returning nutrients and organic matter to the soil… (and) provide up to 30 percent of a lawn’s seasonal nitrogen needs.” Another mowing tip: change up the angle at which the grass is mowed every other mowing.
Needing to repair a patch of grass? Turf-type grass seeds are best and in Ohio tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass are best according OSU’s Lawn Care Fact Sheet.
Recommended Lawn Care Calendar from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Early Spring/March
- Use a leaf rake to gently remove debris or mow to mulch leaves still on the lawn.
- Begin regular mowing when grass reaches about 4.5 inches.
Spring/April & May
- Pre-emergent weed control early April.
- Mow as needed, not cutting grass shorter than 3 inches.
- Pull weeds or spot treat as needed.
Summer/June & July
- Irrigate as needed. Lite watering is recommended, no puddles should form.
- Mow as needed.
- Pull or spot treat weeds as needed.
- Monitor and treat for insects as needed.
Late Summer/August & September
- Irrigate as needed.
- Mow as needed.
- Pull weeds or spot treat as needed.
- Fertilize in September.
- Post-emergent weed application.
Fall/October
- Irrigate as needed.
- Mow as needed/rake and mulch leaves.
- Pull weeds or spot treat as needed.
Late Fall/November & December
- Mow as long as grass is growing.
- Apply late fall fertilizer.
If you need help with your lawn care needs, we recommend a quick Google search of Toledo area lawn care businesses or, better yet, ask a neighbor.
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