Fallen leaves can shade and kill grass, encouraging spring weed growth.
While the turfgrass in your lawn is tough, durable and relatively low maintenance, it also has to deal with a lot. Regular heavy traffic, insect infestations and invading weeds can make it hard to keep your lawn in good condition. You might be tempted to use lots of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to combat common lawn problems. However, there are a number of options you should try first. Start with environmentally friendly, low-cost methods of weed and insect control to keep your lawn healthy and green. Does this Spark an idea?
Mowing Height
Setting your mower to a taller height can help control weeds and keep grass healthy. According to Iowa State University, mowing one-third of the height of the grass or less allows your lawn to deal with drought better, have stronger root systems and shade out young weeds before they can get established. Leave lawn clippings in the lawn as long as they don't clump. The clippings provide a natural mulch and prevent the need for chemical fertilizers.
Irrigation
Water new lawns frequently with just a little water, but space out watering and soak your lawn thoroughly once it gets established. Regular deep watering encourages grass to grow healthy roots that can reach deep into the ground for water. This healthy grass can crowd out weeds, removing the need for herbicide treatments. Skip watering if your grass is lush and green. Water-stressed lawns look blueish and tend to retain footprints after being walked on. If you must water, do so in early morning, when the air is still humid and most of the water will soak into the soil. Avoid watering in the evening, since damp grass is more likely to develop fungal diseases.
Dormant Grass
Many homeowners water their grass during the hot part of the summer to keep it green and lush. However, if you skip watering, the grass won't die. It does turn brown and dormant, but will come back to life as soon as wet weather comes back. Letting the lawn go dormant can discourage infestation by white grubs, the root-eating larvae of Japanese beetles and related insects, but also increases the chance of invasion by crabgrass and drought-resistant weeds.
Thatch
Thatch refers to the layer of dead and living grass leaves, stems and roots that builds up between the grass and the soil. About 1/2 inch of thatch can help keep the soil moist and healthy, but too much will encourage insect pests and diseases. Aerate your lawn periodically to reduce thatch buildup. If your lawn already has significant amounts of thatch, consider raking it thoroughly to remove extra grass. This simple process encourages healthier grass and can help get rid of pests such as grubs and billbugs.
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