Lawn Care Tips For Northern California

There are plenty of ways to improve, as well as harm, lawns in Northern California. Newly installed lawns are beautiful, but will need homeowners that can keep up on making sure lawns stay fresh. Consider these lawn care tips for your new yard:

Keep It Taller

Your first instinct with a new yard may be to keep the grass short but doing so can actually cause more harm to the lawn overall. Allowing your grass to grow taller will help shade the grass roots from the hot California sun as well as encourage strong root systems to grow. Tall grass also helps to deter brown spots from appearing as soil becomes too dry. Consider your specific grass type for the recommended mowing height for optimal performance. Only cut up to 1/3 of the total grass blade during a mow in order to keep the grass healthy. Cutting off more than that can pull the grass root and cause significant damage to the grass blades themselves.

Don’t Overwater

We know that you want to keep your lawn alive with regular watering but did you know that too much water can also be a problem? Grass that is too wet can easily become diseased and die in soggy soil. Make sure that you are according to when it actually needs it instead of using a set schedule. Newly installed lawns will need more water to establish well but as the lawn matures make sure to check it before a watering to make sure that it actually needs a drink.

Mulch around Plants

Adding mulch around the trees and plants in your yard is essential to support newly installed plants. Mulching not only provides a layer of protection from the occasional rogue mowing blade but also helps keep water near plant roots. Mulching is pretty easy as it can be added around plants with just a few shovelfuls and also provides a polished look to a new home. Mulching also provides a natural barrier that will help to deter weeds keeping your lawn maintenance low. Check out our Pinterest board on planning before you plant.

Knowledge Is Key

Most of the plants that were included in your new home were chosen for specific reasons. Take time to learn about the plants that surround your beautiful home in order to care for them correctly. Know which ones need more water and which ones can go without water over longer periods of time. Also keep sun exposure in mind when adding plants or flowers to your landscape in order to know which plants will thrive in certain areas of your yard. 

Fertilize With Care

Make sure to pay special attention when adding fertilizer to the lawn and garden. Most lawns should be fed in May and usually only nitrogen is needed for the ultimate lawn all summer long. Keep an eye on plants in the garden beds and make sure to deter pests with organic options in order to help support the local environment. Pick weeds when they are young in order to do so easily and deter them from choking out plants.

Maintaining a beautiful lawn in Northern California is easy with these lawn care tips. Refrain from watering the lawn too much and do so only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Mow only when the lawn is more than 30% taller than the recommended mowing height of your grass variety as well. Know the characteristics of the plants in your yard as well as when to fertilize and feed the lawn. Adding mulch as a finishing touch will help make your lawn the star of the neighborhood.

Cat Murphy is a gardening and landscaping writer, and outdoor extraordinaire. She enjoys cooking for family and friends and going on long hikes anywhere and everywhere in nature.