The Basics of Lawns

People love plush, green lawns. Across the world, homeowners sweat, toil and labor over their lawns. They meticulously plant seed and sod, spread fertilizer and spray water, and then pray for good weather. Whether in front of your house or in a public park or stadium, a soft, manicured lawn always seem to invite us to take off our shoes and stand a while.

Depending on your needs, preference or other concerns such as climate or space, any number of species of grass can be planted in your lawn.

Types of Lawns

Cool-season grasses grow best in temperatures between 50 and 77 degrees F. They thrive in climates with mild or cool summers and have rapid growth periods in spring and fall. Cool-season grasses keep their color in extreme cold and usually grow dense lawns with almost devoid of thatch. Among the cool-season grasses are:

• Bluegrass
• Bentgrass
• Rye grasses
• Fescues

Warm-season grasses grow best in warmer climates, with optimum temperatures between 77 and 95 degrees F. They have a long growth period, usually lasting from spring through summer. Among the warm-season grasses are:

• Zoysia
• St. Augustine
• Bermuda
• Centipede

Planting Lawns

Lawns begin with planting. Planting is usually best done during early autumn, spring or early summer. There are several ways to plant lawns.

Seeding – This is the cheapest alternative. The downside: It takes longer for lawns to become established. The upside: The deeper roots of seeded lawns make them more durable.

Putting down sod – This is the process of putting down sections of pre-grown grass. The upside: Almost instant lawns. The downside: Sodding is more expensive than planting seed and lawns can be more prone to drought until they become established.

Plugging or sprigging – This is when plugs or sprigs are planted in the ground. The upside: It’s cheaper than sodding and the lawns grow nice, deep roots. The downside: It can be time-consuming to plant and maintain until lawns are established.

Seeds, sod and plugs can be purchased from nurseries or garden supply stores. Many homeowners also opt to have professional lawncare or landscaping companies handle grass-planting chores to maximize the potential for beautiful lawns. Professional lawncare companies also mow and maintain lawns for a growing number of time-pressed homeowners.

Professionals can also guide homeowners through the many choices of grasses available. Experts can match a species to most climates and soil types to ensure best results.

Once planted and established, most lawns require only basic maintenance: some watering, mowing and occasional raking to remove dead grass.

Soft, green manicured lawns are a joy to behold. With a little work and following the good advice of lawncare professionals, most homeowners find that growing golf-course quality lawns is a snap