Lawn Care Tips for Portland, OR, Area
The generally mild climate in the Portland, Oregon area makes having a good-looking lawn well within reach. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t some challenges, too. To keep your lawn green and lush, follow these simple tips.
General Advice
Aim to mow your lawn about every week and keep your mower blade high. Leaving your grass higher reduces water evaporation, shades out weeds naturally, and encourages stronger roots. Cut your lawn when it’s dry (easier said than done in the Portland area—but just keep in mind that it’s better to skip a mowing than to cut wet grass).
Water sparingly, but deeply. It’s a good idea to restrict your watering time to the early morning, since this will prevent loss of water due to evaporation in the heat of the day. Keep in mind that there’s no need to water if it’s a rainy day or has been raining the day before.
In the summer, consider letting your lawn go dormant. This is an environmentally friendly choice that more and more people are making. This means the grass will turn brown, but you won’t have to worry about watering or mowing. When the rain comes back in the fall, your lawn will revive and turn green again.
Dealing with Moss
One of the lawn problems you’ll encounter in the Pacific Northwest that you won’t usually see elsewhere is moss. There are several native types that can be attractive in certain settings, but many homeowners don’t like the look amongst the grass of their lawn. It’s not a good idea to go too heavy on the moss-killing chemicals, but there are some natural methods you can use to discourage growth.
First, use a rake to remove moss manually. Then you can use grass seed in the bare areas where the moss was growing. This gives it competition and makes it less likely that the moss will come back.
Since moss loves shade, it’s a good idea to prune trees and bushes selectively to try to let as much sun fall on the lawn as possible. Water only as much as your grass needs, which will stress moisture-loving moss. Finally, try to fertilize your lawn only once a year, since extra fertilizer might be used by the moss more than the grass.
All this may seem like a lot to keep track of, but once you get into the swing of things, seasonal lawn care becomes a breeze. A little time and care can pay off big when it comes to your lawn.