Lawn Care Tips for the San Diego Area
Although droughts and water restrictions may sometimes make it difficult to maintain bright green grass year-round in the San Diego area, you can still have a nice looking lawn by following a few simple tips. Ideally, you’ll be starting from the beginning and can choose the exact grass you want, but proper maintenance will make a difference even if you’re taking over an existing lawn.
Starting From Scratch
Before you choose your grass and start seeding, get your soil tested. If your soil is lacking in essential nutrients or isn’t a neutral pH, it’s much easier to address these issues while the soil is still bare.
The good news is that most San Diego-area soil is clay, which holds on to nutrients well. This means you won’t have to fertilize as often. Clay also doesn’t require as much water, which is a bonus in times of drought.
Choosing the right type of grass is the next step. Do your research to determine what varieties grow best in your type of soil and climate, as well as which ones have the look you want. Good choices that don’t require excessive care for southern California include Bermuda grass, zoysia, and buffalo grass.
Maintenance
Your mower should be raised up to keep the grass fairly tall. Higher grass shades the soil from the sun, which means less water is lost to evaporation. It also reduces weed growth and allows more nutrients to reach the roots for healthier grass.
When you water, space it out so you’re soaking the soil thoroughly about once a week. Early morning is the best time, because this allows the grass to dry thoroughly before nighttime (which helps prevent certain types of diseases) and avoids the heat of the day when some of the water would evaporate.
You can fertilize your lawn on a regular schedule, but don’t overuse nitrogen fertilizer (and choose slow-release varieties). Too much nitrogen may affect your lawn’s ability to weather drought, making it more prone to browning.
Although it may be tempting to try to get rid of every weed on your lawn, you might want to reconsider about clover in particular. This weed attracts earthworms that are good for your lawn and adds nitrogen to the soil. It also grows low, so it isn’t obvious, and it adds a nice dark green color that helps fill patches that might otherwise be bare.
With the right type of grass and some careful maintenance, your San Diego-area lawn can look fresh and green for most of the year.