Having a beautiful lawn is the dream of many people. However, not everyone has the luxury of having a big garden where they can do all their landscaping visions, including a lush green lawn. Fortunately, you don’t need to have a massive garden to keep your lawn looking beautiful—all you need is a little creativity and some basic lawn care tips.
Here, you will learn several lawn care tips for small gardens from our lawn care experts.
8 Lawn Care Tips for Homeowners with Small Gardens
Many people assume that maintaining a lawn in a small garden is easier than having a big one—which is partly true and false. Lawn care can be tricky, regardless of the size of your lawn, especially if you don’t have the right knowledge to maintain your lawn. Check out the tips below to find out some of the most useful lawn care tips for homeowners with small gardens.
1. Know the Best Grasses for Your Region
Not all grasses are created equal! Different types of grasses thrive in different climates, so it’s important to choose a variety that will do well where you live. Even if you have a small garden, it’s ideal to choose the best grass that can easily thrive in your area without too much maintenance. Some common cool-season grasses include bluegrass, fescue, and rye. On the other hand, warm-season grasses include Bermuda, zoysia, and centipede. If you’re not sure which type of grass is best for your region, it’s best to ask your local nursery or cooperative extension office for guidance.
2. Fight Lawn Weeds
Weeds are the enemy of a perfect lawn, especially if you’re only working on a small garden. Lawn weeds can easily be noticed if you don’t eliminate them immediately. But don’t worry, there are steps you can take to fight them. A healthy, thick lawn is the best weed resistance. Make sure your grass is getting the nutrients it needs so it can outcompete the weeds. You can also use herbicides to kill existing weeds and prevent new ones from germinating. Be sure to read and follow all directions carefully when using any type of pesticide on your small lawn.
3. Mow for Better Height and Health
Proper mowing is essential for a healthy lawn. Cool-season grasses should be mowed to a height of two to three inches, while warm-season grasses should be mowed to a height of one to two inches. Mow often enough that you are only removing one-third of the grass blade with each mowing. This will keep the grass healthy and prevent it from becoming stressed.
4. Feed Your Grasses Well
Before drowning your grass with fertilizers, it’s important to understand the importance of grass fertilization. Grass needs nutrients to grow strong and healthy, so make sure you are fertilizing your lawn on a regular basis. The best time to fertilize cool-season grasses is in the fall, while warm-season grasses should be fertilized in late spring or early summer. Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer that is low in phosphorus, apply the fertilizer at the recommended rate, and water it well. You also need to make sure that you’re following your state’s regulations when it comes to fertilizing.
5. Explore Organic Fertilizers
Many homeowners are not comfortable using chemical fertilizers. If you have pets, especially cats and dogs, that play around your lawn, these chemicals aren’t really recommended as some fertilizers can be harmful to them.
Fortunately, you have a wide range of options when it comes to organic fertilizers. Eggshells, grass trimmings, tree leaves, coffee grounds, and banana peels are excellent fertilizers. These things are usually found in any home, so don’t simply throw them away. Instead, use them as an organic fertilizer. It will not only help you save money but also benefit your lawn greatly.
6. Manage Water Wisely
Water is essential for a healthy lawn, but too much water can do more harm than good. Water early in the morning to allow the grass to dry before dark. Make sure you are watering deeply and infrequently rather than shallowly and frequently. A decent rule of thumb is to water your lawn once each week.
7. Make Sure to Have Good Drainage
As mentioned above, too much water can harm your lawn. Especially since you’re only working on a small lawn, you don’t want your grasses and plants to drown after heavy rainfall. Having good drainage can ensure that excess water will have somewhere to go, keeping your lawn healthy and beautiful.
8. Aerate Occasionally
Lawn aeration is the process of punching holes in your lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. Aeration is especially important if you live in an area with compacted soil. Aerating your lawn once a year can also help with lawn drainage as it can reduce water runoff, thatch buildup, and soil compaction.
Simple Ideas to Keep Your Small Lawn Beautiful
Even though you’re working on a limited space, there are a few ways to transform your lawn into something more pleasing to the eyes. You don’t have to spend too much to enjoy your small space with your friends and loved ones. Here are some ideas you might want to try:
- Purchase solar garden lights
- Add different flowers and plants
- Use garden ornaments
- Repurpose old furniture
- Grow herbs and vegetables
- Create a stone path
- Utilize hanging plant pots
Enjoy Your Small Garden with Lush Green Lawn
Sometimes, less is more. Even if you only have a small garden, you can still make it into something you’d love to spend your time in with your kids, pets, or your entire family. But if you don’t have the time nor the will to maintain your lawn, you can opt for regular lawn care maintenance from your local lawn care experts. This way, you don’t have to worry about weed growth, trimming, fertilizing, and other tasks. Instead, you can just enjoy your weekend with your loved ones while having a beautifully maintained lawn.
