Seasonal Lawn Maintenance
Is your lawn earning its keep?
Ah, the American lawn. It is as much a part of our national tradition as apple pie and baseball. Look into any community across the nation, and you are likely to see lawns incorporated into our home landscapes, parks, recreation fields, and more.
And, why not? When planted with thoughtful design, lawns can be a beautiful and practical addition to the landscape. There are also many great benefits to planting grass.
But, lawns also require more water and maintenance than many other plants. Up to 50% of water used to maintain lawns can be lost to evaporation, runoff, overspray, and overwatering. So, is your lawn earning its keep? Take a moment to evaluate your lawn. If you think of it as more of a hassle than a haven, you may want to consider changing your landscape to better suit your needs - perhaps incorporating lawn alternatives, waterwise plants, or hardscapes.
On the other hand, if your lawn is a haven, you may be able to save water, money, and time this summer by making some small adjustments to your regular maintenance routine.
Fall is a great time to give your lawn a little extra attention.
- It seems a little counter-intuitive, but fall is a great time to give your lawn a little pick-me-up for next spring and summer. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Aerate your lawn each fall to help the soil better absorb air and water, promote root growth, and control thatch (organic matter that builds up between the base of the grass and the soil surface). Many landscape companies offer an aeration service, or you can rent or buy aeration tools to do it yourself.
- Top-dress or spread compost and grass seed on top of existing grass to promote new growth. This will also help speed the breakdown of organic matter which will release valuable nutrients into the soil.
- Even the most manicured lawn only needs to be fed a couple of times per year – think Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you fertilize your lawn, look for a slow-release fertilizer with a 3:1:2 ratio and help protect local waterways by sweeping debris back onto your landscape and preventing runoff when you water.
- If your lawn is more like a patch of weeds that the green oasis you desire, then it might make sense to remove your lawn and start fresh with a water-efficient variety, eco lawn, lawn or a lawn alternative like steppable ground cover (read about these below).
- Remove weeds by hand rather than using weed killers in your yard – they harm pollinators, and most are toxic to pets and people.
- Whether you choose to revitalize your existing lawn or start fresh with a new lawn or lawn alternative, remember that it will require regular watering until established or it starts to rain on a regular basis.
Lawn Maintenance Requirements
Whether newly planted or well established, lawns need considerable maintenance including proper soil preparation, aeration, fertilizing and mowing in order to be green and healthy.
Soil preparation: Healthy soil is the foundation to healthy plants, including lawns. In fact, grass receives three of its four key ingredients (air, water, and nutrients) from the soil. Healthy soil also helps plants to be naturally resistant to disease and pests.
The first step in healthy soils is knowing what you are working with. You can easily find this out by taking soil core samples from several areas of your yard and have them analyzed. Check with your local garden center or Extension Office for commercial soil testing resources.
Aeration: Aerating your soil in the spring or fall (or both, if you can) each year promotes moisture infiltration into the soil, efficient use of fertilizers, and promotes better root growth. Use a rented power aerator or garden fork to aerate your lawn. Then overseed with a rye/fescue mix designed for Pacific Northwest conditions and top dress your lawn with about a quarter inch of fine compost to improve the condition of soil and allow for better water retention.
Fertilizing: Fertilizing can encourage healthy root development and replace essential nutrients lost through leaching and transpiration. If a soil test or plant performance indicates a need, use organic or slow-release fertilizer in late fall or late spring. Organic and slow release fertilizers release nutrients over a longer period of time and are less likely to run off your lawn into waterways after rain. They also support the variety of soil organisms that improve fertility and combat diseases.
Mowing: The general rule is to mow often enough so that it is only necessary to cut a third of your grass’s total height at a time. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting: a taller lawn provides shade to roots and holds soil moisture better than if it's closely clipped. Aim for 2.75 to 3 inches - anything over that height will cancel out any benefit of mowing less often. It is also important to use sharp blades to prevent tearing and injuring your grass.
Benefits of Lawns
There are many benefits to planting lawn in landscapes. Proper soil preparation and routine maintenance are crucial to maximizing these benefits.
Aesthetics: Lawn is versatile and functional. A well-maintained lawn and landscape can increase property value and create a sense of community pride. And, it is ideal for foot traffic because it withstands trampling more than any other type of plant.
Recreation surface: Lawn provides an excellent surface for all sorts of outdoor activities - picnics, sports, play space, etc. It is also a delight to walk on!
Reduces runoff and soil erosion: Lawn is one of the most effective plant materials to reduce runoff and prevent soil erosion. With up to 90% of the weight of a grass plant in its roots, it’s no wonder grass is very efficient at erosion prevention.
Cooling effect: Lawn surfaces reduce temperature extremes by absorbing the sun’s heat during the day and by slowly releasing it in the evening, thus moderating temperatures. The cooling effect of an average lawn can equal more than eight tons of air conditioning (the average home air conditioner produces four tons of cooled air).
Absorbs dust and other pollution: With their extensive and intertwined system of leaves and roots, grass surfaces around the world are estimated to trap some 12 million tons of dust and dirt from the air annually. In addition, grass takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and replaces it with oxygen. Grass is such an efficient carbon dioxide–oxygen converter that an area 50 feet by 50 feet generates enough oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four.
Considering a Lawn Alternative?
The Pacific Northwest has many spectacular native, hybrid native, and other plants adapted to local climate and soil conditions. Once established, these plants are very low maintenance, require little to no pesticides or fertilizers, and survive well on available water.
Depending on your site’s growing conditions and how you would like to utilize your landscape, you may want to consider one of the following alternatives to lawn:
Alternative Seed Mixes: Another popular alternative to turf has been the emergence of alternative lawn seed mixes used for areas that traditionally have been dedicated to turf grasses. In general, alternative lawn seed mixes contain low growing, drought tolerant plant varieties that require less mowing and irrigation once established.
Groundcovers: Groundcovers come in a wide variety of textures and colors, and some have interesting features like flowers and berries. Once established, groundcovers typically require much less water than lawns. In fact, some groundcovers can actually be planted in a way that will mimic the appearance of a traditional turf lawn without requiring water, fertilizer and maintenance in general. Many varieties can be walked on or used as foot paths due to their cushion-like feel and durability.
Shrubs and Trees: Shrubs and trees can provide dramatic impact to the way we experience a landscape. Unlike turf, trees can eventually provide shade and protection from the wind. In winter, deciduous trees will allow light to penetrate and help illuminate and warm structures.
Shrubs and trees are available in virtually limitless sizes, shapes, textures and colors. Shrubs and trees add structure and definition to a landscape and greatly enhance the habitat opportunities for local wildlife. Once established, they generally require much less water than a lawn, and in some cases, no supplemental irrigation is required after roots are deeply set.
Hardscapes: Hardscapes are a great way to enhance your yard. The use of rocks, concrete and wood for pathways and patios adds texture and areas of interest to your landscape.
Looking for more in-depth information on lawns or lawn alternatives?
Check out the Planting & Maintaining Your Lawn (PDF) brochure or the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance website for more information on waterwise grass varieties. Our 7 Steps for Creating a Waterwise Landscape (PDF) and waterwise plant guide (PDF) have great ideas for replacing some or all of your lawn with alternatives, waterwise plants, or hardscapes.
For more family, pet, and water-safe lawn care tips, check out videos from Oregon State University Extension Service at WhatsYourLawnStyle.org.