Lawns are the most common type of landscaping in the United States. They are a beautiful addition to any home or business and can add value to your property. It's the first thing people see when they pull up to your home, and it sets the tone for the rest of your property. But it's not just about looks — a healthy lawn also has practical value by reducing water runoff and keeping soil healthy.

If you're looking to improve your lawn, here are six tips to help you get started.

Improve Your Soil With Testing

When you test your soil, you can find out what nutrients it lacks and how much fertilizer is needed to make your grass grow better. You can also find out whether there are any toxic substances present in your soil that could harm your grass or other plants. For this, you can get in contact with professionals who offer soil testing services in your area. You can search for ‘lawn care near me’ to get your hands on the best service providers. The professionals have access to a wide variety of tools and equipment that allow them to tackle even the most stubborn lawn issues. While you may be tempted to invest in your own lawn care equipment, it's important to remember that using the right tool for the job is what will make all the difference in your ability to achieve a healthy, well-maintained lawn.

Aerate Your Lawn

Compacted soil has many solid particles that are spread all over the area. They prevent air circulation; thus, the ground does not get adequate water and soil. As a result, the grass doesn't grow well and has weak roots. Therefore, experts suggest aerating the lawns regularly. 

Aerating is the process of removing small plugs of soil from the surface of your lawn. This allows air, water, and nutrients to reach roots in the soil below. It is also known as core aeration. The removed " cores " will decompose over time, improving your lawn’s ability to grow healthy roots and preventing the disease from spreading through the soil below.

Dethatch Your Lawn

Dethatching is a process that removes thatch from the top layer of your lawn. Thatch is a layer of dead plant material that accumulates on the soil surface between the blades of grass. It's common in Kentucky bluegrass lawns but can occur in other types as well.

Thatch slows water uptake by your lawn, making it more difficult for plants to absorb water and nutrients. This leads to browned turf patches and areas where grass won't grow. Dethatching removes this layer and allows new growth to emerge at the surface once again.

Gently Fertilize Your Lawn

Fertilizing is one of the most important — but often overlooked — steps in keeping your lawn healthy. You want to fertilize at least twice per year, preferably in spring and fall, so that the nutrients can be absorbed before winter sets in and after the grass has had time to grow as far as it will go before freezing temperatures arrive.

You also want to use a fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen, which means that it stays active longer than traditional fertilizers do. This helps prevent hot spots from developing in your lawn where people tend to walk on it frequently, creating brown patches where there should be green grass.

Overseed Your Lawn

If you want to give your lawn a boost, you can overseed it. This is a simple process that involves spreading the seed over the existing grass, then mowing over it so that the seeds are buried. The more you mow over this area, the more likely it is that the seeds will germinate and grow into new grass.

Overseeding is a great way to add more green to your lawn without having to plant new turf altogether. It works especially well if you're trying to fill in spots where existing grass has been damaged or worn away.

Mow Your Lawn

Mowing is one of the most important parts of lawn care. You should mow your lawn at the proper height for your type of grass. It's best to consult a professional about what that height should be for your region, but generally, it's between two and three inches for most turf grasses. The only exception is zoysia grass, which should be mowed at about 1 inch high.

Final Words

In conclusion, lawn care is not an easy chore. It is a big job that needs to be done properly for your lawn to stay healthy and vibrant. So make sure you follow the tips above, and your lawn will thank you when you look out on it and see how beautiful it looks.