Growing Healthy Lawns

In Fremont, as well as the surrounding Bay Area, we live in a fairly dry climate. While our temperatures are considered moderate, we typically run warm to hot comparatively speaking. This means the best time to water a lawn is at dusk, after the evening sun has gone down. This gives the water an opportunity to do its work throughout the night and soak deeper. In other parts of the country where the climate is more humid, they water in the morning to avoid the buildup of mold and mildew. Evening watering has the added advantage of being drought friendly. Drench your lawn in the morning and you’re likely to find the watering you did at 8AM burned off by noon.

For best results, pick the right type of lawn. There are two types: grass and fescue. Grass has a thinner blade and generally requires more shade and less traffic (including pets). Grass is softer, but also more temperamental. Fescue will thrive in direct sun, is more disease resistant, can handle traffic and is more drought tolerant. This is typically what we elect to install in Fremont, Castro Valley and the surrounding areas. There are also different blends so we might choose 50% grass/50% fescue or 30/70, etc.

Using a Gardener May Be Welcoming Unwanted Weed Seed Tracked from House to House – Clean Lawnmower Blades are Essential!

Achieving a healthy lawn requires a combination of consistent, proper care practices: 1) mowing high (around 3 inches) to encourage deep roots 2) watering deeply and infrequently (2-3 times a week as opposed to every day depending on the season) 3) aerating to reduce compaction (after ten years assuming it was installed with proper soil preparation) and 4) leaving lawn clippings in place every six weeks or so to naturally fertilize the soil. And while we discourage using fertilizer except in extreme cases 5) sometimes in older lawns using fertilizer sparingly.

1)      Mowing High and Consistently: mow your lawn using a higher setting. Set it approximately 3 inches to encourage deeper root growth, which helps the lawn survive heat and drought. Avoid removing more than one-third of the grass blade at once, and keep mower blades sharp to prevent tearing the grass. Cutting a lawn too short is a huge no-no!

2)     Water Deeply and Infrequently: Water in the evening. Instead of watering every night for 10 minutes, water twice a week for 20-25 minutes. You will avoid evaporation, allow the water to soak deeply and dry out prior to re-soaking. Your lawn will thrive doing this. Aim for 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, encouraging roots to grow deeper, making them more drought-resistant.

3)     Aeration and Dethatching: For older lawns. Rent a core aerator to reduce soil compaction and allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. This is especially useful for compacted, heavy soils.

4)     Leave Grass Clippings: Instead of bagging, leave clippings on the lawn every few mows or so, especially when it’s hot. They decompose quickly, providing valuable nutrients and organic matter back to the soil.

5)     Fertilize and Feed the Soil: Again, use this as a last resort and do your research. Many of these fertilizers they sell do more damage than good, especially to the local environment, water supply. Maybe a slow-release, organic fertilizer in the fall. Conduct a soil test to understand your soil's pH (ideal is 6-7) and nutrient needs. Do NOT over use.