Steps to a Healthy Lawn

Healthy soil

Healthy soil is home to many organisms which help create the perfect growing conditions for all plants that grow in it. Get your soil tested to determine what nutrients are required and what the pH is. Turf plants require certain pH levels in order to grow properly.

Grass species

Ensure you are over seeding or sodding with the correct grass species for your specific location. Amount of sun, pH and soil type will all determine what type of grass you should grow. Over seed your lawn in the spring or fall when regular rain can be expected.

Mowing

Ensure your lawnmower blades are sharp, and mow when the grass is dry.  Leave grass clippings on the lawn to break down and provide moisture and nutrients back to the soil. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing is known as grasscycling.  Use a mulching mower which are designed to finely chop grass clippings allowing the clippings to breakdown quickly. Leaving grass clippings on your lawn throughout the season can actually reduce your need for fertilizers and lawn watering.  

If grasscycling is not possible due to excessive lawn growth it is recommended that grass clippings be placed in your backyard composter in thin layers. Remember grass clippings are not allowed in the City's yard waste collection program.  Never dispose of grassclippings or yard waste in natural areas or parks. Piles of grass clippings, sod, branches, and other yard waste  does not decompose easily. This is the most common way for weeds and invasive plant species to be introduced into natural areas and parks.

Watering

Water the lawn in the early morning or mid-evening to prevent evaporation of the water. Do not over water - this causes the lawn to become weak and susceptible to diseases. Minimum watering ensures deep root growth. When there has been no rain and the soil is dry, apply about 2.5 centimetres (one inch) of water to the area once a week, this includes any rain that may have occurred. In order to determine how much 2.5 cm is, put a small empty can (like a tuna can) on your lawn as you apply water evenly across the surface of your lawn. When the water reaches the top of the can, you have applied about 2.5 cm of water.

Odd-even day lawn watering is mandatory from May to September under the Regional Water System By-law. Odd-even day lawn watering means you water only on odd calendar days if your house number is an odd number. If your house number is even, water only on even calendar days. For more information, visit Durham Region's Water Efficiency.