North Carolina Lawns and Lawn Care Tips

Most of the turf grasses grown today have their roots from somewhere else in the world. They were brought to this country and then adapted through selective breeding and cross-breeding to provide us with the grasses that we are most familiar with today.

Keys to consider when deciding which grass is best for you:

Maintenance required: Some grass species require more care than other, high maintenance grasses.
Climate conditions: Most grasses have a preference for specific climates such as humid, coastal, dry, cool.
Temperature tolerance: Each grass performs better or worse depending on the average temperature range during the growing season.
Drought resistance: Some grass species are better suited quickly recover after going dormant during extended drought conditions.
Shade adaptation: Grass species are classified by how much or how little sunlight they need to maintain their health and vigor.
Wear resistance: This is a measurement of how well a grass species can recover from foot traffic.

Watering tips: water as infrequently as possible

Thoroughly water when you do water so moisture soaks down to the roots. Exceptions to this general rule would be for newly seeded lawns where the surface needs to stay moist, newly sodded lawns that have not yet rooted into the soil, or when summer patch disease is a problem. Otherwise, avoid frequent waterings that promote shallower root systems and weeds (e.g., crabgrass).

Water early if possible

Given a choice, water early in the day when lawns are normally wet from dew. Avoid midday due to evaporation, and at night due to potential increased chances of some diseases.

Spread the water uniformly across the lawn

Sprinklers vary in distribution patterns, and require spray overlap for uniform coverage. Placing coffee cans or similar straight-sided containers on the lawn can help measure water application rates. Avoid flooding areas, or missing other spots. On heavy clay soils and slopes, watch for excessive runoff; it may be necessary to apply the water in several applications to allow for adequate penetration.

Mowing Tips

Mow grass to the proper height with a mower with a sharp blade. Never cut off more than one third of the blade when mowing. Grass needs the surface area of the blade to sustain itself. Removing too much of the blade creates an environment ripe for disease.

Don't cut your grass too short, particular for cool season grasses. Cool season grasses should be mowed at 3 1/2" — 4" or the mower's highest setting. Higher heights usually provide for a deeper root system, looks better, and is less likely to have weeds invading, particularly crabgrass.
Avoid mowing when the grass is wet or when it's dark
When mowing, remove only a third with each cutting (except for the first mowing of the season when it's ok to remove more). You can safely leave clippings that will quickly decompose and add nutrients back into the soil. Contrary to popular opinion, grass clippings do not add to thatch buildup. Grass blades are made up of about 75% water.

Mow your lawn in a different direction with each mowing, especially with lawns of shorter grass types. Altering the direction ensures a more even cut since grass blades will grow more erect and less likely to develop into a set pattern.
Keep your mower's blade sharp, which means having it sharpened several times during the mowing season. Keep several blades around so you'll always have a sharp one on hand.

Safe Mowing Tips

Mowing the lawn can be a weekly ritual of the spring and summer months for many Americans. However each year, nearly 80,000 Americans require hospital treatment from injuries caused by lawn mowers, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The most common injuries were caused by strikes from debris, such as rocks and branches, propelled by the mower's spinning blades.

The study, published in the April 2006 online edition of the Annals of Emergency Medicine, is the first to examine the extent and mechanisms of lawn mower injuries nationwide.