What are Grass Basics?

The key to a healthy, green lawn is just below the surface—soil. Grass stores and receives almost all of its moisture and nutrients from the soil, so healthy soil is a must.

Ideal Soil

The ideal lawn soil can vary based on the type of turf grass you have but should always contain a balanced mixture of water, air, minerals and organic matter. Robust lawn soil is made up of: 45% to 50% minerals, 25% water, 25% air and 2% to 5% organic matter.
The most fertile soil is top soil. This soil starts at the surface and reaches down about 10 inches underground. These 8 to 10 inches of top soil contain the highest amount of humus, or organic matter. Humus is where turf grass gets most of the nutrients needed for development and growth.

Lawn Health

Good soil is responsible for many of the aspects that lead to a healthy lawn and less lawn maintenance, such as:

• Better capacity to hold water and improved tolerance for droughts.
• Deeper, stronger root systems.
• Less need for frequent fertilizer applications.
• Advanced nutrient storage and release.
• Enhanced resilience against disease and insects.

Long-Term Lawn Maintenance

A plant’s life cycle—along with worm, insect, microorganism and animal activity—constantly generates better soil. As turf grass shoots, roots and leaves grow, die and decay, they form new, quality soil over time, and all you have to do is keep your lawn well-maintained and healthy in the meantime.
This is why older lawns often have good top soil with a defined profile. Unfortunately, in most urban locations, many properties are stripped of their top soil for use by construction companies elsewhere. This leaves turf grass to take root in the less nutritious subsoil. Most urban soils are also compacted during construction, so they drain poorly—especially if they’re high in clay. Time, proper lawn maintenance and regular nutrition will help rebuild healthy soil.

Done correctly, mowing stimulates growth. Done incorrectly, it can result in thin grass and increased weed growth.

General Lawn Mowing Tips

• Use a sharp blade
• Avoid mowing wet turf
• Alternate mowing patterns to avoid compaction or wear
• Set mower at the highest setting
• Never mow more than one-third of the leaf blade in a single mowing

Mowing Frequency

A lawn grows at different rates at different times of the year, depending on weather, species and management. Mow as necessary, not according to a preset schedule. Always follow the “one-third” rule to maintain active root growth: no more than one-third of the leaf blade should be removed during a single mowing. Otherwise you may stunt root growth.
So, if your desired lawn height is 3 inches, mow when grass grows to 4 to 4 1/2 inches tall

Every lawn maintenance plan requires irrigation, and proper watering is essential to keeping your grass happy and healthy. Whether supplementing rainfall with a garden hose or an automatic sprinkler system, grass is 75% to 85% water, and you should do your best to keep it in that range.

Water Is Life

It seems basic: watering your lawn keeps grass alive. But what goes on below the surface is amazing. Proper watering does the following:

• Transports nutrients, organic compounds and plant food to your grass.
• Keeps the turf cool through evaporation. 
• Boosts the plant cells’ firmness and resistance to wear and tear.
• Helps during seed germination and thatch decomposition.

How Much Water?

Most turf grasses require approximately 1 inch of water each week, whether it’s natural (rainfall) or manual (irrigation). Watch weather patterns in your area to see how much rain is falling and make up any natural water deficiency with manual watering.

Watering Tips

• Water deeply rather than frequently, moistening soil 4 to 6 inches below the surface.
• If you can easily push a screwdriver into your soil, it has enough water.
• Early morning watering is best.
• Water prior to signs of drought stress.
• Stop watering at the first sign of puddling and wait until water is absorbed before resuming.

Dealing With Drought

When it comes to lawns surviving long periods of drought, preparation is key. The amount of time your lawn will survive without water depends on the type of grass you have. Most types of grass can survive with minimal amounts of water for many weeks—even in hot, dry weather. If the lawn goes too long without water, it will shut down, stop growing and go dormant.