At baseball stadiums, big-league grounds crews help maintain beautiful ball fields. But, when groundskeepers go home, the grounds crew doesn't come with them. After spending all week at the ballpark, groundskeepers need a hassle-free home lawn care regimen. It shakes out to just 4 key points: feeding, mowing, seeding and watering. It's that easy.
Baseball fans always ask how their grass can look like their favorite ballparks'. The first answer is always the same - feed! Your soil doesn't have enough nutrients to keep your lawn strong all season. When you feed, your grass's root system grows thicker, which crowds out weeds and helps it survive the stresses of heat, drought, and backyard ballgames. You should feed your lawn about 4 times during the regular season - that's once every 6 to 8 weeks.
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At the ballpark, groundskeepers mow the lawn just about every day to keep it looking sharp. Depending on the weather, you probably need to mow about once a week. The next time you pull out the mower, set your mower to its highest setting. Longer grass blades promote deeper roots that help find water and nutrients better.
Lawns can grow thin and lackluster due to stressful conditions and wear and tear. Overseeding can help bring life back to your lawn and take it from the minors to the big league. Mow your grass short, remove the clippings, then spread grass seed over the entire lawn. Follow up with Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer to help grass establish faster, and water, keeping the soil moist until grass grows about 2 inches tall.
Underneath the field, ballparks have a state-of-the-art irrigation system. But you don't need a sprinkler system to keep your lawn hydrated at home. Ideally, your lawn needs about 1 inch of water a week. If Mother Nature isn't helping out with rainfall, it's better to water deep once a week in the morning. During hot weather, grass sometimes turns brown and goes dormant. It will bounce back with rain, especially if it's well fed.
Scotts® has a team of experts ready to coach you through any lawn care questions you may have. Call them toll-free - 888-270-3714.
