Manicured landscapes trace back its origin on French formal gardens. A selection of plants is carefully chosen to showcase opulence and order. Everything is curated by the gardener and not even a single blade of grass is out of place.
As Jacques Boyceau de La Barauderie, a famous French garden designer once said, “the principal reason for the existence of a garden is the aesthetic pleasure which it gives to the spectator.” At present, this principle can still be observed and applied to everyone’s home garden.
Landscaping lets us curate our own little space that makes us enjoy the wonders of nature. A landscape without proper use of greenery is dull and boring. A garden with sweeping lawns and lush plants evoke a sense of happiness and calm. Maintaining a garden can be overwhelming to an average homeowner, but there are residential and commercial grounds care professionals that they can employ.
One of the crucial parts of landscape design is the lawn. It’s sometimes overlooked because there is a common misconception that grasses are low maintenance. But, the reality of it is that maintaining a lawn is much like taking care of the plants that surround the garden.
Lawn Benefits
Lawns are more than just carpeting for the landscape. They generate oxygen by absorbing carbon dioxide improving air quality around homes and buildings. It also reduces air and noise pollution by acting as a natural filter for the environment.
Inclined areas can benefit mostly on turf by controlling soil erosion. The roots of the grass act as anchors and nets to the ground lessening soil level reduction. This also improves the quality protection of groundwater and provides flood control.
Open green spaces provide high visibility zones in homes, thus deterring intruders. Lawns also reduce fire hazards by acting as a firebreak. Turf can also increase property values by enhancing curb appeal.
Maintenance
All of the benefits would amount to nothing if the grass in your landscape is not properly maintained. Mowing is generally required to maintain a good turf. Keeping a turfgrass with a balanced top and root growth can minimize weeds by producing soil shade. Weeds don’t germinate in shaded areas. Mowing also balances the moisture of the soil, thus preventing the spread of plant pests and diseases.
Established lawns like any other plants need proper watering. Water requirements vary on the season and soil conditions. Healthiest lawns are achieved with thorough watering at infrequent intervals — letting the soil dry out to prevent root and drainage problems.
Fertilizers help lawns to stay healthy by encouraging better leaf and root growth. They replenish spent nutrients by bringing back sufficient nutrients for the optimum growing condition. Such an important material can be confusing for an average gardener because of the certain types and requirements of grasses. It would be advisable to ask professionals because getting a wrong fertilizer can not only kill your lawn, but cause tremendous environmental impact. Professionals also need to assess the soil by conducting tests which determines the acidity and alkalinity.
Lawn care may be tedious, but the result of proper maintenance is a fulfilling reward. Improve the visual appeal and reap the benefits of your landscape by caring for your lawn.
