April is National Lawn Care Month: Interesting Grass Facts

As spring moves in and homeowners dive headlong into lawn care, April is the perfect time to celebrate National Lawn Care Month! Designated by the Professional Lawn Care Association of America, this is the ideal time to talk about exciting grass facts and why keeping your lawn healthy is important.

Interesting Lawn Facts

When it comes down to it, turf is impressive.

• A lawn helps the environment by pulling in carbon dioxide—a significant component in greenhouse gasses—and then converting it into oxygen.
• The average-sized suburban lawn (2500 sq ft) produces enough oxygen for a family of four.
• A lawn is three times more productive at producing oxygen than one large tree.
• An acre of grass produces more oxygen than one acre of tropical rainforest.
• Worldwide, all lawns together trap about 12 million tons of airborne dust annually.
• Grass can be up to 25° cooler than surrounding pavement because it absorbs the heat instead of reflecting it.
• By weight, turfgrass is made up of 75% to 80% water.
• There are about a dozen different turfgrass species commonly used for lawns.
• Nice landscaping creates curb appeal and can help sell your house. Studies show that a well-landscaped yard can increase your home’s value by 20%.
• In the summertime, about one-third of the water consumed in a household is used to irrigate the lawn. This usage equates to an average of 238 gallons of water per household.
• Scientifically speaking, grasses are as much flowering plants as roses, sunflowers, and daffodils but aren’t typically thought of this way.
• Pink flamingos are the most popular lawn ornament sold.
• The most expensive lawn in the world is the Centre Court at Wimbledon in England.

Benefits of a Healthy Lawn

We all like our grass to look nice and healthy when we look out the kitchen window or step out on the back patio (and our neighbors like it too). But a healthy lawn has many more benefits than simply looking nice.

Taking care of your lawn so it’s healthy, is similar to caring for our bodies to build a healthy immune system. When your yard is robust, it grows better, protects itself from threats, and performs beneficial functions for the environment.

• A healthy lawn is better equipped to fend off insects and disease problems. Grass has numerous defense mechanisms, both genetic and chemical, that it uses against attacks.
• A thick lawn shades out the soil better, minimizing weed germination. If weeds germinate, a healthy lawn can outcompete them for resources, pushing them out of the turf.
• Grass acts as a water filter, absorbing and holding onto pollutants in stormwater, keeping them from entering the sewer system.
• A well-cared-for lawn has a fantastic network of fibrous roots, helping to hold soil in place, keeping it from eroding.

Time to Start Your Spring Lawn Care

With warmer days coming our way, this is the perfect time to start your spring lawn care. Your grass has just come out of winter hibernation and is beginning to green up and grow. While it may not be time to fire up the mower just yet, there are plenty of other tasks to keep you busy.

• If you don’t plan on power-raking or dethatching this spring, at least give your grass a good once-over with the rake. Wait until the grass is primarily green, and then use a lawn or leaf rake to get the grass standing and pull out any debris that could promote mold or fungal problems. This also helps reduce the thatch layer, improving water movement into the soil.
• There isn’t a hard and fast date for the first spring mowing. Instead of having a target calendar date, keep an eye on the condition and length of your grass and its length. Once it’s greened up and the majority of it is 2-3” tall, it’s time to give it a trim. Make sure your mower blades are sharp, and you take off no more than one-third of the height.
• Your lawn just came through a tough Midwestern winter and would benefit from a dose of spring fertilizer to give it the nutrients it needs. When soil temperatures are above 55°F, apply a slow-release fertilizer with a 4-1-2 nutrient balance since nitrogen will help boost growth and make your grass green quicker.
• Head off weeds and crabgrass by applying a pre-emergent herbicide before these invaders have a chance to take root. If you have dogwoods or forsythia blooming right now, it’s the perfect time for this application.

Lawn Care Service From The Experts!

If you’re short on time this spring or looking for a little extra help with your lawn, reach out to us at Ryan Lawn & Tree. With various services available, from lawn weed control to sprinkler system repair, we’re sure to have something to fit your needs!

We would love to help you. Get a Free Estimate today for help with your lawn care needs by a RYAN lawn care expert!