Lawn mowing is usually seen as a chore, but it can be good exercise, a mental relaxant and an important way to maintain a lush growth in your lawn. Always try and mow the lawn when it is dry, at least twelve hours after it has been watered. Mowing a wet lawn helps spread weeds and fungi, because they get a conducive environment to grow at a new spot. If a lawn is mowed when dry, chances of this are reduced. Additionally, your mower would fare better in the long run.When mowing your lawn, it is good to let it grow to at least 2-3 inches of length, and cut only 1/3 the grass length. This is because cutting more traumatizes the grass and leaves it unable to recover from the mowing. If for some reason you have let your lawn grow longer, maybe 4-6 inches, you still cut 1/3 the length, wait for some time, and cut the rest of the length at a second session to bring it down to 2-3 inches. Always remember that a higher mowing lets the grass retain its strength, and scalping a lawn leaves it vulnerable to diseases and parasites, as well as making it unsightly.Direction of mowing is important, alternately mow the lawn vertically and then horizontally. For a neat look, mow diagonally. Ensure your mower blade is sharp, so it cuts easily, instead of hacking and cutting, damaging the grass all the while. Leave the cut parts on the lawn so they can naturally decompose and provide nutrients to the lawn.

 

One of the most important things for the health of a lawn is the amount of light it receives. But with concrete jungles becoming the norm, your lawn may not be getting as much sunlight as it is supposed to. As a result the grass suffers from more humidity, which translates into less vigorous grass, diseases and fungi, unhealthy roots, and a lot of weed and pest infestations.

So it is really advisable to only plant a lawn if it can get the sunshine it needs. In case you need to grow your lawn in the shade, buy the right kind of seeds. No bluegrass or ryegrass, try fine fescue and tall fescue, they will fare better.

Reduce the seeding rate by about a third so as to reduce competition between individual plants. Find the right time of the year to plant your shade lawn in, either in fall after the trees have shed all their leaves or in spring, after the leafing of vegetation. Make sure you let the grass grow longer, so it can process more energy. Mowing at or above 4 inches would be ideal. Try not to step on it too much, and prevent pets from getting on it as much as possible.

With 50% of required sunlight, grass growth is bound to be thinner and you may perhaps consider alternative arrangements for your lawn area. There are a lot of plants that flourish and look beautiful in shade. Or, you could also opt for ground covers.

Research says that chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides used in lawns can be carcinogenic, and increase the presence of harmful nitrates in drinking water wells. An easier healthy alternative is to go organic.

To get the lushest lawn possible, research well on the varieties of grasses that do well in your climate before planting the lawn, and select the right mixture of grasses. Also figure out the watering time required, so that the roots are strong and less vulnerable to disease. Aerate the lawn so that compacted soil is loosened and water does not run off, but soaks into the ground, this will eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers.

Ensure that you do not have a layer of clippings and dead grass more than an inch thick by regular but controlled de-thatching, so that you do not get fungus, and the water reaches the roots. Apply organic fertilizer containing bonemeal, fish emulsion and manure early in summer so that the grass gets time to harden for winter.

Make sure you mow properly using a sharp blade, because dull blades tear the grass leaving them vulnerable to disease, and do not mow down to less than 3 inches in summer. Let the occasional weed hang in there, because going for bust will mean using chemicals.

Use weed control products containing corn gluten meal to prevent weeds. In short, going organic is all about growing wiser, trying to prevent damage before it happens, and growing a healthy lawn without risking family health.

Buy a lawn trimmer if your lawn is sloped on the edges! I used to get my lawn mower stuck because the near the edge, my lawn was not level, but now I can just slide along the edge with a trimmer. 

Whenever you're doing some gardening, encourage your kids to help out. Showing them proper gardening techniques at a young age will help them grow love and appreciation for the environment. For kids over 8 years old, you can give them a plant or two to care for. Edible or flowering plants are fun for them to grow.

Here are some tips on how you can make your lawn tools last longer: 

1. Remove any mud or soil from your hand tools after each use. If dried mud has accumulated on your hand tools, use a screwdriver or paint stripper to scrape it off.
2. Wipe your tools dry whenever they accumulate any moisture. This prevents them from rusting.
3. Sharpen your cutting tools and your mower blades every spring to keep their cutting edges in perfect condition.
4. If you used any metal tools for chemical applications, put them under running water before wiping them dry. Herbicides and fungicides can easily corrode metal tools.

To add fragrance to your lawn, add plants such as banana shrubs, Japanese privet, or even pine trees. Flowers such as magnolias, roses, jasmines, lilies, and gardenias also bear wonderful scents. Be sure to buy these plants in full bloom to make sure that you know the type of scent you're getting. 

When applying chemical fungicides or herbicides on your lawn, protect yourself by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long durable pants, closed-toe shoes, goggles, thick neoprene gloves, and a respirator. These chemicals will, at the very least, irritate your lungs, while some may even burn your skin. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Also, keep your synthetic weed control fluids away from kids, this stuff can be seriously harmful. 

Just a quick tip!

To prevent your hose from leaking, make sure that you store it wrapped around a reel. Bending during storage usually causes leaks. If you need to pause while using your hose, turn off the main faucet rather than just the hose nozzle. This prevents you from 'stressing out' the hose. 

Aphids, or simply plant lice, are tiny little insects that feed off your plants. They are 1-10mm long and once you spot them they are probably with many.

Aphids cause malformed flowers, leaves, and fruits on your lawn plants. If your lawn has an infestation of aphids, you can spray infected plants with diluted soap water, then with clear water. Concentrate on the infected areas of your plants’ stems, buds, and leaves. This technique works with even the strongest aphid infestations. 

Alternatively, you can set out ladybugs to get rid of them, ladybugs are a natural enemy of the Aphid. 

Frogs and toads are generally good for the lawn, especially since they feed on the lawn pests. However, too many toads on your lawn can be a problem. You can keep your toad population low by removing any containers of standing water, as well as any wood planks or pots where they can hide. Keeping your pet’s food inside the house may also help, because dry kibble can be a tasty treat for toads. 

The lawn is a nice place for your dog to play around and lay in the sun, however, you should not leave your dog on your lawn when you're away. 

When your dog urinates on your lawn, the affected grass often dries out and doesn't grow back. If you catch your dog in the act, you can easily flush out the area with water or add horticultural lime on the affected area to neutralize the urine. However, severely damaged areas may require reseeding.

Keeping an eye on your dog will ensure that both you and your dog will enjoy your lawn for time to come. 

Mulch is a layer of organic or synthetic material that will suppress weeds. 

If you subscribe to any newspapers, you can use your piles of old newspapers to block weeds from growing on your lawn. Start by placing 2 to 6 sheets of newspapers on the soil around your lawn plants. Add a 1-inch layer of grass clippings on top and cover it with soil.

Using newspapers for Mulch has been proven to be very effective, and it's also good for the environment because you are recycling :).