6 Tips for Growing Glorious Grass

Are you like the rest of the world in that you want some green, green grass and a white picket fence?

In the spirit of the season, here's another Ash's List of Awesomeness. This time I turn my able hand to the green stuff. On the lawn. I mean grass. On the lawn. Lawn-grass. Just read the list...

1. Water-saving systems are a life-saver.

Aside from adding a rain barrel for harvesting and using rain water in your landscape (which you should totally be doing), think bigger - think about a drip irrigation system around trees and shrubs in your landscape. Imagine the irrigation potential.

Drip irrigation systems apply water only when it's actually needed, so you don't lose so much water to the sun and it's dastardly evaporation – which then prevents moisture from reaching needed spaces between plants.

2. Make sure sprinklers are watering the lawn, and not the driveway or street. 

This sounds like common sense right? You'd be surprised. If water is seen running into the street or onto the sidewalk, it means one of three things: 

1. you're applying too much water. 

2. The soil is over-saturated with water. 

3. Your sprinkler is pointing at the driveway or street instead of the lawn. And I'm judging you accordingly.

3. Use the mulch! 

Spread mulch when seeding new areas to add a nice comfy protective layer over the soil itself. It will help your soil retain moisture during the germination and establishment stages, which are understandably critical for plant growth. The clippings from mowers also serve the same purpose—preserving soil moisture and nutrients for growing grass.

4. Fertilisation isn't a dirty word (in this context). 

Fertiliser, aka pig sh*t, supplies plants with essential nutrients for strength, uniform growth and a healthy, fibrous root system. Everything a growing shrub needs. Healthy plants make the best use of available water, so you need less over time. There also is less chance of the plant being “burned” or dried out to a point beyond recovery... because that would be bad.

5. You are not Aquaman. 

Not you.

Think of gardening like a 365 day hosepipe ban, because a lot of the time, lawns are being over-watered just to avoid a few dry spots. This causes a bunch of problems, including: shallow root systems; increased disease, weed or insect infestations; reduced drought tolerance; and increased thatch and excessive growth. A lawn does not need water until the colour falls by 50 percent, at which time you should really only be adding a single inch of water. Anything more and you'll drown it. Never forget - you are not Aquaman, nor should you aspire to be... because Aquaman sucks. And his garden's crappy.

6. Conditioning is key. 

Plants can be conditioned for dry weather starting at the beginning of the spring season by irrigating less frequently - but for longer. More watering is needed early in the development process as the baby plants grow. For ongoing maintenance, decrease the frequency of watering and increase the amount of water penetration to encourage deeper rooting. Deeper roots will be more drought-tolerant, and everyone likes deep roots.