If you’ve recently moved into one a new homes in St.Louis, you’ve probably already discovered that homeownership comes with a to-do list. But when it comes to your lawn—don’t sweat it! Creating that thick, green, envy-inducing lawn is not as hard as you might think. And with a little know-how, your lawn will be the star of the neighborhood.
Let’s clear up one myth right away: keeping your lawn looking like a lush, green carpet doesn’t mean spending hours outside every week. With a smart, holistic approach, you can give your lawn what it needs without breaking your back. Think of your lawn like your car—it needs routine maintenance to run smoothly. Just as your car needs oil changes, your lawn needs regular TLC, like fertilizing and aerating, to stay healthy and vibrant.
Here’s your roadmap to a lawn that’ll have your neighbors peeking over the fence in admiration.
First things first: your lawn’s hydration. If you’ve got new sod, you’ll want to get familiar with your sprinkler system. For the first 2-3 weeks, that sod needs a lot of water—think hours each day! This is because your lawn is getting its roots set into the soil, and you want to give it the best start possible.
In St. Louis, most new lawns are a mix of cool-season grasses, with fescue being a popular choice. And lucky for you, fescue is not only tough but also a water-saving hero. It doesn’t need as much water to survive summer heat compared to other grasses, like Kentucky Bluegrass. Plus, fescue keeps its cool green look well into the winter months, unlike warm-season grasses like Zoysia, which tend to turn that dull yellow during the colder months.
Here’s the bonus: if you ever decide to switch things up with your lawn, fescue gives you a good base to transition to another grass type without much hassle.
Now that you’ve got watering under control, it’s time to think about mowing. The golden rule here? Patience. Hold off on mowing that newly planted grass until you really need to. Let it grow out as much as possible before giving it that first trim. The rule of thumb in the lawn care world is to avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height at once. Whether you prefer a slightly shorter cut around 3 inches or a taller lawn close to 4 inches, stick to that 1/3 rule to keep your grass healthy.
You might wonder if mowing is safe after aerating your lawn. Short answer: give it a little time. Aerating loosens up the soil and mowing too soon can pack it down again. So, wait a bit to let your lawn breathe and recover.
New sod comes with its own quirks, like small gaps between sections and the occasional patch that doesn’t grow as well as the rest. To fix this, it’s time to think about aerating and seeding. Aeration involves pulling out small plugs of soil, which allows your lawn to get more air, water, and nutrients. Imagine these plugs like wine corks—you’re essentially opening up your lawn to all the good stuff it needs to thrive.
Experts recommend aerating your lawn once a year. For most lawns in St. Louis, early fall is prime time. If you’re also looking to seed bare spots, aerating at the same time makes sense. Those little holes created during aeration give seeds a perfect spot to settle in and germinate.
Now let’s talk food—because even your lawn gets hungry. Fertilizing gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to stay strong through summer’s heat and to fight off pests and weeds. When it comes to fertilizing, you’ve got a few options: organic, chemical, or a mix of both.
Organic fertilizers, like Milorganite or even good old cow manure, are a gentle option. You won’t have to worry about damaging your lawn with these. However, they’re not as targeted when it comes to weed control. If you’re looking for faster results with more weed-fighting power, chemical fertilizers are your friend. Brands like Scotts offer easy-to-follow programs (hello, “Step 1, Step 2, Step 3”!) that will walk you through each stage of lawn care.
Pro tip: always use a fertilizer spreader to get even coverage, and follow the instructions on the package for the best results. Stick to your fertilization schedule, and your lawn will look strong and lush in no time.
Here’s the thing—creating a beautiful lawn shouldn’t feel like a chore. With just a little bit of effort and by following these simple steps, you can have the kind of lawn that turns heads. You don’t need to be a lawn care expert; just a bit of patience and a willingness to follow some tried-and-true advice will get you there. In no time, your yard will be the one everyone’s talking about.
If you're already excited about the possibilities of living a home with a beautiful lawn, we're here to help you through every step of the process of owning a new home.
Contact us today to get started!
