Blades of Green owners Mark and Brad Leahy have been serving the Maryland area for more than two decades. They’ve outline some advice to homeowners struggling with growing grass in areas that will not grow

There are several types of grass that grow very well in the metro-Atlanta region. The most common are Bermuda, fescue, zoysia, and centipede. Fescue, a cool-season, shade-tolerant grass, remains green through the winter months but can turn brown in the heat of summer.

Aeration or “core aeration,” as many call it, is the process of exposing your soil to the air by removing plugs of soil from the turf. The resulting hollows allow water and nutrients to move through the soil, increasing the quality and health of grass over time and resulting in stronger roots.

Aeration involves using a tool or a machine to puncture the soil. By loosening the soil under a lawn, aeration incorporates oxygen into the soil, helps water to penetrate, and improves both drainage and the absorption of nutrients vital for turf growth. Many years ago, home lawn enthusiasts would sometimes wear golf spikes and walk across their lawns to accomplish aeration, but this method is not recommended, as golf spikes are not long enough to accomplish effective aeration.

Even the most diligent efforts to maintain a gorgeous, green lawn can be undone by grass diseases and pests. However, knowing what to look out for can help a homeowner get the jump on things that might be lurking under the surface, waiting to wipe out your investment.

Mowing is one of the most fundamental practices for keeping your lawn happy and healthy. Keeping your lawn short and attractive, however, is more complicated than just running a lawn mower over the grass; factors such as grass height, mowing frequency, and type of mower used play an important role in the health of the grass. In addition to looking good, the denser grass that results from proper mowing also aids in the prevention of weeds, diseases, and pests. Follow the grass-cutting tips listed below to maintain the best lawn for your home:

Almost every homeowner dreams of having a beautiful, lush lawn. A well-maintained lawn is not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but it also is an asset to your neighborhood because it adds curb appeal. While it’s no secret that a green lawn comes from an established relationship between proper lawn care and water application, most homeowners understand that watering is perhaps the most important element in achieving this. Listed below are some great grass-watering tips that should keep your lawn flourishing and healthy year-round.

A lawn needs about an inch of water administered weekly year-round to stay healthy, but accurately measuring just how much that is can be puzzling. Dick Bare, owner of Arbor-Nomics Turf, an Atlanta lawn treatment company, suggests setting up an empty tuna can with your sprinkler systems. “Tuna fish cans are about an inch deep. Run the sprinkler system or set up a sprinkler and hose until you’ve filled up that tuna fish can.