This is an excerpt /The Writers Network published on www.homeandgardenideas.com. We wanted to share it with you and remind you how easy it is to paint your lawn instead of watering it.
Lawn paint is a perfect option for those with a lawn containing dormant grass, brown spots, discolored turf, or areas that are difficult to water. It is also a tremendous option for those with otherwise healthy lawns who want to take their lawn's look to the next level. Lawn paint can even be used during winter (in moderate climates that do not receive a ton of snow, of course) to obtain a fresh green lawn when everyone in the neighborhood is unable to grow healthy grass.
The paint is harmless, perfectly fine for children and pets and containing no toxic substances. Still, it yields the ability to maintain a tight, clean lawn appearance in a minimal amount of time.
Of course, the specific appearance of a lawn that has been painted depends on the care and effort used by whoever applies the paint. A careless lawn painting effort will lead to a sloppy looking lawn. Conversely, if you put in the time to learn the specifics of lawn painting and implement this knowledge into the application of the paint to your lawn, the results will show. Read on below to discover the most appropriate ways to garner the best results from your lawn paint.
First, make sure the lawn is clear. Thoroughly mow the entire area, as the paint will last until you mow again. Left untouched, the paint will not begin to show signs of fading for at least 12 weeks. After mowing, remove all sticks, grass clippings, leaves and so on. This is a simple but important task, as a failure to do so will result in spotty painting. Also make sure the painting surface is completely dry. Thus, lawn painting in the morning is usually poor because of morning dew.
Next, you need to find a sprayer. The specifics of this product are flexible, but you will want to make sure you find a sprayer that holds at least one gallon of liquid. The larger your lawn, of course, the bigger the sprayer should be. Any local hardware store should work. Read the directions for your particular lawn paint product before placing it in the sprayer. You will probably need to mix it, typically using a combination of concentrate and water.
The last thing to do before actually painting is to secure a shield. It can be metal, wood, or any other substance that you can hold easily and do not mind painting. A shield will allow you to paint very precisely without getting paint on an undesired area, such as near trees, bricks and so on. In the smallest areas, you can cut a small piece of cardboard to use as your shield.
Another trick to minimize unwanted paint is to make those areas wet before painting. Thus, the paint will have a difficult time drying and you can wash it away easier. Otherwise, the paint, if allowed to dry, will stain these areas. If paint does get on an object you did not intend, wash it off immediately. Unlike grass, the bricks or concrete along your walkway will not regenerate, and staining is permanent.
When it is time to begin painting your lawn, perform a test with the sprayer on cardboard. Make sure the sprayer is working properly, dispensing the liquid in an even and controlled manner. Also be sure the paint looks the way you want. If it is too light or too dark for your particular lawn, more concentrate or water may need to be added.
When you spray, make sure there is no wind. Even a small breeze can send the paint all over the place. Waiting an extra day for the perfect lawn is better than painting into the wind and creating a sloppy lawn. Keep the sprayer about seven inches off of the ground, moving it back and forth as you slowly walk. Always paint in a grid pattern so that you paint both sides of each blade of grass. If you paint in just one direction, you will have grass that appears much lighter on one side than the other.
Apply just a light coat at first in a small area. Allow this a few minutes to begin to dry, and assess the result. If it is too light, you can apply another coat. Repeat this process until your lawn is the shade you desire. If you are spraying only specific areas of your lawn, such as brown spots or dormant grass, make sure you do your best to blend the paint with surrounding areas of the lawn.
After use, you will need to thoroughly clean your sprayer. With lawn paint, the sprayer will become clogged if you do not clean it immediately.
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