Lawn treatments like fungicide prevent or control diseases that destroy lawns. They work best when a lawn care professional does them regularly and in the optimal time frame.
Aerating eliminates thatch and allows air, nutrients and water to penetrate roots more easily. Local lawn services will aerate lawns regularly, or homeowners can rent an aerator. Contact Prime Cut Lawn and Landscaping for professional help.
Watering the lawn properly is one of the most important aspects of maintaining healthy turf. Grass that isn’t well-watered will look brown and unattractive, and it can also be more susceptible to pest problems. It’s important to water the lawn often enough, but not too much. Frequent shallow watering encourages grass roots to grow close to the surface of the soil, leaving them vulnerable to drought. This can also lead to fungal diseases and other problems.
Watering deeply less frequently encourages deeper root growth and a healthier, more drought-resistant lawn. The best time to water is in the morning when the sun isn’t hot and the soil retains moisture longer. You can also help to conserve water by limiting your irrigation use and avoiding watering on windy days, which can evaporate the water before it has a chance to soak in.
The amount of water a lawn needs can vary greatly depending on the weather, the soil, and natural rainfall patterns in your area. Generally, your lawn requires 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week to thrive. It’s a good idea to keep track of the temperature, sunlight, and precipitation levels in your area so you know how often your lawn will need to be watered.
A full-service lawn care company can offer a variety of services, including weed control, overseeding, aeration, and fertilization. Many of these companies have a plant pathologist on staff who can recommend the right lawn treatment for your yard’s specific issues. They can also perform soil testing and offer lime applications, using either a liquid drench or granular application, as needed.
Some of these companies can even provide tree and shrub health services, such as pruning, thinning, and fertilization. These professionals can identify signs of an unhealthy tree or shrub, such as blotches on the leaves and damage to the trunk, and then apply the correct treatment to ensure its health. These services can be a great way to make your landscape look its best and protect your property from pests.
Fertilize
A lush, green lawn is a big part of the curb appeal of your home. But it’s also more than that: It provides a habitat for beneficial insects, improves air quality by producing oxygen, and helps filter dirt and dust in the atmosphere while absorbing sound, contributing to a quieter neighborhood.
To keep your lawn healthy, a regular fertilization schedule is essential. Grass needs nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (also known as NPK) to grow and thrive. Commercial fertilizers provide these nutrients to the soil in a form that grass can easily absorb.
The most important aspect of fertilization is to know when and how much to apply. A reputable lawn care company will conduct a soil test to determine the specific nutrient needs of your lawn. They’ll use this information to develop a customized fertilization plan for your turf’s growing season. They’ll then choose between granular or liquid fertilizer—both of which are effective—and decide how often to apply them. Before applying, they’ll prepare the area by mowing and watering, which will help ensure the grass is ready to absorb the nutrients.
Over time, soil loses its natural nutrient content due to factors like weather, rainfall, and grass growth. Fertilization replenishes these nutrients and leads to healthier, thicker grass that is better able to withstand pests and diseases and endure harsh environmental conditions.
However, a common misconception is that fertilizer feeds the grass. In reality, all plants make their own food through a process called photosynthesis. Therefore, a fertilizer that contains nutrients will simply give the grass what it already makes on its own. It’s also important to note that improper application can cause more harm than good—like if the wrong fertilizer is applied or if too much is used. Thankfully, a knowledgeable lawn care professional will avoid these issues and get the job done right. They’ll help your lawn look its best and feel its best as well. This is why it’s so crucial to work with a reputable, experienced lawn care company. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to set up a consultation!
Mow
Lawn care is all about keeping grass healthy and beautiful so it can withstand nuisances like weather, pests and disease. The best way to ensure that your lawn is healthy enough to withstand these annoyances is through consistent mowing and overall maintenance. A lush and green lawn is also a great curb appeal, so it’s well worth the effort to make sure yours is always at its most attractive.
When it comes to mowing, the key is to cut the grass consistently at the right height. Too short and the lawn will be brittle, dry and yellowish. Too long and the grass will be overgrown, requiring more frequent mowing, which can damage the mower and create unsightly clumps of clippings. A good lawn service will use the right tools to cut your lawn at just the right length, each time.
A properly mowed lawn should be anywhere from 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 inches tall, depending on the season. A higher cut promotes drought resistance and helps to crowd out weeds, which can thrive in long grass. When you work with a full-service company that also offers other lawn care services, they will be able to provide the proper mowing schedule for your specific lawn.
Mowing is often done in the early morning to reduce sun exposure, which can damage the grass. It is also important to change the direction that you mow the lawn each time you do it, in order to prevent a uniform pattern of growth. The direction of the grass should also be varied from week to week to avoid clumping of the clippings.
Many homeowners avoid mowing their own lawns because it is labor intensive, requires the right equipment and knowledge of how to use it. But a good lawn service can take the worry and hassle out of maintaining your yard. Plus, a professional can get the job done more quickly and efficiently, so you can enjoy your perfectly manicured lawn sooner. In addition, a good lawn service will also provide other lawn care services like weed control, pest control, soil testing, aeration, overseeding and fertilization.
Remove Leaves
The annual chore of removing leaves from the yard may seem like a hassle, but it’s an important part of lawn care. A thick layer of leaves can smother grass, blocking sunlight and robbing it of vital nutrients. They also create an ideal environment for fungus to grow, which can damage your lawn and garden. Leaves can also block rainwater and clog gutters, which causes water damage, and they can encourage pests to invade your lawn.
Regular leaf removal allows grass to thrive. If your yard has a lot of leaves, you may need to rake them or use a blower. If your yard is smaller, mulching the leaves into the lawn with a mulching mower or using a bagging system can be effective. If you prefer to have the leaves removed from your yard, you can try to work with your city or county to get the leaves recycled.
You can also try composting the leaves, but be sure to add a healthy amount of organic matter to the mix. If you have a lot of leaves in your yard, you can also place them in garden beds and shrubs to help them absorb nutrients. Just be careful not to pile the leaves up too high, which could restrict water and air.
As you clear the leaves from your lawn, keep in mind that the grass underneath needs rainwater to thrive. A thick layer of leaves can prevent rainwater from reaching the soil, creating a drought. Leaves can also trap moisture and promote fungus, which can cause disease and thinning of the grass.
In addition, a layer of thick leaves can exclude sunlight from the grass, which will impact its growth as it enters dormancy in winter. Finally, the presence of large amounts of leaves can encourage voles and mice to ravage the lawn. When these pests are unable to hide, they can more easily eat the grass from the roots and stems. Ultimately, proper lawn maintenance requires a thorough removal of all dead leaves throughout fall.