A lush, well-manicured lawn enhances the aesthetics of a home and can increase its value. Proper lawn maintenance and timely remedial measures prevent disease, drought, and insect infestations.
A healthy lawn starts with a soil test that helps determine the ratio of sand to clay. Knowing this information can save you money and reduce the use of chemicals. Contact Big Green Lawn Care for professional help.
New homeowners may be overwhelmed with all the details that go into maintaining a lush, healthy lawn. From choosing a grass seed to fertilizing it properly, to mowing at the right height and timing, there are many elements that contribute to a lawn that looks great. However, one of the most important steps in keeping a lawn looking its best is proper watering.
Whether you have cool-season or warm-season grass, it is vital that you are watering regularly and in the correct amounts. Watering too often or too little will not give the root system of your lawn the opportunity to grow deeper, leaving it susceptible to heat stress and drought conditions. Conversely, watering too little or for too long can result in fungal diseases like leaf spot and blight.
In general, most lawns require about an inch of water per week. However, the amount of water your lawn needs will depend on the weather and soil conditions. During the summer, when your lawn is in full growth, it will need more water than during cooler months or on rainy weeks.
Watering your lawn with a hose or sprinklers can be time-consuming, but a good watering schedule will keep your yard looking great while also saving you time and money. When watering, it is best to avoid frequent, shallow soakings in favor of longer, deep soakings less frequently (about three times a week).
Additionally, when possible, it is best to water your lawn in the morning. This will reduce evaporative loss and allow the water to soak into the soil before the sun can bake it on its surface. Finally, if your lawn is prone to fungal disease, it is best to water in small cycles rather than long ones (like 10 minutes on and off). This will decrease the length of time that your grass is wet, which promotes fungi.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing is one of the most important lawn care tasks you can do to promote a thriving, healthy landscape. The right fertilizer provides grass with all the nutrients it needs to look its best and grow strong enough to resist pests, diseases, and extreme weather.
Grass requires three primary nutrients to grow well: nitrogen (N), phosphorous, and potassium (usually shown on fertilizer bags as N-P-K). Nitrogen is critical for all growth processes. It is responsible for building proteins and creating chlorophyll, the essential green color of grass. Because untreated soil can’t provide as much nitrogen to grass as it needs, nitrogen is often added through fertilizer applications.
Even the best lawns can benefit from regular feeding treatments. Typically, lawns are fertilized in the spring to support grass growth as it emerges from winter dormancy and in the fall to prepare it for cooler temperatures and the start of its dormant period.
In addition to promoting growth, fertilizing strengthens grass roots. That helps reduce water loss and improves soil aeration. Aerating and fertilizing together can help to prevent soil erosion, a common problem in residential and commercial landscapes.
A thriving, dense turf also makes it more difficult for weeds to take hold. Weeds need space to grow, and a thick lawn naturally competes with and suppresses weeds, reducing the need for excessive herbicide use.
When using fertilizer, be sure to follow application instructions closely. Over-fertilizing can harm your lawn and pollute nearby waterways, so be careful not to apply more than recommended. Also, if you’re planning to use a spreader, do it over a driveway or another concrete surface where spilled material can be easily swept up; otherwise, excess fertilizer may wash away into storm drains and degrade local water resources.
Aerating
Aeration involves poking holes in the soil to improve air circulation, water penetration and nutrient absorption. This is a proactive approach to lawn care that helps prevent many problems like disease susceptibility, weed invasion and uneven, lifeless grass. It also makes fertilizers and other lawn treatments more effective.
The best time to aerate is in the spring and autumn. It’s especially important if you have cool-season grass, such as bluegrass, fescue and rye. This is when the soil is usually naturally moist.
When aerating your lawn, the goal is to poke hundreds and thousands of small holes in the turf. You can do this manually with a spike aerator, or you can rent large tractor-like machinery designed to stab the soil. Watering the lawn a day or two before aerating will help loosen the soil and make it easier to penetrate with the equipment.
The process also reduces thatch build-up, loosens the soil and increases the amount of oxygen that can reach roots. The result is a healthier, more resilient lawn.
Another benefit of aeration is that it helps to slow water runoff. A healthy lawn will absorb rainwater rather than send it off to water bodies, where it can harm wildlife and create health hazards for people.
So, if you want your lawn to be the envy of the neighborhood, consider hiring a professional lawn care company to perform regular aeration and other preventative maintenance tasks. They’ll keep your grass looking great, and you’ll save time and money by avoiding the need for costly repairs and treatments later. Plus, a healthy lawn is a safer environment for your kids and pets. So go ahead and invite over the neighbors – your lawn will be worth it!
Weeding
Weeds are unwanted plants that compete with your grass for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Left unchecked, they can quickly overtake a lawn and leave it patchy, discolored, and unhealthy. Effective weed control is vital to maintaining the health and beauty of your landscape, as well as the value of your property.
Weed control can be as simple as hand-pulling a few weeds here and there, or it may require a more extensive program of weed killing treatments. Whether you choose to handle your weeds by hand or with a professional service, be sure to follow proper safety measures to protect yourself and the environment.
If you decide to take the hands-on route, you can also try mulching, which covers the soil with a layer of organic material that prevents weeds from growing. It also helps retain moisture in the soil so your grass can thrive.
In addition to weeding and feeding, there are many other steps you can take to ensure a healthy, vibrant lawn: Performing a soil test (to determine the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay) can help guide your treatment schedule. This is especially important if you have clay soil, which tends to be compacted and limit the availability of air and nutrients to your grass.
Practicing regular mowing, aerating, and dethatching helps reduce the risk of diseases that can affect the health of your lawn. If disease does occur, however, prompt and effective fungicide application can contain it before it spreads.
It’s also wise to treat your lawn for grubs, which are small C-shaped white larvae that feed on the roots of your grass and can cause significant damage if allowed to multiply. There are many different grub-control methods available, including chemical applications, which can be a good option for most lawns, but be sure to read the labels carefully as some products will kill beneficial insects in addition to the grubs.
Mowing
A beautiful, well-maintained lawn is one of the most important components of a home’s landscape. It creates an immediate impression of a homeowner’s care and attention to detail. It adds a sense of order and beauty to the property, complimenting the architectural features and creating a welcoming outdoor environment for residents and guests.
Regular mowing promotes grass growth and helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases, insect infestations and other stressors on your yard. It also minimizes pest habitat by reducing the space and sunlight available for weeds to grow. It prevents thatch buildup by removing dead grass and debris, keeping the soil healthier. Finally, mowing at the proper height encourages deeper root systems, which improves turf’s ability to access moisture and enhances its resilience during drought.
It is important to mow your lawn in the early spring to remove debris and old clippings from winter. This prepares your lawn for the summer growing season and reduces the risk of weed invasions, as the dense lawn provides limited space and sunlight for unwanted plants to thrive. During the growing season, you should mow your lawn weekly or bi-weekly. Make sure to always mow your lawn when it is dry, as wet clippings can spread diseases and clog mower blades.
Taking care of your yard and making it look its best requires more than periodic basic lawn treatments like watering, fertilizing, and mowing. To keep your yard healthy and thriving, you need the knowledge and skills that a professional lawn care company can provide. Contact a lawn care expert for help with all your yard maintenance needs, from mowing to weed control and everything in between!