Maintaining a lush, beautiful lawn requires mowing at the correct height, watering deeply and often enough, fertilizing appropriately, controlling weeds and aerating regularly. A lawn also needs to be treated for fungus and pests.
It’s important to choose a quality fertilizer, such as Milorganite. Be sure to follow the watering guidelines on the product label and use a soil test to determine your grass type’s specific nutrient requirements. Contact PristineCutsLawnCare for professional help.
Mowing a lawn may seem basic, but it is an essential part of proper lawn care. Lawn mowing services can help homeowners save time and keep their lawns looking healthy all season long. Standard mowing services include mowing, edging and leaf blowing. The right equipment is needed for this job including a quality mower, appropriate fuel or battery, weed whacker for trimming and rakes for debris cleanup. Some lawn mowing companies offer organic mulching services for grass clippings, which can benefit the health of the yard and reduce fertilizer needs.
Most lawns need routine watering, but it is important to know when and how often to water. The ideal times to water are early in the morning and at dusk, when temperatures cool down. Watering at other times can lead to a shallow root zone and encourage fungal disease. Regular fertilization, beginning in the spring and ending in mid-autumn, is also important for lawns to stay healthy.
Many homeowners are concerned about the use of pesticides, so some lawn mowing companies offer organic care treatments. These are safer for the environment and can provide the same results as chemical-based options.
Overseeding, core aeration and dethatching are other lawn care services that can improve the health and appearance of a lawn. Aerating removes small plugs of soil from the lawn, which helps prevent thatch buildup and allows nutrients and water to reach the roots more effectively. Overseeding seeds the lawn with grass that competes well against weeds and is especially beneficial for thin or unhealthy lawns. Dethatching removes dead thatch, which can also help prevent fungus in the garden and the lawn.
Some lawn care companies offer seasonal services, such as ice-melting and snow removal. This is a great way to generate revenue during the winter and maintain a steady source of income throughout the year. Other seasonal services that can be offered by lawn care companies include yard cleanup and pruning, both of which are vital to a functional, beautiful outdoor space. Adding these services to your lawn care business can make you stand out from the competition.
Weeding
Weeding is one of the most important aspects of lawn care. It prevents weeds from competing with grass and keeps the overall appearance of your yard healthy. It is especially crucial during droughts, when weeds have a chance to grow faster and out-grow your lawn. Regular weeding and a consistent mowing schedule are the best ways to maintain a weed-free yard.
Lawn care professionals have the tools and experience to properly weed your yard. They also know when and how to apply weed killers to get the best results. In general, weed-and-feed products work best when the granules stick to the leaves of the weeds, and liquid treatments are most effective when it’s warm and sunny. It is also a good idea to read the label on any lawn care product you purchase, so you can be sure of its ingredients and how it works best in your yard.
Many lawns need nutrient-rich topsoil to thrive. A soil test is recommended to identify the type of nutrient the lawn needs, and a professional can advise on proper fertilization schedules. It is also important to have an efficient sprinkler system to ensure that every inch of your lawn gets the amount of water it needs.
A professional can also help you create a yard maintenance schedule that is right for your property. In addition to mowing and weed control, your lawn may need aeration or dethatching, tree and shrub care, and seeding/overseeding. A full-service company can also provide fungicide, insect control and pest management services to keep the yard free of damaging insects and diseases.
If you’re looking for natural ways to improve your yard, try organic weed killers that are made with plant- or mineral-based materials. Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers that contain synthetic chemicals, which can damage the environment and pollute the groundwater supply. Another way to protect the environment is by harvesting rainwater in a barrel for irrigation, rather than relying on municipal water supplies. You can also reduce your water usage by mowing less often, and by using a mulching mower that cuts the grass into small pieces that decompose quickly.
Fertilizing
Lawn fertilizers boost grass growth and help it resist stress from mowing, foot traffic, extreme weather conditions and weeds. Fertilizers also strengthen root systems, enabling it to better withstand these stresses and helping it stay healthy and green all year. By encouraging dense turf growth, lawns also serve as a natural barrier to prevent weed seeds from germinating and infiltrating the yard.
Grass needs regular feedings to replace nutrients lost through wear and tear, mowing and other stresses. This is why fertilizing is a key component of any lawn care program.
When it comes to choosing a fertilizer, the type and ratio of nutrients will depend on the season, grass species and soil test results. For example, a lawn with high levels of phosphorous and potassium will need a different type of fertilizer than one with low amounts of those elements. In addition, a lawn with cool-season grass will need a different type of fertilizer from a warm-season turf.
Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the main nutrients found in lawns. They are identified by the N-P-K numbers on a fertilizer bag, with nitrogen listed first. The numbers indicate the percentage of each nutrient in the fertilizer, with higher numbers indicating more nitrogen.
There are two main types of lawn fertilizers: liquid and granular. Liquid fertilizers tend to be more efficient, since they penetrate the ground more quickly. However, they can be damaging to the environment if used incorrectly. When applying a liquid fertilizer, follow the directions on the label and do not over apply. Granular fertilizers are a bit more environmentally friendly as they break down slowly and dissipate into the soil.
Both liquid and granular lawn fertilizers can be purchased from your local hardware or garden center. Before you fertilize, make sure that your lawn has been mowed and aerated recently and that the soil is not too dry. The best time of day to fertilize is the early morning when dew is still on the grass and before it becomes hot.
Leaving your lawn clippings on the turf after mowing can provide about 20% of the nitrogen that it needs. This is known as grasscycling, and it is a great way to return these nutrients to the soil.
Weed Control
Weeds choke out turfgrass, depriving it of the sunlight and nutrients that it needs for healthy growth. Invasive weeds may be annual, biennial or perennial and are often confused with grasses because many of them grow fast and have long thin leaves that stick up like turfgrass. The weeds may also be of different color than the surrounding lawn and have a different smell.
The best approach to weed control is preventive. Ensure that your turfgrass is thick and vigorous, so that it can crowd out weeds. This can be achieved through regular mowing, proper watering, and soil building. Weeds thrive in bare spots or areas of weak turfgrass. Weeds are more likely to invade a lawn that is overfertilized, drought-stricken, irrigated with low pressure, or poorly maintained.
Using a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring can prevent the seedlings of annual grass weeds and broadleaves from growing. These herbicides contain chemicals that interfere with the germination or early development of the weeds and are available in liquid, powder, or granular form.
Post-emergent herbicide is applied after weeds have emerged and can be used against many of the same weed species as pre-emergent herbicide. The difference is that the post-emergent herbicides have contact or systemic activity and are absorbed through the roots of the weeds.
Certain weeds such as crabgrass and annual bluegrass can be controlled with nonselective herbicides that have both contact and systemic action, including benefin, bensulide, or clopyrethane. The nonselective postemergence herbicides glyphosate, MCPA, and 2,4-D can also be used to kill these weeds. Sedges, such as yellow and purple nutsedge or green kyllinga, are commonly controlled with spot treatments of the nonselective herbicides benefin, MCPA, or 2,4-D.
Most weeds are caused by conditions that allow them to outcompete turfgrass, so that they can produce more seed and spread. Addressing these problems will reduce the occurrence of weeds and make it easier to keep them under control. Core aeration helps your turfgrass absorb oxygen, water, and nutrients more effectively. Aerating can help relieve compacted soil and improve the ability of sandy soils to hold water. Removing fallen leaves from the lawn will help reduce the number of weeds that overwinter in the debris and that suffocate or block sunlight to your turfgrass.
