Lawn care is the regular cutting, weed control, and fertilization that promotes lush, healthy grass. Other services include aeration, moss control, and insect control.
Water deeply, about 1 to 1.5 inches per week, based on weather and soil conditions. Avoid overwatering, as this damages the lawn as much as underwatering. Visit https://www.pristinecutslawncarellc.com to learn more.
Lawn care encompasses a wide range of services, including mowing, fertilization, weed control and soil testing. It also involves lawn construction, irrigation, seeding and deep root feeding for trees and shrubs. Landscaping services transform outdoor spaces through design, construction and planting, adding beauty and value to properties.
Regular mowing helps keep grass healthy and reduces the risk of diseases caused by overfertilization, improper watering or cuts made too close. It also promotes lateral growth, which improves shoot density and thickens the turf. It also minimizes vermin habitats, as mice and insects prefer taller plant matter for shelter. A well-groomed lawn is also attractive and gives a positive first impression to visitors.
A lawn should be mowed to anywhere from 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 “ during the growing season. A higher cut helps the grass resist drought and crowds out weeds, which thrive in crowded conditions. It is also important to remove organic debris, such as grass clippings and leaves, to prevent disease and mold growth.
Lawn mowing services include the use of a variety of mowers, from walk-behind models to ride-on mowers. Some lawn service companies have mulching mowers that recycle grass clippings back into the soil, while others offer aeration and leaf blowing.
In addition to mowing, lawn care companies can trim and edge sidewalks, driveways and other hardscape features. They can also trim bushes and shrubs to improve their appearance. Most of these companies also offer weed control, which is a crucial element of any good lawn program.
In order to get the most out of a lawn, a soil test should be conducted to determine the soil type and make necessary changes. The right balance of sand, silt and clay will affect watering requirements, fertilization and the rate at which nutrients are absorbed by the roots of the grass. A test can also reveal areas of compacted soil, which prevents water, air and nutrients from reaching the roots, resulting in poor growth and weaker plants. Aeration loosens the soil, which increases nutrient and water penetration. It can be done by hand or with mechanical equipment, such as a core aerator or power aerator.
Fertilization
Lawn care companies provide fertilization services to promote the growth of healthy grass that is more resistant to weeds and drought. They may also perform weed control, soil health management, turf disease management, proper irrigation, dethatching, and aeration to improve the quality of your lawn and garden. They can use organic or chemical treatments, depending on your preferences and the needs of your property.
Fertilizers are important for the health of lawn grasses, especially nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). They can be applied using liquid sprays or granular materials that must be spread evenly with a spreader. Liquid fertilizers are more easily absorbed by the plants, but they need to be reapplied frequently. Granular fertilizer is more economical, but it takes longer to act and can be difficult to apply homogeneously.
Nitrogen is a nutrient that encourages the development of vigorous, thick grass. A good way to determine how much nitrogen your lawn needs is to look at the results of a soil test, which will recommend a specific N-P-K ratio for your yard. It is also helpful to read the label of your fertilizer, which will indicate the percentages of these ingredients. Feeding your lawn too often or with the wrong ratio can actually weaken its growth and make it more prone to weeds and diseases.
A well-fertilized lawn is thick, dark green, and able to compete with weeds for the nutrients it needs. It also has a higher tolerance for stress, such as drought and heat, making it healthier and more attractive. A lawn that is unfertilized is thin, light green or brown in color, and has weeds and moss mixed in with the grass.
It is best to fertilize in the fall for cool-season lawns and spring for warm-season grasses. Avoid fertilizing during the summer, since this can burn the grass. Watering in the morning is preferred, since it gives the grass time to dry before the hot sun sets in.
Weed Control
Weeds are invasive plants that compete with grass for water, nutrients and sunlight. Unlike grass roots, weeds grow rapidly and usurp ground from other landscape plants. They also produce seeds that can lay dormant in the soil for years before sprouting again. The best way to keep weeds out of your lawn is with prevention and vigilance. Weed seeds are dispersed by wind, animals, water and lawn and garden equipment, and can even stick to a mower blade and carry them to another part of the yard. Annual weeds grow, flower and produce seeds in one year, while biennial weeds live for two years, the first year growing vegetatively and the second year producing flowers and seed. Perennial weeds reproduce by rhizomes or tubers, and can be the most difficult to control.
Manual weed removal is not always practical for large lawns or gardens, and herbicides are very effective in controlling weeds. Selective herbicides target specific weeds, killing them without harming desirable turfgrass species. Nonselective herbicides kill all vegetation they come into contact with, including grass, so they are not recommended unless all or most of the undesirable weed species are to be killed.
Preemergence herbicides are applied in the spring or fall, before weeds germinate and emerge from the soil. This treatment is most effective for annual weeds such as crabgrass and foxtail, as well as biennials like dandelion and clover.
Postemergence herbicides are applied after weeds are already visible and growing in the turfgrass. This treatment is most effective for perennial weeds such as clover and bindweed, but can also be used on some annual weeds like chickweed.
When using a postemergence weed killer, it is important to read and follow the label instructions carefully, as improper application can result in injury or damage to the turfgrass. The active ingredients in the weed killer should be listed on the front of the product, and a material safety data sheet (MSDS) should be available online.
Regular fertilization helps the turfgrass to out-compete weeds for nutrients and water. However, to ensure that the lawn is receiving its full benefit of the fertilizer it requires adequate weed control. If a lawn has a history of weeds, a preemergent herbicide is recommended before applying the fertilizer.
Aeration
Grass roots need air, water and nutrients to grow thick and deep. But dense, compacted soil hinders the flow of these essentials and can actually choke out the grass. Aerating your lawn alleviates soil compaction and promotes grass growth by creating holes in the ground through which roots can travel. There are several types of aeration, including core aeration, spike aeration and liquid aeration.
Whether your soil is too dense for healthy root growth or the grass has been damaged by heavy traffic, poor irrigation or excessive fertilization, aerating can help revivify the lawn. Grass that receives all the nutrition it needs grows healthier, stronger and more resistant to disease. Besides alleviating compaction, aeration can also reduce thatch and improve drainage in the yard.
You know the soil in your yard is overly compacted if the surface feels hard to the touch, or if it clumps together when squeezed. You may also notice your lawn is not draining properly during rainstorms and that water pools instead of flowing into the soil. Over time, these conditions can make the roots suffocate and develop diseases like brown patch.
The best time to aerate is late summer into fall, but the optimal times can vary according to your region and grass type. Aerating your lawn at this time will enable the seeds to grow in the best environment and provide a strong foundation for next spring’s growth. It will also enable better results from overseeding and set the stage for a healthier lawn in the following year.
When you think of aerating your lawn, it’s a little like getting a facial. While it doesn’t take long to do, it goes a long way to improving the appearance of your yard.
