Lawns require a great deal of attention to thrive. Properly watering, mowing at the right height and frequency, fertilizing, controlling weeds and aerating regularly promote healthy turf. Contact PristineCutsLawnCare for professional assistance.
Achieve the best lawn possible by starting with a soil test. The results will help determine which amendments are needed to restore balanced soil pH levels and increase grass roots’ access to essential nutrients.
Lawn maintenance includes strategies to eliminate or prevent weeds. This can include mowing, fertilization, and both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. A lawn care company may also provide fungicide treatment and insect control to keep harmful bugs at bay.
Weeds are everywhere, and they rob the turf of vital nutrients. Using a combination of cultural and chemical approaches, the best lawns are virtually weed-free. A properly mowed lawn, for instance, shades the soil, denying the seeds of weeds the sunlight and water they need to grow. A well-timed pre-emergent herbicide prevents weeds before they start growing.
Once weeds appear, however, they need to be killed quickly to avoid becoming a problem again next season. There are a variety of post-emergent herbicides available, but they must be applied at exactly the right time. Some lawn services apply a post-emergent herbicide to every lawn they service, killing both visible weeds and the weed seeds that haven’t sprouted yet.
Another effective method is to mulch the lawn with wood chips or shredded leaves. This blocks the sun from reaching weeds’ shallow roots and encourages deep root growth in the grass. Many lawn care companies offer this service.
A thick, healthy lawn discourages harmful insects that can damage the turf and harm people and pets who enjoy the yard. A professional lawn care service will also use an efficient sprinkler system and aerate the soil to ensure that the lawn gets adequate moisture and is free of compacted areas that suffocate the grass.
A well-timed fungicide application can prevent the spread of fungus diseases that kill or damage grasses and other desirable plants in the yard. This preventative treatment can save time, money, and energy spent on reseeding or treating the lawn with chemicals. Some lawn care companies also utilize a process called frost seeding, which takes advantage of nature’s freeze-thaw cycles to improve the contact between grass seeds and soil and help them grow. Lastly, lawn care professionals can remove grubs, ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests that infiltrate the turf and ruin its appearance and health.
Fertilization
Lawns need fertilization to supply the nutrients that they don’t get from the soil. A well-fertilized lawn is healthier, has a richer green color and is less susceptible to weeds than one that isn’t regularly fertilized. A lawn care company can provide your yard with the proper type and amount of fertilizer it needs, which may include organic or synthetic fertilizers.
The type of fertilizer a homeowner chooses should depend on their climate and the types of grass in their yard. Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue need to be fertilized in the spring, summer and fall, while warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, centipede and zoysia do best in the fall, winter and early spring.
When you fertilize your lawn, it’s important to take the time to properly spread the granules or liquid spray evenly. This will help your lawn grow evenly and avoid patches of brown or dead grass. It’s also a good idea to use a fertilizer that contains a weed killer to control weeds in your yard.
Another consideration when choosing a fertilizer is how quickly the nutrient release will occur. Many fertilizers have a quick-release formula to make them effective, but these may be more likely to cause damage to your lawn than slow-release synthetic and organic fertilizers.
It’s a good idea to wait 24 to 48 hours before you mow your lawn after fertilizing. This allows the fertilizer to penetrate the grass roots and give it the nutrition it needs without diverting energy from leaf growth.
Fertilizers that have a high nitrogen content are good for cool-season grasses, while those with low nitrogen and high phosphorous and potassium are better for warm-season grasses. There are also different types of winterizer fertilizers that improve lawns with the nutrients it will need to survive the cold and snow.
It’s also important to keep in mind that a beautiful lawn isn’t a product of nature; it requires care and maintenance, including regular lawn mowing, fertilization, aeration and seeding. A lawn that’s mowed too short or isn’t adequately watered will be stressed and more vulnerable to weeds and disease.
Watering
Watering is one of the most critical elements of lawn care. A healthy lawn requires a steady supply of water to encourage deep root growth and become more drought-tolerant. Whether you use a hose, sprinkler or irrigation system, it’s important to know the best time of day and frequency of watering to maximize your results.
The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning before the sun rises. This is when the soil and grass are coolest, allowing for better water penetration. Watering in the afternoon or even at night is wasteful, as the sun’s heat causes the moisture to quickly evaporate. In addition, water that sits on the lawn overnight is a breeding ground for fungal growth.
In general, you should aim to water your lawn once or twice a week for about an inch of water per visit. However, the frequency of watering will vary according to weather conditions. Watering more often is necessary in hot, dry climates while less frequent watering is recommended in rainy areas.
A great way to measure how much water your lawn needs is by using a simple test. Simply stick a screwdriver into the soil to see how far down it sinks. If the screwdriver easily penetrates 6 inches into the soil, your lawn is receiving enough water.
Another easy way to test your lawn’s soil is by stepping on it. A well-watered lawn will spring back up when you walk on it, but if the soil is too compacted and isn’t holding water, more water is needed.
In addition to proper watering, lawn maintenance includes mowing, chemical spraying and fertilization as well as pest control. Many pests infiltrate lawns, but a properly cared for lawn discourages their invasion. Fungicide treatments can also help prevent and treat diseases that infiltrate and ruin turf. These include fungi that cause brown spot, summer patch and other fungal diseases. A professional lawn care service can help you maintain a lush, healthy yard that is resistant to fungi, pests and other environmental conditions. They will apply the right amount of water and fertilizer to ensure that your grass grows strong and is able to withstand the elements.
Mowing
Grass needs to be cut regularly to maintain an even, healthy appearance. A lawn care company will have the right tools to trim and mow your yard quickly and efficiently, taking a big task off your to-do list. They may use a weed whacker around edges and in flower beds to keep the weeds at bay.
Lawn service companies also provide aeration services, which involves perforating the soil with holes to promote healthy grass growth and help reduce thatch buildup. Aeration helps the water and nutrients get to the grass roots better, which is essential for a thick, lush landscape.
Mulching is another essential part of any lawn service plan. It moderates soil temperature and retains moisture, which can be especially helpful during New York City’s summer heat waves. It also gives a nice look to the landscaping and adds value to your property, making it a worthwhile investment.
Lawn care is a year-round process that requires regular attention to ensure your yard and garden thrive. A comprehensive lawn care program should include mowing, aeration, fertilization, weed control and seasonal maintenance.
A good lawn care company will know the best timing for each season to perform these tasks, which can vary based on climate conditions and the amount of rainfall. For example, aerating in spring allows the soil to breathe and prepare for summer droughts, while overseeding in fall takes advantage of natural freeze-thaw cycles to improve seed-to-soil contact. Some areas need to be limed in order for grasses to absorb the nutrients they need, and others require periodic insect treatments to keep pests away. For both types of service, you should ask your prospective lawn care service providers about their experience, licensing and the materials they use. This information will help you decide if they’re the best fit for your specific needs.