A quality lawn needs more than weed control and fertilizer. It also needs proper mowing, watering, aeration, and soil testing.
Over time, compacted garden soil prevents grass growth and makes it impossible for nutrients to penetrate the roots. Aerating — spiking holes in the turf — relieves compaction and improves air and nutrient penetration. Contact Lawn Care Harrisburg PA now!
Watering is one of the most basic and essential lawn care practices. Lawns need at least an inch of water each week for optimum health and performance. A lawn that is watered properly will stay lush and green throughout the summer, resist weed invasions and be more resistant to disease and pests. Overwatering can lead to brown, wilted turf and promote fungus.
Watering your lawn correctly requires knowledge of the soil type, climate and grass species. Some lawns require more water than others. For example, a sandy soil in full sun may require more water than a clay soil in part shade. Additionally, different areas of your yard may have different water needs based on their sun exposure, wind direction and slope.
The best time of day to water is in the early-to-late morning, when it’s less likely that the moisture will evaporate before the roots can absorb it. Using a sprinkler system can be helpful in delivering the right amount of water at the correct time, but if you’re watering by hand, be sure to watch for signs of overwatering. Look for pools of water that have formed in the grass or on the soil surface – these are signs of runoff. Runoff washes away fertilizer and newly sown seed, negatively affecting your lawn.
Avoid mowing when the grass is wet as this can cause stress and damage to the blades. When it’s wet, grass blades are more susceptible to weed invasion and disease, as well as injury from lawn equipment.
A healthy lawn also includes services like aeration, dethatching, pruning and mulching. Aerating helps reduce thatch, improves drainage and encourages deeper root growth. Dethatching removes thatch and underlying layers of organic matter that can hold moisture, prevent air flow and contribute to fungus. Mulching moderates soil temperature, retains nutrients and suppresses weed growth. Pruning maintains the shape of shrubs and bushes and reduces insect activity.
In addition to these services, a professional lawn care company will provide a variety of other services that promote the health and appearance of your yard. These services include weed control, fertilization, soil testing, aeration, seeding and tree and shrub care.
Fertilizing
Over time, your soil loses the essential nutrients it needs to support grass growth and resist weeds. Lawn fertilizer supplements and replenishes those nutrients, and it is one of the most important steps in a lawn care routine. The best lawn fertilizers are formulated with a specific combination of essential nutrients. Generally speaking, most lawn fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen promotes leafy green growth, phosphate encourages plant root development, and potassium improves stress tolerance.
A lawn fertilizer application must be precise to avoid over-fertilizing. Too much fertilizer can burn the grass and create an unhealthy appearance. Lawn care professionals use highly calibrated equipment to apply just the right amount of fertilizer. This is why it is better to let a professional do the job!
Different types of fertilizer are available for your lawn, including organic, slow-release, and synthetic. Organic fertilizers are derived from natural materials, such as compost, and are eco-friendly. Organic fertilizers are also safer for pets and children, and they don’t run off into nearby water sources and cause pollution.
Synthetic fertilizers deliver a more rapid supply of nutrients to the grass. The drawback to this is that it diverts energy from the roots to the leaves, which can weaken the grass and increase its vulnerability to environmental stresses. A more balanced approach is to use a lawn biostimulant along with a fertilizer. Lawn biostimulants, like Mirimichi Green’s Nutri-Kelp, contain sea kelp and carbon to promote root growth and boost nutrient uptake.
The timing of fertilization varies by region, with cooler regions preferring fall fertilization and warmer areas tending to favor spring. The proper technique for fertilizing is evenly spreading the product with a rotary spreader, and then watering the area to help the nutrient absorption process. Regular mowing and aerating are other aspects of a lawn care program that will enhance the results of your fertilization. These processes can also help repair thin or bare spots in the yard. In addition to these fundamental aspects of lawn care, weed control and irrigation can also make a difference.
Weed Control
Weeds are a significant and ongoing challenge to lawn care. Not only do they look unattractive, but they steal vital nutrients from grass and desirable plants, inhibiting their growth and diminishing the quality of your outdoor space.
In addition, weeds can harbor pests and diseases that can spread to desired plants. Eliminating weeds from the landscape is therefore essential to maintaining a healthy garden or lawn.
Lawn weed control is not the same as fertilizer application. Different weeds require unique treatment strategies. For example, opportunistic weeds like crabgrass and wild violet are best controlled with pre-emergent herbicides, while perennial weeds such as bindweed and thistle must be addressed with targeted post-emergent herbicide treatments. The timing of these treatments will also depend on the weather and soil conditions in your area.
It is important to note that even if you are using pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides, it may not be enough to keep your lawn weed free. You will likely need to perform additional aeration and overseeding to improve the health of your turf, making it more resilient against weeds and more difficult for them to grow.
Weeds can have a negative impact on property value, as they can give the impression that your yard is neglected. Routine weed control will help ensure that your yard is a source of pride, rather than an eyesore.
Finally, weeds can contribute to an unsightly and unpleasant outdoor environment, and in some cases, they can be harmful to your family’s health. For instance, weeds like dandelions and clover can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
If you are struggling to maintain a beautiful, weed-free lawn, consider partnering with a professional lawn care service. The pros will use a combination of preventative strategies to keep your lawn lush and weed-free. They will use a combination of granular and liquid products to treat your entire yard, addressing weeds as they emerge, while taking the overall health of your landscape into consideration. They will also follow strict regulations to ensure that the products they use are properly stored and maintained for efficacy.
Mowing
A lush lawn is a beautiful asset to any home, and it adds to the curb appeal. It also serves as a buffer for your yard and property, and it helps to protect children and pets from pests and disease. However, a healthy lawn requires more than just watering and fertilization. Mowing is a critical aspect of lawn care, and it has many benefits that will help to keep your grass green and vibrant.
Grass needs to be mowed at the right height in order to thrive. Too short, and it will look brittle and unhealthy. Too long, and it may become prone to fungal diseases. Mowing the right height can ensure that your grass stays healthy, and it can reduce the need for fungicide treatments in the future.
Regular mowing will also help to prevent weeds. Almost all lawns have some weeds, but if they are kept under control, they will not be able to do much damage. Those that are allowed to get out of control will compete with the grass for water and nutrients, and they can also attract harmful bugs. Regular mowing will allow you to spot any weeds that are growing in your yard, and they can be removed as soon as possible.
Mowing your grass at the proper height will also promote upright shoot growth. This will reduce the chance of disease and encourage root growth, which will improve the health of your lawn.
It’s also important to regularly clean up your lawn after mowing. Leaving grass clippings on the ground can lead to thatch, which will rob the soil of moisture and nutrients. If you bag up your clippings or allow them to decompose in the yard, you will need to fertilize your lawn less often.
A lawn care company that offers a full range of services will be able to provide you with a lush, green lawn that is attractive and durable. They will know how to properly water, fertilize, and weed control your lawn, as well as how to mow the right way. They will also have the tools to diagnose problems and treat them as needed.