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Did you know: a healthy lawn traps much of the estimated 12 million tons of dust and dirt released into the US atmosphere annually.

Lawn Care Tips

5 steps to a lush, almost perfect lawn

While there is no magic pill to achieving a better lawn there are some basic steps you can follow that will go a long way in giving you a lush, healthy lawn you'll be proud to walk over. Here then are the 5 basic steps to help anyone achieve a beautiful lawn.

1. Get the mowing height right for the right time of year.
   There's more to mowing than just cutting the grass every Saturday. One of the most fundamental steps to a perfect lawn is getting the mowing height right for your type of lawn and for the season.
   Most grasses do best with a length of 2 - 3". This applies for spring and early fall. In the summer, if possible, set it even higher. Never go below the minimum recommended height except for the last mowing of the season which should be around 1.5" for most turf grasses.
   Height is important because the grass uses the extra length to absorb the sunshine it needs to grow and develop into a healthy plant.
   
   Never remove more than 1/3 at any one mowing. This may mean you'll have to mow more often during prime growing times (usually spring and early fall).
   If you follow the 1/3 rule for cutting height, you can safely leave the clippings on the lawn after you mow. This not only saves time and energy, but the clippings decompose and add vital nutrients back into the soil.
   

2. Use a sharp mower blade.
   The type of mower doesn't matter so much as the blade's condition. Dull mower blades tear at the grass. Take a close look at a grass blade a few days after mowing. If the blade is dull you'll notice a jagged brown line across the tip of the cut grass. Jagged edges caused by a dull mower blades make it more difficult for the grass to fight off pests and opportunistic lawn diseases.
   
   That brown jagged edge is a good indication that your lawn mower blade needs sharpening. Professional mowers sharpen their blades about every 8 hours of use. For most homeowners, twice a year is recommended.
   

3. Regulate the water intake
   Over watering a lawn regularly causes more damage than a lack of water. That's because most turf grasses can handle dry spells, but not flooding. Most grasses require 1 - 1.5" of water per week. This is enough water to moisten the soil to 4 - 6" below the surface for clay soils and 8 - 10" for sandy soils.
   
   Don't guess at how much water your lawn is actually getting. For measuring Mother Nature's contribution, invest in a rain gauge. If at the end of the week she's contributed enough, hold off adding more water with your sprinkler system. If she comes up short, you'll want to add some supplemental watering. Again, measure how much water your sprinkler is putting down.
   
   You'll have to follow local regulations when there are watering bans, but just remember that less water is acceptable and grass is a very resilient plant. When the rains do return your lawn will come back with a little encouragement on your part.
   

4. Give your lawn a balanced diet.
   Make sure your lawn is receiving the right amount of nutrients with regular fertilizer applications that include all the necessary elements for optimal growth. This application should also include important micro-nutrients. Fertilizer is not food for the plant. Fertilizer provides the necessary building blocks so you turf grass can convert sunlight into food that promotes healthy root growth and stem growth.
   

5. Prevention is the best medicine for a healthy lawn
   Preventing problems is better than having to correct them. Consistent maintenance is the key. Bare spots or damaged areas should be repaired as soon as possible. Pre-emergent weed controls are great way to control most grassy-type weeds like crabgrass. Proper timing of these controls is critical.
   
   Soils are often over-looked by homeowners, but they are a crucial factor in a healthy lawn. Soils can become compacted in high-traffic areas or in areas that have mostly clay soils. Aeration once a year, preferably in the fall when soil temperature is around 60 degrees will help reduce this compaction and reduce thatch buildup that can hamper good turf grass growth.

If you have specific lawn or landscape concerns about your property, give us a call or fill out our online request. We'll be happy to provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate and analysis of your lawn and landscape.