For many families, a healthy lawn provides an outdoor space where children and pets can play safely. A well-maintained lawn also helps to improve soil erosion and flood control, enhances biodegradation of synthetic organic compounds, and absorbs carbon dioxide.
To keep a lawn healthy, it is necessary to fertilize, aerate, and treat weeds. Aerating breaks through a layer of dead grass thatch and improves water penetration for roots. Contact PristineCutsLawnCare for professional help.
Whether it’s through rainfall or irrigation, a healthy lawn requires adequate water to survive. Most grass types need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week for deeper hydration. Our lawn care professionals provide the proper irrigation schedule for your soil type, climate and grass species. Frequent and shallow watering encourages root growth only at the surface, making the lawn more susceptible to drought stress. In contrast, deep watering provides more hydration, encouraging the roots to grow down into the soil. This also helps the grass become more drought-tolerant.
It is important to know what type of soil your yard has as it will influence how frequently you should water and for how long. Sandy soils drain quickly and require more frequent, short periods of watering, whereas clay soils retain moisture and do not need to be watered as often.
The best time to water your lawn is early morning, before 10 a.m. This allows the lawn to dry before the sun hits the soil, which reduces fungal diseases that can affect turfgrass and conserves water by lessening evaporation. It is recommended to avoid watering in the evening as it promotes the growth of harmful fungi and reduces the effectiveness of watering by reducing soil oxygen levels.
If your yard is a new seeded, sodded or sprigged lawn, it may need to be watered daily until it grows to mowing height and develops a stable root system. In general, once the lawn is 2 months old, it can be treated like an established lawn and watered on a regular basis. If you are unsure if your lawn needs water, try walking on it. If it springs back up, then it does not need to be watered.
Fertilize
As the name implies, fertilizing is all about supplying the grass with nutrients to boost its health. When done properly, it promotes root development, discourages weed growth and pushes the lawn toward its optimal health.
There are three broad categories of lawn fertilizers: synthetic, natural and organic. Synthetic lawn fertilizers contain chemical compounds that are rapidly absorbed into the soil and used by grass plants. These are the most common type of lawn fertilizers and are available in granular or liquid forms.
Natural, slow-release lawn fertilizers are comprised of organic matter such as dried blood, manure or processed sewage that are broken down by soil microbes and eventually released to the grass plants. These types of fertilizers are typically less expensive than the synthetic alternatives but they may take longer to produce results.
The natural, organic material in these types of lawn fertilizers breaks down slowly, which helps prevent over-fertilization. Over-fertilization is a problem because it can cause the grass to divert too much energy into leaf growth and may deplete the soil of essential micronutrients.
Organic lawn fertilizers are a great alternative to chemical fertilizers because they are safer for the environment and for you! They require more work on your part, however. In order to get the most out of your organic lawn fertilizer, it is important to apply it evenly and to water it thoroughly afterward. This requires lots of walking, bending, squatting, and reaching. It also provides a good low-impact workout!
The frequency and timing of lawn fertilization varies according to grass species, soil conditions and climate. For example, cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass need more nitrogen than warm-season turf such as Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. And soil conditions, such as clay or sandy, affect how well the soil holds and releases nutrients.
Aerate
After the summer heat, backyard bonfires, kids running through sprinklers and all the mowing and trimming, your lawn is likely in need of some TLC. Aerating your yard helps relieve soil compaction that starves grass roots of essential oxygen and water needed for growth and health. This treatment also encourages root growth and helps remove excessive thatch, a layer of dead grass and organic debris that can block out light and stunt the plant.
Aerating your lawn involves mechanically piercing the ground with small holes to break up the compacted soil and increase air spaces for root development. Soil compaction is a common problem in residential lawns as foot traffic, heavy equipment and weather all contribute to the condition.
Once the soil plugs are removed from the lawn with an aerator, the voids left behind provide a rich food source for microbes that decompose and help the lawn return vital nutrients to the soil as they break down. This nutrient-rich soil is known as humus and is a key ingredient in healthy turfgrass.
Lawn aeration can be combined with overseeding, the process of spreading new grass seed to thinned or barren areas. Overseeding can create a denser, more resilient lawn that discourages weeds and pests, promotes strong grass growth and improves overall turfgrass health by replacing older and less-vigorous grass species with a more disease- and insect-resistant variety.
Mow
Mowing the lawn is one of the most important elements in a commercial landscaping care plan, as it helps to deter weed growth and reduce the risk of turf diseases. Most lawns experience serious disease problems only if they are over-fertilized, poorly watered or cut too short, and mowing is the primary tool for keeping these issues under control.
A professional mowing service will use a variety of mowers to trim your grass and give it a neat, manicured appearance. There are four main types of mowers: cylinder, rotary, hover and ride-on. A quality mower will have an adjustable cutting height, allowing it to adjust to various grass types and conditions.
Regular mowing reduces thatch build-up, helping your lawn stay healthy and green. Thatch is a layer of dead and living plant matter that builds up over the soil surface, which traps moisture and nutrients at the soil surface instead of allowing them to reach grass roots deep in the soil. Regular mowing breaks up thatch and promotes healthy soil, making your lawn healthier and more attractive.
Many lawn care services also offer a wide range of other services to help keep your property looking its best. Some of these services include aeration, weed control and tree and shrub care. Aeration involves creating air gaps in the soil to improve movement of nutrients, water and oxygen.
Lime applications can help balance the pH level of your soil to make it more favorable for turfgrass growth. A soil test can determine your soil’s pH level and a lawn care company can help correct any discrepancies.
Trim
Keeping your lawn at a uniform height is important to the aesthetics of your yard. It also ensures that minerals, water and sunlight are distributed evenly throughout the turf. A regularly scheduled mowing routine promotes denser grass growth which in turn helps the lawn to better resist stress, disease, and weeds.
Lawns that are cut too short can become thin, dull and unhealthy. This is a sign of improper lawn care and can be difficult to recover from.
A well-maintained lawn requires more than mowing to look its best. Regular weed control services, preventative fungicide treatments, and pest management can all be used to keep your lawn healthy and looking its best.
Fungicide – A preventative application of fungicide can be applied in the spring to reduce the risk of diseases such as leaf spot, brown patch, and summer patch. These are typically caused by high temperatures and humidity or over-fertilization.
Weed Control – A combination of mechanical and chemical weed control is typically the best way to achieve a lush, healthy lawn. A professional lawn care service will be able to recommend the right products for your specific situation.
Lawn Edging – The installation of a lawn edging system creates clean crisp lines, adding to the overall beauty and curb appeal of your property. Additionally, it provides a physical barrier that keeps weeds from encroaching into the turf and makes mowing, weeding and maintenance much easier.
A well-maintained lawn is the foundation for a beautiful home. A quality lawn takes time, effort and dedication to achieve, but it pays off in the long run. Contact us for more information on how we can help you have the lawn of your dreams.