Grass isn’t just beautiful to look at – it’s also a habitat for birds and other wildlife. But it’s important to know how to maintain a healthy lawn, especially when pests are out in force.
Watering correctly is essential. Avoid excessive watering and aim to irrigate your lawn about an inch per week. Visit https://www.primecutlawnky.com/ to learn more.
Weed control is the process of preventing or controlling unwanted plants. This includes removing them from the landscape, avoiding their establishment in cultivated fields or pastures, and reducing competition with desired flora and livestock or wildlife. Weed control measures also include promoting soil health and improving the ability of the landscape’s vegetation to compete with weeds for water, nutrients and sunlight.
Most weed control products are systemic and have to be absorbed through the leaves, roots or other parts of the plant to work. This can take a few hours to a few days depending on the weed and how active it is. It is important to note that these weed control systems only target the weeds that are present at the time of the application. New weeds can blow in or sprout and need to be treated regularly.
Many chemical weed killers contain pesticides and herbicides that not only kill the unwanted weeds, but destroy healthy soil and make your lawn dependent on the next round of chemicals. Instead, weed control specialists at Clean Air Lawn Care use preventative methods to keep pesky weeds from invading your yard and garden.
Preventative weed control is any technique that can be used to forestall the onset or spread of an undesirable plant, including using certified weed free seed in a field crop, only transporting hay that is weed free, screening irrigation water so that weed seeds do not travel along irrigation ditches, and using well-adapted competitive forage species in grazing operations. In a domestic setting, preventative weed management may involve herbicides like glyphosate-based products or pulling weeds by hand.
If a weed does not have a seed head it is much easier to remove by hand, either by pulling or digging it out of the ground. This method can be used to remove any weed that is not growing very quickly. It is also possible to use natural, organic weed controls that are less harmful to the environment and the lawn, such as boiling water, a few drops of citrus oil or vinegar.
Fertilization
Lawns require a lot of nutrients to be strong and healthy, so fertilization is an important part of lawn care. It can help your turf become more resilient and resist weeds and drought. However, improper or over-fertilization can kill your grass, so you should always use a soil test to determine what nutrients your grass needs.
In general, you should use a slow-release (also called long-term) fertilizer that releases its nutrients into the soil over a period of months. These are less likely to burn your grass and are better for the environment than quick-release (also known as liquid) fertilizers that release their nutrients into the air. Most granular fertilizers are slow-release.
A good spring fertilizer can give your grass a boost after the long winter. This will prepare it for the upcoming heat and stress of summer and ensure that it has the strength to resist weeds and disease. This is also a great time to amend the soil with lime and sulfur, which will help balance the pH levels of your soil.
Fall is an ideal time to apply a lawn fertilizer. Not only is it a good way to ensure that your cool-season grass has the energy and nutrition it needs to endure the summer heat, but it will also allow you to make one last pass over the lawn before aerating, which will further improve its health.
When choosing a fertilizer, you should consider your region and the type of grass you have. The right blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium will ensure the best results. In addition, some fertilizers contain organic material to improve the soil’s health, while others are made from chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and pets.
You should also keep in mind that it is important to use a spreader or sprayer when applying fertilizer, which will help avoid over-fertilization. Also, be careful when fertilizing near bodies of water, as excess fertilizer can run off into them and cause algal blooms. Be sure to blow away any excess fertilizer that may have landed on sidewalks, patios or driveways and sweep up any that has fallen on your lawn.
Mowing
Lawn mowing is one of the most important lawn care tasks for a healthy and beautiful home or commercial property. A professional landscaper has the skills and equipment to mow your lawn efficiently and effectively, leaving it looking sharp all season long.
Proper mowing heights help turfgrass density and encourage deep root growth, making your lawn more resilient to stress, disease, weeds, drought, and heat. It also helps the lawn retain water, reducing the need for regular watering.
A regular fertilization schedule, starting in spring and ending in mid-autumn, is essential to keeping your lawn healthy and vibrant. The lawn needs nutrients to grow and stay green all season, but the best fertilizer is slow-release so the grass can absorb it over time.
Weed control is another vital lawn care task, as weeds compete with grass for nutrients and water, so they need to be kept at bay. A thorough weed control program includes pre-emergent and post-emergent weed treatments, as well as preventative weed control strategies like mulching to moderate soil temperature and keep weeds from getting a foothold in the first place.
Another key lawn care task is aeration, which increases soil health by breaking up compacted soil and encouraging grass to grow thicker and healthier. Aeration reduces compaction, improves water infiltration, and increases the amount of available oxygen to the roots of the plant, which makes it easier for the grass to photosynthesis and produce energy.
Lastly, leaf removal is a crucial part of lawn care. A buildup of moldy leaves can inhibit grass growth, invite pests and diseases, and make it harder for the grass to photosynthesize. A thorough lawn care program should include aeration, weed control, and fertilization to keep the lawn healthy, lush, and beautiful all year round.
Although it is possible to do some of these tasks on your own, hiring a professional landscaper can save you a lot of time and effort, while also ensuring that the work is done properly and according to industry standards. A professional lawn care company will also have access to the highest-quality products and equipment, which are much more effective than what you can buy at your local hardware store.
Irrigation
Lawn care involves addressing internal lawn problems such as soil amendments, fertilization and disease management while lawn maintenance tasks focus on the outward appearance of the lawn like mowing or grass cutting, weed control, mulching, pruning trees and shrubs, etc. Irrigation is one of the most important lawn care tasks because it helps to ensure that healthy grass can grow, especially in hot and dry climates where rainfall may be scarce.
Irrigation is also crucial for reducing the amount of fertilizer lost to runoff or vaporization and preventing foliar burn. Irrigation with a soluble or liquid fertilizer moves the fertilizer from the surface of the leaves into the root zone where it can be absorbed and used by the plants. The time of day when a yard is watered can affect the results, as well. The best times for irrigation are in the early morning, when wind speeds are low and the sun is not yet high in the sky.
Proper soil care can also help to lower the need for irrigation. Aerating the soil can loosen the thatch and soil and make it easier for roots to penetrate. Top-dressing with quality compost can increase the amount of organic matter in the soil, which increases the soil’s ability to hold moisture and nutrients. This can improve water infiltration and reduce compaction in heavy soils, and enhance the moisture-holding capacity of sandy soils that drain quickly.
The type of grass in a yard is another factor that influences irrigation requirements. The staff at Bare Foot Turf can recommend a grass that is suited to local growing conditions such as rainfall amounts, temperature and soil types. High mowing heights and balanced fertilizer can help to further reduce the need for irrigation. In addition, limiting irrigation to one day per week in the fall and spring, and tapering to every other week during the summer, will help conserve water.
A lawn that is irrigated responsibly can help to reduce the demand for water in the community, and may even lower a home’s utility bills. Smart irrigation controllers can help to save water by adjusting irrigation schedules based on weather, soil moisture sensors and historical data. Reusing rainwater for irrigation can also help to reduce the demand on public water supplies, which can lead to less costly rate hikes for everyone in the community.