AdminLawn care is a key part of keeping your home looking great and your family happy. With a little effort and attention, your lawn can go from a patch of green to a lush, inviting expanse of grass.
If you want a luscious yard, you’ll need to take the following steps:
A healthy lawn requires good soil and water. The right soil structure promotes growth and enables water to penetrate deep into the roots of your grass. It also supports the presence of microorganisms and organic matter that help keep the soil healthy.
Soil tests can give you a clear picture of the health of your lawn’s soil. They can indicate if the soil is compacted, or if it has high levels of thatch (accumulated organic material).
Once you know the condition of your lawn’s soil, work on reducing the thatch layer and improving the drainage of the soil. This can be achieved by raking regularly, removing leaves and dead plants in the spring and early summer, and reseeding when necessary.
Core aeration is essential for lawns with compacted soil. It breaks up plugs of thatch to release air, water and nutrients that the grass roots can absorb. The process can be performed with a garden fork or a small aerator.
Weed control is critical for a healthy lawn. Weeds compete with the grass for food and water, and they can cause bare spots. Treating weeds early in the season will eliminate them before they grow.
In addition, a pre-emergent herbicide will stop annual weed seeds from germinating. It’s best to use one before the weeds are visible, usually in early spring or late summer, when the soil temperature is around 55 degrees.
Fertilizer – A good quality fertilizer is a vital part of maintaining your lawn’s health. Nitrogen and phosphorus make the blades of the grass grow and spread, while potassium strengthens the grass’s roots, which helps it resist disease and harsh weather conditions.
A good quality fertilizer has the appropriate percentages of each nutrient, and is applied at the correct time. If you’re not sure which nutrients your lawn needs, ask a landscaping professional to assess the needs of your lawn and recommend a fertilizer product that is compatible with your lawn’s environment.
Bio-stimulants are an excellent supplement to your fertilizer regimen. They boost the activity of beneficial bacteria that promote turf health and strength, helping to suppress diseases like dandruff and brown patch and increasing resistance to insect pests.
Seeding your lawn in fall is a great way to add a variety of grass types and improve the health of your turf. New seed can fill in thin areas, create a denser lawn that discourages weeds and pests, or improve the performance of your grass varieties by adding new genetic material and enhanced disease and insect resistance.
A lawn care service can apply fertilizer, apply a fungicide treatment, or perform other preventative measures to keep your lawn healthy and attractive. These extra services can add to the cost of your service, so it’s important to include them when estimating your lawn maintenance fees.