A lush lawn sets the stage for all your outdoor memories. Better care could be the answer if your lawn is bare or suffering from fungus, insects, and disease.
Healthy soil is the foundation for a healthy lawn. A soil test can reveal nutrient deficiencies (like nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium) that can kill grass. Contact LTP Property Maintenance now!
Grass needs air, water and nutrients to thrive. Getting those to the roots isn’t always easy. That’s why aeration is an important lawn care step to keep your grass healthy and strong year-round.
Aeration involves mechanically piercing the soil with small holes – usually referred to in the industry as coreing, spike aeration or slicing – to improve natural soil aeration and reduce thatch buildup. This process relieves lawn stress, increases root growth and reduces the need for chemical applications.
Regular aeration helps reduce soil compaction, which makes it difficult for water and crucial nutrients to reach the grass roots. It also reduces thatch, which is a layer of organic dead and living shoots, stems and roots that builds up over the soil surface. A thick layer of thatch restricts root development and can harbor disease and pest activity. When properly performed, aeration reduces thatch to less than 1/2 inch and encourages the growth of healthy, deep roots.
The small “plugs” of soil removed by the aerator break down over time, releasing valuable nutrients back into the grass. The aeration holes also allow water to flow into the soil and reach the roots, reducing water runoff.
Aerated lawns are healthier, with a deeper root system that can better absorb nutrients and withstand extreme heat or drought conditions. They are also more resistant to weeds, insect pests and diseases.
Having a great-looking lawn requires regular care, including aeration and overseeding. Overseeding introduces new grass varieties to your lawn that are better suited for your climate, crowding out weeds and improving the overall health of your yard.
Before performing aeration, water your lawn thoroughly to soften the soil and make it easier for the aerator to penetrate. After aeration, overseed and apply a light application of Milorganite(r) lawn fertilizer to provide nutrients directly to the root zone. Then, water regularly to prevent the newly-sown seed from washing away before it can take hold. Milorganite is a low-phosphorus fertilizer that provides essential micronutrients that promote a deep root system.
Fertilization
Lawn fertilization gives grass its essential nutrients for healthy growth. Fertilizers are available in both slow-release synthetic and natural (organic) forms. Most turfgrasses grow best when they are fed a little at a time, with the most important applications occurring in fall and spring. When choosing a lawn care company, look for one that has experience applying slow-release synthetic and organic fertilizers in ways that minimize the loss of nutrients to groundwater and water bodies.
A lawn that looks thick and lush can make your home look inviting and welcoming. A lawn that is full of bare spots and thin grass is less appealing. Overseeding is the process of spreading grass seed over a lawn to encourage new growth and fill in bare patches. Lawn care services often include overseeding and aeration as part of their regular service offerings.
Grass needs soil that is well-fertilized and free of debris that can block nutrient uptake. A soil test provides information about the makeup of your lawn’s soil, such as if it is mainly sand or clay, its pH level, and the amount of organic matter present. A soil test also tells you how much nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium your lawn needs.
The ideal lawn nutrient balance is to feed the grass at the rate it uses up nutrients, not exceed that limit, and maintain an adequate level of organic matter. For this reason, some homeowners have shifted away from bagging grass clippings and prefer to let them decompose in the lawn. They may top-dress their lawns once or twice per year with compost, and they may use a slow-release synthetic or organic fertilizer in place of the fast-acting type when recommended by a soil test.
In addition to soil testing and lawn fertilization, some other aspects of a comprehensive lawn care program include mowing, aerating, overseeding, and insect control. Many professional lawn care companies offer organic weed and pest control options, which are safer for your family, pets, and the environment than conventional toxic chemicals.
Weed Control
Weeds are unwelcome invaders that spoil the beauty of a well-maintained lawn. Typically, they are annual grassy or broadleaf plants that grow faster than your turfgrass. They also have a lighter color or shorter, narrower leaves than turfgrass, which makes them stand out in your yard. Getting rid of them requires regular weed control treatments. Whether applied with a hand weeder or by spraying, most weed killers work by translocating into the weed plant and killing it. It may take hours or even days for the weed killer to reach all parts of the plant, so repeated applications are needed for effective weed removal.
The best defense against weeds is to keep your lawn dense and healthy with a full-service weed control program that includes proper fertilization, watering, and mowing. A thick, lush lawn crowds out weed seeds and prevents them from receiving the sunlight they need to sprout. The right weed control products will kill the unwanted weeds without harming your desirable grasses.
Annual grassy weeds, such as crabgrass, can be prevented in the spring by applying a pre-emergent weed control product that works to stop their seeds from germinating. There are also post-emergent weed controls that can be used later in the season to kill weeds that have already sprouted, such as dandelions and clover.
Many people try to kill weeds by pulling them out by hand, but that’s usually only a temporary solution. The weeds come back because the roots remain in the ground. It’s more effective to use a hand weeder or spray an herbicide, such as Roundup®, on the weeds that you want to get rid of.
Most weeds are killed by the chemicals in herbicides. However, it’s important to read and follow the weed killer’s label instructions carefully so that you don’t damage your desirable plants when using it. There are organic weed killers that contain naturally occurring ingredients and that break down quickly in the soil, so they may be better for your yard than synthetic weed control chemicals.
It’s also worth noting that many weeds are perennial plants, meaning they live for more than one year and will return each year until they’re killed or removed. For those types of weeds, a spot treatment with a nonselective herbicide will kill them.
Mowing
Mowing is a key component of lawn care that involves cutting grass to the appropriate height and removing debris from the landscape. Mowing helps promote healthy grass growth, prevents weeds from competing with it, and improves the overall appearance of a home’s outdoor space. Lawn mowing prices vary depending on the size and complexity of a landscape, as well as the frequency of service.
In addition to regular mowing, professional lawn care services also provide seasonal clean ups and yard waste removal. During spring and fall, these services help to remove leaves, twigs, and other yard waste from lawns. They also provide aeration, fertilization, and weed control treatments. In addition, aerating the soil and scattering grass seed promote healthy turf while preventing soil compaction.
The health and beauty of a lawn depends on a suite of additional lawn care services that nurture its unique needs. These include aeration, fertilization, weed control, and mowing. The proper combination of these services helps homeowners achieve a lush, green lawn with vibrant color throughout the seasons.
If you’re considering hiring a professional lawn care service, early spring is the ideal time to do your research and make a decision. By comparing pricing and evaluating local companies, you’ll be able to find a company that best suits your budget and lawn maintenance needs.
While landscaping often includes lawn mowing as part of its service offerings, the two are distinct and focus on different types of outdoor spaces. While landscaping typically deals with transforming or creating new outdoor environments, lawn care is more focused on maintaining the health and appearance of existing landscapes.
