A lush lawn adds beauty to a home or business and provides a great place for kids to play. However, proper lawn care requires more than just cutting grass and occasionally watering it.
Lawn care practices can produce substantial alterations in nutrient and hydrologic cycles and in ecosystem structure and function. This is particularly true in residential areas, where yard care often involves large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers. Visit https://www.primecutlawnky.com/ to learn more.
Weeds can cause a lot of stress and take valuable nutrients from your desired plants. Keeping weeds at bay helps the lawn grow thicker, which will also help to suppress disease and insect pests. There are a few ways to keep weeds from overtaking the lawn:
If the weeds are young enough hand-pulling them can be a simple, cost effective solution. This is easiest in the spring and fall when the weeds are smaller. If a hand-pulling method is not possible then using a garden hoe or similar tool will get the job done. This can be especially helpful if you have to be more precise about removing a weed that is next to a plant you want to keep, like a perennial flower or ground rose.
Mulching is a great way to reduce the number of weeds that grow in your yard. Mulching keeps the weeds from getting sunlight, which they need to grow. It also prevents them from accessing the soil beneath, which can be a rich source of nutrition for weed seeds and seedlings. The best mulch is one made of organic materials, such as straw, grass clippings, leaves or pine needles.
Another option is to use a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring. This is a type of herbicide that is used on an annual basis to control weeds in the early stages. This type of herbicide controls the weeds by blocking their ability to absorb sunlight and photosynthesize, which kills them.
There are different types of herbicides on the market, such as systemic and contact. A systemic herbicide is absorbed through the root of the weed, which makes it more effective against perennial weeds. A contact herbicide only kills the parts of the weed that are exposed to the sun, which is more effective against annual weeds.
If you do decide to use a chemical herbicide then be sure to read the label and follow instructions carefully. Be sure to test the product in a small area of your lawn to make sure it is safe for your plants and people. A combination of cultural practices and an initial application of a weed killer in the spring, followed by spot treatments throughout the summer, should be enough to keep your lawn weed free.
Fertilization
Fertilizing helps to ensure your lawn has the nutrients it needs to be healthy. It also encourages thick grass, which is less prone to weed invasions. Using fertilizer is best done after a soil test, as the results will let you know how much and what type of nutrients your soil needs.
There are two main types of lawn fertilizers: organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials like microbes, animal manure, compost, and fish emulsion, and they provide the most benefits for the soil. Inorganic, or chemical, fertilizers are manufactured from chemicals and are typically cheaper. They aren’t as good for the soil, though, and they can be harmful to the environment.
When it comes to fertilizing, the type of grass you have and the soil pH level will help determine what nutrients are needed. If you’ve had a soil test, the results will tell you how much and what type of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (K) to use. You’ll also want to choose between quick-release and slow-release fertilizers. Quick-release fertilizers provide a quick burst of nutrients to the plants, but they need to be applied more often. Slow-release fertilizers release their nutrients more slowly into the soil and require fewer applications.
Most granular fertilizers need to be watered after applying them, which will help push the nutrient granules into the soil and make it easier for your grass to absorb them. If you don’t water them immediately after fertilizing, they can start to burn the leaves of your grass, which is called “fertilizer burn.” If this happens, soak the area with water every day until the burn heals.
It’s best to apply your fertilizer a few days before you plan on mowing, since the lawn needs to be dry for it to take in the nutrients. It’s also a good idea to aerate and overseed your lawn before you fertilize, as this will prepare the ground for the addition of nutrients and help to fight off pesky weeds. It’s also important to avoid fertilizing near bodies of water, as this can cause algal blooms that are unhealthy for wildlife and people.
Weed Removal
A well-maintained lawn can prevent weeds from sprouting by keeping them crowded out. Pulling them by hand or using a chemical herbicide is one way to do this, but it’s time-consuming. The better approach is to prevent weeds from growing in the first place by adjusting your lawn care routines.
Avoiding over-fertilizing your lawn, especially in late summer when it’s most vulnerable to nutrient leaching, can also reduce the number of weed seeds that are produced. This is especially important in areas where weeds are more likely to take over, such as around walkways or driveways.
Regular mowing can help prevent weeds, especially those with wide leaves such as dandelions and plantains. Mulching clippings rather than bagging them can return valuable organic matter to the soil and help keep weeds from germinating. If a weed is too big to pull, try to catch it before it goes to seed. This can be done by spotting them with a glance while mowing or by using a grass whip or string trimmer to cut off their flowering heads.
A few weeds are usually no problem, but many can crowd out desirable plants and choke them out by taking away valuable nutrients and water. If a weed is so large that it’s not possible to pull by hand, use a hoe or a garden spade. Other tools, such as a rake or a dandelion grubber, can also be used.
Weeds that spread by root and seed (such as oxalis) are difficult to control without resorting to chemicals. This weed resembles clover with heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers, but produces upright seed pods that explode when they’re ripe. This weed can quickly overtake a lawn, gravel drives or vegetable garden paths. If you must kill oxalis, be sure to wear gloves and work in a shady area.
A few weeds are often no problem, but many can crowd out desirable Plantains and dandelions can grow easily in lawns, although they tend to grow better in sandy or loamy soil. It’s easy to weed out a few weeds by hand or using a herbicide, but tackling their deep roots is more challenging. Changing cultural practices and promoting healthy grasses can stop weeds from taking over, as well as prevent them from spreading by root and seed.
Mowing
A lush, green lawn is a staple of any yard, but achieving it requires more than just the right mower and some fertilizer. The grass needs to be regularly mowed at the appropriate height for the type of grass and its growth patterns, as well as when weather conditions are optimal. The best way to ensure that mowing is done properly is to hire a professional lawn care service, who will have the right tools and experience for the job.
Lawn mowing is one of the most common services included in lawn care packages and it can be done using a variety of techniques. The most common is to simply mow the entire yard once a week. This is often the most efficient way to maintain a lawn, but it is possible to vary the mowing pattern to achieve a different look. For example, mowing in long stripes or diagonally can add to the visual appeal of a yard, while also keeping it looking neat and tidy.
It is also important to remove any stray grass clippings from sidewalks and driveways to avoid a muddy appearance and prevent fungus problems. Many lawn services include this task as part of their package and can use a lawn vacuum or sweeper to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Some lawn care services offer additional services beyond basic mowing, such as dethatching. Thatch is a thick mat of dead grass and leaves that can block sunlight and water from reaching the grass roots, encouraging diseases such as fungus. Regular mowing, some clipping removal and occasional dethatching can keep thatch from forming and improve overall lawn health.
Finally, a few lawn care companies will treat their customers’ yards for harmful insects between mowing treatments. This service can be useful to homeowners who aren’t comfortable spraying insecticides themselves and it can help them save money by reducing the number of times they need to call in pest control experts.
While it is possible to perform some of these lawn care tasks on your own, hiring a professional will provide the best results and the most convenience. Whether you want to have a yard that is the envy of the neighborhood or you just need time to spend on your weekends, having a professional take care of your lawn will give you both.
