Lawn Care Tips Customer Service Contact Us! Lawn Care Tips Common Lawn Problems Turf Services

Watering

Proper watering procedures help maintain lawn color, resilience, and proper root development. A lawn should be watered regularly and before it has a chance to wilt and turn brown. To ensure proper watering procedures follow these simple instructions:
  • Be aware of early signs of wilt. Two common signs of wilt are grass leaves that have a bluish green cast caused by folded grass leaves or footprints that stay in the lawn instead of bouncing back up.
  • Apply enough water to wet the soil to a depth of approximately 6-8 inches. A soil probe may be used to check moisture depth in soil.
  • To maintain a soil moisture depth of 6-8" usually requires a rate of 1" to 2" of water per week. You can place open cans in the sprinkler pattern to determine the amount of water being applied.
  • Water may be applied any time of day, but morning watering is usually most efficient. This is due to the higher humidity, negligible wind and wetness caused by dew which usually accompanies this time of day. Night watering is not recommended as it encourages disease and insect development.

Mowing

Good mowing practices are critical to the appearance of your lawn. If you follow these general guidelines you can increase the health and appearance of your lawn.
  • Make sure your blade is sharp. A lawn mowed with a dull blade appears gray shortly after mowing and the tips turn brown within 48 hours.
  • Cut often enough to remove no more than 1/3 of the grass blade. This will help avoid scalping which puts the grass under stress and reduces its vigor. Mowing at the correct height also shades the soil keeping temperatures lower for optimum growth.

You may leave clippings if you mow often enough. The grass clippings will recycle nutrients back into the soil and do not contribute to thatch build up.

Thatch

Thatch is a layer of partially decomposed stems, roots and other plant parts that build up between the grass blades and the soil in your lawn. It acts like mulch to insulate and protect the grass plants. However, if there is too much thatch, 1/2 " or more, it can cause problems for your lawn. Thick thatch can act as a barrier to air, water and fertilizer. It also harbors disease and insects. The following things are important to control thatch in your lawn:
  • Core Aeration: Core aerating is the process of removing small plugs from your lawn. This process allows more air, moisture and fertilizer.
  • Proper soil pH: Proper soil pH encourages the microbes that break down thatch.
  • Mowing correctly: see mowing instructions above
  • Watering correctly: see water instructions above

Being partners in your lawn can lead to great results.
Email us for your free Lawn Analysis or questions you may have.