Lawn Care is a hands-on business that involves interacting with clients. You can specialize in a wide range of services including mowing, weed control, aerating, seeding/overseeding, soil care, and pest control.
Fertilization improves grass health, encourages growth and makes lawns more resilient against diseases. Soil tests can help calibrate your application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. Visit https://www.primecutlawnky.com/ to learn more.
Mowing is an essential part of lawn care, and landscapers have the right equipment to efficiently cut grass. Mowing a yard regularly keeps it looking pulled together and removes any excess that could choke out healthy growth. It also prevents the need for more frequent, labor-intensive tasks such as weeding and trimming.
When hiring a lawn care service, be sure to ask about the types of fertilizer and weed control they use. Many companies offer organic options as well as chemical treatments. While chemicals can improve the appearance of a lawn quickly, they often harm soil health and may contribute to environmental problems. Look for a company that uses targeted controls rather than broad-based insecticides, and consider reducing or eliminating pesticide use altogether.
Lime applications are another important aspect of lawn care. This practice reduces soil acidity and makes it more hospitable for turfgrass. Your soil should have a neutral pH level of about 7.0; landscapers will check your lawn’s ph and make adjustments as needed.
Planting is another part of lawn care that landscaping professionals excel in. They know how to properly prepare and seed a yard for optimum growth, taking into account the type of grass and soil at each location. A professional can also install flower beds and decorative plants, enhancing curb appeal.
All lawns have harmful insects. Some are more common in certain areas, while others are affected by weather or other factors. The thick, healthy grass of a well-maintained yard discourages widespread insect attacks, and the pests that do occur are usually more limited in number and scope than they would be on an untreated lawn.
A lawn needs nutrients to grow properly, but many homeowners are unaware of how much is actually in their soil. A professional can help determine what type of fertilizer your lawn needs, and the best time to apply it. They will also provide a detailed plan for other supplemental soil treatment services, including aerating and weed control. They can also provide tips for home lawn maintenance, such as watering and mowing.
Fertilizing
Lawns require regular feeding to stay healthy and vibrant. Fertilizers add essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil which help grasses grow. The proper schedule for fertilizing a lawn is determined by results from a soil test that determines what types and amounts of nutrients are required to sustain a good growing environment. Fertilizers can be natural or manufactured and should include a breakdown of their contents on the product label. Both can cause burning of the lawn if applied incorrectly or in hot weather, however, natural fertilizers tend to burn less frequently than manufactured ones.
A soil that has the right mix of sandy, silt and clay is the ideal base for a lush, green lawn. These soils retain moisture and drain well, preventing stagnation of the grass and allowing air to circulate freely. Ideally, the lawn should have a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0, which is achieved through soil testing and amending as necessary with lime applications.
The health of a lawn depends on many factors, including watering, temperature and weather. If the weather is very hot and dry, the lawn may need to be watered more often. A quality lawn care service will keep an eye on the conditions and recommend appropriate watering schedules for your property.
Mulching is another important lawn maintenance practice, and can be done using either organic or inorganic material. Adding a layer of mulch moderates soil temperature, retains moisture and suppresses weed growth. It also adds beauty to the landscape and improves the look of flower beds by hiding bare spots. Inorganic mulches usually contain weed-control herbicides, while organic mulches are safe for children and pets.
In addition to these core services, a professional lawn care company will offer other seasonal and speciality services as needed. These may include mowing, aeration and seeding, weed control, tree and shrub care, insect control and fertilization, soil testing, edging, debris cleanup and ice melt. Depending on the season, a lawn care company will offer different services, but all of these services are geared toward maintaining the health of your yard and improving curb appeal.
Aerating
Aerating is the process of puncturing small holes in your lawn to loosen soil compaction and improve air flow and nutrient intake. It is most commonly performed using a machine that looks like a cross between a lawn mower and a tiller.
Your local lawn service will know which type of aerator to use depending on your lawn’s situation. In general, aerators puncture small plugs of soil in a crisscross pattern across your lawn. The resulting holes give grass roots the space they need to grow and stretch, and help combat thatch.
Lawn aeration is most effective when done during the growing season for your specific lawn type. This is because the aeration will be at its most beneficial to your lawn as it is experiencing its peak period of natural growth.
If your lawn is prone to thatch buildup or has hard clay soil, aeration is especially important. Thatch and densely packed clay soils prevent air and water from reaching the root zone, which leaves your lawn unable to absorb nutrients.
Another sign your lawn needs aeration is when it feels spongy or dry to the touch. This indicates that the thatch or soil compaction is preventing root oxygenation.
While aerating is one of the most labor-intensive lawn maintenance tasks, it has a host of benefits for your yard and its ecosystems. For example, aerating encourages grass to spread and grow thicker, which makes it harder for weeds to establish themselves. It also reduces erosion by allowing rainwater to percolate through the soil rather than rushing into waterways and contaminating the environment.
Aerating is an essential part of your lawn’s health and beauty. It helps ensure that your lawn gets the most out of any lawn treatments you might be using, and promotes a healthy and vibrant yard that looks great.
Weeding
Weeding is removing unwanted plants (often called weeds) from gardens, lawns, or agricultural fields. Weeds are typically fast-growing, aggressive plants that compete with cultivated plants for resources such as water and sunlight. This competition can hinder plant growth and reduce the overall productivity of gardens, lawns, or crops. In addition, many weeds are hosts for pests and diseases that can spread to cultivated plants, creating additional problems. Weeds can also be invasive, taking over entire landscapes and making it difficult to grow desirable grass or other vegetation.
A standard lawn care package will include weeding services. These are done either physically or chemically to remove weeds before they get out of hand. Some weeds can be pulled or otherwise removed by hand, but often the most effective approach involves using herbicides to kill and remove the weeds. These chemicals are typically safe for use around most trees, shrubs, and flowers, but may be harmful to some species.
Seeding – Re-seeding is usually done in the fall to fill in thin areas, promote dense turf that discourages weeds, and add a newer grass variety with improved disease and insect resistance. Many lawn care companies offer different seed mixes and options to meet the needs of each yard.
Fungicide – Applying preventative fungicide treatments to stop diseases before they start can save a lot of time, trouble, and money. There are numerous lawn diseases that can quickly deteriorate turf health, including dollar spot fungus, leaf spot, red thread, brown patch, and summer patch.
Pests – There are several common pests that infiltrate and ruin lawns, including grubs, ticks, and mosquitoes. A quality lawn care company will provide treatments to help prevent and address these pests.
There are a number of other services that can be included in a full-service lawn care program, such as liming to reduce the soil acidity and make it more favorable for healthy turfgrass, and soil testing to determine the proper pH levels for the grass and any necessary adjustments. Some companies may include fertilization, both a liquid application for the yard and a granular material for shrubs and ground covers.