A well-manicured lawn not only looks good but provides many environmental benefits. It contributes to community green space, beautifies neighborhoods, creates oxygen (a 50-foot by 50-foot lawn produces enough for a family of four), prevents soil erosion, and improves water quality.

Grass also helps reduce cooling costs and absorbs rainwater six times better than pavement. Watering correctly is essential; water in the early morning so it doesn’t evaporate as quickly. To learn more, visit https://www.primecutlawnky.com/. 

Weeds are unwanted plants that grow where they should not be, in the lawn and garden, competing with desired grass and other plants for water, nutrients and light. Proper weed control eliminates competition so that desirable plants have the resources they need to thrive.

Regular lawn care including weed control will ensure that your property has the lush, healthy appearance that increases curb appeal and will help increase the value of your home when it is time to sell. If a potential buyer sees an untended, poorly maintained yard with overgrown weeds and patches of crabgrass, they may assume that other problems exist. A well-groomed and weed-free yard tells the viewer that the entire property has been cared for and is well-maintained.

Annual weeds die after their yearly growing cycle and are replaced by new growth. Biennial weeds survive two growing seasons and reproduce either by seed or vegetatively by creeping stems (stolons and rhizomes) or fleshy roots. Perennial weeds can persist for years unless killed or removed.

Weed control can be done by hand-pulling, spraying with a hose or using a weed eater. The best time to control weeds is before they are fully grown so that the herbicide can be translocated throughout the plant and kill it effectively. Different types of weeds require different treatments so you will need to make sure the right type of weed control is used.

The most effective weed killers are nonselective, systemic herbicides that move through the plant and kill it from the inside out. These products are generally sprayed with a liquid or granular formulation and must be absorbed into the weed’s cells in order to kill it. This can take a few hours or several days.

Weed control is an ongoing process and must be performed regularly to maintain a pristine landscape. It is important to hire a professional weed control company that has the knowledge and experience needed to provide high-level service and use professional-grade products. Choosing the wrong product or applying it at the wrong time can result in a failed weed treatment and damage your lawn.

Fertilization

Lawn fertilization is a critical component of any lawn care program, as it provides the nutrients that grass needs to thrive. Fertilizers contain the essential elements (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) that grasses need to grow strong and healthy. Grass that is adequately fertilized will grow thicker and denser, leaving less room for pesky weeds to take over.

A thick and healthy lawn is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also protects against environmental stresses and deters unwanted pests. In addition, a nutrient-rich soil will attract earthworms and other beneficial microorganisms that help to aerate the ground and break down organic material. This, in turn, can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and herbicides.

Nitrogen and other essential lawn nutrients are typically absorbed from the soil. However, natural processes such as mowing, watering and natural erosion can deplete the soil of these nutrients over time. Lawn fertilization supplements the soil with these nutrients, allowing it to continue thriving.

Fertilizers are available in liquid and granular forms, each with unique application methods and benefits. Liquid fertilizers are sprayed directly onto the soil and are absorbed quickly, whereas granular fertilizers require spreading with dedicated equipment and release their nutrients slowly over an extended period of time.

Whether in liquid or granular form, fertilizers need to be applied according to the label directions. It is important to choose a high-quality fertilizer with a balanced mix of nutrients that will provide your lawn with the best results. Before applying your fertilizer, it is a good idea to thoroughly irrigate the lawn so that the grass seed will be saturated. This will allow the fertilizer to be absorbed by the roots of the plant, rather than being washed away by rainwater.

Regardless of which form of fertilizer you select, it is important to follow a regular lawn maintenance schedule. By choosing the right nutrient ratios and scheduling your applications, you can ensure that your lawn will be a beautiful and functional part of your home or business.

Aeration

If you think your yard looks a little spongy and brown, aeration may be the answer to restoring your green lawn. Aeration is the process of mechanically poking holes into the ground to loosen up compacted soil and increase natural aeration. It also helps thatch break down and encourages grass to grow deeper roots. Aerating is one of the best lawn care practices to promote healthy, lush grass that resists heat, drought, and cold temperatures.

The main reason to aerate is to relieve soil compaction that prevents air, water and nutrients from reaching the grassroots. Foot traffic, kids’ play equipment and even garden maintenance machines can cause soil to become dense and hard, which restricts root growth and leads to a host of problems like disease, runoff, weeds and dead grass.

To avoid this, aeration breaks up and eliminates thatch, allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. The aeration process uses a lawn aerator tool that has hollow tines or “spikes” that penetrate the turf and pull out small plugs of dirt and thatch. This is called core aeration and it’s the method preferred by professionals, because it allows for better soil cultivation and improves the health of your lawn over time.

Aeration is generally done once or twice per year, depending on the climate where you live. The best time is in the spring or fall for cool-season grasses and late summer through early autumn for warm-season grasses.

It’s also a good idea to aerate once every two to three years, or at any sign of stress on your lawn. After aerating, water the lawn well and apply a light application of lawn food to jump-start the flow of nutrients from the soil to the roots.

Keeping your lawn in tip-top shape takes work, but the reward is worth it. When you invest the time and effort in lawn care, your outdoor living space will feel inviting and be a source of pride for the entire family. So whether you’re looking to make your yard the envy of the block or simply want it to be a healthy, lush and beautiful oasis for your family and guests to enjoy, start with these basic steps.

Mowing

A lawn that is mowed properly can help it stay healthy. The key is to cut the grass at the right time and with the correct settings on your mower. Mowing at the proper height promotes deep rooting, discourages weeds and reduces evaporation from the soil. In addition, regular mowing will encourage new grass shoots to replace old, weak or damaged ones.

Most lawn care companies will offer mowing services as part of their package options. However, it is important to note that not all companies are created equal. Some focus only on treating visible problems while others have a more holistic approach to the health of the turf and soil. If you choose a company that focuses on improving soil health, you will see better results over the long run.

Weed control is another important service that a lawn care company can provide. This includes pulling or spraying the weeds that are detracting from your yard’s appearance as well as applying herbicide to the areas where larger weeds are growing. While weeds are natural parts of any garden, they should only be removed when they become too large and interfere with the healthy growth of the turf.

Pest control is also included in many lawn care packages. However, it is important to select a company that only uses safe and organic methods. This is especially important for those that use nematodes or earthworms to manage pest populations instead of chemical insecticides. The use of insecticides in lawns can actually harm the grass, creating resistant strains that are more difficult to manage.

All in all, the benefits of hiring a lawn care company are numerous. They can save you time and money, as well as help you get healthier, greener grass that improves your home’s curb appeal. In addition, most lawn care services are recurring, so you can schedule them weekly, monthly or bi-weekly depending on your needs. This allows you to customize your plan at any time, and most companies will allow you to add or remove treatments as needed. If you’re considering hiring a lawn care company, take the time to find one that offers the right package for you.