Lawn Care Huntersville NC involves many aspects of yard and garden maintenance. Responsibilities include mowing, trimming, general cleanup, and pest control. Lawn care also helps increase property value and enhance the beauty of the landscape.
Cornell recommends sharp blades and mowing often enough to avoid big clumps of grass clippings. They also suggest avoiding using pesticides unless absolutely necessary.
Grass cutting is an important part of lawn care and should be done at the right time to ensure that your grass gets the best possible results. Regular mowing promotes healthy lawns that are more resistant to weather extremes, fungus and pests. It also helps the roots develop deep, which makes them stronger and more able to resist stress. Keeping your lawn in its best condition requires a good routine, including mowing, fertilization and watering. You should also weed regularly, scatter grass seed in bare spots and use stored rainwater or grey water to water the lawn during droughts.
Generally, grass clippings do not need to be bagged, and can be returned to the lawn if they are short enough (an inch or less in length). This recycles the nutrients back into the soil and reduces the amount of nitrogen fertilizer required. It also adds organic matter to the soil, which can help improve it if it is sandy or low in organic material. It is important to avoid over mulching as it can shade and smother the grass, reducing its health.
Mowing at the recommended height for your type of grass will help to keep your lawn looking its best. Avoid removing more than one-third of the leaf blade in a single mowing, and make sure to mow often, especially during spring when the lawn grows rapidly. Do not mow when the lawn is wet, as this can smother it and cause damage.
It is also a good idea to mulch or compost the grass clippings rather than throwing them away. This can save money on bagged lawn waste, and the resulting compost will add valuable organic matter to the soil. It can also be used to top dress the lawn, which will improve its appearance and increase its resistance to weeds. The compost can also be spread around the base of trees and shrubs to provide valuable nutrients that they may not be able to get through the soil. As with any lawn, over time, the soil nutrients can be depleted, so fertilization is necessary to replenish them. A soil test conducted at least once a year can show how much and when to feed the lawn.
Fertilization
Fertilization is a vital part of lawn care, helping the grass to grow thick and green and giving weeds a hard time. It’s also a key part of the lawn maintenance process, along with mowing, pest control, disease management, and aeration.
The type of fertilizer you use depends on your climate, with cool-season grasses needing less nitrogen than warm-season varieties. A soil test helps you find out which nutrients are lacking, and you can choose a lawn fertilizer that addresses those needs.
There are two broad categories of lawn fertilizers: liquid and granular. Liquid fertilizers are mixed with water and sprayed onto the grass. They’re easier to apply and tend to have a lower risk of burning, but they also need to be applied more often than granular fertilizers.
In general, it’s best to wait until the ground thaws before applying any lawn fertilizer. This prevents the fertilizer from washing away or not reaching the soil. You should also stay 6 to 8 feet away from bodies of water when fertilizing, as the runoff can be toxic to fish and wildlife.
Aim for a balanced N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) lawn fertilizer for best results. The right balance supports the grass’s growth and health, helps it survive heat stress, and prepares it for winter. Grass in the north will need more nitrogen than cool-season grasses in the south, but it all depends on the results of your soil test.
Don’t cut the grass directly after fertilizing it, unless you want to waste money and effort. Most fertilizers need to be watered in to get absorbed, so if you cut the grass before it has had a chance to do this, you’ll only end up with a sloppy, uneven cut. It’s better to do the mowing and fertilizing on separate days. If you do this, make sure to blow the fertilizer and lawn clippings that land on hard surfaces back into grassy areas. This will help ensure that the nutrients are actually used by the turf and not by weeds.
Aeration
Grass roots need air, water and nutrients to thrive. When the soil becomes compacted, it hinders the flow of these essentials to the roots and can actually prevent them from growing. Aeration perforates the soil with holes, alleviating compaction and allowing the roots to grow deeper.
Whether your lawn is cool- or warm-season, it needs regular aeration. Ideally, this should be done in late spring or fall before the heat of summer. Aeration is the most important lawn care service to reduce thatch buildup, encourage thick grass and promote a healthy, lush appearance.
Aeration also helps fight against the negative effects of soil compaction, such as decreased root growth and diminished water absorption. It can even help fight against soil diseases, including brown patch.
Soil compaction happens when heavy foot and vehicular traffic causes the dirt to compact, reducing the spaces between soil particles. This inhibits the flow of oxygen, water and nutrients to grass roots, which can damage your yard. Aeration breaks up the compaction, helping the grass roots to expand and absorb nutrients better.
There are a few different types of aeration: core, spike and liquid. A spike aerator has solid tines that poke holes in the ground. A plug or core aerator pulls out small plugs of soil and thatch from the lawn, which helps to break up thatch and loosen up the soil. Liquid aeration is a newer technology that injects a special solution into the ground to create the same effect as core aeration.
It’s best to overseed your lawn immediately after aeration with premium Pennington Smart Seed and fertilize it afterward. Seeds and fertilizers will have direct contact with the soil through the openings left by the aerator. This combination of aeration, overseeding and fertilization can put your yard on the fast track to thicker, healthier and more beautiful growth.
Always consult a professional for aeration services, as they have the knowledge and expertise to properly prepare your lawn and ensure that the process is done correctly. It’s also important to know the type of soil you have, as this will determine how often aeration should be performed. A laboratory soil test will give you the ratio of sand, silt and clay in your soil and will help you decide how to care for it.
Landscaping
A lush, beautiful lawn is a hallmark of a well-maintained home or business. It enhances the overall curb appeal of your property and boosts its value and marketability. Studies show that properties with well-maintained landscaping sell up to 6 weeks faster than those without. That’s why it’s important to invest in regular lawn maintenance services.
Aside from routine mowing, lawn fertilization and aeration, a landscape company will also take care of other parts of your yard. This includes pruning trees, shrubs and flower beds as well as mulching and weed control. Mulching helps moderate soil temperature, retains moisture and improves the appearance of flower and garden beds while suppressing weed growth.
In addition, a landscaper can help you design and build a garden, patio or walkway using stones, bricks, pavers or wood. They will also plant trees, flowers, shrubs and other types of plants to create a specific aesthetic. This type of outdoor work is called hardscaping and is not part of basic lawn care services.
The main difference between landscaping and lawn care is that landscapers focus on the overall look of your outdoor space, including hardscape and softscape elements. This involves planting and reorganizing existing plants, while lawn care is more focused on the health and appearance of your grass.
When selecting a lawn service provider, consider the scope of their work and whether they have experience in your area. It’s also worth asking whether they are insured and bonded. You want a professional who will perform their duties quickly and efficiently, leaving your property in good condition. A company that offers multiple lawn and landscape services is likely to be more knowledgeable than one that specializes in only one aspect of the industry.
When choosing a lawn care company, you should also read customer reviews to see how satisfied past clients have been with the services they have received. It’s also a good idea to ask about the ingredients used in their products. If you have children or pets, you’ll want to ensure that the products are safe for them. Many lawn care companies will post their ingredient list on their website, but if not, you can always contact them directly to request it.