Lawn Maintenance Tips

Lawn maintenance is an important aspect of property management. Proper care is required to prevent waterlogging and to maintain the lawn’s health. Lawns need fertilization and weed control in order to look healthy and lush. The typical lawn care program should include eight services per year. These services help the grass grow to its maximum potential.Get the facts about residential lawn care

The first step in lawn maintenance is raking away fallen leaves and other debris that accumulate over the winter months. This helps keep your lawn weed-free and allows fertilizers and herbicides to reach your lawn’s roots. Another important step to take is aerating your lawn’s soil, which improves water, oxygen and nutrients reaching the roots. According to the University of Wisconsin, aerating your lawn in the spring improves its health and prevents common lawn diseases. These include Snow Mold, Necrotic Ring Spot, Fairy Ring Spot, and Red Thread.

It’s also essential to take action against the growth of grubs. These pests attack lawns in the summer months and can ruin the lawn. Affected areas will have wilting grass, unusual feeding activity, and a lack of green color. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may need to hire a lawn care service to get rid of the grubs. 

A professional lawn care service can help you manage pests, weeds, and more. They can also provide additional services like tree and shrub care and mosquito control. Taking care of your lawn in this way can save you time and money in the long run. If you do not have the knowledge or proper equipment to properly take care of your lawn, you could end up paying an unnecessary amount of money in the gardening center.

Another way to improve the appearance of your lawn is to rake your yard in the spring. Raking will eliminate dead grass and thatch that has accumulated throughout the winter. Raking your lawn will also reveal snow mold patches that may have affected it over the winter. Raking your lawn also helps to remove damaged grass and ensures that new grass will grow evenly.

To keep your lawn healthy, it is important to know the pH levels of the soil. Test kits are available from your local county extension office or agricultural agent. You can also take samples of your soil at home, especially problem areas. You can then take your samples to a reputable soil testing lab for analysis. Your local agriculture agent will be able to give you customized recommendations based on your lawn’s specific needs.

Lawns need regular deep watering in order to grow well. A simple way to gauge watering is to use an empty soup can. It should collect about half an inch of water. You can also use a rain gauge to measure how much water the lawn needs. You can also use a lawn fertilizer that is slow-release so that it is delivered throughout the season. Be sure not to over-fertilize your lawn as too much will burn it.