Whether your lawn is large or small, there’s a sense of pride that comes from having a well-manicured lawn. Not only does good lawn care maintenance in Flowery Branch help your lawn look beautiful, but it also ensures that your lawn is healthy and can withstand the negative effects of harsh weather, drought, pests, and disease. Here are a few things you should know about proper lawn maintenance.
Mowing
While it may seem that mowing is a very basic task to perform, knowing proper mowing techniques can actually help keep your lawn healthier and greener. Regular mowing prevents the lawn from being stressed, which can happen if it grows too long between cuttings. It’s also important to know how short to mow your lawn. No more than a third of the grass height should be cut at once. Cutting the grass too short can make it dry out more quickly.
Watering
Watering is another maintenance task that may seem like a no-brainer, but actually requires a lot of thought and planning. Watering too often can actually prevent the grass from extending its roots. Short roots are less able to withstand drought conditions. You should water less often for a longer period so that the soil is wet a few inches down. Additionally, be sure to water early in the morning so that the grass is less susceptible to disease from prolonged moisture, which can happen with night watering.
Weed Prevention
Weed prevention and weed control is important because not only are weeds unsightly, but they actually steal the water and nutrients that your grass could use to become more lush and healthy. Apply pre-emergent weed prevention before the weeds appear and germinate. Other weeds, like dandelions and clover can be treated as they appear with weed treatments.
Fertilization
Fertilization schedules can vary depending on the type of grass you have. Warm season grasses should be fertilized in the late spring and summer. Cool season grass will benefit from spring and fall fertilization.
Disease and Insect Control
Unfortunately, disease and insect control can be very difficult to do on your own, which is why many people trust lawn maintenance service professionals to do this job. They’ll know exactly what pests or disease you’re dealing with and be able to treat and prevent further problems.
Aeration
Aeration pulls out small plugs of soil, which reduces thatch buildup so that water and nutrients can better reach and benefit the lawn’s roots. It’s best to aerate when the soil is most and actively growing. This is most often done in the spring or fall and sometimes both.