Whether you want your lawn to be a glade for wildlife or simply a green backdrop for your home, it requires the right treatment at the right time.

A soil test shows your grass what it needs from the ground up. Follow lab recommendations for watering, overseeding and aeration. Visit https://www.primecutlawnky.com/ to learn more.

Weeds are not only an eyesore, but they can steal turfgrass’ nutrients, water, and sunlight. Ultimately, if weeds take over your lawn, the grass may die out and leave you with nothing but bare spots. Regular weed control is an essential part of any lawn care program. We have a wide variety of lawn weed control services and treatment plans available, including pre-emergent weed controls that stop weeds before they grow.

We can also use selective herbicides to kill certain types of weeds without killing the grass (see our Weed Identification Guide). We always apply these products in late spring (around the first week of May) when weeds are at their worst, and this allows the weed controls plenty of time to work before the warm weather hits.

The best way to prevent weeds from sprouting is by maintaining a dense, healthy canopy of turfgrass. Lawns with open canopies such as St. Augustine, bermudagrass and some tall fescues are more susceptible to weed establishment than lawns with thicker canopies like zoysiagrass and bahiagrass.

Mulching is another great tool for preventing weeds. Mulching keeps the soil covered and prevents sunlight from reaching weed seeds, so they cannot germinate and grow. If you have any areas of bare or thin grass, mulching can make these areas less attractive to weeds as well.

Herbicides are chemical compounds that kill plants by interfering with the plant’s metabolism or other vital functions. There are both organic and synthetic herbicides. Organic herbicides contain chemicals that occur naturally in the environment and decompose easily. Synthetic herbicides, on the other hand, contain manufactured chemicals that don’t occur in nature and can be toxic to humans and animals if not properly used.

Before using an herbicide, you should be able to identify the type of weed you want to get rid of. Weed-and-feed products often contain both an herbicide and fertilizer, and you can usually kill weeds and feed your grass at the same time with these types of products. However, it’s important to use selective herbicides because non-selective ones will kill any plant they touch, not just weeds.

Fertilization

Fertilizing your lawn helps it thrive, and it makes the grass more competitive with weeds. But don’t rely solely on fertilizer to control weeds; if the weeds have access to the same nutrients your lawn is getting through fertilization, they’ll grow better and become even more of a problem.

A regular schedule of mowing, watering and fertilization will promote healthy turf that can better compete with the weeds for those essential nutrients. You can also improve the performance of your lawn with aeration, a process that opens up compacted soil so that air, water and fertilizers circulate more easily.

When to apply fertilizer depends on your climate and type of grass. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue should be fertilized in the fall or spring. Warm-season grasses, including bermuda and centipedegrass, should be fertilized in the summer.

There are two main types of fertilizers: organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials, such as manure or compost, while inorganic fertilizers are made from synthetic chemicals, such as urea and ammonium sulfate. Organic fertilizers are typically more expensive, but they’re safer for the environment and don’t burn grass.

You should always follow the directions on your specific fertilizer product carefully. Most granular lawn fertilizers are designed to be spread using a drop or wheeled spreader. Some may require that you lightly rake the surface before applying, while others recommend allowing the granules to dissolve into the soil.

Some inorganic fertilizers are fast-release, so they’ll provide a burst of nutrients to your lawn more quickly. These are usually recommended for quick results in areas where the soil is compacted by foot traffic or mowing. You can also get quicker results by combining these types of fertilizers with aeration.

You should avoid fertilizing in wet weather, as the fertilizer could run off into rivers and lakes and harm the ecosystem. It’s also important to stay about 6 to 8 feet away from bodies of water when applying fertilizer. If you’re not able to manage your lawn care, Lawn Love can connect you with local lawn care professionals who can fertilize your yard and do other routine tasks, such as overseeding or aerating, to keep it weed-free and healthy.

Aeration

Aeration is the process of mechanically piercing, slicing or otherwise removing small plugs of lawn soil in order to improve natural soil aeration. The resulting holes in the turf allow water, oxygen and nutrients to more easily penetrate into the root zone. This promotes and stimulates deep, healthy roots that help grasses withstand stress from heat, drought and disease.

This process is a valuable part of any quality lawn care program. In fact, it should be done whenever the lawn starts to show signs of a problem, such as thinning grass, brown spots or a general loss of color and luster. Aeration also helps to prevent soil compaction, which can occur over time if the grass is subject to heavy foot traffic or if the soil is clay-like and compacts easily.

In addition, aeration promotes weed resistance by increasing turfgrass density. The denser grass impedes the growth of weeds by blocking light, moisture and nutrients from their roots.

To get the most out of aeration, it should be performed in the fall or early spring, before the grass starts growing. It is best if the lawn is watered a day or two before the aeration takes place, making the soil soft and more easily penetrated. Be sure to water the lawn thoroughly afterwards, as well, to help the aeration soil recover from its exertion.

It is also important to choose the proper lawn aerating tool for your needs. There are two main types: spike aerators and plug aerators. Spike aerators essentially poke holes into the ground, whereas plug aerators actually remove a small “plug” of soil and thatch from the turf. While either type can be effective, it is important to use the right tool for the job in order to avoid over-aerating and damaging the lawn. When in doubt, your professional lawn care provider should be able to recommend the appropriate aeration tool for your particular lawn.

Mowing

Mowing is an important part of lawn care, but it’s only one of many steps to a healthy, green yard. Professional landscapers have the proper mowers and equipment to trim grass at the ideal height, and they also know how often a lawn should be mowed for its particular type of soil, growth pattern, season, and conditions. Mowing a lawn too short or on a schedule that doesn’t match the grass’s needs can harm it.

Generally, it’s best to mow when the grass is cool, in the early morning or late evening. This avoids stress to the lawn and the mower, and it allows the grass to retain moisture in its roots.

Most lawn care services include mowing, along with other tasks like fertilization, aeration, and weed control. Some service providers may also offer organic mulching to help moderate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. They may also provide tree and shrub pruning to improve their health and appearance. Additionally, they can conduct seasonal yard cleanups such as spring and fall cleanups.

A healthy, well-manicured lawn is a major part of your home’s curb appeal. It shows that you take pride in your property and set high standards for yourself and your family. In addition, a lush lawn can reduce the amount of dust and allergens in your home by absorbing pollutants from the air.

The first step to creating a beautiful, healthy lawn is to understand the types of grass in your area. Then you can choose the right grass for your yard and create a maintenance plan that will help it thrive.

Lawn care is a big job, and if you’re new to it, our beginners’ guide can help. It explains things like when to fertilize, how to mow, and more.

Taking the time to learn about the different lawn care methods and their benefits will help you create the lawn of your dreams! And if you want to save time and let the professionals handle it all, a standard lawn care service is an excellent option. A good provider will not only keep your yard looking great, but they’ll also provide essential services like weed control and preventative pest treatments.