My Lawn Care

By Peter Murlock

Check out these great lawn care tips to achieve a healthier lawn:

1. When mowing, the key to success is little and often - 'little' in this case meaning not too closely. Light cutting encourages the grass to produce extra shoots, and stunts weeds and coarse grasses. Most lawnmowers offer the facility of raising or lowering the height of cut. Mower blades need to be set at different levels according to the weather and amount of growth.

2. To produce the sought-after striped effect, you simply cut the grass in parallel lines, mowing alternate lines in opposite directions. Each time you mow, remember to work at right angles to the direction of the previous cut; north-south one week; east-west the next.

3. Before you start cutting, make sure that the grass is as dry as possible and free from surface litter. Lightly brush off dew or rain, wormcasts and dead leaves. When cutting the grass, you should always push the mower forwards steadily. Do not pull the machine to and fro and try not to lean heavily on the handle.

4. Clippings are best collected and removed - unless you mow very frequently. Allowing them to lie on the surface of the grass encourages worms and diseases and you'll probably find clippings all over your carpets too.

5. As a general rule, in Summer you should cut the grass at least once a week, preferably twice if you can manage it. Do not mow too closely or the colour and texture of the grass will deteriorate.
During droughts and in the Spring and Autumn months, mowing once a week is sufficient.

6. Apart from mowing, your lawn will require feeding, weeding and occasionally watering to maintain healthy growth. To produce a flourishing lawn you need soil which has the right balance of plant foods like nitrogen, potash, phosphorous and lime. Buy an inexpensive soil testing kit if you want to know the exact composition of the soil and which nutrients (if any) are lacking.

7. The average lawn will benefit from an annual Spring application of fully balanced fertiliser. Fertilisers not only encourage the grass to grow faster but also more densely. As a result, weeds and moss are crowded out and the lawn retains its good, even green colour. Apply fertiliser when the grass leaves are dry and the soil is moist for the best results. Water the lawn if no rain falls within 48 hours.

8. For small lawns, weeding by hand is the most effective means of tackling the special rosette or matt kind of lawn weeds, or you can 'spot' treat individual weeds with a recommended weed killer. For a larger lawn, use a 'broad spectrum' type of weed killer which will destroy a wide range of weeds. You could also use a combined weedkiller/fertiliser mixture.

9. We usually receive sufficient rainfall in this country to maintain a green healthy lawn. If the weather is particularly dry and the grass begins to lose its bright green appearance, occasional watering is beneficial. A good soaking once a week is what you should aim for. Dampening the surface causes more harm than good - the earth should be soaked to a depth of at least 4 inches. A revolving sprinkler gives the best coverage.

Classic Lawns are a respected garden machinery retailer, specialising in lawn mowers, teak garden furniture and metal garden furniture.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

By Jon Bassfarm

One of the best parts of being a homeowner is actually "owning" a piece of land. No matter how big or how small, this piece of land is yours to do with what you please. The Native American ideal of land stewardship is a fantastic one, the idea that none truly own the land, but should feel encouraged to diligently keep the land as merely stewards of it. If you think of yourself as a steward of the land you inhabit, you will accept and take on willingly, the responsibility of maintaining it, protecting it, and keeping it looking its best. Is this a too high-falooting ideal when discussing your lawn, your very own patch of green? Perhaps so, but if thought of in this manner, maybe you'd be more inclined to treating it better and looking out for its best interest.

In the Middle Ages, no one groomed or mowed their lawns, obviously. Lawns were kept as special green spaces for enjoyment, yet were not bridled, restrained, and hacked, to look like the British Open's long greens. Lawns were mostly kept under control by use; by being trampled by horses, sporting activities, and the like, allowing them to grow a little longer, a little healthier, and greener, without the introduction of chemicals or fertilizer. Could perhaps a secret to a greener lawn be letting it grow longer between cuttings? Yes, it very well could. I'm not suggesting you let your lawn look like "Little House on the Prairie", mind you. Letting it grow a little longer between cuttings and setting your lawn mower to its highest setting can make a world of difference in keeping a healthier lawn. The longer blades of grass can help you be certain that the root systems of your lawn are flourishing below the soil with the roots being themselves longer and better established as well. Longer blades mean more surface area for photosynthesis to take place, allowing more light to be collected, to promote a healthier, more lush look in appearance as well as promoting the ability to stave off pesky weeds. Instead of watering your grass daily, extend your sprinkler or hose nozzle from your hose reel for longer, deeper watering sessions. Apply around one inch of water to your lawn once every mowing cycle to ensure proper immersion and absorption. When mowing, you should really only ever take a third of your grass' height off, in order to ensure healthy growth. Mowing once every ten days will save you quite a few mowings over the year, allowing you to spend more time with your family, and less money on gas (or electricity) to mow your lawn.

Let's all let our lawns grow in healthier ways by simply letting our lawns grow more!

About the author: Jon Bassfarm is an Internet content writer who enjoys researching and writing about many subjects including hose reel, landscaping, and much more.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

By Fran Phalan

As we near the end of summer and thoughts of getting our children back to school and making those last minute end of season trips abound, we also need to spend time on our lawns and making sure that it is prepped for the coming fall. Homeowners in today's green-conscious world have quickly turned more and more to the most efficient lawn care methods that will translate into savings for our wallets. Beyond saving money is water conservation, which affects both us and the environment we live in.

In this article, we will focus on irrigation and mulch, two areas of lawn care that should be considered for all homeowners with the desire to conserve and decrease water consumption and a cost-efficient way to cultivate the lawn and landscape.

Irrigation

Lawn sprinklers and irrigation systems are known to be quite wasteful, consuming two or three times more water than the water used indoors. Experts report that much of the water applied to a lawn is lost due to poor application practices, high evaporation, uneven distribution, and excessive runoff. To combat these lawn ails, an efficient irrigation (or sprinkler) system and watering schedule is necessary.

Irrigation Techniques

To make the best use of irrigation, divide your plants up into groups or zones with the same watering needs. Lawns, plants in containers, vegetable beds and fruit orchards may need more water than other plants such as trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs. Your irrigation system should reflect your different plants' watering requirements and only fulfill what is absolutely necessary to maintain your greenery. Be sure to understand your watering zones and check that these systems are not giving too much or too little water to the plants or lawn area.

An efficient watering system such as drip or soaker hoses can be used to minimize water loss through evaporation or runoff. Lawn experts further recommend that, for reducing evaporation, operate your irrigation system during the cooler hours of the early morning rather than during the heat of the day or in windy weather.

Turf would be best irrigated with sprinklers, since infrequent, but deep watering can encourage deeper root growth and greater tolerance of soil moisture fluctuations. Keep in mind that about 1.5 inches of water are needed per week for the summer. If you are not sure how much water your system is delivering to your plants, simply place a bowl or a cup in the area before the sprinkler system comes on then remove it when the system cuts off. Then all you have to do is measure the collected water. If this amount is more or less than the recommended amount, adjust your system accordingly.

Maintain Your System

It is important to not only make sure sure your irrigation is working efficiently to get your plants and lawn the water they need, but also crucial to check up on your irrigation system to be certain that it's functioning correctly. This includes checking the system for leaks, broken heads, faulty valves, and other malfunctions. You may also want to check that water isn't being misdirected onto sidewalks, driveways, or streets.

Mulch

Mulch can act as both a protection for your plants from the heat as well as an agent to trap and retain moisture. With water conservation a big issue for homeowners, mulch is more important than ever as a way to efficiently keep your plants healthy and protect from harsh conditions. Mulching helps to maintain a more consistent soil temperature and can also control weeds that may otherwise consume water meant for garden plants.

While you may not be able to control your water consumption all the time, you can definitely make an impact on both your water bill and your local community by following lawn care methods that are focused around water conservation and efficient cultivation methods.

Fran Phalin is a freelance writer and editor specializing in home improvement topics. She is based in Austin, TX.

For water conservation friendly lawn care assistance, please visit ABC Lawn Services at http://www.abcpest.com.

Article Source: Ezinearticles.com

By Keith Markensen

Every lawn is not the same but for some lawns all they need is just a little TLC from their owners. To make your lawn stand out from the rest, you need a simple, two step maintenance plan.

Fertilize

Start with a spring, summer, and fall fertilizer treatment. All grass and soil needs regular safeguarding either to help in soil fertility and/or grass' demands. Make sure the all-purpose, dust-free, pellet fertilizer you choose is made for your region and applied at a 2-2-1 ratio. Most common components to look for are nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. Nitrogen in various forms will give you the long-lasting green you desire, with quick and extended release formulations. Make sure to water your lawn after application and to keep it well saturated throughout your dry season.

Pest and Disease Control

The next step to a lush lawn is to rid it of pests and disease. Among the first pest to look for are the annoying tan colored moths that come out at dusk. These pests lay eggs that become sod webworms that dine on grass bases. Chemical products for these pests from Ortho and Bayer will help you get a handle on these bugs. This same chemical can be applied for white grubs that prefer eating at your grass deeper down. You can tell you have grubs when you find dead patches in you lawn that you can lift up.

Some common lawn diseases are brown patch and snow mold. The first is a fungal disease that attacks your lawn in circular shaped spots and makes your grass turn dark green to light brown. To cure your lawn, apply a fungicide, water the diseased lawn less and aerate the soil.

Snow mold and moss growth can benefit from lawn fertilizers rich in nitrogen, iron and sulfur. The soil will be too healthy for these to grow in. To identify snow mold, your lawn will appear pink and cotton-like. This develops from compact snow melting off the top of your lawn. Make sure to sweep or brush the affected lawn before fertilizing. The presence of moss is a bad omen. It means that your soil lacks fertility, your grass has been watered too much or too little, it has improper soil drainage, extra acidity and/or has been too compacted. Again, nitrogen will save your lawn and return the green to the diseased areas.

In times like these it is easy to see why so many people like yourself are interested in best lawn fertilizers. Don't be shy - check us out at plant-care.com.

Article Source: Ezinearticles.com

By Andrew Caxton

A garden or a lawn are pieces of major masterwork, your home and your location. Gardens and lawns are not isolated. When you begin to choose what to grow, you may make a little research.

Factors To Consider About Lawn Care Maintenance

Climate. It is almost obvious but many people skip the fact that climate differ along the year, and you need to sow and cultivate according to main characteristics of your climate. Dry climate pose more challenge to grass and flowers;windy climate has to be considered with care; humidity, frost and snow may be part of your climate menu and so on. Naturally are plants and grass more suitable for your climate than others,find which are they.

Location of your garden and lawn. Long hours of sun or long shady hours? Heavy traffics, pets, dog spots or a slightly traffic and plenty of tranquility? Enumerate and rate the factors. Prioritize the climate you are going to have most part of the year and divide the zones for different plants, some loves shade, some adores sun.

Grass

Grass varies greatly and offers many types.From resilient to weed to very sensible to pest. Grass that need very low watering for a dry zone is the best chose. For humidity climates search for grass that needs frequently watering.

Once you have make your choice, know the Basic: mowing is basic. Mow higher than the usual and you provide more strength to your grass, higher grass will help to decrease the health of the weeds, notice that weeds needs frequently watering and abundant sun in general, a tall, thick grass will prevent weed to feed correctly, thus lowering their rate of growth.

Raking to remove thatch is good to keep diseases caused to fungus off, a high thatch over your grass will act detrimentally against your grass growth and health.

About Professional Lawn Care Maintenance and Upkeep Services

In the last years lawn care services boomed incredibly with the development of a new industry based on professional services customized for homeowners, it is known that homeowners are short of time and many just want to enjoy the left time in the lawn and not working to keep good looking.,companies have noticed this change in the homeowner behavior and prepared themselves to play the roll of lawn services providing at professional level.

Companies varies their offerings, products and services according to the customer budget and lawn area size and many provide special services according to grass type, like Kentucky grass, a traditional and very popular lawn grass even today.They may be hired lawn care maintenance,being this partial or total,many of them trimmed their prices to target different budgets and encourages homeowner to get adequate assessment about their lawns.

The first appointment is always crucial for both provider and customer, remember to make all the question you need and be sure to know how much they are going to bill you exactly for the services they may give you and learn about regulations: the person and company rendering services must be licensed and well versed not only about its task but to comply with all rules and permits necessary, when you feel that the contractor is the appropriate, then you can begin to finish the details before signing any contract and make sure that all the details be included in the contract.

Andrew Caxton use to write on lawn care and similar subjects for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com A website with tips on Kentucky grass and lawn grass seed.

Article Source: Ezinearticles.com