Healthy lawns contribute to the beauty and value of your property. Regular maintenance practices such as mowing, overseeding and pest control keep your landscape lush and inviting.

Start with a soil test to determine your lawn’s nutrient content and pH level. A soil test also helps you know how much water your lawn needs. Visit https://www.biggreenlawn.com/ to learn more.

Soil is more than just dirt, it’s the foundation for lush lawns, vibrant flower beds and bountiful gardens. However, over time, soil can become compacted and nutrient-depleted, or imbalanced in pH, making it more difficult for grass, flowers and vegetables to absorb the nutrients they need to thrive. Regular soil testing can eliminate the guesswork about how much lime and fertilizer to apply, saving time and money.

A routine soil test provides information about the level of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil, plus a measure of the soluble salts (e.g., fertilizer salts). It also checks for the presence of heavy metals, nitrates and organic matter. In addition, the analysis provides a measurement of soil acidity (or pH), which indicates whether the environment is too alkaline or acidic. Most grasses grow best in a slightly acidic condition.

It is important to remember that soil testing cannot identify issues caused by insects, diseases, poor or excessive drainage, environmental stresses, or improper cultural practices. It also cannot tell you how well a lawn is growing, because this depends on other factors, such as watering.

A soil sample can be obtained for a small fee at most Rutgers Cooperative Extension county offices (listed in the blue pages under “county government”). The kit contains instructions for collecting the proper amount of dirt for the laboratory to analyze. Using separate kits for the different areas of your property will help ensure that the soil tests are accurate. For example, rhododendron and azalea sampling should be done separately from vegetable garden samples. It is a good idea to get your soil tested every few years, especially after large nutrient additions or changes in the pH balance of the soil.

Aeration

Aeration is one of the most important lawn care treatments a homeowner can perform. It pierces or removes small “plugs” of soil in order to break up and relieve soil compaction, which hinders air and water exchange. It also helps to break down thatch, allowing grass roots access to crucial nutrients.

After a long winter and heavy foot traffic, many lawns become compacted, leaving little room for the grass’s roots to absorb oxygen, water, and nutrients. This often results in a dull, spongy, or dry feel to the lawn.

In addition, if left unchecked, compacted soil can eventually restrict water from penetrating the ground and even block gaseous exchange. This can lead to the development of moss and other fibrous weeds.

Lawn aeration allows the nutrient-rich soil to be properly distributed to the roots, enabling the grass to thrive. It also promotes deep, healthy root growth, which helps to fend off drought and disease.

Moreover, aeration increases the effectiveness of lawn fertilizers by ensuring that all nutrients are absorbed and directed toward the grass’s roots. Regular aeration of your lawn will help it be able to better withstand stressors such as extreme heat, cold, and rain.

Before performing aeration, make sure to give your lawn a good, thorough trim with your mower. Taller grass will block the aeration machine and limit its benefits. It’s also best to aerate the lawn just after a rain shower, as this will make the soil softer and more amenable to holes being poked into it.

There are multiple aeration techniques, but core aeration is the most effective for long-term lawn health. This method involves inserting a machine into the lawn in a crisscross pattern, pulling out plugs of soil and depositing them on the lawn. Spike aeration, on the other hand, just pokes small holes into the lawn without removing any of the soil.

Fertilization

When it comes to fertilization, knowing when to apply the proper amount at the right time can make or break a lawn’s health. Liquid fertilizers are best used when the grass needs a nutrient boost, such as in spring when it’s trying to green up, or during summer when the lawn is under stress from heat and drought.

Lawn care companies put extensive research into fertilizer blends for the exact climate of the places they service. You’ll never find that at Lowes or your local hardware store! They also have access to wholesale and fertilizer suppliers that create specialized blends for different types of grass. That means that they know exactly how much, what kind, when and where to apply each type of fertilizer to get the best results for your particular lawn.

Fall is a great time to fertilize because it helps your lawn prepare for the rigors of winter. It’s important to water less frequently at this time and switch to a slow-release fertilizer that encourages root growth and strength. This can help prevent damage from disease and frost.

It’s also the best time to overseed bare spots, which can fill in patchy areas and prevent future weeds from growing. Many of the same steps are involved in overseeding as are in aerating – mowing regularly, avoiding over watering, fertilizing when it’s best, and applying weed control and disease management to help prevent common pests like grubs, sod webworms, and chinch bugs.

Weed Control

Weeds not only spoil the appearance of a healthy lawn but also compete with grass plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight, thus reducing their growth and health. They can also be hosts for unwanted pests and diseases, which are more likely to spread to desirable plants. Continuous and effective weed control is therefore essential to maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces and to protecting your valuable landscaping investment.

Proper weed control not only enhances the aesthetics of your yard but also protects the overall health and value of your home. It prevents invasive species from gaining foothold in your yard and stealing the resources they need to thrive, which can ultimately reduce the vitality and appearance of your garden.

Keeping your lawn mowed at the correct height is one of the most effective and least expensive strategies for preventing weeds. This is because thick turf shades the soil, denying weed seeds the sunlight and moisture they need to germinate. Regular mowing is an important part of a comprehensive weed management strategy, alongside aeration and fertilization.

Herbicides are another popular option for controlling weeds in your yard. These chemicals can be selective or nonselective, preemergent or postemergent, targeting weeds at different stages of development without damaging your grass. A variety of combinations are available, including dimethphenamid-d/pendimethalin, flumioxazin/isoxaben, napropamide/oryzalin, and oxyfluorfen/pendimethalin.

Many homeowners prefer to take a more proactive approach to weed control by using DIY products, organic methods, or manual removal. These options give you a range of weed control benefits, but you should always follow product and application guidelines carefully to avoid harming your desirable plants or exposing yourself to chemical exposure. The experts at Bug & Weed Mart can help you find the right DIY weed control solution for your unique needs.

Mowing

A lush green lawn is the hallmark of a well-maintained property. It can provide a dramatic boost in curb appeal and add value to your home. It also serves as a positive reflection of your own housekeeping skills and lifestyle. However, the thought of mowing a lawn can intimidate many new homeowners. The good news is that there are ways to make the process easier and more efficient.

A professional lawn care service can ensure your yard gets the proper maintenance it needs to look its best. This includes mowing, fertilization, and weed control. They can help you develop a lawn maintenance plan that works for your schedule and budget. A professional lawn treatment company can also improve the health of your lawn by aerating it and providing targeted insect control.

Mowing is one of the most important aspects of lawn care. It is crucial to cut the grass at the right height and do so regularly. Cutting the grass too short can lead to a variety of problems. It can strip the plant of its vitality and cause it to use up its stored nutrients more quickly. It can also damage the root system of the grass by forcing it to search for additional nutrients in the soil.

When mowing, it is also important to consider the direction in which the grass is being cut. The grass can be harmed if it is cut in the wrong direction, so be sure to check that your mower blades are sharp.

Insects are a serious problem for any lawn. They can cause significant damage and destroy the entire yard if they are not controlled. A healthy, well-maintained lawn can tolerate a certain amount of insects, but if they become too severe, the lawn may need to be treated with pesticides.