Avoid lawn care mistakes such as neglecting to remove weeds from your lawn.
Summer is a busy time for lawn care, and while performing lawn care services is important it is very important not to make mistakes. Basic summer lawn care consists of proper watering, fertilization, mowing, pest control, and weeding your lawn throughout its busy growing season. However, there are mistakes you can make regarding how you water, mow, or weed your yard that can have negative and long-lasting consequences for your lawn. If you want to avoid the following summer lawn care mistakes, call the professionals at Scientific Plant Service for guidance or specialized treatments that can ensure the best treatment for your lawn this year.
Burning Your Lawn with Fertilizer
Adding too much or high salt index fertilizer or adding it at the wrong time can burn grass blades and promote disease. To avoid this error, choose slow-release fertilizers that do not need to be replenished often, so you can nourish your lawn with the nutrients it needs without risking burning or other significant problems. Scientific Plant Services utilizes the only fertilizer recognized by the State of Maryland as “Enhanced Release”. This fertilizer is coated with a special coating that slowly releases nutrients over time at a rate the turf can efficiently utilize.
Overwatering or Underwatering
One of the significant summer lawn care mistakes to avoid is failing to find the proper balance for watering your yard. Too much or too little water can cause problems. For example, applying too much water may wash away nutrients and create an environment ripe for fungus and disease. Too little water can cause your grass to go dormant. If you want your lawn to stay green all summer, most cool season grasses require an inch or two of water each week to thrive. It is important to allow the soil to dry between waterings. Early morning is the preferred time to water so that the grass blades dry out before evening.
Neglecting Weeds
Weeds are inherently strong and resilient, especially during the summer months. To keep your lawn weed free, it’s important to keep up with the necessary weeding while the weeds are young and immature. If you neglect the weeds, they can take over your garden beds and lawn. Regularly check for weeds and remove them as soon as possible.
Mowing with Dull Blades
When was the last time you checked the sharpness of your lawn mower blades? Dull blades can injure your grass blades by tearing rather than cleanly cutting them, which leaves the grass vulnerable to disease. Frayed grass blades can also leave your lawn looking less than stellar.
Mowing Your Lawn Too Short
Mowing requires a careful balance between too much and too little. Some homeowners may try to find a shortcut for their lawn care and cut their grass blades too short, so they don’t have to mow as often. Generally, cool season turf should be mowed to 3 to 4 inches in height. Try not to mow more than one third of the height at any mowing. For example, if your lawn is mowed to 3 inches, you should not allow it to grow to more than 4 inches before mowing. If you cut your grass too short, you leave it vulnerable to disease and heat stress. The extra time spent mowing this summer is worth it to keep your grass healthy and beautiful.
Overlooking Signs of Pests and Insects
Summer lawns are key targets for insect infestations, such grubs, armyworms, chinch bugs, and more. A routine pest preventive maintenance plan can prevent insects from overtaking your lawn.
To avoid summer lawn care mistakes and create an outdoor oasis for your household, remember these tips and contact Scientific Plant Service for help. Our professionals can provide you with the information you need to maintain your lawn with high-quality care.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.