Tips By Chhan's Lawn & Garden LLC
During the winter months it is important to remove all leaves from your lawn (This includes leaves that blow onto your lawn from your neighborhood). As the leaves become wet and begin to decompose, they become heavier and begin to compact small areas of your lawn. This compaction, coupled with the lack of winter sunlight, may kill the grass wherever leaves are present. To further complicate this scenario, the leaf infected grass zones create a natural attraction to moss.
Did you know that Weed Seeds can stay
dormant in your flower beds for up to 40 years and longer? It
March is upon us and it is time to start thinking about your irrigation system. Start each Zone independently and visually inspect each sprinkler head. While inspecting for damage and sufficient water pressure, adjust the head to ensure it is watering the desired areas.
Inspecting your irrigation system in March will give you plenty of time to make necessary repairs should a problem arise. If you wait until hot, dry weather to start up your system for the season, you may be faced with contacting a professional during peak season to make repairs. Supply and Demand could significantly increase your repair bill. Once you have inspected your irrigation system and made the necessary repairs and adjustments, turn off the system at the Controller until warmer dry weather warrants the use of your system.
Annual Lawn Care
The steps you take in March and April can assure you that your lawn will look great in August and September.
Spring is the time to aerate and thatch your lawn and there are several benefits to this service.
Most lawns get a fair of amount of traffic, especially if children use them. Such traffic -- as well as the act of mowing -- results in compaction of the soil. Compaction ultimately hinders your lawn’s ability to grow because it reduces the soil's capacity to hold water, oxygen, and nutrients. Aerating solves the problem. After the aeration is complete, you'll see hundreds of soil cores on the lawn. As the core cultivators pierce the ground, they remove a core of soil and leave a hole. These holes enable water, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the grass's root zone, reducing soil compaction. The cores can be raked up or left on the lawn, they'll decompose within a couple of weeks.
Moisture, Oxygen and Nutrients from
penetrating the soil. The process of de-thatching allows your lawn to
breath and stimulates new root growth. Likewise, De-thatching is also essential
to maintain a lush, healthy lawn.
Thatch is the layer of built-up plant material between the green top growth and the roots of grass plants. Thatch develops naturally as lawn grasses grow and slough off roots, shoots and leaves. Some thatch helps protect the roots, but excessive thatch prevent healthy lawns.
“When spring arrives, retail plant nurseries receive plant stock by the truck load. If you are like many and you like to plant in the spring, there are a few things you should consider to protect your landscape investment.
If you are purchasing potted plants, it is very important to examine the root system of the plant before you put it into the ground. If the plant is root bound, pull the roots apart so they have an opportunity to spread out and absorb water and nutrients.
Once you have installed your plants, be sure to put a layer of mulch around the plant. A 3” thickness is ideal. This will ensure that the root system stays moist, allowing the plants to take root.
Failing to follow these two guidelines could lead to dead plants in July and August when hot dry days dry out the soil quickly.
Is summer really nearing? Over the past two months I can recall two days where it really warmed up enough for me to be concerned about watering my lawn.
Two common mistakes are made during this weather changing time of year.
First, homeowners and business owners turn on their irrigation systems too early. It’s wise to operate the system to ensure it is functioning properly, but leaving the system on when it is raining only wastes water and increases your utility bill.
Second, irrigation systems are turned on
too late. Dry weather following a rainy weather pattern can dry out a
lawn quickly, especially if the lawn is in less than perfect health. To
check for drought conditions, specifically for your lawn, monitor turf areas
around sidewalks, driveways and curbs. If these areas are drying out, it
is time to water. When is the best time of day to
water? In the morning!
Thank you and we look forward in maintaining your property.
