Why You Need A Landscaping or Lawn Care Company

landscapingEvery homeowner loves having beautiful landscaping, lawn, trees, etc. However, most will admit that while they want the beautiful results of a gorgeous yard, they don’t have the time to create it and/or maintain it. If your idea of fun after work or on the weekends does not involve weeding and planting, then this article is for you! Enter the professional landscaper or lawn care expert….

What Landscaping Companies Provide

Landscaping companies will maintain all the chores and upkeep that a beautiful lawn requires so that you can enjoy your life in other areas while also enjoying the fruit of these labors.

More than just mowing grass….

Perhaps you have always wanted a vegetable garden so you can grow a portion of the food your family eats. A landscaping company can come in and design that garden with you, then plant it and help you maintain it and know when to harvest, etc. Or maybe you want lots of flowering trees or bushes to enjoy throughout the four seasons. A landscaping company will help you choose plants that will bloom at different times of the year so you can have blooms all through the year.

They will also put in an irrigation system designed for your yard and flowers. Automatic sprinklers go a long way in conserving water, as well as saving you lots of time and labor keeping your plants watered. These systems are worth their weight in gold!

Even if you live in a colder climate, you still benefit from having a great lawn care Myrtle Beach company. They can help remove snow, hang Christmas lights, design outdoor décor for the holidays, plowing or salting. Many companies have a service package that would be like a “set it and forget it” type thing so you’ll never have to worry about getting out of the driveway in the event of snow. They would clear your path before you even get up!

Another great benefit is knowing your yard and garden are tended and looked after if you are out of town. You won’t have to worry about not being there to water the flowers or tend the garden. Most landscaping Myrtle Beach professionals will come according to a preset schedule, so if you’re out of town, they will continue to come anyway unless you specify otherwise. This means you get to come home from your trip to a perfectly manicured lawn!

If life has you frazzled, why not trust the pros with all your landscaping needs? Call us today at Conner’s Lawn Care Service to see how we can help!!

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

Lawn Care Tips For Different Seasons

lawn careRegular lawn care and maintenance throughout the year is important for a healthy and green lawn. If you don’t, the grass will become overgrown and it will be susceptible to different kinds of lawn diseases and pest infestation. The care and maintenance needs of your lawn vary depending on the temperatures and that’s why it is important to pay close attention to the season for proper lawn care. Provided below is a guide on how you can take good care of your lawn all throughout the year in Myrtle Beach.

Spring Lawn Care

The spring is one of the busiest time of the year for taking care of the lawn. This season brings sunshine and rainfall for your landscape plants and the entire lawn. It is considered as the major growth season. Plants and flowers produce new bloom, shrubs and trees, produce new leaves, and grass grows much faster.

In spring, your lawn care and maintenance routine should include weeding, lawn mowing, border edging for the sidewalk, driveways, and walkways, cleaning hard surfaces, cleaning up debris and dead winter growth, and more.

Summer Lawn Care

The summer season brings with it dry heat, less rainfall, and the hot sun and that is why lawn care Myrtle Beach is important to protect your lawn.

Lawn mowing on weekly basis is important to stop overgrowth and make sure that the lawn is maintained very well. It prevents your grass from becoming susceptible to lawn diseases and pests that could damage your landscape.

Watering needs to be done every week whether it be from an irrigation system or from rainfall. It should also be deep and infrequent watering than short and frequent sprinkler applications.

Mulching is an affordable and easy way to offer your lawn with several benefits. It creates a protective layer of material on top of the soil that aids in the retention of soil moisture and prevention of weed growth. Organic mulches such as grass clippings, straw, and bark chips naturally decompose and they can assist in improving the conditions of the soil.

Fall Lawn Care

Fall is the best time for you to prepare your lawn for the upcoming winter. Plant and grass growth will start to decline and eventually go dormant. Your grass will still grow but at a much slower rate.

Clean up your landscape and lawn before the cold season arrives. You can hire a lawn care expert to help you. During this season, weak or dead tree branches and limbs will start to fall and then cover your lawn. You have to rake up the wet and dead leaves, and remove any of the dead plants and debris before winter comes. Anything that is left on the lawn could smother your grass and result in bare or dead spots in your landscape.

March is considered to be the most important month when it comes to fertilizing your lawn, but doing so on September and October could help in protecting your landscape and your lawn once the colder season comes.

Early fall is also the best time to plant or reseed new sod. During this time, temperatures will start to cool down a bit, and it is crucial to sod or seed before winter.

You can also stop soil compaction in winter by aerating your lawn during the fall season. Punching tiny holes in the soil will let grass roots and soil to obtain and store the required oxygen, water, and fertilizer throughout the winter months.

Winter Lawn Care

Even though your grass might look a bit browner in the winter, it still requires lawn care and maintenance on a regular basis to survive through the cold weather and create green and new growth during the spring. Even though winter needs a bit less lawn care, you should not ignore your lawn. Concentrate on your winter yard cleanup, lawn care and maintenance, as well as protecting your grass.

Call Conner’s Lawn Care Service if you need the help of an expert in maintaining and caring for your lawn.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

Five Tips on Finding The Ideal Lawn Care Service

lawn care professionalTaking care of your lawn can be a daunting task. Keeping lawn in excellent condition needs cutting, trimming, feeding, and even avoiding or treating problems. If you do not have the time for such tasks, it is better left to lawn care professionals.

Hiring A Lawn Care Professional

The ideas listed below can make sure that the firm you employ will really do the task.

Uncertain in between choosing a lawn care solution and mower? Right here’s just how to discover the best lawn mower for you.

1. Determine what you desire from the lawn care service. Many lawn care services offer feeding, weed and lawn-damaging pest control, aerating, mowing, as well as little tree and bush upkeep.

2. Ask about the business’s approach as well as techniques. Do they utilize long-acting plant foods? Which is great. Do they regularly spray for bugs or issues that you have not experienced? Do they examine your soil prior to advising a fertilizing plan?

3. Speak with next-door neighbors that utilize lawn care solutions. This is an excellent way to identify which solutions run in your location as well as to obtain a home owner’s suggestions.

4. Ask for a lawn examination as well as a free price quote of lawn care services. Be cautious of firms that estimate assured yearly rates without having actually seen your yard.
Inquire about rates as well as what solutions are included. Some business call for an annual call; others work with spoken arrangements that can be stopped by the client any time. Learn what takes place if you have trouble in-between applications. Will there be a fee for these service calls? Check if you can conserve cash by paying a yearly charge in advance. This approach is easier than paying after each therapy.

5. Comprehend what services they offer before starting the task. Discover what type treatments are included, roughly when they will certainly be used, and also what outcomes can be anticipated. Some will ensure efficiency, while others will reimburse your cash if the job is poor. See to it the solution is certified to use lawn-care items as needed by your state.

Get in touch with your neighborhood Better Business Bureau to discover even more details on a particular lawn care business’s solution document.

For your lawn care needs, call Conner’s Lawn Care Service and we’ll be happy to serve you.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

Winter Lawn Care Tips

Lawn Care Myrtle BeachThe weather has been warm, but, it won’t last forever. Your lawn doesn’t need as much attention in winter as it does during summer, fall, and spring. However, it should still be taken care of and now is the time for winter lawn care. It is still important to maintain your lawn’s health and condition for spring.

Lawn care tips you might find helpful

Fertilize and Aerate

You must aerate your lawn before the first frost date in your area. These tips will help you if you’re new to this or want to remind yourself how it should be done. It will allow your grass to breathe before it goes dormant and help in removing any compaction from the warm season.

After you have mowed the lawn, fertilize it. This will ensure that the grass has all the nutrients it requires to prepare for winter. During winter, the grass roots will absorb and retain the nutrients. Your lawn will then use the stored nutrients when spring arrives, giving it an advantage and restoring its lush green appearance. A well-maintained lawn will help you avoid pests, diseases, and weed growth once the weather warms up.

Keep it clean

It is possible that leaves may have accumulated in your yard from fall, which can cause your lawn to become suffocated before winter. Don’t leave the leaves on your lawn to collect disease, especially if they are too moist. If the leaves aren’t too wet or too thick you can mulch them with your mower to break down the nutrients and recycle them back into your lawn. If the leaves are too thick or wet, you can use your rake to get rid of them.

Avoid too much lawn traffic

Do not walk on lawns that are dormant, or frozen. If the same path is being used multiple times, any strong grass could easily become weak.

Ice Care: Be Wise

To ensure a safe walking path, it is important to keep your walkways, driveways and sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Scotts Ice Melt can be used to treat these areas. Because it has a four-fold melting capability of rock salt, you don’t need to use as much. It can be used only as needed to not damage your lawn or landscape.

Make sure you are prepared

Set up your winter lawn maintenance plan early. You can feel the chill in your air. Make sure to check the forecast regularly and allow yourself enough time to prepare your plan before it is too late.

If you need assistance maintaining your lawn, call Conner’s Lawn Care Service.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

Lawn Care Tips For The Colder Weather

lawn care conway scSome people may think that lawn care is the easiest chore in their household with colder weather approaching. If this is you, then you’re mistaken. It is important to keep your outside house in good condition even after the temperatures drop and the leaves start to fall. If you want to make it easier when the snow melts, you need to start the lawn care Conway SC immediately. If you want to avoid any inconveniences when spring arrives, you need to take additional steps now.

Winter Lawn Care Conway SC Tips

Mowing is not a lawn maintenance routine you should stop doing once fall arrives. Keep mowing your lawn until it stops growing. You don’t want tall grass to encourage rodents to build nests in your home during winter.

Do not cut your lawn too short. The recommended height for grass is 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Your lawn will be exposed to cold weather conditions if it is cut too short. This could cause damage to the roots. This will result in dead patches on your lawn when spring arrives.

Once your grass stops growing, cut it one more time. This will reduce the likelihood of your lawn getting snow mould in winter. This can happen if the grass is too long.

Water your lawn – Another early lawn care Myrtle Beach tip for you is to water your lawn enough water to keep it hydrated through winter. Although the lawn may appear brown, new roots will continue growing below the surface all through fall.

Fertilize your lawn regularly – it has many benefits. This yard work helps to repair areas that have been damaged quickly in spring and provides nutrients to help it through winter. Fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn in order to reap the benefits the next year. If you are unable to do it yourself, you can always hire a professional lawn care company.

Rake your lawn. Getting rid of dead leaves will make your lawn look better and ensure that it gets enough sunlight. Raking can also remove thatch, which is a layer between soil and grass that can limit the amount of nutrients and water your grass receives.

Call Conner’s Lawn Care Service now if you need professional help in maintaining your lawn.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

What Essential Lawn Care Tools Should Every Homeowner Have?

lawn careCongratulations on your new home! There are many positive aspects to homeownership, such as the ability to receive a regular payment that goes toward building equity. Gone are the days of a landlord taking care of all that maintenance. That’s it. You can enjoy the outdoors and planting flower beds, or even a vegetable garden, by owning your own home. You will find landscaping adds value and enjoyment to your home. You might be wondering what essential lawn care products you should keep in your shed to maintain your basic yard needs if you are new to homeownership.

These are just a few of the essential tools you need to maintain your lawn. You can continue to add more equipment as you move into your new home. Have a lawn? Take a look at our list of essential tools for your toolbox.

Lawn Care Tips

Lawn mower

Even if you have someone else cut your lawn, this tool is essential for any emergency trimming and lawn maintenance.

Trimmer for string/lawn

This tool can reach those difficult-to-reach places your mower cannot reach, such as around tree trunks. If you flip it over, it can double as an edger along your driveway or landscaping beds.

Leaf rake

A good rake is enough for fall chores, but you don’t need to buy a blower-mulcher combination to help with your chores.

Soil rake

A soil rake is more durable than a leaf-rake and will help you to level your garden and push your mulch around. It can be used to groom a driveway or pea gravel path.

Spreader

You can use a hand-held spreader or a wheeled spreader for grass seeding and fertilizer distribution to increase curb appeal.

Snow shovel

It’s a must-have in snowy areas, but you can also use it as a travel tool. A snow shovel is a great tool for outdoor cleanup.

Spade shovel with long-lasting durability

This tool is essential for Conway SC lawn care, such as moving a shrub or planting a tree, and digging a hole to meet various landscaping needs.

Soil knife

Although you might believe that you only need one bucket of gardening tools, this tool does many of the trickier tasks. It can be used to dig, transplant, create container gardens, weed, or reach into any nooks or crannies other tools cannot.

Double-hand hoe

The double-hand hoe is a lawn maintenance tool. This double-hand hoe is a combination of a digger and a hand tool. It can be used to loosen soil, dig up large weeds, and much more.

Hand pruner

These small shears will be your go-to tool for shaping and caring for your flowers and shrubs. Your yard will sparkle if you keep them sharp.

Lopper

These shears have larger blades and handles that allow you to keep tree branches under control. This is a must-have for curb appeal and protection of your home.

Hedge shear

These will be appreciated by your neighbors. This essential lawn care tool is indispensable for taming unkempt hedges.

Hose

You can also purchase a spraynozzle attachment to water your vegetable and flower garden beds. You can also let your children play with it during hot days.

Protect your property

One way to make your property shine is by keeping it in top shape. Learn more about homeowners insurance to protect your home. The Farm Bureau agent near you will help you find the right coverage for your needs.

Call Conner’s Lawn Care Service now if you need help in maintaining your lawn.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

How to Grow a Lawn in Dry Conditions

lawn careIn areas that are dry and have limited water resources, lawns are more likely than others to be criticised for their water use. The truth is that most lawns don’t require as much water as homeowners give them. Here are some lawn care tips that will help your lawn thrive in dry conditions and endure droughts.

Lawn Care Tips

Water correctly

Watering correctly is equivalent to watering less when it comes to Conway lawn care. It is essential to remove the lawn’s water addiction and make it more efficient. It is bad practice to water your lawn every morning. This can cause your lawn to need more water each day. Turfgrasses that receive this kind of routine, shallow watering are more likely to develop shallow roots and eventually die. They lose most of the moisture they receive from watering daily. You can gradually train your lawn to reduce the amount of water it receives, and encourage deeper roots to utilize any moisture in the soil. Even grasses that are not water-loving can thrive and survive with less water than they receive during the normal day.

You should water in dry conditions or during drought. It is best to water in the morning, before the sun rises. This evaporates moisture in your landscaping before it can seep into soil. Windy days are also not a good time to water because evaporation can also be faster. A weekly watering under ideal conditions is more effective than a daily shallow watering.

Adapt To Summer heat

Your lawn will be the focal point of family activities in the spring and autumn. Summer heat will require a new approach to yard maintenance and use. This is the best time to reduce foot traffic and cut back on lawn maintenance. Dethatching and aerating must be done in cooler months, not during summer. A higher height of grass will shade the soil and keep the roots cool.

Reduce Stress during Drought

You can train a lawn so it thrives with less water. There are also management methods you can use to help the lawn in drought situations. The most important thing you can do for your lawn is to not go on it. While summer is the best season to reduce foot traffic, it’s possible to eliminate it completely during drought conditions. You can avoid major lawn maintenance during droughts by bringing your pets along for long walks or to the dog park, rather than letting them play on your lawn. Dry, hot weather will make it less necessary to mow your lawn. This will slow down grass growth. It is best to stop mowing during drought conditions, unless absolutely necessary.

You can allow grasses to go dormant in drought. If there are local watering restrictions, make sure you water enough to keep the roots alive. Turf grasses can be left dormant for as long as four weeks without causing permanent damage. If the drought lasts for longer than four weeks, water the turf grass deeply enough to slightly rehydrate it and then wet the soil until it reaches about five inches in depth. This will not cause your grasses or roots to grow greener, but it will keep them alive.

Plant Grasses that are drought-tolerant

There are grass varieties that need minimal watering in both cool and warm season areas. You can reseed or plant a lawn anytime you want. If the grass is not moist enough, you can gradually transform it by top seeding each year with better seeds. Some grass species that are drought-tolerant thrive while others die slowly.

Correctly Mow

Most lawns can be mowed very short. However, in areas with drought or extreme climates, it is important to mow at a higher height. The grass blades hold the most water, so the more time the grass is cut, the more moisture will be available to the roots. Sandy soil drains quickly and makes it more difficult to obtain the moisture you need. You can improve the quality of your lawn by using a mulching mower to mow it or top-dressing the lawn with organic material like compost.

Reduce the Lawn

Many people forget that water is a valuable commodity. It is possible to reduce the area of grass that you have. You can reduce the water needed to sustain grass by adding patios, decks, and courtyards.

Many areas of the country have experienced severe droughts and water shortages. This has led to restrictions, bans and a cultural shift toward conserving water. It is better to reduce the size of your yard if water is scarce. It is okay to keep a lawn if it is needed for pets, kids, or aesthetic reasons. It is important that the area be smaller and easier to maintain.

Look for other groundcovers

The drought-resistant grasses will require more water than any other groundcover species. You should think about converting lawn space to another type of living groundcover if low moisture conditions are permanent and inevitable.

Conner’s Lawn Care can help you with all your lawn maintenance needs.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

Fertilizing and Mulching for Beginners

mulchingMulch can be fertilized on top. However, the success of fertilizing depends on how quickly it decomposes and the type of mulch. You can fertilize the mulch with fast-decomposing mulches like seed hulls and grass clippings before you apply it again each year. This is when most of the mulching from last year will have been removed.

To ensure that organic mulch such as bark and wood mulch is not decomposing too quickly, it’s important to remove mulch from your garden soil before you apply fertilizer.

Granular fertilizers should be used in as close to the ground as possible. Granular fertilizers are most effective when they come into contact with moist soil. This is where they can break down and release their nutrients.

When fertilizing mulch tops, liquid fertilizers are the best option. They will penetrate the mulch and reach the soil below.

Fertilizing and Mulching

When fertilizer is applied to mulch, timing is crucial. You will need to reapply mulch every spring if you are using fast-decomposing mulches like straw, grass clippings or cocoa hulls. It is a good idea to fertilize before you add new mulch. This is because most of the mulch will have been broken down by this time. It is easy to fertilize and then add mulch.

It may be harder to fertilize mulch if it is slow-decomposing, like bark mulch or nuts. You need to choose a liquid fertilizer that penetrates mulch best and helps plants grow.

Apply granular fertilizer or liquid fertilizer to gardens with less than 1/2 inch of mulch left. Then add new mulch. To discourage future weed growth, add at least 2-3 inches of mulch.

Avoid granular fertilizer in gardens or areas where there is a lot of mulch (greater that 1/2 inch). To ensure that you reach all tree and plant roots, use liquid fertilizer.

Fertilizing through Wood Chips

For your lawn care, it is best to remove mulch from plants before fertilizing them with wood chips. This will give you the best results and the most fertilizer for your plants.

It may not always be possible to remove mulch from large gardens to apply fertilizer. The following is a list of things to remember if you have to fertilize with wood chips:

Avoid using granular fertilizer for your landscaping Conway SC. It can get stuck in mulch and won’t break down properly.

Add a liquid fertilizer to the top of the wood chips. After fertilizing, water to soak the fertilizer in the soil.

Make sure to read the instructions for your liquid fertilizer. You may be advised to increase the fertilizer in areas that are mulched.

Mulch Fertilizes the Ground and Soil

Mulch gradually fertilizes the ground by releasing their nutrients. Mulch is a thin layer that gradually turns into compost.

Mulchs can be broken down over time and added nutrients to the soil. This is usually a very good thing. Mulchs that have chemicals or acidic mulches, such as those made from commercial wood mulches, can potentially increase these properties. Be careful when selecting your mulch.

Mulch can increase Nitrogen in the soil?

Mulch does not reduce nitrogen in soil, so don’t believe it. This myth is totally false. This is completely false.

Mulch myths claim that mulches steal nitrogen. This myth is still commonly believed by gardeners who want to use mulch to encourage them to fertilize with more fertilizer. Mulch won’t rob nutrients from your soil. Mulch can absorb some liquid fertilizer, so it is best to remove mulch from your soil before fertilizing.

Is it possible to add compost to Mulch?

It is best to add compost or compost tea directly to your soil. This will give you the most effective and fastest results. There are certain cases when you can add compost to mulch.

For gardens that have less than 1/2 inch of mulch, you can add a layer of compost to the soil, and then cover it with new mulch.

Mulch that is more than 1/2 inch thick in gardens should be removed to make room for compost.

Applying compost on top of a thick mulch layer may not penetrate the soil to feed your plants. It can also become a breeding ground of weeds if left untreated.

Fertilizing on Top of Mulch

Apply fertilizer to mulch when it is less than 1/2 inch thick. Mulch-covered areas should be raked away so that your fertilizer can be applied directly to the soil.

Apply fertilizer to mulch. Water thoroughly after fertilizing. Granular fertilizers work better on top of mulch than those that are liquid.

Call Conner’s Lawn Care Service if you need help in taking care of your lawn.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

How Do You Know If Your Tree Needs Pruning?

tree pruningIt has been a great spring, where you have enjoyed the beautiful spring foliage. You look around at the trees in your yard and realize that one tree is not likely to flower this year. You are stressed and call an arborist to remove the tree before it becomes a danger from storms or extreme winds. How would you know if you need tree pruning services?

Before calling, verify that the tree is dead. This will take at least a year before you call the lawn care pros for tree removal services.

Tree Pruning Tips: How to tell if your tree is dead?

Are you unsure how to tell if your tree is dead or what signs and symptoms could indicate that it is ready to be resurrected? Don’t worry – these are some tips to help you determine if your South Carolina tree has died.

Is the tree still in its early stages of development? Are there any visible buds on the branches of the tree? If so, you should examine the tree closer as extreme wintertime may have caused the tree to develop for less than a year. Continue to the next step if there is no budding.

Take a small branch off the tree. Did the branch snap off right away or did it take some effort to break? Is the tree dry and cracked? Does it have moisture? The dryness and rot in a dead tree will cause its branches to fall off. If your tree is still fighting, don’t be discouraged.

If the branch is a bit difficult to cut, it’s not dead. It just needs some TLC. You should water and fertilize your tree in the spring and summer seasons. Make sure to mulch it and your landscaping before winter strikes. The tree should start to bud in the next year.

However, if you haven’t been able to water and feed your tree, it is time to call a professional Conway lawn care company to remove your tree. Take care of your trees for the future. Nothing is more beautiful than a tree in full flower!

If you need assistance in removing a tree, call Conner’s Lawn Care Service.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/

Do you need non-chemical lawn care tips?

lawn care conway scA lush green lawn is the best way to show off your garden and home. It is a living structure that enhances the beauty of shrub borders, flowerbeds, and trees. Lawns make the perfect carpet for outdoor entertaining and recreation. They remove carbon dioxide from the air and emit oxygen. This helps to keep the summer temperatures down. That’s why lawn care Conway SC is important.

However, lawn care is expensive. U.S. homeowners use more than 3,000,000 tons of synthetic fertilizers each year and 70 million pounds of lawn pesticides, herbicides, and herbicides every year. These chemicals can pose serious dangers to children, pets, and wildlife of all types. These chemicals can also be found in our rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers, which makes matters worse. It’s becoming more difficult and costly to care for a lawn that is chemically and water-dependent, as droughts and water shortages are becoming more common.

It’s easier than you think to convert your lawn to a natural, low yard maintenance.

Lawn Care Conway SC Essential Steps That Will Ensure Your Success.

Select the right kind of grass

Many lawns have a problem: the grass variety isn’t well-suited for the area. Consider these things:

Climate: Some grass varieties are not able to withstand extreme heat or cold, and may not thrive under wet or dry conditions. Some grass varieties are well-known for their resistance to drought or hardiness.

Sun or shade: Many grass varieties need full sun to thrive. You should plant grass varieties that can withstand shade if your yard gets less than four hours of sun per day.

Foot traffic on your landscaping: Different grass varieties are more sensitive to foot traffic. Choose a coarse-textured grass variety that is tolerant to some abuse if your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic.

Considerations for specific sites: It is not a good idea to grow a lawn on steep slopes, in deep shade, on rocky terrain, or along walking paths. These areas are best suited for perennials, ground cover, spreading evergreens and wildflowers. Consider stepping stones or gravel paths for areas with high foot traffic.

You can improve your soil

Chemical-fed lawns tend to have shallow roots because they receive most of their water and nutrients from the top. Natural lawns get most of their water and nutrients from the soil they are growing in. The quality of the soil will determine the quality of your lawn.

A simple test can be used to determine the quality of your soil. You can cut a piece of sod about 4 inches deep with a shovel or trowel. Take a look at the soil above and below. Is it soft and crumbly? Is there a thick layer of grass blades, and perhaps a worm? These are signs of healthy turf.

The roots can appear weak and shallow if the soil sample is not moistened or compacted. Thatch is a dense accumulation of dead stems, stems, and partially decayed organic material at the grass’ base. This material is usually re-incorporated by earthworms and microorganisms into the soil. This organic matter can build up on the soil surface in poor soils and/or soils that are not biologically active. It creates an ideal environment to spread disease. You can remove thatch by vigorous raking, or using a power dethatching device. If your soil is fertile and biologically active, thatch is not a problem.

Loose, airy soils are preferred by grass roots and soil microorganisms. Spring is the best time to aerate your lawn if it has become too compacted due to foot traffic or heavy power mowers. It is important to allow air, water, nutrients, and soil life to flow freely through the soil. You can use a power or manual aerating device. Apply lime or fertilizer (if necessary) immediately after aerating while the soil remains exposed.

To check the soil pH, make sure you do a soil test. Most grass varieties prefer a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. A simple soil test can tell you if your soil requires lime to make it neutral or sulfur to make them more acidic. You can either contact your local Cooperative Extension Service to request a soil test kit or buy one to test yourself.

Top-dressing your lawn regularly with compost or good topsoil is one of the best ways to improve and maintain healthy soil. In the spring, apply 1/4 to 1/2 inch of topsoil and rake it into the turf.

lawn careSwitch to organic fertilizers

You may not need to apply any fertilizers once your soil is healthy and your lawn is well-manicured. It may take some time to improve your soil’s quality. You will need to apply organic fertilizer annually or semi-annually.

There are two types of fertilizing schedules that American lawns can use: one for cool-climate grasses, and the other for warmer-climate grasses. It is important to know what kind of grass you are growing before you fertilize.

The reputation of grass is that it’s a heavy feeder, which means that it needs lots of fertilizer. This is true for lawns with little organic matter, worms, or other soil life. Although chemical fertilizers can be beneficial for the grass, they can also negatively impact soil life and texture. They do not increase organic matter. Chemical fertilizers can also increase turf’s vulnerability to insects and disease by over stimulating growth.

Organic fertilizers slowly release nutrients over time to provide long term nutrition, improve soil tilth and encourage soil life. These fertilizers also contain essential trace nutrients, which your lawn requires in very small quantities. The soil also benefits from grass clippings that have fallen to the ground. This adds organic matter and nutrients. You should rake up any clippings that are too wet and thick to be composted later for soil application.

Proper Mowing

Instead of waiting for your lawn to grow long, mow your lawn slowly. The grass will respond more strongly to the extra leafy material that is removed. It will also use the food reserves in its root system to replace the lost leaves. Too much grass can lead to a depletion of these resources faster than it can replenish. This can result in a weaker root system, which is more vulnerable to disease and can’t compete with weeds.

The roots of grass tend to grow as deep as the blades. Keep your grass trimmed to a minimum of 2 inches. You can improve drought resistance and shade out weed seeds by “mowing high”. This means that your lawn should be at least 2 1/2 inches tall.

Do not mow your lawn in extreme heat or when the grass has gone dormant. Keep your mower blades sharp. A dull mower blade can cause injury to your lawn. It will cause you to rip rather than slice the grass. It can also pull out tender, new growth.

Proper Watering

Many factors influence how much water a lawn needs, such as weather, grass type, and soil type. Clay soils retain moisture for longer periods of time, while sandy soils drain quickly.

You can water your lawn regularly and deeply, or not at all. Shallow watering encourages weak growth and shallow rooting. Deep rooting encourages a stronger lawn by watering to 6-8 inches. To water deeply and thoroughly, your sprinkler will need to be on for at least two to four hours.

To check how much moisture has spread, place a spade in the lawn after you have watered. Do not water if the soil is not receiving enough moisture. The grass will stop growing, and it will grow back when the weather cools down and/or the rains cease. It is important to decide before the start of summer whether or not you will water your lawn. The lawn will be stressed if you make a decision between watering or not watering.

Controlling Weeds

A healthy soil and good lawn care will help to control weeds. In fact, weeds can be a sign of stressed turf or infertile soil. You can manually pull out obvious weeds. You should then reseed the area. It is best to start again if your lawn has more than 50% weeds. You should only water a small area of your lawn at once, and this is best done in the spring to prevent weeds from growing. You can immediately reseed the area. Water lightly each day until the grass seeds germinate and the roots are established. Make sure you use the correct grass seed for your growing conditions. If necessary, add organic matter to the soil pH.

Call Conner’s Lawn Care Service if you need the help of lawn care experts.

Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/