Alamosa, Colorado
Getting Lawn Care in Alamosa
Guarding the health of your lawn is an important part of taking care of your home. Not only can regular maintenance enhance curb appeal, it also protects the home's structure from experiencing water or pest damage. With trim grass, healthy soil, and neat edges, good lawn care can add value to your property and to the neighborhood.
Because new problems can arise every season, it's important to regularly practice lawn care. Finding help through professional lawn care in Alamosa can be worth it, especially with the amount of tools and equipment required to keep lawns in spotless condition. This helps establish a new and revived appearance for your lawn, as well as more time to enjoy it throughout the year. Read on to learn more about common lawn care practices used by professionals and homeowners alike:
Mowing— Mowing at the incorrect height is one of the most common mistakes in lawn care. Some grass types require a different mowing schedule, depending on the season and climate. Mowing your grass too low can cause scalping, which destroys the roots and stems. To avoid lawn damage, grass should be cut to the appropriate height for the season.
Watering— Even though plants need plenty of water to grow, overwatering could limit grass growth. This may lead to lawns becoming exposed to weeds and diseases. Nevertheless, watering is essential, especially during seasons of drought. For the most part, lawns are best watered in a deep and infrequent cycle rather than a single flooding.
Fertilizing— Fertilizing your lawn is a major part of growing strong and healthy grass. There are some things to consider when fertilizing, such as the climate, grass type, and grade of fertilizer. Fertilizers can be organic or synthetic, composed of food compost or created with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus nutrients. Despite popular belief, adding more fertilizer does not mean grass will grow faster. In fact, over-fertilizing should be avoided at all costs.
Aerating— Aeration may be commonly used on lawns with compacted soil, but even healthy ones can still benefit from having it done. In loosening the soil, more air can reach the roots of plants, in addition to more nutrients and water. If your lawn is in a region that experiences heavy rain or foot traffic on lawns, it's likely you will need to aerate the soil at some point.
About Lawn Care in the Southwest
When doing lawn care in Alamosa, the effect of each season on Southwestern grass types should be considered. Even though warm-season grasses can survive in the region's perennially dry climate, year-round care and maintenance should still be done. This may entail heavy maintenance in the summer and spring, and minor care in the fall and winter when the grass goes dormant. Below are some lawn care tips that help you attain a healthy green lawn in the Southwest.
For a healthy lawn year-round, utilize a combination of watering, fertilizing, and weed control for the best results.
- Bermuda
- Zoysia
- St. Augustine
Spring
Compared to other regions of the country, the Southwest receives some of the lowest levels of rain in the country. Because of this, Alamosa is susceptible to severe droughts that hinder the growth of new plants and grass. Repairing your sprinkler or irrigation system before the summer heat can help prevent this from occurring.
If there are weeds on your lawn, apply broadleaf weed killer to stop them from spreading. Be sure to read the label carefully before purchasing an herbicide product.
Consider using sods or plugs when planting a new warm-season lawn. The spring season is one of the best times to do this, as the grass is growing at a fast enough rate to establish itself.
Thatch that has grown over the winter can sometimes prevent nutrients from reaching the roots of plants. Dethatching makes it easier to unblock the soil and help plants grow.
Summer
Lawns in the Southwest are often at risk for extreme drought. When this happens, allow the lawn to go dormant while continuing to water at least once a week.
Fertilizer applications should be avoided during the summer. Hot temperatures could cause it to burn instead of helping the soil.
Grubs are a common issue in the summer. Combat them by applying grub control. This also helps get rid of beetle larvae, which feed on the roots of plants.
Fall
Once the temperatures are low and cool enough, pre-emergent herbicide can be applied effectively to get rid of weeds.
For homes at higher elevations, planting cool-season grasses are a great idea. The higher up you are, the more likely you are to receive heavier rainfall and cooler temperatures.
Piles of fallen leaves can make it difficult for lawns to receive sunlight. Because of this, raking and removing leaves at least once a week could prove beneficial.
The heat of the summer may cause fungus to appear. Treating lawn diseases early on can help combat them more effectively.
Winter
Most Southwestern lawns go dormant during the winter. Because dormant lawns are not as strong, foot traffic should be limited.
Pocket gophers are also a problem for Southwestern lawns in the winter. Although pocket gophers are helpful in aerating the soil, they can be destructive to crops and agriculture.
Lawns with warm-season grass seeds should be overseeded with a cool-season grass, such as annual ryegrass. This helps avoid bald patches in the lawn when warm-season grasses go dormant. Once the overseeding is complete, mow and water the area frequently.
Pre-emergent herbicides help prevent lawn weeds from sprouting in the summer.
Hire Professional Lawn Care Now!
Doing lawn care on your own can be rewarding, but it also involves a lot of work. Lawn can be time consuming, especially on top of other household priorities. This could lead to lawn deterioration, a drop in property value, and overall disrepair.
Avoid this by seeking help from a Alamosa lawn care expert. Allowing a professional lawn care company to take care of your lawn can help save valuable time and money spent on lawn care. You'll also save on costly damages by preventing them early on. What are you waiting for? Contact a Alamosa lawn care company today and get started on a healthy, green lawn now!
