Evergreen, Alabama
Lawn Care for Evergreen Residents
Having a healthy lawn is one of the most vital aspects of preserving your home. In addition to increasing curb appeal, regular maintenance can also prevent structural damages from water and pests. With good lawn care, you can add a lasting value to your property and the neighborhood by keeping the grass trim, soil healthy, and edges neat.
With every new season, different problems can arise, which is why it's important to maintain consistent lawn care. It may be worthwhile to use professional lawn care services in Evergreen that can provide the tools and equipment needed to get lawns into good condition. You now have a refreshed look for your lawn in addition to more time to enjoy it all year long. Here are other facts about some of the most common lawn care methods used by homeowners and professionals alike:
Mowing— One of the most common mistakes made in lawn care is mowing at the incorrect height. Depending on the season and current climate, some grass types may need a different mowing schedule. By cutting your grass too short, it could end up scalping it and destroying the roots and stems. To prevent damaging the lawn, it's crucial to cut grass according to its recommended height for the season.
Watering— Plants need water to thrive, but overwatering could lead to shallower roots and stunted growth. This can cause lawns to become more vulnerable to a host of lawn problems, such as weeds and diseases. Even so, watering is still necessary, especially when droughts occur. For the majority of lawns, it helps to water deeply and infrequently rather than inundating the soil at once.
Fertilizing— One key practice in lawn care is fertilization, which helps grass grow strong and healthy. When fertilizing, there are a few things to consider, namely climate, grass type, and type of fertilizer you are using. Fertilizers can be made of food, compost, and grass clippings, or from synthetic components such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. It should be noted that adding more fertilizer does not necessarily entail faster growth.
Aerating— Despite being widely used on lawns with compacted soil, healthy lawns can still receive many benefits from aeration. In breaking and loosening the soil, aeration allows for more oxygen, nutrients, and water to be distributed to the roots. Areas that receive consistent rain or lawns with foot traffic may see a greater need for aeration.
Lawn Care in the South
In most areas, including Evergreen, lawn care methods and schedules change based on the season and type of grass you have. For most Southern states, the prevalence of warm-season grass types entail frequent maintenance in the spring and summer and low maintenance in the fall and winter. Among the most common grass types found in the South are:
In order to maintain a healthy lawn year round, a mixture of watering, fertilizing, herbicides, and other lawn care techniques should be implemented.
- Bermuda
- Bahia
- Centipede
- Zoysia
- St. Augustine
Spring
In the South, spring provides an optimal time to build a new lawn and strengthen it before summer arrives. The combination of warm temperatures, humidity, and occasional rain all contribute to healthy grass.
Lawns that have been overseeded with a mixture of cool-season grass seeds should grow them all out before restarting a mowing schedule for the spring. If your lawn hasn't been overseeded, use a spring fertilizer treatment to encourage growth.
Establish a mowing schedule once the fertilizer has been applied and the weather warms.
Before it gets too hot, apply pre-emergent herbicide if you need. Applying it under hot temperatures could actually damage the plants.
Test drive the lawn mower and make any maintenance tweaks to prepare it for the summer growth season.
Summer
Summer is the time for Southern lawns to grow and flourish. Be prepared to mow more frequently and combat pests and diseases. Consider performing overhaul tasks such as aeration, dethatching, and fertilization to strengthen grass against the summer heat.
Because of the heat, a regular watering schedule is crucial to the survival of lawns in the South. Implement an irrigation system or use a garden hose to distribute water in the mornings so that it can evaporate over the entire day.
Lower the lawn mower blades so that it cuts more grass at once. Be ready to mow at least twice a week. Lower grass helps deter pests and weeds, effectively reducing the need for weed and pest control.
Compacted soil can occur in two instances: when there is too much water and when there is not enough water. To fix this, aerate the soil from time to time to allow the water and oxygen to reach the roots.
If you see any bald patches, overseed late in the summer before temperatures turn cool. In order for warm-season grass seeds to root, warm temperatures are needed.
Fall
Fall lawn care in Evergreen should mostly be spent preparing for colder temperatures. Apply the last bit of pre-emergent herbicide and switch to using fall fertilizers. To further strengthen your lawn against the cold, mix in cool-season grass seeds while overseeding. Annual ryegrass is commonly used.
Scale back any watering to around 10 minutes twice a day to allow the new seeds to grow. Avoid mowing more than once a week or growth will be hindered.
Stop all watering if your lawn has gone dormant and wait for the grass to grow and strengthen. Dormant lawns can still be mowed, but scalping should be avoided.
Winter
Most lawns in the South will turn brown as the season grows colder and the grass goes dormant. As spring approaches, it will begin to turn back to green.
Water once a week to keep lawns hydrated during dry winters. Even dormant lawns need some water to keep from dying.
Avoid mowing a non-overseeded lawn during the winter, while mowing slightly on overseeded lawns. Reduce the rate of watering especially when frost arrives. Take advantage of the downtime to service and maintain your lawn mower.
Weeds can sometimes sprout in the winter. Dig them up manually or apply spot-spray to keep them from spreading. For taller weed varieties, a lawn mower will have to be used to get rid of them. This is the only time you should use a lawn mower in the winter.
For the most part, winter lawns in the South should remain as untouched as possible. Due to the slowed growth of the grass, any foot traffic could cause damage and have difficulty recovering.
Professional Lawn Care Can Help!
Planting your own lawn and maintaining it can be rewarding, but it's important to consistently curate your lawn. Lawn care can easily pile on top of household priorities, making it difficult to accomplish on your own. When this happens, your lawn could become neglected, causing it to drop in value and functionality.
To avoid this, seek help from a Evergreen lawn care specialist who can help you find out what your lawn needs. Hiring a lawn care service can help you save time as well as money in building and maintaining your lawn more economically. It also helps prevent costly damages early on. Get in touch with a lawn care company in Evergreen today to get started on growing a green and healthy lawn now!
