Somerton, Arizona
Lawn Care for Somerton 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 Somerton 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.
Southwestern Lawn Care Techniques
Weather has a major impact on lawn care, including homes in Somerton with lawns featuring common Southwestern grass types. Warm-season grasses may be able to survive in extended periods of heat, but year-round care and maintenance are still needed. This generally means consistent care during the summer and spring with minor care in the cooler seasons. Read on to see additional lawn care tips for a healthy lawn in the Southwest.
For the best results in lawn care, combine regular watering, fertilizing, weed control, and maintenance throughout the year.
- Bermuda
- Zoysia
- St. Augustine
Spring
With its dry climate and desert landscape, the Southwest takes in less rain than most other regions in the country. For this reason, cities in the Southwest, including Somerton, may become sensitive to drought. Fixing the sprinkler or irrigation system beforehand can help prevent high temperatures from affecting new plants.
Apply broadleaf weed killer to stop weeds from growing and spreading across your lawn. Read the label of herbicide products carefully before purchasing.
Use sods or plugs to plant new warm-season lawns. It is best to do this before the summer arrives and the heat prevents grass from rooting into the soil.
Lawn thatch that has grown over the winter can sometimes block nutrients from reaching the roots. To help plants receive these nutrients, dethatch the grass to unblock the soil.
Summer
Compared to other regions, Southwestern lawns are at the highest risk of extreme drought. Drought can lead to lawns going dormant. If this is the case, scale back on watering to at least once a week.
Fertilizer should not be applied in the summer. Extreme temperatures could cause it to burn rather than help the soil.
Grubs can sometimes become a problem during the summer. Apply grub control to keep them at bay. This can also get rid of beetle larvae, which feed on plant roots.
Fall
Apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from sprouting during the winter.
For homes at higher elevations, planting cool-season grass should be done during the fall. Higher-elevated areas offer the best chance at receiving heavier rains and cooler temperatures.
When the leaves begin to fall, it can make it difficult for lawns to receive the sunlight they need. Try raking and removing leaves once a week to help grass grow.
The summer heat could potentially cause fungus and diseases to appear. Catching these growths can help prevent damage from incurring on your lawn.
Winter
As winter arrives, many Southwestern lawns will go dormant. Foot traffic should be limited in order to prevent damage.
Pocket gophers can also pose a problem for lawns in the winter. They can be helpful in aerating the soil, but also destroy crops.
Combine your lawn's grass seeds with annual ryegrass, a cool-season grass variety. This helps fill in the places that may go bare as the warm-season grass goes dormant for the winter. Regular mowing and watering should follow once overseeding is complete.
The winter is also a good time to apply pre-emergent herbicide as it will help stop weeds in the summertime.
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 Somerton 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 Somerton today to get started on growing a green and healthy lawn now!
