Tacoma, Washington
Getting Lawn Care in Tacoma
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 Tacoma 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.
Pacific Northwest Lawn Care Techniques
Notable for its year-round maritime climate, lawn care in the Pacific Northwest can prove challenging. With long seasons of rain, the regional soil may become unstable for certain grass types. These grass types have been found to fare well under oceanic weather patterns:
As with most lawns across the country, lawns in the Pacific Northwest need proper maintenance in order to grow. When it comes to lawn care, Tacoma homes should tailor schedules to each season.
- Perennial ryegrass
- Fine fescue
- Tall fescue
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Colonial bentgrass
Spring
The spring season can sometimes bring heavy to the region. Because of this, moss can develop quickly and flourish over trees and other plants. Apply organic moss killer to stop growth.
Avoid fungal and bacterial growth by limiting fertilizer applications until the temperatures have warmed. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn or applying fertilizer in moist, cool weather could cause plants to deteriorate.
In general, spring in the Pacific Northwest is one of best times for grass to grow. Any aeration, fertilization, and overseeding should take place during this time.
Summer
Water the lawn every few days to keep grass hydrated under the heat.
Lawns can go dormant during the summer in the Pacific Northwest. When this occurs, begin limiting the amount of water and mowing as the grass will not require much of either. It is typically enough to mow once a week or every 10 days to keep grass at the proper height over the summer.
Despite the slow growth of lawns in Tacoma during this time, residents should still be mindful of weeds, drought, and diseases.
Fall
As the weather cools, reintroduce fertilizers to the lawn, as well as overseeding and liming.
Take advantage of fallen leaves to create compost as a natural form of fertilizer. This can improve soil quality and provide a better option than synthetic fertilizers.
Towards late fall, do maintenance on the lawn mower and drain the irrigation system so that it doesn't freeze during winter.
Cut back on watering and mowing as winter arrives. During long periods of winter drought, water slightly to keep grass alive. You can continue mowing the lawn, but only at the rate that the grass is growing.
Winter
Hire Professional Lawn Care Now!
Planting and maintaining a lawn can be a rewarding experience; however, constant upkeep can be challenging. 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.
To prevent this from happening, seek help from a Tacoma lawn service company that is better equipped to tend to your lawn’s specific needs. Hiring a professional lawn care service in Tacoma not only saves time, but also helps you achieve a beautiful lawn more efficiently. You'll also save on costly damages by preventing them early on. What are you waiting for? Contact a Tacoma lawn care company today and get started on a healthy, green lawn now!
Winter is an ideal time to service and maintenance your lawn mower. This may involve changing out the driver belt, oil, and filter, as well as the stabilizer and spark plugs.
