Tips
Tips
In the tips section, we will seasonally add helpful hints and tips - occasionally explanations of why a particular service is needed.
Frequency of Lawn Care
This year, we have had many requests to only mow bi-weekly. I certainly understand why this is an issue - It's not fun to have to pay every week to get it done, especially when you're working with a limited income and an electric bill that makes you sick to your stomach when you open it. I certainly sympathize with you, but I can't say I approve. Granted, I'm sort of a neat-freak when it comes to a well-manicured lawn, but I think it should be above some other "necessities" on a budget. I have several reasons for this:
1. A healthy, well nourished lawn that get's enough water should be maintained at least every 8 days, and no more than ten days should pass between cuttings. This is mostly for the health of the grass - tall grass blocks sunlight from reaching the short blades. It also makes the lawn much more eye-pleasing because there isn't any nasty, rotting buildup of clumpy grass that is common when you wait more than ten days to mow.
2. The equipment we use is not cheap - not by a long shot, and keeping it well-maintained is hard enough without the added wear-n-tear of having to cut tall grass with it. When cutting tall lawns, the oil has to be changed more often, due to the increased load on the engine, and the blades have to be sharpened almost daily. This is why we charge more for bi-weekly cuttings than weekly maintainence.
3. You can be charged with a crime for not keeping your lawn mowed! In the Town of Clintwood, there is an ordinance that states each lawn must be well maintained or they have the right to either A. Cite you and impose a fine, or B. Send a town worker to mow it, then bill you at an ASTRONOMICAL rate. (I was told by a man I trust that he saw a bill from the town for $100 bucks for mowing a very small yard.
As the season passes, it's likely that the amount of rain will taper off to some extent. If this happens, then waiting 10 to 14 days between mowing is fine. The grass just doesn't grow as quickly in hot, dry weather.
Why Fertilize?
Fertilization or the use of "weed and feeds" are almost the most important ways (second only to watering during dry spells) to keep your lawn looking beautiful, weed-free, and green. Foot traffic, disease and insects, extremely hot or dry conditions, animals, and even routine lawn care such as mowing and trimming are extremely rough on any lawn in the Summer. To keep it looking its best, fertilizers and "weed and feed" spreads help develop a good root system, as well as helping to make your lawn resistant to weeds and disease. We usually spread two brands of fertilizers - Scott's and Pennington Signature Series - but are happy to accommodate special requests from our customers.
It is recommended by professionals and experts that homeowners have their lawn fertilized four times per year - early Spring, late Spring, during the Summer, and again in the Fall - or at the very least least twice a year (mid-to-late Spring and again in the Fall.) See the picture below for an example.
Grasses require at least 16 different essential elements in their diets, most of which are available from the plants' surrounding environment. But the growth demands of today's lawn owners usually mean that homeowners and lawn care professionals must help Mother Nature along.
How much to fertilize is entirely up to you. However, we tend to side with the experts, and treat our lawns accordingly. It can get expensive at times, but most find the results from regular fertilization to be well worth the expense.
Be sure to check out our Fall 2009 fertilizing rates under the "Services" tab in the main menu!