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Why is mowing correctly so important?

Many people do not realize the impact mowing practices have on their lawn. By implementing a few basic mowing concepts, you will be able to maximize the appearance and health of your lawn. Mowing properly will not only make your lawn more resistant to weeds, insects, and disease; it will also make your lawn more tolerant to drought and shade. Here are some rules to observe when mowing.

Don't cut too short!!

A common mistake by many people is cutting their lawn too short. Mowing the grass removes the upper part of the blade that is responsible for taking in sunlight to feed the rest of the plant. By removing this part of the blade, we are limiting the amount of sunlight the grass can absorb, and therefore limiting the amount of nutrients the grass can produce to feed itself. Cutting too short will result in shallow rooted grass and weeds. Cutting too short also exposes the lower, more sensitive part of the blade, which can result in brown, sunburned turf. Keeping your lawn at the proper height will help prevent the germination of weed seeds by depriving them of the proper sunlight. Taller grass blades also provide some shade and insulation to the soil which keeps water in the soil from evaporating, allowing for a more drought-resistant turf.

What is the proper height?

When mowing, you should remove no more than one third of the grass blades. How long you should keep your lawn depends what time of year it is, but generally your lawn should be between 2 ½ and 3 inches high. During the early spring and late fall when the weather is cooler, your lawn should be no shorter than 2 ½ inches. Late spring through early fall when the weather is hotter and drier, a height of 3 inches is best. How often should I mow? Simply put, you should mow as often as it takes to maintain the recommended height of your grass. Growth rates of your lawn will vary depending on the time of year, rainfall, and other factors such as fertilization. Below is a chart that will help you determine how often mow your grass:

Keep in mind that during periods of heavy rain or drought you may need to mow more or less often. You will also notice an increase in growth rate following a fertilizer application.

What should I do with grass clippings?

Although many people believe grass clippings increase thatch and can cause disease, leaving clippings on your lawn after mowing is actually beneficial. As long as you are mowing your grass at the correct height, (i.e. not removing too much of the blade) clippings will break down quickly and add nitrogen and other nutrients back into the soil.

How soon can I mow after a fertilizer application?

If possible, wait at least 6 hours after a fertilizer application before mowing. This gives the fertilizer a chance to trickle down to the soil, preventing it from being sucked up by the mower.

What is it Aerating?

Aeration, coring, or aerifying is essential to keeping a healthy, green lawn. Aeration is done by using a machine about the size of a snow blower that punches holes into the lawn, removing cores of soil approximately 3 inches in length. The cores will eventually dissolve back into the soil, and the holes will gradually refill themselves and disappear, leaving the permeability of the soil drastically improved.

Why is it important?

Over time a normal lawn will become compacted. Foot traffic, mowing, and heavy rain all contributes to the compaction of your lawn. Compacted lawns not only tend to cause thatch build up, but also greatly reduce the amount of air and nutrients that enter the ground. With fewer nutrients to feed on and a harder ground to break into, grass roots can't grow resulting in a weak root system, and a thin, unpleasant looking turf. Having your lawn aerated is a simple, inexpensive way to eliminate compaction and keep your lawn healthy and green. Here are some other benefits of aeration:

• Thatch decomposes more quickly
• Allows water, air, and other nutrients to move down into the soil
• Reduces or eliminates compacted soil conditions
• Growth of turf is stimulated
• Drainage is improved
• Increases the benefits of seeding, topdressing and fertilization
• Overall appearance and durability of turf will be improved

When should my lawn be aerated?

The best time to have your lawn aerated is when the grass is actively growing. This means early spring, late summer, or fall. Aerating during the hotter months of the summer when the grass is dormant puts unnecessary stress on the turf, and can also promote weed growth. Aerating during the proper time of the year eliminates these problems and ensures only positive results.

How often should my lawn be aerated?

The number of times your lawn should be aerated depends on how prone to compaction your lawn is. In general, 1-2 aerations per year is sufficient for residential lawns. Golf courses and athletic fields may require aeration 4-6 times per year.

Many of our customers ask us about the best method for watering their lawns. There are several things to consider when creating a watering schedule for your lawn. Amount of water, time of watering, and frequency are all critical factors. Here are some basic rules to follow when watering your lawn.

What is Deep Watering?

Deep watering is the most important aspect to watering a lawn properly. Deep watering means giving the lawn a good soaking (1-1 ½ inch of water) once per week, rather than lightly sprinkling every day. This method soaks the soil down to a depth of 6 inches or more which encourages deep root growth and a strong turf. Deep, well-fed roots will allow the grass to be healthier and more drought resistant. Because soil dries from the top down, as the soil near the surface begins to dry, the roots of the grass will have to "reach" further down into the soil to find water. Over time this process will cause the roots to grow deeper and deeper. For those customers with irrigation systems, be sure that water reaches all areas (especially "hot spots" along walks and driveways).

How much should I water?

You want to put an average of 1-1 ½ inches of water in the lawn per week, depending on the weather. To figure out how long it takes to get this much water onto the lawn, you can set a coffee can or some other type of container on your lawn when watering. After a period of time, measure how much water is in the can, and you will be able to figure out how long it takes your sprinkler to produce a given amount of water.

How often should I water?

During the spring and fall when the weather is cool and damp, watering once every two to three days should be sufficient. During the hotter summer months, every day or so is recommended.

When is the best time to water?

Early morning is the best time to water. Avoid watering during the mid-day as much of the water will evaporate before it can soak into the soil. There is also less wind during the early morning, which will give you a more evenly distributed spray. Most importantly, early morning watering gives the grass all day to dry. Wet grass overnight can cause, molds, fungus and disease.

Problems associated with poor watering - Poor watering practices, including watering too much, can cause many problems with your lawn. Some of these are listed below:

• shallow roots
• wilting
• disease
• fungus
• increase in crabgrass
• unnecessary waste of water

Bullet points:

• always practice "deep watering"
• water 1-1 ½ inches every week
• always water in the early morning
• proper watering creates deep-rooted turf

Why is a soil test important?

Soil testing is important because it allows us to evaluate the nutrient content of your soil, which is critical to maintaining a healthy turf. Soil must have the proper balance of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and many other trace elements and microorganisms to support a healthy growing turf. An absence or deficiency in one of these areas will negatively impact photosynthesis and weaken your lawn making it more susceptible to disease, weeds, insects and other problems. Soil tests help us locate these deficiencies so that we can take measures to correct them.

Soil pH -one of the most important aspects of soil is the pH level. A soil pH indicates the acidity of the soil, which directly effects the availability of nutrients in the soil. pH is measured on a scale that ranges from 0-14, with 7 being the neutral point. A Soil pH level below 7 is considered acidic, and above 7 is considered non-acidic, or alkaline. Acidic soil is usually low in calcium, potassium and magnesium. Alkaline soils are lacking other nutrients including iron, hat are critical to healthy growth. Most plants grow best in soil with a pH between 6 and 7.

How can we affect soil pH?

Soil amendments are used to manipulate the pH level of a soil. One of the most common soil amendments used in this area is lime. Lime is used to raise the soil pH, making the soil less acidic. Because New England soil is typically acidic, it is necessary to amend the soil with a lime application. How much lime is needed depends on how acidic the soil is. It is also important to note that pH levels are not changed overnight. It can take several years, and numerous lime applications to balance out the soil pH.

To arrange for a soil test, or obtain more information on soil testing, please contact us at (1-866-2-solve it, or Contact us(link)