Lawn Care Cornelius NC includes mowing, fertilization and weed control. They also spruce up flower beds and remove debris.

A lawn requires a lot of time to keep looking good, and equipment costs can add up. A professional lawn care company can reduce these expenses by taking on the work.

Grass cutting is the most basic lawn care task. Cutting the grass to the correct height encourages healthy grass roots that can withstand environmental stressors, such as drought. Regular mowing also prevents thatch buildup and keeps the lawn looking neat and appealing.

In the spring and summer, when grass grows rapidly, it is important to mow more frequently. It is also important to have sharp mower blades so that the grass is cut cleanly and evenly. A sloppy cut makes the lawn look messy and can damage the roots of the grass.

When the grass is cut too short, it loses its ability to produce food through photosynthesis. This can cause stress to the lawn, which increases its vulnerability to disease and insects. Using the one-third rule when cutting grass helps to avoid this problem.

A well-maintained lawn is more attractive and provides a positive first impression for guests. Lawn maintenance includes routine tasks such as mowing, watering, edging and weed control. A well-maintained lawn will also require aeration, fertilization, seeding and mulching. A properly maintained lawn will be able to withstand environmental stressors, such as heavy foot traffic and drought.

In addition to standard lawn maintenance services, many landscapers offer recurring revenue-generating services such as mowing and leaf blowing. These services may also include debris cleanup, such as removing patio furniture, fire pits and kids’ toys from the yard, raking leaves, and blowing away organic debris that could promote mold or mildew.

Lastly, landscapers can help their customers to maintain their lawns by providing seasonal lawn maintenance checklists. These checklists help homeowners to keep up with their mowing, fertilizing, weed control and watering schedules. These seasonal checklists can also help to reduce the likelihood of lawn diseases, such as snow mold, by keeping up with consistent routine maintenance.

Fertilization

Fertilization is a key component of lawn care. A well-fed lawn is healthier and better able to resist stress from extreme temperatures, drought, weeds, mowing, and foot traffic. Ideally, lawns should be fertilized two to four times per year. When done correctly, fertilization promotes lush grass that is both healthy and aesthetically appealing.

Lawns need a variety of nutrients to grow, but the main ones are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Fertilizers come in liquid, granular, or slow-release forms, and they can be organic or synthetic. Organic fertilizers use natural sources like manure, dried blood, and processed sewage to release nutrients into the soil. Synthetic fertilizers are made from chemicals. Both types have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s best to talk to your lawn care professional before choosing one.

Liquid fertilizers are easier to apply than granular, but they can burn grass if used incorrectly. They also tend to run off more quickly than slower-release types, so they may need to be applied more often. Granular fertilizers are more difficult to apply, but they’re less likely to burn the grass and can be used in conjunction with herbicides and pesticides. They also last longer than liquid fertilizers.

The right time to fertilize your lawn depends on whether you have cool-season or warm-season grass, and on the weather. The ideal time is early spring, when the ground has thawed and the lawn is beginning to actively grow. Avoid applying fertilizer when the ground is wet, since this can cause runoff and nutrient loss.

When deciding on the right lawn fertilizer for your home, consult the results of your soil test. Depending on the results, you can choose a fertilizer with the right N-P-K ratio. You can also find specialized products, including weed-and-feed fertilizers, which combine weed control with fertilization.

It’s best to wait a day or so to mow after applying lawn fertilizer. The granules need to settle and decompose before you can safely mow the grass again. In addition, it’s a good idea to leave grass clippings on the lawn instead of mowing them off. This returns the nutrients to the soil, reduces evaporation from the lawn, and keeps the weeds at bay.

Weed Control

Weeds are an annoyance at the best of times, but they can also steal nutrients, water and sunlight from your turf. That’s why weed control is a vital part of lawn care.

Different types of weeds require different treatments. Some are annuals that grow, produce seeds and die in a single year, while others may live for two years or more. Some weeds are broadleaf, while others are true grasses (monocots). To control them, professionals use herbicides designed to target the specific type of weed that’s growing in your yard.

A good defense against weeds is a thick, well-maintained stand of grass. Properly mowed turfgrass shades the soil and blocks out sun, denying weeds the energy they need to thrive. However, if the turfgrass is too thin or damaged, weeds will find their way in. The best strategy for preventing weeds is a combination of sound cultural practices and properly timed chemical treatments.

If you want to avoid the harsh effects of synthetic chemicals on your soil and environment, it’s essential to follow all product labels carefully. In addition, be careful not to apply a weed killer on windy days as the chemicals can drift and damage desirable flowers, shrubs, trees and grasses.

Using a handheld hoe or other manual tool to pull weeds can be effective, but it’s not foolproof. Even if you pull out the entire weed, tiny bits of root remain underground to sprout new weeds. This is why it’s important to use a weed control program that includes pre-emergent and post-emergent weed killer.

Adding a pre-emergent to your weed control regimen is an effective way to prevent annual grassy weeds like crabgrass from sprouting in the spring. This weed killer works by blocking the weeds’ ability to absorb light and moisture from the sun, so they die before they start to grow. The pre-emergent should be applied in the early spring, shortly before annual weeds such as crabgrass start to grow.

Mulching

Mulching is the application of a layer of material over the soil. It improves the soil quality by adding organic matter, moderates the soil temperature, retains moisture, and helps suppress weeds. It also enhances the appearance of garden beds and other landscaped areas. Mulch can be made of many different materials, including leaves, hay, straw, grass clippings, wood chips, cardboard, and bark. It is sometimes combined with a soil amendment such as compost or manure to increase the available nutrients in the soil.

It is important that the right mulch be used for the intended purpose. The wrong type of mulch can damage the health and appearance of plants, as well as the surrounding soil. The best choice is organic mulch, which breaks down to add organic matter and increase the availability of nutrients in the soil. Mulch can be purchased from many gardening centers and home improvement stores. It is important to use a high-quality product that has been screened to prevent weed seeds from growing through the mulch.

Lawn care is the process of promoting and maintaining the health of turfgrass and soil by providing treatment such as fertilization, weed control and disease management. Mulching and other services can help to achieve lush, healthy lawns that are drought-resistant and attractive, while also improving the overall curb appeal of a property.

Professionals have the experience and expertise to determine which type of mulch is appropriate for your specific needs. They can also ensure that the mulch is applied correctly and evenly, which is vital for maximizing its benefits. They can also provide ongoing maintenance and support, such as removing and replacing old or degraded mulch. They can also make sure that the mulch is in the correct depth to protect the soil and minimize weed growth. They can even take care of invasive pests like grubs. Using a pre-emergent herbicide can be very effective on grubs when it is applied early in the spring. This prevents the grubs from maturing into adult form, when they are most susceptible to predation by nematodes and other insects.