A Local Landscaper in Kansas City Gives Guidance On How To Care For Your Yard

| Friday, April 12, 2013
By Daniel Murphey


A do-it-yourself home owner who has time and drive doesn't need to pay a professional landscaper for basic lawn care. But merely watering and mowing the lawn is not going to make a great yard. Kansas City landscapers implement a spectrum of services that we will cover briefly.

You must acknowledge that grass is a creature that has to drink and eat and breathe. Correctly treating each section of the lawn, both above ground and below, will give the lawn what it truly needs. After some time you will become alert to signs of stress or disease. And you will know how to treat the threat.

Kansas City Landscapers know the first 2" of ground are essential to prepare if the grass isn't already established. Figure out what you need to add to your soil for a loam-type texture with plenty of organic matter. Professionals know the important of soil that is conditioned for ideal water retention and oxygen exposure.

The health of your lawn will also rely on the pH level of the soil. Kansas City landscapers employ uncomplicated pH testing tools that are offered at most garden-supply shops. Then balance the acidity with organic elements that will also provide nutrition- acidifying nitrogen, garden compost, plant foods, and lime are the most common. A level of around 6.7 (slightly acidic) is good. For help on what to use and how to use it, talk to a Kansas City landscaping dealer.

Erosion and standing water tend to be a problem for many yards in the Kansas City area. There is no other remedy than preemptive management. Grass in standing water will be stressed and prone to fungus. Erosion will remove pivotal protection from roots and wash away nutrients. Innovative landscape designs should be a last result in fixing these issues. First, re-grade the areas that are low, steep, or channeling water improperly..

Check with your local supply store for grass varieties and whether they are offered in seed form or sod form. Generally, sod is much quicker and easier to install and it will not be as vulnerable to stress or erosion as seed will be. But seed is more versatile and inexpensive.

Heavy shade and constant dampness together, or maybe full sun and heavy traffic, are scenarios that mean you should plant a variety of grasses that will grow together. Mottling of color and texture is the only complaint some people have with a yard containing several grass species. The alternative to this is simply re-landscaping the yard to remove the varied conditions. A Kansas City landscaping contractor can give you advice if you need to choose varieties or remove the varied conditions in your yard.

Correct watering is more important than many people realize. Kansas City landscapers know it is an art that should be given attention. Thatch or fungus will be a clear result of over-watering. If the soil is correctly conditioned-draining properly but retaining moisture- 2 inches of water once a week is usually sufficient.

You will inevitably have to handle excessive thatch. Fungus and pests not only breed in it but the grass shoots are going to be choked and stressed. But thatch that is kept in check, or that decomposes quickly enough, is actually positive.

Some varieties of grass, such as Zoysia, must have a frequent thatch-treatments. Kansas City landscapers would often simply burn the dead grass in the winter but this is no longer lawful so they power-rake it into piles instead. Be careful not to harm the actual grass as you rake the dead thatch out from the yard. If properly dried, thatch can provide great composting material.

Each and every year water fall (rain and snow) will compact the soil around your grass roots. What this means is the grass roots will not be able to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide correctly; a primary barrier in raising a healthy lawn.

To deal with the compacted soil Kansas City landscapers aerate the lawn. This process cuts uniform holes all through the yard and breaks the surface of the soil. This will not only break the compacted crust of the ground but also provide extra surface-area for the exchange of needed elements.

Kansas City landscapers know that late Winter is the time to apply a pre-emergent. Pre-emergents are just what the name implies- a chemical that stops the weeds before they emerge. That means the weeds don't even take root. This is much more effective than attacking the weeds after they have been established.

You have to feed the grass just like you have to feed any living thing. You will inevitably lose nitrogen and other elements throughout the year because of rain, sunshine, wind, etc. These nutrients must be replaced if your grass is going to be properly nourished, and therefore be healthy. Experienced Kansas City landscapers will perform feeding the yard twice ever year at least. Manure and other organic materials are good alternatives to common chemical fertilizers.

Remember, fertilizing should be done when the grass isn't going to seed or too long so that the nutrients reach the soil, otherwise the pellets of fertilizer will not be spread properly. Also, be careful not to cut the grass too short. That will add stress to the grass as it tries to grow back and potentially burn the cut leaves, sucking water from them. The grass can be harmed any time you cut the yard too short. This is why many landscapers in Kansas City use higher settings on their mowing equipment.

Kansas City landscapers always apply a fungicide at least once per year so that fungus is stopped before it infects a yard. A yard that has areas of shade or flooding will be more vulnerable than most. Kansas City landscaping is principally more prone to this in Spring and Summer while it rains and the water does not dry completely.

In lawn care, just as is said in sports, the best defense is a good offense. A vibrant lawn is the best shield against drought and stress, just like a healthy immune system will take on disease better if it is kept healthy. It should go without saying that a neglected yard is easily taken out when stress comes but a cultivate yard will stay strong and healthy.

The good Kansas City landscaper knows that being diligent and proactive is hard work but it is necessary if your lawn is going to be healthy and happy. There are few rewards more satisfying then cultivating a lush lawn. What are you waiting around for? Get started!




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