A determined home-owner with enough time to work doesn't need to pay a professional landscaper for basic lawn care. And yet a quick mowing and trimming is not enough for an immaculate yard. Kansas City landscapers use a variety of proactive services that this post will briefly go over.
A lawn is a living organism that needs more than basic weekly mowing and watering if it is going to thrive. Careful cultivation with knowledge and diligence will produce a flourishing and luxurious lawn. Yet acknowledging the wants of this creature called "grass" isn't going to answer them. You must apply that understanding strategically and diligently.
Kansas City Landscapers understand that the first 2-3 inches of earth should be conditioned if the lawn is going to reach its full potential. Learn what your soil needs and aim for a texture that holds moisture and holds together because of organic compost. Kansas City landscapers aim for soil with a makeup that provides excellent oxygen and water retention.
The health of your lawn will also rely on the pH level of the soil. Kansas City landscapers use basic pH testing instruments that are offered at most landscaping shops. After determining the level you will need to condition the soil to raise or lower the pH. Lime and ash are know to raise the levels (make more alkaline), while organic compost, mulch, or nitrogen-rich material will lower (acidify) the level.. A slightly acidic pH (6.8) is the best for most grass varieties. The variety of materials and methods for adjusting soil pH levels make it necessary to speak to a Kansas City landscaping store.
Erosion and standing water can be big issues in the Kansas City area. If you are not proactive, one storm can do significant damage. Grass in standing water will be stressed and prone to fungus. Erosion will remove pivotal protection from roots and wash away nutrients. The solution is relatively simple- level off and re-grade areas that are low or prone to high drainage, and plant sod or erosion-resistant vegetation, or place mulch, rock, or erosion-controlling materials over extremely steep areas.
The next step after soil-preparation is planting the grass itself, either in small bare areas or for a whole new lawn. Sod and seed are the two choices that you will have to review and apply at your discretion. The less expensive option will always be seed, but it takes far more time and labor to bring it to maturity.
A great way to find out which varieties of grass will grow well in your yard is to spread several seed varieties and see which one thrives the best. This can be particularly helpful if more than one condition is present- like when one area of the yard is heavily shaded and another receives full sun. 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.
Proper care in how you water is crucial. Too often unawareness and assumption lead to an over-stressed yard. Observing to make sure the soil never dries out completely but is also not over-saturated for long times is the general rule of thumb among Kansas City landscapers. Thatch is a common result of regular over-watering. It is a layer of dead grass that becomes a breeding ground for insects and fungus. The soil conditioning plays the largest role in deciding how to water. If it drains too quickly without retaining water or does not drain well you will have to adjust. You shouldn't need to water more than once per week, except in extreme cases.
Thatch will need annual or semi-annual care. The grass itself can be choked or over-shaded by it. But thatch that is kept in check, or that decomposes quickly enough, is actually positive.
De-thatching is therefore a required part of regular lawn-care. De-thatching requires a power-rake for large areas, though a hard hand-rake with suffice in small areas or if a power-rake is not easily obtainable. The process is meant to rake the dead layer of grass up out of the living grass and remove it. Once removed, the thatch can be easily composted (when it is not contaminated with fungus or insects) or simply thrown away.
The weather throughout every season can inevitably compact the soil. Grass roots will then be impaired as they attempt to draw water and nutrients- a serious obstruction in raising a wholesome yard.
Kansas City landscapers take care of this difficulty by aerating. The aerator will produce an even series of holes a few inches deep. If performed correctly, this will alleviate the compression and permit the roots to do what they do best.
At the conclusion of Winter or start of Spring Kansas City landscapers apply a pre-emergent chemical that keeps weeds from germination. Once the weather gets consistently above freezing weeds begin to germinate. A pre-emergent needs to be applied just before the thaw to stop the weeds from germinating. The grass can then flourish and spread quickly to establish itself. Just be careful not to use the pre-emergent as you are seeding grass since it will do exactly the same thing to grass seed as it does to weed seed.
You have to feed the grass just like you have to feed any living thing. Nutrients are leeched out of the soil when you bag the grass while mowing. Several times a year these elements must be replaced or the grass will become malnourished and stressed. Early Spring and late Fall are when you want to feed the soil. There are organic and natural alternatives to common chemical fertilizers.
Don't ever fertilize when the grass is too high, or else the nutrient will not be uniformly spread. But, at the same time, if the yard is cut too short the nitrogen can pull water out of the tender leaves and burn the yard. It's beneficial to mention that landscapers in Kansas City use much higher settings on their mowers than most home-owners to avoid the problems grass experiences when it is cut too close to the ground.
Annually Kansas City landscapers use a fungicide to avoid the spread of disease. If your whole yard does not get full sun throughout the day it will be particularly vulnerable. Kansas City landscaping is primarily more prone to this in milder seasons when watered plants may stay wet for a long time.
In lawn care, just as is said in sports, the best defense is a good offense. Strategic care will always save you work and headaches later on. It should go without saying that a neglected yard is easily taken out when stress comes but a healthy yard will stay strong through tough times.
Every excellent Kansas City landscaper will tell you that it is not as easy as people may think but it is needed if your yard is going to reach its full potential. It may not be super simple but it will surely be worth the time. And few projects around your home will add as much value, both to you and the next owner. So have fun and all the best!
A lawn is a living organism that needs more than basic weekly mowing and watering if it is going to thrive. Careful cultivation with knowledge and diligence will produce a flourishing and luxurious lawn. Yet acknowledging the wants of this creature called "grass" isn't going to answer them. You must apply that understanding strategically and diligently.
Kansas City Landscapers understand that the first 2-3 inches of earth should be conditioned if the lawn is going to reach its full potential. Learn what your soil needs and aim for a texture that holds moisture and holds together because of organic compost. Kansas City landscapers aim for soil with a makeup that provides excellent oxygen and water retention.
The health of your lawn will also rely on the pH level of the soil. Kansas City landscapers use basic pH testing instruments that are offered at most landscaping shops. After determining the level you will need to condition the soil to raise or lower the pH. Lime and ash are know to raise the levels (make more alkaline), while organic compost, mulch, or nitrogen-rich material will lower (acidify) the level.. A slightly acidic pH (6.8) is the best for most grass varieties. The variety of materials and methods for adjusting soil pH levels make it necessary to speak to a Kansas City landscaping store.
Erosion and standing water can be big issues in the Kansas City area. If you are not proactive, one storm can do significant damage. Grass in standing water will be stressed and prone to fungus. Erosion will remove pivotal protection from roots and wash away nutrients. The solution is relatively simple- level off and re-grade areas that are low or prone to high drainage, and plant sod or erosion-resistant vegetation, or place mulch, rock, or erosion-controlling materials over extremely steep areas.
The next step after soil-preparation is planting the grass itself, either in small bare areas or for a whole new lawn. Sod and seed are the two choices that you will have to review and apply at your discretion. The less expensive option will always be seed, but it takes far more time and labor to bring it to maturity.
A great way to find out which varieties of grass will grow well in your yard is to spread several seed varieties and see which one thrives the best. This can be particularly helpful if more than one condition is present- like when one area of the yard is heavily shaded and another receives full sun. 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.
Proper care in how you water is crucial. Too often unawareness and assumption lead to an over-stressed yard. Observing to make sure the soil never dries out completely but is also not over-saturated for long times is the general rule of thumb among Kansas City landscapers. Thatch is a common result of regular over-watering. It is a layer of dead grass that becomes a breeding ground for insects and fungus. The soil conditioning plays the largest role in deciding how to water. If it drains too quickly without retaining water or does not drain well you will have to adjust. You shouldn't need to water more than once per week, except in extreme cases.
Thatch will need annual or semi-annual care. The grass itself can be choked or over-shaded by it. But thatch that is kept in check, or that decomposes quickly enough, is actually positive.
De-thatching is therefore a required part of regular lawn-care. De-thatching requires a power-rake for large areas, though a hard hand-rake with suffice in small areas or if a power-rake is not easily obtainable. The process is meant to rake the dead layer of grass up out of the living grass and remove it. Once removed, the thatch can be easily composted (when it is not contaminated with fungus or insects) or simply thrown away.
The weather throughout every season can inevitably compact the soil. Grass roots will then be impaired as they attempt to draw water and nutrients- a serious obstruction in raising a wholesome yard.
Kansas City landscapers take care of this difficulty by aerating. The aerator will produce an even series of holes a few inches deep. If performed correctly, this will alleviate the compression and permit the roots to do what they do best.
At the conclusion of Winter or start of Spring Kansas City landscapers apply a pre-emergent chemical that keeps weeds from germination. Once the weather gets consistently above freezing weeds begin to germinate. A pre-emergent needs to be applied just before the thaw to stop the weeds from germinating. The grass can then flourish and spread quickly to establish itself. Just be careful not to use the pre-emergent as you are seeding grass since it will do exactly the same thing to grass seed as it does to weed seed.
You have to feed the grass just like you have to feed any living thing. Nutrients are leeched out of the soil when you bag the grass while mowing. Several times a year these elements must be replaced or the grass will become malnourished and stressed. Early Spring and late Fall are when you want to feed the soil. There are organic and natural alternatives to common chemical fertilizers.
Don't ever fertilize when the grass is too high, or else the nutrient will not be uniformly spread. But, at the same time, if the yard is cut too short the nitrogen can pull water out of the tender leaves and burn the yard. It's beneficial to mention that landscapers in Kansas City use much higher settings on their mowers than most home-owners to avoid the problems grass experiences when it is cut too close to the ground.
Annually Kansas City landscapers use a fungicide to avoid the spread of disease. If your whole yard does not get full sun throughout the day it will be particularly vulnerable. Kansas City landscaping is primarily more prone to this in milder seasons when watered plants may stay wet for a long time.
In lawn care, just as is said in sports, the best defense is a good offense. Strategic care will always save you work and headaches later on. It should go without saying that a neglected yard is easily taken out when stress comes but a healthy yard will stay strong through tough times.
Every excellent Kansas City landscaper will tell you that it is not as easy as people may think but it is needed if your yard is going to reach its full potential. It may not be super simple but it will surely be worth the time. And few projects around your home will add as much value, both to you and the next owner. So have fun and all the best!
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