Successfully Look After Your Lawn Year-Round- Assistance From Kansas City Landscapers

| Monday, April 1, 2013
By Ken Davis


You won't have to pay an expert for a professional quality lawn servicing. On the other hand a professional servicing takes a lot more than a weekly cut and water. Kansas City landscapers utilize a variety of proactive methods that this post will briefly go over.

It is fundamental to acknowledge that your grass will need a lot more than mowing before it will grow to its fullest and thickest capacity. Allowing the lawn to grow uncultivated inevitably means it will be unsightly and prone to disease. Being aware of the needs of your grass is not enough though. It remains for you to answer them.

Before any other issue is addressed, Kansas City landscapers advise treating the upper two inches of earth. Correct preparation will use sand or organic materials like manure to result in a composition that is rich in organic matter and somewhat "sticky", retaining moisture but also draining adequately. Your goal should be proper water and gas exchange, while retaining some moisture. Experts recognize that roots need to "breathe" a bit of oxygen, yet stay moist.

Your soil's pH level will also be an important issue. A Kansas City landscaping store should stock a simple test-kit. Once you know which level you are at, use lime or ash to alkalize (raise) and compost or manure to acidify (lower) the pH. A pH level of between 6.5 and 7.0 is ideal. Kansas City landscaping vendors will have the tools and materials you need. Application methods depend on the material you are using, so ask about what you should do

Kansas City's heavy rainstorms and ice-storms pull the protective layer of soil away, which can eventually harm grass roots. Proactive management will save you a headache later on and prevent damage to your house and property. Grass in standing water will be stressed and prone to fungus. Grass that is not well-rooted will be killed by fast-moving water and the essential top layer of soil will be removed. Use extra soil to re-grade steep or bowl-shaped areas. Use creative landscaping to deal with particularly troublesome areas.

Now you should choose the grass variety (refer to a supply store for a list) and choose between laying sod or planting seed. Seed is much cheaper but is more difficult and labor-intensive while it establishes itself.

Strategically using a variety of grasses together will show you which one develops properly in your particular situation. 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. The only disadvantage of varied grass varieties is that the color and texture of the yard may not be uniform. If this is an issue, more drastic landscaping may be necessary to remove the varied conditions. Each yard is unique and consulting a local Kansas City landscaping supplier or shop may be required.

It is very important that you understand proper watering methods. Too often unawareness and assumption lead to an over-stressed yard. Kansas City landscapers view watering as an art that must be customized to each yard. Warning signs of over-watering include- Fungus, Thatch (dead layers of grass throughout the yard), yellowing patches, burned grass (in the Summer heat), and an abundance of weeds. Two inches of water once a week should work for most lawns.

You will inevitably need to deal with excessive thatch. The yard can switch into a different mode of growth that leaves bare areas of soil that are covered with debris. Ideally it should be present but not easily seen underneath the thick leaves of the lawn.

Many types of grass might call for a regular thatch-treatments. A hand rake or power-rake are the two options when de-thatching. This will draw the dead vegetation to the surface and collect it for removal. As long as there is no disease or pest infestation, this dead grass is an ideal material for compost.

The weather all year round can inevitably compress the dirt in your yard. This has to be treated if your lawn is going to reach its fullest potential.

Aeration is the remedy Kansas City landscapers apply to this issue. Run an aerator over your yard twice- each time at right angles to the other. Ideally this will provide access to roots and sufficient surface-area for effective gas-exchange.

Kansas City landscapers commonly use a pre-emergent in early spring. Once the weather gets consistently above freezing weeds begin to emerge. Before the weed germinates, the pre-emergent will stop the seed from activating and sprouting. What this means is the weeds don't even take root. Thus, time and effort will be saved, both for you and your grass.

Like any other living thing your lawn needs nourishment to grow. Essential nutrition is leeched from the soil over the years through various processes. The grass must have these elements readily available or the stress and threat of disease may kill the grass. Kansas City landscapers recommend at least two feedings per year. And if it does not get too hot, where the grass is too stressed to feed, a Summer feeding is ideal. Chemical fertilizers are one option or, the more effective method, compost and manure.

The grass should not be too long when it is fertilized or the fertilizer will not be spread correctly. On the other hand, be careful not to cut the grass too short. The tender new leaves and cuts in the leaves can be harmed by the chemical nutrient, resulting in burns and yellowing. It's beneficial to point out that landscapers in Kansas City use higher settings on their mowers than most home-owners to avoid the problems the yard will endure when it has been cut too short.

Fungicide is applied at least once a year by Kansas City landscapers for stopping fungus before it can even start. A yard that has areas of shade or flooding will be more vulnerable than most. Kansas City landscaping is principally at risk of fungus pores in warmer months when watered plants may stay wet for a long time.

The best defense is a good offense when it comes to lawn care. Keeping the yard healthy will provide it with the best chance of fighting off disease and pests, just as your body fights off stress and disease if it is healthy. Everyone knows an unhealthy yard dies easily but a strong yard will last through drought and disease much better.

You cannot neglect any of these issues if your are going to have a professional-quality yard. Enjoying the process and learning as you go will guarantee an enjoyable and valuable experience. So what are you hesitating for? Get going!




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