DON’T LET YOUR TURF BE A PAIN IN THE GRASS

In honor of National Lawn Care Month, ArtisTree shares these tips from the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Read them and reap.

Myth #1: You can water your lawn and landscape any time of day.
Reality: Water is a valuable resource; make every drop count! Watering your lawn in the early mornings or evenings after sunset minimizes evaporation. It’s the best time for water to penetrate deep into the soil.

Myth #2: It’s OK to cut your grass very short.
Reality: Most landscape professionals advise against cutting more than one-third of the grass leaf at a time. Mowing Bahia grass at a finished cut height of 3 to 3.5 inches and St. Augustine grass at 3.5-4.0 inches throughout the summer is generally recommended. Your lawn will need less water, be more resistant to weeds and have a deeper, greener color. Use a sharp mower blade to prevent tearing grass blades. A crisp and clean cut will help prevent a “brown tip” appearance.

Myth #3: It’s best to water your lawn every day.
Reality: Watering your lawn twice per week is better than daily watering. Deep, rather than shallow watering of your lawn, is recommended to nurture the roots. An inch of water to 12 inches of soil is the preferred ratio for watering actively growing grass.

Myth #4: Early spring is the best time to fertilize the lawn.
Reality: Since different species of grass prefer nutrients at different times of the year, be sure to use the correct fertilizer at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place. A slow-release fertilizer allows for more even and consistent feeding over a longer period of time than a quick-release fertilizer. And, remember to use fertilizers responsibly by cleaning up any that lands on streets, sidewalks or driveways where they can be washed into lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Myth #5: A garden hose is more cost efficient than installing an irrigation system.
Reality: Many landscape professionals recommend installing an irrigation system with smart controllers which have sensors that water when needed. Smart irrigation can offer a cost savings of 15–20 percent on water bills. Converting irrigation spray nozzles from sprinklers to rotating nozzles will spread heavy droplets of water at a slower pace, which makes them more targeted and effective.

For more helpful tips on taking care of your lawn and landscape, or to get advice on how to hire a landscape professional, visit www.loveyourlandscape.com.

 

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