| Lawn Tips |
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Let's Work
Together
Proper lawn care requires our joint efforts. Our sound agronomic program,
combined with your regular mowing and watering, can produce a lush, healthy green lawn.
Below are tips designed for your lawn. Please read the information. We want your lawn to
be a source of pride for both of us.
Mowing
Improper mowing causes more problems on lawns than any other maintenance
practice. Many lawns are mowed too short, not enough, and/or with a dull mower blade. |
| · How often should I mow? Remember
that the grass blades are the food producers for the plant. Removing too much leaf in a
cutting can shock, yellow and kill some of the leaves. Therefore, never remove more than
one-third of the leaf surface in a cutting. Cutting frequency will vary from twice a week,
in optimum growth periods, to weekly as it slows down. |
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| · Is my mower blade dull? A
dull rotary mower blade will tear the grass blades. It will shred the ends, giving the
lawn a whitish appearance and cause excessive moisture loss. To avoid this ragged look,
sharpen your mower blade at least three to six times a season. |
| · What is a good mowing
height? Most lawns in our area consist of kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye and
fescue mixtures. Keeping these grasses cut at 3 inches, ensures a greener, healthier lawn
during summer heat. |
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| · Should I bag
clippings? Don't bag. During the year, bagging the clippings on a fertile lawn
removes about 2 pounds of nitrogen and other nutrients for every one thousand square feet
of lawn. Bagging also nearly doubles the mowing time. It is better not to bag but mow more
frequently. |
| · Won't clippings cause
thatch build-up? No. Grass clippings are mostly water and break down rapidly in
the soil. |
| · What is thatch? Thatch
consists of dead rhizomes and roots. If not excessive, thatch will decompose and add to
the soil organic matter. When it exceeds 1/2 inch, thatch inhibits water and oxygen
movement and causes shallow rooting. |
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| · Should I power rake? Power
raking with a dethatching machine will remove some of this dead material, but may in the
process destroy much of the desirable lawn. |
| · Can core aeration control thatch?
Yes, core aeration is excellent for thatch or compacted soils. Aerification removes cores
of soil ¾ inch in diameter, loosens the soil, increases soil oxygen and root depth. Thus
facilitates more rapid thatch decomposition. |
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