Many homeowners have questions about Lawn care package and programs. We are ready to help you understand what is included in a comprehensive service program.
Professional fertilization treatments at the correct times throughout the year will give your lawn the nutrients it needs to thrive. Weed control is also vital to a healthy, thick lawn that crowds out pesky intruders.
Aeration
Just like a person gets sick when they don’t get the right nutrients, lawns can become diseased and stunted when too much sediment, soil layering or thatch is suffocating them. Aerating relieves this by mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil to improve natural soil aeration. Also known as core aeration, dethatching or soil cultivation (coring, spiking or slicing), this process is one of the most important for a healthy lawn.
The frequency with which your lawn should be aerated depends on the type of grass and soil you have. Generally, cool-season grasses require aeration every two to three years, while warm-season grasses can be aerated more frequently. Aerating relieves compacted soil so that water, fertilizers and wetting agents can flow freely to the roots.
When done properly, aeration will give your lawn that fresh, healthy look that you are hoping for. Aeration can help your lawn become more resistant to weeds, too.
Some companies offer aeration as part of a package along with other services like mowing and fertilizing. This can be a great way to save money on individual services and ensure that all aspects of your lawn are getting the care they need. Just make sure you know what each service offers and weigh those against your budget and goals when choosing a lawn care package.
Fertilization
Lawn fertilization provides nutrients to grass to help it grow healthy and strong. It also helps reduce the occurrence of unwanted weeds and helps prevent the spread of diseases and insects. Fertilization is an essential part of any lawn treatment program.
The type of fertilizer you choose will depend on your lawn’s needs, as determined by a soil test. There are different types of fertilizers, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. For instance, quick-release fertilizers are made of synthetic ingredients that provide nitrogen to the grass immediately after application and can improve the appearance of your yard quickly. However, these fertilizers can also leach out excess nitrogen into the surrounding environment or cause burns on your lawn if overused.
Granular fertilizers, on the other hand, are slow-release and can be applied directly to the grass or to the soil. These fertilizers may be organic or synthetic and come in the form of small pellets. Synthetic granular fertilizers typically cost more than organic products.
You can do DIY lawn fertilization by purchasing a soil test kit and a bag of liquid or granular fertilizer. But this can be a costly investment and requires specialized equipment that’s difficult for many homeowners to manage. A better option is to invest in a full-service lawn care program. These packages include a soil test, seasonal fertilizer deliveries and expert support.
Weed Control
Weeds compete with your grass for water, nutrients and sunlight, preventing it from growing properly. A weed-free lawn has more energy available to nourish your grass, so it can resist diseases, drought and insect damage better. When weeds take over, your yard becomes a battleground that is difficult to win without the right tools and strategies.
Using the right herbicide is key for successful weed control. Different weeds require different types of herbicide. Selective herbicides kill only broadleaf weeds (like dandelions and clover) while allowing grass to thrive. Non-selective herbicides (like Roundup) will kill all plants they come in contact with, including your grass. Non-selective herbicides are more affordable, but they can have a negative impact on the environment and human health if used incorrectly.
A pre-emergent weed control treatment prevents young weed seedlings from sprouting up, making it harder for them to grow and spread. It can also help kill existing weeds that are already in the ground, such as crabgrass or nutsedge.
Our Gold Package includes a pre-emergent weed control treatment, as well as a liquid aeration. This service breaks up thatch and creates microscopic pores in the soil lowering compaction and allowing nutrients, water and sunlight to reach the roots of your lawn. It also includes a humate application which helps break up hard soils like clay for the most effective nutrient absorption.
Mulching
Mulching is the application of organic material to cover the soil surface in your garden and landscape beds. It helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds and enriches the soil as it breaks down over time. It adds a beautiful texture to your yard and is an important part of the Lawn care package.
There are many kinds of mulch. Some are made from a synthetic material like stone, gravel or rubber chips. Other mulches are made of hay, straw, leaves, compost and shredded wood/bark chips. Organic mulches break down and swell to provide a rich source of nutrients for the soil. This is great for a garden because the microbes in your soil that hunt down decaying materials will carry them down into the soil to provide essential nourishment.
A well-applied layer of mulch will also help protect plants from damage by lawnmowers and other equipment that may scrape against them. It will also keep the soil cooler in summer, which helps plants thrive.
Before applying mulch, your lawn technician will make sure the ground is free of weeds and debris. Then they will spread a layer about 5cm thick of your chosen mulch. This will be enough to inhibit weed growth, but not so thick that it smothers the plant or block its roots from receiving sunlight.