Columbia Resident's Complete Guide To Proper Lawn Maintenance

What You Can Do To Maintain A Beautiful Lawn

The primary needs of a lawn are weed control, moisture, fertilizer, and proper mowing. In some cases, these are all that are needed. It depends on many factors. You may need more if lawn pests enter your yard, certain weeds take over, fungus attacks your turfgrass, or if you have lots of foot traffic. 

There is no simple list of tips we can provide to provide you with what you need for success. But there are basics every Columbia resident can apply.

• Cut your grass about two inches. If it is too long, you can invite a pest problem. If it is too low, the weeds in your yard will get the sun they need to grow strong and outcompete your turfgrass.
• Use sprinklers to apply water to areas of your lawn where your turfgrass is turning tan or brown. Your lawn needs water, but not too much water. If you overwater, it can invite a fungus problem.
• Trim tree canopy in areas where your lawn is struggling in the shade. Your grass needs sunlight because vegetation feeds on sunlight through a process called photosynthesis.
• Perform a soil test to check the pH balance of your soil, and use this information to select the right fertilizer. You need to select a fertilizer with the right nitrogen levels. Check the N-P-K ratio of the fertilizer to match it to the needs of your soil.

These are the basics. When you apply these basic steps, you'll give your lawn the foundation it needs for success, but as you know, there is a lot more to it.

What To Do About Weeds

A healthy lawn is naturally resistant to weeds. If you use the tips provided above, you may not have trouble with weeds in Columbia. But, when weeds move in, it is critical to deal with them fast. Examine the weeds and find out what weeds you have. Match them to pictures on the internet and find pre-emergents and post-emergents that will address your specific weeds. A pre-emergent deals with weeds before they appear. A post-emergent tackles the weeds that are already appearing. Be careful with post-emergents as some may damage your turfgrass as well. If you need to address weeds that are already appearing in your yard, we recommend removing them by hand. It is a lot of work, but it doesn't require any knowledge of weed control products and it won't harm your grass. When you remove weeds from your lawn, grip them near the base and pull evenly. If needed, use a tool to dig around the base of the weeds and wiggle them out. Doing so, can get even the most pernicious weeds, like dandelions, completely out of the soil, roots and all. Use the same technique for the weeds you find in your landscaping.

Weed control is about balance. As you work to target and arrest weed growth, you need to provide your turfgrass with what it needs. Healthy turf will outperform the weeds and keep them from getting the nutrients they need. Maintaining grass that is tall enough to block the sunlight is also essential.

What Is Lawn Aeration And Do You Need It?

Most lawns can benefit from aeration, but lawns that get lots of foot traffic need it most as aeration addresses the issue of compacted earth. Why is compacted earth bad? It prevents water and nutrients from getting to the roots of your turfgrass. An aeration machine removes plugs from the soil and provides a route for water and nutrients to get down into the soil below the roots. There is also a form of chemical aeration that uses microorganisms to break down the thatch layer of your lawn, which provides a pathway for water and nutrients. It is less expensive, but it takes longer to achieve results.

If you decide to get an aeration machine and address your own aeration, there are a few things you should consider. Here are some tips to help you get things done right.

1. Before you get started, mark out the locations of sprinklers and underground pipes. These can get damaged during the aeration process and may cost you a lot to repair.
2. Take time to learn how the machine operates before you use it on your lawn, particularly near walkways or your driveway. That machine can get away from you and damage your property.
3. Select an aeration machine that pulls plugs from the soil, not one that pokes holes in the soil. Machines that poke holes tend to compact the ground and reduce the impact of the aeration process.
4. Wear protective gear when you operate an aeration machine. They tend to throw up rocks. Guard your eyes with safety glasses, your legs with pads, your feet with work boots, and your hands with thick gloves.
5. Do your aeration in the early morning or at dusk. Pushing that machine around your yard will cause you to build up some heat, and with your protective gear on, it will be miserable to aerate in the hot sun.

If your lawn has a thick layer of thatch or your turf is compacted, aeration can bring your lawn back to life. It isn't easy work, and it requires skill, muscle, and determination. When aeration is needed, most people turn to a professional lawn care service provider for assistance. A professional does more than aerate your lawn. They bring knowledge and experience to the table, and are able to tell you all of the many things your lawn needs for health and beauty. Best of all, they can provide the lawn services in Columbia required to get your lawn vibrant again.