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DALE NAPIER
As a lawn care service professional from Nixa, Missouri, it is my goal to answer some of the most commonly asked customer questions about lawn care. |
DALE NAPIER
As a lawn care service professional from Nixa, Missouri, it is my goal to answer some of the most commonly asked customer questions about lawn care. |
Fall is here, and we all know that means winter will be here before we know it. With that in mind, you may not be spending too much time thinking about your lawn, but fall is the best time to start preparing your lawn for spring! Right now, grass is working to absorb nutrients, moisture and energy to prepare for a dormant winter. But with a little love, you can have a wonderful and green lawn come spring! Here’s what you need to know. Aerate that soil! It is important to make sure your lawn gets a breather in autumn and winter. Your lawn is needing that oxygen, water and fertilizer in those grass roots. This process of aeration can provide room for seeds to sprout, and new grass to grow and spread, without competing with annoying weeds. If you have kids that like to play in your yard or have an otherwise high-traffic lawn, it is recommended to aerate twice per year: once in the fall and once in the spring. If not, once a year in the fall will suffice. Leaf Cleanup! It’s very important to keep fallen leaves off your lawn. As soon as they start to fall and begin to build up, we recommend doing it as soon as possible. If not, the leaves will become wet and form into a thick layer on top of your lawn, keeping out the sun and oxygen the grass needs. Whether you use a rake, or a lawnmower fitted with a collection bag, be sure to remove the leaves or else the grass under that soggy mess of leaves will be dead come spring. Fertilize! Pro tip; If you only fertilize your lawn once a year, fall is the time. Grass leaves grow much slower in cool weather, but the roots continue to grow quickly. With a fall fertilization, it gives the roots the necessary nutrients they need to form deep roots to keep some nutrients on reserve for spring! Give the plants a little attention! Cut back dead growth on perennials. Pruning your plants will allow for regrowth come springtime. If you have annuals, you can pull them up once they die when the weather chills, or simply wait until spring. Cover flowers and tree bases with mulch, compost, or dead leaves. For ideal protection from the winter weather, consider buying some nutrient-rich mulch to provide the best care against hard freezes that could kill your plants for good. The last mow of the season!
Just because the weather is getting chilly doesn’t mean you have to stop mowing! You should mow your lawn right up to the time it quits growing in the late fall. The grass should be cut to a level of two inches at last cutting. If it gets longer than 3 inches, it can mat. This can lead to lawn disease problems, such as snow mold. If it is shorter than 2 inches, its ability to store food for growth will be limited. A good sign it has quit growing is the absence of lawn clippings when you run the mower.
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Check out our new Vlog for aerating and over-seeding. We will be talking about the benefits of this process. Hope this video helps you out and if you have any questions please feel free to email us at [email protected]
The best way to a nice green, thick, and healthy lawn in the spring is the work that is put into the lawn in the fall. Fall is a great time of the year in the Ozarks. Nice cool weather, tree’s changing colors, and pumpkin pies. The fall can also be a busy time of the year for lawn maintenance, and not sticking to a schedule can result in an unhealthy lawn in the spring. Here is some tips for this fall so you don’t make any mistakes before the lawn goes dormant.
Remove the leaves: This is a job that most people don’t like, or have time to do. Leaving the leaves on the lawn can cause mold, fungus, block sunlight, and diseases that can wipe out a lawn in 1 to 2 years. There are two methods of removing the leaves. You can rake them up or mulch them using a mower, this method adds nutrients to the lawn. Aerating and Over seeding: Aerating the lawn opens up the lawn to breathe better and to allow the nutrients to get to the roots. Doing this will also help against grass and soil compaction. Some people wait till the spring to do this but doing that will leave an opportunity for weed seeds to germinate. Over seeding in the fall is the best time of the year due to the ground is warmer, cool nights and not so hot days. Over seeding will provide a thick lawn which will be harder for weeds to germinate and have great curb appeal. Fertilize: Using a fall fertilizer in the fall will give your lawn a jump start in the spring if applied at the right time. Best time to do this is Mid-September till Mid-October. Fertilizing in the fall will give your lawn the nutrients it needs to survive the winter months. It will help fall and winter color, and fall and spring root growth. Mowing: Grass will continue to grow till the first frost of the season. Cutting at the right height in the fall can avoid many problems through winter and spring. It is recommended to mow at a height of 2 ½ to 3 inches. Some people wants to skip the last few mows of the season thinking that they will take care of it in the spring. Taller grass in the winter can cause a fungi known as snow mold. Also be careful to not mow the lawn too short as this could cause damage to the roots. Damage to the roots this time of year can have a major effect for fighting against winter coldness and dryness. If you find yourself not having the time or ability to manage your fall lawn care a local lawn care company can help you. Many lawn care companies offer weekly services, and have the equipment to get these jobs done in a quickly manner. If you hire a local lawn care company this fall make sure they are licensed in the area you are located, have insurance, good reviews and check references. The most important part for lawn maintenance in the fall is to get everything done in a timely manner. Remember, a beautiful lawn doesn’t happen by itself. As a business owner or commercial property manager, you understand that making a great first impression for your customers is vitally important. As a company providing commercial lawn care services in Springfield, MO, we understand that getting your customer in the door often starts with great curb appeal. Here are some tips on how to keep your commercial landscape looking its best. 1. Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!
Many times, businesses underestimate the importance of staying on top of lawn care when it comes to their commercial property. However, the best way to keep your existing landscape looking its best is to maintain it. Make sure that any grass you have is neatly cut, trimmed and edged on a weekly basis; arrange to have all mulched areas or flowerbeds de-weeded each week; keep shrubs and trees trimmed away from walkways and parking areas; Finally, don't shy away from additional maintenance tasks a few times a year, such as fall leaf cleanups, fertilization and aeration services, power or pressure washing, and adding a fresh application of mulch! 2. Add Something New! Your business may be overlooked by many potential customers as time goes by, especially those that pass by regularly. Seeing the same site on a daily basis can cause people to "blend" your business into the surroundings. Remedy this by adding something new and eye-catching from time to time. Ideas that you may want to try include:
3. Keep It Safe! Another aspect to consider when it comes to commercial property, is the safety and security of your customers. Be sure to monitor your entire commercial area for anything that may be deemed hazardous or seem unsecured. Keep parking areas and walkways clear of debris, overgrown trees and shrubs, and snow and ice. Be sure that all areas are adequately lit and not perceived as dark or dangerous to those consumers who are shopping early in the morning or late in the evening. Finally, take time to seal potholes, repair sidewalk cracks and shifts, and any other area that might create a trip or fall hazard. 4. Schedule, Contract & Save! Many lawn and landscape companies offer discounted rates to commercial customers, if they schedule services early and sign a contract for the entire season or year. Additionally, Dale's Lawn Service in Nixa also offers a monthly contractual payment plan that allows commercial clients to pay one set amount each month for the entire year, to help business owners budget their landscape and lawn maintenance costs easily. For additional information on our company's commercial lawn care and landscape services in Springfield and Nixa, MO areas, contact us here. We offer free quotes, convenient billing options, and quality commercial mowing services in the greater Springfield area.
Repair Spots & Over Seed Whether the intense heat of the summer wreaked havoc on your lawn, or you just want to add a little thickness and new growth, the first week of September is a great time to repair spots where the grass has died and lay down some fresh seed. This will allow the new grass time to grow and establish before the cold of winter hits, and will also give you a jump start on having a beautiful lawn next spring. For help with patching dead spots, visit our article here. Whether you are repairing spots, or over seeding, be sure to water regularly and thoroughly for the first 1-2 weeks. Mulch Leaves With the changing of the seasons comes the falling of leaves. While some people prefer to rake and bag, an alternative option is to mulch your leaves into very small pieces and allow them to decompose over the winter months, adding nutrients to the soil. This process is simple to do, and more time and cost effective than traditional raking and bagging. It is also helpful to your lawn. Don’t have a mulch kit? Contact Dale’s Lawn Service for an estimate on leaf cleanup in Nixa and Springfield. Images Courtesy of nongpimmy and nipitphand via freedigitalphotos.net
When it comes to lawn care and maintenance in Springfield, most of the focus is during the spring and summer months. While it is true that grass doesn't need as much attention during the winter time, there are still important tasks that should be done to help your landscape get ready for the upcoming Missouri spring season. Here are three ways that you can maintain your lawn...even during the coldest months of the year! #1. Aerate & Fertilize! The very end of the fall season, and into the first weeks of winter is the perfect time to lay a nice, even layer of fertilizer on your yard, and aerate it well. Thatch, which results when a lawn is not properly aerated, is especially active in the winter and will stunt spring growth if not addressed. By taking time to aerate and fertilize your lawn before the first solid freeze, you will be preparing your grass for the best growth possible for springtime. #2. Clean up Debris! Have you ever left something laying in your yard all winter long, only to find that in spring, you have a patch of bare dirt underneath? While most grass will not be growing during the cold winter months, it does need adequate sunlight and air in order to survive. Take time in the winter to remove things like branches, toys, and debris from your yard to ensure that the grass underneath grows properly when the warm weather finally arrives. #3. Research & Plan! One key ingredient to having a beautiful lawn is being knowledgeable on how to build and maintain it. During the winter months, take time to educate yourself on the specifics of your lawn and landscape plants and the best ways to care for them. If you are considering the addition of new plants, research and understand how each selection will work with your current landscape. For information specific to the Springfield and Missouri climates and areas, here are a few links that might help you get started! MU Lawn & Garden Extension Missouri Dept of Agriculture Springfield Urban Agricultural Coalition For more information on lawn care services that our company offers in the Springfield, Missouri area, please visit our home page. Image "Winter Landscape" courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee at Free Digital Photos. |
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