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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. |
When I talk to home and business owners about lawn care in the Springfield and Nixa areas, one of the top questions that people ask me is how they can improve their landscape. While this can be a complex question to answer, I almost always suggest mulch as part of my recommendation. By far, one of the most under utilized ways to spruce up your landscape and lawn area is by adding a fresh layer of mulch on a regular basis. While many people consider mulch applications to be spring activities, there are benefits of adding it in the late summer or early fall as well. Why Mulch? Here are my top five reasons why mulch is important to your landscape. 1. Mulch Adds Beauty Beautiful landscapes are about color and contrast, and mulch gives you both of these. Whether you are highlighting the bright green of your lawn or the radiant colors of a flowering bush, mulch makes your plants and grass stand out. From dark black and deep tones of red to rich browns and lighter cedar mulches, there are many colorful options that will complement your home and existing Springfield landscape wonderfully. 2. Mulch Retains Moisture Watering your landscape is a big job, and it becomes even more demanding when the heat of summer is in full force. One way to combat water loss, though, is by applying a thick layer of mulch to your beds, flower pots, and around your trees. Mulch adds a moisture absorbing layer above the soil, and also gives shade to the roots of shallow plants so that moisture does not evaporate as quickly. 3. Mulch Minimizes Weeds A third advantage to having a fresh and sufficient layer mulch in your landscape is weed control. While some weeds will likely still find a way to grow, the mulch will smother and block out a large amount of small weed saplings that end up in your beds. Simply put, the mulch creates a thick boundary between soil and sun, discouraging weeds from taking root and thriving. 4. Mulch Regulates Temperatures Mulch is a natural insulator, helping to maintain a more equal temperature for the soil and the plants that are living there. In the spring and fall, this means that the ground will be more likely to retain the heat that it collected from the sun during the day, extending your growing and flowering season. During the winter months, having a thick layer of mulch can aid in keeping the roots of perennial plants or bulbs from damaging freezes during very low temperatures as well. 5. Mulch Reduces Erosion Finally, mulch is helpful for keeping the soil in your landscape in place. Because it is heavier than soil and lies on top, a thick layer of mulch will help protect the ground from erosion during windy weather, times of rainfall, and even foot traffic. For more information on having Dale’s Lawn Service apply mulch in the Springfield area, or to request a free lawn care quote for your property, visit us here. We proudly provide a variety of lawn care services in Ozark, Republic, Nixa, and Springfield. The summer heat that has settled in the Ozarks seems to be leaving many Springfield and Nixa lawns in need of some TLC. For many people, keeping your lawn looking lush and green all summer long is a challenge, mostly because they are not sure how to handle the hottest months. Here is a quick tutorial that will assist you in keeping your yard BBQ ready…even during the hottest days and nights of the year!
Step 1: Mow A Little Higher One of the biggest mistakes that many homeowners make, when mowing their lawns, is not adjusting the height of the mowing deck as the days turn warmer. In early spring, mowing at a height of 3 inches is usually about right. You will, however, need to mow higher during the hottest months. Mowing higher, preferably at 3.5 inches, helps to shade the roots and ground below the grass, keeping it cooler. If cut too low, the hot sun will dry out the grass more quickly, causing it to turn brown and even die in spots. Already have dead spots? Here is an article to give you instruction on getting those repaired. Step 2: Water Deep, Water Late Watering your lawn during the summer months is probably a no-brainer for most people, but many people who water do it incorrectly, leaving their grass lacking despite their hard work. When watering during the hottest months, it is important to water for longer periods of time, allowing the moisture to soak deeply into the ground. As a rule, try to water to a depth of about 1 inch, every 3 days. This is better for your lawn than shallow watering daily. When to water is also important to consider. Watering during the hottest part of the day, when the sun is beating down on the lawn can actually do much more harm to the grass than good. The water also evaporates quickly, limiting the amount that penetrates the ground and gets to the roots. For best results, plan to water in the late evening or early dusk hours when the weather is cool and the sun is low. Step 3: Avoid Chemical Fertilizers While many lawn care companies will push their fertilization services all season long, fertilizing during the hottest months can actually cause the roots of your lawn to grow in a shallower pattern. This, in turn, makes the grass more susceptible to death by heat. Why? Because chemical fertilizers lay at the top of the soil and roots tend to stay where the food is instead of growing deep where they are safer from the sun’s rays and have more access to water. Are you in need of some professional Nixa lawn care? Dale’s Lawn Service Nixa offers lawn mowing, and a variety of other lawn care services to homes in the Nixa, Ozark, Republic, and Springfield areas. Give us a call at 417-414-8355 or visit our Contact Page to schedule a free estimate! We would love the opportunity to earn your business. Images provided courtesy of Toa55 at freedigitalphotos.net |
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If you are looking for a lawn care or lawn mowing company in the Nixa or Springfield, MO area, we would love to have the opportunity to earn your business.
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