Irregular maintenance damages grass and creates a welcoming environment for weeds. Without proper fertilization, watering and mowing, grass is easily stressed, damaged by pests and diseases and limited in its ability to photosynthesize.

A lawn treatment schedule should be developed to address your region’s climate and specific needs. This will help ensure that each treatment is properly applied. Contact Jupiter Lawn Care for professional help.

A lush, beautiful lawn requires more than just professional lawn treatments and regular mowing. The most important factor for a healthy, green lawn is water. Grass is more than 90% water, and without enough of this life-giving substance a grass plant will struggle to thrive.

In the summer, proper watering is particularly crucial for supplementing rainfall, washing in certain fertilizers and pesticides, keeping the soil moist for seed germination, and cooling the turf on hot days. Watering should be done infrequently, deeply and at the recommended times to minimize fungal disease problems, as well as avoid overwatering that can lead to a build-up of salts within the root zone.

The frequency and duration of watering will vary by soil type, weather conditions and grass species. It is best to water in short cycles (for example, 10 minutes on, then 10 minutes off) so that the soil can better absorb the water. It is also important to monitor the soil moisture, as the soil can often tell you if it needs more or less water by its color and texture.

Avoid watering in the evening, as this promotes the development of turf diseases such as fungus. The morning is a much better time to water, as it allows the turf to dry before the heat of the day sets in. Watering in the morning also reduces evaporative loss of water, as it is not lost to the sun.

The amount of water needed to properly irrigate a lawn will vary depending on the weather, but for reference a good rule of thumb is that one inch of water should thoroughly wet the soil to a depth of four to six inches. A good way to test the soil moisture is by placing several empty cans (tuna cans work great) in the yard, and then checking how wet they are after a few hours.

Proper irrigation will allow the lawn to grow deeper roots and be more resilient to stress injury than a shallow-rooted, drought-stricken lawn. It will also help to keep the thatch layer at a manageable level, allowing the grass to breathe and expand its surface area. For this reason, we recommend core aeration in the early fall, followed by over-seeding with the appropriate warm-season grass for your property.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing your lawn is crucial to the health of your grass. It supplies the nutrients required for healthy, lush growth, and helps prevent nutrient deficiencies. In addition, well-fertilized lawns are more resistant to stress caused by adverse weather conditions and can withstand disease pressure better than unhealthy or underfed lawns.

Every yard is different and has its own unique requirements, which must be taken into account when selecting the right fertilizer. Nitrogen is a fundamental nutrient for all grasses, but the ratio needed varies according to the type of lawn. Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass require more nitrogen than warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. The soil type also plays a role in how much nitrogen is needed. Clay soils have a tendency to hold nutrients, which may limit the need for fertilizer as frequently as sandy soils.

A soil test is recommended to determine the nutrient requirements of your grass and soil. Once you have this information, it is easy to select a fertilizer that provides the specific needs of your lawn.

There are several types of fertilizer available, including synthetic and organic options. Synthetic fertilizers provide fast-release nutrients and are available in granular or liquid form. Organic options release their nutrients slowly and improve soil health. It is important to follow the instructions on the fertilizer label or consult a professional to ensure the proper application rate for your lawn. Too much or too little can be damaging.

It is also important to clean up any fertilizer that may have spilled or blown onto driveways, sidewalks and streets. This will help prevent nutrient runoff, which can cause environmental problems such as water pollution and soil erosion.

A well-fertilized lawn encourages a beneficial ecosystem of micro-organisms, earthworms and garden-dwelling insects that can reduce pest populations. In addition, a well-fertilized lawn can help improve water quality by reducing the amount of nutrients that wash into storm sewers or bodies of water during intense rainfall. Ultimately, a well-fertilized landscape is one of the best ways to protect and enhance the value of your home.

Weed Control

Weeds steal nutrients and water from grass, making it hard for your lawn to thrive. They also compete with grass for sunlight, space and oxygen. Weeds can be annual (like crabgrass and chickweed) or perennial (like dandelion and thistle). It’s important to remove them as soon as they appear, because if you leave even one root in the ground, it will grow back. Hand-pulling is often effective for annual weeds with shallow roots, like crabgrass and chickweed, and for some perennial weeds with narrow, deep roots, such as thistle or dandelion. However, most perennial weeds have extensive root systems that are difficult to pull out of the ground and can come back year after year.

For these, and for persistent broadleaf weeds such as dandelions and clover, you need a more aggressive approach. Most of the time, a pre-emergent herbicide will work. This works by blocking the growth of weed seeds before they germinate. Some pre-emergent herbicides will also kill existing weeds. However, it’s important to use the right product for your specific lawn. If you use an herbicide that isn’t labeled for your specific lawn, it could kill desirable plants as well as the weeds.

Many of our customers opt for an organic weed control treatment. This works in a similar way to the synthetic chemical herbicides, but is made from plants, animals or minerals that occur naturally in the environment and decompose quickly. The main benefit of using an organic weed control is that it is safe for children, pets and the environment.

Weeds are inevitable, but a good lawn care program can help you keep them under control and minimize their impact on your landscape. Proper watering, fertilization and mowing practices will promote healthy turfgrass that is less likely to produce weeds. We offer a variety of programs to get your lawn in the best shape possible so you can be proud of your lawn’s appearance. Contact us today to learn more about our lawn care services.

Inspecting

A healthy lawn enhances your property’s value and promotes a healthier outdoor environment. Often, though, problems can develop that affect the health and appearance of your landscape and home. Regular lawn inspections can help ensure that your Tampa or Sarasota yard continues to thrive.

As part of a routine lawn inspection, an experienced professional can examine your lawn for any signs of disease. Early detection can help prevent the spread of the disease and minimize lasting damage to your landscape. Depending on the nature of the disease, treatment may involve applying fungicides or changes to irrigation practices or mowing techniques.

Inspecting your landscape can also help you identify nutrient deficiencies, watering issues, and pest infestations. For example, chewed leaf blades or dead patches can indicate a pest problem such as caterpillars, grubs, or chinch bugs. An experienced Plant It Earth professional can offer the right insect control solutions for your needs.

Examining the soil is another essential aspect of a thorough lawn inspection. A soil test can reveal any imbalances or nutrient deficiencies that may need to be addressed through targeted fertilization strategies. A soil inspection can also indicate if your lawn’s soil is compacted and requires aeration to allow water, nutrients, and oxygen to penetrate more deeply into the ground.

A routine inspection of your irrigation system can identify leaks and clogs that could lead to under- or overwatering. Inspecting sprinkler heads, pipes, and valves can also help you reduce your water bill by ensuring that only the necessary areas are getting irrigated. Moreover, an inspector can assess your watering habits and recommend any adjustments to help you achieve optimal hydration.