Let’s face it – everyone likes the idea of a lush and green lawn. One that you can walk over with your bare feet in comfort, have your kids play in and enjoy with your pets. However, not all lawns in Michigan are like this. At Pest Badger, we know this just like we know how important proper summer lawn care is. And that is why today, we are revealing all the steps you need to take and prepare for a lush and healthy lawn all summer long.
1. Start with the soil.
The pH of your soil is the most important indicator for optimal control. There are soil pH testing kits designed for the home gardeners – as well as testing done by a professional lawn care company. Testing the soil will also help you purchase the right nutrients and help your lawn grow well.
2. Nix your weeds.
A lot of lawns are full of crabgrass, wild onions, dandelions and clovers. All of these are known as weeds – and need to be properly taken care of. Mowing over them, however, does not ensure that they are gone. Instead, proper weed control applications do.
3. Timing is everything.
If you don’t have many weeds in your lawn, spot treatment can definitely work. The best time to apply this treatment is early in the morning when there is a heavy dew on the lawn. If the grass is not wet, however, you will only waste your money. So, don’t even think about doing that in a hot and dry spell. Treating for weeds is best done during spring and late fall.
4. Use weed preventers.
A pre emergent weed preventer can also help you with
weed control. Even though it won’t do much for the weeds
that are already growing – it will stop the new ones from taking hold. Timing is again important in this step – make
sure to treat your lawn this way before the weed seeds have germinated (usually spring is the best time for it).
5. Get the right tools.
Aeration is next – known as a crucial process for giving your lawn all the water, nutrients and air that it needs
directly to its roots. Raking is a practice that can help you with aerating. You will need a good lawn mower that is
well maintained as well as string trimmers to get nice edges.
If you have sprinklers in your garden, you should invest in some sprinkler head covers. These can prevent damage on your sprinkler heads (when coming in contact with lawn mowers and weed eaters).
6. Fertilization
Next up on the list of summer lawn activities is
fertilization. Just like humans, lawns need nourishment to grow in a healthy way. The more your feed your lawn, the better it will grow. The best timing here is obviously during the
growing season, which means the month during spring and summer.
Now, the best way to make most of fertilization in Michigan is by hiring a professional lawn care company – or
someone who knows the process and how to apply it to specific lawn types.
7. Seeding an/or sodding
Seeding or laying sod is a constant dilemma for many homeowners. The answers depend on two things – how much money you have and how quickly you want the results.
If you want quick and expensive, laying sod is definitely for you. And if you are more patient and want to spend less money, seeding is right for you. With either method, you should make sure to research the best lawn type for your area.
8. Proper mowing
Mowing is definitely a no brainer, especially in the spring and summer months when the grass grows more. But then again, timing is everything.
Mowing your grass during the weekend (just because it is the most convenient option fro you) does not mean that every 7 days is right for your lawn. For example, during the active growing season your lawn may need mowing every 4-5 days. A rule of thumb is to mow just often enough to avoid cutting off more than a third of the height of your grass at any time.
Trust us, your lawn will thank you!
10. Proper watering
Last but not the least in our lawn care tips is watering. Timing again matters (and we know we are bothering you with this, but it’s true).
Early in the morning is the best time to water your lawn. The temperature is right, your lawn can get a good drink and be ready to face the sun throughout the day. It also won’t dry off or get diseases of any time. On top of it, daily light watering can encourage shallow roots and make your lawn more thirsty.
At all costs, watering in the morning is better than night time. And if you are wondering how often to water a lawn, we’d say once to twice a week (during the growing season) and long enough for the soil to get wet several inches deep.
11. Bare spots
Bare spots are another common challenge for lawns in Michigan nowadays. If you have them in your backyard, have some grass seed on hand to fill them in as they appear – and you will also help to keep the weeds at bay.
And if you are struggling with these bare spots for longer periods, maybe it’s time for you to hire a lawn care company in Michigan and get a professional fix that problem.
12. Year-round maintenance
The last (and probably most important) rule is that maintaining your lawn should be a year-round activity – and not only a summertime job. Keeping your lawn mower blades sharp and your lawn properly maintained is the only way to ensure a healthy, lush look all season long.
Lush, green and healthy lawns are after all the best location for gatherings, BBQ parties, birthdays and other summer activities. If you follow the above mentioned lawn care tips, you will be sure to maintain a lawn that is healthy and green all summer long.
And if you want to hire a professional lawn care company and simplify this process, all you need to do is
contact our team at Pest Badger today – and get your FREE estimate!
