Montgomery County climate
Although the climate does vary slightly from one end of the county to the other, most places in Montgomery County exhibit the characteristics of a humid subtropical climate zone. It means that this area has mildly hot and very humid summers and moderately cold winters. The average annual rainfall is a bit higher than the U.S. average and doubles the average annual snowfall in the county.
It means that this region experiences quite a lot of precipitation, which is conducive to the growth of many turfgrasses such as Zoysia, Seashore paspalum, Bermudagrass, and Fescue. Still, there are some downsides to this sort of climate. Excess moisture promotes the growth and reproduction of weeds, fungi, and insects. These pests, if not kept under control, can lay waste to even the lushest of lawns.
The professionals at Lawn Love will help you decide on the best course of action for establishing or maintaining your lawn. They will help you with all aspects of lawn care, including lawn mowing, irrigation, aeration, cleaning, and hedge trimming so that your lawn can be as green as the Brookside Gardens, Wheaton Regional Park, and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Mowing like an Expert
When we talk about lawn care, mowing is the first thing that comes up. It is a fundamental part of any lawn maintenance plan and needs to be given due attention. Trimming the grass on an average-sized lawn takes around 30-40 minutes. To make the most of this time, consider trying out the following tips and tricks.
Mow when the Grass is Dry
Moist leaves are very slippery. When you try to mow wet grass, the leaves bend over or slide past the blades of the mower. This way, many of them remain uncut. You will have to move the mower on the same patch over and over to get an even trim. By doing this, you not only waste time but also risk the compaction of the soil in that patch.
Mow with Sharp Blades
You need to maintain your lawn care tools and machines in addition to taking care of the lawn itself. When it comes to a lawnmower, oiling it and sharpening its blades are very important. Blunt blades can damage the leaves instead of cutting them cleanly. This will adversely affect the overall health of your lawn because bruised leaves take much time to recover.
Mow in Different Directions
Mowing in the same direction or pattern each time you do it can cause the grass to grow slantingly instead of upright and thus forming unsightly ruts in the lawn. Such leaning grass also becomes difficult to cut evenly. Alternate the direction in which you mow every now and then so that you can have a neat and uniform lawn.
Mow at Most One-third of the Length
Although grasses differ in terms of how short they should be trimmed, the rule of thumb is to never mow more than one-third of the entire grass blade length in a single go. Most turfgrasses should be maintained at a length of about two inches while Zoysia can be cut as short as an inch.
Mow at Least Once a Week
Do not be lazy about mowing because you do not have to do it very often anyway: once a week is enough for most lawns. If the weather has been warm and wet recently, you might want to mow three times every two weeks.
Pest Control
In subtropical climate zones like Montgomery County, pests are a huge problem. The term pest means any organism that damages cultivated flora. However, in colloquial use, it refers only to harmful insects and other small animals e.g., cockroaches, silverfish, centipedes, and snails. Insect pests either live as herbivores that eat grass or produce wastes that are injurious to plants. After consuming all the above-ground parts of a plant, some pests might continue their attack and eat up the roots too. Others attack exclusively the root system. Some eco-friendly ways to deal with these uninvited visitors are listed below.
Grow Tougher Varieties
Some plants are naturally pest-resistant. Toxins against insects are either present in their leaves or secreted by their roots. Prefer such kinds of plants to ordinary ones.
Use Seaweed
Seaweed can be used as an organic fertilizer because it is rich in iron, magnesium, and sulfur. What's more is that it keeps away slugs, one of the most common pests.
Clean Regularly
Do not allow debris or waste to gather anywhere on your lawn. Many pests use them as shelters and mating sites. Rake your lawn every week and clean out the gutters frequently so that harmful insects cannot find a place to make their abode.
Use Water Sparingly
A moist environment can aid pests in reproducing. Wet leaves, moist soil, and puddled water are perfect breeding places for these invaders. So, to keep their population in check, keep your lawn as dry as you can without killing the grass. For this purpose, you should invest in a drip-irrigation system if you can afford one.
Laws in Montgomery County regarding Lawn Care
An important thing to keep in mind while maintaining a lawn in Montgomery County is that most synthetic pesticides are banned here. Many studies suggest that there is a direct link between artificial agrochemicals and many of the environmental problems we are facing today. To save the earth and its inhabitants from the adverse effects of these chemicals, the government decided to outlaw many of them. When you go to a store to buy fertilizers and pesticides, make sure that they have been approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) before making a purchase.
Our team can help you with all sorts of lawn-related work, including fertilization, aeration, gardening, and snow clearing. We will give you an instant quote, and, if you find it reasonable, a professional can visit you in as soon as two days. Also, though our rates may vary depending on the location and size of your lawn, we always keep them affordable so that more people can benefit from them. So what are you waiting for? Contact us today!
