Indianapolis lawn care services
Want to know the fastest way to make your home look like a million dollars? Grow the perfect lawn, and you're on your way there. Since Hoosiers first starting growing their lawns, there has been a serious competition to see who and how to get the lawn that gets people talking.
We all know that there are plenty of things to brag about in the Indianapolis metro area. From the blazing speeds at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the Indianapolis Zoo's botanical gardens, Hoosiers are pretty serious about winning any competition. We know how to have a great time in Indianapolis.
Maybe you are dreaming of spending the day in your beautiful backyard, cheering on our incredible Indianapolis Colts to victory. Or you spend the morning getting a tasty breakfast at the Indianapolis City Market and then burning off the calories taking a long bike ride along our scenic Indianapolis Cultural Trail. One thing is for sure: we know all about having fun here in Hoosier country. But at the end of a long day, we know you'll want to kick back and enjoy a relaxing evening in your lush and luxurious backyard.
Tips to Grow the Perfect Lawn
So, if you're looking for success in growing the lawn that will have the whole neighborhood envious, you'll need to follow these steps. After all, the best way to win at any game is to execute the perfect game plan.
Pick the Right Seed Mix for Your Locale.
Since Indianapolis is in the middle of the state, it's right in the middle of zones 5 and 6. What's that mean for you? It's best to choose a seed mixture that is a combination of both cool-season and warm-season grass seeds. The first grass to sprout at the beginning of spring is the cooler-seasoned grasses.
They will thrive with the many springtime rainfalls and cooler temperatures that we get on spring nights. The good news is that the cooler-season seeds are quick to establish themselves and they proliferate, which produces a thick and dense lawn early in the season.
Good Choices for Grass Seeds
Two of the grasses that will flourish in the cooler weather of growing zones 5 and 6 are Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Many people prefer to use a combination of tall fescue and fine fescue to have some hardier grass and other grass that feels softer on your feet as you and your family run around the yard.
Of course, as the season progresses and the temperature climbs, the cool-season grasses go dormant. Then, your lawn keeps looking nice and green by relying on the warm-weather grass seeds. In the USDA growing zones of 5 and 6, ryegrass and fine fescue are seeds that do well in the Indianapolis weather.
Both fine fescue and ryegrass are sufficiently drought resistant to survive, and they can endure the higher temperatures. Of course, you will still need to establish a regular watering schedule, but these grasses will thrive and be sure to give you the bright emerald green lawn that you desire.
Overseed in the Fall and Spring
To achieve the densest and most luxurious lawn, you can use a technique called overseeding. If you choose to lay next season's mix in the fall, you'll want to use a generous amount of your seed mix. The ideal time for overseeding in the fall in late September to mid-October, as this gives the seeds time to establish a strong root system before the harsh winter.
Use Enough Water to Soak the Grass
Many homeowners choose to put a little more seed mix on again in the spring, as this ensures a nice, thick lawn will grow earlier in the season. Once you've seeded, be sure to use a significant amount of water and soak your seeds. You want to have enough water to soak the ground down a couple of inches in depth.
Apply Fertilizer
To get the best lawn results, you want to choose a high-quality nitrogen-based fertilizer. The top-shelf fertilizers will have the right amount of nitrogen but not too much. You want to check for pet and child safety when choosing your fertilizer. Put the fertilizer on your grass seed mix when you are first establishing the lawn to get optimal results.
Aerate Ground Before Seeding
For prime results, you want to aerate the ground before spreading the seed. Once you've laid your seeds, be sure not to interrupt their growth until they've had the opportunity to establish their roots.
Don't Cut Your Lawn Too Short
A lot of eager lawn enthusiasts make a common mistake: cutting the grass too early and too short. It's best to leave your grass alone until it has achieved a height of approximately 2 ½ to 3 inches before you cut the lawn for the first time. The higher length of grass allows the roots to get established and will give you a greener lawn. If you cut the grass too short, you may end up with a brown lawn due to the grass getting dried out.
No More Than One-third of Grass Height
We recommend that you hold off from cutting your grass more than one-third of its length during any given lawn mowing session. While it's tempting to cut the grass shorter to provide you with more time between cuttings, you will end up paying the price of having a brown lawn.
Weed Control and Water
Once your lawn has gotten established, the only things left to do are weed and water. The best time of day to water your lawn is in the morning because your lawn is less likely to have sitting water.
If you water in the morning, you won't end up with mildew or rotten grassroots. When you use weed control, be sure that it will attack the undesired plants like crabgrass while still being safe for other plants, pets, and children.
The Verdict Is In
If you follow the advice we've given, you're sure to have a luxurious lawn that will make your home more attractive. Judging by the tremendous amount of work to establish and maintain a good looking yard, you may want to hire a team of lawn care professionals.
Choose The Right Lawn Care Team for A Sure Win
The right lawn care professionals have the proper training and expertise to ensure the best results. You want to choose lawn care workers who are licensed, bonded and insured for your safety and peace of mind.
The most exceptional quality lawn professionals have the experience and expertise to give you a beautiful, thick and soft lawn that will thrive throughout the growing season and still look good in the fall. We can help you free up your time from working on your lawn, and allow you more time to enjoy it.
