Baltimore lawn care services
Baltimore is steeped in a rich history, with scores of historic buildings and monuments and a roster of famous native daughters and sons. These deep roots are paired with cutting edge knowledge and technology that stems from the city's innovators, scientists, and students. Paired with that knowledge and technology, lawn care is more impressive and advanced than ever before.
Best types of grass to grow in Baltimore
In order for grass to survive and grow in the Northeast, it needs to be rather tolerant of freezing cold winters as well as moderately warm summers. Cool-season grasses have adapted to grow in areas that experience fluctuations between cold winters and hot summers. These grasses grow best in temperatures between 60 - 75 degrees, which is why they grow most actively in the spring and early fall. They grow best when maintained at a height of three - four inches.
Tall Fescue is a long lasting grass that is durable in terms of weather and foot traffic, and is highly resistant to disease. It tends to do better in heat than most other cool-season grasses. However, it does not handle cold winters. Tall Fescue should be watered every three to seven days during the hot, dry months and the grass develops a healthier root system when given deep soaks. The recommended mowing height for Tall Fescue is two to three inches.
Fine Fescue is a shade tolerant grass that can stay green all year long if properly maintained. The blades are very fine. This grass can thrive in a variety of nonideal conditions, including poor soil and drought. However it grows very very slow, so lots of patience is required. Fine Fescue should be moved to one to two and a half inches.
Kentucky Bluegrass is a favorite in the Baltimore area due to its ability to withstand freezing winters, and hot summers if it's taken care of properly. Kentucky Bluegrass however can not thrive in shade, and needs to be planted in full sun. It also needs to be given a good, nourishing soak every five to seven days, with at least half an inch to an inch of water each time. Kentucky bluegrass develops short roots if waterings are shallow, so be sure to soak the grass to the ground. Kentucky Bluegrass should be mowed to one and a half to two and a half inches during spring and fall, and to three to four inches during the summer.
Perennial Ryegrass is extremely cold tolerant and can even stand up to heat and drought. It grows best in cooler seasons from fall to spring and does well in the moderate Baltimore summers. It is a tough grass that establishes quickly with a fast germination rate, however it does spread slowly once planted. Overseeding may be needed to prevent Perennial Ryegrass from bunching. Perennial Ryegrass should be kept between one and a half to two and a half inches tall.
Morning is the best time to water your lawn, as this allows the water to deeply penetrate your grass while also giving it enough time to soak and hydrate before the weather starts heating up. Anytime between 4am - 10am is ideal, to take advantage of this cooler part of the day. Watering in the afternoon is just a waste, because the heat will evaporate the water before the grass can benefit from the hydration. Watering in the evening is even less ideal. This allows the water to sit overnight in the cooler temperature, which can become a breeding ground for mold and fungus.
The best time for lawn service in Baltimore
Spring is the best time to get your lawn off to a great growing season, and for Baltimore gardening services. The first step in beginning your spring Baltimore yard service, is to clean up your yard and start with a clean slate. Clean up any debris that may be littering your lawn. Raking your lawn and removing debris will make your grass more breathable and prevent any disease or infect infestation. We also recommend a deep Baltimore gutter cleaning. The next super important step is to fertilize your lawn, this will help the grass develop strong roots so it can better survive the summer heat and drought. This is also the best time to apply crabgrass control, as it must reach the soil before its temperature reaches 55 - 60 degrees, as this is when the weed seeds start to germinate. We also recommend overseeding your grass in spring, to repair any bald spots that may have occurred over winter. Don't apply any crabgrass control to bare areas.
Baltimore yard cleanup is best done in the fall. When the leaves start to fall and temperatures begin cooling down, it's time to start prepping your lawn for the cold months ahead. You should be watering once a week if you don't get at least a half inch of rain, and daytime temperatures are above 45 degrees. It's important to keep those falling leaves off your lawn, to prevent disease. While spring is ideal for fertilization and seeding, fall is also one of the best times to perform these types of maintenance on your lawn.
Baltimore fertilization laws
Maryland's lawn fertilizer law took effect October 1, 2013. The purpose of the law is to protect the Chesapeake Bay from excess nutrients entering the waters. Nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are the key ingredients in lawn fertilizer. When it rains, lawn fertilizer gets flushed into nearby storm drains and streams that empty into the Chesapeake Bay. Once in the waterways, fertilizer contributes to the growth of algae blooms that block sunlight from reaching Bay grasses, rob the water of oxygen and threaten underwater life. Lawn care professionals who apply fertilizer to lawns must be certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture or work under the direct supervision of an individual who is certified.
It is against the law to apply fertilizer to sidewalks, if fertilizer lands on the sidewalk, it must be swept back onto the grass or cleaned up. You can not apply fertilizer within 10 to 15 feet of waterways. You can not fertilize your lawn if heavy rain is predicted or the ground is frozen. You also can not apply lawn fertilizer between November 16th and March 1st.
It is highly recommended that you hire a Baltimore lawn care service professional to complete your Baltimore yard service, in order to stay in compliance with the laws.
Commonly asked questions
Are there any watering restrictions in Baltimore?
A level one mandatory water use restriction can be imposed. These restrictions are only in effect when a drought emergency is officially declared. When a level one restriction is in place, watering of grass is prohibited.
Use of sprinklers and other automatic watering devices is prohibited for purposes of irrigation, watering of gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs and other outdoor plants. Hand held containers and hoses with automatic shut off may be used for watering such areas. Washing paved surfaces such as streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts, and patios is prohibited. Use of water for the operation of ornamental fountains, artificial waterfalls, misting machines, and reflecting pools is prohibited. Except for systems that continuously recycle water. Use of water for non-commercial washing or cleaning of mobile equipment including automobiles, trucks, trailers and boats is prohibited
What is the height limit for weeds?/Can I be fined overgrown weeds?
An owner, occupant, or person in control of a lot or parcel of land in the county may not allow or maintain on the lot or parcel of land: a growth of grass, weeds, or other rank vegetation to a height exceeding one foot; or Ragweed, poison ivy, and all other noxious weeds that are generally known to be either allergenic, a skin irritant, or toxic when ingested.
What are the landscape standards in design?
Landscape designs should provide for, or reinforce and maintain, a continuous street tree canopy by preserving healthy street trees or, if they are not present, planting new trees. The canopy shall be composed of trees of the same species or trees with design characteristics and growth habits that are similar to those of the existing street trees. Include the design for site signage on the schematic landscape plan. If this is not possible, the signage design may be included in the final development plan and shall be approved before issuance of any building permits.
