Raleigh lawn care services
We all want to have the lawn that gives the whole neighborhood something to talk about. In the Tar Heel State, we take green lawns seriously. Throughout Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham, you don't have to look too far to see that keeping your yard lush and luxurious is something of a competitive sport.
If you want to win the competition, these tips and tricks are sure to guarantee you success. Maybe you've spent the day seeing the sights around Raleigh, soaking up some culture at the North Carolina Museum of Art, taking a tour of the historic North Carolina State Capitol, or rooting for the North Carolina State Wolfpack. But at the end of a long day, you want to have a chance to sit back and enjoy some tasty southern barbecue in your own backyard oasis. To grow a lawn you're sure to love, you should consider the following steps.
Seeds of Success
Since Raleigh, NC is located at the heart of the USDA growing zones 7 and 8, you want to be sure to pick a grass seed mix that will work best for your area. You may want to consider a blend of cool-season and warm-season grass seeds to ensure the best results. If you choose a combination of tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, zoysia, and ryegrass, you will have a green and lush lawn that will extend the growing season from the fresh beginnings of spring and stay green well into the fall.
Warm-season and Cool-season Grasses
The cool-season grasses will be the first grass to sprout in the spring, giving you an early show of bright green. The advantages of cool-season grasses are that they are very durable, able to endure the cooler temperatures that happen in the spring. The cool-season grasses will develop a hardy root system early in the season, and they spread quickly. Use of cool-season grasses will give you a dense and thick lawn early in the season. However, when the temperatures rise going into the summer season, the cool season grasses go dormant.
When the temperatures grow warmer, you need to rely upon warm-season grasses to achieve the green lawn you desire. The warm-season grass seeds are more drought tolerant, and they can endure the hotter temperatures. To obtain a lawn that is both attractive and durable, it's a good idea for you to have a blend of both cool-season and warm-season grass seeds. While some seed types offer greater durability, others are softer underfoot and produce a more attractive aesthetic.
Aerate Early in the Season
As every North Carolinian knows, we get some pretty impressive weather. At the end of winter, you may find that you have a significant amount of lawn thatch that has accumulated through the season. To prep your lawn, you want to rake to remove any dead grass and leaves. Be sure to aerate the soil to prepare it for your spring overseeding. Aeration makes a qualitative difference in the results you achieve because it allows the earth to break up, so more air and water gets into the soil.
Don't Cut Grass Too Short
Once you have aerated the soil and planted your seed mix, be patient. You want to be sure to allow your newly grown grass has an opportunity to build a hearty and robust root system before your first lawn mowing session of the season. Because the grass grows at different rates, it's tempting to mow the lawn when it begins to sprout in patches.
The best lawn care professionals advise that you wait until the grass is approximately 2 ½ to 3 inches in length before you mow the yard for the first time. To maintain your new lawn throughout the growing season, it is better that you mow often rather than cutting the grass too short.
Prevent a Brown Lawn
Professionals recommend that you never cut your lawn more than one-third the length of the grass to prevent your yard from turning brown. What does that mean for you? If you take the time to mow more frequently rather than cutting the grass too short, it helps prevent your lawn from getting too dry, which can lead to having a brown lawn.
Another factor that can lead to a brown lawn is the improper use of fertilizer. Be sure to use a top-quality fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season, one with the proper amount of nitrogen in its formula. When choosing your fertilizer, you want to ask questions to be educated in your choice between quick-release and slow-release fertilizer. Review the ingredients to ensure that the fertilizer you use is safe for both family members and pets.
Summer's Gift of Green
Once your lawn is firmly established, the only steps left to take in lawn maintenance are weed control and watering. Review your yard regularly and check for crabgrass and dandelions, removing them as quickly as possible to prohibit them from having an opportunity to spread throughout your lawn. You will want to establish and maintain a regular watering schedule, with a morning watering time as ideal.
Why morning? Mornings are the best time to water because your yard has a more significant opportunity to absorb the water throughout the day. A morning watering time will fight root rot and mildew.
Finish the Job
To achieve optimal results, you will want to mow the lawn regularly. To get the best aesthetic, you want to be sure to remove all cut grass, weeds and leaves. Be sure to trim the edges of your lawn to have a yard that you can take Tar Heel pride in.
Consider a Team of Lawn Care Professionals
If you follow these steps, your lawn will be a gift that keeps on giving throughout the growing season. You can enjoy a bright green jacket that makes you feel like a champion. Maintaining the perfect lawn does require some commitment and can become a labor of love. If you find yourself pressed for time, consider hiring a team of lawn care professionals to assist you.
When looking for a top-shelf team of lawn care technicians, be sure to ask for references. The best teams will be fully licensed, bonded and insured to give you peace of mind, and security for your family. Using a team of lawn care professionals will allow them to do the work of lawn care for you, giving you more time to enjoy your hard-won luxury lawn.
