Cincinnati lawn care services
Cincinnati lawn care
As a Cincinnati homeowner, you enjoy your city's distinctive, funky vibe, tempered by its rich history. You're probably always eager to get out and sample the many delights that your city has to offer, but your lawn just won't stop growing and yet another sunny Saturday sees you sweating behind your lawnmower! Let us help you improve your lawn service in Cincinnati.
Best grass types for Cincinnati
Perennial Ryegrass is a great choice for cool weather environments. The blades of this grass have a fine texture with a dark green color that stays quite lush. It isn't completely resistant to cold and disease but it is enough so that it will survive in Cincinnati. Perennial Ryegrass should be mowed to about two and a half inches once a week.
Tall Fescue grass grows well in the cold and also can thrive in extreme heat, even in full sunlight. Tall Fescue is drought-resistant and will survive a long, hot, dry summer weather. It should be mowed to between three and three and a half inches and should be mowed at least once a week.
Fine Fescues have narrow leaves and have a reddish tint. Fine Fescues encompass at least five major species: Hard Fescue, Sheep Fescue, Chewings Fescue, Creeping Red Fescue, and Slender Creeping Red Fescue. The grass can adjust well to any type of soil and stays green all year long in most regions. Fine Fescue germinates quickly for fast growth.
Kentucky Bluegrass can thrive in cool weather climates, and is the most common type of grass in Cincinnati. This grass prefers a bright, sunny environment with minimal shade. However, this grass also grows rapidly in winter. Kentucky Bluegrass also does well against the threat of insects and even disease. The grass should be mowed no lower than two and a half inches high and should also be mowed about once a week.
Buffalograss is sometimes uncommon in Cincinnati but is still a very versatile grass. Buffalograss doesn't require much attention and is very durable. It can even bounce back fast from damage as it is not very sensitive and can manage high foot traffic. Buffalograss should be mowed to a height between two and a half and three and a half inches.
Bentgrass, commonly used for golf courses, is an extremely high quality (and expensive) grass. Bentgrass requires a strict routine of regular maintenance including timely mowing, proper irrigation, fertilization and protection against pests and diseases. Since it is on the expensive side and can be difficult to maintain, it is not usually recommended to plant in the average household. However, if you truly wish to grow this type of grass, you can go for its sub-type, Penncross Creeping, which is a bit less strenuous to maintain.
Cincinnati winter preparation
A build up of leaves over winter can be detrimental to your lawn in terms of compacting your soil and being inviting to pests and bugs. It's important to consistently rake your lawn to keep it free of debris. Following the hot months of summer, your lawn might be exhausted with the amount of use, overseeding can help replenish any bald spots.
The best time to fertilize your lawn is from late September into early October. Cincinnati is just on the border between the transitional temperature zone and cool season zone. This means that winters are more of a threat here than they are in warmer zones, so fertilization is even more important to ensure the strength of the lawn through winter.
You should continue watering your lawn up until the point where it goes dormant for the winter, usually around the first freeze. Watering in the winter gives your grass roots strength to outlast the cold months, and also helps with the growth of overseeding.
Snowfall is a way of life during winter in Cincinnati. While there is really nothing you can do about the constant accumulation of the snow, there are still measures you can take to protect your lawn from snow plow or shovel damage. Before snow starts falling, use guide stakes along the edge of your lawn near sidewalks and driveways. Stakes usually come in plastic or wooden styles and are usually available at any home improvement store. This will help you to stay clear of the lawn and prevent any potential damage when clearing snow.
Spring and summer in Cincinnati
There are several things that could have happened to your lawn during winter, and spring and summer in Cincinnati provide an ideal climate to repair your lawn. Irrigation concerns, fertilizing needs, and aeration needs become just as important as keeping up with the growth season for grass blades and weeds. You should begin by cleaning up any leaves sticks, or debris that may be on your lawn.
Anything too big can suffocate your lawn and stunt healthy growth. March and April are the best months to apply a weed control to prevent the rapid spread of weeds when summer comes around, such as crabgrass and foxtail. During spring, you should mow every three to four days until the weather heats up and grass growth slows down. Mow in different directions and never mow when the grass is wet.
Contrary to popular belief, spring is not an ideal season to seed your lawn, nor is summer. Grass needs sufficient moisture and a soil temperature above 50 degrees to germinate and grow. While this fits in with the beginning of spring in Cincinnati, late spring and early summer bring hot temperatures which means your new grass growth won't last. While the seeds will germinate, their small root systems won't be able to survive the hotter months.
Spring is an essential time to work on the health of your soil. Healthy soil retains moisture better, which in turn allows your lawn to grow deep and healthy roots. Aeration and fertilization are two things that can dramatically improve the health of your soil. When your soil becomes extra compacted after winter, it's important to disrupt it so that the roots of the grass are allowed to breathe and grow. Combined with a healthy fertilization, you'll be giving your soil the right balance to produce a thick and lush grass.
Professional Cincinnati lawn care
Cincinnati lawn services can be overwhelming. Whether it takes up too much time or you just don't have a passion for lawn care, you might want to consider hiring a professional for your Cincinnati lawn mowing needs. From Cincinnati gardening to Cincinnati gutter cleaning, Lawn Love can take care of your lawn care needs!
Commonly asked questions
Are there any watering restrictions in Cincinnati?
There are no watering restrictions in Cincinnati. The city is lucky to draw 88% of its water from the large Ohio River.
What is the height limit for weeds?
Every owner or person in control of any lot or lands within the city of Cincinnati shall cause the lot or lands to be kept free from weeds and turf grasses over ten inches in height by cutting and then removing said cut weeds and turf grasses from such lot or lands immediately.
What is the height limit for landscape vegations/trees?
The height restrictions do not apply to natural plants on privately owned, occupied residential property and properties contiguous to the privately owned, occupied residential property provided that such contiguous properties are owned by the same individual, when such natural plants are part of a Managed Natural Landscape Area.
Managed Natural Landscaped Areas shall be set back a minimum of three feet from all property lines, roads, alleys and/or driveways unless the property is abutted by a fence or similar barrier separating it from adjoining residential properties, then the natural landscaping may be planted up to the property line (inside the sidewalk). With the exception of trees, all vegetation in the right of way strip between the sidewalk and street must be kept at a height of less than ten inches.
