Cleveland heights lawn care services
Cleveland Heights gets an average of 38 inches of rain and 68 inches of snow per year. These are both higher than the US average. So, turfs in this terrain need extra care. If you've noticed that your grasses look green and seem to be budding beautifully on one end while another section is thin, this may be a sign that nutrients aren't evenly dispersed.
Grasses (irrespective of type) don't grow quickly in all seasons. If you have cool-season grass, it won't blossom well in winter and will go completely dormant in the summer. In contrast, warm-season grasses will go dormant in the fall through winter. To help grasses blossom best in their growing season, survive adverse weather while dormant, and cover those thin areas, you should supply them with the right nutrients for proper root-system development.
Weed control
Fertilization can help your Cleveland Heights lawn stay free from weeds in two ways. The first is based on the idea that weeds can only invade your lawn when there's space. Proper fertilizer application stimulates a healthy turf with dense coverage and strong root development for proper nourishment. Weeds have nowhere to grow.
The second approach is that there are fertilizers with weed-treated compositions that promote grass growth and kill weeds at the same time. Overall, fertilization can help you curb weed development, but it doesn't replace standard weed control practices like inspecting and manually uprooting weeds, nor will it kill an invasion that's already happening. In the case of an invasion, you should consult Cleveland Heights lawn care for spot-treatment with herbicides.
Pest resistance
Using fertilizers to resist pests follows the same principle as weed control. Healthy, thick, and vibrant turf is more resistant to pest damage than a weak, malnourished one. Furthermore, in the case of an invasion, healthier grasses will recover faster than weak ones.
However, maintaining a clean environment by removing standing water, raking leaves and debris, and avoiding excessive watering are all still necessary. So, find gutter-cleaning services and yard cleanup through Cleveland Heights lawn care to repel pests, maintain a clean yard, and keep your schedule free.
Soil property protection
Soils lose their nutrients as they support grass growth. The upside is that these nutrients can be replenished either by allowing the soil to rest for a while or manually supplying the depleted ones after conducting a test. Fertilization follows the latter, protecting and replenishing soil properties.
Fertilization tips for Cleveland Heights lawns
Get the right turf
With the right care, both cool and warm-season grasses will survive in Cleveland Heights, but the real question is, for how long? This area has more cold days than hot days per year. So, it's better to get cool-season grasses like fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, or perennial ryegrass to reduce the need for maintenance and maintain greenness.
However, you can't just grab any cool-season grass. Some cool-season grasses tolerate shade and other lawn conditions better than others. Irrespective of the type and amount of fertilizer you use, grasses won't blossom when the conditions needed for proper growth are not in place.
So, selecting the right grass for your yard is the first step for successful fertilization. You can consult with a seeding specialist through Cleveland Heights lawn service for more guidance on grass selection.
Get the right fertilizer
There are different types of fertilizers available, such as the quick-release, slow-release, organic and liquid type. Quick-release fertilizers, as the name suggests, provide nutrients rapidly for your turf. This is an excellent option if you're looking for a fast growth rate. Conversely, slow-release fertilizers promote better root development with a lower likelihood of burning your turf. The organic type (compost) is an earth-friendly method that supplies nitrogen to soils slowly and without leaching. Lastly, liquid fertilizers penetrate the soil immediately, giving the fastest supply of nutrients. Bear in mind, though, these are hard to apply evenly and need the most application frequency.
It is recommended that you use a slow-release fertilizer for your Cleveland Heights lawn. They may be costly, but they promote sustained grass growth with a deep root system that will survive the mild summers of the area. If you're keen on a fast growth rate, get in touch with a fertilization expert through Cleveland Heights lawn service.
Fertilize at the right time
The right timing is key when applying fertilizers. Not only does it mean better/denser growth and quick green-up in spring, but doing it wrong could cause adverse effects like leaching, burning, weakening, and damage to turf.
Early fall is the best time to fertilize lawns in Cleveland Heights if you have cool-season grass. With the right application in September, your turf can last up to one year without the need for another feeding. In comparison, spring through late summer sets the right conditions for fertilizing cool-season grasses in this area.
Use the right rate
It's important to conduct a soil test before buying any fertilizer. Moreover, your soil test result should determine what fertilizer to buy and the amount to apply.
Over-fertilization distorts the soil and hurts microorganisms by creating too high a salt concentration (either nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium). It will also lead to fast plant growth with shallow root systems that can't reach water and other nutrients during drought. On the other hand, under-fertilization won't do much good nor bad to your turf.
Water correctly
As a rule, it's best to thoroughly water your lawn a day or two before you fertilize. You should also slightly irrigate your lawn after applying fertilizers. The second watering is to wash the fertilizers off the grass and into the soil for release. Due to the cool weather in fall in Cleveland Height, you should wait 24 hours after application before you water your lawn.
