The Definitive Lawn Care Guide

Start Early with a Clean Slate:

As the weather starts to warm it is a good time to prep your lawn. Rake leftover leaves and debris from fall. Pick up and remove twigs, rocks, and pinecones.

Starting with a clean lawn will reduce work during the summer months.

Regular lawn tidy up will also reduce the time necessary to prep your lawn for the winter as well.

Aerate:

When soil is packed down too tightly, it becomes difficult for sunlight, water and nutrients to make their way to the grassroots, impeding the growth of your lawn.

Aerating will allow for oxygen and sunlight to easily find its way to the grass root which will inturn grow deeper, resulting in a stronger and healthier lawn.

There are a number of companies that offer lawn aerating for reasonable pricing, or if you prefer to do-it-yourself, rentals are also an option.

There are 3 methods that will help you achieve different levels of aeration.

Now that your property is prepped for the new season, it is important to ensure that last years weeds don’t become this years problem.

There are a number of weeds that seem to plague neighbourhoods.

There are two kinds of weeds found, grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds. Grassy weeds tend to grow in bunches that will creep and spread if left to their own devices.

They have a fibrous mass root system with very small branches.

The alternative is the broadleaf weed, which as described in their name, have broadleaves. Their root system is also fibrous with a large tap root, series of thin roots or a combination of the two.

Below is a run down of the most common ones and what you can do to combat them.

Probably the most popular and recognizable weed, the dandelion has a habit of spreading quickly and popping up on even the most manicured lawns. And you can thank the neighbourhood kids for that.

We’ve all closed our eyes, made a wish and unknowing have blown hundreds of seeds onto unsuspecting lawns. Yes, those magic puff balls are the beginnings of dandelions you’ll be yanking out all summer.

Unless you start early and attack the problem! Dandelions are one of the first weeds to sprout and provide necessary food sources for pollinating insects such as the honeybee.

However, they don’t require any assistance spreading their seed as they are “self-pollinators”. Once the yellow flower petals have dried up the seed head emerges. One strong gust of wind and they have now been distributed over your lawn. Combine that with optimal growing conditions and it is easy to see why they are the source of headaches. Dandelions will develop a large tap root, however, prior to that they will sprout leaves in order to capture sunlight for growth. Once the’ve set up a healthy source of energy via their leaves the tap root will quickly grow deep within the ground, pulling water and nutrients easily.

When attempting to eradicate ones lawn, you must make sure to fully remove the tap root in order to stop the life cycle, otherwise there is no slowing them down. And added bonus, they are perennials, so if not dealt with they will be back year after year...after year.

There are a number of different ways you can rid your lawn of dandelions, many of which can be done without the use of chemicals.

1. The best way to quickly and permanently remove dandelions is to fully remove the plant and root manually. Whether you pull, dig out or remove with a “weed puller” you will need to fully remove the tap root. You will know when you’ve been successful as the root is easy to spot.

2. Smothering the plant is also an option and involves covering the dandelion with cardboard or a dark plastic bag, blocking the sunlight and killing the weed. This usually takes a few days.

3. Mowing over a dandelion will temporarily remove the flower from your lawn however, they will grow back as the root system remains in tack.

4. There are a number of different household items you can put on the plant such as vinegar, salt or boiling water that will kill them overtime as well.

Better known as “creeping charlie”. This weed is aggressive and invasive and when not dealt with properly it can spread quickly and take over large sections of lawn.

If allowed, creeping charlie will form a dense mat that is not only unsightly but hard to remove.

Because it can survive in shaded, moist areas but also can tolerate sunlight it becomes a double threat. Creeping charlie is spread one of two ways.

Either by its seed or by growing from stolons, which are the horizontal connections between the plant.

How do I get rid of creeping charlie?

In order to effective remove creeping charlie from your lawn you will have to make sure to remove all of the root and leaves.

If clippings or stray leaves/roots are left behind they can germinate again and regrow. Best practice is to hand pull as much as possible, ensuring to compost in a closed container. It will need to be repeated as new growth is noticed.

Much like dandelions you would be able to remove this weed without the use of harsh chemicals. Pulling, smothering, cutting and pouring vinegar/boiling water and/or salt will all kill creeping charlie as well. It’s worth noting, that because of the connective root system pulling out creeping charlie is a cumbersome task that will require more than one attempt to make sure it as fully been removed from your lawn. For quick and effective treatment a weed killer would do the trick.

Regardless of which method you use, fertilizing ones lawn is an important step when hoping to achieve the picture perfect property.

You’ve got your lawn off to a healthy start and it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labour; long, thick grass!

The work doesn’t stop here. 

Most of us don’t put in much thought when it comes to cutting the lawn; however, if incorrectly, you could be doing more harm than good.

There are a number of things to remember before you begin.

1. Less is more: It would seem to make sense that cutting more off would result in less time spent mowing the lawn, and while that is true it is not beneficial to the well being of the grass to do so. Raising your mower blade and only cutting off the top 1/3 portion is recommended. Not trimming so much off allows for the energy to be focused on roots growing deeper and stronger vs. growing the grass blade again. Also taller grass blades can make it more difficult for weeds to grow, help shade and protect the soil and feel much more comfortable when walking on.

2. The sharper, the better: A sharp blade will cut the grass cleanly across, where a dull blade will end up ripping and leaving the grass uneven and discoloured. When the grass blades are torn they are also more susceptible to disease, insects and effects of severe weather. A quick sharpen and the beginning of the season and as need throughout, will keep your grass looking and feeling its best.

3. Mix it up!: We are creatures of habit and that transfers to the direction we cut our lawns as well. Although it's tempting to stick to a pattern, its most beneficial to switch it up a bit! Grass will adapt to the way it's being cut and begin to lean towards that direction. In order to have grass stand up nice and tall, alternate cut patterns throughout the year.

4. Ditch the rake: It may be tempting to rake up grass clippings after mowing; however, you will be doing the lawn a disservice. Clipping are a source of nutrients for the soil and breakdown rather quickly, especially if you are cutting less off the top.

Other things to consider when cutting is make sure to cut when the grass is dry, this will not only save your lawn mower but also avoid clippings from clumping to heavily and smothering the grass.

This is arguably the most important factor when it comes to achieving and maintaining the perfect lawn.

Nothing is more beneficial or detrimental than the amounts of water grass receives.
You can apply all the above principles and it would not make one difference if you are incorrectly watering your grass.

The frequency and time of day are of vital importance when watering.

When should I water my grass?

It is suggested that you water your property in the morning.

The morning is typically calmer and cooler.

Afternoon heat and sun can cause excess evaporation, where as evening watering does not allow for the lawn to dry thoroughly leaving the grass susceptible to fungus and disease.

How should I water my lawn?

It is suggested that you water your property in the morning.

If there's not enough rain falling, manual watering will be needed to ensure your lawn stays healthy and lush. Most people resort to using a sprinkler system to handle this for them.

The two most common types of sprinklers are pulsating sprinklers or oscillating sprinklers.

Pulsating tends to be better than the more traditional oscillating because it shoots the water horizontally across the lawn vs. straight up in the air, where wind can blow it away.

That being said on newly seeded lawns, oscillating sprinklers have a lower chance of washing away seed.

What are the benefits of an irrigation system?

Ideally, an irrigation system would handle all your watering needs.

As technology has advanced, irrigation systems have become intuitive, learning your lawn and supplying the exact amount of water needed and the best times.

An installed irrigation system can save money, time and most importantly, virtually eliminate overwatering.

Not everyone’s schedule also for early morning waterings. Sprinkler systems com with automated timers that make sure to water your lawn at the best time of day to ensure the most water is absorbed without waste.

Also with travelling many of us are away for extended periods of time. Instead of paying for a service or resorting to asking neighbours or family member, your system can ensure your property is well taken care of while you are enjoying your vacation. Irrigation can put your mind at ease knowing your property is being properly and intuitively watered even when there is no one home.

Nowadays, homeowners will be surprised at the ease and affordability and can rest easy knowing all their hard work is being maintained by a perfectly timed water irrigation system.

Not only will you save yourself time and resources, you will be adding value to your life and property.

At the end of the day, lawn maintenance might not make the top of everyone’s priority list. If you fall under this category, you may want consider hiring someone or a small business to handle the work for you. There are a number of benefits of having a professional lawn care company maintain your property. They bring knowledge and expertise as well as all the proper tools needed for the job. They can easily address and rectify any problem areas and ensure your lawn is in the best shape possible all year long. Depending on your property and schedule, you may be looking to hire for a specific job or weekly maintenance. Regardless of your needs there are many professional companies that would be able to provide these services.

Whether its being the envy of the neighbourhood or taking pride in your property, many of us strive to achieve a picture perfect lawn. There are a number of important steps to get there; however, with some dedication and information lush, green grass can be canvas on which summer memories are made.