They say the grass is always greener on the other side—except when you start focusing on taking care of yours. At FortSmith Landscaping, our pros know how to create and maintain healthy lawns for our clients in Wake Forest. In fact, with regular and knowledgeable care, your yard will look so good you’ll forget all about that grass on the other side.
The first step to that verdant oasis you’ve been dreaming of? A lawn care maintenance program. From lawn mowing to lawn fertilization and aeration, these programs can help ensure your lawn remains in top shape while minimizing the need for extensive repairs.
What is Lawn Care Maintenance?
Lawn care maintenance refers to the regular upkeep required to keep a lawn healthy, lush, and green. It’s about more than appearance; it’s about creating a strong, resilient turf that can withstand the elements and pests while enhancing the overall aesthetic and curb appeal of your home.
This typically involves a few more steps than many homeowners expect. More than just mowing, proper lawn care maintenance might involve watering, fertilizing, aeration, weed control, pest management, and soil testing.
The right lawn care routine for your property may look different from season to season, as well. For instance, fall lawn care might call for debris and leaf removal, and mulching. During the spring and summer, on the other hand, weed control and fertilization might take priority.
Lawn Care Fertilization
Fertilization is one of the most critical aspects of lawn care maintenance. Grass needs essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to grow strong and healthy. Fertilizers replenish these nutrients in the soil, promoting better growth, deeper roots, and a more vibrant appearance.
Regular fertilization helps prevent common issues like bare patches, weak roots, and disease. It also improves your lawn’s ability to resist drought and survive through various weather conditions. By ensuring that your lawn gets the proper nutrients, you set it up for long-term success.
Pre-Emergent Weed Control
A good fertilization program should always include pre-emergent weed control. This step involves applying herbicide before the start of the growing season, to prevent weeds from cropping up.
Not only does this save time in the long run, keeping you from having to combat weeds as they sprout, it also reduces the overall use of herbicides. That means a healthier yard, and a healthier planet.
Post-Emergent Broadleaf Weed Control
Just as the name suggests, post-emergent broadleaf weed control is the process of tackling weeds after they have emerged. This is best for targeted control of specific weeds, like dandelions, thistles, and clover.
Grub Control
No one wants to think about their lawn crawling with these little critters, but the truth is, most homeowners need to take grubs into account when talking about lawn care. Grubs (also known as insect larvae), feed on the roots of the grass, causing your yard to look thinner and less healthy.
Grub control refers to the process of eliminating these pests before they can cause significant and costly damage.
Fertilization
The actual fertilization process itself involves applying nutrients like nitrogen and potassium to your lawn, to encourage the growth of healthy grass. Not only does regular fertilization improve the existing grass, it makes your yard more resilient to potential threats down the line.
What Time of Year is Lawn Fertilization Most Important?
The best time to fertilize your lawn depends on the type of grass you have, and how often you are able to do so. While you can have a healthy lawn that you only fertilize once a year, it is recommended to go through a couple of rounds of fertilization to optimize your yard’s health.
Cool Season Grasses Fertilization
Cool-season grasses, as their name suggests, tend to do best when the temperatures drop. This means that they peak in cooler temperatures, like those seen in spring and fall. Cool season grasses include fescue and ryegrass, and should be fertilized in early spring, late spring, and fall
Warm Season Grasses Fertilization
Warm-season grasses, like Bermuda and Zoysia, look their best in warmer weather, like at the height of summer. These grasses can also benefit from fertilization a few time a year, with an initial round of fertilizer in early spring, the last round in early fall, and one in early summer if needed.
In general, the fall is one of the most crucial times for lawn fertilization; if you’re only planning on fertilizing your lawn once a year, this is the time to do it. During this period, your lawn recovers from the summer heat and prepares for winter. Fertilizing in the fall helps strengthen the roots, giving your lawn the foundation it needs to survive the colder months and come back healthier in the spring.
The Benefits of Lawn Care Maintenance and Fertilization
There are numerous benefits to maintaining a regular lawn care routine and fertilization schedule, from the purely superficial to the long-term.
Healthier Grass
Regular care ensures your grass receives the nutrients it needs, all year round. This promotes strong roots, a healthy appearance, and resilience against threats like insects or disease.
Pest and Weed Control
Lawn care maintenance helps control both pests and weed overgrowth, especially when combined with weed and grub control. This can mean fewer issues throughout the year, keeping you from constantly worrying about an issue popping up, and putting you back in control.
Enhanced Curb Appeal
A well-maintained lawn boosts the overall look of your home, which can boost your home value and keep you and your neighbors happy.
Time and Effort Savings
Following a lawn care plan means less time spent repairing damage or fighting off disease, or fixing problems that could have been prevented. It’s a proactive approach to keeping your lawn in top condition.
The FortSmith Landscaping Lawn Care Maintenance Program
FortSmith Landscaping offers a comprehensive lawn care maintenance program designed to keep your yard looking its best all year long. We tailor our services to your specific needs and ensure that your lawn remains healthy, green, and thriving.
Our regular subscription services start with a consultation and assessment to determine your lawn’s exact needs. Then, we create a customized care plan to ensure your yard is fertilized, mowed, weeded, aerated—whatever your lawn requires, we can build into your plan for optimized care. Our regularly scheduled visits are performed by our lawn care experts in Wake Forest, who continue to monitor and update your plan and services as needed.
That can include:
- Lawn Mowing: Regular mowing to the ideal height for your grass type to promote growth and prevent disease.
- Fertilization: A custom fertilization schedule based on your lawn’s specific needs, focusing on seasonal applications.
- Weed Control: Targeted treatment to prevent weeds from spreading and competing with your grass.
- Pest Management: Protection from common lawn pests, ensuring your lawn stays free from damage.
- Aeration: Periodic aeration to reduce soil compaction and allow water and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively.
- Soil Testing: Regular soil testing to determine your lawn’s nutrient needs and adjust fertilization accordingly.
The Benefits of a Lawn Maintenance Program: FAQs
How often should my lawn be fertilized?
Fertilization depends on your grass type, but typically it should be done two to four times a year. We customize fertilization schedules based on your lawn’s needs.
Is lawn aeration necessary?
Yes, aeration is essential for loosening compacted soil and allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the roots, promoting healthier grass.
Can I still sign up for a lawn care program in the middle of the season?
Absolutely! We can start a program at any time and adjust it to meet the current needs of your lawn.
What types of grass do you treat?
We work with both cool-season and warm-season grasses, customizing our treatments based on the specific requirements of each grass type.
Contact FortSmith Landscaping Today
Ready to give your lawn the care it deserves? Contact FortSmith Landscaping today by calling (919) 228-8495 or using the form below to learn more about our lawn care maintenance program. We’ll help you create a customized plan that ensures your lawn looks its best, year-round.