What is the recommended mowing height for my lawn?
For the southern Wisconsin climate we recommend the following mowing heights...
- cool months - 2 1/2 inches
- warm months - 3 to 3 1/4 inches
Proper mowing heights are key in preventing the growth of broadleaf weeds and crabgrass. Mowing at the right height is also important in maintaining a healthy root system, in turn, a beautiful lawn. When setting mower height make sure all wheels are set the same height to avoid an uneven cut.
How often should I mow?
Mow frequently enough that only a small portion of the green leaf is lost at any one clipping, ideally so no more than one third of the leaf blade is removed.
What happens if I mow the lawn too low?
Mowing a lawn too low will expose the lower portion of the grass leaves to bright, direct sunlight, burning them. If this happens often, grass reacts by developing shallow roots. Shallow rooted lawns are prone to disease and weed problems. A lawn with shallow roots will eventually die out.
Can I leave grass too tall?
Yes. When grass is too tall, thatch build up may occur, this will encourage insect and disease damage.
What should I do with grass clippings?
When cutting on a regular basis, it is best to simply leave them alone. Grass clippings less than one inch in length will decompose quickly, providing nutrients to the soil. When grass is allowed to grow too long between mowings, the longer clippings tend to remain above the lawn, giving your yard an unsightly appearance. These clippings should either be bagged or removed.
According to research, returned lawn clippings have these benefits....
crabgrass and weed suppression, improved water infiltration into the soil, improved turf grass color, disease suppression, thatch reduction, and preserve soil moisture.
Why and when do I need to sharpen my mower blades?
Dull lawn mower blades give your lawn a grayish brown color a day or so after mowing. This happens because the leaf tips are shredded instead of cut, most noticeable in dry weather. Shredded tips also make an easy entry point for diseases. Sharp blades are essential in maintaining a beautiful lawn and should be approximately every 10 to 12 mowings.
Water Ecommendations
When should I water?
Ideally, watering in the early morning, before sunrise, is best. Evaporation is minimal, allowing the grass to consume most of the water. Watering in the evening is not recommended because water will sit on the lawn and may cause disease. During excessive heat, water whenever possible to avoid the lawn from dying. Granular fertilizers activate with water, post application watering is recommended for faster results.
How often should I water?
The weather, type of soil, and depth of roots are all factors in determining frequency of watering. In the hot summer months, you will probably need to water every other day, if not everyday. Shaded areas retain moisture and do not require as much water as areas exposed to full sun.
How much should I water?
When watering, leave sprinkler on in one area for at least two to three hours. Move sprinkler to cover entire lawn. This will keep the grass roots deep where they can't dry out and get burned from the sun. Light waterings or not watering enough will force the grass roots to come to the surface and dry out. Large lawns, because of their size, can become costly to water, focus on curb appeal areas. Not watering during excessive heat will cost more in the long run. It is more cost effective to water during the hot months and have a nice green lawn. Not watering in the hot months will cause lawn areas to die off, and it becomes costly to replace these unsightly areas.
Aeration
What is Aeration?
Aeration is the removal of small cores of soil to allow air, moisture, and fertilizer down to the root zone. The removal of these small cores in a lawn also helps prevent rain water run-off by allowing moisture to reach the root zone of your grass.
How does aeration help your lawn?
The controlled removal of the small soil cores has many benefits. It allows fertilizer, water, and air to quickly reach the root zone below, this creates healthy roots and a thicker, more beautiful lawn.
How is aeration done?
Our specially designed aeration equipment consists of a series of hollowing coring tines mounted on wheels. When these hollow tines are rolled over your lawn, they puncture the soil systematically removing small soil ' plugs'. The equipment is compact and can be easily used in confined areas. The core removal helps reduce soil compaction, generally a problem in newer subdivisions. Lawns that were installed with sod are more susceptible to some diseases that core aeration may help. Aeration also helps retard thatch build-up by increasing micro-organism activity, allowing thatch to decompose naturally. Aeration also saves watering because run-off is reduced allowing moisture to get into the soil faster and deeper. Please call or email for an estimate on core aerating for your lawn.
Perimeter Insect Control
Insect Control provides homes with year-round perimeter control protection. Our Perimeter Insect Program creates a barrier around the exterior of your home that controls ants, fleas, ticks, spiders, beetles and many more before they have a chance to enter the home.
The standard timing for the applications are spring, summer and fall.
