I'll be the first to admit that it’s just too hot to mow the lawn in the afternoon on these summer days! The problem is, I don’t plan well enough to take care of all the outside work around the house first thing in the morning. This leaves a potential for my lawn to become an ugly eye sore in the neighborhood. Whether you have your lawn serviced by a landscaping professional or you’re taking care of it yourself, each lawn needs help to maintain a lush green look. As always if you choose a professional you are assured that your lawn is being maintained, but like everything in life going the extra mile will give you better results.

A FEW THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER CONCERNING YOUR “LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE:”

Aerate

Lawn aeration helps two things. First, it promotes positive lawn thatch. Second, it reduces soil compaction. Lawn thatch is a layer of dead organic tissue that deprives the lawn from the required oxygen. Soil compaction makes it hard for grass to root and it restricts natural rainwater irrigation, therefore it is important to aerate the lawn. This is especially true for high traffic areas of lawns. If people walk or run over a lawn, the pressure generates compaction in the soil. When aerating very dense soil, it will ease the process when the lawn is watered the night before aeration.

Weeds & Fertilizing

Weeds can host pests and diseases that can spread throughout the lawn. In order to reduce weed growth, many "weed control" chemicals have been developed and are widely used. Many of these products fertilize the lawn and promote grass growth as well. Make sure not to over fertilize as it can dry out your lawn because of the salt compounds used in the fertilizer. The old fashioned art of digging out weeds is till a great way to start.

Watering

Finding the proper amount of water is different for each lawn. During these summer months it is very important to water during the early morning hours and saturate the lawn so the water can soak deep into the soil.

Test your sprinklers

You need to make sure that your lawn is getting adequate coverage and the sprinklers are positioned correctly. Adding additional sprinklers and/or drainage is a excellent way to help your lawn stay at the correct moisture level.

Mowing

Make sure you are not mowing when your lawn is wet. Trimming your lawn but not cutting the grass too short helps the grass grow and stay green instead of burning out and turning brown. Also, alternating the direction of cuts from previous mowing can help promote positive growth.

Tree Trimming

Trimming trees, hedges, bushes, and foliage should be done regularly. By doing so you can avoid out-of-control growth, and even avoid accidents caused by falling branches. Every winter there is a news report of a tree falling down causing damage; evade these disasters by keeping your landscaping maintained.

Keep in mind that you can tap into a vast amount of information about landscaping. Don’t just rely on what you know or don't know. There are many TV shows that will offer assistance and great design ideas. You can search for ideas and lawn help on the internet as well as in books. You can browse through and gather ideas and informational help about your landscaping. When you visit your local Home Depot, Lowes, or Osh stores they also sometimes have classes and teaching times where they will teach and assist you in learning a variety of home improvement and landscaping projects. A landscape professional can assist you in proper maintenance, and it is always a good idea to get advice and help from a professional no matter what you’re doing. Be encouraged this month to go out in your yards and make an improvement. It is amazing what a clean and crisp landscape does to your home. Not only does it increase the value of your home through curb appeal, but it brings satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment when you arrive and leave your home each day. Remember, a key to getting anything done is just START!