Is there anything better than looking out onto a perfect lawn?
Even in the sweltering summer heat and dry winters of Southwest Florida, a perfect lawn is possible. With a little hard work and care, you can have a great looking lawn no matter the weather.
The key is to get ahead of any problems. It doesn’t take much for your lawn to go from “great!” to “uh-oh,” so a regular schedule of maintenance and prevention will keep your grass healthy.
So here are some tips and advice that will keep your perfect lawn green and looking good all summer long.
Grow the Perfect Lawn
If you want a great looking lawn, you’re going to have to put in a little effort. If you do anything at all this summer, try these lawn care tips, and you’ll be happy with the results.
Prevent Weeds
Weeds make a lawn look ragged and uneven. They are the bane of any landscaping enthusiast, but there are ways to fight back.
The first step is to use a pre-emergent fertilizer. This will feed your lawn and kill unwanted crabgrass and other weeds at the same time. It’s best to do this in the spring.
CWG offers professional weed control, which can be added to your regular mowing plan and takes the guesswork out of timing and which products to buy.
Mow to the Correct Length
You may want to cut your grass short, so you don’t have to mow as often. However, this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Grass grows from the tip of the plant, so cutting off too much will stunt the growth and make your lawn look stunted. Instead, you want to cut about one-third the height of your grass. This may mean mowing more often, but your lawn will grow lush and green.
CWG mows weekly from May through September and three times a month in April and October. No more than 1/3 of the leaf blades will be removed, and mowing height will be adjusted according to your type of turf (e.g., St. Augustine “Floratam” will be 3-4 inches, Zoysia 2″ – 2.5″).
Keep Your Blades Sharp
If you mow your lawn yourself, make sure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades won’t make a good cut, and your turf will look choppy and jagged.
Having your blades sharpened once a year should be enough to keep a consistent, even cut. It’s not too hard to do it yourself. If you don’t have the tools or confidence, professional sharpening isn’t too expensive.
Keep Your Lawn Watered
Water is the most important thing your lawn needs to grow. Without water, your grass will wither and die.
Most of the time, the storms that Florida gets throughout the summer are enough to keep your lawn watered. But sometimes, it’s not enough.
Grass needs one to one-and-a-half inches of rain per week to stay healthy. If you’re not getting that much, then you need to supplement water. A rain-detecting sprinkler system is a smart investment for a Florida home.
Get Growing!
There are always more things you can do to grow the perfect lawn, but if you follow these simple tips, you’ll see dramatic results. Set yourself a regular maintenance schedule and stick to it. Your yard will be the envy of the neighborhood.
If you can’t find the time to care for your lawn or if you have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime.