Poor Planting Practices

There are a number of ways our best intentions can go wrong here. Too many homeowners are diligent about seeding, or have a definite look they’re after when it comes to picking and placing a mix of annuals and perennials for their property, only to find that their grass and plants are dying left, right, and center.

There are many factors that go into landscaping. Soil types, sunlight, and precipitation aren’t usually uniform on your entire property. You’ll need to choose carefully, ensuring that each area has the right plants — not just flowers and shrubs, but even different types of grass — that will thrive in those conditions. That biodiversity looks and performs better than a poorly-planned lawn.

Excessive Mowing

Nobody wants to spend a couple of hours per weekend mowing their lawn, so we understand the temptation to give your lawn a buzz cut. Don’t. You’re going to end up with a lawn that looks more like a haystack than a golf course. Taller grass is healthier grass, partly because there’s more surface area for photosynthesis, and partly because the added height also shades and protects the root system. The right height to cut grass varies depending on the species, but for fescues (the most common lawn grasses), the height should actually be about three inches.  

Improper Watering

There’s a delicate balance when it comes to watering your lawn. Water too little and your grass will wither. Water too much, however, and you may notice rot setting in. It doesn’t help that many sprinkler systems do a great job of wetting the surface, but don’t get that water to the roots — that wastes water and can lead to more problems than it solves. If you find you need to water frequently, it may be worth your while to look into an irrigation system instead of sprinklers.

Neglecting Unwanted “Guests”

From time to time, we come across homeowners who have a laissez-faire attitude toward weeds and pests. Those dandelion flowers add a splash of color, those weeds are plenty green from a distance, and beetles are just part of the circle of life, right? Well, not if you want a yard that’s healthy and helps your home’s curb appeal.

Weeds choke out the kind of healthy growth you actually want on your lawn. Common lawn pests, meantime, can do everything from undermining root systems to making your grass their all-you-can-eat buffet. A problem that’s easy to address when caught early is much less so when you’re dealing with a full-scale infestation of weeds or pests, so don’t wait to get on a lawn care program!

Improper Lawn Chemical Application

Applying fertilizer and other common lawn chemicals too often isn’t going to help your lawn. Over-application of fertilizer can burn your lawn. Pesticides and herbicides that are misapplied, or put down at the wrong time, can also be damaging — while also being completely ineffective — thereby doubling the waste of time and money. Hiring a professional Sioux City lawn care company can save you time and money, while also ensuring your yard is the envy of the neighborhood.

If you want lawn care done right, call a professional. Jay-Lan Lawn Care arrives with more than the right lawn care chemicals and techniques; we bring the experience you need to keep your lawn healthy! Contact us to see how we can help you.