Spring

Spring is an ideal time for planting in almost all areas of the country, as warming temperatures and regular rainfall makes conditions ideal for plant establishment. Make sure you wait until the threat of frost is over before planting. Spring is a good time to make sure your irrigation or sprinkler system is in good working condition, and that your lawn tools and equipment are ready for the upcoming busy season. And remember, any season is the right time to make sure your shrubs and trees are properly mulched in order to moderate temperatures, maintain soil moisture, deter weeds, and enhance the attractiveness of your yard. However, avoid mulching directly around the trunks of trees and ornamental plants, as this can lead to rot.

Summer

In most parts of the country, summer means watering. To provide your landscape and lawn with the correct amount of water, learn about the specific needs your lawn, trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants. This is important to avoid drought stress, but also to avoid over-watering, which can be as detrimental as drought.

Fall

Fall is also an excellent time to plant in many parts of the country. If you do plant, make sure you water new plantings well if rain is scarce. Also, take care to sufficiently water your lawn as it prepares for its dormancy. Don’t forget to plant bulbs in the fall, including tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth, for a bright, beautiful spring display.

Winter

Winter is an excellent time to prune trees and shrubs in most parts of the country. Many plants have lost their leaves, making it easier to see their framework and decide which branches to remove. However, do not prune plants that bloom in the spring, as you could remove next spring’s flowers. Prune these plants after the blooms fall off in the spring. In most parts of the country, you might need to water your lawn, even during dormancy, if it doesn’t rain for three to four weeks. Winter is also a good time to mulch your trees and ornamental plants to help moderate temperatures and soil moisture. This time of year is ideal to get lawn equipment repaired and ready for spring. Many repair shops might even offer winter discounts during what is typically a slow time of the year for them.

The experts at the TruGreen Lawn and Landscape Institute report that the most common mowing mistakes are mowing too infrequently and cutting grass too short. Here are their tips on proper mowing technique:

Avoid Scalping

Letting grass grow tall and then removing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade is called “scalping” and can damage the lawn. Mowing grass extremely low can also damage the lawn by cutting into the crowns of the plants.

Sharpen Blades

Make sure your mower blades are sharp in order to cut cleanly. Dull blades can shred grass and cause discoloration at the tips because frayed grass blades lose moisture easily. Sharpen the blades of rotary mowers several times each growing season. Reel type mowers usually only require sharpening once a year, but adjust them to ensure they cut cleanly. Some grass species have tough blades, which cause blades to wear quickly.

Be Gentle with Damaged Grass

Raise the mower height a notch or two when mowing a lawn that’s recovering from drought, insect damage, or disease.

Use Your Grass Clippings

Recycle grass clippings to reduce water loss, lower soil temperatures, and return nutrients to the soil. Plus, you’ll save the trouble of bagging and keep clippings out of our already clogged landfills. In fact, many communities will no longer accept grass clippings in household trash.

Don’t Cut Wet or Wilted Grass

Avoid cutting wet grass, which can cause brown spots because clippings clump together and smother your lawn. Cutting wilted grass, particularly during the hottest part of the day, can also cause severe damage to your lawn.

Know When to Mow

The best guide for mowing frequency is the growth of your grass. Plan to cut less than 1/3 of the grass blade in one mowing. Keep in mind that certain grasses, such as bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and centipedegrass, require close mowing to stay healthy. Allowing these grasses to grow too high will promote thatch development.

So You Miss a Mowing

During periods of rapid growth, lawns may require mowing as frequently as every three to four days. Of course, sometimes we just don’t have time to mow as often as we’d like. If your grass has grown too high, reset your mower to its highest cutting level. Three or four days later, reset the mower to cut at the normal height and mow your grass again.

And always remember, when in doubt…call the professionals at Warren Lawn & Landscape. 765-659-Lawn (5296)