jeudi 28 mars 2013

Taking Care Of Your Grass The Correct Way- Kansas City Landscaping Fundamentals

By Jeff Smithington


You won't have to pay a professional for a professional quality lawn servicing. Nevertheless a professional servicing takes a lot more than cutting the yard and fertilizing once a year. Kansas City landscapers use a range of proactive methods which are needed for that ideal yard.

It is fundamental to recognize that your grass will need much more than water and sunlight if it is going to reach its full potential. Understanding this and meeting those needs will, in time, result in a beautiful and healthy lawn. Understanding needs will not fix anything, however. You must then take care of them properly.

Professional landscapers in Kansas City always treat the first two inches of soil, if possible. The correct ratios of clay, sand, and organic matter will supply a loamy texture. You want a balance between good drainage but moisture retention, and gas-exchange but not enough to dry out the soil. Some people don't understand that roots need to stay moist and exchange CO2 for O2.

The next step in soil-preparation is the acidity of the soil. Kansas City landscapers use uncomplicated pH testing kits available at most garden-supply retailers. The acidity can be altered with lime or other products, like sphagnum peat moss, sulfur, or wood ash. A pH level of between 6.5 and 7.0 is ideal. Kansas City landscaping suppliers will have the price on materials and advice.

Grass cannot survive when there is too much erosion or standing water. Proactive management will save you a headache later on and prevent damage to your house and property. Grass in standing water will be stressed and prone to fungus. Erosion will remove pivotal protection from roots and wash away nutrients. To prevent this you should re-grade areas that are too steep or that are prone to standing water. Use creative landscaping to deal with particularly troublesome areas.

After the soil has been prepared and graded you will want to cover any bare spots (or even plant the lawn itself). You will have a huge variety of grasses to choose from and can either spread it as seed or install it as sod. In general, seed is much less expensive and you can mix the varieties you like, while sod is not as vulnerable or time and labor-intensive.

Strategically using a variety of grasses together will reveal which one grows efficiently in your particular situation. A particular species may thrive in one area and another species thrive in another, depending on the variable conditions, such as heavy shade, high-traffic, etc.. Professional Kansas City landscapers know that mixed seed can make sure your yard is well-covered, though some people do not like the resulting mixture of color and texture that may result. If additional landscaping or advice is needed you should contact a professional.

A smart landscaper knows that watering too little could hurt your grass just as bad as watering too much or too often. Observing to make sure the soil never dries out completely but is also not over-saturated for long times is the general rule for most Kansas City landscapers. Too much water too often can result in fungus or a layer of dead grass called thatch. Proper water, with soil that correctly retains moisture, should rarely exceed 2 inches of water per week.

Thatch will need annual or semi-annual attention. This breeding ground for pests and disease can harm the grass in several ways. Yet, a bit of thatch under a lush lawn is fine. It can even help hold water and micro-nutrients in the soil.

Many types of grass could benefit from a regular thatch-treatments. A power-rake is the most common tool for this task, but, if one is not readily available, a stiff hand-rake will do. This will draw the dead vegetation to the surface and collect it for removal. If properly dried, thatch can provide great composting material.

The annual water-cycle of rain and snow will inevitably compress the earth around your grass. This compacting effect will eventually hinder nutrients, water, and gas from reaching the roots- a significant barrier in cultivating a proper lawn.

To fix this problem of compression Kansas City landscapers aerate the ground. This breaks the top of the soil and places holes several inches deep. Ideally, the aeration will permit the roots to grow and work as they should.

Kansas City landscapers know that late Winter is the time to apply a pre-emergent. Pre-emergents are just what the name implies- a chemical that stops the weeds before they emerge. The grass is just beginning to grow at this point and taking the competing plants out before they steal precious nourishment will give the yard a big advantage.

Food is needed if your grass is going to stay healthy. Nutrients are leeched out of the soil from sunshine, wind, and other processes. Several times a year these elements must be replaced or stress and disease can permanently harm the yard. Skilled Kansas City landscapers advise at least two feedings every year, one in Spring and one in Fall. Compost and manure are great methods for feeding your yard.

The grass should not be too long when it is fertilized or the fertilizer will not be spread correctly. Cutting the grass too short is at least as bad, however, since the stressed plant is then bombarded with nutrient and can be burned. It's important to mention that landscapers in Kansas City use much higher settings on their mowers than most home-owners to avoid the fatigue the yard will endure when it has been cut too short.

Applying a fungicide is highly encouraged by Kansas City landscapers for preventing disease before it happens. A yard that has areas of shade or flooding will be more vulnerable than most. Don't assume that a fungicide guarantees protection, however. Keep a watchful eye on your yard and learn the signs of infection.

Reliable Kansas City landscapers will keep the yard in the healthiest state possible. There is no alternative for a vibrant yard as the best way to prevent problems. Kansas City landscapers always advise people to be proactive before drought and harsh weather come and not after. Don't be foolish and think you can wait until the hard times to work on your grass.

Every excellent Kansas City landscaper will tell you that it is hard work but it is necessary if your lawn is going to be healthy and happy. Enjoying the process and learning as you go will guarantee an enjoyable and valuable experience. So get out there and enjoy the work!




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