Tag: lawn

by Incredible Planet Staff

11 Must-Have Tools for Maintaining Your Lawn


Homes

You can learn a lot about a person by the condition of their lawn. A well-kept, lush green lawn tells a person that you’re responsible and well organised and that you take pride in your home. A brown and patchy lawn can (albeit mistakenly) assume that you’re messy and disorganised. The message you send with your lawn needs careful maintenance. 

Nobody wants a lawn that misrepresents who they are as a person. The problem is, lawn maintenance is not always easy. Watering your lawn regularly can help to keep your lawn looking somewhat healthy, but to have a lawn that sends nothing but positive vibes there are some must-have tools you should get. These tools ensure that you create and maintain a lawn that not only you and your family will appreciate, but your neighbours and guests will too. They’ll also make maintaining your type of turf a breeze. 

Must-have lawn maintenance tools

  1. Gloves

Before you even pick up a lawn maintenance tool, purchase yourself a pair of good gardening gloves. These will save you from painful blisters, scrapes, thorns, cuts and general wear and tear and will protect hands from chemicals and fungal infections that can be contracted by certain plants or gardening materials.  

When choosing gloves, durability is important. Even more important, however, is the fit. If they are too big or loose, you won’t have the dexterity you need and gripping tools and plants properly could be tricky. Your gloves should be snug, but not too tight to limit movement.

  1. Rake

Whether you’re preparing your soil to sow lawn seed or you’re trying to keep instant turf thriving, a rake is an essential item. A levelling rake with evenly spaced teeth will provide seed with the perfect soil texture to germinate in and can be used post-sowing to remove organic matter from established turf. A spring tined rake can be used to remove build up of dead grass or leaves, which can suffocate grass if it’s not dealt with in a timely manner. 

  1. Leaf blower

For quick and efficient cleaning of your yard, you can’t beat a leaf blower. Leaf blowers are versatile pieces of equipment and aren’t just made for blowing leaves. They can move grass clippings, clear wet garden debris, and be used to dry wet surfaces. 

Some models can even be turned into outdoor vacuums, allowing you to gather up dead leaves and turn them into mulch. 

  1. Fertiliser spreader

For feeding and weeding your lawn, a broadcast granular spreader is a must. It disperses fertiliser uniformly in a wide arc and reduces contact with potentially dangerous chemicals. 

You can use a fertiliser spreader to apply any lawn treatment, including grass seed, insecticide, lime, fungicide and fertiliser. The machine will evenly apply the product for more consistent results and will use less product than if you were applying by hand.

  1. Sprayer

Much like a fertiliser spreader, a sprayer helps you to control where you apply a product and how much you apply. It can also help you to spray underneath plants if required. Hose-end sprayers are inexpensive and easy to use, while tank or backpack sprayers allow you to carry more product for bigger lawns. 

  1. Lawn mower

Even if you hire someone to take care of your lawn mowing it pays to have a lawn mower on hand for emergency trims. Landscaper hold ups can happen and you never know when the in-laws might show up! 

Choose a mower that matches up with what you need for your lawn and your comfort. Look for a lawn mower that’s the right height for you and with an engine size that will handle tasks like cutting through tall grass, wet grass, leaf mulching and bagging. If using a ride on mower, add a dethatcher to the back which will quickly help you to rough up your lawn, remove dead grass and allow air and water to penetrate the surface to improve the growth of your grass. 

  1. String trimmer

A string trimmer allows you to cut grass and weeds in the places your lawn mower can’t reach. A good string trimmer means you can be agile around obstacles such as fences, trees, decks, bushes, pots and mailboxes. Look for trimmers with adjustable length shafts or handles so you can customise to your height. Battery-powered trimmers are generally quieter than gas-powered trimmers, but even so you might like to use ear protection when running your string trimmer as they can be noisy. 

  1. Shears

To prevent overgrowth of trees and bushes that can shade the lawn and cause it to die overtime, get yourself some shears. Hand-held pruning shears are great for decorative plants while larger hedge shears are better for shrubbery. To keep trees and palm prongs looking neat and tidy, invest in a pair of looping shears. 

  1. Garden trowel

It’s important that you dig out weeds early before they expand and kill off the lawn underneath them. Garden trowels can be used to dig up weeds that appear on the lawn, as well as install small plants and bulbs. You can fix bare areas quickly with seed or turf sods. 

  1. Hose or sprinkler system

There are two things that every lawn needs and that’s sun and water. You can’t harness the power of the weather but you can harness the power of a hose or sprinkler system to keep your lawn hydrated. To test if your lawn requires watering, take a screwdriver and put it into the ground until it hits 6 inches deep. If the soil’s not wet enough, it’s time to get the hose or sprinkler out. 

  1. Aerator

Over time, it’s common for your lawn to become so compressed that air and water has difficulty penetrating the surface. This prevents your grass from growing as it should. A handheld aerator with solid or hollow tines will relieve the compaction of your yard. 

Investing in the basics

Gardening tools are like kitchen appliances. There are a million different gadgets to choose from and at the end of the day, as long as you’ve got the basics covered – the cutlery, the crockery and utensils – you can get by just fine. The moral of the story is, you don’t need to fill the garden shed. You just need a selection of the correct tools on hand. 

With access to the tools listed above and the right kind of turf you’ve got everything you need to have a lush and beautiful lawn. The next step is to apply a regular maintenance routine in line with the seasons. This is the best way to protect your lawn landscape investment and to have the best looking lawn in the street that says only good things about you.


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by James Adam

The best features and benefits of petrol powered lawn movers


Homes

One of the most popular things people use to take care of their property is a petrol lawn mower. There are several types of lawn mower that people can choose from, such as an electric lawn mower or push mower. Others run with gasoline or gasoline, and among those who make the most spread lawn, the rider is the lawn mower. If the deep lawn Smith goes with an electric lawn cutting machine, Cordless will have to consider a serious option if they are concerned about the potential hazards and limitations that come with cutting a lawn. The Best Lawn Mowers along with great specifications and details is presenting to you here.

Problems with electric lawn mowers

They come in two forms, one with a cord and one that is cordless. Dredged versions may not be possible for people with medium or large sized lawns due to their limited bone size: usually from 100 to 150 feet. Some people consider the power cutters to be a risk because the danger of running over the power cord may be due to the electrical impulse running, which puts the user at risk of becoming electrocuted.

Push movers only for fit and healthy

Push cutting is also a normal task, which only requires human power. By pressing the lawn mower, the wheels turn blades, cut grass or weeds when turning wheels. However, washing weeds is not as effective as herbs and dirt due to the speed of the scars and rotating blades. Push mowers use a cylinder or rail system, while other powered lawn mowers typically use rotary moor along the vertical axis.

Mowers on the Ride for Big Law

Rides can be fun for some people who have a great grassy area. Surprisingly, they pose a potential risk to homeowners who have lawns that have little or no rolling lawns. Lawn mowers can be mounted if they are on very uneven ground and cannot go to places where other lawn mowers can go in more strenuous areas and require extra work on shrubs such as trees and around the base of trees.

Profession and consensus

Petrol power is one of the most common types of dogs. They can be noisy but are very efficient and can go to places where the rider on the lawn mower or lawn tractor will not be able to reach it as previously stated. If a portion of the lawn is downward and the ground is not even, it will not be too much of a hassle for a petrol lawn mower because with the help of the user, the mower can drown the grass. Some running lawns use lawn users with throttle control, and stress the user’s ability to push.

Consumers using electric electrics eventually run out of electricity and need to recharge, which can take several hours. Imagine this: a beautiful, sunny day that forecasts the weather saying it will rain the rest of the week. It’s time to mow the lawn, but wait, whoever knocked the lawn for the last time realized that the battery was out and forgot to charge it again.

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by James Adam

How to Maintain Your Lawn and Make It Look Amazing


Homes

Does your lawn need help? When it’s well-maintained, your lawn serves as a lush, green welcome mat for your guests. Without proper care, it can quickly become overgrown, weak, and full of weeds.

Learning how to maintain your lawn can help you achieve that perfectly manicured look. Mowing, irrigation, and fertilizing are important steps to make your lawn look good.

Keep reading to learn tips for a beautiful lawn.

Mow Correctly

Mowing regularly keeps your lawn healthy and tidy. The specific height depends on the type of grass.

The general rule is to mow no more than one-third of the blade length each time you mow. If you’ve let the grass go a little too long, get it back on track gradually by cutting it high the first time and a little lower each time after.

If you don’t want to handle the mowing yourself, hire a lawn mowing service to do the work for you. A professional company understands the local lawn needs and mowing recommendations to keep your grass healthy. They also offer other services, such as pest control and fertilizing.

Irrigate When Needed

Water keeps your grass looking beautiful and helps it stay healthy. When you get enough rain, you don’t need to worry about irrigation. During dry periods, irrigating gives your lawn the water it needs. Physical signs, such as leaf blades that fold lengthwise or footprints remaining in the grass, tell you when it’s time to irrigate.

Fertilize

Regular fertilization helps your grass grow in thick and strong. Not only does that improve the overall health, but it also makes it more difficult for weeds to take hold when the grass is so thick.

Spring fertilizer helps establish strong roots early in the growing season. Fall fertilizer applications can strengthen the grass going into winter and repair the roots after the summer season.

Fertilizer application depends largely on your climate and type of grass. A lawn care company can recommend the best fertilizer type and schedule to make your lawn healthy.

Handle Weeds

Weed can turn an otherwise beautiful lawn into an eyesore. Having a healthy lawn cuts down on weeds, but a few might still slip through and take root. Pull out the weeds, making sure to get rid of the roots, when you spot them.

You can also use herbicides to take care of weeds. Choose herbicide designed for the type of weeds you have, ensuring it won’t harm the grass itself. Only apply the herbicide according to the product instructions to prevent damage to healthy grass.

Patch Spots

Overseeding your lawn helps your grass grown in thick and strong. It can also help repair bare spots if you have a patchy lawn.

Early spring and early fall are two good times to overseed your lawn. Using a broadcast seed spreader helps you evenly apply the grass seeds across your lawn. You’ll also need to water the grass seeds regularly while they become established.

Learn How to Maintain Your Lawn Well

Figuring out how to maintain your lawn the right way improves your curb appeal. You get healthy, lush grass that sets the stage for a beautiful home.

Check for more tips for your home in our archives.

by Incredible Planet Staff

7 Spring Lawn Care Musts


Homes

Even if spring is playing hard to get right now (a lot of states are still experiencing moderate snowfall), this doesn’t mean that you should delay in carrying out spring lawn care tasks.

With green grass already sprouting from the ground, every homeowner with a yard or garden should already be taking steps toward lawn care and maintenance.

To help you ensure the healthy growth of your lawn this spring and in the coming seasons, here are seven of the tasks you must execute now.

  1. Conduct an inspection

Inspect matted vegetation carefully to see if there’s spring growth underneath. Likewise, keep an eye out for weird-looking foliage under the piles. If you find some, better clear the area and throw away the unusual-looking foliage because it may have disease or bacteria that can spread around your lawn.

  1. Start bush and tree trimming

This may seem counterproductive considering that everything’s just springing back to life. However, professional lawn care in Blue Springs, MO that includes spring bush and tree trimming is a must to further encourage growth.

Getting rid of dried branches, leaves, and stems will increase plants’ ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil and sun, which is crucial before the extreme heat of summer sets in.

Likewise, strategic snipping will create room for new growth as well as ensure the nice shape of the bushes and trees.

  1. Clean up

Get rid of water deposits, broken branches and other clutter in your lawn. Any pile-up of rubbish easily attracts pests like mice, raccoons, and even snakes. Also, you do not want dried up leaves and branches to become a matted mess on your lawn. These can suffocate “sprouts” and cause them to die.

In Lee’s Summit MO, lawn care professionals can perform a spring clean up of your yard for you if you do not know how to carry it out correctly.

  1. Conduct pest control

Along with the reemergence of vegetation in your yard, expect all sorts of garden pests to appear as well. Spider mites, flies, moths, and different kinds of beetles are sure to become a presence in your lawn.

Be careful of wasps as well as they are quite active during the season. Wasps will likely choose to set up a nest in your patio, porch, or some structure you have in your lawn. They will also target burrowing holes in your garden. For a thoroughly successful spring lawn care and maintenance, do not forget to throw in the services of a pest control specialist.

  1. Let the grass grow tall

Tender loving care for sprouts of grass in the spring means letting them grow up to three and a half inches. Landscaping experts recommend holding off mowing your lawn for a while and letting grass grow and become strong.

This will not only make grass easier to cut later on, it will also allow them to better withstand the presence of weeds around them. If grass grows really healthy, it can even suffocate the weeds that are getting a share of the nutrients from the ground.

  1. Check the pH level of your soil

This will determine if you need to apply pulverized limestone to ensure the healthy growth of grass and plants during the season. Basically, if the pH level is 5.5 or more, you can do without the limestone, if it’s lower than that number, you better head to your local gardening store for some limestone.

  1. Fertilize

Spring is the perfect season to spread a fresh layer of lawn boosters that are rich in potassium, nitrogen, and magnesium. This will enhance the growth of your turf and all the other plants you have growing in your lawn. After a depletion of essential nutrients during the winter, your lawn desperately needs to drink up some tonic.

There you have it, seven of the most important lawn care tasks you need to perform this spring. Make sure to do each of them correctly because they will serve as a good foundation for growing a healthy lawn throughout the changing seasons.

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by Incredible Planet Staff

Top 5 Lawn Diseases and How to Fix & Prevent Them


Homes

Your lawn is more than just an extension of your private property. It is an iconic aspect of any suburbia and the most visible and public space in a community.

Whether it’s an expansive front yard or a small backyard, lawn care is important. To some, it may appear as a vanity project, but it goes further than that. Lawn care matters because of its importance to the greater environment.

Lawns offers great carbon sequestration – capturing carbon and other pollutants. Lawns also introduce natural noise and heat reduction to your home. A good lawn will increase your property and neighborhood value. Not to mention, it’s a great outdoor space for your family to enjoy.

Lawn maintenance is not simply a weekend chore. Significant understanding of common lawn diseases and how to fix and prevent them can significantly help your lawn maintenance habits.

  1. Crabgrass invasion

Digitaria is a warm-season annual, but most people know it by its more common name; crabgrass. Crabgrass is adaptable and fast-growing. Appearing as ungainly clumps, crabgrass often features as two prevalent types; smooth and large. This weed is easy to control, but timing is crucial.

Under-fertilised and low mowing introduces crabgrass to lawns. So mow high and be sure to fertilize your lawn. Gluten corn meal is a great fertilizer for your lawn. It also serves as a natural alternative to chemical pesticides when controlling crabgrass.

This should be done in early spring to prevent crabgrass and fertilize your lawn.

  1. Bare patches

Few things are more unsightly in a landscaped garden or any home lawn than a bald spot. If a full, healthy lawn displays signs of bare patches, this could be attributed to heavy foot traffic, pet urine, or infestations by fungi, bugs, grubs, or other pests.

To eliminate these problems, you must address the issues. Introduce a path for the traffic flow issue. Train your pet to urinate somewhere else less prominently visible. Use pesticides to rid the lawn of pests and fungi. Once this has been done, you can reseed your lawn.

Spring or early winter is the best time to reseed the troubled areas. Keep the problem areas moist for a few weeks and water daily when necessary.

  1. Dollar spot

While dollar spot mostly affects turf-grasses, it is nonetheless a problematic lawn disease. The good news is, it’s easy to identify.

Occurring throughout the growing period, mostly during moist, warm days and cool nights, dollar spot appears as tan or straw-colored patches throughout your lawn. A lawn fungus by nature, it’s named so because it first appears as the size of a silver dollar.

For prevention and effective lawn control, aerate your lawn, mow frequently to stimulate healthy lawn growth, water deeply, but infrequently, and fertilize during the late spring season. While there are products out there that can minimize the spread of dollar spot, prevention is key. Adequate fertilization and lawn maintenance will ensure your grass outgrows its dollar spot problem.

  1. Lawn weeds

Lawn weeds appear in many shapes and sizes and are introduced to your grass through many means. Often, wind, birds, your lawn maintenance tools, and even your feet can serve as ferries for these unwanted weeds.

Whether it’s dandelions, the invasion of creeping Charlie, or even the annual bluegrass, weeds occupy space, food, and light your grass needs to grow and gradually ruins the look of your garden or lawn. There are various methods to get rid of lawn weeds according to seasonality and weed characteristics. But prevention is key to resist their aggressive growth throughout your lawn.

Ensure your lawn is watered deeply but infrequently. This promotes deeper root growth. Be sure to mow at a proper height to help grass grow thick and suffocate weed seeds. Proper feeding is also key. Feeding regularly, in 6-8 weeks intervals during the growing season thickens up your lawn and eliminate bare spots.

  1. Lawn pests

There are many reasons lawns can become vulnerable to pests. Weather conditions, poor drainage, and a lack of nutrients can contribute to the introduction of lawn pests. Early detection and identification are key in the battle against lawn pests.

As lawn pests can appear in a variety of ways, from leather jackets, moles, and worm casts, the numerous methods to control outdoor pests varies. Pesticides may provide relief but can contribute possible hazards to people and the environment. The most effective strategy for controlling pests is prevention.

Regular mowing, watering, and weed control can improve the health and appearance of your grass while limiting the growth of lawn pests. Be sure to remove grass clippings as they can promote the growth of fungal spores. During winter, avoid high nitrogen feeds. Long, lush growth may appear nice, but it’s an invitation for snow mold and other fungal diseases.

So next time you’re out mowing and raking, look out for these common lawn diseases. Proper identification is crucial in the battle for a well-maintained and beautiful lawn. Knowing what to look for can ensure the right preventative measures are used.