Consider this the ultimate lawn and landscape guide for new home owners in Dallas, TX. Having a lawn is one of the most beautiful aspects of being a home owner. In this guide, we have discussed in great detail all you need to own, care for and maintain a gorgeous landscape in Dallas. If you already have a lawn or landscape, or you’re looking to acquire one, you will find this guide super useful! Lawn maintenance in Dallas isn’t rocket science!
Carry out a Lawn and Landscape Inspection First
The first step to owning a beautiful lawn is to have a checklist where you keep records on certain things in your yard. Below are points of interest for your inspection checklist.
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Check for weeds
Just as your grass and other vegetation are growing, weeds can invade your lawn due to a number of causes. Regular inspection will help identify these weeds early so eliminating them before they sprout all over the place is easy. Implement weed-eradication techniques like using weed barriers, applying pre-emergent and using mulch to prevent germination. Growing your vegetation densely is also known to keep weeds off the lawn when done well.
Large weeds can be pulled by hand from the root and taken away from your yard for disposal. Solarization of weeds is another way that can destroy weeds without the use of synthetic products which contain toxins. Hire lawn maintenance in Dallas where you have questions.
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Ensure your landscape is level
Having a bumpy lawn yard can be unsightly to the eyes. It’s important to ensure your lawn has no bumps on it. If your lawn has a bad landscape, smoothing out the rough bumps on it can make it better. Engage a lawn maintenance service in Dallas to either re-roll the lawn or use a top dressing to correct the anomaly. Work on bumpy grounds when the weather condition is dry for ideal results.
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Consider drainage efficiency
Poor drainage can cause a lot of problems for your landscape. Waterlogged lawns are a favorite place for insects like mosquitoes and life forms like mould which can damage your grass in quick measure. Ideally, your lawn should be able to remove water from its surface without difficulty. Ensure your water drainage, gutters and other channels aren’t blocked. Engage lawn care in Dallas to solve drainage problems. Most drainage concerns require professional help. By channeling water away from your lawn, it stands a better chance of having fewer issues.
Initiate Regular Maintenance Practices
While having a checklist to go by is a great idea for your lawn and landscape guide, carrying out regular lawn maintenance will make all the difference. In this section, we have discussed several lawn care practices that will benefit your lawn and landscape greatly. Please ensure to leave lawn care and landscape maintenance to professionals who have the experience and skill set to get it right.
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Lawn watering
To grow optimally, lawns need enough water every few days. While some grass species require more water than most, others need minimal watering to develop properly. Watering should be done deeply to soak the soil at a frequency of once or twice weekly. A hose attached to a pump and water source are usually enough for irrigation purposes. However, for a completely hands free approach to irrigation, consider installing an automated sprinkler system by a lawn care service in Dallas.
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Aerate the lawn space
Aeration breaks up clogged souls creating enough space in your lawn for plants to grow optimally. Aeration is better done with a core aeration to properly combat the effects of soil compaction. If you notice that your soil feels hard, doesn’t absorb water like before and has thin grass growth when it everything it needs to grow properly is present, it could be a case of compaction. Old lawns are often prone to soil compaction issues and therefore need aeration the most. Do not do aeration without getting a recommendation from a lawn care Dallas personnel. As helpful as this lawn care practice is, it can also cause problems if abused. Carry out aeration only once a year during spring. Of course exceptions exist where you might another go, usually during fall after the hot summer season.
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Regular proper mowing
One of the core practices needed to keep your lawn and landscape beautiful long into the feature is majorly lawn mowing. Weekly or bi-weekly lawn mowing is recommended to keep lawns trim, healthy and beautiful. As simple as it sounds, mowing requires skill and experience to get it right. The mower has to be functioning properly, with blades sharpened accordingly. In fact, blade placement is important to avoid scalping concerns when mowing. Dull blades will tear and mess up the grass increases the chances of disease agents getting into the grass. Poorly placed blades can either cut too high or too low causing more problems in the end. Use a vetted lawn service like GOMOW Lawn Care Service to avoid a multitude of issues. With a professional lawn care service in Dallas in charge, you wouldn’t have to worry about these specifics while still having a beautiful lawn. Ensure that lawn mowing is combined with other organic lawn care practices to improve your lawn’s chances of staying healthy for long periods of time.
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Introduce fertilizers at some point
Like all living things, the vegetation on your landscape will require additional nutrients to be able to replenish exhausted resources. Fertilizer application makes it easy for plants to absorb essential nutrients needed for their system’s efficient metabolism. Only organic fertilizers should be used for nutrient enrichment exercises. Introduce fertilizers during the months of spring and late fall before winter sets in. Fertilizers with a nutrient composition of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are preferred as these are the major nutrients needed by plants to grow adequately. Checking the soil Ph level might also be necessary at this point so as to know what’s lacking in the soil. Top recommendation when using organic fertilizers is to specifically go for slow-release organic fertilizers because their breakdown favors soil and plant development the most.
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Tree and shrub care
When it comes to lawn and landscape maintenance, other vegetation in your yard isn’t to be avoided. Shrubs, flowered plants, and trees deserve care too. During the winter months, consider pruning and treating your shrubs and trees to improve their health. Hire lawn care service in Dallas with relevant experience in tree care to work on your perennials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times should I mow my lawn yard?
The number of times you should mow your lawn depends on several factors like – the time of the year, growth rate of the grass, grass type, weather.
Generally, at the peak growing seasons usually summer for warm season grass and spring and fall for cool season grass, you can mow once a week.
- Idea mowing height for Cool season grass is often pegged at 2.5 – 3.5 inches
- Ideal mowing height for Warm season grass is often pegged at 1 – 2 inches
How do I water my lawn to keep it healthy?
Water the lawn deeply once or twice every week. Consider watering once a week at a height of 1.5 inches above the soil, in the mornings before the sun climbs. Avoid late day watering because absorption is lower leading to mould formation during the night. If you can afford it, go for a sprinkler system.
How do I tackle weeds on my lawn safely?
There are different ways of tackling weeds. Some methods are safer than others. Removal by hand is safe and can be effective. Mulch treatment and lastly chemical treatment by an experienced lawn care in Dallas are top recommendations too.
When is the ideal time to fertilize my lawn?
Introducing fertilizers to your lawn is determined by different factors. It’s also different based on the type of grass on your lawn.
- Early spring and late summer works for Cool season grass
- Late spring and midsummer works for Warm season grass
How can I tell if my lawn is affected by pests and diseases?
If you lawn has these concerns, there will be visible signs like, patchy or thinning grass, chewed blades, and presence of insects. Moulds, discolored patches and dying grass may also be observed.
What are some sustainable and environmentally friendly ways to improve my landscape?
Improving your landscape through a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach can involve the following:
- Planting indigenous plants
- Setting proper drainage and irrigation systems
- Use of organic fertilizer and composting
- Organic pest management
- Mulching
- Tree pruning
- Landscape design by designated landscape companies
