Friday, March 29, 2013

Kansas City Landscaping- Full-Spectrum Yard Maintenance Methods And Hints

By Al Buffet


You don't need to pay an expert for the benefits of a proficient lawn care servicing. But as the same time a lush yard requires much more than a weekly cut and water. This post will briefly discuss techniques professional Kansas City landscapers employ.

A lawn is a living organism that needs a lot more than mowing before it will grow to its fullest and thickest capacity. Failing to meet these needs will result in a lawn which will be vulnerable to pests and disease, not to mention ugly. And yet realizing the need for food, breath, and water will not be enough. It remains to answer those needs strategically and diligently.

If you are planting a new yard or have bare areas, Kansas City landscapers suggest readying the upper few inches of ground. Figure out what you need to add to your soil to result in a consistency that is rich in organic matter and somewhat "sticky", retaining moisture yet draining effectively. Your goal should be proper water and gas exchange, while retaining some moisture. Experts realize roots need to "breathe" a bit of oxygen, yet stay moist.

Your soil's pH level will also be an issue. There are various types of test-kits in Kansas City landscaping supply stores. After determining the level you will need to treat the soil. Materials like Limestone and Wood Ash will raise the pH while Peat Moss and Sulfur will lower it. A level of around 6.7 (slightly acidic) is good. With all of the various methods and materials out there, refer to a Kansas City landscaping shop.

Because of the heavy precipitation, erosion and standing pools of water can be big issues in the Kansas City region. There is no other remedy than preemptive management. Erosion removes the protective layer of soil over the roots and dries them out while standing water suffocates the roots and prevents the exchange of nutrients. The solution is relatively simple- level off and re-grade areas that are low or prone to high drainage, and plant sod or erosion-resistant vegetation, or place mulch, rock, or erosion-controlling materials over extremely steep areas.

The next step after soil-preparation is planting the grass itself, either in small bare areas or for a whole new lawn. Sod and seed are the two choices that you will have to review and apply at your discretion. Seed is better for small bare areas, is much more versatile, and will cost much less initially. Sod is pre-grown and healthy, simple to install, and provides an immediate patch of great grass.

Yards with a variety of conditions may require multiple species of grass to combat each issue, such as full sun and dark shade within a few feet. This will cause the yard to thrive, though the lawn may not be uniform in color and texture. Your unique needs may require the advice of a professional Kansas City landscaper.

Watering is a commonly misunderstood concern. Many people unknowingly water at the wrong times or too often, resulting in an unhealthy lawn. Kansas City landscapers know it is an art that should be given attention. This is because fungus and other disease flourish in constantly wet environments, while watering too little will obviously dehydrate the roots. If the soil is correctly conditioned-draining properly but retaining moisture- 2 inches of water once a week is usually sufficient.

Your yard can become choked and overly stressed by thatch over time. It has the ability to choke and stress the grass. A small layer is fine as long as the shoots and leaves are easily covering it.

Some varieties of grass, such as Zoysia, might call for a routine thatch-removal. Landscapers in Kansas City will de-thatch with a power-rake or hand-rake. The point is to simply get rid of the extra thatch. This replaces the normal decomposition process. Remove the thatch with a mower or by hand, and don't just mulch it back into the yard.

The annual water-cycle of rain and snow will eventually compact the dirt in your yard. This needs to be remedied if your lawn is going to reach its highest potential.

Kansas City landscapers treat this concern by aerating. To aerate the yard you will need to rent or borrow an aerator and run it over the yard a couple of times. When performed correctly, this will simulate natural processes that eliminate the compression and enable the roots to thrive and develop effectively.

At the conclusion of Winter or start of Spring Kansas City landscapers work with a pre-emergent to prevent the germination of weeds. 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 sustenance 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 by erosion and the removal of grass-clippings. You must replenish these nutrients or your yard will be vulnerable to stress and disease. Expert Kansas City landscapers advise two or three feedings every year to replace the leeched nutrients. Chemical nutrients are a common method for feeding or, a more natural method, garden compost and manure.

You should never fertilize when the grass is too high, or else the nutrient will not be uniformly spread. And yet, mowing the grass just before fertilizing can be harmful as well, because the the cut leaves will be vulnerable to chemical burns. It is beneficial to point out that landscapers in Kansas City use higher settings on their mowers than most home-owners to avoid the trauma grass experiences when it is cut too close to the ground.

Fungicide is applied at least once a year by Kansas City landscapers to be proactive against fungus. Untreated grass will be prone to spores that, if allowed to establish and grow, can destroy an entire yard. Even after treating the yard, be watchful.

Excellent 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 know that you need to take advantage of the good times and work hard. Don't be foolish and think you can wait until the hard times to work on your grass.

Make sure to integrate every one of these areas into a full strategy for your yard. There are few rewards more satisfying then cultivating a lush lawn. So have fun and have a great time!




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment