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Mowing the lawn is a crucial part of lawn care that can greatly impact the health and appearance of your grass. Here’s a guide on what to do and what to avoid, with a focus on the professional standards set by Lush Lawn Care’s mowing service.

What to Do When Mowing the Lawn
  1. Mow at the Right Height: Adjust your mower to cut grass at the recommended height for your specific grass type. Generally, most lawns do best when mowed to about 2.5 to 3 inches. This height helps maintain a healthy root system and prevents weeds from establishing.
  2. Mow Regularly: Regular mowing is essential for a healthy lawn. Aim to mow once a week during the growing season. Consistent mowing encourages dense growth and prevents the grass from becoming too tall and stressed.
  3. Use Sharp Blades: Ensure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades tear the grass rather than cutting it cleanly, which can cause stress and make the lawn more susceptible to disease. Lush Lawn Care always uses sharp blades in their mowing service to ensure clean cuts and a healthy lawn.
  4. Mow in Different Directions: Change your mowing pattern each time you mow. Mowing in the same direction can cause soil compaction and create ruts. Alternating directions helps promote upright growth and prevents wear patterns.
  5. Mow When the Grass is Dry: Wet grass can clump and clog your mower, leading to an uneven cut and potentially damaging the grass. Mowing dry grass ensures a cleaner, more even cut.
What to Avoid When Mowing the Lawn
  1. Avoid Cutting Too Much at Once: Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade length in a single mowing. Cutting too much at once can shock the grass and hinder its growth. If the grass is very tall, gradually reduce its height over several mowings.
  2. Don’t Mow with a Dull Blade: As mentioned, dull blades harm the grass by tearing it. This not only makes the lawn look ragged but also leaves it vulnerable to pests and diseases. Regularly check and sharpen your mower blades.
  3. Avoid Mowing in Extreme Heat: Mowing during the hottest part of the day can stress the grass. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to mow, as temperatures are cooler, and the grass has time to recover before the full heat of the day.
  4. Don’t Ignore Lawn Health Signs: Be attentive to signs of lawn stress, such as yellowing grass or bare patches. Addressing these issues promptly with proper mowing techniques and additional care can prevent more significant problems.
  5. Avoid Over-Mowing: Over-mowing can weaken the grass and increase its susceptibility to weeds and diseases. Stick to a regular mowing schedule without overdoing it.

By following these do’s and don’ts, you can maintain a lush, healthy lawn. Lush Lawn Care’s professional mowing service ensures these best practices are always followed, providing you with a beautiful and well-maintained lawn.

Watering your lawn effectively depends on various factors such as the type of grass, soil, climate, and season. However, here are some general guidelines:

Frequency
  • Established Lawns: Generally, established lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, which can be split into 2-3 watering sessions.
  • New Lawns: Newly seeded or sodded lawns may require more frequent watering, often daily, to keep the soil moist until the grass is established.
Duration
  • The duration of watering depends on the method and the lawn’s water needs. For a typical lawn, aim for about 30 minutes per session, but this can vary. To ensure even watering, you can place a shallow container on your lawn to measure how much water is being applied.
Best Time of Day
  • Early Morning: The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning, between 4 AM and 10 AM. This allows water to soak into the soil before it evaporates in the heat of the day and reduces the risk of fungal diseases that can occur with nighttime watering.
  • Avoid Midday: Watering during the hottest part of the day leads to rapid evaporation, reducing the efficiency of watering.
  • Late Afternoon/Early Evening: If morning watering isn’t possible, late afternoon or early evening is a better alternative. Just ensure the grass dries before nightfall to prevent disease.
Additional Tips
  • Check Soil Moisture: Use a soil moisture meter or simply check by inserting a screwdriver or similar tool into the soil. If it penetrates easily, the soil is moist; if not, it needs water.
  • Adjust for Weather: During rainy periods, you can reduce or skip watering. In hot, dry weather, you might need to water more frequently.
  • Aeration: Aerating your lawn once or twice a year helps water penetrate the soil more effectively.

These best practices are always followed, providing you with a beautiful and well-maintained lawn.

In Edmonton, the frequency of lawn aeration depends on local soil conditions, the amount of traffic your lawn receives, and the overall health of the grass. Here are some specific guidelines for aerating lawns in Edmonton:

General Guidelines for Lawn Aeration in Edmonton
  1. Soil Type:
    • Clay Soil: Many areas in Edmonton have heavy clay soil, which compacts easily. Aerate once or twice a year to relieve compaction and improve drainage.
    • Sandy Soil: If your lawn has sandy soil, it may only need aeration once every 1 to 2 years since sandy soils do not compact as readily.
  2. Traffic and Usage:
    • High Traffic Areas: Lawns that receive a lot of foot traffic, children playing, or pets may need aeration once or twice a year to ensure healthy grass growth.
    • Low Traffic Areas: Lawns with minimal traffic can often be aerated every 1 to 2 years.
  3. Overall Lawn Health:
    • Compacted Soil: If your lawn shows signs of soil compaction, such as water pooling, bare spots, or thinning grass, it may benefit from more frequent aeration.
    • Healthy Lawn: A well-maintained, healthy lawn with good soil structure may only need aeration every other year.
Best Time to Aerate in Edmonton
  • Cool-Season Grasses: The predominant grass types in Edmonton, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass, benefit most from aeration in the early spring or fall. These seasons offer optimal conditions for grass recovery and growth.
  • Avoid Extreme Conditions: Avoid aerating during the hot summer months or the winter when the ground is frozen, as this can stress the grass.
Benefits of Regular Aeration
  • Improved Soil Structure: Aeration helps relieve soil compaction, allowing roots to grow deeper and stronger.
  • Enhanced Nutrient and Water Uptake: By creating small holes in the soil, aeration allows water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the grass roots more effectively.
  • Thatch Reduction: Aeration helps break up thatch, the layer of dead grass and roots that can build up on the soil surface, promoting healthier grass.
  • Better Grass Growth: Overall, aeration promotes thicker, healthier grass by improving the growing conditions.
Signs Your Lawn Needs Aeration
  • Poor Drainage: Water pooling on the surface or slow drainage can indicate compacted soil.
  • Thinning Grass: Areas of thin or patchy grass growth may benefit from aeration.
  • Hard Soil: If the soil is hard to the touch and difficult to penetrate with a screwdriver or similar tool, it likely needs aeration.
  • Increased Thatch: A thick layer of thatch can suffocate grass roots and impede water and nutrient absorption.
Special Considerations for Edmonton
  • Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Edmonton’s freeze-thaw cycles can contribute to soil compaction and uneven lawns. Regular aeration can help mitigate these effects.
  • Short Growing Season: Take advantage of the spring and early fall when the grass is actively growing to aerate your lawn, ensuring it has enough time to recover and thrive.

In summary, most lawns in Edmonton benefit from aeration once a year, particularly in the spring or fall. Lawns with heavy clay soil, high traffic, or signs of compaction may need more frequent aeration. By aerating at the right times and intervals, you can maintain a healthier, more resilient lawn suited to Edmonton’s soil and weather conditions.

Fertilizer plays a crucial role in improving grass health and enhancing its green color by providing essential nutrients that grass needs to grow robustly and maintain its vibrant appearance. Here’s how fertilizer contributes to grass health and greenness:

Key Nutrients in Fertilizer and Their Benefits
  1. Nitrogen (N):
    • Role: Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for promoting lush, green growth in grass. It is a key component of chlorophyll, the molecule responsible for photosynthesis, which allows plants to convert sunlight into energy.
    • Effect: Adequate nitrogen levels lead to increased chlorophyll production, resulting in deeper green color and vigorous growth. It also encourages dense, thick grass, which helps outcompete weeds.
  2. Phosphorus (P):
    • Role: Phosphorus is crucial for root development and energy transfer within the plant. It supports the establishment of strong roots, which are essential for nutrient and water uptake.
    • Effect: Strong root systems contribute to overall grass health, making the lawn more resilient to stress and better able to sustain its green color, even under adverse conditions.
  3. Potassium (K):
    • Role: Potassium is vital for overall plant health and stress tolerance. It helps regulate various physiological processes, including water uptake, enzyme activation, and photosynthesis.
    • Effect: Potassium enhances the grass’s ability to withstand drought, disease, and temperature extremes. Healthy, stress-resistant grass maintains a greener appearance and recovers more quickly from damage.
How Fertilizer Improves Grass Health
  1. Enhanced Growth: Fertilizer provides the nutrients necessary for vigorous growth, resulting in thicker, more robust grass. This dense growth helps crowd out weeds and reduces bare spots, contributing to a healthier lawn.
  2. Improved Root Development: With adequate phosphorus and other nutrients, grass develops a stronger root system. Healthy roots enhance the grass’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, promoting sustained growth and resilience.
  3. Stress Resistance: Potassium and other nutrients help grass cope with environmental stressors such as drought, heat, cold, and disease. Well-nourished grass can recover more quickly from stress and maintain its green color.
  4. Enhanced Photosynthesis: Nutrients like nitrogen and iron boost chlorophyll production, which is crucial for photosynthesis. Efficient photosynthesis enables the grass to produce the energy needed for growth and maintenance, resulting in a greener lawn.

By supplying essential nutrients and supporting various physiological processes, fertilizer significantly enhances grass health and promotes a greener, more vibrant lawn. Proper fertilization, combined with good lawn care practices, can result in a lush, attractive lawn that is more resilient to environmental stresses.

Our weed control service works by targeting broadleaf weeds such as dandelions and thistle while leaving grasses unharmed. Here’s how they control weeds and how long their effectiveness typically lasts:

How Weed Control Works
  1. Selective Weed Control Action:
    • Targeting Broadleaf Weeds: Weed control products are designed to selectively target broadleaf weeds such as dandelions, clover, and chickweed. These products contain active ingredients that disrupt the growth processes of these weeds.
    • Absorption and Action: Once applied, the weed control product is absorbed by the leaves and stems of the weeds. The active ingredients then move throughout the plant, interfering with vital processes such as cell division and growth. This leads to the death of the weed while leaving the grass unharmed.
  2. Systemic Activity:
    • Complete Kill: The systemic nature of weed control products ensures that they affect the entire plant, including the roots. This prevents the weed from regrowing and effectively eliminates it from your lawn.
Duration of Effectiveness
  • Typical Duration: Weed control products are generally effective for about 4 to 6 weeks after application. During this period, they continue to suppress and kill emerging weeds.
  • Extended Control: For ongoing weed management, repeated applications may be necessary. Following a regular schedule can help maintain a weed-free lawn throughout the growing season.
Benefits for Customers
  • Effective Weed Management: Our weed control product effectively eliminates common broadleaf weeds, resulting in a cleaner, more attractive lawn.
  • Long-Lasting Results: With up to 4 to 6 weeks of effectiveness, you can enjoy a weed-free lawn with fewer applications.
  • Selective Action: Designed to target weeds while preserving your grass, ensuring your lawn remains healthy and green.
  • Systemic Protection: By targeting the entire weed, including the roots, our product provides comprehensive and lasting control.

By using Lush Lawn Care’s weed control service, you can achieve a healthier, more beautiful lawn free from the nuisance of broadleaf weeds. Our professional weed control service ensures your lawn remains lush, green, and well-maintained.s.

Lush Your Lawn

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Evergreen and fruit trees can make it difficult for grass to survive due to several factors, including shading, competition for water and nutrients, and the impact on soil conditions such as soil acidity. Here’s a detailed explanation of these factors, with a focus on how our soil acidity correcting product, “Soil Enhancer,” can help:

Shading
  • Reduced Light Availability: Trees, especially evergreens, provide significant shade, which reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the grass. Grass typically requires full sun to thrive, and the reduced light can inhibit photosynthesis, leading to weaker, less vigorous growth.
Competition for Resources
  • Water Competition: Trees have extensive root systems that compete with grass for water. During dry periods, trees can outcompete grass for moisture, causing the grass to suffer from drought stress.
  • Nutrient Competition: Both trees and grass require essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The tree roots often have an advantage in accessing these nutrients, leaving less available for the grass.
Soil Acidity
  • Tree Litter: Evergreen trees, such as pines and firs, drop needles and other organic material that decompose and can acidify the soil. The decomposition process of these materials releases acids into the soil, lowering the pH.
  • pH and Nutrient Availability: Soil pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. Most grasses prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH range (around 6.0 to 7.0). When the soil becomes too acidic (lower pH), it can affect the availability of essential nutrients.
How Soil Enhancer Can Help
  • Neutralizing Soil Acidity: Our Soil Enhancer product is designed to correct soil acidity by neutralizing excess acids and raising the pH to a more favorable range for grass growth. This helps create an optimal environment for nutrient uptake.
  • Improving Nutrient Availability: By adjusting the soil pH, Soil Enhancer ensures that essential nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium are more readily available to the grass. This promotes healthier, more vigorous growth.
  • Supporting Microbial Activity: Soil Enhancer also helps create a more favorable environment for beneficial soil microorganisms. These microbes play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients, further supporting grass health.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Appropriate Tree Selection and Placement: Choosing trees with less acidic leaf litter or planting trees and grass in a way that minimizes competition can help.
  • Mulching and Fertilizing: Proper mulching and fertilizing can help manage nutrient availability and support both trees and grass.

In summary, evergreen and fruit trees affect grass survival primarily through shading, competition for water and nutrients, and altering soil acidity. Our Soil Enhancer product is specifically formulated to correct soil acidity, improving nutrient availability and supporting healthy grass growth. Understanding and managing these factors can help create a more balanced environment where both trees and grass can coexist.

Dog urine burns grass primarily due to its high concentration of nitrogen and, in some cases, its slightly acidic pH. Here’s a detailed explanation of why this happens and how you can prevent or mitigate its effects:

Why Dog Urine Burns Grass
  • High Nitrogen Content: Dog urine contains urea, a compound that is high in nitrogen. While nitrogen is an essential nutrient for grass, too much of it can cause damage. When a dog urinates in one spot, the concentrated nitrogen can overwhelm the grass, leading to what’s known as “nitrogen burn.” This results in patches of dead or yellow grass.
  • Salts and pH: Dog urine also contains salts, which can dehydrate grass by drawing water out of the grass blades and roots. Additionally, the urine can be slightly acidic, which may alter the soil pH and further stress the grass.
Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Dog Urine on Grass
  1. Water the Area Immediately: After your dog urinates, pour water over the spot to dilute the urine. This helps to disperse the nitrogen and salts, reducing their concentration and minimizing potential damage.
  2. Train Your Dog: Train your dog to urinate in a designated area, such as a mulched or gravel spot, where grass damage won’t be an issue. This can help keep the rest of your lawn looking healthy.
  3. Provide Ample Water for Your Dog: Ensure your dog drinks plenty of water, which can dilute the urine and lower its nitrogen concentration. A well-hydrated dog is less likely to produce urine that causes severe grass burn.
  4. Adjust Your Dog’s Diet: Some dog foods contain high levels of protein, which can lead to higher nitrogen content in the urine. Consult with your veterinarian about a balanced diet that may help reduce this issue.
  5. Use Lawn Repair Products: There are products available that are designed to repair dog urine spots. These products often contain enzymes or soil conditioners that help neutralize the nitrogen and salts, promoting grass recovery.
  6. Maintain a Healthy Lawn: A well-maintained lawn is more resilient to stress. Regular watering, proper mowing, and fertilizing can help your grass withstand the occasional urine spot.
  7. Soil Enhancer: Consider using a soil enhancer product that can help neutralize soil acidity and balance nutrient levels. This can improve the overall health of your lawn and make it more resistant to urine burns.

By understanding the reasons behind dog urine burns and implementing these strategies, you can help keep your lawn healthy and green, even with a dog around.

What Are Fairy Ring Mushrooms?

Fairy ring mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of certain types of fungi that grow in a circular pattern. These rings can vary in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The fungi decompose organic matter in the soil, releasing nitrogen, which can cause the grass within the ring to grow more vigorously.

Types of Fairy Rings
  1. Type I: Rings with dead grass in the center, often surrounded by a zone of dark green grass.
  2. Type II: Rings with only a zone of dark green grass and no dead grass.
  3. Type III: Rings with just a circle of mushrooms and no noticeable change in grass color or health.
Effects on Grass
  • Nutrient Imbalance: The decomposing organic matter releases nitrogen, causing the grass in the ring to grow more lushly compared to the surrounding lawn.
  • Soil Compaction: The fungal mycelium can create a dense mat below the surface, preventing water penetration and leading to dry, dead patches of grass.
  • Aesthetic Damage: The appearance of mushrooms and irregular growth patterns can be unsightly.
Preventing and Managing Fairy Rings
  1. Proper Lawn Maintenance:
    • Aeration: Regular aeration improves soil structure and water penetration, reducing the conditions that favor fungal growth.
    • Thatch Removal: Thatch provides an ideal environment for fungi. Dethatch your lawn to reduce organic matter accumulation.
    • Regular Watering and Fertilizing: Maintain consistent watering and fertilization schedules to promote uniform grass growth and reduce nutrient imbalances.
  2. Water Management:
    • Deep watering encourages deep root growth and helps prevent dry spots caused by the fungal mycelium.
    • Avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can promote fungal growth.
  3. Physical Removal:
    • For small infestations, remove mushrooms by hand or with a rake. Be sure to wear gloves and dispose of the mushrooms properly to prevent spreading spores.
  4. Soil Amendments:
    • Apply wetting agents or soil surfactants to help improve water penetration and reduce hydrophobic soil conditions caused by fungal mycelium.
  5. Reseeding or Resodding:
    • In severe cases, removing and replacing the affected soil and grass may be necessary. After removal, amend the soil with compost or other organic matter and reseed or resod the area.

By implementing these preventive and management strategies, you can reduce the likelihood of fairy ring formation and mitigate their impact on your lawn.og around.

An uneven lawn can be caused by various factors, including soil conditions, pests, and lawn maintenance practices. Here are some common causes and effective solutions for fixing a bumpy lawn:

Causes of An Uneven Lawn
  1. Soil Compaction:
    • Heavy Traffic: Frequent foot traffic, pets, and equipment can compact the soil, causing uneven surfaces.
    • Clay Soil: Clay soils are prone to compaction, leading to a bumpy lawn.
  2. Thatch Buildup:
    • Excessive Thatch: A thick layer of dead grass and roots (thatch) can create uneven surfaces. Thatch can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the soil, further exacerbating the problem.
  3. Pests and Animals:
    • Burrowing Animals: Moles, voles, and other burrowing animals can create tunnels and mounds, making the lawn uneven.
    • Insects: Insects like grubs can damage grass roots, leading to uneven patches.
  4. Incorrect Watering:
    • Inconsistent Watering: Over-watering or under-watering can cause variations in soil moisture, leading to uneven settling.
  5. Soil Erosion:
    • Water Runoff: Poor drainage and water runoff can erode soil, creating low spots and bumps.
    • Wind Erosion: In exposed areas, wind can blow away topsoil, resulting in uneven surfaces.
  6. Frost Heave:
    • Freeze-Thaw Cycles: In colder climates, the freeze-thaw cycle can cause the soil to expand and contract, creating bumps and uneven surfaces.
Solutions for Fixing an Uneven Lawn
  1. Aeration:
    • Core Aeration: Use a core aerator to remove plugs of soil from the lawn. This helps relieve soil compaction, promotes root growth, and allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil more effectively.
  2. Topdressing:
    • Apply Topdressing: Spread a thin layer of sand, compost, or topsoil over the lawn to fill in low spots and even out the surface. Rake the topdressing material to ensure it is evenly distributed.
  3. Thatch Removal:
    • Dethatching: Use a dethatcher or power rake to remove excessive thatch buildup. This will help improve air and water movement in the soil.
  4. Pest Control:
    • Address Burrowing Animals: Identify and manage burrowing animals using traps or repellents.
    • Insect Control: Apply appropriate insecticides to control grub infestations and other damaging insects.
  5. Improve Drainage:
    • Fix Drainage Issues: Address any drainage problems by regrading the lawn, installing drainage systems, or creating swales to divert water away from problem areas.
  6. Soil Amendment:
    • Add Organic Matter: Incorporate organic matter, such as compost, into the soil to improve soil structure and reduce compaction.

By identifying the underlying causes of a bumpy lawn and implementing these solutions, you can achieve a smoother, healthier, and more attractive lawn. Regular lawn maintenance and addressing problems as they arise will help prevent future issues and keep your lawn looking its best.