Q:: What height should my lawn be?
A:: Bermuda Grass 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches, Zoysia Grass 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches, Centipede Grass 1-1/2 to 2 inches, & Fescue Grass 3 to 4 inches.
Turf in shaded areas should be mowed higher for better results.
Q:: When should I mow after spraying or fertilizing?
A:: Approximately 2 days after the application. Preferable it would be better if the lawn was watered or rain on before the next mowing.
Q:: How long does it take a weed control product take to work?
A:: It depends on what was applied to the lawn and the weather. Most products will take affect within a few days. The full effect of the
product should be complete around 14 days.
Q:: When can my pets or kids go onto the yard after sprayed?
A:: We would recommend not letting the kids or pets go onto the yard for 24 hrs after an application.
Q:: When is the best time to water the Lawn?
A:: It’s best to water the lawn during the early morning hours. When watering the lawn during high sun periods like the afternoon the more
the water will evaporate. This means less water going into the soil compared to the morning hours. Also watering the lawn at night can allow
bacteria and a fungus’s to take over.
Q:: How much water does a lawn need?
A:: The amount of water that should be applied to the lawn is approximately 1-2 inches every 7 days. This will help keeping the lawn healthy
and help defend off disease.
Q:: When to seed my lawn?
A:: The best time to seed the lawn would be during the fall season. There is many options to choose from when seeding a lawn. We provide
services from slit, aeration, and over seeding techniques.
Q:: Should I bag my lawn?
A:: You should bag your lawn if you aren't using a mulching mower. The reason for this is that the lawn clippings hold a lot of moisture when
left on the yard and it helps the lawn survive with less water. The lawn clippings hold up to 90% of the moisture in them and will help from the
evaporation of water from the sun.
Q:: Why apply Mulch to my plant beds and around trees?
A:: Mulch reduces the need for weeding. Not only does this save time and energy, but your plants will not have to compete with the weeds for
moisture and nutrients. Mulch conserves soil moisture. Mulching protects the soil from the direct rays of the sun and air. This stops the hard
baking effects. As a result, you water less! Mulch regulates soil temperature. In the summer months mulching keeps the plant roots cooler.
This also promotes good soil bacteria, and protects earthworms as well as other soil life. As a result, plants and soil life flourish. In the winter,
mulch insulates plant roots as well. Plants still need water in the winter and mulch keeps the water from freezing so that the roots can drink.
Mulch greatly reduces if not eliminates soil erosion. Mulch fibers lock together to absorb the impact of heavy rain. With the exception of
nuggets, mulch stops mud from splattering against homes and businesses. Last but not least, mulch is beautiful! It can accent as well as
transform any landscape project. Choosing what type of mulch to use is a matter of personal preference.
Q:: When should I apply fertilizer?
A:: Early spring (February - April), Late spring (April - June), Summer (June - August), Fall (September - November)
Q:: Why Aerate my lawn?
A:: This should be done twice a year once in the spring and fall when the soil temperature is cool and not under heat stress. This process will
take plugs out of the lawn that are about 3” in length. The plugs will decompose within a week or two and leave the lawn looking like new
again. The normal mowing schedule will continue and the plugs will get mowed up into small pieces.
Benefits of core aeration
Loosens compacted soil and increases the availability of water and nutrients.
Enhances oxygen levels in the soil, stimulating root growth and enhancing the activity of thatch-decomposing organisms.
While removing cores of soil, the spoons also sever roots, rhizomes and stolons. Grass plants are stimulated to produce new shoots and roots
that "fill up" the holes in the lawn and increase the density of the turf.
Reduces water runoff.
Increases the lawn's drought tolerance and improves its overall health.
Q:: What is Slit Seeding?
A:: Slit seeding is done with a machine that cuts slots into the yard. Where the slots are cut into the grass that is where the seed is placed into
the slots. The seed is in direct contact with the soil so this provides the best situation for successful germination. Normally this process is done
in both directions horizontally and vertically to make sure that we don’t miss a spot. Also with going in both direction that allows plenty of seed
to germinate into healthy grass. The best time to seed is Late August and the month of September. After we are done slit seeding we apply a
fertilizer to help speed up the process in growing a beautiful looking lawn. This also helps in the deep growth of the root system
Proper mowing will have a tremendous effect on the appearance of your lawn. The height that you mow your grass and how often you mow it
are important factors to consider. For the best appearance, turf should be maintained at its proper height. The chart below will give you
information on proper mowing heights for your type of grass. Notice that the heights vary substantially. For example, bermuda grass can be
mowed anywhere from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches tall. A good rule to follow would be the lower the mowing height, the more often you should
mow. The fairways and greens on golf courses are very short, but they are mowed every three days or even more frequently. They have also
been topdressed with sand and are smooth enough to allow for a low mowing height. As a general rule, turf should be mowed often enough
so that you are not removing more than 1/4 to 1/3 of the plant material. Example: If you are keeping your bermuda grass at 1" it will need to be
mowed at or before it reaches 1 1/2". Removal of too much of the grass blades causes browning and can shock the turf.
The most damaging mowing practice is a sudden reduction in mowing height. This will upset the balance between the grass leaves and roots.
It will also give the lawn a brown scalped appearance and usually injures the turf. The more often you mow the lawn, the better it will look.
During stressful periods, such as drought or severe heat, it is a good idea to raise the cutting height slightly. This is especially helpful on tall
fescue because it will reduce the stress on the turf. After the stress is gone, lower the height gradually back to the recommended height.
BigSky L A N D S C A P I N G Lawn & Maintenance Services, LLC Holly Springs, NC 27540
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