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29 March 2013

Kansas City Landscaping- Full-Spectrum Turf Treatment Techniques And Hints

By Joe Johnson


You don't have to pay someone for the benefits of a proficient lawn care servicing. But it is definitely true that a full service takes far more than a mowing and watering routine. This post will briefly discuss techniques professional Kansas City landscapers employ.

First you must acknowledge that the grass needs much more than water and sunlight if it is going to reach its full potential. Failing to meet these needs will result in a lawn which will be prone to disease, as well as patchy. After some time you will become cognizant of how the lawn shows its needs and stresses. Then you will understand better the way to handle these issues.

Kansas City Landscapers recognize that the first 2-3 inches of soil are very important for a good yard and will prepare it when possible. Working the soil so that it has the right balance of sand, clay and organic matter will give a loamy consistency. You want a balance between good drainage but moisture retention, and gas-exchange but not enough to dry out the soil. Grass roots need both water and oxygen.

Your soil's pH level will also be an important issue. A Kansas City landscaping store should stock a simple test-kit. Once you know which level you are at, use lime or ash to alkalize (raise) and compost or manure to acidify (lower) the pH. A pH level of between 6.5 and 7.0 is ideal. Kansas City landscaping vendors will have the tools and materials you need. Application methods depend on the material you are using, so ask about what you should do

Kansas City's heavy rainstorms and ice-storms pull the protective layer of soil away, which can eventually harm grass roots. Proactive management will save you a headache later on and prevent damage to your house and property. Grass in standing water will be stressed and prone to fungus. Grass that is not well-rooted will be killed by fast-moving water and the essential top layer of soil will be removed. Use extra soil to re-grade steep or bowl-shaped areas. Use creative landscaping to deal with particularly troublesome areas.

Now you should choose the grass variety (refer to a supply store for a list) and choose between laying sod or planting seed. Seed is much cheaper but is more difficult and labor-intensive while it establishes itself.

Strategically using a variety of grasses together will show you which one develops properly in your particular situation. This can be particularly helpful if more than one condition is present- like when one area of the yard is heavily shaded and another receives full sun. The only disadvantage of varied grass varieties is that the color and texture of the yard may not be uniform. If this is an issue, more drastic landscaping may be necessary to remove the varied conditions. Each yard is unique and consulting a local Kansas City landscaping supplier or shop may be required.

Proper care in how you water is crucial. Being ignorant of how to water commonly results in an over-stressed yard. Most Kansas City landscapers employ a weekly watering cycle that will allow water to drain properly while keeping the soil moist. Thatch and fungus thrive when a yard is too wet. Thatch is a layer of dead grass that blankets the soil and results in patched grass, leaving a hiding place for pests and disease. With correct soil preparation, watering should be done once per week at 1.5-2 inches.

Your yard can become choked and overly stressed by thatch over time. It has the capacity to choke and stress the grass. Still, some thatch is seen as a valuable thing. A thin layer of dead grass can retain moisture and nutrients in the soil. But if the cycle of decomposition is not fast enough, it must be treated.

Many times this means even a successful lawn needs a de-thatching. Landscapers in Kansas City will de-thatch with a power-rake or hand-rake. The goal is to simply get rid of the extra thatch. This replaces the normal decomposition process. Once removed, the thatch can be easily composted (when it is not contaminated with fungus or insects) or simply thrown away.

Soil surrounding the roots of your grass will become compacted as time passes. Grass roots will then be impaired as they attempt to draw water and nutrients- a key obstruction in cultivating a healthy lawn.

Aeration is the remedy Kansas City landscapers apply to this issue. Run an aerator over your yard twice- each time at right angles to the other. Ideally this will provide access to roots and sufficient surface-area for effective gas-exchange.

Kansas City landscapers commonly use a pre-emergent in early spring. This chemical stops a key enzyme process that makes weed-seeds germinate. This will give the grass a distinct advantage over competing plants that will steal nutrients, water, and sunshine.

Like any other living thing your lawn needs nourishment to grow. Essential nutrition is leeched from the soil over the years through various processes. The grass must have these elements readily available or the stress and threat of disease may kill the grass. Kansas City landscapers recommend at least two feedings per year. And if it does not get too hot, where the grass is too stressed to feed, a Summer feeding is ideal. Chemical fertilizers are one option or, the more effective method, compost and manure.

Make sure the lawn has not grown too long or gone to seed when your are spreading the fertilizer or else the nutrition will never reach some areas of the yard and be too strong in others. In addition, be careful not to cut the grass too short. This will stress the grass as it tries to grow back to a healthy length and adding the fertilizer at that time can burn the grass. It is necessary to highlight that many people believe cutting their grass shorter will save them work later, but this is not true. Professional Kansas City landscapers always advise cutting it at a medium height so that the grass does not have to repeatedly recover.

Every year Kansas City landscapers apply a fungicide in order to prevent the spread of disease. Untreated grass will be prone to spores and molds that can take out entire gardens and lawns. Kansas City landscaping is primarily prone to this in Summer while it rains and the water does not dry completely.

The best defense is a good offense when it comes to lawn care. Keeping the yard healthy will provide it with the best chance of fighting off disease and pests, just as your body fights off stress and disease if it is healthy. Everyone knows an unhealthy yard dies easily but a strong yard will last through drought and disease much better.

Every good Kansas City landscaper understands that doing all these methods and strategies is hard work but it is necessary if your lawn is going to be healthy and happy. It will give your family a fun place to play and relax while giving you time to unwind and work on a project. So get out there and enjoy the hard work!




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