FAQs

Why is regular lawn maintenance important?

Aside from the pleasing aesthetic of having a beautiful yard and being the envy of your neighbors, the benefits of having well maintained lawn are plentiful. Keeping your lawn maintained helps promote photosynthesis (the process by which plants use sun and CO2 to emit oxygen and create energy for themselves). Grass is also helpful in areas that are known for flooding and helps prevent soil erosion (and filters the water as well). It also works as a better noise barrier than hardscaping. Grass also has the ability to lower temperature due to the amount of water that it holds, which may mean lower energy bills during hot summers.

How much water does my lawn need a week?

On average, grass should receive about an inch of water a week. This is to include water from natural sources or artificial sources, such as hose, sprinklers, etc. The best way to measure this is to place a coffee in a direct line from your sprinkler at the end of its reach. Wait about 1/2 hour and check the depth. If the water is not soaking into the soil as quickly as it is being sprayed onto the lawn, you may need to lower the water pressure.

What length should I keep my grass?

For areas with cold temperatures part of the year, it is best recommended to maintain a length of at least 3 inches. In areas where the temperature remains warm most of the year, the grass can be cut as low as 1/2 inch.

Should I collect my grass clippings?

Although many people find it more attractive to remove grass clippings when mowing, it is actually extremely beneficial to leave them in the lawn. When mowed with a mulching blade, grass clippings are cut down to a much smaller size and when a lawn is maintained regularly, they are usually unnoticeable. Grass clippings can actually return significant nutrients and water back to the soil and break down rather quickly. There are however times when removal is recommended, such as when the grass clippings are long and may blow into the road or sewer systems and create issues such as slippery road conditions or blocked drains. It may also be recommended to remove the grass clippings if disease is present in the lawn.

What are the benefits of edging?

Edging your lawn can be the difference between your yard looking good and great. Besides the obvious curb appeal, there are other benefits to as well. Edging can prevent unwanted foot traffic, as it creates a visual barrier and can even reveal parts of your sidewalk that you didn't notice had been missing. It can also act as a root barrier between your grass and landscaping. This prevents your grass from taking over and not allowing your plants in your garden to establish a good root system and keeps flowering plants out of your yard. This also helps retain your dirt and mulch in the desired areas.

What type of plants should I choose for my landscaping?

Although, the answer to this question has a lot to do with personal preference, there are some things that you should consider to narrow down your selection;

• How much time and resources are you wanting to dedicate?

Choosing plants native to the area reduces not only the amount of water and fertilizer that you may need to use, but it also cuts down on the amount of time that you will need to spend on upkeep. Plants that are native to the region have adapted to the temperatures and conditions of the environment and are already suited to thrive in the area. The best course of action may be to check your zone and find plants that are recommended for that zone. All of this considered the types of plants that you choose may still require annual upkeep depending on if they are going to come back each year, if they will reseed themselves and need to have offspring removed from unwanted areas, or even just have old dead growth removed to keep the plant healthy.

• How much sun vs shade does the area get?

Different types of plants require different amounts and types of sun. It's important to take note of how much sun or shade the area that you are planting in will receive. This can mean the difference between your plants wilting or burning. When purchasing plants for the area, check for a tag or speak with an employee who can help you choose the right plans for your specific needs.

• How large is your space?

When choosing the right plants for your area, you want to consider the size of the plants at maturity. It is also important to be mindful of how far apart the plants should be. Both of these things are important because they prevent the root systems from competing for space and nutrients as well as allow you to ensure that your plants won't eventually be too big for your space.

• How much moisture is in the soil?

The amount of moisture that each plant needs varies the same as the amount of sun. It is important to be mindful of the damp and dry areas before choosing plants for your landscaping project. Naturally, the soil closer to your home tends to be more damp than the soil further away from your home. Other things to consider would be a leaky water spout or down spout nearby.

• Perennials vs Annuals

Perennial plants will come back each year and continue to grow. Annual plants will die at the end of each season and you will need to plant again the next spring. Many people choose to start with Perennials and fill in with annuals so that they have the option to choose different colors and types of annuals each year. This does however as a result, require additional maintenance.

Do I need weed barrier or prevention? How should I install it?

Weed barrier comes in several different options, the most common being landscape fabric. Other options are newspaper, cardboard, burlap, chemicals, and ground covering plants. There are several benefits of weed barrier. Some benefits include limiting the need for herbicide, preventing weed seeds from sprouting from below the weed barrier, preventing rocks or rubber mulch from settling into the soil, as well as helps in retaining moisture. Weed barrier is not necessarily ideal in all situations. If you choose to use annual plants, it may not be ideal, as you have to cut the barrier to plant where you choose to in the soil. If you do choose to use one, it is recommended to add additional nutrients to the soil in the form of manure, peat moss, or hummus beforehand, as you won't be able to afterward.

What type of landscape edging should I use?

• Metal- This type of landscape edging is the most user friendly when it comes to working with curved edges. It will likely also last the longest. The drawbacks include that it doesn't look as natural and may rust over time, though you may find that appealing if you like a rustic look.

• Plastic- (or vinyl) comes in many fencing styles that some find attractive and tend to be lower priced. However, over time and when exposed to cold temperatures it is prone to cracking.

• Brick- This option comes in several different styles and offers something for everyone in most cases. Concrete is ideal for straight spaces while brick may be better suited to curved areas. This can however in some cases damage lawn equipment if not installed properly.

Why are spring cleanups important?

Spring is the time to get the yard prepared for growth. It's time to get out and clean up and debris that may be covering grass that would prevent growth or cause disease. These things may include but are not limited to litter, dog feces, leaves, dead grass, pine cones or needles, and branches. It is also the best time to cut back or divide any perennials that will need it and seed any bare spots in the lawn. Weeding in any landscaping should also be addressed at this time.

When should I rake my lawn?

The best course of action is to wait until the grass comes out of the dormant phase. It may be hard to resist the urge to get out on a nice day and start working on the yard, but if the ground is still frozen, damp, or cold in any areas there is a significant chance that you will pull out healthy blades when trying to rake up the dead grass. It is healthy to rake the grass during late spring and early fall, while the grass is growing and able to recover before harsh weather.

Why are fall cleanups important?

While fall clean ups can be grueling, they are important. Cleaning out debris from flower beds help prevent rodents from finding a winter home nearby, as well as help prevent diseases in those plants, especially rose beds. Fall is also the time to take extra precautions in covering any plants that may be sensitive to cold weather conditions. Trimming low hanging or lose branches and cleaning out gutters is important to prevent damage to your home as well. Depending on the types of plants located in your flower beds, you may also want to cut back or divide some of your perennials. Last but not least, removal of excess leaves. Although some coverage may be beneficial to the ecosystem and provide winter protection, excessive amounts can lead to diseases such as snow mold, which may trigger allergies and induce asthma attacks in some people.

How much mulch should I use?

Mulch is intended to block weeds and maintain moisture and nutrients. If you use too much, water may not be able to penetrate. If you use too little, weeds may be able to break through the ground and grow roots. No less than 2 inches should be used in any circumstance. The maximum amount of mulch used depends on the type of mulch that you are using. When using coarsely ground mulch, you may choose to use up to 4 inches. If the mulch is more thinly cut then you should only use a maximum of 3 inches.

Should I use mulch or landscaping stone?

Aside from personal preference, there are some other things to consider when choosing what type of ground coverage to use around your landscaping. Mulch comes in many colors and varieties. It also breaks down over time which can be a positive and a negative. On the plus side, it offers nutrients to the soil, but as a result will need to be replaced or replenished over time. Stone offers the same weed reduction and moisture retention, but does not offer the nutrients that mulch does. While the upfront cost of stone can be higher, it does not decompose, so you won't have to pay to replenish or replace it. It also stays in place better than mulch. Stones may also hold heat which may turn up the soil temperature more than the roots of some plants can handle. It may be more ideal for certain plants like cacti.

What type of mulch should I choose?

The answer to this question mostly comes down to personal preference. Larger bark pieces will break down slower but tend to travel more so are less ideal in inclines. Shredded bark is more ideal for inclines but will likely break down fast. What color you choose, that's completely up to you!

Should I remove my old mulch or just replenish it?

While some people choose to replace their mulch if the dye in colored mulch fades, it is not usually necessary. Mulch breaks down over time to replenish soil and retain moisture, therefore it is most important to replenish it to maintain the correct amount. Mulch tends to move with foot traffic and the wind as well. Larger pieces of bark will take longer to break down and finer mulches will break down quicker. Different brands of mulch will break down at different rates as well. The best way to know if it is time to replenish your mulch is to grab a handful. If the mulch begins to break down into soil like material, it is time to replenish. If you do decide to replace your mulch, it is ideal to recycle the mulch at a compost site.