I found tip today about using a Shop Vac to remove small stones and debris from your lawn. I never thought of that, but it is actually brilliant! Raking stones from a lawn can be tedious, and after almost any type of landscape project there always seems to be left overs in your lawn.
Clean it up with a Shop Vac – quick and easy and you won’t miss much.
We recently put an add for fall services in our local newspaper (to the right), and we wanted to add a blog post to give a better idea of what exactly fall lawn maintenance includes and why is is so important.
Fall is one of your lawns favorite time of the year. After the hot and dry summer the cool air and moisture rejuvenates your lawn and helps get it ready for the winter months ahead. You might not know however that fall is one of the most critical times to perform maintenance and get your lawn ready for winter – and returning healthier in the spring.
What needs to be done to your lawn during the fall?
Other things to consider during the fall.
If you have any questions or would like more information about anything outlined above give us a call at (814) 515-3115 or email us at Services@Legoservices.com. We are always available to help – 7 days a week!
I read an article today – I recently got a bad case of the poison ivy rash, stumbled upon this article and found it interesting.
Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing the plants to grow bigger and produce more urushiol, the oil that causes an immune reaction in human skin.
Self Defenses from Poison Ivy?
When in areas where poison ivy grows, use a barrier cream such as Ivy Block to prevent urushiol from getting on our skin. Wear heavy protective gloves and clothing. Also use gloves to bathe your pet if you think that the animal has been exposed to poison ivy.
If you think you have been exposed:
Wear clean gloves when removing clothing and shoes that have come in contact with the plant. Thoroughly scrub exposed skin with lots of soap and lukewarm water within 5 to 10 minutes of touching the plant.
Caution:
Never burn poison ivy plants. Doing so releases urushiol, which can cause severe lung damage if inhaled.
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Honestly, most of these should be completed at the end of the mowing season – if not during it. But if you are behind on the schedule, follow these tips to keep your equipment tip-top.
Remove the spark plug
First thing is first, for safety reasons you are going to need to remove the spark plug. This prevents the mower from turning on and stops anyone from loosing any fingers. It is better to be safe than sorry, so do not skip this step.
Change the oil
Changing your machines oil is critical to the upkeep of your mower. Consider it a car – would you keep driving for over an entire year before changing the oil? Don’t neglect the mower, change the oil. It is pretty inexpensive and it keeps things moving at there best. Some Troy Bilt tune up kits cost as low as $10.00 at Lowe’s.
Clean the deck of your mower
Cleaning under the deck of your mower helps prevent uneven cuts, strain on your equipment, and gives you a chance to check the condition of the blades. All season long you should clean grass clippings from your machinery – grass clippings contain moisture, moisture creates rust, rust destroys metal. Keep your equipment longer and clean it out. Most mowers come with an hose attachment these days for easy lower deck cleaning.
Sharpen the blades
Getting the blades sharpened is essential. Dull blades will cause dead grass, it’s a fact. Sharp blades cut the grass smoothly and evenly. Dull blades rip and generate uneven cuts. Ripped grass blades results in brown patches and an ugly lawn. Sharpening can be done yourself, but it is recommended to have a professional sharpen the blades for you. If they are too damaged and nicked, consider replacing them altogether. Sharp blades are the number 1 factor in having a beautiful lawn. Don’t cheat and use the same dull blade.
Lubricate the mowing parts
Keep everything moving smooth. Oil the bearings ant all over rotating parts on your mower. Lubricated machines last longer and run better. Take a simple glance at your owners manual to see what the manufacturer recommends as far as lubricants – sometimes things are over looked.
Why?
Cared for machines last longer and perform better. We have had a John Deere mower for over 12 years – runs like new. The key: we take the time to care for it. We all know outdoor equipment is not cheap – put the time into your investment and it will last until you are ready for a new one.
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FOR YOUR LAWN:
Rake
Rake away all the thatch, leaves, and whatever else may have accumulated on your lawn during the fall/winter months. Thatch, for those who are unsure, is dried up grass and weeds that gets mixed in with the living grass. If you do not remove the thatch it acts as a shield against water, oxygen, and other nutrients. Get it out of there.
Fertilize
Early spring is a great time to start spreading organic fertilizers or weed and feed applications. Corn gluten and Scott’s Weed and Feed are two of our favorites. This ensures that your lawn has the proper nutrients to start a healthy growing season. If you are unsure which fertilizer to apply, you can contact us or perform your own soil pH test. Soil pH tests will provide tons of valuable information that gives you great insight into what your lawn is craving.
Consider Aerating
Aeration will ensure the penetration of oxygen into your soil. Oxygen rich soil, as I am sure you know, returns the absolute best lawn growth.
FOR YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS:
Prune
Walk around your yard and trim off all the dead / excess branches that you find. Removing dead / dying branches before they have a chance to effect the rest of the tree/bush is essential to its health, not just the beauty. Dying branches can indicate a disease problem. Removing the branch is the sure way to prevent it from spreading.
Mulch
Applying a layer around 3 inches in depth of mulch around the bases of your bushes and trees provides a few different benefits. Two of the most notable reasons are that it guards the roots from the weather elements, and it provides nutrients for the plant. Remember to keep the mulch at-least an inch away from the trunk of tree/bush to prevent rot.
FOR THE WEEDS:
As soon as you see them, get rid of them
Early spring is the best time to remove the weeds before they have a chance to flower and spreed seeds. Once the seeds spread, even with spraying, they are hard to destroy. Also keep in mind that when the soil is wet/damp, the weeds are easier to pull.
These are just a few common ways you can begin to get your lawn ready for spring, of course there are more, but we think you get the idea!
For a list of the services we can help you with, visit blaircountylawnservice.com/services/
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