A simple soil test done by a lab can give you a quick indication if your soil is lacking specific nutrients, or if the pH level needs to be adjusted.
Tag: lawn guide
Equipment Tip – Maintenance
Chances are your mower has been sitting dormant in a garage for three, four, maybe even five months. It’s time to get that thing out and show it 
some love. There are a few things you’ll need to do. First, change the oil, air filter and spark plug. This is basic yearly maintainence that will keep your machine running smoothly for years longer than it would if you neglected it. If you don’t care to attempt these upgrades yourself, a mower repair shop or sales facility will take care of it for you in exchange for a bit of money.
We Love Dogs, Grass Does’nt
Unfortunately, many people walk their dogs on the first lawn that they can find. While this isn’t the dog’s fault, chemicals in their urine can cause the grass in the affected areas to die off. If you see a dog walker on your lawn, try to find out who they are and politely advise them that they are
trespassing on private property and causing damage to your lawn. Let them know that they’ll receive a bill from you as a result of any repairs you need to make. Most accidental offenders will steer clear of your lawn in the future.
Grass Clippings, Bag or Recycle?
One question many “home lawn care enthusiast” ask is if mulching grass clipping is beneficial or harmful.
The University of Florida reports that by allowing the grass clipping to drop onto the lawn instead of bagging the grass the yard does get some benefits.
In fact, the UF claims that about 3% nitrogen is contained in the dry weight of grass clippings. Put another way. One hundred pounds of dry grass clippings hold an equal amount of Nitrogen as a 50-pound bag of 6-6-6.
Allowing the cut grass to return to the soil puts valuable nutrients back into the soil. Not only Nitrogen but also other essential elements like Phosphorus, Potassium, Manganese and Iron. Grass clippings quickly decompose. Some “mowers” bag their clipping since they believe the clippings contribute to the build up of thatch.
Fact is, grass clippings contain sugars which stimulate microbes that help with the decomposing of thatch. So keeping grass clippings on the lawn can actually offer benefits.
Another benefit is environmental. There are estimates that we could save 10% of the space in our landfills if we did not bag the grass clippings when mowing our lawn. Plus there is also the time saving factor. Less time mowing – less time bagging.