Lawn care and landscaping can seem overwhelming if you're a new homeowner, or if you don't have a naturally green thumb. To ensure you have the basics down in time for spring, review the essential elements of lawn care that'll keep your yard looking fresh and green all season.

Essential Landscaping & Lawn Care Tasks

1. Mowing

Mowing may seem like the easiest part of lawn care, but it's possible to get it wrong. For the best results, mow often and allow your grass to stay tall by cutting no more than a third of the blade. This improves root growth and stops weeds from growing. To cut your grass more efficiently, sharpen your mower blades a few times a year.

2. Fertilizing

Fertilizer will supply your lawn with the nutrients it needs after a cold winter. Since the nutrients that naturally occur in your soil can vary based on where you live, the best way to choose the right fertilizer is to have a landscaping company sample and test your soil.

3. Aeration

Aeration, or poking holes into the ground, can improve your lawn's airflow, keep the soil well-drained, encourage growth, and even reduce weeds and thatch. This step will also prevent soil compaction that occurs due to heavy precipitation or foot traffic.

4. Dethatching

Thatch is the layer of stems, roots, and crowns on the ground that can stop water, air, and nutrients from reaching the soil. A layer of thatch smaller than one inch is fine, but anything thicker should be removed. An easy way to determine if you need maintenance is to water your grass. If the water runs off without sinking into the grass, the thatch layer is likely too thick.

5. Weed Control

Weeds steal the nutrients and water that your grass needs to stay healthy. If they aren't removed and prevented right away, they can also quickly spread and take over your lawn. Both aeration and dethatching can help keep growth at bay, but you may also need spot treatment using appropriate products.

 

If you need professional assistance to get your landscaping in order, KPM Landscape in St. Charles, MO, can help. In addition to landscaping design and installation, this team offers outdoor lighting, irrigation and drainage, and much more. Call (636) 699-5782 for more information about their abilities, or learn more about their services on their website.