Fall has begun even if the signs aren’t as obvious here in Florida. As the seasons change your lawn will too. Today, we at Skinner Lawns are highlighting some tips to your lawn health throughout all the seasons.
Mow Your Lawn Frequently
Keep your lawn looking beautiful with regular grass mowing. Mow it at least once a week during the spring and summer. You may need to adjust how frequently you mow depending on the climate and weather conditions. Do not mow when your lawn is wet as it is dangerous for you, bad for the grass, and tough on your mower. Leave the grass clippings on the ground as they return nutrients back into your lawn.
Use Fertilizers To Maintain Nutrition
Fertilizing your lawn is an easy project and will enhance the healthiness and appearance of your lawn. It is important to find the appropriate fertilizer product for your lawn and use either a drop spreader or a broadcast spreader. Before fertilizing, it is recommended to water your lawn a couple of days in advance to prepare the soil. Fill your spreader with your chosen fertilizer, following the directions on the packaging, and simply walk around, feeding your lawn.
Irrigation and Following Florida’s Water Restrictions
Lawns suffer more from improper irrigation practices than any other lawn practice. It is vital for the health of your lawn to provide enough water and maintain a routine. Watering in the morning is the best time for your lawn as it is cooler and not as windy so water can soak into the soil before it can evaporate. A healthy landscape only needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week and that can be done by rain or watering. Year-round Landscape Water Restrictions are in effect for the entire South Florida Water Management District to ensure the efficient use of water landscape irrigation. Property owners should refer to the District’s YRR and continue to check with their local government for updates.
Let Your Grass Grow a Bit Higher
Cutting your grass too short is a problem as it is unable to absorb sunlight to get the nutrients it needs. Make sure the blades are sharp as dull lawn mowing equipment leaves the blades with jagged edges and they can turn brown. This does not mean you do not need to cut it frequently, just means you can set the blade height higher so that you do not remove more than one-third of the leaf blade at any one time.
Trim Overgrown Plants
Trimming your plants is eventually necessary for most species and some require more attention than others. Trimming will help direct the plant’s growth, improve or maintain health and vitality, and increase flowering or growth. Before you start trimming, knowing your species is important and will guide most of your decisions throughout the process. Once the plants are identified ensure you have clean, sharp tools to start the trimming process.
Remove Fallen Leaves
It is important to remove fallen leaves from your yard shortly after they have fallen. If you wait too long they will stick together and form a leaf mat which can kill your grass and is a breeding ground for fungal bacteria. Raking your leaves will help your grass grow as a thick layer of leaves will deprive it of sunlight and nutrients. Don’t wait until all the leaves have fallen, start removing them as soon as possible as it is better for your lawns overall health.
At Skinner Lawns, we are here for you whenever you need to address your property’s needs. To reclaim your lawn and keep it healthy throughout the year, reach out to Skinner Lawns today at (904) 720-2515!