Lawn Care Tips

Massillon Ohio residents, want to know the proper way to sharpen your mower blades?

Sharp Lawn Mower Blades

Sharp Blade Equals A Healthy Lawn in Massillon Ohio

This is common problem with homeowners that do not realize that mower blades dull over time in Massillon Ohio. Blades need to be sharpened at least 2 or 3 times during a mowing season. Mowing with dull blades will tear and damage the grass. When mowing the basic rule of thumb is to not remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade. Cutting more than that can stress the grass and reduce root growth. If you mow to short and with dull blades it will spell out disaster for your lawn in Massillon OH.
Mower blades need to be sharpened every 8-10 hours of actual mowing time. One of the easiest ways to tell if the blades should be sharpened is to look at the lawn after it has just been mowed. If the tips of the grass look torn, frayed, or yellowed out, it is time for the blades to be sharpened. The grass blade should have a nice clean cut and should remain green in color.

Mowing with dull blades can contribute to lawn disease, discoloration, and even death to the lawn. Grass with a clean cut will recover quickly and help eliminate the chance of any disease. Sharp blades will also reduce the amount of time it takes to mow your yard. Dull blades tend to pull at the plant rather than cutting it.

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(330) 933-2222 
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Jackson Township Ohio residents, here’s how you can stripe your lawn like a pro!

Lawn Mowing Striping Like a Professional in Jackson Township Ohio

Mowing Technique

Lawn striping is a simple lawn mowing technique that leaves your lawn looking professionally manicured in Jackson Twp OH. Stripes are a great touch and enhance the aesthetic appearance of sports turf, golf courses and residential lawns. Striping methods can be used to create designs into lawns – simple checkerboard and diamond designs can have dramatic effects and more complex patterns will create a great look.

Stripes are a visual effect caused by laying or the bending the grass leaf blades over as you mow your lawn in opposite directions. Reflecting sunlight gives the look of alternating light and dark green stripes. The grass blades that are bending in the direction you are mowing will appear as light green stripes and the blades bent toward you will look to be a darker shade of green. Lawn striping are not created by using special fertilizer techniques, different heights of cutting, painting different colors of green or using different types of grass species.

Any mower can create stripes, the tires and deck will bend grass in the direction that it travels – some machines will stripe better than others. The best stripes are made with mowers that are commercial grade.

Grass-Types: cool seasons grasses- Kentucky bluegrass, fescues and perennial ryegrass – will stripe much better than warm seasons grasses. Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass stripes the best. Unfortunately most warm-season grasses will not stripe very well or not at all. It is possible to stripe some warm-season grasses with much extra effort. Bermuda grass overseeded with perennial ryegrass will stripe nicely mixed. Zoysia and bermuda should be mowed every few of days to accomplish and keep a good stripe – often you will have to ‘burn’ the stripes in by mowing the lawn in the same direction several times and this is not so good for the lawn – it tends to make wheel ruts and create soil compaction.

Picking Patterns

Mowing in straight lines. The key to good stripes and making patterns is mowing in straight lines on the lawn.

The first pass always the most important – it serves as a guide for the following passes to come. Small curves will get bigger as you continue to mow so straighten crooked lines right away by re-mowing that stripe. Start by picking the greatest distance for your first pass or splitting the lawn right down in the middle.

Tip: When mowing long distances – pick a landmark straight ahead of you and focus in on it. You will tend to veer in the direction you look so keep your head forward.

Practice lawn maintenance and your stripe patterns will stand out. Healthy lush lawns with a dark green color will produce stripes that really show up.
Cut higher and follow good mowing practices. Longer grass has more leaf area to lay down – reflect more light – and will always produce better stripes.

The Direction Of The Sun And Striping in Jackson Township OH

Depending on the direction of the sun hits the grass can be a factor. At certain times of day your stripes will show up better – sometimes the angle of the sun makes them invisible. The place you are viewing the lawn from will also determine how well they will show. Consider light direction and viewing points when making your pattern – this usually requires a little trial and error before getting it right.

Avoid excessive wear and tire damage when making your turns – try to make slow and wide turns – sharp, hard turns will damage your lawn. Tight 180 degree turns can rip and bruise the grass and cause compaction or excessive tire wear. Start your turns away from the next pass and then make a wide, sweeping turn that finishes in line with on the next pass – or make a 3-point Y turn. Your clean up laps will erase the turn around marks on the edges.
High lift blades for rotary mowers also can help. They create suction that stands the grass blades up for a great cut and then the mower deck or rollers will lay the grass down creating a nice striping. Remember to always to use sharp blades.

Frequent cuttings, double cutting or even going back and just rolling the lawn with your blades disengaged will intensify stripes.
Many professionals consider stripes to be a sign of quality. With practice and a little creativity your lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood.

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(330) 933-2222 
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North Canton, Ohio residents ask, what can a healthy lawn do for me?

In North Canton Ohio You will be surprised what a healthy lawn can do for you

A well maintained lawn can help to provide a healthy, pleasant environment for you, your family and your community in North Canton OH. Here are some interesting facts about lawns that you may not be aware of and will be glad you learned about in North Canton OH:

• A 50' x 50' healthy lawn will produce enough daily oxygen for a family of four.
• Grass is a natural air conditioner by absorbing the suns heat it creates.
• Grass cleans the air, absorbing pollutants and returns pure oxygen in exchange to the air.
• A healthy green lawn naturally deters allergy-causing weed pollen.
• Biting and stinging insects are found less often in lawns that are in good health and are free of weeds.
• Noises are reduced in areas where lawns are present. Because soft surfaces absorb sound, while hard surfaces reflect it.
Thick turf filters surface water before it returns to ground water supply.
• Grass is as a natural barrier for soil erosion caused by wind and water.

Ready to find out more?

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(330) 933-2222 
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How to look for lawn care companies if you live in Barberton or Norton, OH

Lawn Care Service Estimates In Barberton & Norton Ohio

When you are looking on the internet for lawn care in Barberton or Norton Ohio, do you expect a free lawn care estimate? The answer is simple, Yes. As a lawn care service provider, Akron Canton Lawn Care will suggest services you may have overlooked or had not known existed that will be the best for you and your property.
As a consumer you should really shop for the best estimate and service provider. Who would not want the greatest lawn care service for the best price available? There are some really great and honest services, you just need to keep searching until you find one that you are comfortable with and satisfies all your needs.

Lawn care companies in Norton and Barberton OH usually have a structured system when giving an estimates on your property. Just like with anything some may seem lower or higher than you would have expected. Just be careful with estimates that are at either end of the spectrum. You want a quote for something that you want a professional look for. But you just don't have time to take care of it for yourself or can't physically handle the property maintenance yourself anymore.
One thing will always remain constant is the cost of living. Many providers are fair and need to make a living, but there are those who will try to push it too far. Even some are just learning as they go and will make irreversible mistakes on your lawn.

As a lawn care business, we always continue making attempts with customers to provide a better service. When receiving an free estimate from a lawn care company or any service, remember the old saying “You get what you pay for”.

Ready to find out more?

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(330) 933-2222 
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Firestone Park, Ohio Residents ask about the importance of regular mowing.

Importance of mowing regularly in Firestone Park OH

Why is mowing the lawn regularly important?

Most homeowners understand the importance of mowing and trimming to add beauty to their property in Firestone Park OH. Many do not realize the vital role maintenance plays in the actual health of the lawn.

One of the most important aspects of a well established lawn is mowing on a regular basis. When the lawn is left uncut for extended periods of time, it allows weeds to to mature. This allows them to spread seeds and produce more weeds. With a regular mowing schedule, it not only prevents the weeds from maturing and producing seeds but it allows the grass itself to flourish and assist in choking out the weeds for the nutrients the weeds need to grow.

Keep the lawn healthy with regular maintenance

Another important reason for having the lawn mowed often and on a schedule is how grass reacts when it is cut. With almost all kinds of grasses, cutting off more than 1/3 of the length of a grass blade is very stressful for the lawn. Everyone has seen lawns that has been left untamed for an extended period of time. When it is finally cut to the proper height, the lawn will turn yellowish-brown color. This will weaken the lawn severely and can stunt the grasses growth, but can also be deadly to portions of the lawn or possibly all of it.

Ready to find out more?

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(330) 933-2222 
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A Comprehensive Look At Commercial Equipment For Wadsworth, Ohio Residents

Why do commercial mowers cut so fast and the lawn looks so great compared to my residential tractor or zero turn mower in Wadsworth Ohio?

Commercial Grade Mowers

Commercial mowers can cost as much as a compact car. In our area the mowing season is usually 30 to 35 weeks depending on the weather we have here in Wadsworth Ohio. A full time lawn care provider usually cuts somewhere between 70 to 100 lawns in a week in Wadsworth OH. A commercial mower will mow around 3000 lawns in a single year. Compared to a homeowner mower of mowing around 30 mows in a year. So a commercial mower does up to 100 years worth of mowing in a year compared to a residential model. Their steel will be 3 to 4 times thicker over residential grade mower. All other components are made for harsh commercial settings to take the abuse they need to take to provide a reliable service for the contractor and their customers.

Engineering of equipment

Commercial mower manufactures spend countless hours of engineering and millions of dollars designing the perfect mower decks. They are able to design completely different decks compared to residential models because of the thickness of steel and engines that are installed on commercial mowers. Even when a residential grade engine has the same horsepower rating as a commercial engine. The commercial engine will always have a higher blade tip speed and torque rating. A higher blade tip speed simply spins the mower blades faster and this is called blade tip speed. Usually 2 to 3 times faster over a residential model.

Commercial equipment will often have heavier blades on verses a residential deck with more blades spinning in the same size mower deck. By having multiple blades versus one and having a higher blade tip speed allows the deck to have more suction. Which in turn cuts the grass clippings into smaller pieces, more suction to stand the grass up better, leave stripes in the grass and will leave a more level cut. More torque gives it the ability to power through thicker or taller grass and is always helpful when it come to fall leaf clean ups.

Commercial mowers use individual hydraulic pumps and motors for each drive tire to power it. The same hydraulics seen in all heavy duty industrial or construction equipment. This makes the equipment reliable, agile and very fast combined with the commercial grade engines. Due to the quality of construction, added safety features and specific engineering of commercial mowers they have perfected hill side stability very well. This allows the operators to safely climb hills, banks and ditches that a normal garden tractor or residential grade Zero-Turn could not or should not due to the risk of sliding or rolling over.

Residential vs Commercial Equipment

So in reflection it's just completely unreasonable for a homeowner to purchase commercial grade mower but a necessity for a mowing contractor to purchase. Typical residential grade mowers are designed to hold up for about 300 mows and never designed to be bounced around in a commercial environment or on a trailer. Residential mowers would not hold up for a long in a commercial environment but a homeowner with a commercial mower will be passing on the mower 10 generations down in their family!

Even though a commercial mower is expensive at first for a contractor they get their monies worth out of it eventually. This why they can be very reasonably priced to customers because of the longevity of the mower and speed. The maintenance intervals also help the contractor because they need maintained less frequently than a residential mower. Many times it is cheaper to hire a mowing contractor to mow your lawn than doing mowing yourself. Plus hiring a professional with commercial equipment will produce better results on your lawn.

Ready to find out more?

Call Akron Canton Lawn Care Now for your Free Estimate on any of our lawn care services
(330) 933-2222 
or click the Contact Us button to send us an email.

Tip for Fairlawn, Ohio residents on growing grass in shaded areas

Growing Grass in Shady Areas in Fairlawn Ohio

Shade Lawns

If you have a lawn with shady areas in Fairlawn OH, you may find it very difficult to grow grass in those areas. This is one of the most common problems with lawns in Fairlawn OH. Grass needs at the very least 4 hours of sunlight a day to be able to grow. The shortage of sun on the lawn will impact on the photosynthesis process. The grass cannot get enough energy it needs to grow. This will result in reduce of vigor and the grasses cannot resist disease, stress, insects or weather condition that change.

You can improve the situation by trimming some of nearby shrubs and trees to let in more sun into the grass. Cut down tree branches as much as possible, as long as it does not destroy the beauty of the tree and the landscape. Before planting new trees, consider the number of existing trees, the density of those trees, and the light intensity decreased by the new trees planted. Keep in mind that shade trees should be planted 50 to 100 feet apart. This will also assist in getting water to the grass which is obviously another important part of its health.

Shade Tolerant Grass

Fine fescue and bluegrass are very tolerant shade species of grass. Fine fescue can grow good in shaded areas that are dry. Bluegrass prefers a constantly wet soil. For moderately shady areas, tall fescue may tolerate the conditions also.

Growing grass in shady areas is very possible if the basic requirements for its growth is known and clearly understood. The competition of the 3 factors being water, nutrients, and light. The fundamental cause of grass growing failure under shady conditions. To improve grass in shaded areas, please follow all the guidelines above because they are all important and have a critical role in keeping the grass in shaded areas looking good and healthy.

If there are areas that are just too challenging to get sun and water to, they could always be turned into a flower bed. Then plant drought resistant plants that enjoy shade or even go with a shade loving ground cover plant..

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Proper Mowing Techniques for Akron, Ohio Residents

Scalping the lawn will harm the grass-blades in Akron Ohio

Proper Lawn Mowing

Mowing your lawn properly is an easy ways to fight off weeds and diseases in your lawn. When you mow the grass at its recommended height it helps get the sunlight and vital nutrients needed to be lush and healthy. Mowing it too short and scalping can have some pretty serious repercussions. Scalping can weaken and even kill off your lawn. Additionally, mowing too short will limit the grasses nutrient supply, giving weeds free reign to move in.

How Scalping Will Affect Your Grass in Akron OH

Grass is able to survive thanks to photosynthesis, which is the process of taking the sunlight and using it as the energy it needs. Cutting too much of the grass blade limits the ability of the lawn to store this energy, restricting its nutrient supply and ultimately choking the grass. Not sure if you are scalping your grass? If your lawn is so short that its grass stem is exposed, it is too short.

What Will Make Scalping Worse

One of the worst contributing factors to scalping and damaging the grass is mowing with a dull lawn mower blade. The next time you mow, take a look at your grass after. If it looks torn or frayed, your mower blade will need sharpened. You can buy a blade sharpener at most home improvement or garden centers. Additionally, scalping the grass in the heat of summer will seriously hinder the lawns ability to recover. Since hot and dry weather already stresses lawns, scalping will most only make matters worse.

Mowing Tips for Akron OH

It's better for your grass to be too long than too short. It is also helpful to leave grass clippings on your lawn instead of bagging them. Decomposed grass clippings will return precious nutrients to the soil. Overlap your mowing path by one to three inches, as this will keep the lawn at a consistent height and ensure that it all gets mowed.

Repairing the Lawn

If you realize you have been scalping your lawn, let your lawn grow gradually back to its proper height, never removing more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time. Additionally, you will want to water deeply and infrequently to help the grass recover.

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Tips For Watering Your Lawn In Canton, Ohio

Watering the Lawn

Tips on watering your lawn in Canton Ohio

You should be watering for 30-40 minutes per section 2-3 times per week in Canton OH. This gives your lawn a good
deep root watering every time. This allows the water to seep all the way down to the root system and promotes deep root growth. This also will ensure that the lawn is getting the proper amounts of nutrients that it needs. You only need to water a few times a week when you water for long periods. The lawn will take a longer period of time for the soil to dry out.

Busting Myths

It is a common myth that the more water is always better. This is not the case, the more water in your lawn the more issues you can be bringing to your lawn. By using so much water your lawn you run the risk of leaving moisture in the lawn encouraging fungal growth, or you could flood the lawn with water and wash away nutrients that the lawn needs to survive.

Especially in the Summer when the lawn can be under an enormous amount of heat stress in Canton Ohio. The last thing the lawn needs is our cultural practices adding to the stress and making more problems. For example, if your mowing the lawn with a mower with dull blades that are not cutting the lawn properly and will cause the blades of grass to become jagged and those jagged edges are what creates a better opening for the disease to enter into your lawn. Or mowing the lawn to short and scalping can cause browning and thinning of the grass making the lawn more of a target for lawn disease, weeds, and insect damage.

A full, thick lawn is always the best defense to all these lawn problems.
If you start to notice your grass suffering from heat stress you should focus on cultural practices. Make sure you have a proper and effective schedule for watering. Also, make sure the lawn is being mowed at the proper height and with sharp blades. If your grass does become dormant because of the weather and you begin to water, you need to then continually water the lawn regularly.

The lawn uses up its food reserve in the root system to become active again. You need to give it the time that it needs to regain that reserve and not cause further stress. Please do remember that a great healthy lawn takes time and patience. In some cases, it could take a lawn up to a month to start showing signs of “life” again and green up. It is greatly recommended to reseed your lawn after the drought and heat stress has subsided in the Fall months. For a wonderful landscape it is important to keep up with rejuvenating the grass, and keeping your lawn young to fight off the stresses a lawn will endure.

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How To Help Your Lawn Over-come Heat Stress And Drought In Stow, Ohio

Stow Ohio Summer heat stress and drought

Beating the heat in Stow Oh

During the Summer when we all love to spend time enjoying the outdoors, hiking, biking, spending time at the beach or by the pool, having picnics, we rely on the weather to cooperate and to allow us to enjoy the outdoors in Stow Ohio. During the summertime when the hot weather comes there are a few things you should know about your lawn. Your plantings and grass can react to the heat by either wilting, browning, or even dying. Some facts to know about your lawn and your landscape are that they can have and show a negative reaction to heat stress and drought like situations.

You may have a beautiful, thick, lush dark green lawn in the Spring and after a few warmer weeks in the late Spring and Summer you may begin to notice brown patches forming or what looks to be “dead” sections of the lawn. These reactions are the beginning of a sign of heat stress.

Another, is that when the lawn is being weakened by stress it is more susceptible to damages caused by insects, weeds, or diseases. Insects, weeds, and diseases are all very active in Summer, this is the time of year to help your lawn defend itself against these issues. As a defense mechanism to the stress of drought and heat the lawn will sometimes go into what is called the dormant state to help protect its health and longevity. Extended periods of drier weather and high temperatures will take a toll on your lawns health especially if you do not provide the lawn with a proper water schedule.

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