Lawn Tips

Canal Fulton, Ohio Grass Species

All About Turf Grass Species in Ohio

Turfgrasses are fine textured grass species that form a uniform, persistent population of plants and that tolerate traffic and a variety of mowing heights. These grasses can be divided into two groups, the cool season and the warm season turfgrasses.

 

Cool season turfgrasses- include species that are adapted to the cooler portions of the United States and make maximum growth during cool spring and fall. They may become semi dormant during hot and dry periods of summer. Cool season grasses adapted for turf use in Ohio include Kentucky bluegrass, rough bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, the fine fescues, tall fescue, and the bentgrasses.

 

Warm season turfgrasses- include species that are best adapted to southern areas of the United States. Some of the warm-season turfgrasses also are adapted to the transitional regions between the northern and the southern states. These grasses make maximum growth during hot weather and are dormant during winter, and early spring. Zoysiagrass is the only warm season turfgrass that has sufficient winter hardiness to survive and persist as high quality turf in the southern-most portions of Ohio.

Adaptation

Turfgrass species vary in their adaptation to soil moisture, temperatures, soil fertility, pH levels, disease and insect resistance, wear tolerance, and mowing tolerance. They may also vary in such characteristics as leaf texture, color, growth habit, density, growth, and uniformity. Considerable variation in these attributes can also occur within an individual grass species. Turf grasses which exhibit different characteristics from other members of the same species are called varieties or cultivars.

Characteristics that plant breeders search for or incorporate into turfgrasses may include improved tolerances to climates, increased tolerance to reduced fertility levels, resistance to diseases and insects, and better wear and mowing tolerances. Breeders also search for plants that exhibit medium to fine leaf textures, an aesthetically pleasing color, a decumbent growth habit, increased recuperative potential, good density, & uniformity. Ability to produce good seed yields is also an important consideration in developing improved turfgrass species.

Varieties

  • Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

Kentucky bluegrass is a persistent and attractive species that is used in many residential home lawns, institutional grounds, parks, and athletic fields. This species has a medium to fine leaf texture and a medium to dark-green color when it is properly fertilized. It produces extensive underground stems, called rhizomes, which provide good sod forming characteristics and superior recuperative potential when compared to most other cool season species. Kentucky bluegrass is cold tolerant, traffic tolerant, and moderately heat and drought tolerant. It makes optimum growth during the spring and fall and becomes semi-dormant under prolonged periods of heat stress and drought. It usually recovers quickly from dormancy with the advent of cooler temperatures and adequate soil moisture in the turf.

Kentucky bluegrass performs the best when grown in well drained soils and open, sunny areas. This grass does not tolerate poorly-drained soils or heavily-shaded conditions.

Kentucky bluegrass generally requires a higher amount of nitrogen than other cool-season turfgrasses and tends to produce a significant amount of thatch. The germination and establishment period for Kentucky bluegrass is slower than for most other turfgrasses, requiring up to two weeks for emergence from the soil.

Some of the more damaging diseases that Kentucky bluegrass can get are leaf spot, dollar spot, stripe smut, necrotic ring spot, and summer patch.

Some commercial seed lots have 'common Kentucky bluegrass' printed on the label. Common Kentucky bluegrass is a non pedigree form consisting of many genetically different types. An upright grower, it is very sensitive to low mowing heights and very susceptible to leafspot diseases. Unfortunately, seed laws permit named varieties of Kentucky bluegrass to be sold as common Kentucky bluegrass for turf. Some named varieties develop turf inferior to that of non pedigreed Kentucky bluegrass but are extremely high seed yielders. For this reason, some seed producers grow and do market named varieties as common Kentucky bluegrass.

  • Rough Bluegrass (Poa trivialis)

Rough bluegrass is similar to Kentucky bluegrass in appearance, however, it has a lighter green color and produces above ground stems called stolons that allow it to spread and generate new tillers in the soil. It is a highly shade tolerant species that prefers mostly moist soils. It is used for lawns with shaded conditions where there is adequate or excess moisture. When used in well drained, open, and sunny areas, it normally will decline during the hot, dry months of the summer but may recover in cool, wet weather.

Because of its light-green color and tendency to form patches, it's generally not used for mixtures with other Canal Fulton turfgrasses.

  • Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

Perennial ryegrass is a persistent, dark-green, fine to medium textured turfgrass that is used for residential home lawns, parks, grounds, golf courses, and athletic fields. This species produces a bunch type growth habit & does not form rhizomes. Its recuperative potential is not as strong as Kentucky bluegrass will be for turf. Perennial ryegrass germinates rapidly and establishes quickly. It is very competitive with other turfgrasses and is used extensively for overseeding thin or damaged areas. Because of its aggressive nature, perennial ryegrass is generally not used in amounts over 20 percent in a mixture with other grasses. It is suitable for use alone or in combination with Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues.

Perennial ryegrasses is wear tolerant and very heat tolerant. It is only moderately tolerant of shade or drought. This species will withstand low temperatures, however, it tends to be susceptible to ice damage in the winter. Perennial ryegrass performs best on moderate to high fertility soils and well drained soils.

Improved varieties of perennial ryegrass have good characteristics for mowing, although some may have leaves that shred and form a gray cast when cut with dull mower blades.

When grown in infertile soils or on soils of low pH, ryegrass may become thin and very clumpy. Thatch forms in perennial ryegrass turf is slower than with Kentucky bluegrass and the fine fescues.

The diseases found and are most damaging to perennial ryegrass include brown patch, Pythium blight, dollar spot, red thread, and rust. Perhaps the most significant improvement in perennial ryegrass within the past few years has been the development of varieties with enhanced endophyte performance. Endophytes, in this case, are beneficial fungi that will reside within the seed and grow and persist in the developing plant. Endophytes produce compounds that discourage leaf and stem feeding insects from destroying the grass. Ryegrasses containing endophytes have shown significant increased resistance to sod webworms, billbugs, fall armyworms, chinch bugs, and green bugs.

  • The Fine Fescues (Festuca spp.)
    • Creeping Red Fescue - Festuca rubra
    • Chewings Fescue - Festuca rubra var. commutata
    • Hard Fescue - Festuca longifolia
    • Sheep Fescue - Festuca ovina


The fine fescues are composed of narrow leaved species in the genus Festuca. The most common grass type fine fescues include creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra), Chewings fescue ( Festuca rubra var. commutata), hard fescue (Festuca longifolia), and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina). These species are used extensively for residential lawns, grounds, and parks. They are ideal for low maintenance turfs, but, are not typically used for sporting turfs. During cool weather the fine fescues produce an attractive, uniform stand with a medium-green to dark-green color. These grasses are extremely fine textured and are compatible in mixtures of most cool season grasses. As a group, the fine fescues tolerate soils of low fertility and low pH, drought prone soils, and shaded conditions. They are not well adapted to hot and humid conditions; poorly drained soils; high-traffic areas such as athletic fields or playgrounds; and high rates of nitrogen. Kentucky bluegrass, the fine fescues become semi dormant under prolonged periods of heat and drought and recover very quickly with the advent of cooler temperatures and adequate soil moisture. They tend to produce a significant amounts of thatch and generally do require periodic dethatching. Diseases that can cause severe damage the fine fescues include leaf spot, red thread, and dollar spot.

Creeping red fescue produces rhizomes, thus, allowing it to fill in thin areas of turf and to make good recovery from the injury. This species has good seedling vigor when they are compared with hard and sheep fescues. Chewings fescue lacks strong rhizome development but has increased great tolerance for low mowing. Hard fescue has received much attention in recent years for its tolerance of low fertility soils and drought conditions. It has a dark green color and good density once they are established. The major disadvantage of hard fescue is its relatively slow germination and rate of establishment in a lawn. Sheep fescue is a bunch-type grass used primarily in low maintenance situations you might find. Sheep fescue is used the least of the turf type fine fescue options.

  • Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)

Tall fescue is a persistent and durable plant that forms acceptable turf for residential home lawns, grounds, parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields. It is commonly used in low maintenance situations such as utility areas, highway medians, airstrips, and county fairgrounds. Many new and improved varieties have fine texture, higher tiller densities, and a darker green color than the coarse textured, light-green varieties as 'Kentucky 31' and 'Alta.' Tall fescue is considered by many individuals to be incompatible with the finer textured and darker green Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues. Tall fescue may be fine in a mixture with fine-textured turfgrass species because it will tend to form coarse textured clumps in an otherwise uniform stand.

Tall fescue is primarily a bunch type of turfgrass that occasionally produces short rhizomes. It's somewhat slow to establish extensive root systems and has only fair recovery potential for turf. This species is the most heat and drought tolerant of the cool season turfgrasses available. The increased drought tolerance is a function of its ability to produce a very deep root system. Tall fescue performs well in open, sunny areas and is surprisingly moderately shade tolerant. It is less suited to heavily shaded conditions than the fine fescues are, but is more shade tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Tall fescue is best suited for well drained soils.

Tall fescue thrives under moderate fertility levels. The most serious disease of tall fescue is only brown patch. This disease occurs in the hot, humid months of summer and is especially severe when the turf is heavily over fertilized with nitrogen. Other possible damaging diseases of tall fescue are net blotch, red thread, rust, and Pythium blight.

 

  • Bentgrasses (Agrostis spp.)
    • Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris)
    • Colonial bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis)

Bentgrasses are fine to medium textured grasses that have a light to medium green in color. These species are used primarily only for golf course greens and fairways, bowling greens, and grass tennis courts. They are not suitable as lawn grasses and are not compatible in mixtures with other cool season grasses. Creeping bentgrass, the most commonly used bentgrass, spreads by stolons and is a very prolific thatch producer. As a group, the bentgrasses are cold and heat tolerant but only moderately wear and drought tolerant unfortunately. Growth is optimum during the spring and fall seasons of the year. These grasses tolerate acidic and wet soils better than the other cool season grasses.

Bentgrasses are very susceptible to injury from a number of herbicides, making weed control very difficult. They are also highly susceptible to a number of diseases including dollar spot, brown patch, Pythium blight and take all patch.

Bentgrasses will tolerate extremely low mowing heights provided that proper management practices are followed. Low cut bentgrasses require irrigation, fungicide and insecticide spray applications, mechanical brushing and thinning, and periodical topdressing to prevent thatch formation damaging the turf.

  • Zoysiagrass - (Zoysia japonica)

Zoysia grass is a warm season species that makes optimum growth during high temperature periods during the growing season. It can form an attractive turf in the southern portions of the state and is used primarily for residential home lawns. Zoysiagrass has a medium to fine leaf texture and tends to have a light to medium green in color. This species produces extensive, thick, stolons that will spread rapidly. Because of its prolific stolon production, zoysiagrass has good recuperative potential, however, it may also spread into areas where it is not wanted.

Although drought tolerant when established, zoysiagrass performs best under moderate moisture levels on very fertile, well limed soils. It will not handle poorly drained soils. Its green color is completely lost with fall frosts, and plants remain dormant until late spring. Due to its relatively short growing season, zoysiagrass is suggested only for the southern most regions of Ohio.

Zoysiagrass performs well under low rates of nitrogen. The best time to fertilize this species is late spring to mid summer. Zoysiagrass should be mowed at lower heights than most other turfgrasses used in Canal Fulton, Ohio. Because zoysiagrass produces extensive amounts of thatch, dethatching should take place on a yearly basis.

Meyer zoysiagrass must be propagated vegetatively by planting sod plugs or sprigs. Development rate depends on plug size, competition from other grasses and weeds, and the growing environment it is in. Quickest establishment is with using 4 inch diameter plugs planted in late spring or early summer. Three to six years may be required to develop a solid stand of Meyer zoysiagrass and requires patience. Cost of establishment of this grass is very high.

 

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Humic vs. Fulvic Treatments In Doylestown

The benefits of Humic and Fulvic Acid applications to your lawn in Doylestown Ohio.

Humic acid helps the soil retain nutrients for your lawn in Doyleston OH. They will not absorbed into the grass, but instead stay in the soil and unlock nutrients that were not available before to the grass. Plus the carbon they add to the soil catches future nutrients much better that makes a food pantry for the grass. So simply Humic acid makes great soil. Fulvic Acids are very tiny are able enter the plant. They help the grass deliver the nutrients from the soil to the plant. It is like boosting the digestive system of the plant.

Humic acid is a natural soil conditioner that acts as an organic binding agent and is a microbial stimulant. It has a unique carbon make up which does include a high concentration of trace minerals and organic acids. Humic acid enhances the grasses ability to take in essential nutrients and improves soil structure dramatically.

 

Humic acid benefits for your lawn in Doylestown Ohio are:

    • Increases added soil carbon
    • Improves overall plant health of grass
    • Improves germination and viability of the seed
    • Chelates macro and micro nutrients to increase availability to the plant for a long period of time
    • Increases cation exchange capacity
    • Improves soil structure for better water movement
    • Stimulates beneficial microorganisms, which will improve long-term soil pH

 

Fulvic vs. Humic acid

Fulvic acid is able to penetrate the cell where humic acid can't. The Fulvic acids have higher oxygen content but lower carbon contents than the Humic acids. Fulvic acids also contain more functional groups of an acidic nature which is good for the plant. Humic acid is not soluble in water under acidic conditions but is soluble always in higher pH values. Fulvic acid is soluble in water under any pH conditions.

 

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OHIO LAWN CARE

When thinking of Ohio lawn care here in our local communities in Northeast Ohio there are many factors to consider.

  1. Our grass species – There are many different kinds of fescues found in our neighborhoods, some of the most popular are fine fescue, tall fescue and creeping fescue. Other species found include zoysia, bentgrass, ryegrass and kentucky bluegrass.
  1. Soil types and conditions – We have many different soils found in our area but many if not almost all of us have at least some clay soil. Clay is a soil that is made of mostly clay particles. There is no doubt that Northeast Ohio communities were built on top of a huge mounds of clay that becomes stone like hard, cracks when dry and nothing much likes to grow in it. Among other negatives, clay soil is very slow draining and takes more time to warm up in spring than other soils. In winter it heaves and it leans towards alkalinity in ph. Clay soils are so very compacted that plants root systems are unable to access essential oxygen required for growth.
  2. FertilizationFertilizer has three major components nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, The three numbers you always see on bags of fertilizer indicate the levels of these components on the bag in that order. Certain times of the year and different species of turfgrass require different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
  3. Weed control – Here with Ohio lawn care we have thousands of different kinds of invasive weeds. Many weeds we find in a lawn are hard to kill and require specific types of weed control instead of a broad spectrum application. To name a few of these weeds that require specific products: thistles, wild violets, knotweed, prostrate spurge, plantain buckhorn, ground ivy, foxtails, wild onions and yellow nutsedge.
  4. Climate zone – Here in Northeast Ohio we span across three different climate zones: 5b, 6a and 6b. For this amount of land area in Northeast Ohio it is unique to have that many different climate zones. For example in Central Ohio in The Columbus area they only have one zone 6a. It is due to our varying elevations we have, lake effect and the jet stream. It is very important to know your zone in relevance to lawn care and landscaping. So you will have the knowledge to understand what to plant and how to care for it.
  5. Soil ph – Soil ph is the alkalinity or acid levels found in your soil. Certain plants and grass thrive in different levels of soil ph. Applying the right or wrong products to certain ph levels can make all the difference for your lawn or landscape.
  6. Weather – When it comes to weather in Ohio lawn care products. There are certain products that need to be applied when the turfgrass is wet or dry. Also there are applications that would not be effective when it is to cold. Applying certain products when it is to hot or dry can damage or kill your lawn.
  7. Core AerationCore aeration is a popular practice here with Ohio lawn care. It pulls cores of soil from your lawn. Pulling these cores with a core aerator will allow water, nutrients, air and fertilizer reach your lawns root zone. Other benefits include alleviating soil compaction and thatch in the lawn. For a terrific lawn practicing core aeration is a must in Northeast Ohio and is recommended to be done once a year.
  8. Lawn pest – Lawn pests can destroy a lawn and one of the most popular everyone should know is grubs and there is many different species of grubs found locally. Other lawn pests found here people do not here often about, but remain to still be a large problem in our lawns are: billbug, sod webworms and chinch bugs. The best action against these pests is proactive treatments instead of reactive treatments.
  9. Watering – Proper watering of your lawn and proper drainage is a must for a beautiful lawn. To little or to much water for your turfgrass can cause damage or even death.
  10. Lawn diseases – The are many lawn diseases associated with Ohio lawn care such as: red thread, dollar spot, yellow patch, necrotic ring, pythium blight, melting out, fusarium blight and many other diseases. The best way to fight lawn diseases is with cultural practices and proactive treatments. Many diseases once established can be very difficult to eradicate.
  11. Soil temperatures – Soil temperatures are very important in Ohio lawn care, they tell you when to or not to plant grass seed. Soil temperatures also dictate when to apply fertilizers, weed and insect control products.
  12. Timing of treatments and proper rates – Having the proper timing of treatments is very important here in Northeast Ohio. Since we have a shorter season than most of the United States it makes the windows for applications smaller and harder to hit. Proper rates with applications can be the difference in a great looking lawn or much worse.

So in review all the variables of performing Ohio lawn care can be a difficult task. It's always a great idea to leave proper lawn care to a state certified lawn care specialist if you do not have the time or knowledge. Many times hiring a professional can be very comparable in price as doing it yourself and they have access to products that a non state certified person wouldn't have.

Akron Ohio, Do you want to defeat grubs?

Defeating Grubs & Saving Your Lawn in Akron Ohio

Grubs are public enemy # 1 when it comes to insects that can damage your lawn in Akron Ohio. They can destroy huge portions of healthy lawns in a matter of days or weeks. They are larvae of different kinds of beetles, including Japanese and Masked Chafer Beetles. They feed on grass roots killing the grass in large patches. White grubs will become active when the soil warms up, and they destroy lawns from late spring to early fall. The only way to effectively get rid of grubs and keep them out is yearly treatments.

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE THEM?

It is not hard to tell that grubs have invaded your yard. But by the time you see the evidence, it may be way too late. The grass appears to wilt and turns brown in large, irregular patches in the lawn. Brown areas of grass roll up smoothly like a carpet would. Birds and animals may be digging in the lawn. Milky white grubs from 1/8″ to 1″long, with brown heads and three pairs of legs, lie curled in the soil.
To find out if you have a problem, peel back a square foot of turf. If you see six or more of them, it’s time for immediate action. You want to apply your lawn treatment when grubs are newly hatched or before. That’s because they’re easier to control when they are small.

PREPARE YOUR LAWN FOR A TREATMENT IN AKRON OH

By taking some steps to prepare your lawn before treating it, you can make it easier for the treatment to work in the lawn. That’s why it helps to mow your lawn before a treatment.
Also, if you have more than a half an inch of thatch, it could get in the way of the treatment. You’ll want to core aerate your lawn first.

WRAPPING UP

Grubs are a formidable opponent, but with some knowledge of their life cycle and the right treatments, you can gain the upper hand and take back your lawn.

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(330) 933-2222 
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Reasons why Portage Lakes residents should fertilize their lawns

Reasons Why It Is Important To Fertilize A Lawn in Portage Lakes OH

It can be very tough to keep your lawn looking as fresh as you would like in Portage Lakes Ohio. Between pests, weather, and other foes, you’ll want to make sure that your lawn looks as healthy as it can. Homeowners in Portage Lakes Ohio have used fertilizer on lawns for centuries, but do you know the reasons why fertilization is so important? Keep reading for some great reasons why lawn fertilizer is important!

1. Lawn Fertilizer Will Work With Important Nutrients in Soil

In order to have a healthy lawn (or any healthy plant life) you will need high soil quality. Using a fertilizer for a lawn is the best way to do so. Over time, your soil will naturally lose many of the important nutrients it needs to survive. If you really want a lush, green lawn, you are going to need to replace them. Fertilizer replaces and replenishes the essentials your lawn needs for a great look.

2. Your Lawn Needs Fertilizer as Much as it Needs Sunshine and Water

Grass needs the correct amount of water and sunshine to be healthy and dark green, but don’t forget to feed it, too! Your lawn needs nutrients to thrive and to survive. For soil to be as rich as possible, it needs 3 elements:

  • Phosphorous
  • Nitrates
  • Potassium

Think of this as the trinity for a lawn. If you do not have even one of these, your lawn will look shriveled and browned. You feed your body, but your lawn needs food also.

3. A Green Solution

Pardon the pun, but fertilizer is a fantastic solution when used right. Since it uses natural chemicals and vitamins, it is a lawn care solution you can feel good about using. Not only are you taking care of your lawn by using fertilizer, you are taking care of the environment. No need to worry about excess waste since fertilizer just dissipates into the soil. In fact, you can even use your own lawn clippings for a cheap, eco-friendly fertilizer solution!

4. It is Easy to Use

One of the best reasons to use fertilizer is that you do not necessarily need a green thumb to use it. If you’re not interested in using the aid of some great local services, you can always spread the fertilizer yourself on the lawn. All you have to do is carefully spread it evenly and follow the instructions. It’s simple with the right equipment, but your lawn will look better than ever.

5. Your Grass Will Grow Faster

You already know that fertilizer is an important part of the diet of your lawn. But did you know that it will actually help your grass grow faster? You can’t rely solely on the soil for great, healthy plant life. You’ll get much better results by using fertilizer.

6. Lawn Fertilizer is Very Cost Effective

Like most homeowners, you are probably worried about the cost. Well, there’s a bit of good news! Using fertilizer is usually quite cost effective. Following fertilization, all you have to worry about is the basic maintenance.

Ready to find out more?

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Coventry Ohio here are some tips for defeating crabgrass

Defeating Stubborn Crabgrass In Coventry Township OH

In the effort to have a healthy beautiful lawn, crabgrass can be a tough opponent in Coventry Twp OH. This weed gets its name from the way that it sprawls from one central root across the ground on your lawn, keeping a low profile like the invader that it is. But if you are armed with some great knowledge, a plan, and the right weapons, this stubborn rooting grass can be beaten.

CRABGRASS

Crabgrass is a warm-season annual weed that grows everywhere in Ohio. It is native to Europe but was unfortunately imported to North America as forage. It thrives in areas that absorb heat, such as right next to driveways, curbs, sidewalks and south-facing areas in the lawn. Crabgrass grows very quickly in hot and dry conditions. It loves compacted soils and clay. It usually forms into mats that smothers more desirable grasses and more often than not steals nutrients.

Crabgrass reproduces by aggressively spreading seeds all over your lawn. It germinates in the spring once the soil has warmed up to at least 55-60 degrees for a week. The weed grows through the summer, produces seeds and then drops them, then dies off with the first hard frost. In fact, before dying in the fall, a single weed can distribute thousands of seeds which will germinate in the following year.

SERVICING THE LAWN IN COVENTRY TOWNSHIP OHIO

The best weapon you have against crabgrass is a thick, healthy fertilized lawn, which will provide a dark canopy of grass blades over any crabgrass seeds and prevent them from sprouting. There are a several things that you can do achieve this other than fertilizing, like reduce soil compaction and core aerate your lawn, mow high and water thoroughly.

Reseeding & Overseed: Thin or weed-damaged areas should be reseeded in the fall. The warm days, cool nights and morning dews make this the best time of the year for putting down grass seed and will help crowd out crabgrass.

CONTROL

If you haven’t done the kind of maintenance as mentioned above, or if your neighbor hasn’t and seeds from his crabgrass spread to your lawn constantly, there are preventive steps you can take to deal with the crabgrass waiting to germinate and take over your lawn.
Most importantly, you want to treat the lawn before the seedlings have a chance to sprout. You can do this by applying a pre-emergent treatment, which is a crabgrass preventer, in the spring. This treatment creates a barrier at the surface of the soil in your lawn. As the seeds begin germinating, they take in the herbicide and then die.

WRAPPING UP

You can reclaim your lawn from the scourge of crabgrass by following the above instructions. When you start with good seed, and keep building up the soil, you’ll soon have a great canopy of green grass that will be much easier to maintain.

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Richfield Ohio residents ask, Can my lawn effect my homes resale value?

Your lawn will effect your homes resale value in Richfield OH

Americans Love their Lawns and how Important it is to a Resale Value

According to the survey commissioned by the National Association of Landscape Professionals and conducted by Harris Poll, eighty-three percent of Americans think having a great lawn is important. Here are a few of the insights about the value of our lawns and backyards in Richfield Ohio.
Your neighborhood landscaping is important. Americans (91%) want to live in an area where they can see and or walk to nice landscaping. So if you want the best chance of increasing the price of your home in your neighborhood, make sure the landscaping looks great.

Nice landscaping helps to sell your house quickly in Richfield Ohio. Eighty-four percent say that the quality of a home’s landscaping would affect their decision about whether or not to buy the property. Great neighborhood landscaping helps, but it isn’t enough; yours needs to look great also.
Your neighbors care what your landscape looks like. Seventy-one percent think it is important that their neighbors have well-maintained yards.

Enjoying your yard

Perhaps “good landscaping makes good neighbors” should be the new angle.
We want to enjoy our yards. Seventy-five percent of people feel that it is important to spend time outside.
Despite a common misperceptions, even Millennials want to spend time in their yards. Seventy-five percent of Millennials (18–34 year olds) think spending time outside in their yards is very important.

People want help with their landscape. A large majority of Americans (67%) agree that professional landscaper or lawn care service would help would allow them to have a better yard.

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Clinton, Ohio Know why you should get the leaves off the lawn

Why You Should We Get Leaves Off Our Lawns in Clinton Ohio

Cleaning Up Leaves

Leaves are always the symbol of the fall season in Clinton OH. Even though it is fun romping in the leaves, or looking at the fall leaves color on
the trees, picking up the leaves in your yard is not quite as much fun. It is however, an important part of good lawn care and maintenance. So what do you need to know about cleaning up fall leaves and what effect it can have on your lawn?

Why should we remove fall leaves Clinton OH

There are several reasons why removing the leaves from your lawn is so important to the lawns success and why it should be completed. The first is that it is very healthy for your lawn to clean them up. Leaves lying on your grass will block out sunlight, and potentially hurt the life and health of your lawn. The second is that the more you procrastinate on getting rid of the leaves, the longer it will take, and a bigger job it will eventually become. So make it your goal to eradicate the leaves on the lawn multiple times in the fall.

When leaves start falling, blow, rake or bag them off the lawn. Making sure your yard is free of leaves not only improves the appearance, but influences the health of your lawn. Leaves compromise the lawn needs in the fall as it stores up food for its winter nap.
No matter the reason it is clear that keeping leaves off of your lawn, is an important part of proper lawn care.

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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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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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