Weed Issues

Is Yellow Nutsedge Inundating Your Copley, Ohio Lawn?

The Invasion Of Yellow Nutsedge

Yellow nutsedge is a major weed that used to be only found in the South, but has made its way North. It is a grass like weed in the sedge family with top growth that reaches 8 to 30 inches tall. Yellow nutsedge has an extensive underground network of basal bulbs, roots, thin fibrous rhizomes, and tubers. The leaves are mostly basal and are bright green to yellow green and bears the inflorescence flower heads. The inflorescence are yellow to brown and consists of spikes borne on 1 to 3 inches of stalks unequal in length.

Dormancy in yellow nutsedge is broken by chilling at 40–50°F for several weeks. Sprouting will begin as soil temperatures rise above 55°F. Tubers can remain dormant and survive up to 4 years.

In Copley, Ohio Yellow nutsedge begins active growth in late spring. A rhizome emerges from the tuber and grows toward the surface of the soil. When the rhizome receives a light stimulus a basal bulb will then form. The shoot that formed will consist of a cluster of basal leaves from this bulb. Then a fibrous root system will develop from basal bulbs and rhizomes.

 

Plant development

Yellow nutsedge remains attached to the mother tuber for up to 10-12 weeks. Within four weeks after initial shoot emerges new rhizomes emerge from the basal bulb and grow up to 20 inches laterally. This will happen over and over again forming new basal bulbs and daughter plants. Yellow nutsedge will continue to spread exponentially in the absence of competition or control measures and will also spread by seed developed in mature plants.

In temperate zone populations of yellow nutsedge, shortening day length in late summer triggers flowering and tuber production. When day length decreases to about 14 hours, rhizome tips begin to form tubers rather than new daughter plants. While top growth slows, prolific tuber production continue to form until frost kills them. Tubers will form as deep as 18 inches.

Where does it grow?

Yellow nutsedge thrives in moist to wet conditions and can tolerate flooding. It can be incredibly prolific in temperate climates with high moisture soils. A single tuber has been observed to give rise to 1,900 shoots and 6,900 tubers within one year in Minnesota and 1,700–3,000 shoots and 19–20 thousand tubers in irrigated fields in Oregon forming a dense patch 6 feet across. Tuber dry weight reached an equivalent of about 4 tons per acre.

Yellow nutsedge tubers are killed by exposure for 1–2 days to temperatures of 113–122°F or below 20°F. Most tubers within 2 inches of the soil surface are winter killed but the weed readily emerges from tubers located 4 inches or deeper where they are protected from temperatures extremes. Yellow nutsedge has successfully spread into southeastern Canada, where snow cover has protected tubers from winterkill.

Yellow nutsedge can tolerate moderate shade with little decrease in growth or tuber production, whereas dense shade reduces total biomass by more than half. Although the weed compensates for shade by growing even taller, and can form some tubers even under 94% shade, competition for light is recognized as an important tactic that can enhance the efficacy.

Yellow nutsedge can form viable seeds by cross-pollination. As many as 1,500 viable seeds per plant and the seedlings  can establish successfully only when the soil surface remains continuously moist.

As you can see Yellow nutsedge is not a weed to ignore in your Copley lawn and should be treated immediately. A delay in the treatment can become catastrophic very quickly.

 

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

Tips For Uniontown Residents For Eliminating Patches and Weeds

Preventing Patches & Weeds In Your Grass In Uniontown Ohio

Nothing makes your the lawn look bad quite like big noticeable brown patches or weeds in Uniontown OH. Your lawn should be green, lush, and vibrant. When you do not keep up with your lawn maintenance, it will start to look a little worse for wear unfortunately. If you notice brown patches and weeds in your yard, we can help you get rid of them or we can give you some tips on how to prevent them IN Uniontown OH.

Brown Patch

Brown Patches is a fungal disease that causes large circle like areas of dead grass. The way to prevent this disease from consuming your lawn is to keep it as cool and dry as possible.

Watering

Only water your grass when it needs it. It is also best to water your lawn in the morning between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. If you water your lawn in the evening or night, the water may just sit at the surface rather than get absorbed into the soil. If water sits on your lawn, it will encourage the growth of disease. Water on the surface of your lawn will invite Brown Patch.

Removing Leaves

Leaves can lead to fungus, so always try and keep them off your grass. Removing the leaves is particularly important in the fall when leaves are falling more frequently.

Shade

Keep a special eye on areas in the lawn that don’t get a lot of sunlight. Shaded areas will not absorb water as quickly because the soil never gets really hot. When the soil doesn’t absorb water, fungus can start to grow. You might have to look into ways to drain these areas in the lawn.

Watching Your Step

If you have Brown Patch, do not walk on it. Fungal diseases spread easily and you can affect other areas and spread it in the lawn.

Pet Urination

Pet urination is a common cause of patchiness in lawns. If you have pets, be sure to take them for a walk and try to have them urinate elsewhere.

Weeds and Crabgrass

Dandelions, crabgrass, clover and other weeds can quickly take over your yard. Once they get established they can be hard to get rid of, but remember that a healthy lawn will always naturally fight off weeds.

Weeding

If you only have a few weeds and want to pull them by hand, make sure you get the roots of the weed. Otherwise the weed will come right back. It is best to pull weeds after it rains because wet roots come out of the soil easier.

Proper Mowing

Set your lawn mower to a high setting. Tall grass means thick healthy grass, and this provides shade in the soil so weed seeds can not germinate and grow. You should never mow below 3.5 inches.

Deep Watering

Only water your lawn when you have to, and water the lawn deeply. A deep watering encourages your grass roots to grow deeper into the soil, and this helps your grass stay healthy.

Core Lawn Aeration

Aeration is when you create thousands of small holes across your yard and deposit the cores from these holes on top of the grass. These small holes help oxygen, water, nutrients and fertilizer get to the roots of your grass. When the roots have easy access to these nutrients the grass will thrive. All lawns get compacted fairly quickly and aerating will also eliminate compaction and remove thatch. Aeration does amazing things for a lawn and is a great way to boost the look and health of your lawn.

Need Help? Hire a professional

There are a lot of benefits to having a beautiful, healthy lawn at your property. Healthy lawns improve the look and value of your home. A healthy lawn can prevent diseases and weeds from coming in and destroying the hard work you have invested into your lawn. While it is great to have a beautiful lawn, it does takes a lot of time and effort to keep it maintained. Proper professionals will have access to products the public does not and have the knowledge and equipment to take care of your lawn properly and quickly.

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.

Cuyahoga Falls Residents Rid Yourself Of Nuisance Weeds

Do Not Feed the Weeds in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio

One of the less glamorous lawn care chores is dealing with unsightly weeds in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio. Nuisance weeds are more than just a pest in your landscape, they can do some serious damage if left unchecked. Follow these tips to help eradicate weeds in your lawn and landscape, so you can spend less time on in the dirt and more time enjoying a weed-free landscape in Cuyahoga Falls OH:

  • Most of your lawn includes weed seeds that just have not germinated yet. Avoid tilling your soil often to avoid putting these unseen weed seeds into fertile soil to keep more from popping up.
  • Making mulch your friend can be important. Besides the fact that mulch is gorgeous to look at, did you know that it can also help with controlling the weeds? Weeds need the sunlight to germinate and grow, and covering portions of your landscaping with mulch stops weed seeds from getting that light. Bonus with more mulch means less grass to mow and treat!
  • When you keep your plantings closer together in your landscape beds. You reduce the space between the plants in your garden, the weeds will have less space to grow and more competition for nutrients, water and sunlight.
  • Hiring a professional to provide lawn treatments to your grass can eliminate the hard work of combating weeds and crabgrass in your lawn. It will also guarantee a professional job of the treatments is performed with no hard work on your end. Usually at a price comparable or cheaper than buying the products and equipment yourself. Using proper weed control is crucial for the health and beauty of 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.