Lawn Care Services for Princeton, NJ
Princeton, NJ, lawn care and maintenance simplified is the provision of the essential elements grass needs; namely air, sunlight, nutrients and water. Our helpful tips are centered on these essentials, with some added expertise to help you easily achieve a professional looking lawn. For example, keeping your grass clear of weeds, dead growth and moss plays an important part in allowing sufficient air and sunlight to your grass.
Lawn Aeration
Aeration is the addition of air to a material, and in terms of Princeton lawn maintenance, it is important that your soil has plenty of air. Soil tends to become compacted over time, particularly in areas of foot traffic, which means essential elements such as oxygen, water and nutrients can’t reach the grass root system. Heavy Traffic on your lawn such as children playing ball, the family dog in your yard, a swing set or soccer net; all of these activities play a role in ruining your lawn. Also, let’s not forget Mother Nature and the role rough weather plays in the health of your lawn. Aerating your lawn once a year, will allow water and nutrients to penetrate into the soil.
Aerating involves making holes in the lawn either manually with a fork or by extracting a plug of soil with a mechanical device specially designed for aerating a lawn. Aerating tools are available at most home improvement stores such at the Home Depot on Nassau Park Boulevard . The best time to aerate your lawn is in the autumn.
Lawn Feed
Lawn feed, also known as lawn fertilizer, is absolutely key to a beautifully green lawn. Without this supply of nutrients, your grass will quickly use up the nutrients in the soil and its growth will become thin and pale. There are many varieties available at Home Depot and other local stores.
When to Feed Your Lawn
Feed your lawn in early spring to jump start root development. Feed again in autumn to repair summer damage and prepare it for a potentially harsh winter.
How to Apply Lawn Feed
You can apply the feed by simply spreading it by hand, or by using a push spreader. Make sure to wear protective gloves when handling lawn feed, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Lawn Mowing Tips
Always use sharp mower blades and don’t cut a lawn when the grass is wet. Using a sharp mower blade will cut grass cleanly and evenly. A poorly maintained blade will leave grass shredded, more susceptible to disease and in need of more nutrients to repair the damage.
It’s best to cut off no more than a third of the grass blades with each mowing. If you cut too much of the grass blade it will take longer for the grass to recover.
Mowing will encourage the grass to expand. When grass is cut, it grows new leaves to absorb sunlight. This helps to build a thicker lawn, which is more resistant to weeds and disease. It is best to mow frequently during the growing seasons (spring, summer and autumn).
Lawn Watering
There are times in the summer when temperatures can be harsh on grass and a few simple signs will tell you if your lawn needs watering. When grass needs water, it will begin to take on a yellow tint and the blades of grass will begin to curl up and wilt. To avoid unnecessary water charges, try collecting rainwater to use in a water butt. Grass and plants also grow better with fresh rainwater than with tap water.
Grass will benefit more from one good, heavy watering than it would with a regular light spray, so give the lawn a good drenching when you notice it wilting in the heat.
Weed & Moss Control for a Perfect Lawn
As all good gardeners know, weeding is unfortunately an ongoing process. Here are some tips to make it that bit easier:
- Apply weed killer in early spring before weeds have a chance to develop strong root systems.
- Some lawn feeds contain weed and moss killer too and will save you time and money.
- Remove random weeds by hand or with a garden hoe.
- Moss tends to be a problem in poorly drained areas and should be removed before it kills off the grass.
Get Help From Princeton Lawn Maintenance Professionals
If you have a project in mind to build your dream landscape, seek professional help. The Cutting Edge team has years of lawn maintenance and will meet every expectation you have. Contact us today!