TIPS

Mow long? Mow short? What to do about Late Season Mowing:
This fall, be sure to keep mowing your lawn at the regular height of 2.5-3.5" while it's still growing. Though longer grass may mat down, inviting a disease called snow mold, the benefits of maintaining the 2.5-3.5" level into the fall far outweigh any potential negative effects of snow mold.

In spite of cool temperatures, your lawn continues to photosynthesize until dormancy. Photosynthesis in the fall allows the plant to store energy for winter and next spring, which is crucial for its survival. Cutting grass blades too short limits the lawn's photosynthetic capacity. Regular mowing will also mulch tree leaves into the turf. A layer of unmulched leaves will shade the lawn, thereby minimizing photosynthesis, possibly smothering the grass, and encouraging snow mold. So get out there and keep mowing!

And in the spring?
During your lawn's growing season, you should mow at least once a week, more often if it's growing rapidly. In springtime your lawn is at its growing peak and should be mowed twice a week. The most important thing to remember about grass cutting is to remove no more than 1/3 of the blade in one single cutting.

Watering Know-How
The rule of thumb is that lawns need approximately one inch of water a week from rain or sprinkling. When watering your lawn, give it a good soaking; a light sprinkling, which may not even reach the soil, promotes shallow roots.

Time of day also makes a difference. Try to water the lawn early in the day. You'll lose more water to evaporation as temperatures rise throughout the day. The worst time to water is after 4:00 PM. The water lies on the plant for a longer period of time, which puts the lawn at risk of disease, fungus, and mildew.

Clippings Left on the Lawn - Good, Bad, Ugly?
The idea that leaving grass clippings on the lawn creates excess thatch build-up is a myth! Thatch is caused primarily by the build-up of dead and living stems, leaves, roots, and other plant material. (Thatch from grass clippings accounts for less than 1/16" per year.) Clippings actually benefit the lawn! Decaying clippings confer valuable nutrients to the lawn and soil. This, in turn, produces a thicker, healthier, greener lawn. So we say leave 'em. Not only is it easier on you, but it also helps the environment. Landscape waste (including grass clippings) makes up 20% of all curbside waste. When you can, why not be Earth Friendly?


TIDBITS

- Weeds thrive in acidic soil. Lime application will reduce soil acidity, thereby discouraging weeds. (Good thing HappyLawnTM applies high-calcium, highly effective limestone.)

- When the weather heats up, your lawn's defenses are down - and weeds can easily gain the upper hand. (Never fear! Broadleaf weed control applied by HappyLawnTM can save the day - and your lawn.)

- Crabgrass is an annual weed that dies after the first frost. But before it dies, it issues thousands of seeds that can hang out for years and sprout when soil temperatures hit 60 degrees. (That's why HappyLawnTM attacks crabgrass before germination! Sneaky, eh?)

- True or false: there's no reason to aerate a thick, green, healthy-looking lawn. FALSE! Every lawn can benefit from annual core aeration to help control thatch and aid penetration of water and nutrients. (p.s. The plugs left on your lawn look really cute.)

- The ideal amount of fertilization? Four or five times a year, assuming you want a greener, weed-free grass with a deep, thick, healthy, web-like root system. (And HappyLawnTM knows just when to apply what kind of fertilizer for the most ideal results.)

- Nitrogen keeps grass green and growing. Potassium helps prevent disease & fungus and aids H2O retention. Phosphorus improves root development and soil quality. (Our fertilizers use all 3, in varying amounts, depending on what your lawn needs and the time of year.)

- Fertilizing means more mowing, right? Not if you use slow-release granular nitrogen! The slow-release nitrogen pellets are coated, promoting release over a 4-6 week span and stops "Splurge Growth." Which means no excessive mowing necessary. (FYI: HappyLawnTM uses only granular, slow-release fertilizers.)

- Don't lose the forest for the trees, or rather the trees for the lawn. While most of us understand the importance of quality lawn care, landscapes are often left to fend for themselves. Remember, winter, diseases, and pests can be just as rough on your trees as your lawn. Bring in expert help before it's too late (may we suggest HappyLawnTM?).