New Year’s Resolution – “I Will Treat My Lawn Nicely”

Lawns are often taken for granted or even neglected and certainly don’t make most people’s resolution list.  I think it is time to change that and start by spreading a little wealth and effort in the direction of one’s lawn and landscape.  The lawn, trees, shrubs, and flowers are a vital part of the home and they certainly add to the value of the property.  Industry experts say a nice landscape can add 15% to the value of a home and for most of us with a home, it is the largest asset we have.  The experts did not say how much an unattractive landscape impacts the home’s value, but you can be sure it is not positive.

What can be done to have a better lawn and landscape in 2013? First I would recommend taking inventory on the current condition of the yard.  That would mean checking the sprinkler system, the shading/sunlight and exposure, the soil condition and drainage, etc.  Landscapes change over time.  The wonderful hybrid bermuda lawn you had 10 years ago may now be only a thin, spotty stand now due to heavy shade conditions as a result of your trees growing up.  The great sprinkler coverage you once had may now be compromised due to plants covering heads, dirty nozzles, or reduced water volume or pressure.  Many times it was never that good in the first place.

Assuming that you now have conditions suitable to grow healthy lawns and plants you are ready to attend to their needs.  Like you and I, they need to be fed regularly.  Proper nutrition helps them grow at a healthy rate and compete with pesky weeds, diseases, and insects competing for their space.  Proper mowing heights and regular mowing encourage a dense turf that can better compete with invasive weeds.  Some weeds like crabgrass and spurge can forge their way into most any lawn; good or bad.  Pre emergent products should be applied starting in February in order to keep them out.  Other weeds like invasive bermudagrass and nutsedge need to be dealt with on an individual basis. 

By the way, did you know that homeowners no longer have access to any products that work well for the removal of existing crabgrass or dallisgrass since the removal of MSMA products like Weed Hoe in 2012?  This year, 2013, is the last year that professionals can use MSMA so PREVENTION is the word from now on….period.

You need to decide if your lawn and landscape is important to you.  It cannot take care of itself.   If you want good results without all the hassles then call a professional that knows what they are doing.