The Basics of Lawn Maintenance
Two of the most frequent questions we get from customers are, how often should I mow my lawn and how often should I water it? Since everyone’s lawn is unique, there are a number of factors to keep in mind when answering these questions. Here we’ll outline some of the things you’ll need to think about when figuring out the best maintenance schedule for your lawn.
Time of Year
Grass grows at different speeds depending on the time of year. In Michigan, peak growing season comes around mid- to late-spring when temperatures hover above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and moisture levels are fairly high. In the summer, when the temperatures continue to increase but water supply can be less predictable, grass growth will slow down. When temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, grass growth will generally stop, and the grass will go dormant.
During the peak grass growing season, we recommend mowing once a week to keep your lawn healthy and at a manageable height. During the summer and fall, you can reduce the frequency of cutting to every other week, or as needed. Overcutting the grass or cutting it too short can weaken the root system and starve the lawn.
Lawn Appearance
There are a few ways to tell if your lawn is due for a watering. If your lawn is starting to take on a grayish or dull green color, it likely needs water. In addition, if you walk on it and your footprints don’t disappear quickly, the grass blades are lacking the moisture needed to spring back.
When your lawn is in need of moisture, we recommend watering it in the early morning hours. Watering it in the middle of a warm day can cause the water to evaporate before it reaches the grass’ roots. Watering too late in the day, on the other hand, can lead to fungal problems, as the grass may not have enough time to dry before the temperatures drop.
In general, your lawn needs an inch to an inch and a half of water per week. It is best to water your lawn 2-3 times a week for about 20 minutes, instead of trying to water your lawn all on one day, which can cause shallow root systems to develop. You can test to see if your lawn needs watering using the screwdriver test. If you’re able to easily stick a screwdriver 6 to 8 inches into your soil, your lawn is getting enough water.
Grass Type
A lot of people think that a mowed lawn should be super short. However, for most varieties of grass, this is a death sentence. A general rule of thumb for mowing your lawn is to never cut away more than one-third of the grass blade in any one mowing. Cutting too much of the grass blade strips away its food-producing parts, which leads to a yellow, dying lawn. If you’re unsure what the ideal height for your variety of grass is, check out this handy guide. Remember, no more than one-third of the current height of the grass should be cut off with one mowing. If your grass is very long, you may need to mow a bit more frequently at first until you get to a height level that is appropriate for the type of grass.
At Blooms Landcare, we provide a wide range of lawn care services, from weekly lawn mowing to full-scale grass and sod installation. Whether you need a weekly cut or are looking for a more complete lawn care maintenance plan, our team of lawn care experts will take every detail into account, ensuring that your lawn care job is done the right way.
Our team at Blooms Landcare delivers thorough, high-quality results every time. Call today to schedule a free consultation and let our team deliver the landscape of your dreams.
Cities we currently service: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Pittsfield Township, Saline, Superior Township, Ypsilanti
Blooms Landcare specializes in landscaping, lawn service, and snow removal in Chelsea, Ann Arbor, and the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a landscaping company that takes pride in the projects it takes on, contact Blooms Landcare today for a free custom quote.