Does the path to an awesome-looking lawn feel like it eludes you? Maybe you even feel as though you’re doing everything you’re supposed to, but you still don’t have the lawn that you really desire.
The truth is, lawn care is complicated and there’s a lot involved in achieving that truly spectacular lawn that you’re envisioning. A lot of homeowners in the Lehigh Valley assume that as long as they’re fertilizing and maybe watering their lawn from time to time, that they’re doing everything they should.
But it’s more complex than that.
If you’re serious about trying to get an amazing Lehigh Valley lawn, then you’ve come to the right place. We know you’re looking for tips, so we’ve rounded up some of the essentials that you’ll need to know as well as plenty of links to articles that will teach you even more.
1. A Multifaceted Weed Control Program is Key
Let’s start with weeds because they are generally thought of as the #1 enemy to a healthy and thriving Lehigh Valley lawn. The biggest problem that homeowners face with effective weed control is that they underestimate how involved it should be. They assume that as long as they’re putting down a store-bought product, they’re doing what they can to prevent weeds. But the truth is, weed control can be pretty complicated as there are different weeds at different times of the year, and they usually require different treatment options.
We have notorious summer weeds and spring weeds in Lehigh Valley lawns but there are fall and winter weeds, too. Plus, there are a lot of weed control tricks that you really ought to know in order to be most effective against this pesky nemesis.
Your best defense against weeds is a multifaceted program that uses different controls at different times of the year (and for the different types of weeds that you’re dealing with).
2. Proper Mowing Matters
Most people think of mowing as such a basic task that they don’t think there’s a “right” and a “wrong” way to do it. But the truth is, when a lawn starts to look yellowish or experience weed breakthrough, it is often traced back to improper mowing.
Most of the time, lawns are cut too short. This is something that homeowners and even professional mowers make the mistake of doing. This can be traumatic for the lawn. A lawn that is mowed too short can struggle to recover from the cut (and begin to yellow as a result).
You can learn more about mowing and how impacts lawn care here.
3. Proper Watering is Essential
Watering also plays a huge role in the overall performance of your lawn. There are actually quite a few watering misconceptions that need to be addressed to ensure that you are performing this task properly.
Keep in mind that lawns need approximately 1 to 2 inches of water each week in order to stay healthy and green.
You should also know that watering an established lawn is going to differ from watering a newly seeded lawn.
4. Your Soil Could Make or Break Your Lehigh Valley Lawn
It’s rare for us to find people that understand just how much the health of their soil matters to the overall success (or failure) of their lawn. If your lawn is lacking in vigor or color, it could actually be your soil.
Healthy soil is of critical importance to maintaining a great-looking lawn and yet it is often neglected. A Lehigh Valley lawn service that performs lawn soil testing can help tell you what your lawn is lacking and how to fix it.
It could potentially be a problem with your soil pH, soil fertility, or even the microbiology of the soil itself. A soil test can help get to the bottom of the soil problems your lawn is experiencing.
5. Aeration and Overseeding Can Make a Huge Impact
If you have a thinned out or bare lawn, you might be wondering if there is anything that you can do to turn things around. Even if you just have a few thin areas, you might be curious about what you can do.
Without a doubt, aeration and overseeding is one of the most important (and effective) services that you can have performed on your Lehigh Valley lawn. It has transformed some of the worst lawns in our region, so imagine what it can do for you.
6. Insects Could Be Holding Your Lawn Back
A lot of homeowners are shocked to learn just how many insects can be lurking about their turf and causing problems. For one, grubs (which is a collective name for several species of beetles in the larval stage) can be a serious concern as they have the power to do major damage while feeding on your lawn’s roots.
But, there are also chinch bugs and sod webworms to worry about in our region. Instead of feeding on your lawn’s roots, these pests eat your grass blades.
If your lawn is struggling, it’s possible that it could be an insect problem.
7. Disease is a Worry, Too
Of course, lawn disease is also a potential problem. Unfortunately, because they tend to be confused with other lawn problems (such as drought or insect damage), lawn disease can sometimes go undiagnosed until the problem is severe.
Some of the most common signs of a lawn disease include symptoms such as the following.
- Spots or lesions on grass blades
- Small, repetitive spots throughout turf areas
- Irregularly-shaped patches of discoloration throughout the lawn
- Webby fungal structures (seen easily when there is dew in the morning)
- A powdery substance on the lawn
8. Some Growing Conditions May Not Be Ideal
Realistic expectations are such an important part of understanding what your lawn is capable of. When it comes to growing grass in the shade, a lot of people don’t realize just how hard this can be to achieve.
Grass on shaded properties tends to grow thin and lose its lush green color easily. It also tends to be more susceptible to problems such as disease or pests. If your grass is struggling, it’s quite possible that it’s related to the growing conditions.
9. DIY Lawn Care Often Falls Short
If your lawn isn’t as spectacular as you want it to be, it could be that your DIY lawn care routine is falling short.
The truth is, a Lehigh Valley lawn care service which employs skilled technicians who are trained on everything from the proper application of lawn care products to how to recognize various problems that could be holding your lawn back. Professionals also have access to professional-grade products that are going to perform better than those you can find at a box store.
If you’re tackling lawn care on your own, and you’re looking for better results, it might be time to consider a pro.
10. Your Current Lehigh Valley Lawn Care Service Could Not Be the Best Option
Of course, even with a pro, you could be getting lackluster results. While a lot of people assume that as long as they are getting professional lawn care services, that their lawn will get what it needs.
But the truth is, not all pros are the same and certainly some companies are better than others in terms of everything from their training to the products that they use. And this will absolutely impact the results that you get.
If you’re using a professional but your lawn isn’t living up to what you want, it could be time to switch lawn care companies.
Making a Smart Choice for Lehigh Valley Lawn Care
First and foremost we want to commend you for your effort to understand what your Lehigh Valley lawn needs to look and perform its best. The fact that you are interested in all of these tips and in reading further about all of these topics is certainly admirable.
Of course, in doing so, you may be coming to the realization that lawn care really is more complex than you initially thought.
While it’s undoubtedly a lot of work, you don’t have to do it all on your own. Joshua Tree is here to serve you whether that means answering your lawn care questions or taking over some of those services for you. With the right care, you really can have that spectacular Lehigh Valley lawn that you desire.
If you’d like to find out more about our three lawn care program options, contact us for a free consultation or give us a call at 610-365-2200 so that we can answer any questions.
