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Wood River Lawn Care

​What exactly is lawn care and when should I do it? Those are questions we get asked a lot! While there are no easy answers or a one size fits all map, the good news is that there are methods to produce the most luscious green lawns throughout the seasons and we can help you every step of the way. Our lawn company provides all of the necessary lawn care services and landscaping servicing needs for residential lawn care and commercial lawn care, but feel free to read our quick tips for the do-it-yourself “ers”. You can contact us anytime for a free quote to fill your needs and let us do the hard work for you. You will be glad you did!

Spring/Summer Lawn Care

They always say the early bird gets the worm and this applies to most things in life. Your lawn is no exception. Of course we don't mean to start too early but to start the process at the right time and keep up with it all year. It's harder to start in the middle of the scorching heat of summer, although not impossible. The best time to start preparing your lawn is in the early spring. The typical process is to water the lawn and then aerate it a few days later. Next, apply fertilizer which provides necessary nutrients to the roots of your lawn, use a pre-emergent and weed killer for optimal grass lawn care. The best time to apply the first treatments is between February to April, depending on the climate you live in. A good rule of thumb is whenever your lawn needs to be mowed the first time. You will apply again about 6-8 weeks later. Once you’ve started the process remember to water consistently, about 1 inch per week. Water is the elixir of life. 

You can also apply slow release nitrogen in late May or early June, again depending on your climate. Just remember, you will want to apply this before the hot days of summer. Don't forget to water the lawn, especially during those brutal summer months when the ground is dry and hard. Water is necessary for all living things and your grass is no exception! Take care of it properly and you will see amazing results year round.

What about Lawn Sand?

Never heard of lawn sand? Lawn sand prevents weeds and produces a healthy lawn. It makes the soil firm and improves drainage of soil and aeration. Commonly, applications of masonry sand or play sand are applied every 4-6 weeks from late spring through summer. This is a step that is often overlooked but the benefits have proven to be outstanding in certain cases. 

Remember to start your yard care once the ground has thawed and your lawn begins to turn green, typically once the ground stays at 55 degrees. Starting too early will produce yellow spots on your lawn or burn the grass. Once the temperatures warm up, it only takes about 2 weeks to get the beautiful green lawn again. It's the best sight of the year to see your grass return to vibrant colors for the summer!

We recommend that you cut your grass and bag the clippings before you begin. Bagging the clippings is only necessary the first time to prepare a clean surface for the rest of the annual prepping. Grass seed can be planted immediately after fertilizing but you will want to have watered the lawn a few days before this process. Don't forget to water the lawn!

Should I Overseed?   

Why would you overseed? Overseeding is a great way to get a thick, luscious lawn and helps defend against weeds. You will need to add soil or a turf on top of the seeds for best results and to prevent losing the seeds. Seeding needs to be watered once per day until the grass has grown out then return to 1 inch per week. We cannot overstate the need to water your lawn. Overseeding guarantees that you will not have sparse grass or bald patches. 

Maintenance

We suggest that your ongoing maintenance includes mowing your lawn high, at least 3 inches to let the roots grow deep. This means not cutting the grass any shorter that about 3 inches high. Next, aerate the lawn, pull the weeds from the roots and keep those pesky insects under control. If you're looking for help, we can set up a package to get the jobs done right!

Fall/Winter Lawn Care

You'll want to test the soil for its pH and nutrition balance before winterizing. That way you will know what the best fertilizer will be to feed your lawn during the dormant cold winter months. Keep up with the fertilization schedule through these fall/winter months and repair any problem spots while it's still warm. Fertilize, water, repair, weed, aerate, mow, weed, repair, water, fertilize, repeat.

How to Prepare for Winter?

How to prepare for winter is a culmination of the care your lawn has received all year. At the end of the warmer seasons, you will want to aerate and fertilize the lawn, then compost and seed before the first frost is expected. Keep off the grass as much as possible in the cold months to prevent any damage while the grass is in a vulnerable state. A good winter fertilizer will be high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It's best to apply from September to mid October, depending on your climate. Remember to complete this step before the temperature is below 60 degrees. Otherwise, you're feeding the weeds instead of the grass!

Congratulations! If you've done a good job taking care of your lawn from spring through fall, you both can rest dormant through the winter months!

Sound like a lot of work and not enough time? Contact us today at 618-491-6478 for a free estimate and let us do the hard work for you. No job is too big or too small. You will be glad you did!