Lawn Care Season is Rapidly Approaching

It is rapidly approaching that time of year again, at least on the calendar months that is, and lawns all over Washington are going to be going into bloom. If your lawn has been soaked by the winter snow and rain or it’s just in need of some clean up work these ideas should help out.

Since the construction boom around Snohomish County many drainage problems have arisen despite efforts of retention ponds and other city collecting systems. Drainage problems are usually caused because of soil composition. In Snohomish County we have a rocky surface soil with a layer of hardpan underneath (typically clay). The hardpan layer is not very porous and water has a difficult time penetrating it like other soil so the water just collects above it.

One of the most common fixes for flooding is a French Drain. A French Drain is a channel that has been dug into the ground starting in the problem area and emptying to safe location (check with your city prior to digging because there maybe permits or underground wiring to avoid). The channel can range in depth depending on how much water is collecting but a safe estimate is 12-16 inches. The channel is then filled with river rock and topped with top soil and grass to blend back into the yard. The best time to do a French Drain is spring time. Why? Because the soil will be soft and easy to dig through and the fresh grass seed with have spring and summer to growth and flourish.

Another problem commonly seen with flooded yards is moss. Residents of Snohomish County are no stranger to this evil doer of lawns. Moss grows in heavily damp areas that do not get a lot of sun light. Since the Earth tilts away from the sun in the winter and most of Washington is in high latitude, even homes without large trees feel the effects. Fences are another common factor that contributes to a mossy yard because areas never see the sun during the winter months.

The fix is really simple and can be done by yourself in a few short minutes (depending on the size of your yard). I recommend Scott’s Turf Builder with Moss Control. In the past, we had a moss problem to due drainage and winter shade but using Scott’s the moss died quickly (and mostly came up with a lawn mowing) and grew in the bare spots long before summer ended. It was easy and painless and gave the yard an extra boost of nutrition all summer long.

You say your problem is not flooding or moss but would just like to update your lawn with a fresh look? There are host of activities ranging from inexpensive to costly for landscaping but I am more the “do-it-yourselfer” when it comes to lawn care. So here are some simple ways to update your lawn.

Trimming over grown shrubs, trees and bushes will open the landscaping up and showcase the home. When a yard is in its young stages the landscaping can look pretty bare and open but as the landscaping matures that all changes. Over growth is widely seen with mature yards because people feel they may damage the plant if it is not trimmed property. That can be the case if trimming is in excess and for more information there are plenty of do-it-yourself guides online.

For trees try removing the lower branches and raise the elevation of the trunk. This will allow for a less knotty trunk to form and give you the ability to see through to other parts of the yard or home. Next manicure bushes till they are all uniform. Using an electric edger is the quickest way and can easily transform over grown bushes and shrubs into a beautiful hedge or border. I am not much of a plant person but I do really enjoy colorful shrubs and bushes. Planting some color around the home with help accent and brighten the home’s exterior and my favorite is the Japanese Laceleaf Maple.

Highlighting and trimming the landscaping can do worlds of benefit to bring out the appeal and allow you to get more enjoyment out of your home but that is not all. There is one area that usually is overlooked, the border of the flower beds. I have seen them many different ways: old concrete stones, river rock, 1- 3 man rocks, pressure treated wood and even the plastic borders. But my favorite of all is curbing. Curbing brings out the border of the flower beds with style and appeal. There are varieties of patterns that can be stamped but my favorite is the plain Decorative mower friendly curbing.

Another lawn care area that is growing in popularity is green lawn care. What is green lawn care? It’s not because you have a green thumb but that does help. Green lawn care is the use of environmentally friendly methods to control pets and provide nutrition for a blooming lawn.

1. Build a healthy soil composition
2. Select the right grass for your climate
3. Mow high, often and with sharp blades
4. Water deeply but not too often
5. Correct thatch build-up
6. Set realistic goals
7. Natural fertilizer and pest control

List Source: PoineerThinking.com

Getting started early will make the summer lawn care months more manageable especially since Washingtonians have such a short summer period to get out an enjoy the weather. For more information on how improving lawn care can increase a home’s value and curb appeal please visit Susan Jess’s blog on Landscaping Ideas.