MAINTAINING LUSH LAWNS
Some tips about the feeding, watering and mowing of the green grass surrounding your home
Just as a well-decorated room adds visual appeal to a home, a manicured lawn goes a long way in boosting a property’s curb appeal, and, in turn, its value. An esthetically pleasing lawn and garden can instantly make a home appear well maintained and attractive to passersby and potential buyers. For that reason, among others, homeowners are investing more in lawn care now than ever before.
“Keeping their lawn as perfect as possible has become somewhat of an addiction for many homeowners,” said Mario Belmonte, owner of Belmont Irrigation.
“There is nothing more satisfying after a long week of work than to sit outside during the summer months with friends and family and truly unwind, and a wellmaintained lawn allows people to do just that,” said Dexter Church from DLC Greenteam. “A wellkept lawn beautifies your environment, and fosters the ability for families to get outside and enjoy their homes.”
Regardless of whether you look after your property yourself or turn to professionals for help, the care needs to be consistent to see results. This is especially true in Canada, due to the extreme weather conditions in our varied seasons.
“Each season has its needs and we must obey them,” Belmonte said.
“Seeding and fertilizing at the right times, mowing the lawn on a regular basis, and keeping a consistent watering schedule are just some of the ways to do just that.”
As long as there isn’t snow on the ground, lawn care should always be thought about, Church added.
“A proper spring cleanup, aeration and de-thatching will help to ensure the grass is ready for a healthy growing season,” he said. “And in the fall, a good fall cleanup to remove all the dead leaves is very important to ensure the leaves do not cause increased growth of mould or bacteria, smother the grass or cause nutritional deficiencies.”
In order to help ensure consistent care, many people turn to irrigation systems.
“A reoccurring pattern that we have noticed with our new customers is that their lawn has been completely neglected and they’re looking to restore it to its prime,” Belmonte said.
“Time is of the essence and we simply do not have enough of it, so automatic irrigation systems are more and more popular.”
Another reason people choose to invest in irrigation systems is due to watering restrictions.
“In some municipalities, homeowners are only allowed to water their lawns on certain days and at specific times which don’t always coincide with their schedules,” he said. “This makes it difficult for people to maintain consistency when watering the lawn, so they opt for automatic irrigation systems that can be programmed for particular times and days, in order to respect the bylaws in their municipality.”
No matter how you choose to go about caring for your lawn, following some basic tips can help ensure that your property’s exterior will flourish.
To begin with, Church recommends not cutting the grass too short.
“Keeping grass high allows for grass roots to become strong and absorbs water much more efficiently,” he said.
“Water it weekly during dry spells and make sure not to overwater.”
Timing is crucial as well. “Water early in the morning to prevent the grass from burning midday, when the sun is at its highest,” Church said.
“Soil may not always be able to provide all the nutrients required during the entire growing season, therefore fertilization treatments help to promote root growth, aid in controlling weeds and helps replace nutrients lost during the season.”
While well-manicured lawns and yards have become standard, many homeowners are following the trend of taking their yards one step further, by adding outdoor features such as backyard kitchens, planters, stone patios and walkways, and wood decks.
“A lot of our customers are asking for a backyard oasis including pergolas, outdoor fully functional kitchens and firepits,” Church said.
No matter how you choose to invest in order to spruce up your property, ensuring that your lawn is lush and healthy will go a long way to improving its appeal.
If you decide to work with professionals for the installation of an irrigation system or regular lawn maintenance, it’s important to do your homework first.
“It’s best to consult with a few companies to get a good sense of the market, and make sure the company you decide on is reputable and reliable,” Belmonte said.
“You have to feel comfortable with the business and its representatives, because you’ll be dealing with them for ongoing maintenance.”