It’s February, and you likely see hearts every you go! While hearts typically represent love and romance at this time of year, if Facebook is to be believed, hearts also represent care, so even though we’re not mowing or growing, now seems like the perfect time to discuss lawn care! Caring for your lawn is complicated. There’s a stereotype: the angry “Get off my lawn” suburbanite who seems to care more about appearances than the people in the neighborhood. But a healthy lawn is about more than just creating a perfect picture or keeping up with the Joneses. Healthy lawns are essential to good landscaping and the health of your home. Here’s why you should care about lawn care on your Iowa property. Why Does It Matter? Your lawn is the first impression people get of your property. Sometimes it’s the only one. And having a nice yard makes your house look better. Believe it or not, a well-maintained property boosts your property value! But beyond appearances, your lawn prevents erosion. And a well-maintained property keeps away pests, creating a healthier environment for your family. Why Are We Talking About Lawns Now? So, beyond the hearts, why are we discussing caring for your lawn now? There are two reasons. First of all, this is the time of year that Master Grass is thinking ahead. We are going out to customers, giving quotes, and helping them plan their landscaping future. So now is the time to plan! Secondly, lawn care is about more than mowing. And some of the non-mowing tasks are the first landscaping necessities coming in spring (right after hardscaping, anyway. ) Ok, So What Is Lawn Care, Then? Lawn care involves a lot, and while mowing is part of it, it’s just the start of a healthy lawn. Here are all your lawn basics. Lawn Maintenance We’ll start with what you know. And what do you know regarding your lawn mo’ than mow? Mowing is the face of lawn maintenance, and that’s pretty natural, considering its frequency. Generally, we need to mow weekly or biweekly, depending on your species of grass, season, and precipitation. Species and seasons also affect the proper cutting length. For those who mowed lawns as their first chore, it may be a surprise that there’s more to mowing than just pushing or riding the mower! Because of all the factors of species and weather, it’s not quite as straightforward as it looks. If you mow too short or long, you can kill your grass, and now all grass is the same! But even beyond mowing, regular maintenance also includes other tasks. Edging, trimming, and blowing are all part of what Master Grass does to take your lawn from good to masterful. Fertilizer Part of taking care of your lawn is lawn treatments. To keep your grass healthy, we provide it with nutrients in the form of fertilizer. Generally, we begin doing that in April - which is closer than it seems! Weed Control While we care for your grass with fertilizer and water, we feed and water the less desirable plants - weeds. Luckily, we have ways of preventing weed growth. The best way to prevent weed growth is never to let them start. A healthy lawn leaves less room for weeds. But weed killers, such as preemergents and post-emergents, can also stop weeds from increasing. Preemergents target the growing stage of plants, and you should only use them on an established lawn. We use post-emergents on already established weeds. Aeration & Overseeding If you enjoy being outside in your yard (and that’s the point, isn’t it?), then over time, you will pack down your soil by walking on it. Compact soil is not suitable for plant growth; over time, this will show up as dead patches of grass or bare spots. The solution is to add space back into your soil by aerating it. Once we’ve added the space to your soil, it’s time to add new seeds. Overseeding follows aeration and is just what it sounds like - spreading seeds over your lawn. Together aeration and overseeding keep your property lush and green. Master Your Grass So while it’s not quite time to start your lawn care routine, it is the perfect time to start thinking about it! Want to show that special green someone you care? An estimate from Master Grass will be appreciated more than a card and will set you up with an excellent long-term relationship with your property.