Your beautiful year round lawn is the ultimate spot of your home for. A welcoming atmosphere and a space for outdoor activities. If you have a year round lawn in Newport News, with the area’s unique coastal climate, maintaining a lush, green yard throughout the year will present certain challenges. From the sparkling summer sun to the crisp winter chill, your lawn must endure changing seasons. But with expert year round lawn maintenance Newport News knowledge, it’s possible to keep it fresh year-round.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to master year round lawn care. With 5 practical tips to ensure your lawn remains lush, healthy, and vibrant in every season.
5 Tips to maintain your lawn care year round:
Understand your grass type:
First and foremost, it is highly essential to have a deeper understanding of the grass type of your beautiful lawn. The variable climate of Newport News, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters, makes certain grass types grow better than others. Warm-season grasses, like Bermuda and Zoysia, are popular in the area, while cool-season grasses, like fescue, also appear in some lawns.
For instance, If your lawn consists of Bermuda grass, you’ll have to focus on its peak growth period, which happens in the warm months. During late spring and summer, Bermuda grass grows, but as the temperature cools, it begins to go dormant. To maintain a healthy lawn, you’ll need to adjust your watering and fertilization routines to align with its growth cycles.
Practice consistent mowing:
One of the best things about mowing the grass is the clean look that appears afterward. It’s not just about the look or aesthetic vibes it gives off, it’s about maintaining the health of your year round lawn.
One thing that should be focused on is the balance. Over-mowing can stress the grass while under-mowing can lead to thick thatch buildup, which blocks sunlight and water from reaching the roots. This prevents the healthy growth of grass making it wither away.
Consider a homeowner in Newport News having fescue grass in their yard. Fescue grows best in cooler temperatures, so in early spring, the homeowner mows the grass to about 2.5 to 3 inches. By keeping it at this height, they allow the grass to absorb sufficient sunlight, while preventing pests and diseases. That’s how a good perspective on your grass type and mowing will help you get lush green grass.
Fertilize the soil at the right times:
Fertilization is the key to better plant growth, but it’s effective only when done at the right time. Again, there must be a balance maintained for the amount of fertilizer you add to the soil for keeping your year round lawn maintained in Newport News. Over-fertilizing can lead to chemical burns and other problems while under-fertilizing leaves your grass starved for nutrients.
For instance, A homeowner with a Zoysia grass lawn in Newport News applies a balanced fertilizer in early spring, just as the grass begins to green up. In mid-summer, they apply a slow-release fertilizer to support the lawn through its active growing season. Finally, in the fall, they apply a winterizing fertilizer to store nutrients and prepare the grass for the colder months.
Keep a check on pests and weeds:
Pests and weeds can kill your plants slowly and gradually. For year round lawn maintenance in Newport News, stay vigilant about weeds and pests, which can strike in any season. Crabgrass, dandelions, and other invasive plants grow in warmer months, while pests like grubs and chinchbugs can destroy your lawn’s root system. Applying pre-emergent herbicides in the spring and fall helps prevent weed growth, while insecticides may be needed to manage pests.
Let’s say, In April, a Newport News homeowner notices the early signs of crabgrass in their yard. To stop it from taking over, they apply a pre-emergent herbicide designed to target crabgrass before it germinates. Later in the summer, they use a selective herbicide to control any lingering weeds without damaging their lawn’s healthy grass. This would help them maintain the quality of their grass with strong weeds and pest control.
Pre-plan for winter care:
Even though winters in Newport News are mild, plants do get affected to some extent. As temperatures start to cool down, many warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia will enter dormancy, turning brown but remaining alive. It’s essential to avoid heavy foot traffic on dormant grass and to keep debris off the lawn to prevent suffocation. Cool-season grasses, like fescue, may continue to grow slowly through winter, so occasional mowing might still be needed.
For instance, In December, if you are a homeowner with Bermuda grass in Newport News. Let the grass turn brown naturally as it goes dormant. To make sure the lawn stays healthy throughout the winter, reduce mowing and watering, clean up fallen leaves regularly, and avoid parking vehicles on the grass. By following these steps, the lawn will stay intact and is ready to bounce back in spring.
Conclusion:
Mastering the art of year round lawn maintenance in Newport News requires you to stay actively vigilant about the changing weather. Moreover, fertilization practices, mowing the grass, and planning for the winter season, all are necessary for better year round lawn care.
If you are looking for year round lawn maintenance service in Newport News. Our 42 years of dedicated experience is proof of our love for keeping your lawns fresh year-round. Get in touch with us and let’s start making your lawn lush, green, and vibrant.