Grounds Maintenance Yearly Program Residential & Commercial

 What we call a “tune-up” is designed to get the property to a standard we are proud to put our name on. This includes, in addition to the weekly maintenance:
 All ornamental beds are weeded, edged and pruned. Fresh mulch is laid  Trees are assessed and trimmed if necessary  Once complete any attention needed in these areas is included in the weekly maintenance schedule. 

  Spring Clean Up:

Remove debris, leaves, and thatch dead grass to promote healthy growth.    Rake the lawn in the spring to remove any debris, dead grass, leaves, twigs, and thatch. Snow mold disease may have infected your lawn throughout the winter and raking will help break up matted patches of grass, removing the damage. Even if you raked vigorously in the fall, another good raking in the spring is suggested for optimal lawn results.  

Aeration: Aerate the soil to improve air and nutrient penetration, ideally in late March to early April.    When the surface layer of soil is hard and compacted the grass roots cannot grow deep into the ground, becoming starved for water, oxygen, and nutrients . Hard soil also leads to an environment where weeds can thrive.    

Soil Test: Conducted by University of Kentucky:    Healthy soil pH is essential for a healthy lawn. Grass grows best in soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.2 to 7.0 and weeds thrive in acidic soil with a low pH. Balancing the soil pH means you will need to do less weed control in the future. Routine Soil Test - P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, pH, buffer pH, Organic Matter , Boron , Micro-nutrients (B, Mn, Cu, Fe) , Soluble Salts , pre sidedress Nitrate test, Heavy Metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu), Lead (Pb), Soil Texture (Sand, Silt, Clay & Textural Class).    

Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer to encourage growth, typically in April.  After months of neglect, your lawn is hungry! A review of the lab report will determine the proper fertilizer application.  

Seeding: Over-seed bare patches or thin areas with grass seed in April or May.    seeding, notice any bare patches in your grass? This is a great time to reseed or overseed the lawn! It is important to get these areas reseeded quickly to prevent weeds from filling in all of the bare spots. If your grass is looking a bit thin, overseed the whole lawn.    

Weed Control: Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring to prevent weed growth.  There are two types of weeds, grassy weeds such as crabgrass and broadleaf weeds such as dandelions. Both are controlled using different products, but they can be applied at the same time.     

Mowing: Start mowing as the grass begins to grow, usually in late March or early April.  See Mowing section for the complete program.    

  Mowing: Continue regular mowing, keeping the grass at a height of 3-4 inches to promote deep roots.  

Watering: Water deeply and infrequently, aiming for about 1 inch per week, especially during dry spells.  There is usually enough rainfall in April to take care of irrigation for you. But if not, the rule of thumb is to apply one inch of water per week. Water deeply for about 30 minutes in each area, but no more than two to three times a week. Watering deeply and less frequently will encourage strong healthy roots.    

Fertilization: Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early summer (June).  Weed Control: Spot-treat any emerging weeds with post-emergent herbicides.  Pest Control: Monitor for pests and apply treatments as necessary.  While most homeowners are zoned in on weeds every year, your yard may have some other destructive pests to worry about that can cause worse damage: turf insects. They include but are not limited to chinch bugs, white grubs, mole crickets, billbugs, weevil larvae, armyworms and sod webworms.    

  Aeration: Aerate the lawn again in early fall (September) to relieve compaction.  Fertilization: Apply a fall fertilizer high in potassium to strengthen roots, typically in late September or early October.  

Seeding: Overseed any bare or thin areas in early fall.  Overseeding is the key to making sure your lawn maintains its vibrant, lush appearance. Even the healthiest grass can be reinvigorated by overseeding it with new grass seed. As time goes on, cool-season grass plants mature, and their reproduction rates begin to slow down. This can leave your lawn looking dull and unhealthy. Overseeding is an easy, cost-effective practice you can implement in your lawn care routine to give your existing lawn a boost in the growing seasons. Once complete, you’ll have a lawn with enhanced color, thickness, and improved appearance over time.    

Weed Control: Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early fall to prevent winter weeds.  To control dandelion, plantain and clover in the fall, apply Organic Weed Control as soon as the summer heat stress is over or when daytime temperatures are no longer reaching into the 90’s. That will vary from year to year and vary by location. For some, it could be as early as mid-August. September 1st would be fine for most areas to suppress the seeds that would have sprouted in the next generation. Note that you cannot overseed in the fall if you apply Organic Weed Control.    

Fall Clean Up: Rake leaves regularly to prevent smothering the grass.  Rake the lawn in the spring to remove any debris, dead grass, leaves, twigs, and thatch. Snow mold disease may have infected your lawn throughout the winter and raking will help break up matted patches of grass, removing the damage.  

Mowing: Gradually lower the mowing height as the season progresses.  

  Snow Management: See the section on Snow Removal for details. 

 Soil Testing: Conduct a soil PH test to determine nutrient needs for the upcoming spring.   
  By following this seasonal program, you can ensure your lawn remains healthy and vibrant throughout the year. Each task plays a crucial role in promoting growth, preventing weeds, and maintaining overall lawn health. We use all natural products by Jonathan Green, applied at manufactures specifications as determined by soil testing in accordance with industry standards.