Easy breezy: 5 ways to make summer lawn care projects easier

7/24/2017

Woman mowing the lawn

(BPT) - Summer is here and your lawn is a source of pride. However, it can also be a source of hard work, sweat and even frustration. So ask yourself this question: Would you be interested in maintaining your yard's beauty with fewer headaches?

If the answer is yes, then you’re in luck, because this article is all about helping you find ways to maintain a beautiful lawn without all the unnecessary effort. Apply these five tips today and you’ll have more time to enjoy your well-cared-for yard.

* Be smart about seeding. The dog days of summer are not the ideal time to reseed your lawn, so don’t waste the effort. Seed growth is more successful during cooler months, so if you didn’t seed in the early spring, wait until later in the season before doing so. You’ll get the same results without wasting the effort on an inefficient seeding.

* The perfect cut. Your lawn is the centerpiece of your yard, and nothing improves its overall appearance like the perfect cut, especially when that cut comes easy. Greenworks 60-Volt Mower is a lithium-ion battery-powered mower that eliminates the need to mix and pour gas, letting you put that time back into making your lawn look great. Finding the perfect cutting height is easy with its seven different blade positions, while Patented Smart Cut Technology maximizes run-time by keeping the blade speed at an optimal level based on the thickness of the turf.

* Water smart. Just as with seeding, successfully watering your lawn is all about timing. And, like seeding, dragging a sprinkler around your yard during the peak hours of the day will result in the water you expend being burned off before it does any good. To make the most of your watering sessions, water your lawn at dawn or dusk when temperatures are cooler. This increases the possibility that the water will stick around long enough for the grass to absorb it.

* Trimming made easy. A well-cut lawn is perfectly complemented by manicured bushes and shrubs, and tackling these tasks with the Greenworks 60-Volt Cordless String Trimmer and Hedge Trimmer is easy. Each tool utilizes push button start technology, eliminating the need for pull cords, while the battery-powered brushless motor offers an environmentally friendly, gas-alternative, and neither lacks for power or options. Tackle large projects with the string trimmer’s 16-inch cut path or use the hedge trimmer’s lightweight, rotating handle to reach every angle and you’ll get the perfect trim in no time.

* Add mulch to control weeds. The most beautiful planting beds lose their luster if their base is crowded with weeds. To eliminate this problem — and to save on the wear and tear of pulling the weeds yourself — add a 4-inch layer of mulch to the top of your beds. This mulch blocks out the sun, making it hard for weeds to grow. It also reduces your need to water these beds by slowing water’s evaporation rate.

Summer is here, and while your lawn care is ongoing, there's still plenty of time to make those chores more efficient to benefit yourself and your lawn. To learn more about the lawn care tools available from Greenworks, visit www.greenworkstools.com.

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Know Before They Grow

4/2/2017

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If you’re new to caring for a lawn, you may not know that the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” is especially true when it comes to your yard. If left untreated, weeds can weaken or even destroy a healthy stand of grass. These simple lawn care tips can help you ward off weeds and enjoy healthy, green grass year-round.

Know Before They Grow

Weed prevention tips for lawn care novices

(Family Features) The old saying goes that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If you’re new to caring for a lawn, you may not know that this is especially true when it comes to your yard. If left untreated, weeds can weaken or even destroy a healthy stand of grass.

These simple lawn care tips, courtesy of Bayer Advanced lawn and garden expert Lance Walheim, can help you ward off weeds and enjoy healthy, green grass year-round.

Start with the basics.
Grow turf that is so thick and strong, weeds can’t find an inch to take root by watering and fertilizing properly. Watering too much or too little encourages weeds. Water deeply (6-8 inches) and allow the lawn to partially dry before you water again.

Before fertilizing, read the label carefully to ensure that you have the correct timing. You may also want to conduct a soil test so you know you’re applying the correct blend of nutrients for the soil quality in your region. Local cooperative extension offices are useful resources to help you get started.

Also beware of bare spots or parts of the lawn that are not thriving. These areas are an invitation for weeds, so find the cause quickly. Trouble spots can be caused by insects, disease, chemical spills, objects left too long on the grass or broken sprinklers. Once you’ve resolved the issue, re-seed the area with grass seed that matches the rest of your lawn.

Mow at the right height.
Grass needs to be the right height to combat the growth of weeds. Grass that is too short exposes weed seeds to sunlight and promotes germination. Ideal blade height varies depending on grass type, time of year and growing conditions, but the most important thing is to never remove more than one-third of the leaf surface at any one time.

In general, cool-season grass, like fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, or grasses in shade grow best when maintained at a taller height, approximately 2 1/2-4 inches. If you have warm-season grass, including zoysia and Bermudagrass, maintain it between 1-3 inches.

Get tools to help.
Specialized tools and products make it easier to remove weeds. A simple garden hoe can do wonders with young seedlings, and dandelion weeders are perfectly designed to remove deep-rooted dandelions.

You can also reduce manual labor by treating your lawn with a time-saving selective herbicide product like Bayer Advanced Season Long Weed Control for Lawns, which controls broadleaf lawn weeds like dandelions and clovers. This herbicide not only kills the weeds you can see, but prevents new weeds from growing for up to 6 months. Plus, it’s rainproof in just 1 hour, which is perfect for rainy spring months. It is not for sale, use or distribution in New York. Be sure to read product labels carefully to understand what weeds will be killed or prevented.

For more information or to learn more about mowing, watering or fixing bare spots, visit bayeradvanced.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Bayer Advanced

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Getting to the Root of a Well-Nourished Lawn

3/29/2017

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Fertilizing with the right balance of nutrients applied in the right quantities and at the right time of year is a winning combination for a strong, healthy lawn. With these tips and the right strategy, equipment and work ethic, it’s possible to grow the lawn of your dreams.

(Family Features) Before you become green with envy of a neighbor’s lush-looking lawn, remember that beauty is more than just skin deep – even for yards. Fertilizing with the right balance of nutrients applied in the right quantities and at the right time of year is a winning combination for a strong, healthy lawn.

With these tips from Bayer Advanced lawn and garden expert Lance Walheim in your back pocket and the right fertilizer in your spreader, your lawn can become the belle of the block.

When to Fertilize
Application timing depends on the type of grass you have and where you live, and it should coincide with natural growth cycles:

If you have cool-season grass, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, bentgrass or ryegrass, the most important time to fertilize is in fall and spring when grass begins “greening up.” Avoid fertilizing cool-season grasses in the heat of summer, which could weaken the turf and promote disease.
For warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, bahiagrass and carpetgrass, the most important time to feed is at the start of spring, following the second mowing, through the end of summer.

Most new lawns don’t need to be fertilized until 6-8 weeks after planting.

How Often to Fertilize
There are a number of factors to consider about the frequency of fertilizing, including the type of grass, the length of growing season, the type of fertilizer used and the quality of the lawn you want. Generally, you should fertilize every 6-8 weeks, but select fertilizers, like Bayer Advanced Triple Action Lawn Fertilizer, that have slow-release forms of nitrogen can feed lawns for up to 3 months and ensure they are nourished at all three layers – grass, roots and soil.

How Much Fertilizer to Apply
First, decide between wet and dry fertilizer. For most people, dry, granular lawn fertilizers are easiest to apply evenly. Before you buy, determine the square footage of your lawn and check bag labels to determine what’s best for your lawn size, keeping in mind that application rates are based on pounds per 1,000 square feet. Remember, extra fertilizer can be put back in the bag and saved for a future application.

How to Use Fertilizer
The best way to apply dry fertilizer evenly is with a properly operating fertilizer spreader. How much fertilizer you apply depends on the type and model of spreader you use. Each has settings that are adjusted according to fertilizer label recommendations. Avoid fertilizing by hand, as it can be difficult to apply evenly.

Fertilizer spreaders come in two basic types:

Drop spreaders apply fertilizer precisely in a band directly below the spreader.
Rotary spreaders come in wheeled and hand-held models and use a whirling mechanism to spread fertilizer over a wider area. Typically, they are less precise than drop spreaders.

With the right strategy, equipment and work ethic, it’s possible to grow the lawn of your dreams. Find more solutions, tips and advice at bayeradvanced.com.

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Check off your backyard bucket list: seed, weed and feed

3/6/2017

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(BPT) - From Sunday picnics and impromptu barbecues to games of catch, make your lawn center stage this spring. Everyone longs for a lush, green lawn, but many homeowners aren’t sure how to achieve it. In fact, although 81 percent of Americans do their own lawn care, 69 percent say their lawns could be better, and nearly a third aren’t sure how to grow a healthy lawn, according to a survey by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

A strong, green lawn can give back to you in so many ways and getting there is easier than you think. The lawn health experts at Scotts(R) say the keys to a great lawn are seed, weed and feed.

Seed

Did winter do a number on your lawn? Heavy foot traffic, plows, snow shovels and salt can damage your turf, and after the first melt visible dirt spots and dead zones may appear. When spring temperatures reach 60 degrees or higher, seeds will germinate best and it’s time to repair winter damage.

Patch and repair your lawn to fill in bare spots, help crowd out weeds and strengthen your grass to help withstand heat and drought. Start by removing debris and dead grass in the surrounding area, and loosen hard soil, this will help grass seedlings take root.

Evenly apply a quality seed, like Scotts(R) EZ Seed(R), so the bare area is mostly covered, but bare ground is still visible. Be sure to only apply the recommended amount so that seedlings have enough space to access water and nutrients. Scotts(R) EZ Seed(R) is a combination of fertilizer, grass seed and super absorbent mulch that is guaranteed to grow grass anywhere with proper care, whether on a hill or slope, or in a densely-shaded area.

Weed

Preserve your healthy and beautiful lawn by keeping it free of weeds. Common weeds like dandelions and clover can choke out healthy grass. Therefore, it’s important to address weeds in spring so they won’t have a chance to thrive in summer.

Removing weeds can be a challenge, especially if any roots are left behind as they can quickly grow into a new plant. Get rid of weeds by using a weed-control product like the improved Scotts(R) Turf Builder(R) Weed & Feed. It is formulated with up to two times more powerful control of dandelions and clover compared to the previous formula, so it kills weeds and feeds grass to make it green and thick.

Feed

Continuing to feed your established lawn is critical to its nutrition and overall success. Your lawn requires feeding about every six weeks, and its nutritional needs will vary throughout the season. Choosing the right food at the right time can help ensure your lawn stays thick and green all spring and summer. For example, if your yard needs a boost towards the end of spring use Scotts(R) Green Max(RM) Lawn Food, it provides your lawn with essential nutrients, like iron, that give grass its rich green color in just three days.

No two lawns are alike. A number of factors including where you live or whether you have a sunny or shady backyard affect how to treat your grass. Not sure which products are right? Download the MyLawn app from Scotts(R) for a personalized care plan that will help you achieve your desired results. To make the most out of your green space, visit www.scotts.com for inspiration and information on lawn care products.

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The Outdoors IDEA

Easy breezy: 5 ways to make summer lawn care projects easier

Know Before They Grow

Know Before They Grow

Weed prevention tips for lawn care novices

KEYWORDS

Getting to the Root of a Well-Nourished Lawn

Fertilizing with the right balance of nutrients applied in the right quantities and at the right time of year is a winning combination for a strong, healthy lawn. With these tips and the right strategy, equipment and work ethic, it’s possible to grow the lawn of your dreams.

KEYWORDS

Check off your backyard bucket list: seed, weed and feed

Archives

Categories

The Outdoors IDEA

Easy breezy: 5 ways to make summer lawn care projects easier

Know Before They Grow

Know Before They Grow

Weed prevention tips for lawn care novices

KEYWORDS

Getting to the Root of a Well-Nourished Lawn

Fertilizing with the right balance of nutrients applied in the right quantities and at the right time of year is a winning combination for a strong, healthy lawn. With these tips and the right strategy, equipment and work ethic, it’s possible to grow the lawn of your dreams.

​KEYWORDS

Check off your backyard bucket list: seed, weed and feed

Archives

Categories

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