Beautiful lawns don’t just happen on their own. If left alone, most will succumb to lawn issues which can be costly to repair. A regular maintenance program will ensure the health and vigor of your lawn which will protect it from invasive intruders. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Benjamin Franklin)
Let’s address common lawn issues in the Treasure Valley:
Several invasive weeds to cool-season grasses include crabgrass, dandelions, nutsedge, thistle, and clover. Weeds and grass compete for water, nutrients, and space. Some types of weeds are much harder to get rid of than others and may require specialized treatment. An early spring pre-emergent can help eliminate up to 80% of emerging annual weeds such as crabgrasses. If your neighbor’s lawn has weeds, chances are they will show up in your yard. Having routine weed control treatments along with regular fertilization will protect your lawn and choke out any weeds from germinating.
Common lawn insects include billbugs, sod webworms, and cranberry girdlers. Lawn insects can do a large amount of damage in a very short amount of time. Lawn damage including brown patches and easy to pull away turf are telltale signs of lawn insect problems.
Each type of insect requires specific treatment strategies to control and eliminate them. Insects love a weakened lawn so grow a vigorous and healthy lawn to deter invasion. Insecticides are effective and are applied at key times of the year, long before damage occurs.
When lawns are underfed and improperly watered it can create ideal conditions for lawn fungus to form. Periods of hot drought conditions followed by rainy conditions can also lead to disease issues.
A few common diseases in the Treasure Valley include ascochyta leaf blight, bentgrass, red thread, rust, and powdery mildew. A solid maintenance program with proper watering, fertilizing, mowing, aerating, and overseeing will help establish a strong lawn that will be able to withstand lawn issues and diseases.
Improper watering is the number one issue that lawn technicians most often see in the Treasure Valley. Incorrect watering practices leads to having a shallow root system.
To stimulate root growth a good rule of thumb is to water more deeply and less frequently. When lawns slightly dry out in between waterlings it encourages roots to go “searching” for water. Strong and deep lawn root systems will be able to withstand summer heat and drought much better. Watering every day is not only wasteful, but can be detrimental to the overall health of your lawn causing ideal conditions for diseases to surface
High foot traffic in small areas can cause compacted soil; this suppresses root growth and grass grows less, thins, and eventually dies.
In the quest for a healthy and beautiful lawn, aerating and overseeding ranks as one of the top best-kept secrets. Having regular lawn aerations improves oxygen, water, and nutrient intake which improves its overall health. The best time to have a lawn aeration is either in the spring or the fall. Most lawns only need a once a year aeration, but smaller high traffic lawns many need a spring and fall aeration.
Our complete season-long lawn care program includes everything your lawn will need to be healthy and strong all season long. You can review our strategic applications and what is included with each treatment.
Hiring a professional to diagnose and maintain the health and vigor of your lawn will pay off with a beautiful-looking lawn. Prevent any lawn issues this year and have the greenest lawn on the block!
