Grubs can wreak havoc on your lush lawn that tends to rear its head in September and early October. Grub damage is a huge threat that the cool fall weather brings with it. Grub damage may be difficult to identify, but this article aims to highlight some definite signs of grub activity so that you can take prompt action, which can prevent further worsening of the health of your lawn. Grubs damage lawns by feasting on and damages the grass roots underground. With a compromised root system in place, it becomes difficult for your lawn to take in water and nutrients, eventually resulting in destruction of grass leaving it brown, dry and dead. Grubs are a common lawn issue, prevalent all year-round. Grubs basically are larvae of beetles, such as Japanese beetles, Green June beetle, June beetle that feed on the roots of your turf grass, leading to various signs of damage mentioned below. If not controlled, before you know it these grubs already has turned into adult beetles, mating and laying eggs, leaving you with a terrible grub cycle in your yard. August is the time when the larvae hatches, making it an ideal time to diagnose grubs before they hatch, so that you can take prompt and appropriate measures to prevent grub damage. According to Simpsonville lawn care providers, watch out for the following signs: Brown Patches- Grubs damage the grass roots underground, compromising their function. Grass can be pulled up easily since their roots are destroyed. If this is the case with you, without a second thought it’s the grubs that were behind it. You’ll see irregular brown patches covering your turf at random places, which basically are the patches of dead spots- a definite sign your lawn is under attack by grubs that resulted in your grass to turn thin and brown. You are more likely to notice dead grass or irregular patches of brown grass in late summer and early fall. Scene with animals- Increase in animal activity, such as birds, moles and raccoons in your lawn indicates grub infestation. It’s not your lawn they are attracted to, but the grubs underneath the grass. It could also be other insects and worms in the soil, so carry out a thorough inspection to arrive at the right treatment measure, if at all you have grubs. Spongy lawn- It is advised that you walk on your lawn at regular intervals and see if the grass has a soft and spongy feel to it. If it is, you must take action right away or the damage might worsen further beyond repair. A spongy feel means the roots underneath are damaged, so you experience the grass has loosened as you walk on it. In the worst-case scenario, you may easily pull up sections of your turf, and then getting back your lawn to its former shape can be troublesome and expensive. Remember maintaining a healthy lawn by following the cultural practices of proper mowing, watering, fertilizing and weed control can help you keep most lawn problems at bay. So consider seasonal lawn care for the best outcome for your yard.
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Out of the many lawn problems faced by homeowners, having moss in their lawns is a common one. Presence of moss indicates that the grass is somewhat weak and has thinned, which led to the moss to rear its head. Moss in lawns means trouble that must be dealt with at the earliest, or before you know it’d have already smothered healthy grass. However, the key to controlling moss in the turf begins with understanding what led to it in the first place. Understanding the causes is the only way to come out with the most appropriate solutions. This article aims to give you some idea about how to get rid of this shallow-rooted plant (moss) and make sure it never comes back. Causes of growth of moss: Poor Lawn Care Practices- This is a huge source of moss problems. Mowing is a crucial Simpsonville lawn care practice, and mowing improperly, especially too short, can promote moss growth by causing a change in your grass type. It is wise to not remove more than one-third of the grass blades when you mow. Regular mowing can help you ensure this. Food production takes a hit in cases of short mowing, thereby reducing the odds of the survival of the grasses. Another crucial yard care practice is watering. Do not overwater, which can lead to moss problems. Infrequent, deep watering is what is ideal for an established yard for stronger roots. Also, excessive watering gives moss the opportunity to grow (they survive in wet soils) since these conditions are not conducive to growth of grass plants. Another poor yard care practice is little to no application of fertilizer. Soil compaction- Aeration is the best way to improve compaction, and allow the roots to take the necessary nutrients for healthy grass growth, thereby leaving no room for moss to grow. When soil is too much acidic or alkaline- In cases of very acidic or very alkaline soil, nutrients are unable to reach the grass roots, leading to unhealthy grass and allowing moss to take over. Other causes could be excessive shade, poorly drained soils, and high or low soil pH. Remember moss is a common problem, which though doesn’t kill the turf grass but the conditions encouraging its growth can be damaging for grasses. Keeping your yard healthy is one of the most effective ways to keep moss from growing. Some tips to follow:
Keep an eye out for lawn care procedures, fertilizing in particular. Lawns require sufficient fertilization. On the other hand, well-established yards in shady areas don’t require too much nitrogen than in full sun. Having a perfect lawn is what every homeowner desires, but the question is do their desires get fulfilled! Insects are a part of every lawn, there’s no running away from them. The key to good lawn health is following the proper yard care practices, including mowing, watering, fertilizing, landscaping. While these are a given to keep your yard in the best possible shape, there’s one aspect of lawn care that is very easy to manage- managing common lawn pests being referred to over here. There are a number of pests your yard can be at the receiving end of, including white grubs, billbugs, followed by insects, such as fiery skipper caterpillars, chinch bugs, then there are ticks, mosquitoes, ants, snails, slugs that simply inhabit your lawn and interfere with your life elsewhere. It doesn’t end just here. Don’t forget the wildlife that the presence of the aforementioned insects attracts to your lawn. Contrary to what it may seem like, you can easily address these problem pests in the safest way possible. This blog aims to discuss just that. In your effort to control lawn insects, you must: Follow cultural practices- The five major cultural practices that quality yard services recommend include lawn mowing Simpsonville, fertilization, watering, cultivation, and pest management. All these will ensure a healthy lawn, which translates to your turf being less susceptible to problems (pests and insects). For example, watering effectively can help you curb chinch bugs. Plant insect-resistant grasses- It is a good idea to opt for grass varieties that are drought-tolerant and insect-resistant. Examples of such grasses include ryegrasses and tall fescues. With these grasses in place, you will nowhere find insects like sod webworm, cutworm, chinch bug, billbug and aphid. This is a great way to nip the problem in the bud. Opt for biological controls- Considering biological controls for controlling yard pests is the best way forward. This won’t cause any harm to pets and humans. For example,
A lawn free of pests is a great place for you and your family to relish the outdoors. So it is advised that you watch out for common lawn pests and take immediate action when they appear. For affordable lawn care services in Simpsonville SC, contact Curb Appeal Lawn Care at 864-399-9185. We can help rid your yard of those pesky bugs. We are just a call away if you need help with keeping a check on the insects that attack your yard. Accumulation of thatch in excess- organic layer of living and dead matter (grass clippings, shoots, stems, and roots) taking place between the grass blades and soil surface- can cause problems for your home lawn in the form of increasing the lawn’s susceptibility to pests and disease, reducing your turf’s ability to withstand drought and heat stress, and impeding movement of air, fertilizers, water, and nutrients into the soil. This makes thatch removal an important aspect of lawn care. Importance of dethatching (best to carry out in spring and fall): Thatch accumulation in excess can cause the following:
The biggest reason is improper yard care cultural practices. For example, frequent overwatering or application of heavy nitrogen fertilizer can lead to accumulation of thatch via extremely fast lawn growth. Also, incorrect lawn care practices can kill the valuable microbes. When the beneficial microbes are killed, break down of the organic matter slows in comparison to the speed in which it accumulates. Avoiding the following lawn care Simpsonville SC practices will stand you in good stead:
Hopefully now you can understand the importance of why your yard may require dethatching, you can get started by using the right detaching tools, which are as follows:
Another effective way to prevent thatch buildup is by improving your soil so that thatch can easily decompose. Perform core aeration every fall, which will lead to increased microbial activity by improving air movement into the soil. Lastly, reseed your lawn as you may have to face a bare or patchy lawn post dethatching in your bid to set up new grass to fill the void. |
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September 2022
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