• Remove Old Turf
  Poor quality turf must be killed and removed. This can be accomplished through solarization, heavy mulches, hoe or sod cutter or herbicides.
• Fix Grade Problems
  This is the perfect time to fix any grade problems. The ground should slope away from your house in all directions. For minor grading problems, use small earth-moving equipment.  You can also use a landscaping rake to work the topsoil to the proper grade. Water the area to discover low areas. Fill where puddles form with soil from high spots or top soil. Heavy equipment is required for major grade projects.
• Perform Soil Analysis
  Testing your soil allows you to discover the characteristics of the soil you are working with and determine if it is lacking nutrients. The pH may be out of balance. Lime needs to be added to raise the soil pH and elemental sulfur if your soil is too alkaline.
• Till Soil
  Use a rake to remove any debris such as rocks, roots, weeds and leaves. A rotary tiller works best to till the soil. It is recommended to till the soil 4 to 6 inches deep.. Never lay sod on compacted soil with the expectation that it will grow. You will be disappointed.
• Add Amendments
  This is your best opportunity to add amendments such as lime, sulfur, fertilizer or organic matter. This improves soil structure. Organic material can increase nutrients and moisture retention or loosen the soil to provide better aeration and drainage.
• Level Soil
  Use a grading lake, also known as a landscaping rake, to eliminate low and high spots. Get the surface as level and smooth as possible.
• Firm Soil
  Roll the prepared soil with a lawn roller to slightly firm the soil.  If seed is planted in soil that is too loose, it can end up too deep in the ground and may die before it reaches the surface.
• Water Soil
  Complete planting preparations by thoroughly watering the area two days before planting.

Now your site is ready for seeding or sodding. Good site preparation will simplify maintenance for years to come and ensure a healthier turf.

Let R&D Lawn Care lay your sod or seed your lawn for you. Call Derrick at 417-438-6590 for a lawn consultation.

• Allow your grass to grow to a length that when you mow it only trims 1/3 off of the blades.
• Most grasses should be maintained at a height of about 2 inches during the spring and fall and at 2½ -3 ½ inches during the hot summer months.
• Be careful to not cut your grass too frequently.
• Don’t allow your grass to grow too long.
• Make sure your lawn is not damp or wet when you are about to mow.
• Late afternoon and evening is the best time of day to mow your lawn.

If you cringe at the thought of possibly having to mow every 3-4 days during the summer, let R&D handle it for you. We will determine at what length is best for your lawn and maintain that for you. You will be blown away at how these small adjustments can change the appearance of your lawn. Call us at 417-438-6590 for more information.

]]> http://randdlawncare.com/when-to-mow-your-grass/feed/ 0 http://randdlawncare.com/win-free-lawn-care/ http://randdlawncare.com/win-free-lawn-care/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:58:34 +0000 mymodernweb http://randdlawncare.com/?p=149 R & D Lawn Care has recently joined the Facebook world. In effort to spread the word about quality lawn care at great prices, we are hosting a Facebook Contest! Once we reach 250 Likes, we will draw for a free lawn mowing up to a value of $40. To be entered to win, simply LIKE our Facebook page. Click the link below and you will be taken to our page.

We would really like to give this service away before Christmas. (Mowing in the snow is no fun!) That means we need your help. Please share our page with your friends and tell them about this contest. Thank you so much for helping us out. We couldn’t do it without you!

R & D Lawn Care and Landscaping is now booking summer lawn mowing for residential and commercial customers. Call us today and schedule R & D to mow your lawn for the entire summer and you will receive a 10% discount each time!

We serve a 50 mile radius from Joplin. This means we will travel to Pittsburg, Columbus, Grove, Miami, Lamar, Neosho, Seneca, Mount Vernon, Monett, Carthage, Carl Junction, Webb City and everything in between.

Call Derrick today at 417-438-6590 to get on the schedule and mention this online special.

• Rake. It’s time to pull out the rake from last fall. Every yard will benefit from a gentle raking. This removes loose debris and dead turf material from the surface of the lawn. Don’t get too agressive. Simply rake as if you were raking your leaves. Do this once the soil has dried enough to walk on without making foot depressions. Raking in the spring will pull out the loose dead material, allow the sun to warm the soil and allow new growth to emerge. This also helps with a winter-induced problem called snow mold. New grass may have difficulty penetrating areas that are affected by snow mold. If you find any matted patches in which the grass blades are stuck togethers, lightly rake over them to allow new grass to grow.
• Check Your Lawn. Take a stroll through your lawn and be on the lookout for weeds, moss, snow mold or signs of compaction. All of these are signals that your lawn needs extra care this year.
• Fertilize.  Your grass craves nutrients. Fertilizing causes your soil work for you instead of against you, resulting in beautiful, greener and healthier grass. As nutrients are released, the root system of your grass fills in any bare patches, depriving weed seeds of a place to germinate.
• Sow Seeds. Insects, disease, and weeds can contribute to thin or bare patches your lawn. If the damage is extensive or the area is very shady, it is best to seed in the spring.
• Hydorseeding. Thisis an alternative to the traditional process of broadcasting or sowing dry seed. Hydroseed is a slurry of seed, fertilizer, tackifying agents, green dye and other additives that is sprayed onto topsoil. It can transform into a uniform lawn in just a few weeks.
• Install Sod. Want an instant lawn with simple maintenance? Laying sod is the way to go. A professional laid sod lawn needs no special care except for initial daily watering because it is a healthy, mature lawn when installed. Sprigged or seeded lawns require years of nurturing to reach maturity. It is best to install sod in the fall or the spring. This will allow the roots to develop to withstand the hot summer temperature.
• Landscape Planning. The time is now to begin your landscape planning. Jot down the ideas that you want to implement in your landscape. Choose your theme or style. Schedule a meeting with your designer. Before you know it, summer will be here. You don’t want last years winter worn landscape taking away from the beauty of your home and property.
• Tune Up. It is recommended to have your mower tuned up and the blades sharpened each year. Early spring is a great time to complete this task. Regular tune-ups reduce fuel consumption and emission levels and help to increase mower life and reliability.

R & D Lawn Care is proud to offer services that cover several of the above tips. Feel free to call us at 417-438-6590 if you have any questions, concerns or if you want to make an appointment for a consultation, lawn care or landscaping.

Does your lawn look thin and unhealthy year round? The problem may be compacted soil and excessive thatch choking out nutrients from your grass. Lawn Aeration is the secret weapon against soil compaction and thatch. It helps you achieve long term health and quality in your lawn.

Soil compaction makes it difficult for grass to root and it disturbs natural rainwater irrigation. Thatch is a dense layer of dead organic matter that deprives lawns of oxygen. The result is poor top growth and lawn deterioration.

Core aeration is the best way to aerate a lawn. Plugs of soil are extracted from the soil allowing your lawn to breathe, eat and the roots to expand. The holes stay open a long time and air, fertilizer and water will now be able to reach the roots. The soil core is left on the turf, helping break down thatches.

Your lawn will reap many benefits through Core Aeration.

• Oxygen gets to the roots and the soil allowing it to breathe.
• Organic fertilizers and nutrients get access to the root system.
• Water is able to better soak the soil and reach the root system
• Tight, compacted soil is loosened up allowing the root system to grow.
• Reduced water runoff and puddling.
• Stronger turfgrass roots.
• Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.
• Improved resiliency and cushioning.
• Enhanced thatch breakdown.
• Enhancing infiltration of rainfall or irrigation.
• Helping prevent fertilizer and pesticide run-off from overly compacted areas.

Core Aeration can help make your lawn healthier and reduce maintenance requirements. Let R & D Lawn Care evaluate your lawn to see if it would benefit from aeration. Call us today with any questions or to schedule a Core Aeration. 417-438-6590

1. Pick up. Leaving debris, leaves and toys on your lawn during winter is extremely detrimental. It  can smother your grass, create conditions for disease, and invite insects, mice and other damaging pests. When an object is left on the grass during cold weather and snowfall it creates large dead spots because of the weight of the object. In the spring the grass in that area will be stunted and thinner than the rest of the yard. Pick up toys and any trash that has blown into your yard. Move furniture and equipment to a shed, garage, deck or concrete slab. Quickly rake away any dead leaves that may have fallen and collected on your yard to avoid wet spots that can become mossy or moldy. If it seems like too big of a job, clean up one section of your lawn for 5 days. It is best to do this before the next rain or snow. Do an occasional sweep of the lawn every couple of weeks.
2. Avoid Excessive Traffic. Grass under snow cover or exposed to the elements can tolerate a moderate amount of traffic. However, your grass will have a difficult time recovering and be slower to green up in the spring if a path becomes well worn across the lawn. Avoid walking on wet lawns. This can compact the lawn and kill the grass. Keep your sidewalks cleared of ice and snow so that you and your guests won’t be tempted to cut across the yard. Never allow anyone to park a truck or a car on your lawn. Even the smallest vehicle will leave impressions in the soil and kill off the grass that is underneath the tires. Using the lawn as a parking lot is the fastest way to kill the good grass and make room for crabgrass and other types of weeds.
3. Spread Out Snow. When your lawn or portions of your lawn have been covered by snow for an extended period of time, snow mold can attack. The disease also grows under layers of leaves over the winter. You can prevent snow mold and the harmful effects it has by simply spreading out large snow piles. After you have shoveled the sidewalk and driveway, it is easy to leave the snow piled high because the you aren’t using that part of the lawn. Take a few extra minutes and evenly distribute the snow so it will encourage melting.