Everyone loves a nice, thick, green, cushy lawn. A gorgeous, healthy, greener lawn not only feels nice on the toes but will boost your Houston home’s curb appeal while also providing a cozy place to hang out with friends and family.
Did you know that thick, lush turf is the best possible defense against turf-eating insects and weeds? Unsure how to get a thick, lush turf? You came to the right place if you are in search of answers!
Getting Thick, Green Grass Takes Effort!
First off, there is NO such thing as an overnight miracle cure for discolored, half-eaten, thin grass. If a lawn care service company tells you differently, we can confidently say their pants are on fire. Some beneficial treatments can help if you have struggled with such issues, but nothing apart from spray paint will magically turn your grass green overnight.
If your lawn looks like what is described above, you need an action plan to avoid further issues and repair the damage already done. If your lawn care knowledge is lacking, creating a plan of attack could be difficult, but that is precisely why there are professionals like GreenGate Turf & Pest to help you out!
The GreenGate Difference
We specialize in building custom programs (aka, action plans) that have methods based on science. Once you have signed up for our 8-step Lawn Fertilization and Weed Control Program, we will perform a FREE soil test on your first visit. The knowledge gained from one probe of your soil will tell us exactly how to proceed.
Interested in tackling it all yourself? Below you will find a list of things we think are crucial to getting the thick, green grass you are searching for.
FOCUS ON THE SOIL
The look and feel of your lawn directly relate to what is happening in the soil below. An entire ecosystem thrives with all types of beneficial microorganisms essential for keeping your soil healthy. Your lawn needs a fertilizer that will work with these organisms and, at times, add more! If your soil is rock hard and compacted, your lawn cannot benefit from water, much less fertilizer. Soil compaction can be addressed by performing seasonal lawn aerations. We find liquid aerations to be the best since they will cover 100% of your yard.
Read more about Lawn Aeration!
FERTILIZE!
If your soil is open to receiving nourishment, regular applications from a balanced fertilization program will help your lawn get the nutrients it needs to survive. A combination of organic, bio-nutritional, and control products would be best to address every issue. As mentioned before, there is no miracle to give you results overnight, but you can get a relatively quick(ish) green-up with treatments rich in nitrogen. Just remember, this green-up is a temporary solution, as your lawn needs something more substantial to thrive.
REMEMBER: IF IT’S ALIVE, IT’S THIRSTY
Just like people, plants need water to survive and grow. It is important to note that more water does not translate into greener grass. Too much water could result in a turf disease outbreak. Ideally, you want to add 1”-2” of water to your lawn weekly. But you can skip the sprinkler if the forecast calls for rain all week. Investing in a rain gauge will give insight into the amount of rain mother nature provides.
FUNGI
When using sprinklers, only water in the early morning hours. Early mornings will be the most beneficial since the sun will have ample time to dry up any excess moisture before night falls. You do not want any type of moisture hanging out on your grass for long extended periods of time. Turf-damaging fungus LOVES warm, wet sod and will take the opportunity to stretch out and take over, sometimes doing so overnight. The healthier your turf is before long periods of sitting moisture, the more prepared it will be to fight off turf disease.
Read More About Fungus Management!
MOWING 101
In the summer months, we will sometimes have clients ask us to lower our mowers due to the fast growth of their turf. We share with them that if the grass is cut too short, it is at risk of burning, discoloration, and excessive weed growth. Unless your grass blades have grown higher than your ankles, you should only cut a third of the blade each time you mow and should never cut it shorter than 3”.
Thick grass blades protect against insects and disease, so scalping your lawn is never in its best interest. It is also important to clean your mower blades after each use and have them sharpened at least two times a year. This is especially important if you have an active lawn disease. Dull mower blades are notorious for picking up fungus and spreading it around your lawn.
CONTROL THE BUGS
Dozens of pests will attempt to invade your lawn this season. Ants, fleas, and tics are fairly common, and a regularly scheduled insecticide application will see them out. Chinch bugs and grubs require a more targeted product. While the more familiar pests are nuisances, they do not leave your lawn chewed and discolored as grubs and chinch bugs will. Grubs can be found under your sod, chomping away at the plant root, killing your grass, and chinch bugs will be found closer to the top, sucking on grass blades. Both of these turf-eating insects have the ability to do serious damage and should be eradicated immediately upon discovery.
Request Your Free Quote Today
A handful of these tips can easily be taken care of by homeowners, but some require expertise from a professional. Hiring a local lawn care company to do all the tough work will save you time and stress! We know your lawn care options are abundant in the Spring, Tomball, and Cypress areas. Call and request a quote from GreenGate Turf & Pest, and we will show you how our custom program will help you get the greener, thicker lawn you’ve longed for. After years of experience and thousands of lawns serviced, we feel confident in standing behind our promises. We have the best lawns because we use the best stuff, bottom line. See for yourself! Check out our Google Reviews and see what customers are saying.
