Lately, have you taken the time to have a glimpse of your lawn or yard? How was it? Are you satisfied with how it appears as of this moment? If you do, then no worries, you certainly did your job in maintaining your lawn. On the other hand, if you think that it doesn’t look presentable or you somehow think that it needs a little touch of lawn care, then you must do it right now.
This fall season is the time of year when most of us stay at home and simply relax especially that the weather has already changed. By that, I mean that we all could already feel the chill in the air and see the nostalgic foliage everywhere.
Just like the rest of the cities, Reno is also experiencing these changes in the weather and it’s all the more reason people love to just relish in the comfort of their own homes. Plus, there are 252 sunny days per year in Reno, Nevada and certainly you can plan on doing a lot of activities.
Moreover, it’s the ideal time of year to start growing plants that will flourish in fall, withstand winter and bloom perfectly in spring. Some have even started their landscaping project and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
One of the tasks being done in lawn maintenance as well as landscaping projects is lawn mowing. In connection with this, lawn mowing should be done properly or else, your lawn will be an utter failure. To avoid any unpleasant pitfalls, you can hire experienced Reno landscaping company to do the job or you can opt for Do-It-Yourself. Either way, here are the do’s and don’ts of lawn mowing you should observe for proper lawn care.
1. Lawn Care: Sharpen Blades Regularly
Before you start mowing your lawn, make sure to sharpen its blades regularly. This will ensure that the grass will be cut cleanly and properly. Using dull blades can cause discoloration at the tips because ragged grass blades lose moisture easily and it also shed grass which is very unhealthy for your lawn.
Sharpening mower blades at least once a year can help avoid ragged brown edges on grass blades.
You can have the option whether to remove the blades from the mower or not whenever you sharpen it. There are different types of a lawn mower and each of them has different sharpening requirements. For example, reel type mowers usually only require sharpening once a year, but adjust them to ensure they cut cleanly. Check the video above for proper blade sharpening.
2. Lawn Care: Don’t Scalp Your Lawn
Who would want a bald lawn? I guess, no one. Even just a bald spot on the lawn is not appealing, hence, it’s important that when you mow your lawn, don’t scalp it. If you’re not aware, scalping is the removal of more than 1/3 of the dormant, straw-colored turf. This is unhealthy and could cause damage to your lawn especially this fall. Scalping should only be done once a year and it should be in spring.
Moreover, a lush and healthy lawn is perfect for the arid weather in Reno, hence, scalping is a big NO!
Scalping stimulates weed growth and reduces the amount of energy the roots receive, and this makes for a weak lawn that is more susceptible to stress, insects, and disease. This is the main reason why a lot of lawn care experts are against it. On the other hand, it’s also beneficial in a way where it exposes the soil to sunlight especially in spring and summer.
3. Utilize Grass Clippings
Don’t think that grass clippings are useless, in fact, it can be used in so many ways you may not think of. Hence, you can pile them up and use it. Here are some of its uses:
• Grass clippings can nourish the grass and turn it a perfect shade of green since it breaks down quickly. It also encourages healthy soil because microorganisms and earthworms feed on it. So, after mowing, leave the grass clippings on the lawn.
• It could also be used as compost. Pile up grass clippings, treat it in the right manner and you’ll be able to recycle the nutrients from the grass in other areas of your garden. In making compost, you can mix grass clippings with dry leaves, branches, or twigs for balance.
• It can be used as mulch. Grass clippings can either be fresh or dried, either way, it makes an incredible organic mulch which is great for your garden. It is rich in nitrogen which stimulates plant growth. All you have to do is spread a quarter-inch thick layer of fresh clippings around flower and plant beds.
Soil in Nevada, specifically in Reno is highly variable, geologically very young, and lacking in organic matter. Given this, it’s highly important that you give the soil nutrients that come from fertilizer or compost. Your soil will need all the organic matter possible, so don’t let your grass clippings go to waste.
4. Determine When To Mow
Another important thing you should know is when the right time to mow your lawn is. To do this, you have to closely monitor the growth of your grass. If it grows fast, then you have to mow as often as possible and if otherwise, lessen the number of times you mow. This is one important key to lawn care.
When you mow, keep in mind that you have to cut less than one-third of the grass blade. In connection with this, it’s important that you determine the type of grass growing on your lawn. Moreover, you have to be cautious of the grass’ height. If it gets too tall during some periods, your lawn may require mowing as frequently as every three to four days. Also, you may have to reset the mower to its highest cutting level.
Now, there are three types of grass that grow well in Reno especially in this cool season, namely: Perennial Rye Grass (excellent choice for Reno soil), Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescue – each of these grass has their own growth pace and you have to determine how fast it is so that you can keep track on when to mow them.
During warm season, Bermuda grass and Zoysia grass are the best to grow and during fall you can reseed your lawn with perennial rye grass to keep up with the bald spots.
5. Avoid Cutting Wet Grass
You might think that it’s ok to cut wet grass – you’re wrong! It’s not recommended because clippings will clump or the grass will be limp. Cutting grass when it’s wet could damage your lawn and it will not be tidy.
If you do it, then the grass will not be in an optimum mowing state which will be challenging to finish. One more thing, always remember that a wet grass is a sticky grass. Meaning, it sticks to the underside of your mower or clog the motor and certainly, you wouldn’t want that to happen.
Way To Sum It Up
Lawn mowing is as important as any other tasks involve in any landscaping projects or lawn maintenance, which is why you have to pay attention to it and practice safety. Remembering these quick and easy steps we’ve mentioned above will certainly lead to successful results. However, if you’re busy or if you think that you’re not capable of doing it, the best thing that you can do is hire a local landscaping company.
You just have to pick the right one for your lawn or garden needs and avoid any contractor scams that may surface during your time of urgency – be wise and think smart. Once you have achieved a green, luscious and healthy lawn, you can move forward and continue your landscaping project.
Read more about gardening: Group Gardening and Landscaping