1. Stop cutting the grass so short
There is nothing more detrimental to having a healthy and lush Gainesville lawn than mowing them too short. St. Augustine and Zoysia turfgrasses both perform better with a 4-5" cut with sharp blades. If you continue to mow the grass too low, from a distance you’re not going to see as much leaf blade, so you’re not going to get as much color and density - which is one neccessity for curb appeal.
Also, due to the grass being thinner, the weeds have more sunlight and space to germinate and take over more of the lawn than if the grass blades are shading the soil giving a more dense appearance. The sun shining on the soil also causes the soil to dry out faster, forcing homeowners to water more (increasing their GRU bill) to keep the same moisture level as a dense lawn. There are even more reasons not to scalp Gainesville, Florida lawns, but we don't want this newsletter to get too in-depth into horticulture. Then, no one would read it!
2. Irrigate longer for deeper root development (and during the right time of day)
Less frequent, longer sprinkler run times will help establish a deeper root system. Many homeowners rely on their irrigation system to apply small amounts of water 4 or 5 times per week, regardless of rainfall. This is actually detrimental, because a lawn’s roots will only grow in the top few inch of the soil, and they won't grow deep to be able to handle the dry spells Gainesville's weather brings every couple months.
To develop a deep root system, reduce your watering to 2-3 times per week (3x for newer grass and sandier soils) and install an irrigation rain sensor that stops your irrigation from running too soon after rain. This will save you on your GRU bill as well as increasing the root system in your lawn. It's a win-win decision for your lawn and wallet.
3. Feed your lawn at least 4 times per year.
Fertilizer is important for healthy and lush grass growth, but if you apply it incorrectly you can quickly burn your lawn. Many homeowners use the 'feast or famine' method of fertilizing once or twice a year, and leave the lawn starving for nutrients during the other 8-10 months of the year. The only way to keep a lawn vigorously healthy and choking out weeds is to regularly feed it with the right nutrients at the right timing. Protection from insects and disease are important parts of the process, too.
Our program is set to feed, protect, and invigorate your lawn every 6-8 weeks throughout the entire year to keep your lawn beautiful, lush, and thriving, if you aren't wanting another yard chore.
If you're the DIY type and love to work in your Gainesville landscape, that's great too! Here's a video from one of our suppliers with tips on fertilizing Gainesville lawns.
Advertisement
With our Premium Lawn Care Program you get so much more than fertilizerCultivating a world-class lawn is a matter of applying the best fertilizer at the best time. That's why we developed the Premium Lawn Care Plan to take the guesswork out of the process. Gone are the days of wasted weekends in the lawn trying to fight for a beautiful yard. With our lawn technician on the job, you can sit back and relax knowing your lawn is protected from chinch bugs, choking out weeds, and going to be healthy year-round. That's where the simplicity comes in. Join us - we are sure you'll be glad you did.