By Rusty,

July is the perfect time to take stock of your water use and see what changes can save resources and money. Smart Irrigation Month promotes the social, economic, and environmental benefits of efficient sprinkler techniques in your Gainesville lawn and landscape. Led by the Irrigation Association, Smart Irrigation Month gives you the opportunity to make real changes to your water use that can positively affect the environment as well as your GRU water bill.

The Master's Lawn Care can help.

Irrigation Analysis
Finding out how your sprinkler system is performing will allow you to make strategic decisions when investing in upgrades. Our irrigation professionals will review your system, explain water use vs. actual plant needs, and present options for improvement. This gives you the opportunity to weigh costs against future savings so you can make decisions that directly impact your monthly water bill.

Smart Irrigation Technology
Irrigation technology is changing at a rapid pace. Sometimes upgrades to your current system can produce real savings as well as healthier plants. Our irrigation experts are trained on water-saving technology as it is released and can make recommendations for you based on what is proven to be effective. Here a couple upgrades we have done just this month!

  • Upgrading a client in Haile from high-volume heads to MP Rotator nozzles that use 50% less water
  • Installing Weather Sensors that are linked to the client's WiFi Network reading weather patterns and adjusting your schedule to your lawn and landscape's needs.
  • Drip Irrigation tubing in landscape beds instead of spray heads causing wasted water and runoff.
  • Smart Controllers that can be controlled from your phone or tablet. 

Sustainable Enhancements
Keep your plants healthy long-term while saving water. By converting turf to Florida-friendly plants, installing drought-tolerant turf such as Zoysia, and utilizing Alachua County's Turf Swap Program, you can count on some significant savings. Our teams can design a water-wise enhancement that fits the aesthetic you are looking for, whether it's a large- or small-scale project.

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By Rusty,

It’s already been a pretty unique year in our Gainesvile, Florida lawn and landscapes, and there’s still time left for more unusual activity from Mother Nature. But, homeowners and business owners across North Central Florida need to start looking ahead to the fast-approaching dawn of the summer growing season and giving some thought to how to best handle your lawn service in the coming months.

There are four major types of Gainesville grass types that most commonly are seen in our market: 

  • Zoysia
  • Centipede
  • Bermuda
  • St. Augustine (we saved the most common for last)

They’re each different, and have their own set of best practices for yearly lawn care. Here’s a brief primer for caring for each of these four grass types as we look forward to the spring thaw:

Caring for Gainesville Zoysia Lawns
Zoysia grass requires a little extra attention, but it can make for a beautiful, lush lawn if it’s properly cared for. Some points to keep in mind about this turf variety:

To give your zoysia grass lawn the best chance to thrive, follow these simple care instructions:

  1. Mow the grass short (between 2-3”)
  2. Mow at least weekly (this grass grows quickly and needs to stay short to thrive)
  3. Keep your mower blade very sharp (it gets tougher as it grows, so it’s more prone to tearing when hit with a dull blade than other varieties)
  4. Maintain about an inch of watering per week (including natural rainfall), don’t overwater.
  5. Small, frequent lawn applications of fertilizer during the growing season works best (don’t fertilize too late in the year or your lawn won’t properly go dormant)
  6. Keep an eye out for signs of pests or disease (this grass can be prone to some common Gainesville lawn pests and diseases)

Caring for Gainesville Bermuda lawns
Bermuda grass is a tough, durable, and aggressive variety that has a lot of strengths adapted to hot Florida summers. These same qualities can also present challenges if it starts taking over areas where you don’t want grass, like your ornamental hedges, flower gardens, or other turfgrass. Some general highlights of this variety include:

  • Highly weed resistant
  • Excellent drought resistance
  • Prefers direct sun, not nearly as successful in shade
  • Handles salt well
  • Great traffic tolerance for sports fields and dog parks

Here are some important tips for caring for bermuda lawns in the Gainesville area:

  1. Mow the grass very short (1” in most cases)
  2. Mow every few days (you never want to cut more than ⅓ of the length of each blade of grass)
  3. Recycle the clippings (grass clippings are the very best mulch source for bermudagrass)
  4. Maintain about 1” to 1¼” of water per week (including natural rainfall), a little more in very sandy soil.
  5. Standard fertilizing works well (just be sure to have your soil tested to verify pH balance prior to treatment)
  6. Keep an eye out for signs of pests or disease (while this grass fights off weeds very well, and doesn’t provide an optimal environment for some lawn pests, burrowing insects are still a danger such as mole crickets)
  7. Needs to be aerated early in the year

Caring for Gainesville Centipede lawns
Centipede grass is probably the best choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance Gainesville lawn. It’s tough and durable, and does very well resisting weeds and pests without a lot of lawn applications. Its one Achilles Heel though, is that it doesn’t do well with heavy foot traffic, so it may not be the best choice for yards where kids and pets regularly romp.

This variety is known for:

  • Excellent weed and pest resistance due to its rough texture
  • Does well in shade, but can handle moderate sun too
  • Can thrive in acidic soil
  • Not very drought resistant, so watering is important

Here are some key tips for caring for a centipede grass in Gainesville, Florida lawns:

  1. Mow the grass at a moderate height (between 1½” and 2” is best)
  2. Mow less often (biweekly mowing is enough unless you have tall weeds)
  3. *Very Important* Maintain up to 1½” of water per week (including natural rainfall), and keep an eye out for signs it needs more.
  4. Recognize that centipede grass is naturally a much lighter color (yellow-green) than other varieties. (This doesn’t mean it needs more water or fertilizer — a common misconception.)
  5. A minimal fertilizing schedule is best (it easily burns from excess lawn fertilizer applications)
  6. Stay vigilant against white grubs and nematodes (these are the only pests that routinely harm centipedegrass, but a bad infestation can cause a lot of damage)

Caring for Gainesville St. Augustine grass lawns
St. Augustine grass is very popular in the North Florida area because it can thrive in sandy soil and hot temperatures. However, it tends to be higher maintenance, has a low tolerance to cold, and can be more susceptible to diseases than other varieties. Some points to keep in mind about St. Augustine turfgrass:

  • Not as hardy as other varieties
  • Does very well in sun, but can also handle shade (with certain varieties)
  • Can thrive in sandy soil, so it can thrive right on the coast
  • Not very drought resistant, so it needs to stay well-watered

Here are the best practices for caring for St. Augustine lawns in Gainesville, Florida -

  1. Mow the grass higher than other varieties (preferably between 4-5”)
  2. Adjust the mowing schedule to avoid “shocking” the grass or creating too much thatch. (1/3rd leaf rule)
  3. Water regularly, and extra when it begins to fold.
  4. Do regular lawn applications based on specific soil needs and pest prevention
  5. Stay on the lookout for any signs of chinch bugs (these lawn pests are very common in our area, and they love St. Augustine grass)

If you’d like more tips for caring for whatever grass your Gainesville lawn is made of, or if you’d like to explore outsourcing your lawn care this year to professionals, contact The Master's Lawn Care and we’d be happy to help. (352) 378-5296

By Rusty,

April slipped right past us and here we are in mid-May, knocking on summer's door. This is the time of year that we hear from a number of clients who are particularly concerned about their lawn. The typical call may sound a lot like this:

"I'm really worried about my lawn. It started to green up from winter and was looking nice right after you fertilized. Suddenly, it's getting worse. Is there a pest eating my lawn or does it need more fertilizer?"

After spending a few minutes on the phone with the client asking questions, we're typically able to identify one of the 3 primary spring issues.

The majority of problems in Gainesville lawns over the past couple weeks has come from 3 primary concerns:

Drought Stress - This is the most common issues, and luckily, drought stress in lawns is one of the easiest problems to identify. Take a look at areas of your lawn that get some shade throughout the day. Does this area look healthier than the areas that are in full sun all day long? If so, you most likely have irrigation issues to address.

Many clients will increase the length of time their irrigation is running, or perhaps add another day of irrigation. But the answer may not be as simple as that. I met with a client just last week that was certain her sprinkler system was running several times a week because she sees it running as she goes to work. She was correct, the system was actually set to run every other day, which is actually far too often. What the client didn't realize is that only half her system was functioning correctly. She had 1 zone not operating due to cut wires, 2 broken heads, and large shrubs blocking several of her sprinklers from covering her turf. Long story short - just because your sprinklers are running doesn't mean your lawn is getting enough water!

This is why we recommend seasonally inspecting your sprinkler system for proper coverage and operation. Here are a couple photos of shrubs blocking irrigation coverage, broken sprinkler heads, and a close up photo of drought stress (notice the folded leaf blades).

dry brown grass
broken irrigation head spray water
dry brown grass

#2 - Winter Damage- This past winter got substantially colder than we're used to experiencing in North Florida (see the link).The cold weather also dragged on for a longer time than normal, giving us a slow start to spring. (We had lows in the 50's in the first week of May!)

January's hard frosts did a lot of damage to Gainesville lawns that didn't have deep roots - especially recently sodded lawns. Many of these lawns are starting to come back, but it will take some time for them to recover from the stress. Most lawns that have been established and fertilized for a couple years didn't experience frost damage due to their roots being deep down in the insulated soil. This is another reason our fertilization program focuses heavily on soil nutrition and root development in the fall - to prepare for frosts. 

#3 - Chinch Bugs (which originate from drought stress)- 

In actuality, we haven't seen many chinch bugs this spring in comparison to prior years because of the lingering cold weather. Chinch bugs rely on two factors to thrive - heat and drought. Because the heat has just really kicked off in the past couple weeks, they have gotten a slow start but will be beginning to spread quickly over this dry and warm weather we are experiencing. Keep a lookout for signs of chinch bugs dry areas near concrete and asphalt.  (see link for YouTube video on identifying chinch bugs). Below is a photo of where chinch bug damage typically begins.

If we can help you with your Gainesville, Florida lawn's sprinkler system coverage, recovering from winter, or protecting your lawn from chinch bugs - please don't hesitate to call us at (352) 378-5296 or fill out the form at the top of the page. 

irrigation day schedule for Gainesville Florida
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By Rusty,

Like anything else, irrigation systems wear out as they age. Sprinkler heads stop rotating, Pop-ups stay stuck up in the lawn, valves get stuck open, and timers stop functioning. Additionally, new technologies and better equipment are introduced to the market that save water and money for clients while also performing the job of irrigating better. For any of these reasons, an irrigation system will at some point need upgrading, but how do you decide when to upgrade your irrigation system?

Why upgrade?
There are many ways in which a Gainesville irrigation system can signal that it needs to be upgraded. For example, the water use may have increased or the landscape appearance may have deteriorated. Another sign is that the number of sprinkler service calls has increased or the cost to maintain the system has become too much.

A system may also need to be upgraded due to changes in local ordinances, codes, or regulations. In Orlando, ordinances have been passed that does not allow water to be thrown over or across a sidewalk. If an existing system within the city of Orlando does that, it has to be upgraded to eliminate wasting water on the walk. In California, you can be fined for irrigation water running off of your property. In order to prevent that from continuing, the system most likely will need to be upgraded with a new sprinkler configuration, nozzles and/or design.

There may also be a County or State government incentive, such as the Alachua County EPA's Turf Swap Program - which really has little to do with turf outside of it's name. This program offers a 50% rebate for upgrading your irrigation system to low volume heads to decrease our use of water. It also covers Gainesville landscaping upgrades, as long as they do not include adding more sod or lawn areas. Currently, this program is extended to 2018.

Lastly, time may have just passed and the system is just plain old and needs a revamp.

Upgrading options
There are many options available to upgrading a sprinkler system. Upgrading means just that: upgrading. It does not mean the whole irrigation system has to be removed and replaced. An upgrade could consist of just something as simple as changing the heads or controller. The existing sprinklers could have stopped turning, don’t pop up high enough. or distribute water poorly -  and it’s time to be more water efficient.

An upgrade could even include replacing the valves because they don't offer additional features such as flow control or pressure regulation, like new valves do. Additionally, the diaphragms could be worn, cracked or dried out or the solenoids past there life cycle. Wiring could be bad due to construction damage or years of being under water, especially if waterproof connections were not used when the system was originally installed. An upgrade could consist of just replacing the controller. This could be desirable to provide more flexibility in scheduling, to change to a smart controller to be more sustainable, by reducing overall irrigation water use or because the controller just quit working.

Irrigation system lifespan
The length of time the complete irrigation system lasts can be a short time to a very long time. Normally, the system doesn’t wear out; just the various components do. There are two things that wear on the irrigation system: location and number of cycles. The two are usually, but not always, directly related. An irrigation system in a Gainesville, FL lawn is going to operate more often than an irrigation system in Minneapolis, MN . Whereas the Gainesville system is operable and running on some type of schedule year round, the system in Minneapolis is off from November through mid-April. The system in Phoenix is operating at least twice as much as the system in Minneapolis, and because evapotranspiration (ET) rates are higher in Phoenix than in Minneapolis it is also operating longer each cycle. Therefore, a system in Phoenix would not be expected to last as long as a system installed in Minneapolis. It all comes down to cycles. The more often the system goes on and off, the more wear there will be. If you have a system that you use cycle and soak on — water a little, let it soak in and then water some more — that system will turn on and off more and the components will also wear faster.

Upgrades may also be required due to the maturing landscape. As the landscape grows it may interfere with the irrigation system sprinklers’ water distribution or require more water as trees and other landscape materials grow. This is especially true with point source systems, which need to be adjusted for the amount of water applied as the landscape grows and matures. The maturing landscape can require sprinklers to be moved or alter the type of irrigation necessary.

Technological advances = better irrigation
As time passes, equipment ages but technology continues to advance. Advances in technologies are good for irrigation. Technology provides ways to better manage an irrigation system, enhances the system’s operation and makes the system operate more efficiently. As such, technology improvements alone may be a reason to upgrade the system. This has been especially true with the introduction of smart controllers and soil moisture sensors.

Smart controllers circumvent the “set it and forget it” mentality of irrigation system operators, whether it be the landscaper, homeowner or property manager, and as such can save substantial amounts of water when properly installed, programmed and tweaked.

Smart controllers are either climate-based or soil moisture sensor-based. A smart controller is programmed with site characteristics that a conventional controller does not have, such as plant type, precipitation rate, root zone depth and soil type. These parameters are used to set up a base schedule and then the climate data, normally ET or the soil moisture sensor readings are used to adjust the base schedule to apply the amount of water needed based on the existing weather or soil moisture conditions.

The controller doesn’t just come on the same day at the same time and apply the same amount of water. Upgrading the sprinklers, if they are more than five years old, will alone improve the uniformity of the water being applied. In the last decade, manufacturers of irrigation sprinklers have greatly improved the sprinklers ability to apply water uniformly, as well as the reliability of the sprinklers. When possible, upgrading just the sprinkler nozzles will then improve water distribution. Upgrading both the sprinklers and the nozzles will improve both the uniformity and the reliability.

Newer sprinklers are designed and manufactured to apply water more evenly when properly nozzled and spaced. However, just replacing the sprinklers on their existing spacing with more up-to-date models will provide some benefits in uniformity.

Upgrading a system to a smart controller or changing the sprinklers does not guarantee results. If the core irrigation system is poorly installed or has other issues, such as poor pressure, a smart controller or sprinkler change is not going to miraculously make the system better.

Minor upgrades or a major overhaul?
So, how do you tell the difference between when a system just needs minor upgrades versus knowing when the system needs a complete overhaul/replacement? The simplest way is to log the service calls and make sure you document what the service call was for: pipe break, bad splice, broken sprinkler, bad solenoid, etc. That way you can look at trends.

If the trending is showing frequent component failures are occurring, the easier it will be to make the decision as to whether to continue to repair the system versus replace the system. For example, how many pipe breaks have there been and were they on the mainline before the valve or on the lateral after the valve? Are the breaks always in the same place or are they spread out throughout the system?

Pipe breaks are a sign of major issues with the system, such as high pressure or excessive velocities. High pressures may not break the system like high velocities, but they will prematurely wear the components and make the system less efficient. If pipe failures cannot be determined and continue to occur, that means piping replacement or a major overhaul.

An irrigation system is a mechanical system buried in the harsh environment of the ground. Just like your car, it will not last forever, needs maintenance to keep running and does not like to sit idle. Systems that have not operated for several years will most likely need replacement sooner when compared to an operating system. Sprinklers like to pop up and down and valves to open and close. When that does not occur over several years, the system will be in very poor condition.

Making irrigation systems last
The life of an irrigation system is dependent on not only when it was installed but also how it was installed. Old systems (more than 20-plus years old) wear out as the equipment used does not have the lifespan of today’s precisely manufactured equipment. Repair parts for older equipment are also no longer made.

Installation is the key, however. Poor installation will cause a system to not last as long as it should or not operate properly from the very beginning. For example, poor solvent weld cementing or clamping, not using waterproof connections, under sizing wire or pipe and oversizing zones will cause the system to operate poorly and not last its normal life cycle.

Initial installation will also be a large factor in how long the system will last. A well-installed system will, needless to say, last longer than a poorly installed system.

When you think about it, irrigation systems gained popularity in the early 1980s, so most systems are really not that old. But just like baby boomers, as these systems age they will require more maintenance and upgrades whether it is just replacing components or the whole system. Upgrades are a business opportunity that will not go away. Remember, when upgrading a system it is important to use proper installation techniques and follow best management practices such as those published by the Irrigation Association. That way the system will not be in need of another upgrade for some time.

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By Rusty,

In North Florida, where drought stress in spring and summer creates problems in almost every Gainesville lawn, applying more water can't be the only solution. Especially with the Alachua county and city regulations prohibiting any watering outside of the 2 scheduled days per week to conserve our liquid resources. More and more homeowners are looking for solutions to keep enough water in the lawn to keep it healthy and green, while at the same time not wasting our natural resources.

With the added concern of drought stress making lawns more susceptible to chinch bug damage, it becomes a major concern of your lawn's health.

Moisture Manager is a blended application with formulated specifically to reduce watering needs on golf courses, landscape plantings, lawns, and are even used in agriculture.Moisture Manager is the cornerstone of a soil moisture management program whether you are maintaining existing turf and plants or ensuring the survival of new sod, seed, sprigs, bedding plants, shrubs, or trees.

By properly managing moisture levels in the soil you are helping to break the drought cycle in plants. In doing so, you and your plants benefit in a number of ways:

• Minimize Drought Stress
• Control or Eliminate Dry Spots
• Enhance Nutrient EfficiencyApplications
• Increase Transplant Survival
• Reduce Watering Expenses

If you're interested in adding Moisture Manager into your Gainesville, Florida Lawn Application Service, please contact our office by the contact form at the top, sending our team an email or phone at (352) 378-LAWN.

LESCO Moisture Manager
By Rusty,

A poorly maintained sprinkler system prevents water from reaching its designed area of your yard, and instead causes wasted water to go onto your driveway, curb, or even cause water damage to your home. A Gainesville irrigation system service plan is one of the most effective ways to reduce your GRU water bill, reduce pollution from run-off, and improve plant health by applying the correct amount of water where it can be utilized by the landscape.

Minimally, irrigation systems should be checked on a bi-annual basis.  Once at the beginning of the season when the system is first turned up to it's regular watering schedule and again in winter when you set the timer back to once per week. However, we recommend that commercial irrigation systems be looked at quarterly or even monthly due to size and complexity.  

THE BASIC STEPS OF SEASONAL IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE ARE:

1. Inspect the controller and make sure it’s set correctly on the date and time

2. Change the schedule to reflect the Gainesville’s Irrigation watering schedule for allowed watering days and times.

3. Test the weather sensor (or if you have a smart wifi controller test the weather pattern area.)

4. Replace the back-up battery once annually (Typically a 9V battery)

5. Turn on each zone and look for system damage such as: Leaking valves or pipes, broken or missing heads, clogged nozzles, seal leaks, sunken heads and tilted heads.

6. Test each head for accurate and adequate coverage. Risers may need to be brought up higher to spray over growing shrubbery

For questions or additional information, please contact our office for Sprinkler System Maintenance at (352) 378-5296 or email us at info@themasterslawncare.com

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By Rusty,

There is a Freeze Warning coming up in Northern Florida for this weekend. The current forecast is predicting overnight freezing temperatures for both Saturday and Sunday nights, which could result damage or Gainesville sprinkler systems and tender landscape plants. Here are some tips that will help minimize the harmful effects of low temperatures:

  • Cover your sprinkler system's backflow preventer with protective covering and change settings like this. Upgrading your weather sensor to a rain/freeze sensor also protects your irrigation from running and leaving moisture to cause freeze damage on plants. 
  • Cover your cold-sensitive plants (see list below) with sheets or blankets, but not plastic.
  • Don't mow or use heavy equipment on your lawn if it is frozen or if there is frost present the following morning.

Most Common Cold-sensitive Gainesville landscaping plants*:

  • Gold Mound Duranta
  • Some Palms
  • Philodendron
  • Bird of Paradise
  • Variegated Schefflera
  • Some varieties of Ginger
  • Hibiscus
  • Firespike
  • Plumbago
  • Bougainvillea
  • Lantana
  • Croton
  • Heather
  • Hydrangea
  • Oleander
  • Butterfly bush
  • Impatiens / Sunpatiens
  • Warm Season Annuals

*This is just a list of the most common plants. If you have plants not on this list that are fruit bearing or of a tropical nature, it is recommended you protect them as well.

Being prepared and vigilant can help you protect and preserve the investment you’ve made in your Gainesville lawn and landscaping. A little work now will pay big dividends when you have a healthy lawn this coming Spring. 

The Master's Lawn Care is a Certified Gainesville Lawn & Ornamental Pest Control Business, and we want to help you get the best out of your lawn. Call us at 378-LAWN if we can be of any help.

By Rusty,
Although the word 'pest' is typically used to describe an insect such as chinch bugs or webworms, the term is actually used to describe anything that is unwanted. (Perhaps you remember what you may have called your little sibling growing up?) In this case, a lawn certainly is not improved by being pestered with a lack of one of it's three basic needs)   When and where is drought stress the most prevalent? Imagine filling a gallon bucket with water and setting it out in your yard. When you check your bucket a week later, you’re going to find it still has water, but you’ve lost an inch or so from evaporation.  That’s what happens to your lawn and landscape plants if the evaporation isn’t replaced by rain and/or irrigation. If you had the bucket of water in full sun, it would experience more evaporation than one in the shade. Also, a bucket put out in summer would lose more to evaporation than one in winter.  All of that is to explain that drought stress is most prevalent in the sunny areas of your lawn and in the driest times of the year.     How can I identify this as the problem in my lawn or landscape? St. Augustine and Zoysia lawns are the easiest to diagnose drought stress in. Both leaves have a midvein that acts as a “spine” for each individual blade, allowing it to open and close as needed.  Healthy, well-watered grass blades will appear almost completely flat and totally open. When grass begins to dry out, the blade will close in half upon itself, to reduce its surface area to the sun and thus conserve water. This will also give the grass a “hazy” look, as the backs of the blades are not as deep a green as the enclosed fronts.   How does it occur and how can I prevent it? As mentioned above, drought stress is simply a lack of water, which is one of a lawn's 3 most basic needs.   What can I do to resolve the issue? Turn up your irrigation settings (link is a tutorial on Gainesville Irrigation settings). When I advise this, the typical response is, “But there’s an irrigation rule that says I can only water 2 days per week.” That’s completely correct. However, the frequency of the irrigation running typically isn’t the problem. Most of the time, I find irrigation timers set to run anywhere from 15-20 minutes per zone - and we recommend anywhere from 30 to 75 minutes per zone.
Related Reading: 5 Tips to Avoid Drought Stress How to Change Your Irrigation Timer Settings Tips for Watering Your Gainesville Lawn  
By Rusty,

We have had some dry months here in Gainesville and it’s definitely showing in yards across town. Grass requires a regular supply of water to keep it growing healthy and green, but long periods without rain can mean a brown, struggling lawn. Here are 5 tips to help your lawn stay healthy and become more drought tolerant.

  • Water less often, for longer times – Watering deeply and less often encourages your lawn to develop a deep and healthy root system because it has to work to find water rather than relying on what is easy accessible at the surface. This will give you a lawn that is more naturally drought resistant. We recommend watering twice per week and 45 minutes per zone. 
smart irrigation controller
  • Water early in the morning– We recommend setting your irrigation timer so that watering is done in the early morning when temperatures are lowest to reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation. This will also be when the wind speeds are lowest. This will cut down on wasted water that winds up on driveways, sidewalks, and curbs instead of on your lawn and landscape. We recommend setting your timer so that irrigation is complete before 6am.
  • Raise your mowing height– To encourage root growth raise the height of you mower. Again, the deeper and healthier your lawns root system is the more it will be able to withstand drought stress and stay greener longer. This is especially true for St. Augustine grass which is most prevalent in our area and should be mowed to a height of 4" or greater. 
measuring grass height with tape measure
  • Feed your lawn – Spring is one of the most important times of the year to feed your lawn. When you wake up in the morning, your body is in need of nourishment. The same is true of your Gainesville lawn as it comes out of winter dormancy. The fertilizer will encourage new growth and deeper rooting. Your lawn will benefit from a well-balanced lawn program designed to provide the nutrients needed at the right time.
     
  • Follow local guidelines – Make sure you are following Alachua County guidelines for watering days, times and amount of water. Guidelines can be found here. Remember, if you have new sod, landscaping, or if you’ve just completed a lawn care treatment, there are exceptions to the restrictions.

If you need assistance with your lawn’s irrigation and fertilization needs, The Master’s Lawn Care can help. Please contact us today for a free lawn consultation to help develop a plan custom tailored to the specific needs of your lawn.

Related Reading:

Video Blog: Side by side lawn comparison 

TMLC Lawn Care Program: Six Visits explained 

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