What are some of the common weeds found in lawns?

Why are weeds so challenging to manage? Well, many Massachusetts weeds grow rapidly and aren’t picky about their environment. So watch out for these four weeds in Massachusetts that might blow into your yard.

• Dandelions – Dandelions are a frustrating plant because each one produces 15,000 seeds on average! In addition to this, the wind spreads their seeds easily through the lightweight seed puff called the “pappus.”
• Broadleaf plantain – Broadleaf plantain can be tough to manage because its seeds are viable in the soil for up to 60 years! So while you might’ve hand-pulled all the germinated plants, it’s sure to pop up next year.
• Clover – Clover is a weed that thrives everywhere, including infertile soils. The robust plant produces its own nitrogen, so its self-sufficiency keeps it alive and well in many lawns.
• Crabgrass – Unfortunately, crabgrass is one of the most frustrating of them all. Not only is it visible from a mile away, but it’s also exceedingly stubborn. Its root system can be four feet in length, making it irritating to remove by hand. Plus, one crabgrass plant can produce 15x more seeds than a dandelion!

What is crabgrass?

Crabgrass is a common broadleaf weed that gives gardeners and homeowners plenty of trouble. A single plant can produce 150,000 seeds in its lifetime. It thrives in various environments and is one of the most common weeds in New England homeowners’ lawns. In addition, crabgrass is tough and can easily tolerate drought and high temperatures.

What are the top causes of crabgrass and weed growth?

Of course, an abundance of unwelcome seeds in your lawn kicks off a takeover of weeds. Most of the time, they’ll have flown in from nearby lawns or fields on a windy day. However, there are a couple of factors that are in your control that encourage weeds. These two things can induce weed growth.

• Improper watering. Did you know that light, frequent watering doesn’t help the grass develop strongly? Light watering prevents the water from being fully absorbed into the deeper soil levels, so the grassroots never get nourished. On the other hand, overwatering weakens the lawn by causing root rot and suffocating the roots.
• Unhealthy lawn. Usually, an underfed lawn leads to two things: thinness and weakness. Ultimately, this condition lets diseases, pests, and weeds run wild because the grass is too weak to withstand them. This is why year-round lawn maintenance is essential for increasing competitiveness.

How can I prevent crabgrass in my lawn?

Thankfully, you only need some TLC and research to prevent crabgrass from invading your lawn. So get started on these essential lawn care tasks now to prevent unwanted greenery next growing season.

• Seed bare spots. Since weeds are so hardy, they will happily squeeze into any empty space within your yard. Prevent weeds from taking over unoccupied soil by overseeding empty lawn patches and thoroughly watering until they germinate.
• Routinely fertilize. Thick lawns are far better at competing against surrounding weeds, so ensure your grass is nourished with fertilizing services. While they can thrive in infertile soil, your lawn can’t. So fertilize for a lush, dense yard that blocks weeds from succeeding.
• Water deeply and less frequently. Encourage grass growth over weed growth by opting for a deep watering routine. Heavy, occasional watering up to 3 times a week increases the depth that the water reaches and prevents grass roots from drowning in consistently wet soil.
• Mow on a schedule. Maintaining a consistent grass height stops weeds from fruiting and improves lawn density. Mow weekly to boost your grass’s photosynthesis efficiency and chop down any weeds before they flower and produce seeds.

How can I treat crabgrass on my lawn?

Now that you know how to get to the root of the problem, it’s time to eradicate crabgrass and other weeds currently taking up your space. There are three options to stop weeds in their tracks.

• Pre-emergent control products. Control products that target seeds before they germinate often successfully prevent a full-blown outbreak in your lawn come spring. The product forms a barrier on the soil surface that quickly stops the growing process when the crabgrass seeds produce a root.
• Hand-pick smaller patches of crabgrass. A few spotted patches here and there can be dealt with by hand. Pull up the weeds with a shovel or spade and dispose of them in a plastic bag. Avoid tossing the weeds anywhere in your lawn, as the seeds will find their way back to you. Plus, remove all the roots, or the crabgrass could grow back!
• Post-emergent control products. Sometimes, weeds can completely take over a lawn in no time. If this is the case, applying a post-emergent on the young, germinated crabgrass is the best way to eliminate them. A lawn care company can safely and effectively apply these products to rapidly remove the problem and protect your established lawn.

Is crabgrass creeping into your lawn? Thwart it with reputable lawn care.

Weeds are nasty adversaries that every lawn owner will face at one point. Crabgrass and other undesirable plants will likely pop up as the weather warms, but you don’t have to surrender your lawn to them. Instead, lean on your local lawn care company to maintain your lawn’s vitality and durability so that it can stop weeds independently. Our Sterling lawn care specialists have the expertise to stop weeds in their tracks with preventative and treatment methods for crabgrass.

With spring in full swing, crabgrass and weed growth are on the rise. Our Eastern Mass lawn care team will tackle tough weeds with high-quality broadleaf weed control today. Please call us at (508) 281-1441 or contact us here. For more tips and tricks from the experts, visit our blog.

The post How To Get Rid Of Crabgrass And Other Common Weeds appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

What is soil testing?

Soil testing is the process of sending a sample of your land’s soil to a laboratory to receive an accurate analysis of the soil’s fertility and nutrient levels to make informed lawn care decisions. Soil testing is recommended for every homeowner before they make any fertilizer applications. This step avoids overfertilization and encourages knowledgeable lawn care practices.

There are many ways to test your soil, from at-home kits to laboratory tests. However, laboratory testing is always recommended over quick test kits because they are more reliable. In addition, many universities, including the University of Massachusetts, offer accessible and easy soil testing for homeowners.

The advantages of soil testing

All homeowners should take advantage of this incredible ecological technology before tending to their lawns. Testing your soil before jumping into lawn care has four primary benefits:

• Get insight into soil health. Homeowners that invest in soil testing have better knowledge about the makeup of their soil. Test results will allow you to see your soil’s current pH level, macro and micronutrient levels, soil texture, and how much organic matter is in the soil composition.
• Improve nutrient balance. Investing in a soil test before spring lawn care will help you better eliminate nutrient deficiencies in the earth. A soil test will detect what elements your soil lacks so you can shop for a fertilizer that meets your needs and encourages turf growth with nutrient-rich soil.
• Optimize grass growth. Soil health directly impacts the vitality of your grass, so if you want a luscious lawn, it’s crucial to ensure your turf gets the nutrients it requires. The best way to increase grass growth is through fertilizing with a ratio of macronutrients tailored to your grass’s needs, as documented in the test results.
• Save resources. Buying the wrong fertilizer and soil amendments at the home improvement store is surprisingly easy if you don’t know what you need. Instead of guessing, you can rely on an accurate soil analysis to list the recommended soil additives and shop for a fertilizer that best matches the results.

When to test your soil

There’s no best time to test your soil. You can soil test any time of the year if it’s not frosted or frozen. However, as time goes on, your soil composition will gradually change. We recommend testing your soil every 1-3 years due to these ongoing changes. However, avoid testing immediately after applying fertilizers or amendments to your soil. Instead, test your soil before using additives to get accurate results and apply the correct products for your lawn’s needs. With these things in mind, you might find that testing your soil is most manageable in the spring after the ground defrosts.

How to test your soil

Testing your soil at home can be done in as little as four steps. First, you need to gather a few tools to collect the soil. A trowel, bucket, and gloves will make soil testing a swift and clean process. Then, take ten slices of soil in random areas of your yard six to eight inches deep. Put each sample into the bucket and mix them thoroughly. After, send roughly two cups of the sample to a Co-op Research and Extension Service. Thankfully, Massachusetts homeowners can reach out right to the UMass soil lab and fill out the form here for easy, professional testing!

How to interpret soil test results

When you receive the test back, your results will be compared to the standard testing ranges of your local lab. Here are a few things to keep in mind when interpreting your soil test results:

• Soil pH. The acidity or alkalinity of your soil affects which nutrients your lawn can uptake. Lawns prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil, as they can maximize nutrient uptake and compete against hardy weeds.
• Soluble salt levels. All soils need some salt for plants to soak up water, but too much can harm grass health. When salinity is too high, grass roots can’t take up water, resulting in dehydrated plants. Understanding your soil’s soluble salt levels will enable you to change your watering habits to balance the salinity.
• Nutrient levels. The most important part of a soil test is the nutrient level results. The test will help you recognize deficiencies in the three macronutrients, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK). It will also tell you if your yard has too much of any particular nutrient.

Then, use the results of your test wisely to make decisions about your lawn’s maintenance. If you want a trained eye to examine your soil test, call up your local lawn care pros, who will be delighted to help you in your lawn care journey. Lawn care experts can rapidly read your test results and recommend services based on your lawn’s requirements. Taking the professional route guarantees that your lawn care will be tailored to your lawn’s current condition.

Boost your soil with Massachusetts fertilizing services

Soil testing is critical to maintaining your lawn’s health and vitality. By providing insight into several aspects of your soil’s health, it allows you to make informed decisions when heading into spring lawn fertilizing. In addition, soil testing can help you achieve a luscious, healthy lawn by making it easier to raise nutrient levels, optimize grass growth, and save you time and money at the store. So, whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or prefer to leave it to the experts, soil testing is a must for every Massachusetts homeowner looking to enhance their grass’s health.

Soil testing is a beneficial tool for every Massachusetts homeowner to improve the density and vibrance of their lawn. If you want to boost your turf’s vitality by improving the quality of your soil, we’re here to help. Please call us at (508) 281-1441 or contact us here to learn about our fertilizing services. For more tips and tricks from the experts, visit our blog.

The post Should I Test My Soil? appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

Why should I apply fertilizer to my lawn?

Fertilizer is a valuable tool for your lawn’s health. For one, it promotes healthy growth during the growing season. It makes having a dense, lush lawn easier to obtain and plays a huge part in growing lawns soft enough to lay on. In addition, fertilizer provides your grass with fundamental nutrients like nitrogen that strengthen roots and increase its resistance to stress. Finally, it boosts curb appeal and can increase your property value. These are just a few of the many reasons why our customers choose to routinely use fertilizer time and time again. But is it actually safe to use?

In short, YES: Fertilizer is safe for your kids and pets if used correctly.

Both organic and synthetic fertilizer is always safe if you use the product according to its directions. However, there are many other ways to keep the application process safe for you and your family:

• Reading the product label before lawn fertilization. This step ensures that you know the fertilizer’s directions and ingredients. Knowing the ingredients will help you avoid allergens, and understanding the directions will help you evade any hazards.
• Keeping children and pets away during the application. Fertilizer quickly becomes safe once it’s on the lawn, but keeping your children and pets inside during the application is essential. Once the recommended waiting period is over, they can run outside and play again.
• Wearing protective gear (or better yet, hiring a pro). Pure fertilizer can irritate the skin, so it’s best to distance your skin from the product with gloves, a mask, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. If you’d rather avoid dealing with the hassle, hiring a professional is the easier way to avoid buying gear and distance yourself from the product during application.
• Safely storing fertilizer. Keep fertilizer in a cool, dry place and out of the reach of children. Fertilizers can contaminate surrounding items, so having them in a sealed container away from food items or other chemicals is reasonable.

How to read fertilizing instructions.

Follow these four steps carefully to make fertilizer application a breeze:

1. Find the label on the product and read it thoroughly. As mentioned before, this is the most critical step in fertilizing. Familiarize yourself with the application process and any hazards it points out.
2. Read the NPK label to see the nutrient levels. Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK) are the three main macronutrients that grass needs. Double-check that your fertilizer meets the needs of your lawn identified in a soil test to prevent lawn damage.
3. Determine the application rate according to your lawn size. Fertilizer bags often have guidelines for applying their product to a lawn. You can also use a fertilizer calculator, such as this NPK Fertilizer Calculator from the University of Georgia, which recommends fertilizer rates in pounds per 1000 square feet typical of homeowners’ reports.
4. Follow safety precautions. Usually, fertilizer labels will highlight important precautions to make fertilizer handling safe. Whether it says “keep out of reach of children” or “do not place in moisture or light,” always follow the label.

Fertilizers are beneficial to the environment.

So, we’ve covered that fertilizers can be safe for your family, but what about the environment? Fertilizers have several environmental health benefits. For example, it improves soil quality and biodiversity and reduces soil erosion. In addition, fertilizer introduces vital micro and macro nutrients into the soil, where soil microbes and other organisms benefit.

Fertilizers on the market are EPA tested and approved.

The United States also guarantees the safety of its fertilizer in the markets by ensuring they are tested and approved. All fertilizers sold in the US must be registered with the EPA and undergo testing to confirm they meet the agency’s safety standards. In addition, manufacturers must submit data on their product’s safety and effectiveness. So what you see on the shelves of your local garden store has been tested vigorously to guarantee the safety of customers and their families.

Licensed applicators must pass a pesticide exam before doing lawn fertilizing services.

Massachusetts requires individuals who apply pesticides commercially or for hire to be licensed or certified. Plus, the state also requires continuing education to maintain licensing. Licensed professionals are trained to follow product labels to a T, so they understand the consequences of not following the directions. This makes professional lawn care experts in Massachusetts the safest route to apply fertilizers.

Commonly asked questions by our customers.

We’ve gotten several other common questions about lawn fertilization safety, so here are the answers to the top three questions:

• What if my pet eats fertilizer? Pets ingesting a small amount of fertilizer will likely have minor or no symptoms. It takes significant amounts to raise alarm bells and require a vet visit. If you’re still anxious, you can also choose from several pet-safe fertilizers on the market.
• Can fertilizer runoff harm the environment? Mispractice can cause fertilizer runoff, but timing fertilizer applications correctly prevents runoff. For example, it’s best practice to fertilize several days before or after rainfall to prevent it from being washed away. Otherwise, fertilizer can actually help reduce soil erosion by improving plant growth. The development of grass roots keeps soil tightly together, thus reducing runoff.
• Can lawn fertilization harm beneficial insects like bees? Fertilizers with control products can indeed harm bees, but many fertilizers don’t have control products in them. In addition, opting for slow-release fertilizers is safer for bees and is an excellent choice for home fertilizing.

Fertilize your lawn with ease by calling our lawn care team in Sterling, Massachusetts.

Barefoot Lawns is dedicated to providing central Massachusetts residents with child and pet-safe lawn fertilizing services for a thriving yard. If you’re ready to level up your Northeastern lawn or would like to talk to us directly about if fertilizer is safe for your kids and pets, please call (508) 281-1441 or contact us here. For more tips and tricks from the experts, visit our blog.

The post Is Fertilizer Safe For My Kids And Pets? appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

What Is Snow Mold And How Can I Get Rid of It In My Massachusetts Lawn?

While we’d all like to think that the frigid Massachusetts winters make unlivable conditions for turfgrass diseases, that’s not the case. Snow mold is a common turfgrass disease rampant in the winter and requires attentive New England lawn care to mend. Snow mold isn’t just unsightly; it can also damage grass blades and roots. In addition, snow mold can also trigger allergies in people and pets. Overall, dealing with snow mold on your grass is an unpleasant experience, so learn more about snow molds and what to do if they appear in your Massachusetts lawn.

What is snow mold?

Snow mold isn’t one particular disease. In reality, snow mold is a group of fungal diseases that attack turfgrass in the winter. This attribute can make it more challenging to treat it properly since the snow molds behave differently. In addition, different molds have different environmental preferences. For example, some can become dormant in warmer months and reappear the following winter, while others quickly perish in the warm season.

The snow molds also affect turfgrass types differently. Some types of grass are more or less susceptible to snow mold. For example, Kentucky bluegrass and fine-leaved fescues are hardier against the disease, while bermudagrass and zoysia grass are more sensitive. Knowing your grass type helps protect your lawn appropriately when dealing with snow mold.

Types of snow mold

Snow mold comes in all shapes and sizes, so learning their differences is necessary to diagnose the problem. There are four common types of snow mold in Massachusetts that you should be aware of:

• Pink snow mold – This mold can occur year-round if the weather is cold and wet. It produces pink spore web rings in irregular patches of grass. While it usually doesn’t kill grass completely, it can be hard to manage.
• Grey snow mold – Like the name, this mold type produces noticeable grey, matted patches of fungal spores. It prefers heavy snowfall and thrives during snow melt when temperatures are just above freezing. However, it survives throughout the summer and will reappear the following winter if the conditions are optimal.
• Coprinus snow mold – Also known as cottony snow mold, this mold type covers grass blades with wool-like mycelium growth and appears during snowmelt. It isn’t as picky as grey snow mold and grows in a wide range of temperatures, from below freezing to warmer spring temperatures of 60 degrees.
• Snow scald – This mold type also appears at snow melt and prefers very wet conditions. It looks more distinct from the other diseases because it bleaches the grass blades until they die and produces sclerotia, compact structures containing food reserves that keep the fungi thriving and turn black as it matures.

What causes snow mold?

Several conditions encourage snow mold fungi to grow. First, heavy snowfall creates a breeding ground for mold, especially when it begins to melt. The lack of airflow under the snow and the moist conditions are perfect for mold growth. Thick thatch further encourages snow mold growth, making it harder for snow melt to dry out and providing additional nutrients through organic matter for mold to feed off. Fall leaf buildup also promotes snow mold growth for the same reasons. It keeps the grass moist and provides decaying material for mold to eat. Finally, excess nitrogen through organic matter or fertilizer facilitates snow mold growth by speeding up the growth process.

How to prevent snow mold on your grass

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Unfortunately, fungicides rarely help eliminate snow mold on grass, so prevention is the remedy to avoiding these winter diseases. The first thing to focus on is professional lawn care, as it’s the best way to prevent snow mold growth.

• Reduce the thatch layer. While a ½ inch thick thatch layer is healthy, too much thatch can choke your lawn. You can improve soil drainage during snowmelt by keeping up with dethatching every few years. Aeration every year or two can also decrease thatch density and improve water and nutrient cycling.
• Rake up leaves in the fall. In the fall, heavy leaf buildup in your lawn can compact grass. This accumulation keeps conditions moist and encourages mold growth. Instead of letting your fall leaves rot, rake them up in the late season so your grass can breathe.
• Mow the lawn before the first snowfall. While grass growth slows in the winter, mowing right before a snowstorm is still crucial. Heavy snowfall compresses the grass together and encourages mold growth, but mowing prevents suffocation and avoids grass compaction.
• Apply a preventative fungicide before the snowfall. Preventative fungicides are much more effective than using fungicides to fix the problem. A preventative application acts as a shield over your lawn by preventing any snow mold from penetrating the grass blades. Apply the barrier right before a snowstorm and after heavy rain throughout the winter to maintain the protective fungicide shield.

Best practices for snow mold removal

Snow molds typically go away independently if you continue proper spring lawn care. To remove snow mold, first, rake out the affected grass gently in the spring and let it dry. Then, you can continue regular spring fertilizing to promote grass growth that will push out mold growth.
Sometimes, bare spots must be reseeded if patches of grass are killed by more significant snow mold infections.

Generally, fungicides should be avoided because they’re not as practical. However, fungicides may be used as a last resort, especially in bad pink snow mold cases. While this is rarely an all-in-one solution since fungicides are rarely effective, it may help relieve the grass of severe mold growth. In addition, professional Massachusetts lawn care will need to be used to ensure the grass recovers efficiently.

Stop snow mold in its tracks with effective snow mold prevention

Maintaining a beautiful and snow mold-free lawn requires time, effort, and expertise. If you are looking for professional lawn care services to help you achieve the lush and vibrant lawn you desire, we are here to help. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing top-quality lawn care services tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Barefoot Lawns serves Sterling and beyond by providing central Massachusetts residents with superior lawn care that they can rely on. Call us at 508-281-1441 or contact us here to say goodbye to snow mold in your lawn today.

The post What Is Snow Mold And How Can I Get Rid of It In My Massachusetts Lawn? appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

Why is lawn fertilization so important?

Fertilizing your lawn is critical for maintaining the growth and health of your lawn. Fertilizer applications put essential nutrients back into the soil that were depleted throughout the growing season. In addition, it encourages faster growth, stronger roots, and a hardier structure overall. However, fertilizing correctly is equally as essential as fertilization itself. One mistake can leave your grass with damage and weak blades, so it’s essential to have a knowledgeable person fertilize your lawn.

Can you fertilize your own lawn? Technically, yes.

However, be prepared to put a lot of effort into fertilization, as it’s a lengthy process. Getting stellar results will require time, money, and lots of research. To start your DIY fertilizing, you can get all the supplies and tools you need at home stores such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, or a local home and garden supply shop. Then, research, research, research! One of the best ways to learn proper lawn care is by learning how your grass will respond to different environmental changes.

How to fertilize your lawn.

Ready to finally dive into fertilizing your lawn? We recommend following these seven steps to ensure your lawn is prepared, fertilized, and hydrated according to modern lawn care practices.

1. Test your soil’s nutrient levels and pH. This test provides valuable information when choosing which fertilizer to add to your lawn and which to avoid. Plus, it’ll let you know if it needs additional supplements, such as lime, to balance its pH.

2. Determine your lawn’s size. An estimate of your yard’s size will help you determine how much fertilizer you need to buy. Assuming one pace is roughly a yard long, you can walk your lawn and get a general idea of its area. Fertilizer instructions are given in pounds per 1,000 square feet, so a close estimate of your yard size is essential.

3. Find a fertilizer without phosphorous unless your soil needs it. Massachusetts soils are naturally phosphorous-heavy and sometimes nitrogen-low. In Massachusetts, it’s actually the law that your lawn needs a soil test that proves it needs phosphorous before applying it!

4. Use a fertilizer spreader to disperse the pellets. When you load the fertilizer into the spreader, putting it on a low setting for light lawn coverage is best. This setting is most efficient at aiding grass while avoiding overfertilization. Then, begin by walking the perimeter, then back and forth to cover the rest of the lawn.

5. OR use a sprayer to disperse the liquid fertilizer. Applying liquid fertilizer is relatively simple. First, fill the compartment with liquid fertilizer or attach a pre-bought fertilizer canister. Then, slowly walk the lawn spraying in a sweeping motion from side to side.

6. Clean up. Once you apply the fertilizer, it’s time to clean up. This step is essential because some fertilizers can damage concrete. First, sweep the excess fertilizer off your walkways and driveways and place it back in the spreader. Then clean all the equipment with water and store it somewhere covered.

7. Lightly water the lawn. For the final step, wait 24 hours to let it settle and give your lawn light watering. This last stage will help the fertilizer dissolve and filter into the soil below.

However, it’s more beneficial to hire a lawn care professional.

While it might be tempting to fertilize your lawn to save money, the pros often outweigh the cons when hiring a lawn care expert. As you’ve seen, taking on the task yourself is a significant process that will be done more efficiently by a pro. Take a look at the three benefits of getting a lawn care team to lend a helping hand:

1. It saves you time. Remember, the application itself is one of the fastest steps in fertilizing your lawn! In addition, this process requires shopping for fertilizer with a solid understanding of its benefits. A lawn care team knows which fertilizers will deliver great results and handles this lengthy step for you. So when you hire lawn care professionals, you get to avoid the time-consuming steps of preparing your lawn.

2. You have access to professional insight. A lawn care expert is a fountain of knowledge if you ask them the right questions. They understand what your lawn needs and the best times to fertilize it. Plus, they’ll always be there for you to ask questions that arise regarding your lawn’s heath. Once they know your lawn, they’ll have a holistic view of its strengths and challenges.

3. You avoid common lawn problems. DIY lawn care can often lead to accidental slip-ups that’ll cost more to fix than you initially saved. Lawn care professionals know how to avoid common problems like overfertilization and runoff. In addition, they know the ins and outs regarding complex fertilizer compounds. For example, they know which fertilizer types fit best for each Massachusetts season and which should be avoided.

Get visible results with professional lawn care services.

Ultimately the choice is yours, but we’re always going to side with professional services. You might save some money in the lawn run doing it yourself, but you might need to pay more to fix improper lawn care. We believe the best option is to enjoy a lush lawn without the hard labor. Local lawn fertilizing services are quick and effective, so as you relax, we’ll be in and out in no time. However, if you decide to fertilize your own lawn, always be conscientious and take professional lawn care advice into consideration.

Choosing to ditch the DIY? Reap the benefits of fertilization with local lawn care.

Lawn care can be challenging. That’s why the Barefoot Lawns team is here to do the heavy lifting and provide you with visible results. If you’re ready to level up your Massachusetts lawn, call (508) 281-1441 or contact us here. For more tips and tricks from the pros, visit our blog.

The post Can I Fertilize My Lawn, Or Should I Hire Someone? appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

Why is fertilizing your lawn important?

First, it replenishes your soil with three vital nutrients your grass needs to thrive: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK). Nitrogen is the #1 element that supports plant growth by aiding in chlorophyll production, an important chemical that helps plants absorb light to be turned into energy. On the other hand, phosphorous and potassium help build strong roots. While you might not see this root growth, it keeps your grass durable during harsh winters and assists in efficient nutrient uptake. Overall, fertilizing keeps your grass strong, which helps it ward off diseases and weeds year-round.

Fertilizing also keeps your lawn looking beautiful. The health of your lawn directly affects how aesthetically appealing it is! Rich, fertilized soil encourages fast, thicker grass growth for much longer in the growing season. Plus, good fall fertilization results in quicker green-up in the springtime. That means less time gazing at the dormant brown grass and more time frolicking with the family come spring.

Finally, a healthy and beautiful lawn increases your property value. Whether your house is on the market or not, it’s worthwhile to think about curb appeal, as gaining a thriving lawn can take several months or even years. According to the National Association of Realtors, 97% of realtors believe curb appeal is noteworthy to potential buyers. So fertilizing your lawn is an excellent start to ensuring your home’s value is at its peak.

When is the best time to fertilize your lawn?

The most popular times to fertilize your lawn are spring and fall. While you can also lightly fertilize in the summer with a slow-release fertilizer, the early and late growing seasons are critical. However, there are other factors besides the season to consider. Whenever you fertilize, the ground needs to be warm. Generally, we recommend fertilizing when the soil is over 55°F. This temperature guarantees no frost on the ground and that the soil isn’t frozen.

We also recommend fertilizing in the morning. Cooler mornings are preferred over hot mid-day temperatures, and morning dew can help with fertilizer absorption. And while some moisture helps the nutrients seep into the soil, it’s best to avoid fertilizing on rainy days. Instead, plan fertilization around incoming rain. Some rain several days before or after fertilization will also help with absorption without contributing to fertilizer runoff.

The benefits of fertilizing in the spring.

Spring is a great time to give your lawn a pick-me-up fertilizer application. There are three main benefits of fertilizing in the spring:

1. It gives your lawn an additional boost after dormancy. After surviving a season of snow, ice, and harsh winds, your lawn would appreciate a nutrient boost for the growing season. Spring fertilization wakes your lawn from its winter slumber and prepares it for growth by providing the necessary supplements.

2. It increases your lawn’s strength for the summer. As we mentioned earlier, a healthy lawn is a strong lawn. During the summer, your turf might run into potential threats like weeds or warm-season diseases like brown patch. Spring fertilization aids in hardy turf growth that withstands these fierce foes.

3. It keeps your lawn vibrant for the growing season. Early fertilization also helps your turf develop the bright, rich color that all lawn owners desire. Plus, NPK assists in growing lush and thick turf. The whole family can enjoy the backyard and lounge on soft, plush grass.

The benefits of fertilizing in the fall.

Fall is the most critical time to replenish your lawn’s nutrients. Here are three main benefits of fertilizing in the fall:

1. It provides your lawn with nutrients before a long, intense winter. By fertilizing your turf in the late fall when shoot growth has slowed, the nutrients go to root growth instead. By strengthening your grassroots, your grass will have better anchorage in the soil to withstand rugged conditions and will store the nutrients better for spring.

2. It results in an early spring green-up. The carbohydrates you provide your grass in the late fall are stored in the roots to be used later for spring growth. Since your turfgrass will be waking up from dormancy with a plentiful supply of supplements, it will thank you with quicker and thicker growth.

3. Your lawn will have a better appearance during the winter season. While we can’t keep lawns green year-round, late fertilization increases their longevity. Plus, a healthy lawn impacted by heavy snow and ice will bounce back better in the spring instead of staying compressed from the weight.

What happens if I fertilize in the summer?

While there are differing opinions, we’ve seen great results with light summer fertilizing. By nourishing your lawn with a slow-release fertilizer, you enable it to thrive throughout the season and maintain its deep green hue. However, if you decide to fertilize in a drought, it’s important to fertilize with care. In hot, dry weather, your soil might not get enough water from rainfall to effectively absorb the nutrients. That said, proper fertilization and watering through a drought summer helps the lawn bounce back as the weather patterns change. If you are in doubt, call the experts to take care of it!

Start this spring off right with customized lawn fertilizing.

While there are many factors to consider when fertilizing your turfgrass, timing is one of the most critical components to successfully growing a lush lawn. Fertilizer applications can be made all growing season long, but to ensure that your turf is getting the most of it, we recommend consulting a lawn care professional to plan the best time to fertilize your lawn.

Our local lawn care team at Barefoot Lawns will make your Massachusetts lawn flourish for spring with fruitful fertilizing services. If you’re ready to get visible results, call us at (508) 281-1441 or contact us here. For more tips and tricks from the pros, visit our blog.

The post When Is The Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn In New England? appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

The post What Is The Difference Between Organic And Conventional Fertilizer? appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

The post Give the Gift of a Lawn Care Program From Barefoot Lawns appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

Winterizing Your Lawnmower

For lawn maintenance, there is probably no other equipment used as much as the lawnmower. A properly maintained lawn mower will last anywhere between eight and ten years. The perfect time to inspect, clean, maintain, and winterize your lawnmower is after the first frost or during late fall.

First, Inspect the Blades

First, be sure to disconnect your spark plug wire, then carefully remove the blade. Second, check the blade for any cracks. Any damaged blades should always be replaced. Lastly, sharpen the blade removing equal amounts of metal from each side.

Clean the Deck

Keeping the deck clean helps to ensure maximum performance throughout the season. Before winter, it’s even more important because it helps to prevent trapped moisture from causing rust or erosion. To clean, scrape with a brush and putty knife, ensuring all grass clippings are removed and then rinse with water.

Drain and Replace Oil

The oil that sits over the winter will contain moisture and acids that will harm engine parts, therefore it’s essential that the oil is drained and replaced prior to using the lawnmower in the spring.

To drain and replace the oil:

• Run the engine to warm the oil first, which will help expel more of the dirty oil and contaminants
• Replace with new oil
• Follow your owner’s manual when selecting oil

Clean or Replace Air Filter

Inspect and clean the air filter. If your engine uses a paper filter, replace it with a new one. Foam filters can be cleaned with soap and water. Damaged and extremely dirty filters should be replaced.

Inspect all Internal Parts

This includes checking to ensure your spark plugs and belts are working properly. Tighten any belts that need tightened and replace any that look worn or cracked.

Drain or Stabilize the Fuel

You do not want to leave fuel in the tank over the winter as doing so can cause damage to the engine. Water from condensation can combine with ethanol in the gas, causing clogs, corrosion, and other problems throughout the fuel system. You can either drain the fuel system or use a fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizers will keep the gas fresh until spring. They can be found at most hardware and home stores. After adding the stabilizer, run the engine for at least five minutes to be sure the stabilizer gets into the carburetor. If you have a lot of gas left and don’t want to waste it, you can use a turkey baster or siphon to remove it. When completed, store your lawnmower in a cool, dry place, away from gas cans, heaters, or furnaces.

Winterize Your Garden Equipment

Clean and Disinfect

Because lawn and tree diseases are also easily spread through contaminated equipment, it’s important to clean and disinfect all tools on a regular basis. A good habit to get into is to clean them prior to storing them for winter. First, use a scrubbing brush and a mixture of 1bsp dish detergent in a gallon bucket of warm water to clean all blades. When sufficiently cleaned, rinse them off. Next, you will need to disinfect to ensure all remnants of insects and diseases are thoroughly eliminated. For this, household disinfectants such as isopropyl alcohol and chlorine bleach can be used.

Dry and Store Them

Once your tools are clean, help prevent them from rusting by drying them thoroughly. Use steel wool or emery cloth to rub off any newly formed rust spots.

Need Help Maintaining Your Lawn? Call the Experts.

Whether your lawn equipment and tools are brand new, expensive, or were passed down from generation to generation, maintaining them properly will ensure their longevity. If you need lawn or yard maintenance, Barefoot Lawns can help. We offer a customized year-long lawn care program, core aeration services, weed, and pest control and much more. Give us a call now at 508-281-1441 or contact us here to learn more.

The post How to Properly Winterize Your Lawn Equipment for Efficient Lawn Maintenance appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.

Tick-Borne Diseases

The first thing to know about ticks is that they are dangerous. Tick-borne diseases have grown more prevalent over the past decade and it doesn’t look like that’s changing anytime soon. In fact, ticks are responsible for 95% of all vector-borne infections. Over the last ten years, this region has had the highest concentration of tick-borne disease infections in America, and it’s not even close. While there are lots of different species in ticks, we have four ticks to worry about here in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Ticks and the Diseases They Carry:

• American Dog Tick: Rocky mountain spotted fever, canine tick paralysis, and tularemia.
• Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick): Lyme Disease, Powassan virus, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis.
• Lone Star Tick: Tularemia, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI), Bourbon virus, Heartland virus, and an allergy to red meat.
• Brown Dog Tick: Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

This past decade has seen a boom in the American tick population. Warmer and wetter weather along with longer summers mean tick habitats are growing. This means they are coming into contact with people more often now than ever before. On top of that, new tick-borne diseases are popping up every year. All of this means tick control has never been more important.

Fall Tick Prevention Tips

Tick prevention is the best form of control. Ensuring your lawn is a tick-free zone by using cultural practices to make your lawn is inhospitable to ticks is a great way to reduce the population of these dangerous pests. Here are a few highly-effective fall tick prevention tips.

Leaf Removal

In the fall, ticks look for warm places to hide out and wait for their next meal to walk by. A pile of leaves is a common hiding spot for ticks. Reduce the likelihood of running into a tick this fall by removing any piles of leaves, sticks, or twigs in your yard. By removing this common hiding place, you’ll be dissuading ticks from making a home in your yard.

Short Grass

Ticks also love hiding out in tall grass. They climb to the top of a blade of grass and wait for something to walk by and become their next meal/home. Eliminate this tick habitat by keeping your grass cut short throughout the fall. If there is tall grass and wild brush around the edge of your property, you should also cut this down. By doing this, you’ll create a tick-free buffer zone around your lawn.

Trim Your Trees and Shrubs

Another place that opportunistic ticks love to hang out is on the branches of trees and shrubs. This is especially true if the branches are growing close to the side of a nice, warm house. Take a walk around your property and check the state of your trees and shrubs. If their branches are close to or touching the side of your home, then trim them back. Not only is this good for the trees and your home, but it’ll also help keep ticks away from your house.

Play Structures

Children under ten are more likely to contract Lyme disease than any other age group. Help protect the kids while they’re playing in the yard by making sure your child’s play structure and toys are far from any long grass or tall brush. If possible, move everything towards the center of your yard, making sure it’s not under any low-hanging trees. Keep the grass short around these structures and make sure to check your kids for ticks when they come inside.

Prepare Yourself

Keeping yourself safe while working outside is essential. Always wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. While it may look goofy, tucking your pants into your socks is a great way to keep ticks from crawling into your pants and biting your ankles. Wear white or light-colored clothing so it’s easy to spot any hitchhikers that you may pick up. Clothing treated with permethrin or wearing bug spray that contains at least 20-30% DEET will create a tick-free barrier around you while you work.

Quickly and Safely Remove Ticks

Do a thorough tick-check of yourself after you come inside, making sure you check your ears, hairline, neck, armpits, groin, legs, knees, and toes. Ticks and their nymphs are very small so you’ll need to really look for them.

It can take 36-48 hours for a disease like Lyme disease to be transmitted from a tick bite, so it’s important to remove a tick as soon as possible. Use a pair of tweezers or a tick remover to grip the tick by the head, as close to the skin as possible, and gently pull it off. After removing it, wash the area with soap and water. Continue to monitor the site for a few days, keeping an eye out for a rash or a fever.

Professional Tick Control

While these cultural practices will help reduce the population of ticks in and around your yard, nothing beats professional tick control services. Here at Barefoot Lawns, we have tick control services to help protect you and your loved ones from these dangerous pests.

Give us a call at (508) 281-1441 or contact us here. For more tips and tricks from the pros, visit our blog.

The post Fall Tick Prevention: Tips to Keep Your Property Tick-Free appeared first on Barefoot Lawns.