Thursday, September 1, 2011

Bagging Clippings vs. Mulching Clippings

As we see more mulching mowers on the market, many people wonder whether they should be mulching, or continue bagging clippings. A Charlotte lawn care service can assist you in choosing the option that is best for your lawn.Mulching mowers use a special blade to cut blades of grass many times over before sending them back into, and not onto, the lawn. This differs from conventional mowers, which simply spit out clippings onto the lawn via a side vent.

One important rule to remember, whether bagging or mulching, is to mow at a steady, even pace. Doing so will prevent large clumps of grass from building up on your lawn. This can be especially helpful when mulching, as the mulch needs to be evenly distributed. If you are unsure of how to evenly cut your lawn, a Charlotte lawn care company can assist you by providing lawn care in Charlotte services.

Mulching is a great idea, in that it provides ground cover to retain moisture, and it can act as a fertilizer. Using a combination mulch and bag mower can give you the best of both worlds, allowing you to choose the option that is best for you at that particular moment. Although mulching and bagging mowers may be a bit mre expensive, they can actually save you money down the road, as well as provide you with a healthy lawn, year round. To find out about other great bagging and clipping options, contact a Charlotte lawn care service today.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Deciding on a Lawn Care Company

When it comes to your lawn, there are a number of things you can do to keep it not only looking good, but healthy, all year round. However, with our busy lives, many people simply do not have time to keep up with it all. Besides cutting, you need to also weed, aerate, and fertilize your lawn. Hiring a Charlotte lawn care company may be the answer to this problem.

A Charlotte lawn care company can visit your home or business on a regular schedule to complete common and advanced lawn care services. Selecting a lawn care company in Charlotte is an easy task if you follow a few simple rules. First, decide what services you would like done. These can vary depending on your lawn, so do some research on lawn care and find out what you are missing.

Second, find a Charlotte lawncare company that can dedicate the amount of time needed for your project. By having a lawn care service perform scheduled maintenance on your lawn, you will save money in the long run. And remember, even in the off months when it is cooler, it is important to continue lawn care services.

Finally, find a Charlotte lawncare provider who can work with your budget. You may not need to have all services performed on a regular basis, meaning you may be able to free up some cash for later on down the road, when these services should be performed. For more information, contact a Charlotte lawn care professional today.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Increasing Your Home's Value Through Lawn Care

If you are a home owner and would like to increase your home's value, one way to do it is by using a Charlotte lawn care service. Keeping up with your lawn is not only important in adding value to your home, but it also adds beauty and function to your property. Proper maintenance and lawn care in Charlotte is also important in that it keeps your lawn, plants, tress, and soil healthy throughout the year, cutting down on possible future costs.

All too often, people consider Charlotte lawncare to mean simply cutting their grass and weed eating. However, lawn care maintenance also include weeding and aerating, as well as pest control. Furthermore, you need to ensure that your soil is healthy and that you have the right types of grasses and plants growing in them. By planting the wrong types of grasses and plants, you may be attracting pests and diseases that can kill off your lawn, as well as damage the soil.

Aerating your lawn is also important as, over time, the soil can become compacted, choking off root systems and killing grasses and plants. A Charlotte lawn care professional can visit your property to do an inspection, as well as give you a free quote on work that should be done to protect your property. By using the skills of a Charlotte lawncare expert, you can add value to your home by maintaining its appearance, as well as the health of its lawn.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Charlotte Lawn Care Tips part 2


Grass roots typically penetrate 6” to 8” and it is advisable to let the top couple of inches dry out before watering. Less frequent, deeper irrigation encourages a vigorous root system and reduces disease too. If you need assistance with your lawn care needs, contact a Charlotte lawn care specialist today!
Water between 2 am and 8 am to minimize losses from evaporation. There is usually less wind then, so less water gets blown away from the landscaped area. Don’t water in the evening because grass blades are more susceptible to disease if they stay wet overnight.
An irrigation controller can be used to break a single 15-minute water application into three 5-minute applications an hour apart. This lets more water reach plant roots and reduces the runoff that carries pollutants into streams, lakes and ground water. This is especially important in sloped areas, and where soil is clayey or compacted. A Charlotte lawncare professional can assist you in installing a Charlotte irrigation controller.
A smart irrigation controller that adjusts watering schedules based on local weather will automatically calculate the optimum irrigation schedule for every area of your landscape, adjusting for daily weather, plant type, soil type, slope and other characteristics of your site. In many communities in the Southwest, , East, West and Pacific regions these smart controllers qualify for substantial rebates from water agencies. Getting in touch with a Charlotte lawn care company can let you know all the details you need.

Charlotte Lawn Care Tips 1

A lawn is the thirstiest part of your landscape, and smarter irrigation can reduce water consumption significantly. By using proper water and fertilization practices, your lawn will thrive and healthy turf can prevent erosion, reduce surface water runoff, and filter pollutants before they enter the groundwater. A Charlotte lawn care professional can discuss your options with you, as well as make Charlotte lawn care recommendations for your specific lawn.

To minimize stress and pest problems naturally, adjust your mower to keep the lawn 3 inches tall. By returning clippings to the lawn, you can reduce the need for fertilizer by 30% and protect water quality.

As a rule of thumb, most lawns require about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season to keep the soil moist. This will vary depending upon the type of grass, sun exposure, and of course, weather. Shrubs and perennials will require less water than lawn.

It is common to overwater in spring and fall, when plants are growing slowly and weather is cooler. In the peak of summer, watering three times per week is sufficient; in spring and fall once or twice a week is adequate. Ask your local water agencies or Cooperative Extension offices for recommended monthly water schedules for your area.

To find out how much water your sprinklers deliver use this test: Place several cans various distances from the sprinkler head. Water for 15 minutes, and multiply the water depth in each can by 4 to calculate inches of water per hour. If you have further questions, contact a Charlotte lawn care company to give you a free quote.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The Importance of a Soil Analysis

When it comes to your soil, there is a lot that needs to be understood. Far too many people simply go to the hardware store, or search for cheap soil at a department store, only to find out later on that they needed something completely different. Different types of soils behave different ways in different environments, and, conversely, different plants and grasses behave differently in different types of soil. For this reason, knowing what type of soil is right for you, as well as how to tend to it, is very important. Furthermore, monitoring certain elements of your soil, such as its pH level, is very important in maintaining the structural integrity of your soil. Unfortunately, many people do not take these factors seriously, going to far as to follow old wisdom such as throwing lime on an overseeded area. This can be harmful to your soil, and can lead to more time and money spent later. Understanding your soil is the first step in knowing how to maintain it.

In North Carolina, the Department of Agriculture will offer a free soil analysis for anyone who asks. This is a great service for those who are unsure as to the health and stability of their soil, as well as the right grass and plants to put in the soil. Once this analysis has been conducted, you can then consult with a Charlotte lawncare pro to help you decide your next move.

A Charlotte lawn care expert can help you to determine what you can do to get, and keep, your soil in top shape, and can recommend grass and plants that will not only grow best in your soil, but can be maintained year round. As the cooler months approach, it is important to have a Charlotte lawn care expert on your side to keep your plants looking healthy, all year.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

What is Worm Casting?

Worm casting essentially is the waste material produced by worms after digestion of soil. Worm castings can be used as a nutrient rich compost fertilizer for your lawn or garden, and is a great way to save money. The red wiggler worm is one of the most commonly used worms in the production of worm castings, also referred to as vermicompost. Vermicompost is a nutrient rich material that has the consistency of peat, and should be worked into the soil of new plants in order to give them stronger soil structure. Many people in the Charlotte area are turning to experts to apply Charlotte worm casting to their own gardens.


Applying 1 inch depths of vermicompost around the outer edges of planting areas can help to not only fortify plants, but it can also retain moisture. Some studies have even shown that this practice can provide up to 200% growth potential when compared to typical composting fertilizer. This is partly due to the humic acid content found in worm castings. 


Furthermore, worm castings can be made into a nutrient rich tea. This tea can be used to protect wounded plants that have been damaged due to pesticides, and is commonly used as a soil drench or a root wash for added value. The tea is made by steeping the worm castings in water, and the soluble nutrients are absorbed into the water. Vermicompost tea can also be used to revive dying plants, as the nutrients will work themselves into the soil and down into the root system.

It should be noted that vermicompost requires a significant amount of water in order for the material to break down and spread to the root system. For this reason, it is recommended that you hire a professional Charlotte lawncare expert to apply worm castings or worm casting tea, as well as to perform regular checkups to ensure you are not over or under watering your plants and lawn. Having a Charlotte irrigation system installed may also help to ensure you are applying the proper amount of water to your plants, trees, and garden.