There are several types of pests that are commonly referred to as Lawn Grubs. It is worth noting that Fescue, Kikuyu and Couch grasses are more susceptible to major damage from infestations of lawn grubs, while buffalo species including Sir Walter Buffalo are more tolerant to infestation and will spring back from any damage far better than other grass varieties.

Root feeding grubs are the larvae of various species of scarab beetles, including Japanese beetles, June Bugs or cockchafers. Often referred to as white curl grubs, they have a soft, C-shaped body with legs near the head. They are sometimes incorrectly identified as witchetty grubs. Root feeding grubs live under the surface of the soil, feeding on the roots of the grass (and organic matter in the soil), resulting in damage to the structure of the lawn and causing sections of the lawn to die. The grubs are most prolific during the summer months, before becoming adult beetles over the cooler months. They emerge from soil to mate and lay eggs during Spring which hatch into more grubs and so the cycle continues.

Surface dwelling lawn grubs are the larvae of moths, and include species such as sod webworm, armyworm and cutworm. These caterpillar-like grubs feed on the leaves of the lawn during the night causing damage to the surface of the lawn which may present as brown patches.

See more here:
Lawn Grubs | Tell-tale Signs of Infestation and Treatment

A lawn is an area of soil-covered land planted with grasses and other durable plants such as clover which are maintained at a short height with a lawnmower (or sometimes grazing animals) and used for aesthetic and recreational purposes. Common characteristics of a lawn are that it is composed only of grass species, it is subject to weed and pest control, it is subject to practices aimed at maintaining its green color (e.g., watering), and it is regularly mowed to ensure an acceptable length,[1] although these characteristics are not binding as a definition. Lawns are used around houses, apartments, commercial buildings and offices. Many city parks also have large lawn areas. In recreational contexts, the specialised names turf, pitch, field or green may be used, depending on the sport and the continent.

The term "lawn", referring to a managed grass space, dates to no earlier than the 16th century. Tied to suburban expansion and the creation of the household aesthetic, the lawn is an important aspect of the interaction between the natural environment and the constructed urban and suburban space.[2]In many[clarification needed] suburban areas, there are bylaws in place requiring houses to have lawns and requiring the proper maintenance of these lawns. In some jurisdictions where there are water shortages, local government authorities are encouraging alternatives to lawns to reduce water use.

Lawn is a cognate of llan which is derived from the Common Brittonic word landa (Old French: launde) that originally means heath, barren land, or clearing.[3][4]

Lawns may have originated as grassed enclosures within early medieval settlements used for communal grazing of livestock, as distinct from fields reserved for agriculture. The word "laune" is first attested in 1540,[5] and is likely related to the Celtic Brythonic word lan/llan/laun, which has the meaning of enclosure, often in relation to a place of worship.

Lawns became popular with the aristocracy in northern Europe from the Middle Ages onward. The early lawns were not always distinguishable from pasture fields. The damp climate of maritime Western Europe in the north made lawns possible to grow and manage. They were not a part of gardens in other regions and cultures of the world until contemporary influence.[6]

Before the invention of mowing machines in 1830, lawns were managed very differently. They were an element of wealthy estates and manor houses, and in some places were maintained by the labor-intensive methods of scything and shearing. In most situations, they were also pasture land maintained through grazing by sheep or other livestock. Areas of grass grazed regularly by rabbits, horses or sheep over a long period often form a very low, tight sward similar to a modern lawn. This was the original meaning of the word "lawn", and the term can still be found in place names. Some forest areas where extensive grazing is practiced still have these seminatural lawns. For example, in the New Forest, England, such grazed areas are common, and are known as lawns, for example Balmer Lawn. Lawns similar to those of today first appeared in France and England in the 1700s when Andr Le Ntre designed the gardens of Versailles that included a small area of grass called the tapis vert, or "green carpet".

It was not until the 17th and 18th century that the garden and the lawn became a place created first as walkways and social areas. They were made up of meadow plants, such as camomile, a particular favorite. In the early 17th century, the Jacobean epoch of gardening began; during this period, the closely cut "English" lawn was born. By the end of this period, the English lawn was a symbol of status of the aristocracy and gentry; it showed that the owner could afford to keep land that was not being used for a building, or for food production.

In the early 18th century, landscape gardening for the aristocracy entered a golden age, under the direction of William Kent and Lancelot "Capability" Brown. They refined the English landscape garden style with the design of natural, or "romantic", estate settings for wealthy Englishmen.[7] Brown, remembered as "England's greatest gardener", designed over 170 parks, many of which still endure. His influence was so great that the contributions to the English garden made by his predecessors Charles Bridgeman and William Kent are often overlooked.[8]

His work still endures at Croome Court (where he also designed the house), Blenheim Palace, Warwick Castle, Harewood House, Bowood House, Milton Abbey (and nearby Milton Abbas village), in traces at Kew Gardens and many other locations.[9] His style of smooth undulating lawns which ran seamlessly to the house and meadow, clumps, belts and scattering of trees and his serpentine lakes formed by invisibly damming small rivers, were a new style within the English landscape, a "gardenless" form of landscape gardening, which swept away almost all the remnants of previous formally patterned styles. His landscapes were fundamentally different from what they replaced, the well-known formal gardens of England which were criticised by Alexander Pope and others from the 1710s.[10]

The open "English style" of parkland first spread across Britain and Ireland, and then across Europe, such as the garden la franaise being replaced by the French landscape garden. By this time, the word "lawn" in England had semantically shifted to describe a piece of a garden covered with grass and closely mown.[11] Wealthy families in America during the late 18th century also began mimicking English landscaping styles. In 1780, the Shaker community began the first industrial production of high-quality grass seed in North America, and a number of seed companies and nurseries were founded in Philadelphia. The increased availability of these grasses meant they were in plentiful supply for parks and residential areas, not just livestock.[11]

Thomas Jefferson has long been given credit for being the first person to attempt an English-style lawn at his estate, Monticello, in 1806, but many others had tried to emulate English landscaping before he did. Over time, an increasing number towns in New England began to emphasize grass spaces. Many scholars link this development to the romantic and transcendentalist movements of the 19th century. These green commons were also heavily associated with the success of the Revolutionary War and often became the homes of patriotic war memorials after the Civil War ended in 1865.[11]

Before the mechanical lawnmower, the upkeep of lawns was possible only for the extremely wealthy estates and manor houses of the aristocracy. Labor-intensive methods of scything and shearing the grass were required to maintain the lawn in its correct state, and most of the land in England was required for more functional, agricultural purposes.

This all changed with the invention of the lawnmower by Edwin Beard Budding in 1830.Budding had the idea for a lawnmower after seeing a machine in a local cloth mill which used a cutting cylinder (or bladed reel) mounted on a bench to trim the irregular nap from the surface of woollen cloth and give a smooth finish.[12] Budding realised that a similar device could be used to cut grass if the mechanism was mounted in a wheeled frame to make the blades rotate close to the lawn's surface. His mower design was to be used primarily to cut the lawn on sports grounds and extensive gardens, as a superior alternative to the scythe, and he was granted a British patent on 31 August 1830.[13]

Budding went into partnership with a local engineer, John Ferrabee, who paid the costs of development and acquired rights to manufacture and sell lawn mowers and to license other manufacturers. Together they made mowers in a factory at Thrupp near Stroud.[14] Among the other companies manufacturing under license the most successful was Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies of Ipswich which began mower production as early as 1832.[15]

However, his model had two crucial drawbacks. It was immensely heavy (it was made of cast iron) and difficult to manoeuvre in the garden, and did not cut the grass very well. The blade would often spin above the grass uselessly.[15] It took ten more years and further innovations, including the advent of the Bessemer process for the production of the much lighter alloy steel and advances in motorization such as the drive chain, for the lawnmower to become a practical proposition. Middle-class families across the country, in imitation of aristocratic landscape gardens, began to grow finely trimmed lawns in their back gardens.

In the 1850s, Thomas Green of Leeds introduced a revolutionary mower design called the Silens Messor (meaning silent cutter), which used a chain to transmit power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder. The machine was much lighter and quieter than the gear driven machines that preceded them, and won first prize at the first lawn mower trial at the London Horticultural Gardens.[15] Thus began a great expansion in the lawn mower production in the 1860s. James Sumner of Lancashire patented the first steam-powered lawn mower in 1893.[16] Around 1900, Ransomes' Automaton, available in chain- or gear-driven models, dominated the British market. In 1902, Ransomes produced the first commercially available mower powered by an internal combustion gasoline engine. JP Engineering of Leicester, founded after World War I, invented the first riding mowers.

This went hand-in-hand with a booming consumer market for lawns from the 1860s onward. With the increasing popularity of sports in the mid-Victorian period, the lawn mower was used to craft modern-style sporting ovals, playing fields, pitches and grass courts for the nascent sports of football, lawn bowls, lawn tennis and others.[17] The rise of Suburbanisation in the interwar period was heavily influenced by the garden city movement of Ebenezer Howard and the creation of the first garden suburbs at the turn of the 20th century.[18] The garden suburb, developed through the efforts of social reformer Henrietta Barnett and her husband, exemplified the incorporation of the well manicured lawn into suburban life.[19] Suburbs dramatically increased in size. Harrow Weald went from just 1,500 to over 10,000 while Pinner jumped from 3,00 to over 20,000. During the 1930s, over 4 million new suburban houses were built and the 'suburban revolution' had made England the most heavily suburbanized country in the world by a considerable margin.[20]

Lawns began to proliferate in America from the 1870s onwards. As more plants were introduced from Europe, lawns became smaller as they were filled with flower beds, perennials, sculptures, and water features.[21] Eventually the wealthy began to move away from the cities into new suburban communities. In 1856, an architectural book was published to accompany the development of the new suburbia that placed importance on the availability of a grassy space for children to play on and a space to grow fruits and vegetables that further imbued the lawn with cultural importance.[11] Lawns began making more appearances in development plans, magazine articles, and catalogs.[22] The lawn became less associated with being a status symbol, instead giving way to a landscape aesthetic. Improvements in the lawn mower and water supply enabled the spread of lawn culture from the Northeast to the South where the grass grew more poorly.[11] This in combination with setback rules which required all homes to have a 30-foot gap between the structure and the sidewalk meant that the lawn had found a specific place in suburbia.[21]

Prior to European colonization, the grasses on the East Coast of North America were mostly broom straw, wild rye, and marsh grass. As Europeans moved into the region, it was noted by colonists in New England, more than others, that the grasses of the New World were inferior to those of England and that their livestock seemed to receive less nutrition from it. In fact, once livestock brought overseas from Europe spread throughout the colonies, much of the native grasses of New England disappeared, and an inventory list from the 17th century noted supplies of clover and grass seed from England. New colonists were even urged by their country and companies to bring grass seed with them to North America. By the late 17th century, a new market in imported grass seed had begun in New England.[11]

Much of the new grasses brought by Europeans spread quickly and effectively, often ahead of the colonists. One such species, Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), became the most important pasture grass for the southern colonies.

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a grass native to Europe or the Middle East. It was likely carried to Midwestern United States in the early 1600s by French missionaries and spread via the waterways to the region around Kentucky. However, it may also have spread across the Appalachian mountains after an introduction on the east coast. Kentucky Bluegrass is now one of the top three pasture grasses in the United States and the most desirable species of grass for lawns.

Farmers at first continued to harvest meadows and marshes composed of indigenous grasses until they became overgrazed. These areas quickly fell to erosion and were overrun with less favorable plant life. Soon, farmers began to purposefully plant new species of grass in these areas, hoping to improve the quality and quantity of hay to provide for their livestock as native species had a lower nutritive value. While Middle Eastern and Europeans species of grass did extremely well on the East Coast of North America, it was a number of grasses from the Mediterranean that dominated the Western seaboard. As cultivated grasses became valued for their nutritional benefits to livestock, farmers relied less and less on natural meadows in the more colonized areas of the country. Eventually even the grasses of the Great Plains were overrun with European species that were more durable to the grazing patterns of imported livestock.[11]A pivotal factor in the spread of the lawn in America was the passage of legislation in 1938 of the 40-hour work week. Until then, Americans had typically worked half days on Saturdays, leaving little time to focus on their lawns. With this legislation and the housing boom following the Second World War, managed grass spaces became more commonplace.[21] The creation in the early 20th century of country clubs and golf courses completed the rise of lawn culture.[11]

According to study based on satellite observations by Cristina Milesi, NASA Earth System Science, its estimates: "More surface area in the United States is devoted to lawns than to individual irrigated crops such as corn or wheat.... area, covering about 128,000 square kilometers in all".[23]

Lawn monoculture was a reflection of more than an interest in offsetting depreciation, it propagated the homogeneity of the suburb itself. Although lawns had been a recognizable feature in English residences since the 19th century, a revolution in industrialization and monoculture of the lawn since the Second World War fundamentally changed the ecology of the lawn. Intensive suburbanization both concentrated and expanded the spread of lawn maintenance which meant increased inputs in not only petrochemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides, but also natural resources like water.[2][11][21]

Front lawns became standardized in the 1930s when, over time, specific aspects such as grass type and maintenance methods became popular. The lawn-care industry boomed, but the Great Depression of the 1930s and in the period prior to World War II made it difficult to maintain the cultural standards that had become heavily associated with the lawn due to grass seed shortages in Europe, America's main supplier. Still, seed distributors such as Scotts Miracle-Gro Company in the United States encouraged families to continue to maintain their lawns, promoting it as a stress-relieving hobby. During the war itself, homeowners were asked to maintain the appearances of the home front, likely as a show of strength, morale, and solidarity. After World War II, the lawn aesthetic once again became a standard feature of North America, bouncing back from its minor decline in the decades before with a vengeance, particularly as a result of the housing and population boom post-war.[11]

The VA loan in the United States let American ex-servicemen buy homes without providing a down payment, while the Federal Housing Administration offered lender inducements that aided the reduction of down payments for the average American from 30% to as little as 10%. These developments made owning your own home cheaper than renting, further enabling the spread of suburbia and its lawns.[21]

Levittown, New York was the beginning of the industrial suburb in the 20th Century, and by proxy the industrial lawn. Between 1947 and 1951, Abraham Levitt and his sons built more than seventeen thousand homes, each with its own lawn. Abraham Levitt wrote "No single feature of a suburban residential community contributes as much to the charm and beauty of the individual home and the locality as well-kept lawns". Landscaping was one of the most important factors in Levittown's success - and no feature was more prominent than the lawn. The Levitts understood that landscaping could add to the appeal of their developments and claimed that, "increase in values are most often found in neighborhoods where lawns show as green carpets" and that, over the years, "lawns trees and shrubs become more valuable both esthetically and monetarily".[24] During 1948, the first spring that Levittown had enjoyed, Levitt and Sons fertilized and reseeded all of the lawns free of charge.[21]

The economic recession that began in 2008 has resulted in many communities worldwide to dig up their lawns and plant fruit and vegetable gardens[citation needed]. This has the potential to greatly change cultural values attached to the lawn, as they are increasingly viewed as environmentally and economically unviable in the modern context.[25]

The appearance of the lawn in Australia followed closely after its establishment in North America and parts of Europe. Lawn was established on the so-called "nature strip" by the 1920s and was common throughout the developing suburbs of Australia. This term is uniquely Australian, alluding, perhaps, to man's desire to control nature. By the 1950s, the Australian-designed Victa lawn mower was being used by the many people who had turned pastures into lawn and was also being exported to dozens of countries.[26] Prior to the 1970s, all brush and native species were stripped from a development site and replaced with lawns that utilized imported plant species. Since the 1970s there has been an interest in using indigenous species for lawns, especially considering their lower water requirements.[27] Lawns are also established in garden areas as well as used for the surface of sporting fields.

Over time, with consideration to the frequency of droughts in Australia, the movement towards "naturalism", or the use of indigenous plant species in yards, was beneficial. These grasses were more drought resistant than their European counterparts, and many who wished to keep their lawns switched to these alternatives or allowed their green carpets to revert to the indigenous scrub in an effort to reduce the strain on water supplies.[25] However, lawns remain a popular surface and their practical and aesthetically pleasing appearance reduces the use of water-impervious surfaces such as concrete. The growing use of rainwater storage tanks has improved the ability to maintain them.

Following recent droughts, Australia has seen a change to predominately warm-season turfgrasses, particularly in the southern states like New South Wales and Victoria which are predominately temperate climates within urban regions. The more drought tolerant grasses have been chosen by councils and homeowners for the choice of using less water compared to cool-season turfgrasses like fescue and ryegrass. Mild dormancy seems to be of little concern when high-profile areas can be oversown for short periods or nowadays, turf colourants (fake green) are extremely popular.

Lawns are a common feature of private gardens, public landscapes and parks in many parts of the world. They are created for aesthetic pleasure, as well as for sports or other outdoor recreational use. Lawns are useful as a playing surface both because they mitigate erosion and dust generated by intensive foot traffic and because they provide a cushion for players in sports such as rugby, football, soccer, cricket, baseball, golf, tennis, hockey and lawn bocce.

Lawns and the resulting lawn clipping waste can be used as an ingredient in making compost and is also viewed as fodder, used in the production of lawn clipping silage which is fed to livestock[28][29] as a sustainable feed source.

Lawns need not be, and have not always been, made up of grasses alone. Other plants for lawn-like usable garden areas are sedges, low herbs and wildflowers, and ground covers that can be walked upon.

Thousands of varieties of grasses and grasslike plants are used for lawns, each adapted to specific conditions of precipitation and irrigation, seasonal temperatures, and sun/shade tolerances. Plant hybridizers and botanists are constantly creating and finding improved varieties of the basic species and new ones, often more economical and environmentally sustainable by needing less water, fertilizer, pest and disease treatments, and maintenance. The three basic categories are cool season grasses, warm season grasses, and grass alternatives.

Many different species of grass are currently used, depending on the intended use and the climate. Coarse grasses are used where active sports are played, and finer grasses are used for ornamental lawns for their visual effects. Some grasses are adapted to oceanic climates with cooler summers, and others to tropical and continental climates with hotter summers. Often, a mix of grass or low plant types is used to form a stronger lawn when one type does better in the warmer seasons and the other in the colder ones. This mixing is taken further by a form of grass breeding which produces what are known as cultivars. A cultivar is a cross-breed of two different varieties of grass and aims to combine certain traits taken from each individual breed. This creates a new strain which can be very specialised, suited to a particular environment, such as low water, low light or low nutrient.

Diagram of a typical lawn grass plant

Cool season grasses start growth at 5C (41F), and grow at their fastest rate when temperatures are between 10C (50F) and 25C (77F), in climates that have relatively mild/cool summers, with two periods of rapid growth in the spring and autumn.[30] They retain their color well in extreme cold and typically grow very dense, carpetlike lawns with relatively little thatch.

Warm season grasses only start growth at temperatures above 10C (50F), and grow fastest when temperatures are between 25C (77F) and 35C (95F), with one long growth period over the spring and summer (Huxley 1992). They often go dormant in cooler months, turning shades of tan or brown. Many warm season grasses are quite drought tolerant, and can handle very high summer temperatures, although temperatures below 15C (5F) can kill most southern ecotype warm season grasses. The northern varieties, such as buffalograss and blue grama, are hardy to 45C (113F).

Carex species and cultivars are well represented in the horticulture industry as 'sedge' alternatives for 'grass' in mowed lawns and garden meadows. Both low-growing and spreading ornamental cultivars and native species are used in for sustainable landscaping as low-maintenance and drought-tolerant grass replacements for lawns and garden meadows. wildland habitat restoration projects and natural landscaping and gardens use them also for 'user-friendly' areas. The J. Paul Getty Museum has used Carex pansa (meadow sedge) and Carex praegracilis (dune sedge) expansively in the Sculpture Gardens in Los Angeles.[31]

Some lawns are replaced with low ground covers, such as creeping thyme, camomile, Lippia, purple flowering Mazus, grey Dymondia, creeping sedums, and creeping jenny.[32]An example of this is the floral lawn in Avondale Park. Other alternatives to lawns include meadows, drought-tolerant xeriscape gardens, natural landscapes, native plant habitat gardens, paved Spanish courtyard and patio gardens, butterfly gardens, rain gardens, tapestry lawn and kitchen gardens. Trees and shrubs in close proximity to lawns provide habitat for birds in traditional, cottage and wildlife gardens.

Seasonal lawn establishment and care varies depending on the climate zone and type of lawn grown.

Early autumn, spring, and early summer are the primary seasons to seed, lay sod (turf), plant 'liners', or 'sprig' new lawns, when the soil is warmer and air cooler. Seeding is the least expensive, but may take longer for the lawn to be established. Aerating just before planting/seeding may promote deeper root growth and thicker turf.[33]

Sodding (American English), or turfing (British English), provides an almost instant lawn, and can be undertaken in most temperate climates in any season, but is more expensive and more vulnerable to drought until established. Hydroseeding is a quick, less expensive method of planting large, sloped or hillside landscapes. Some grasses and sedges are available and planted from 'liner' and 4-inch (100mm) containers, from 'flats', 'plugs' or 'sprigs', and are planted apart to grow together.

Lawn growth, 20-hour time lapse

Various organic and inorganic or synthetic fertilizers are available, with instant or time-release applications. Pesticides, which includes biological and chemical herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, treating diseases like gray leaf spot, are available. Consideration for their effects on the lawn and garden ecosystem and via runoff and dispersion on the surrounding environment, can constrain their use. For example, the Canadian province of Quebec and over 130 municipalities prohibit the use of synthetic lawn pesticides. In order for the lawn to grow and flourish, the soil must be prepared properly. If this step is overlooked as many do, the lawn will burn out as soon as it runs out of nutrients.[34][34] The Ontario provincial government promised on 242 September 2007 to also implement a province-wide ban on the cosmetic use of lawn pesticides, for protecting the public. Medical and environmental groups support such a ban.[35] On 22 April 2008, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced that it will pass legislation that will prohibit, province-wide, the cosmetic use and sale of lawn and garden pesticides.[36] The Ontario legislation would also echo Massachusetts law requiring pesticide manufacturers to reduce the toxins they use in production.[37]

Sustainable gardening uses organic horticulture methods, such as organic fertilizers, biological pest control, beneficial insects, and companion planting, among other methods, to sustain an attractive lawn in a safe garden. An example of an organic herbicide is corn gluten meal, which releases an 'organic dipeptide' into the soil to inhibit root formation of germinating weed seeds. An example of an organic alternative to insecticide use is applying beneficial nematodes to combat soil-dwelling grubs, such as the larvae of chafer beetles. The Integrated Pest Management approach is a coordinated low impact approach.[38]

Maintaining a rough lawn requires only occasional cutting with a suitable machine, or grazing by animals. Maintaining a smooth and closely cut lawn, be it for aesthetic or practical reasons or because social pressure from neighbors and local municipal ordinances requires it,[39] necessitates more organized and regular treatments. Usually once a week is adequate for maintaining a lawn in most climates. However, in the hot and rainy seasons of regions contained in hardiness zones greater than 8, lawns may need to be maintained up to two times a week.[40]

The prevalence of the lawns in films such as Pleasantville and Edward Scissorhands alludes to the importance of the lawn as a social mechanism that gives great importance to visual representation of the American suburb as well as its practised culture. It is implied that a neighbor, whose lawn is not in pristine condition, is morally corrupt, emphasizing the role a well-kept lawn plays in neighborly and community relationships. In both of these films, green space surrounding a house in the suburbs becomes an indicator of moral integrity as well as of social and gender norms as lawn care has long been associated with men. These lawns also reinforce class and societal norms by subtly excluding minorities who may not have been able to afford a house in the suburbs with a lawn that was the symbolic representation of safety and stability.[41] The lawn as a reflection of someone's character and the neighborhood at large is not restricted to films, the same theme is evident in The Great Gatsby, a book written by American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. Character Nick Carraway rents the house next to Gatsby's and fails to maintain his lawn according to West Egg standards. The rift between the two lawns troubles Gatsby to the point that he dispatches his gardener to mow Nick's grass and thereby create uniformity.[42]

Most lawn care equipment over the decades has been advertised to men, and companies have long associated good lawn care with good citizenship in their marketing campaigns. As well, the appearance of a healthy lawn was meant to imply the health of the man taking care of it; controlled weeds and strict boundaries became a practical application of the desire to control nature, as well as an expression of control over their personal lives once working full-time became central to suburban success. Women were encultured over time to view the lawn as part of the household, as an essential furnishing, and to encourage their husbands to maintain a lawn for the family and community reputation.[11]

During World War II, women became the focus of lawn-care companies in the absence of their husbands and sons. The lawn was promoted as a necessary means by which women could help support their male family members and American patriotism as a whole. The image of the lawn changed from focusing on technology and manhood to emphasizing aesthetic pleasure and the health benefits derived from its maintenance; it was assumed that women would not respond positively to images of efficiency and power. The language of these marketing campaigns still intended to imbue the female population with notions of family, motherhood, and the duties of a wife; it has been argued that this was done so that it would be easier for men returning from war to resume the roles their wives had taken over in their absence. This was especially apparent in the 1950s and 1960s, when lawn-care rhetoric emphasized the lawn as a husband's responsibility and as a pleasurable hobby when he retired.[11]

The lawn aesthetic in Europe and Australia seems to exhibit the same cultural tendencies as a representation of order, power over nature, patriotism, and suburban family life while still adhering to other gender constructs present throughout the world's suburbs. However, there are differences in the particulars of lawn maintenance and appearance, such as the length of the grass, species (and therefore its color), and mowing.[27][43]

Greater amounts of chemical fertilizer and pesticides are used per surface area of lawn than on an equivalent surface of cultivated farmland,[44] and the continued use of these products has been associated with environmental pollution, disturbance in the lawn ecosystem, and increased health risks to the local human and wildlife population.[45] It has also been estimated that more herbicides are applied per surface of lawn than are used by most farmers to grow crops.[21][clarification needed]

Other concerns, criticisms, and ordinances regarding lawns arise from wider environmental consequences:

Maintaining a green lawn sometimes requires large amounts of water. This is not normally a problem in the temperate British Isles, where the concept of the lawn originated, as natural rainfall is usually sufficient to maintain a lawn's health, although in times of drought hosepipe bans may be implemented by the water suppliers.[50] The exportation of the lawn ideal to more arid regions of the world, however, such as the U.S. Southwest and Australia, has crimped already scarce water resources in such areas, requiring larger, more environmentally invasive water supply systems. Grass typically goes dormant during cold, winter months, and during hot, dry summer months turns brown, thereby reducing its demand for water. Most grasses typically recover quite well from a drought, but many property owners consider the brown "dead" appearance unacceptable, or are misled by it, and increase watering during the summer months.

In the United States, 50 to 70% of residential water is used for landscaping, most of it to water lawns.[47] A 2005 NASA study "conservatively" estimated there was 128,000 square kilometres (49,000sqmi; 32,000,000 acres) of irrigated lawn in the US, three times the area of irrigated corn.[51]

It is possible that lawn maintenance could come at the expense of precious resources, especially when faced with extreme weather conditions. This situation is described in Water in Australia by David Ingle Smith, who observed in 1995 data that under extreme conditions during summer drought periods, up to 90% of the water used in Canberra, Australia was applied to lawns.[52]

An increased concern from the general public over pesticide and fertilizer use and their associated health risks, combined with the implementation of the legislation, such as the US Food Quality Protection Act, has resulted in the reduced presence of synthetic chemicals, namely pesticides, in urban landscapes such as lawns in the late 20th century.[53] Many of these concerns over the safety and environmental impact of some of the synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has led to their ban by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and many local governments.[45] The use of pesticides and other chemicals to care for lawns has also led to the death of nearly 7 million birds each year, a topic that was central to Silent Spring by the conservationist Rachel Carson.[21]

In the United States, lawn heights are generally maintained by gasoline-powered lawnmowers, which contribute to urban smog during the summer months. The EPA found, in some urban areas, up to 5% of smog was due to small gasoline engines made before 1997, such as are typically used on lawnmowers. Since 1997, the EPA has mandated emissions controls on newer engines in an effort to reduce smog.[54]

A 2010 study seemed to show lawn care inputs were balanced by the carbon sequestration benefits of lawns, and they may not be contributors to anthropogenic global warming.[55][56]

However, lawns with high maintenance (mowing, irrigation, and leaf blowing) and high fertilization rates have a net emission of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide that have large global warming potential.[57]

With the use of ecological techniques including organic lawn management, the impact of lawns can be reduced. Such methods include the use of native grasses, sedges, and low herbs; higher mowing techniques; low volume irrigation, "grasscycling" grass clippings in place; an integrated pest management program; exclusive organic fertilizer and compost use; and including a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and other plants surrounding the lawn. A positive benefit of a healthy lawn is it filters contaminants and prevents runoff and erosion of bare soil.[citation needed]

Replacing turf grass with low-maintenance groundcovers or employing a variety of low-maintenance perennials, trees and shrubs[46] can be a good alternative to traditional lawn spaces, especially in hard-to-grow or hard-to-mow areas, as it can reduce maintenance requirements, associated pollution and offers higher aesthetic and wildlife value.[58]

Some environmental organizations, with the support of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, concerned by the decline in the number of bees worldwide, in the first day of Bees' Needs Week 2018 (an annual week-long event arranged by Defra that is meant to raise awareness of the effects caused upon bees by human activity, lasting from 9-15 July), give some recommendations of ways to preserve bees.

The recommendations include to:

Read more here:
Lawn - Wikipedia

Unlimited Landscapings Turf Care Program consists of 8 Organically Engineered applications that are properly timed through out the year to promote a green, weed free lawn. By using Organic Components in our program we are encouraging healthy plant growth while reducing the amounts of fertilizer and pesticides applied to your lawn. Our program is custom-formulated specifically for the unique weather conditions here in the Atlanta area.

Unlimited Landscaping provides continuous lawn care treatments for our programs in order to make your turf an inviting outdoor living area. There are no contracts to sign to begin this service. However, we will continue the service year to year. If a problem comes up between visits or you are not happy with our lawn services, just give us a call and we will make it right!

Environmental concerns mean a lot to Unlimited Landscaping. This is why we ONLY use products that are safe for our environment. With our products, there is no reason to worry about your children or your pets safety. It is our policy to minimize our pesticide use.

Unlimited Landscaping applies a pre-emergent that will control numerous annual grasses. Broadleaf weed control is added to control young and late winter weeds. A thorough inspection of your lawn will also be conducted to advise on any prior season concerns that need to be addressed.

This application will start to green up and help strengthen your root systems while reducing the amount of nitrates and pesticides that traditional lawn companies use. Pre-emergents are included again to extend crabgrass control late into the summer.

Unlimited Landscaping strengthens your lawns root system while controlling those pesky weeds. The bionutrients help your lawn naturally to improve the cell structure. Aeration needs to be conducted at this time to also improve root growth, loosen compacted soil and provide adequate water runoff. This allows fertilizer, air and water to reach the root zone of your lawn. This procedure is for bermuda and zoysia lawns.

With this mid-year application, the lawn specialist will evaluate the lawn and target the specific requirements. Your lawn may need more post-emergents to control weeds and/or organic fertilizers for a greener color.

With this mid-year application, the lawn specialist will evaluate the lawn and target the specific requirements. Your lawn may need more post-emergents to control weeds and/or organic fertilizers for a greener color.

Unlimited Landscaping applies a liquid pre- and post-emergent to control early to mid-fall annual weeds and grasses. Organic fertilizer is applied at this point to keep the turf healthy as it prepares to go dormant during the cooler temperatures. Now is the time to aerate and overseed fescue lawns.

Prior to your lawn going into dormancy, we apply a final application that will stimulate root growth and help to reduce the stress from the winter temperatures. This application will also help your lawn green up earlier in the spring.

A lime application is applied to balance the PH levels in the soil. All noticeable grassy and broadleaf weeds are also sprayed at this time.

Excerpt from:
Lawn Care Treatment Atlanta, Marietta, Roswell

Atlanta Lawn Care Treatment

Make the most of your outdoor living space with Unlimited Lawn Care of Atlanta. With over 19 years experience, you can count on us to help you get the thick green lush lawn youve always dreamed about.

Unlimited Lawn Care of Atlanta is the main reason I have a healthy green yard every season.

Bryan Spalding

Your home is an investment, and so is the lawn that surrounds it. Unlimited Lawn Care of Atlanta understands this, and with over 19 years of experience, you can count on us to help you get the healthy, beautiful lawn youve always dreamed of.

As a full-service, locally owned and operated landscaping business that has been turning Metro Atlanta and North Georgia green for years, Unlimited Lawn Care & Turf Management strives to provide only the highest quality products and services for all of your outdoor lawn care needs. We pay special attention to your yards specific needs, whether that be general turf treatment, tree and shrub care, pest removal, or a total property makeover, weve got you covered.

Whether youre looking to maximize your property value or simply looking to restore your lawn to a lush and healthy state, Unlimited Lawn Care & Turf Management promises you the lawn maintenance experience you deserve and by only using state-of-the-art equipment and environmentally-safe products, we always deliver on our promises.

With a variety of other services at your disposal, like weekly mowing and maintenance, sprinkler and outdoor lighting installation, landscape design, hardscape design, seasonal flowers, and drainage and erosion solutions, its easy to see that Unlimited Landscaping truly cares for your lawn. We do more than just treat the surface of your yard; we dig deep with our core aeration techniques to make sure your lawn is healthy at its roots. The thick Georgia clay and soil surrounding your plants roots can sometimes make it hard for them to absorb the oxygen and water they need to survive. As Atlanta lawn care experts, we are able to insert small aeration holes, which loosen compacted soil and allow for stronger, deeper roots. Our mission is to help transform your back yard into a blissfully manicured landscape that surpasses your expectations.

Here at Unlimited Lawn Care & Turf Management, we know that keeping your yard beautiful means keeping it healthy, too. Quality turf maintenance focuses on eradicating all kinds of threats to your lawn, including weeds, insects, and inadequate nutrients and thats why Unlimited Landscaping pays close attention to what your lawn needs and makes sure that the treatments being used dont cause any harm to you or your lawn. Many lawn care and landscaping companies use toxic pesticides and fertilizers when treating lawns because safer remedies are more expensive, or the company just doesnt know any better. We advocate an organic-only approach, utilizing natural fertilizers and pesticides with no harsh chemicals.

Our convenient perimeter pest protection, frequent soil testing, and continuous turf treatments all help us keep your yard vibrant and strong, and allow you to make the most of your outdoor living space. We go above and beyond so that you can relax, knowing our professionally trained staff will expertly care for your landscape and help you protect your investment.

Due to our two-decades experience in lawn and turf treatment, we understand that there is nothing more invasive and aesthetically depreciating to your landscape than weeds. These pesky intruders can cover your grass and flowers completely, shading them from the sun and depriving them of necessary nutrients. They can also steal important minerals from the soil, leaving your lawn frail and lifeless. Forget plucking weeds one by one with your hands; Unlimited Lawn Care utilizes several more efficient and successful strategies to rid your lawn of weeds and leave it looking green and healthy.

We spread pre-emergent herbicides on your lawn to stop weeds before they even start growing. Post-emergent herbicides are used if the weeds are already in full bloom. We also use various bionutrients, aeration tactics and organic fertilizers to help strengthen the lawns roots while simultaneously killing the weeds. At Unlimited Lawn Care, we are experts at defending your lawn against all kinds of weeds broadleaf weeds such as white clover and dandelions, or grassy weeds such as crabgrass and Bermuda grass are no match for us.

As a company that is eager to work with you on reaching your lawn care goal, we offer live, quality representatives to answer your calls during our normal business hours, as well as free and concise estimates by phone. Our efforts to satisfy our customers have not gone unnoticed; Unlimited Landscaping was voted BEST IN GWINNETT for 5 consecutive years by Gwinnett Magazine, and we are in the TOP 20 LANDSCAPERS list released in 2012 by Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Let Unlimited Lawn Care work with you, and experience what its like to feel confident and secure in your lawn maintenance company.

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Atlanta Lawn Care | Turf Treatment Company Atlanta ...

You know a healthy lawn when you see it: a smooth, lush green carpet, perfect for cartwheels and croquet. So why doesn't your lawn look like that? To get that perfect lawn you may have to change your mindset, says landscape designer Gary Alan (www.garyalan.com). "You know how in golf they say 'Be the ball'? Well, you've got to be the grass. You've got to think about what it needs," Gary says. The basics, he says, are pretty simple: sun, water and fertilizer. Once you get those down, everyone's happy you and your lawn. Here's how to get started.

Planting a new lawn is like any good adventure: preparation and planning are key. No matter which planting method you plan to use, you need to prepare the area thoroughly to banish weeds and make sure soil won't immediately crust over or compact into lumpy ruts. John Griggs, a master gardener in West Virginia, says the most important step and one that many gardeners skip is testing the pH of your soil. Do-it-yourself test kids are available from nurseries and catalogs, or you can take advantage of the testing offered by your state's designated agricultural university. "It might seem like a hassle, but testing your soil will save you from pouring money into the ground," John says.

Start by stripping the area of all weeds, including roots, even if that means taking off the top six inches. Then rototill to a depth of at least six inches to loosen compaction and improve drainage. It's extremely important to add loam and compost to enrich the soil; many experts suggest mixing equal parts of loam, sand and your original topsoil. You're best off in the long run if you incorporate a slight slope to facilitate drainage and prevent pooling. Finally, use a roller to pack down the soil, then grade the area with a metal rake. Be as thorough as you can remember, once you've put your seed or sod down, you can't go back and regrade.

No question but rolling out a carpet of sod is the quickest way to a beautiful lawn. But sod can get expensive, especially if your lawn is going to cover a large area. The alternative is seeding the area yourself, either by hand or with a method called hydroseeding, which has recently become quite popular. Long used by farmers to sow large fields, hydroseeding solves one of the main problems of hand seeding: even dispersal of seeds. The grass seed a mix of varieties blended for your climate and the type of use your lawn will get is mixed into a pulp made from virgin wood fibers, fertilizer and binding agents.

When it comes to sharing lawn secrets, the first one on many garden experts' lips is mowing height. "Most people mow their lawns way too short, which stresses out the grass," says Paul James, host of Gardening by the Yard. The secret, he says, is do less, not more: "I'm a great believer in benign neglect." He recommends raising the mower to the highest possible notch so you're mowing only the top third of the grass when you cut. Taller grass promotes better root development, Paul says, as well as shading the ground so it doesn't dry out as fast. An added benefit: the taller grass blocks the sun that weed seeds require to germinate. And don't believe for a moment that leaving grass taller is going to mean mowing more often, says Gary. "There's a big misunderstanding that a lot of people have that if they cut it shorter, they won't have to mow it as often," say Gary. "But that's absolutely false; it renews itself so fast that it doesn't save you any time."

"Water only once a week, but water deep" is the rule according to Paul. A weekly soaking helps roots extend deeper into the soil, while frequent shallow waterings tend to lead to thatch, that unsightly web of dry brown runners just above the soil. Watering deeply can also prevent chinch bugs, a pest that tends to attach dried, stressed out lawns across the midsection of the country. To figure out how much water your lawn needs, take your soil type into account: sandy soils dry out faster, while clay soils hold moisture longer and don't require watering as often.

For a newly seeded lawn, water every day for five to 10 minutes only. Your goal is to dampen the seeds without causing runoff that might wash them away or mar the surface with gullies. After the seeds sprout and the new grass is a half inch tall, water once a day for 15 to 20 minutes.

Even the healthiest lawn gets hungry and needs a solid meal. Twice a year, spring and fall, is the bare minimum most experts recommend for fertilization, though some add a feeding in the middle of the summer. But beware the common N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphate-potassium) fertilizers popular with most gardeners, says Gary; they don't provide everything your hungry grass needs. Instead, he recommends a complete fertilizer that includes micronutrients such as sulfur, copper and iron. "Just like you take a multivitamin, your grass needs one too," says Gary. In addition to regular fertilizing, he recommends an application of dolomitic lime every few years. This is because watering and fertilizing cause soil to become acidic over time and lime restores the pH while putting important minerals like calcium and magnesium back into the soil. In some Western areas, soils are naturally alkaline and may not have this problem, so it's best to test your soil's pH first.

No doubt about it, crabgrass is the bane of every lawn gardener's existence. But that doesn't mean herbicides are essential to a healthy lawn; in fact, many experts avoid them. The true secret to banishing weeds, they say, is to grow such healthy grass that it chokes out the invaders naturally. Mowing regularly helps too, because it tops off weeds like dandelions and crabgrass before they have a chance to scatter their seeds. When you do find yourself compelled to do battle against a path of weeds, Paul recommends using one of the new "natural" herbicides that derive their potency from corn gluten, salts from fatty acids or other nonchemical sources.

When grass gets too compacted, nutrients can't penetrate to the root system where they're most needed. That's where aeration poking holes in your lawn to improve oxygen circulation comes in. Most people aerate with a simple tool that looks like two hollow tubes attached to the end of a long handle. Of course, you can also just waltz around your lawn in spiked sports shoes that works fairly well too.

Some lawns have finer textures (think golf courses), while others feel like Astroturf under your feet. There are hundreds of types of grass available, and new varieties are developed every year.

As with all plant choices, climate plays a big role in determining which type of grass will work best for you soil type, rainfall and other factors also come into it. As a general rule, cool-season grasses go dormant during the warm weather, and warm-season grasses go dormant during the coolest months of the year; in areas where it's possible to have a green lawn all year round, you want a mixture of both these types. "I've lived in seven different states and I've had seven different lawns," says master gardener John Griggs, who believes a local nursery is one of the best sources of information on which type of grass will work best in your area. Here's a list of the most popular choices:

Popular warm-season grasses:

Popular cool-season grasses:

Grasses for special needs:

See the article here:
Basic Lawn Care Tips | HGTV

Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control

We help customers beautify and preserve the outdoor landscapes and keep their indoor dwellings pest-free with environmentally responsible solutions of customer-valued quality and service. Keeping your lawn, shrubs and trees in great shape is our specialty. Preventing and controlling pests that would harm your children and pets is our passion.

If you live in the Tampa Bay area and you need assistance maintaining a pest-free home, look no further. Are pest control programs that emphasize a family-friendly approach important to you? Great! Thats what we have shaped our pest control programs around. If you are looking for a green approach to indoor or outdoor pest control, we can help you. Fleas and ticks do not have to be a part of your family life, and your pets do not have to live with these problems either. Despite our warm Florida weather, roaches and ants dont have to be tolerated. Our approach makes the exterminator man of the past look like a cave man.

Keeping the grass in your lawn green, healthy, and free of weeds is our core strength. We can also keep your shrubs, bushes, palms, and small trees looking great. It does not matter if you have St Augustine grass, Zoysia, Bermuda, or Bahia grass. We have been doing this since 1991. How many other companies do you know where the 2 owners have actual Bachelor of Science degrees in Turf Grass Management from University of Georgia and Auburn University?

We protect and beautify your property and home, giving you peace of mind and enjoyment. We are Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control serving all of Hillsborough County from South Tampa to Lutz and Brandon to Fish Hawk Ranch and all area in between.

Get a complete turf and ornamental evaluation followed by a treatment plan to give you a healthy green lawn.

Ornamental plants and shrubs get specific fertilizer applications and timely disease and insect treatments.

Traditional or green pest control programs are available to keep your home free of insects. Find out more today.

FREE one time outdoor fire ant treatment (up to 3500 sq. feet) when signing up for any service. Keep Fire ants away year round with $49.99 Quarterly Fire ant protection. Only $34.99 additional when adding it to any yearly service.

Offer only valid for 5k square feet and under.

Fight off mosquitos for $59! Try our preventative treatment and see if its right for you. Or enjoy one month free for signing up for a year of service and our monthly billing program.

Offer only valid for 5k square feet and under.

Fight off Fleas and Ticks for $59! Try our preventative treatment and see if its right for you. Or enjoy one month free for signing up for a year of service and our monthly billing program.

Offer only valid for 5k square feet and under.

Contact Us Today To Save

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Green Solutions - Tampa Lawn Care And Pest Control Service

Thanks for helping me transform an ugly duckling into a swan. You deserve the Best in Yard Improvement Award!

Gail Meador Glen Allen, VA

A walk around my yard compels me to set aside time to tell you how pleased I am with the condition and appearance of my lawn. I have heard for years that one could not establish a decent lawn in Richmond without devoting a tremendous amount of time, energy and money to getting it done. I took that as a challenge. Despite my best efforts, including a fair run with another lawn care service, the results were disappointing. I began to believe that story.My experience with NaturaLawn of America, however, belies that lore. Since I started with you last year, the improvement has been miraculous. My lawn is thick, green, nearly devoid of weeds and growing in spots it never grew before. Its the best looking lawn in the neighborhood! In addition, with two indoor/outdoor pets, my wife and I have far fewer concerns about health risks for them because of your system!

Joe Sullivan Richmond, VA

My lawn is beautiful. It has never looked this good. It looks like lush green velvet. We only had one dandelion this spring and it was on the edge of our property, so it must have been the neighbors!

Jennifer L. Lloyd Bear, DE

We have been very pleased with NaturaLawn of America. The service is prompt and friendly. The results have been gratifying. Our lawn looks lush and green and we have received many compliments. I highly recommend the service. And of course, its organic-based!

George Reed Newton, CT

Our lawn looks fantastic! Please continue the no-chemicals approach for my lawn! Thanks!

Julie Hepburn Leawood, KS

For over 22 years, NaturaLawn of America has been creating naturally beautiful lawns that are safer for you, your family, pets and the environment. Of course our satisfied customers say its best!In less than a year, my lawn has gone from one of the worst on the block to among the best. This is quite an accomplishment considering we have well water and, therefore, never water the lawn. The service is also top notch friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to explain why theyre doing what theyre doing.

Stewart Kaufman Southbury, CT

NaturaLawn of America has cared for my lawns now for 10 years (2 houses) and I am completely satisfied with your company. My service technician is friendly, caring and knowledgeable. Im happy with the results, how you care for my lawn and the prices you charge happy enough that I recommend you to others and I tear up ads from competitors without even reading them.My husband and I are currently acquiring a house in New Hampshire. There is no question that I will want NaturaLawn of America service at that house. It is a true pleasure to work with a national company that treats their customers in a local business manner.

Anne Bullitt Newark, DE

Im just dropping you a note to let you know that we are very pleased with your lawn service, the way we are treated and the beautification of our lawn. Many families have seen our lawn and are very impressed by the way it looks. They are even more impressed that you are an organic-based company and use 85% less chemicals and pesticides. We have referred many of our friends and neighbors and will continue to refer people as the opportunity arises.

Jack & Sherrie Decker Plainview, MN

Our lawn is beautiful. Thank you for the great results AND for protecting my family and the environment from unnecessary chemicals and pesticides. Its nice to have a lawn care company that is concerned about my lawn, my family and the environment. When people are looking for a healthy, nice lawn, friendly service AND a safer lawn care option, I highly recommend they call NaturaLawn of America.

Pete Plimmer Wilmington, DE

You are doing a great job! We are glad we switched to NaturaLawn of America and are spreading the word about the super job you do.

Steve Pfannenstein Rockville, MN

I just want to thank you for all the years of guidance and wonderful service that you provided to us. As first-time homebuyers, we were unaware of the constant maintenance a lawn requires. We have been using your service since 1997 and our lawn went from dirt to a plush velvet yard. We have received many compliments on our wonderful yard thanks to the service you provided year after year. We have and will always continue to recommend you to others.

Michele Sawyer Richmond, VA

Our yard was in terrible shape when we bought our home. Being first-time homeowners, we were unsure how to tackle the daunting task of improving our yard. We contacted NaturaLawn of America for assistance. Within a week, they were at our home beginning the process of turning our yard around. After 2 weeks we saw significant improvement. We are extremely happy and couldnt be more pleased with the service and dedication that NaturaLawn of America has shown in turning our yard around. We would recommend them to anyone!

Brian Cleland Belleville, IL

The family who built our three-year old house was unsuccessful in two attempts to seed a lawn. Our grass was in terrible shape; but as a mother and pet owner, I was unwilling to load it up with nasty chemicals. Instead, I called NaturaLawn of America. We now have a beautiful healthy lawn that I can feel good about. And my husband touts our organic lawn to anyone who will lend and ear.

Susan Horne Aurora, OH

I wanted to write and let you know how pleased I am with NaturaLawn of America. I had never used a lawn service before. Im against putting more chemicals into the environment, so I decided to see what you could do organically. My lawn was 1 years old builder grade seed on builder soil! It was a lawn in need of some help, but I didnt know how wonderful it could look.Two days ago, my neighbor (who used one of the top chemical lawn companies) sounded a little baffled and asked what I do to my lawn It looks like a carpet! We just smiled and said NaturaLawn of America. Thats when I took a good look at my lawn and everyone elses - our lawn is thick and green. Despite the recent drought, despite our lack of attention to our lawn, and despite its humble beginnings, it is a magnificent piece of work.

Paul & Doris Pavlichek Mount Airy, MD

This is our second year with NaturaLawn of America and I cant say how much we appreciate your work. The yard is awesome!

Don Strei Elk River, MN

Before Mosquito Ranger, we couldnt enjoy our yard. Weve been using them for years, and we still have honeybees and other insects just no mosquitoes. Anthony is a very courteous, dependable and thorough technician.

Tracey M Wilmington, DE

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NaturaLawn - Organic Lawn Care Treatment Company

Below are some of the tasks to undertake over spring and summer:

This is the most obvious (and one of the most important) maintenance task over spring and summer. Mowing regularly keeps the lawn in good health. See our advice on lawns: mowing for more on the different cutting heights and mowing frequencies recommended in spring and summer.

Moss is a problem in damp, poorly drained lawns. Spring is a good time to remedy moss problems. There are several options for dealing with moss in lawns, see our advice on moss in lawns for further detail.

In mid-spring (often late March to April), use a proprietary spring or summer lawn fertiliser at the manufacturers recommended rates. Feeding the lawn will increase vigour and help prevent weeds and moss from establishing. Apply fertilisers when the soil is moist, or when rain is expected.

If grass loses its vigour and freshness between late spring and late summer (often May to August), repeat the application of spring or summer lawn fertiliser or apply 15g per sq m (oz per sq. yd) sulphate of ammonia mixed with four times its weight dry soil. Mixing with soil ensures even distribution and avoids scorching the grass. Apply this mixture in cool, moist conditions and lightly water it in. As an organic alternative, use chicken manure pellets. Repeat fertiliser application a third time if needed six to eight weeks later.

Do not apply spring or summer lawn fertilisers, chicken manure pelletsor sulphate of ammonia after August. They contain too much nitrogen for autumn use, encouraging green leafy growth at the wrong time of year, when it could be damaged by winter cold or pests and disease.

After moss or weeds have been removed, or where grass is growing sparsely, over-seeding may be necessary. Early autumn is the best time for this job, but mid-spring is also suitable.

In heavily used areas, choose a hardwearing utility mix containing ryegrass. Most lawn grasses do not thrive in shade, so for these areas choose a shade-tolerant mix.

Even if lawns turn brown and dry over summer, they usually recover well when rains return. Watering is usually not necessary over summer. See our advice on lawns: care duringdrought for more on limiting damage and conserving water in the lawn.

If you do have to water the lawn and maintain a green sward, water when the soil becomes dry, but before the grass turns yellow or brown. If the ground is very hard, aerate it by spiking with a garden fork before watering, to aid water penetration.

Watering once a week to every 10 days is normally sufficient. Ensure that the water reaches a depth of 10cm (4in) after each watering. In the middle of summer 1 sq m (1 sq yd)needs about 20-litres (5 gallons) every seven days.

Lawns from turf should be left completely un-used for their first week. Lawns from seed should be left un-used until their first mowing. Avoid using new lawns heavily in their first season.

Newly laid lawns can be fed like established lawns. They need watering, but should not be over watered, as this may result in shallow rooting and poor establishment.

For advice on aftercare of newly sown lawns, see our advice on lawns from seed.

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Lawns: spring and summer care/RHS Gardening

The single biggest difference between Lawn Doctor and other lawn care providers boils down to one simple premise: we care more. Its the kind of caring that can only come from being the business owner. One that lives, works, and is a part of the community they serve.Through our lawn care services we create a healthy lawn that you can take pride in.

Why Lawn Doctor?

What our customers are saying

Love this company! They make sure I have the nicest lawn on the block! Plus they spray for mosquitoes which is awesome for events or parties in the summer!

Great customer service. Its nice when you call and the owner actually talks to you. I am so pleased with my lawn seeding and fertilizing. I now have them doing my moms lawn. Highly recommended them.

We went from having the worst looking yard on the block to neighbors asking us who is doing our lawn servicing. They are very responsive to questions and good with problem solving. Highly recommended.

Ready for a greener, more enjoyable lawn? Call today for a free lawn care estimate. Each of our lawn care service experts work to understand the needs of each customer with a comprehensive FREE Lawn Evaluation of his or her landscape or yard.

Once we have determined your lawns problems, we figure out the ideal lawn care solution for you, from a single lawn care treatment to ongoing yard maintenance. Every landscape is different, so we will customize a lawn care solution to address your lawns specific requirements. Lawn Doctors advantage is our local lawn care professionals who know all about your areas specific characteristics, from weather to soil types.

Contact us for a FREE Lawn Evaluation or contact the Lawn Doctor in your area to learn more about our local yard care services.

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Lawn Doctor - Official Site

Having a green lawn is a mark of pride for many homeowners. A beautiful, lush, and natural-looking lawn becomes a big part of how they come to define home.

When you consider your own landscaping options, there might be some decisions on whether to hire professional lawn care or if you can do it yourself. This article will outline some of the basic considerations youll face so you can approach do-it-yourself lawn care with confidence.

Every solid project requires a good foundation. The foundation for a good lawn is the soil in which it grows. If you have soil issues, you will have lawn issues. Perform a soil test for your lawn soil. This will give you valuable information on what your soil has and what you need to add to it.

There are do-it-yourself kits available from some lawn care services or lawn and garden shops. The cooperative extension offices in many states will also test soil for free or for a low fee. Private companies also provide kits and testing for a fee. Once you get the results returned, you will see what you may need to add to the soil in order to get the lawn of your dreams.

The type of grass you have in your yard depends on your location. For people living in the hot areas of Florida and other subtropical zones, St. Augustine is likely the local neighborhood favorite. In other areas of the country, there are additional options. Tall fescue or Bermuda are both popular choices in many areas of the country.

If you are aware of the type of grass you have in your yard and are content with its health and the way it looks, simply learn more about how to treat it well. If you are starting fresh, make sure you select a grass that thrives in your geographic area. One good tip is to locate the best-looking lawn in your neighborhood and initiate a conversation with the owner. They can give you a good idea of what types of seed, fertilizer and watering schedules might also work well in your yard.

Most grasses require at least four hours of sunlight every day. If you have an area that doesnt receive that much sun, you still likely have a couple of options to get the lawn you desire.

Find a seed mix that works well in the shade. Many fescue blends, for example, will work very well for you in the shade. That is great news for people that live further north, as well. In the south, St. Augustine is often the grass selected because it grows well in shady areas.

Planting new grass is actually a simple procedure for most homeowners.

Fertilizing provides your lawn with the nutrients it needs to grow thick and green. In order to fertilize a sizable lawn you will need a spreader. Spreaders come in two varieties: drop and broadcast.

Drop spreaders drop the fertilizer directly below the spreader, while broadcast spreaders drop fertilizer in a pattern out and away from the spreader. Drop spreaders are more accurate while broadcast spreaders cover larger areas in a shorter amount of time.

You should do both during the cooler parts of the spring and fall. In southern states, you can do it in the Spring between February and April. in the Fall, you would look at doing it between October and November. In the northern states, the Spring seeding would be handled from April to early June, while the fall seeding might occur between September and early October.

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