Lawn Care Tip of the Day: Compaction

Check for Compaction

If your lawn is subjected to high levels of traffic year after year, it may eventually start to show signs of decline. In such cases, your lawn is probably suffering from compaction. For instance, the presence of moss plants signals compaction (among other things).

Lawn aeration is the remedy for compaction. The good news is that RRR Lawn & Landscape is just a phone call away. The bad news is we recommend postponing lawn aeration until fall. But if, during your "spring lawn checkup," you become aware of compaction, at least you can plan on setting aside some time in the fall to take care of it.

Raking - Spring Lawn Care Tip of the Day from RRR Lawn

Raking will be your first task of spring lawn care. Okay, I can hear the groans coming from all lands near and far, wherever grassy carpets are cultivated: "But we already raked leaves in the fall!" Sorry, but raking is for more than just removing leaves: it's for controlling thatch, too. A thatch build-up of more than 1/2 inch is considered excessive.

Thatch is the reason why I recommend that, when you rake leaves in the fall, you make the effort to rake deeply. Don't just skim the surface, so as to remove the leaves. A deep raking will remove thatch, too, allowing you to kill two birds with one stone. Even if you followed this advice in fall, I still recommend a spring raking: it will remove grass blades that died over the winter -- dead blades that are just waiting to become thatch!

But there's often another good reason for a spring raking. As you survey your lawn in spring, see if there are any matted patches, in which the grass blades are all stuck together. This can be caused by a disease known as "snow mold." New grass may have difficulty penetrating these matted patches. But a light raking will be sufficient to solve this problem.

Just when you should perform any of these spring lawn care tasks will depend upon the climate of your own region. But Mother Nature provides palpable cues in some cases. For instance, when you're pretty sure the snow season (if you have one) is over in your region, begin raking. Applying pre-emergent herbicides (see Tip #6) should be done sometime between the time the local forsythia bushes stop blooming and the time the local lilac bushes begin blooming.

Landscape Design Services in Grand Rapids

When it's time for a change you can count on RRR for all your Landscaping dreams, design, and installation. From a renovation to that landscape you have always wanted, RRR is the right choice for quality.

Keep your lanscape looking neat and healthy with our Landscape Management Services. Count on RRR to keep your beds in order, ornamentals pruned, dormant trees pruned, and everything looking good. We take pride in our attention to detail and the quality look to our work.

Grand Rapids Lawn Care Tip of the Day!

Don't Scalp Your Lawn!

Leaving the lawn a little longer during hot dry weather helps shade and protect the root system. It can also reduce moisture loss. Increase the height of cut on your mower to at least 2.5 inches.

6 Tips for Keeping Your Grand Rapids Lawn Healthy and Green This Summer

6 Tips for keeping your lawn nice and green this summer!


1. Be careful not to overwater. Overwatering produces shallow roots, making it more vulnerable to heat or pests.

2. The besttime to water is early morning, because less water is lost to evaporation.

3. The worst time to water is in the evening, when too little water is lost to evaporation. Diseases are more likely to develop in a wet lawn.

4. Raise that mower and let grass blades grow to 3" in height. Taller blades have deeper roots. Also, higher blades provide more shade for soil, and shade also has the benefit of stunting the growth of weeds.

5. Maintain the lawn, watching for weeds. Weed growth can increase thanks to the heat. Weeds tend to be more resilient.

6. Give the lawn 1 to 2" of water once a week. As a rule of thumb: Running sprinklers for one hour provides 1 inch of water to the area it covers, two inches in two hours, etc.


Rather have a pro take care of your lawn? Call 616-893-5765 for a free estimate!

10 Tips For a Healthy West Michigan Lawn

We are looking forward to seeing some nice green lawns around Grand Rapids this year!  Here are 10 tips for a healthy West Michigan lawn!

1. Apply pre-emergent weed control over entire lawn
2. Apply post-emergent weed control as needed
3. Fertilize lightly
4. Inspect for insects and diseases (this is the time of year they begin to be active) check early for signs of damage
5. Look for abnormalities in the lawn
6. Treat as necessary
7. Consult an expert
8. Routine Maintenance
9. Mow, trim, and adge lawn areas as needed
10. Water when needed. Both drought and over watering can create serious problems

Front Yard Landscaping Tips - Grand Rapids Landscaping Tip of the Day from RRR Lawn

Design for front yard landscaping ideas and plans for backyards usually have different purposes. Most front yards generally follow a purpose of accessibility and invitation. It's where we enter and leave are homes but spend very little time. So usually most of the thought process goes into creating walkways and driveways. Then the design is created around that.

Creating front yard curb appeal is a good idea for adding value, a sense of invitation, and to frame the picture of your home. But you shouldn't have to spend a lot of your budget creating landscaping ideas for most front yards. A simple functional design works best. Then, since the backyard is where most people spend most of their time, you can spend more energy and money on the back.

Is Weed Fabric Necessary? - Grand Raids, MI Lawn Care Tip of the Day

Yes, always, if using decorative landscape stone or other aggregate to cover your landscape beds.  Definitely No, if using mulch because the mulch itself will suppress weeds when maintained at the proper depth.  Weed fabric is unnecessary with the use of mulch in planting beds and often times becomes exposed after the mulch degrades and not reapplied properly.  

Contact RRR Lawn & Landscape if you would like help getting your landscaping up to par!

Why Mulch? - Landscaping Tip of the Day from Grand Rapids based RRR Lawn & Landscape

Mulch helps retain moisture in planting beds, regulates soil temperatures throughout the season, and suppresses weeds.  And obviously is environmentally friendly as it is biodegradable product. 

Want an estimate on getting mulch installed in or around Grand Rapids, MI?  Visit www.rrrlawn.com

Maintaining Your Lawn Saves Your Time and Money

It reduces erosion. A well-maintained lawn not only slows the flow of rainwater, allowing it to filter and return to groundwater,but it also prevents topsoil from being carried away. With the latter, the dense root network is able to hold the soil in its place.

A healthy lawn will improve your air quality - RRR Lawn & Landscape Tip of the Day

It improves air quality. Healthy grass not only traps carbon, but also releases oxygen, and prevents topsoil from being blown away and into the air. This is even more beneficial with the more grass you have.

Lawn Care ROI: RRR Lawn & Landscape Tip of the Day

Proper Lawn Care Increases Your Property Value. A healthy lawn is usually not something most people consider when putting their home up for sale, but it can go a long way in improving your home's chance of being sold for a decent price. Fixing up your lawn before putting it on sale can add as much as 14% to property value and speed the sale up by 6 weeks.

What does your lawn mean to you?

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."

Lawn Care ROI: RRR Lawn & Landscape Tip of The Day

It's less expensive to maintain a properly cared for lawn. Not only do you end up with fewer weed problems, but also fewer pests and diseases as well. Keeping is consistently healthy and trim saves you from spending exorbitant amounts of repair fees later on.

RRR Lawn & Landscape Tip of the Day: Fertilizing

Fertilizing provides your lawn with the nutrients it needs to grow thick and green.  We found this great article on fertilizing and would like to share it with you:

Lawn Fertilizer

An Overview of Fertilizers:

The subject of lawn fertilizer, for many people, can be a confusing one. Most of what your lawn needs can be found naturally in the soil. However, its growth will suffer if any of the essential nutrients are missing from the soil your grass is growing in.

Just as people take vitamins to supplement their nutritional diet they receive from their food, grass needs its own food to stay at its best and greenest.

The three main ingredients in fertilizer which will help your lawn, regardless of the type of grass you own, are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. If your soil has a deficiency of any of these essential ingredients, you should seriously look into fertilizing your lawn. Whether you choose to have this professionally done or not is up to you.

What is important is that you buy a fertilizer with enough of these active ingredients to make a positive impact on the overall growth and health of your lawn. Let’s take a look at what these three main ingredients do to foster growth.

First and most importantly of all, nitrogen keeps your grass a healthy, vibrant green, and keeps your grass dense and thick. This is a sure sign of a healthy lawn. The healthier your lawn is, the better it will be able to naturally fight off bugs and other pests, reducing the amount of time and money you would otherwise need to spend on pricey and messy pesticides which can actually do damage to your lawn and surrounding plant life.

The second ingredient, phosphorous, nutritionally supports strong grass roots, the base of your lawn. Potassium also helps strengthen roots as well as the blades of grass, enabling it to endure during cold weather and dry seasons. All major fertilizers will have some combination of these three compounds to ensure a healthier lawn.

When you buy fertilizer at the store, the packaging will indicate with numbers the amount of each of these three main ingredients that are present. They are numbered in the order listed above: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.

For example, a reading of 15-10-8 would indicate a presence of fifteen percent nitrogen, ten percent phosphorous, and eight percent potassium. Knowing what your grass needs or has a deficiency of will help you to determine what kind of fertilizer to buy.

Learn as much as you can about the condition of your grass before you buy. Some of the things to consider are time of year, type of grass seed, how new your grass is, the climate you live in, and the type of soil present in your yard. For example, since potassium helps grass to endure cold weather, a potassium rich fertilizer would be best applied in the ensuing months before winter comes.

A ph test can help you determine the exact condition of your lawn and soil. Ph test kits can be found at the home and garden section at your local store, and at most department stores everywhere.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer For Your Lawn:

Besides the three basic ingredients that can be found in fertilizer, fertilizer comes in four different ways: synthetic compounds, organic compounds, liquid, and granular.

Granular compounds are useful if you want a slow release treatment or a quick release treatment. They are by far the most popular and best selling fertilizers on the market. Most of the time, they come dry in bags, and can easily be spread and applied by hand. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.

Time release, or slow release granular fertilizer is a solution for those who only want occasional treatments for their lawns, giving it a time span of two to six months on average to do its work and get the desired results.

Fast release is less expensive and is best applied during the fall before winter sets in. However, be careful not to use too much, as this can cause chemical burns to the grass, killing it. Also, with this treatment, you will want to make sure your lawn gets plenty of water.

Liquid fertilizer, on the other hand, provides immediate nutrients to the roots and grass, and is applied by using a nozzle attachment on your hose, and the concentrated chemicals are mixed with water for an even coating.

This type of fertilizer is more expensive and requires more treatments than the granular method. Synthetic fertilizer is purely chemical based and is produced in the laboratory using artificial ingredients. As with the liquid treatment mentioned above, the results are immediate, but the same cautions apply: apply carefully, not too much so as to avoid burning the grass, and water liberally.

Organic fertilizer is made up of dead plant and animal life, and usually some sort of manure. This tends to be a slow release method, as the nitrogen is released over time as the organic materials break down slowly.

This type of fertilizer can be applied by using a seeder, by raking, or by hand, and usually has a strong foul smell associated with it because of the presence of manure in the mixture.

The most important factor in choosing a fertilizer is getting the right combination of nutrients to the soil at a rate of speed conducive to growth. You should also consider your budget and how much you can afford to spend, as well as the amount of time and work you wish to spend fertilizing your yard, the number of applications, and so forth.

Ask any home and garden associate at your local store for recommendations based on your findings after the ph soil test. This is the best way to make an informed decision and to avoid wasting your time and money.

The best investment in a good lawn fertilizer will be that which is based on solid facts about what your lawn needs and what your lawn already has in abundance. With any fertilizer treatment, be sure to water your lawn often, especially during any dry spells.

When carefully selected, this supplement of nutrients will give you a richer, fuller, greener lawn that you can enjoy all season long.

Read the full article at: http://www.lawncare.org/lawn-fertilizer/ 

How Much Sunlight Does Grass Need? - RRR Lawn & Landscape Tips

Most grasses require at least four hours of sunlight every day. If you have an area that doesn’t receive that much sun, you still likely have a couple of options to get the lawn you desire.  Call us for some great pointers: 616-893-5765

How To Perform a Soil Test: Lawn Care Tip of the Day

We came across a great article on how to perform a soil test and would like to share it with you. 

SOIL TESTING

What is a Soil Test?

A soil test is a process by which elements (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, manganese, copper and zinc) are chemically removed from the soil and measured for their "plant available" content within the sample. The quantity of available nutrients in the sample determines the amount of fertilizer that is recommended. A soil test also measures soil pH, humic matter and exchangeable acidity. These analyses indicate whether lime is needed and, if so, how much to apply.

Why Do You Need A Soil Test?

Encourages plant growth by providing the best lime and fertilizer recommendations.

       
When growers guess about the need for lime or fertilizers, too little or too much is likely to be applied. By using a soil test report, the grower does not need to guess.

       
For Example: When applying too much lime, soil pH may rise above the needed level, which causes nutrients such as iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc to become less available to plants. It is also common to see homeowners purchase one bag of lime when they purchase one bag of fertilizer. Based on an average lawn size of 5000 square feet, one bag of fertilizer may be enough. Applying one bag of lime over 5000 square feet, however, will have little effect on soil pH.

    
Diagnoses whether there is too little or too much of a nutrient.
    
Promotes environmental quality.
           
When gardeners apply only as much fertilizer as is necessary, nutrient runoff into surface or ground water is minimized and natural resources are conserved. 

     
Saves money that might otherwise be spent on unneeded lime and fertilizer.
      
           
For example, growers of flue-cured tobacco often routinely apply phosphorus. In areas where soil levels are high in phosphorus, a soil test could save these farmers up to $60 per acre.  
     
Soil sampling analysis is a free service for any grower in North Carolina.



Taking a Good Sample

A soil sample must be taken at the right time and in the right way. The tools used, the area sampled, the depth and the correct mix of the sample, the information provided, and packaging all influence quality of the sample.

    Time it right.

        Take a soil sample a few months before starting any new landscaping-whether your laying sod, starting a vegetable garden, putting in a flower bed, or planting perennials. If the soil test report recommends lime, you will have enough time to apply it and have it adjust the soil pH before you plant.

        Sample established areas-lawns, trees, shrubbery, and other perennials-once every three or four years. You can sample at any time of year; however, mid-August through mid-September is an ideal time to take samples for cool-season grasses, such as fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass. By sampling at this time, you can be ready to apply lime in the fall.

        For areas recently limed or fertilized, delay sampling at least six to eight weeks.

    Use clean sampling equipment.

        Use a soil probe, spade, hand garden trowel, or shovel to collect samples. Do not use brass, bronze, or galvanized tools because they will contaminate samples with copper and/or zinc.

        Mix samples in a clean, plastic bucket. If the bucket has been used to hold fertilizer or other chemicals, wash it thoroughly before using it for soil samples.

    Sample each unique area separately.

        Each sample should represent only one soil type or area-for example, a lawn, vegetable garden or perennial landscaped area (Figure 1). For each unique area, take at least six to eight subsamples and combine them to make one sample. If one area of your yard seems healthy and another has bare or yellow areas, sample healthy and unhealthy areas separately even if both are lawn grasses or flower gardens, etc.


sampling pattern graphic

Figure 1. Unique areas to sample in a home landscape.


     
Take a soil core to the appropriate depth.
          
For lawns, sample to a depth of four inches, excluding any turf thatch.

           
For vegetable and flower gardens, sample to the depth that you plan to mix in lime or fertilizer, usually four to six inches.

           
For shrubbery, remove any mulch or surface debris, then sample to a depth of four to six inches around the base of plants. Avoid zones where lime or fertilizer have been recently applied.
     
Mix sample cores well.
           
Place all the subsamples for one unique area in a plastic bucket and mix thoroughly. Use the mixture in the bucket to fill a soil sample box about two-thirds full. Look for the fill line on the box.
    
 Fill out an information sheet and label the sample box completely.
          
Get your sample boxes and information sheets from Cooperative Extension offices, agribusinesses, regional agronomists, or the Agronomic Division laboratory. Use permanent ink or pencil to fill out forms and label boxes.
         
If you just want routine lime and fertilizer recommendations, then fill out a Soil Sample Information Sheet (form AD1) and send it with your samples.

          
 If you suspect existing nutritional problems and want the problems diagnosed, complete a Diagnostic Soil Sample Information Sheet (form AD2) instead.

           
Give each sample a unique identifier of up to five letters and/or numbers. Put this identifier on both the information sheet and the sample box. Choose an identifier that will help you remember the area it corresponds to, such as FYARD, BYARD, ROSES, or GRASS.

           
Be sure to list the existing plants and/or the plants you are planning to grow. You must include the crop code(s) in order to receive lime and fertilizer recommendations. Codes are listed on the back of the information sheet. Code 024 applies to all vegetable garden crops and 026 to all lawn grasses except centipedegrass, which is coded as 022.
     
Package the sample appropriately.
          
 Put the soil mixture in the sample box. Do not tape the box or put soil in a plastic bag. If you are sending several sample boxes through the mail, pack them carefully in a sturdy container. Do not send samples in a manilla envelope. Mail samples to the Agronomic Division laboratory at the address on the back of this publication.
             



Receiving the Soil Test Report

Soil samples are usually analyzed within one week of the time they are received. However, from late fall through early spring, processing may take several weeks due to the heavy sample influx from farmers at this time.

When testing is complete, a report is mailed to the homeowner and a copy is immediately posted on the internet at
http://agronomy.agr.state.nc.us/

A cover sheet and a crop-specific note are sent with the report. The cover sheet explains the technical terms and index values. The note provides extra details on fertilizer application schedules and rates for specific kinds of plants.

Information about soil tests and their interpretation is also available on the internet at
http://www.agr.state.nc.us/agronomi/sthome.htm

Consult an agricultural advisor for more help on sampling, interpreting soil test results, and understanding how to implement them. 

For the full article, please visit: http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/soiltest.htm 

Lawn Care & Landscaping Tip of the Day from RRR Lawn & Landscape

When you consider your own landscaping options, there might be some decisions on whether to hire professional lawn care?

TORNADO WARNING IN EFFECT FOR AREAS OF WEST MICHIGAN

Be safe out there if you are in Grand Rapids or the surrounding areas as we have a Tornado Warning in effect!  For more updates or to check the status of the warning, please visit: www.woodtv.com

Happy Spring Grand Rapids!

Today made it appear official.  Spring is here, Grand Rapids.  I hope everyone enjoyed this nice taste of spring.  Did you dust off your grills and cook up some amazing steaks and burgers?  Keep RRR Lawn & Landscape in mind this spring season when you are looking for general lawn care and maintenance or landscape design.