Lawn care in Bradenton takes know-how and finesse.
The foundation of any great Bradenton landscape—and any great Bradenton landscaping company—is a lush, green lawn. It’s one of our area’s biggest pleasures, but also one of our biggest pains.
When your grass is flourishing, it’s easy to feel proud of yourself for doing everything right. Look at you with your green thumb!
But when your yard starts browning, growing weeds, or developing bald spots, you might feel bewildered and frustrated.
Don’t fret. Start with the basics. When it comes to growing the best Bradenton lawn, a little knowledge goes a long way.
Know Your Grass
The first thing you need to know when caring for your lawn is what exactly you’re caring for. Different grasses species have different needs. (Check out this handy summary of the best grass species to grow here.)
How you proceed will be contingent on the type of lawn you’re dealing with.
Water Wisely
Irrigation is a biggie. We can always count on Florida sunshine, but rain is a little more fickle. (For instance, our area is currently experiencing a prolonged winter drought.)
How much to water: Thirsty grass shows signs. It will start to look a little grey, and it won’t bounce back as well when you walk on it.
That being said, there’s such a thing as overwatering, too. One of the biggest mistakes we see in the landscaping biz is people watering too much. When your lawn is perpetually soaked, you’re actually hampering growth and leaving your yard open to disease. Plus it’s expensive! If your lawn is so wet that puddles are forming and water is running down the street, then you’ve overdone it.
How long to water: Lots of property owners are desperate to water every day. But our grass isn’t that delicate. A better approach is to water for a longer period of time, and then let it be for at least a day or two (even longer in the winter). This practice will encourage your grass’s roots to grow deeper, which gives your lawn strength and resilience.
When to water: Another mistake? Watering late in the day. When your yard is wet in the evening, it will stay overly damp overnight. That’s because there’s no sunshine to trigger evaporation, which is needed to remove any moisture that the grass doesn’t absorb itself.
Mow Like a Pro
Ah mowing, the never-ending battle to keep our lawn from becoming a jungle. As we look forward to another busy mowing season, keep a few things in mind.
Height matters: Different grass species need to be trimmed to different heights. And if your grass has gotten long, don’t try to chop it all the way down in one go. You’ll stress the plants.
Keep it sharp: Sharp mower blades cut better (duh). Clean cuts are better for the grass.
Let it dry: Wet grass inhibits your mower from cutting properly.
Don’t bag: Those clippings are fine where they fall. They’re nature’s fertilizer.
Fertilize Responsibly
Even your yard needs some healthy nutrition now and then. But fertilizing can be tricky. Not only can improper fertilization harm your lawn, but it can be bad for the environment.
Test first: We know it’s tempting to just buy a bag and start strewing, but your soil’s components dictate what you need to add and what you don’t. (Ask your friendly local landscaper or contact the Manatee County extension office for information about testing your soil.)
Take the winter off: Our grass isn’t really growing during winter, so fertilizing then is a waste of money.
Spread neatly: You want even coverage. What you don’t want is fertilizer on paved surfaces or within 10 feet of a body of water.
Hire Bradenton Landscaping Companies for Top-Notch Lawns
We get it. Just keeping up with mowing is a trial most of the year in Bradenton. Landscaping companies make your life 100 times easier while also ensuring the best possible results for your lawn. Give Big South a call or email today!
