At Lawn Squad of Southeastern Massachusetts, we realize that the key to a healthy (and happy) lawn is more than just having a professional service. Yes, utilizing a lawn care service is crucial to the health of your overall lawn. However, successful results require more than just what we do; it also involves the customer doing their part to make sure lawn care maintenance is done correctly and at the right time.
Lawn Squad has put together an easy-to-follow lawn maintenance timeline to ensure you do your part to complement our lawn service program and make the most of your investment.
Spring – The Time Of Renewal
Spring has arrived, and it is time for your lawn to wake up and green up! This usually occurs from March – May here in Southeastern Massachusetts. This is also the time to perform seasonal maintenance to clear the way for a healthy grass stand.
Checklist items for Spring:
- Clean up any lawn debris later in March – early April. This could be any sticks from storms or inclement weather, or any additional leaf buildup that occurred during the winter. Clearing the debris will allow the turf to breathe and accept sunlight, moisture, and any vital nutrients and weed controls applied during your Spring lawn care treatment(s).
- Best practices on watering your lawn are to water deeply but infrequently, which is usually 1-3 times/week. The goal is to hydrate the turf 1-1.5 inches total weekly, ideally in the early morning (4-8 AM) to encourage deeper roots, help prevent fungus and disease, and conserve water.
- Mow the lawn for the first time of the season. Make sure to mow the grass high to avoid damage.
- Here at Lawn Squad of Southeastern Massachusetts, we like to suggest the proper mowing heights: For healthy grass, mow cool-season types of grass, which are prevalent here in New England (like fescue) to 2.5-4 inches, keeping it taller (3-4 inches) in summer for heat protection. Remember to always follow the one-third rule (1/3), cutting no more than one-third of the grass blade’s height at once to prevent stress, and consider mowing higher for better weed control and drought tolerance.
- Depending on the condition of your lawn, Lawn Squad may suggest treating any bare spots with aeration and overseeding from March to May.
Summer Lawn Maintenance Tips:
- Summer (June-August) is the time to raise the mowing height to 3-4 inches to help shade the soil during extreme heat and humidity and to reduce drought stress.
- During July and August, we recommend watering your turf deeply but infrequently to reduce the chance of fungal growth. These totals equal approximately 1 to 1.5 inches per week; this amount will encourage deep root irrigation. Make sure to water in the AM, not the PM.
- Be on the lookout for any signs of grubs in the lawn during the summer months.
Fall Lawn Maintenance is One Of The Most Important Seasons For SE Massachusetts Lawns:
- Autumn is the best time to schedule core aeration or core aeration with overseeding to address bare or thinning spots, and to encourage a thicker stand of grass.
- Keep fallen leaves picked up to ensure proper ventilation and air/water exchange for your grass and soil.
- Perform your final mow of the season (usually in November).
Winter Lawn Maintenance: Protection During Dormancy
- To keep your lawn in top shape all winter, it is important to be aware of practices that could damage your turf. These include minimizing foot traffic during the season and avoiding mowing dormant, frozen, or frosty grass.
- Frozen grass becomes brittle, and walking on it or mowing it can crush the crown, leading to dead patches and even increased soil compaction, blocking the air and water needed to feed the dormant roots of your lawn. In extreme cases, extensive winter damage to the grass can also lead to potential fungal issues down the road.
- Be mindful of your turf when snow and ice are present, as de-icing agents are applied to sidewalks and/or walkways around your lawn. Most de-icing compounds contain sodium chloride, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride. These agents can draw moisture from your grass’s roots and leaves, causing a host of problems, including dehydration, stunted growth, and even death. Utmost care should be taken to keep these products away from your turf when using them.
- Read more in our blog: Lawn Squad Of Southeastern Massachusetts Shares Essential Winter Lawn Care Tips To Ensure A Happy & Healthy Lawn
Successful Lawn Care Results Are A Team Effort!
At Lawn Squad of Southeastern Massachusetts, our goal is not only to provide local professional lawn care services but also to share best practices and helpful tips during each season to keep your lawn healthy and happy year-round.
Learning more about the services at Lawn Squad of Southeastern Massachusetts is easy. You can either call us at (774) 840-5329, or fill out a simple online contact form. A member of our team will reach out to you and provide you with a complimentary quote. Being on the way to a healthy, vibrant turf is just a call or click away.
We would love to hear from you – and your lawn will thank you, too!
