Author: Service Choice

Although crabgrass and other weeds seem to appear out of nowhere, they don’t just start growing overnight. Crabgrass can easily overwhelm a lawn, which means you need to stay vigilant and prevent it from growing so that it won’t take over your lawn. Here’s what you need to know about crabgrass, and how you can prevent it from overwhelming your yard.

What Is Crabgrass?

Crabgrass is an annual, very unattractive weed that typically enters Florida lawns through bare spots. It features a coarse texture and strange variation in color, so it always sticks out in a lawn.

Crabgrass germinates whenever soil temperatures are ideal, with peak germination near 65 degrees. It drops seeds during the summer and early fall, and the seeds remain over the winter, germinating in the spring as temperatures rise. Summer is the prime season for crabgrass, as it flourishes during the hot months and begins to outcompete the rest of your lawn. Preventing crabgrass—and getting it under control if it’s already taken hold—is essential in maintaining a lush, healthy lawn.

Preventing Crabgrass in Your Lawn

The best way to prevent crabgrass is with eco-friendly pre-emergent treatments, like the ones the lawn care experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control offer. Evergreen’s lawn care professionals understand the optimal time and soil temperature for applying these pre-emergent in the spring. We also recommend a pre-emergent application heading into fall as soil temperatures start decreasing to prevent other broadleaf weeds from germinating.

Some of the other effective ways to prevent crabgrass from taking over your lawn include:

• Avoid Mowing Too Short. Mowing your lawn too short can help crabgrass spread since it takes root in thin, bare patches of lawn. Mow to the proper height for the type of grass you have, usually at a height between 1-4”.
• Water Regularly. Crabgrass thrives in dry, hot conditions, so you should give your native grass the best chance of survival by ensuring it stays moist in the warm seasons. Water regularly, ensuring the soil is evenly moist.
• Use Mulch. Mulch is a helpful natural remedy against the spread of crabgrass. Simply apply a layer of mulch in bare patches of lawn—or in areas where crabgrass has already taken hold—to smother any weeds. Just make sure no mulch is covering any plants you want to protect.
• Use Boiling Water. If you have isolated patches of crabgrass in your lawn, douse them with boiling water. The hot water will kill the crabgrass, allowing you to reseed the area with seed of your native grass type.

Optimize Your Lawn With the Help of Service Choice of Oakland Park

Crabgrass can quickly ruin an otherwise great-looking lawn. The best way to prevent crabgrass, along with other weeds, diseases, and insects, is by relying on help from the lawn care experts at Service Choice of Oakland Park. We’ll create a customized treatment program that ensures you get optimal results from your lawn. Call us today at (954) 568-9955 to get started!

Maintaining a healthy, gorgeous lawn is a delicate balancing act, especially when it comes to watering. Grass that’s too thirsty can wither and die, while grass that’s overwatered can lead to wilting, along with diseases like fungus and root rot. Following proper watering habits can keep your grass in perfect health. Here are our top four watering tips to ensure your West Palm Beach yard stays lush, healthy, and green—while keeping your water bills low.

1. Don’t Water Every Day

Watering a South Florida lawn every day is unnecessary, even during the hottest periods of the year. Natural rainfall can take care of most watering needs, but in times of severe heat and drought—or if you’re dealing with a new lawn—remember that you shouldn’t water every day. Instead, water twice each week. When your grass turns a dull green color, and when footprints remain visible after walking across the lawn, it’s generally safe to water the grass.

2. Keep Watering Sessions Short

Most South Florida lawns only need about ½-inch of water during a watering session. While this can be hard to measure, there’s an easy way to determine how long to leave your sprinklers on to apply a thorough watering.

Simply gather some empty tuna cans and place them around your sprinkling zone. You can determine how much time lapses until the water level reaches ½-inch in the can. For most sprinklers, this usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes.

3. Water in the Early Morning

According to the University of Florida, the best time to water a South Florida lawn is early in the morning, ideally before 10 a.m. If you water later in the day, much of the moisture is lost due to excessive evaporation. Even watering later in the morning can be detrimental to a lawn, extending the time it’s naturally wet from dew. This extended dew period often leads to diseases that can quickly spread in your grass.

4. Monitor Your Sprinklers

While many Florida counties have licensed irrigation system installers, sprinkler systems are prone to damage and failure. If you suspect your irrigation system is inefficient or ineffective, reach out to your preferred irrigation company. No matter the condition of your system, make sure you’re checking it periodically for clogs, damage, leaks, and other issues.

Get the Most From Your West Palm Beach Lawn

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to maintaining a lush, healthy lawn. From proper watering to preventing insect infestation and disease, caring for your grass can seem like a full-time job. Service Choice of West Palm Beach is ready to help you achieve the trophy lawn you’ve always dreamed of. Our comprehensive lawn care service program ensures you get the best possible results for the health of your lawn. Call us today at (561) 734-9269 to schedule your free consultation!