Tag Archives: lawncare

When is the Best Time to Renovate Your Lawn?

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For many homeowners, the lawn is the pride and joy of the property. It enhances the exterior of the house and can provide a welcoming atmosphere and lots of curb appeal. So what do you do if your lawn isn’t in the best shape? Renovate, of course! What exactly does that mean? Learn more about lawn renovation from the experts at Lola’s Landscape.

What is Lawn Renovation?

Lawn renovation is much like home renovation – all you’re doing is improving the condition without damaging or removing existing structures or vegetation. If left for too long unattended, a lawn can quickly go from lush and healthy to brown, thin, and dry. Lawn renovation is useful for yards that have at least 50% coverage already. Otherwise, you’ll be looking at a more start-from-scratch lawn situation. One of the best times to do a lawn renovation is the fall season since it will help prepare the lawn to withstand the winter and be ready to thrive in spring.

So, how do you start renovating?

Test the Soil

A soil test will quickly reveal your soil’s pH levels, as well as the presence of certain plant nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. Ordering a test kit is easy. Usually, they can be ordered through your county extension service, a system that offers agriculture and community-based services. For around $10, they’ll send you everything you need to test your soil. Once you know what your soil is lacking, you’ll be able to choose the right fertilizer for your lawn.

Clean and Aerate

As mentioned above, early fall is a great time to start renovating the lawn. Make sure that during this time you keep the lawn free of leaves and other organic debris. One of the things you should pay special attention to is thatch, a layer of dead grass that sits on top of the soil and the living grass blades. Ideally, this layer should be less than half an inch thick, but if you’re finding it to be thicker, you should pull it up when you rake. Clearing up this debris will ensure that your lawn gets the sunlight and nutrients it needs.

Additionally, aeration is an important part of this process. With a specialized machine, dirt will be pulled up in cores to increase drainage and loosen the soil. Removing some of the soil allows the grassroots to grow deeper into the soil, where they can access more nutrients. This will help the grass to grow in much thicker.

Seeding

Once your lawn is clear from debris and you know the pH of the soil, you can begin reseeding the lawn. Early autumn is the perfect time for this: the soil is still warm from the lingering summer heat, and the cooler air will help the grass flourish. Weeds are fewer at this time of year, as well, so there is less competition for the grass. By the time the cold winter hits, the seeds will have germinated and taken root and will be stable enough to withstand low temperatures.

Massachusetts Lawn Renovation 

Are you ready to create your dream yard? Hiring a landscaping professional is the best way to get started. Lola’s Landscape has the expertise and materials to create the lawn of your dreams. Get in touch with us today to get started!

How to Keep Your Grass Green All Year!

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Having a lawn with healthy, green grass can make the difference in enjoying your outdoor living space, or avoiding it altogether! There are several easy ways to help maintain your green grass. Here are some tips from the experts at Lola’s Landscape to help you enjoy a green lawn all year round!

Be sure to choose a grass variety that works best in your yard

You may or may not be aware there are various types of grass. Different types of grass will grow best under particular conditions. There are types that thrive the best in cooler temperatures, and others that need more sunlight. A helpful tip for success is to determine the correct type of sod and figure out which varieties are appropriate for your area, and furthermore receive information about various types to help make a final variety of grass.

Test your soil

You should use a soil test kit to test your soil for things like nitrogen, phosphorus, and pH levels. Knowing this will help you discover any deficiencies that could possibly hinder you from attaining a healthy green lawn. There are certain products that can be added to boost your soil if it is missing key nutrients, thus creating an ideal environment for healthy grass. Mulching, leaving grass clippings on your lawn, keeps your soil moist and prevents weed growth as an environmentally friendly way to care for your grass if you do not want to use chemicals on your lawn.

Water thoroughly, but do not overwater

A common mistake among homeowners is overwatering the lawn. If you are starting a lawn from the seed you will water it often because it will need time to germinate and sprout. If you are starting from sod , be sure you do not overwater the lawn.

It is advised that you water your lawn deeply a few times a week to encourage deep root growth.

Watering lightly daily encourages the roots to stay close to the soil which makes your lawn more vulnerable to heat and in a time of a drought. Also, it is best to water early in the morning, and try not to water the lawn at night, or you may experience prolonged moisture which may cause disease.

Do not mow the lawn too short

Mowing a lawn too short actually causes the lawn to become unhealthy, and causes more maintenance in the long run. Mowing the lawn the day after watering helps your lawn heal.

Aerate your lawn in the Spring and Fall

Aeration, the process of penetrating small holes on the surface of your lawn, allows water, nutrients, and air access to the roots and also creates better draining to prevent runoff.

For the best results for a healthy green lawn, hire a landscaping professional who can guide you to the best grass and plan of care for your lawn. For landscaping near Franklin, MA, call Lola’s Landscape today!

Spring Yard Cleanup Checklist

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Spring is one of the most important times of year to make sure you are properly maintaining the health of your lawn. A spring cleanup is essential to setting yourself up for a beautiful outdoor living space once the nice weather is here! Whether you are attempting this yourself or hiring a professional landscaper to take care of your cleanup, here’s what you need to make sure you’re doing.

Removing Debris

There is always significant debris leftover from winter, whether or not there were a lot of storms. High winds cause branches, sticks, leaves, and other debris to pile up across your grass. Along with being unsightly, without removing the debris you will not be able to take any further steps to improve the health of your grass. Removing this debris reveals your grass underneath and leaves clear space for planting & mulching.

Dethatch

Spring is the time of year to dethatch your lawn. Detatching means removing the layer of weeds, dead grass, and roots that accumulate on the lawn’s surface throughout the year. Lawns should be dethatched at least once per year. Spring is a good time for this because following the dethatching, you can start planting!

Seeding & Planting

Spring is the time to plant the seeds for summer & fall! Go over your grass with fresh seed to have a luscious green lawn once the warm weather is here. Plant whatever you want to see bloom in your edges where you will place mulch.

Mulch & Edging

Mulch is like the finishing touch of your spring yard cleanup. Mulch comes in a variety of finishes, including dark, natural wood, and red stained. Keep in mind that more natural stains of mulch will best keep their color throughout the season.

Professional Spring Yard Cleanups

Although they are necessary and rewarding, spring cleanups are also arduous and overwhelming. Instead of taking the task on yourself, hiring a landscape professional will take the weight off your shoulders and ensure a job well done. Lola’s Landscape is happy to provide spring cleanups and more expert landscaping services to homes and businesses in Franklin, MA & beyond. To schedule your spring cleaning, please call us today at 774-248-4584!

Landscape Ideas to Enhance Curb Appeal

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Creating curb appeal for your home can add value to your home and also give you more of a relaxing place to come home to. Many people want the comfort of a great curb appeal, and this can be done with a relatively low budget. Professional landscaping services can help you to make your dreams of updating, increasing value, and giving you a relaxing home a reality.

What are landscape ideas to enhance curb appeal? Some of the best ways to improve the curb appeal of your home are done by professional service. These include manicure of shrubs and bushes, investment in a beautiful cement or another material walkway, and to update your entry space with paint, plants, and even a new patio or porch. This guide will list the best options for updating the curb appeal of your home.

Update Hardscapes

Stone and gravel walkways are a great way to update your curb appeal. Also, adding stone-walled outdoor kitchens and patio space can help to combine the beauty of the outdoor front space of your yard with the architecture of your house. Make sure to consult a professional about the options your area holds and consider the possibilities that will maximize that space.

Add Lighting

Lighting at the front door is crucial. No one wants to step up in the night to a dark doorway. Upgrading that light can add appeal from the curb. Also, lighting that goes throughout the yard and highlights some of the best features of the yard can give a park atmosphere to your yard and increase nighttime curb appeal. Finally, lighting up your walkway can help with safety and can be a selling point for people looking for a house with better access.

Refresh Mulch

Mulch and wood chips as landscaping are a great idea. However, mulch has a lifespan and can get old and even mold. Refresh the color and even smell of your yard. A refreshing aura of your yard will let people experience your upgrade upon visiting your home.

Lawn

Always keep your garden mowed and fertilized. This will keep it neat and green. Thick grass is very highly sought after in most neighborhoods and adds curb appeal immediately. Hiring a weekly landscaper to take care of your lawn is the best way to stay on top of your yard and not let it get out of control.

Hiring a landscaping professional can help you to imagine, create, and maintain your curb appeal in the front of your home. Reimagine the front of your home and update with things like hardscape projects and new mulch. Then, maintain your front with lawn care and mulch replacement occasionally. For help with refreshing your curb appeal, contact Lola’s Landscape today at (774) 248-4584.