Landscaping Houston, Landscape Houston, Paver Patios Houston
Houston Landscape
General Lawn Care
How should I mow my lawn?
Mowing, an aspect of home landscaping we are all probably familiar with is the mechanical cutting of growth from turf to maintain a neat, even appearance. Most people use 21-inch rotary cut mowers.
Houston Landscape Images recommends mowing be done weekly during the months of March - September and as needed during the months of October - February in the Houston area.
Mowing can be done at a height of 2"to 3". Houston Landscape Images cuts at 2 1/2" to 3 " depending on the season and type of grass we are maintaining.
Mower blades should be sharpened at least twice each year. We sharpen our blades weekly!
Grass should be cut in a pattern that will highlight the turf to drive-by traffic. Patterns shall be rotated as to prevent rutting of the turf. Whenever possible set your sprinklers to NOT water for the day prior to mowing as to minimize the chance of causing "ruts."
Try to avoid pausing in one area with the blade engaged, as this leaves an unsightly ring.
Grass clippings can be left on the turf as long as the grass is dry and the turf is not too long. Grass that is wet or too long leaves "clumps" that can damage your lawn. Under the right conditions, however, many of the new "mulching" mowers work well. They recycle the clippings, returning nutrients to the soil, increasing humus in the soil and promoting healthy lawn growth. Leaving clippings behind does not add to the thatch layer.
Always stop your mower when a pedestrian or child approaches your area.
Don't mow your lawn when the ground is too wet as this may cause soil compaction and permanent ruts in your lawn.
What about edging?
Edging is the mechanical cutting and removal of new growth from the edges of turf or ground covers. It is accomplished using power edgers with blade guards and hand held power string trimmers.
Houston Landscape Images recommends edging of turf every time you mow the lawn.
String trimmers can be used on "soft edges," those edges of turf that run along a mulched bed. A power edger should be used on all "hard edges," those turf edges that are next to concrete, sidewalks, or curbs.
All turf should be edged, alternating between the soft edges one week and the hard edges the next. Tree wells should be edged with a string trimmer every other week. Ground cover is edged as needed.
Always wear ear, eye and hand protection while edging.
How do I get rid of thatch buildup?
Thatch is a dense mat of accumulated roots and stems between the soil and the visible green vegetation. Often several inches thick, thatch prevents the penetration of oxygen, fertilizers and water down into the soil where they are needed. Thatch also creates a breeding ground for fungus and insects that destroy lawns.
A Thatcher is a home landscaping tool can be used to remove the thatch buildup. This is a power rake with rotating combs that quickly break through the thatch, allowing oxygen, water and nutrients to get to the root system and allowing sunlight to penetrate to the soil. It is a violent, mechanical, hard raking that removes thatch and debris. The best time to power rake a lawn is late summer or early fall, because the combination of warm soil and cooler air will allow the turf to recover and spread. Power raking combined with fertilizer and additional seed will produce a healthier, more beautiful lawn!
Another possible solution is regular aeration of the turf. This works to prevent thatch buildup, but does little to remove a thick layer of thatch.
How and when should I aerate my lawn?
Aeration is the process of mechanically removing plugs of soil (5/8" by 2") every 6-8 inches. This allows a number of beneficial things to happen with the turf:
Releases gases from the soil, letting oxygen in.
Increases the amount of water to the soil and plant.
Stimulates new root growth.
Helps control harmful thatch buildup.
Allow fertilizers and nutrients to move faster to the root.
Relieves soil compaction caused by traffic and equipment.
Reduces water runoff on slopes and hills.
Next to fertilizing your turf on a regular basis, aeration is the most beneficial thing you can do to improve the health of your lawn.
Late summer and early fall is a good time to aerate your lawn. It is the optimum season for turf to recover and spread due to the warm soil and cooler air temperatures.
What about fertilizers for my lawn?
Normal turfgrass growth requires a balance of 16 essential elements. A deficiency in any one of these nutrients can interfere with normal plant growth. The three most important (and most familiar) nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are the elements described by the numbers you may see on the side of a bag of fertilizer. These numbers describe the percentage of each nutrient that can be found in that particular mix. For example, 10-6-4 fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 6% phosphorus, and 4% potassium. You can also think of these numbers as representing how many pounds of each nutrient would be present in a 100-pound bag of that fertilizer mix.
Nitrogen is responsible for enhanced shoot growth and density, plus a darker green color.
Phosphorus promotes root growth and seed production.
Potassium helps with disease resistance, heat, cold and drought tolerance by regulating the absorption and retention of water.
Treat your lawn with an organic based fertilizer, similar to a 10-6-4. It should contain iron and other micronutrients to provide a balanced healthy diet for your turf. We recommend that you fertilize your lawn 4-6 times per year, applying a total of about 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per year.
What should I do about lawn pests?
Pests can be a serious problem in your lawn. Common lawn pests include molds, fungi, insects or weeds and each must be treated differently. Many pests take advantage of a weak, dry, or under-fertilized lawn. Regular fertilization and proper watering techniques should prevent most problems. We recommend an IPM approach to pest management to protect your turf and the environment. Contact Horizon or your local licensed professional for proper remedial care of your lawn if you believe pests are already present.
What is Integrated Pest Management or "IPM"?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a pest-free landscape. The traditional response to pests has been to apply chemical pesticides. These methods can eliminate pests, but they are costly and potentially hazardous to people, pets and the environment. Advances in landscape technology have led to a new approach to managing pests: Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The IPM theory views the landscape holistically, rather than only focusing on annihilating all pests.
By taking into account all aspects surrounding the landscape, pests can be reduced with less reliance on pesticides. The integrated approach to controlling problems combines appropriate plant choice - selecting varieties of plants that are not prone to pests or disease good gardening practices - carefully following planting instructions for each species preventive measures to avoid problems sensible use of pesticides only when warranted by serious pest or disease attack.
At the heart of IPM is regular monitoring of the property and keeping records after each visit. Observation of a problem early on could prevent it from spreading and, in some cases, a simple pruning procedure or spot treatment may solve the problem. Customer involvement is also important, because proper watering practices and notification at the first sign of any plant abnormality are crucial to successful pest management.
All pests will not be eliminated from any garden, as some are actually beneficial because they prey on other insects. It is when pest populations increase and become a nuisance that we intervene. But using the principles of IPM we can control pests, protect our environment, and save our clients money.
When methods are used correctly, IPM is the most efficient and economical method of pest control for the lawn and landscape.
If you are planning a landscape project, large or small, give us a call. We can assure you that we will be committed to the creation of a unique, long lasting, outdoor living area for your home! Give us a call today at 281-340-9206 or fill out our online request for an appointment. We service the entire Houston metropolitan area as well as San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. Become our Facebook Fan or share this page with your facebook friends. Share
Mowing, an aspect of home landscaping we are all probably familiar with is the mechanical cutting of growth from turf to maintain a neat, even appearance. Most people use 21-inch rotary cut mowers.
Houston Landscape Images recommends mowing be done weekly during the months of March - September and as needed during the months of October - February in the Houston area.
Mowing can be done at a height of 2"to 3". Houston Landscape Images cuts at 2 1/2" to 3 " depending on the season and type of grass we are maintaining.
Mower blades should be sharpened at least twice each year. We sharpen our blades weekly!
Grass should be cut in a pattern that will highlight the turf to drive-by traffic. Patterns shall be rotated as to prevent rutting of the turf. Whenever possible set your sprinklers to NOT water for the day prior to mowing as to minimize the chance of causing "ruts."
Try to avoid pausing in one area with the blade engaged, as this leaves an unsightly ring.
Grass clippings can be left on the turf as long as the grass is dry and the turf is not too long. Grass that is wet or too long leaves "clumps" that can damage your lawn. Under the right conditions, however, many of the new "mulching" mowers work well. They recycle the clippings, returning nutrients to the soil, increasing humus in the soil and promoting healthy lawn growth. Leaving clippings behind does not add to the thatch layer.
Always stop your mower when a pedestrian or child approaches your area.
Don't mow your lawn when the ground is too wet as this may cause soil compaction and permanent ruts in your lawn.
What about edging?
Edging is the mechanical cutting and removal of new growth from the edges of turf or ground covers. It is accomplished using power edgers with blade guards and hand held power string trimmers.
Houston Landscape Images recommends edging of turf every time you mow the lawn.
String trimmers can be used on "soft edges," those edges of turf that run along a mulched bed. A power edger should be used on all "hard edges," those turf edges that are next to concrete, sidewalks, or curbs.
All turf should be edged, alternating between the soft edges one week and the hard edges the next. Tree wells should be edged with a string trimmer every other week. Ground cover is edged as needed.
Always wear ear, eye and hand protection while edging.
How do I get rid of thatch buildup?
Thatch is a dense mat of accumulated roots and stems between the soil and the visible green vegetation. Often several inches thick, thatch prevents the penetration of oxygen, fertilizers and water down into the soil where they are needed. Thatch also creates a breeding ground for fungus and insects that destroy lawns.
A Thatcher is a home landscaping tool can be used to remove the thatch buildup. This is a power rake with rotating combs that quickly break through the thatch, allowing oxygen, water and nutrients to get to the root system and allowing sunlight to penetrate to the soil. It is a violent, mechanical, hard raking that removes thatch and debris. The best time to power rake a lawn is late summer or early fall, because the combination of warm soil and cooler air will allow the turf to recover and spread. Power raking combined with fertilizer and additional seed will produce a healthier, more beautiful lawn!
Another possible solution is regular aeration of the turf. This works to prevent thatch buildup, but does little to remove a thick layer of thatch.
How and when should I aerate my lawn?
Aeration is the process of mechanically removing plugs of soil (5/8" by 2") every 6-8 inches. This allows a number of beneficial things to happen with the turf:
Releases gases from the soil, letting oxygen in.
Increases the amount of water to the soil and plant.
Stimulates new root growth.
Helps control harmful thatch buildup.
Allow fertilizers and nutrients to move faster to the root.
Relieves soil compaction caused by traffic and equipment.
Reduces water runoff on slopes and hills.
Next to fertilizing your turf on a regular basis, aeration is the most beneficial thing you can do to improve the health of your lawn.
Late summer and early fall is a good time to aerate your lawn. It is the optimum season for turf to recover and spread due to the warm soil and cooler air temperatures.
What about fertilizers for my lawn?
Normal turfgrass growth requires a balance of 16 essential elements. A deficiency in any one of these nutrients can interfere with normal plant growth. The three most important (and most familiar) nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are the elements described by the numbers you may see on the side of a bag of fertilizer. These numbers describe the percentage of each nutrient that can be found in that particular mix. For example, 10-6-4 fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 6% phosphorus, and 4% potassium. You can also think of these numbers as representing how many pounds of each nutrient would be present in a 100-pound bag of that fertilizer mix.
Nitrogen is responsible for enhanced shoot growth and density, plus a darker green color.
Phosphorus promotes root growth and seed production.
Potassium helps with disease resistance, heat, cold and drought tolerance by regulating the absorption and retention of water.
Treat your lawn with an organic based fertilizer, similar to a 10-6-4. It should contain iron and other micronutrients to provide a balanced healthy diet for your turf. We recommend that you fertilize your lawn 4-6 times per year, applying a total of about 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per year.
What should I do about lawn pests?
Pests can be a serious problem in your lawn. Common lawn pests include molds, fungi, insects or weeds and each must be treated differently. Many pests take advantage of a weak, dry, or under-fertilized lawn. Regular fertilization and proper watering techniques should prevent most problems. We recommend an IPM approach to pest management to protect your turf and the environment. Contact Horizon or your local licensed professional for proper remedial care of your lawn if you believe pests are already present.
What is Integrated Pest Management or "IPM"?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a pest-free landscape. The traditional response to pests has been to apply chemical pesticides. These methods can eliminate pests, but they are costly and potentially hazardous to people, pets and the environment. Advances in landscape technology have led to a new approach to managing pests: Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The IPM theory views the landscape holistically, rather than only focusing on annihilating all pests.
By taking into account all aspects surrounding the landscape, pests can be reduced with less reliance on pesticides. The integrated approach to controlling problems combines appropriate plant choice - selecting varieties of plants that are not prone to pests or disease good gardening practices - carefully following planting instructions for each species preventive measures to avoid problems sensible use of pesticides only when warranted by serious pest or disease attack.
At the heart of IPM is regular monitoring of the property and keeping records after each visit. Observation of a problem early on could prevent it from spreading and, in some cases, a simple pruning procedure or spot treatment may solve the problem. Customer involvement is also important, because proper watering practices and notification at the first sign of any plant abnormality are crucial to successful pest management.
All pests will not be eliminated from any garden, as some are actually beneficial because they prey on other insects. It is when pest populations increase and become a nuisance that we intervene. But using the principles of IPM we can control pests, protect our environment, and save our clients money.
When methods are used correctly, IPM is the most efficient and economical method of pest control for the lawn and landscape.
If you are planning a landscape project, large or small, give us a call. We can assure you that we will be committed to the creation of a unique, long lasting, outdoor living area for your home! Give us a call today at 281-340-9206 or fill out our online request for an appointment. We service the entire Houston metropolitan area as well as San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. Become our Facebook Fan or share this page with your facebook friends. Share
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