If you’re looking for tips on how to make your lawn look its best, you’ve come to the right place! Creating and maintaining a beautiful lawn doesn’t have to be complicated; it just requires hard work and knowledge of the proper steps. In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the necessary steps for achieving an attractive, healthy lawn that will remain vibrant year-round. From basics such as mowing and fertilizing to more complex practices like aeration and overseeding, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about caring for your green space so it looks its best. Keep reading for our helpful guide on improving your lawn’s quality – let’s get started!

Get to know your soil- start by testing the pH level of your soil and adjust it as necessary with amendments to improve your lawn health.

Before you start planting, getting to know your soil is essential. Your soil’s pH level is crucial to your lawn’s success. It measures the level of acidity or alkalinity in the soil, which directly affects the nutrients the grass absorbs. Testing the pH level is simple and can be done with an inexpensive soil test kit at your local garden center. Once you know your soil’s pH level, you can adjust it as necessary with amendments to improve the health of your lawn. Whether you need to decrease or increase the pH level, a variety of organic soil amendments are available to help ensure your grass is getting the nutrients it needs to thrive. By testing and adjusting your soil’s pH level, you’ll be on the path to a full and healthy lawn.

Keep weeds away without harsh chemicals to improve your lawn health- use natural remedies like vinegar and salt.

Maintaining a healthy lawn is a gratifying task. Still, it can be challenging when it comes to dealing with pesky weeds that invade your space. Using harsh chemicals may seem like a quick fix, but they can harm the environment and cause long-term damage to your lawn. Fortunately, natural remedies can be just as effective in keeping weeds away. Vinegar and salt are two easily accessible items you can use to eliminate unwanted plants. Both are environmentally friendly and highly effective herbicides that work by altering the pH levels of the soil, making it unsuitable for weed growth. Using natural remedies like vinegar and salt can keep your lawn lush and free of unwanted plants without harming the environment.

Select the right grass for your climate- make sure your grass doesn’t die off during the summer or winter. This can improve your lawn health.

When maintaining a healthy lawn, selecting the suitable grass for your climate is key. With the extreme temperatures and weather conditions that come with the summer and winter months, choosing a type of grass that can withstand the conditions is essential. Selecting the wrong grass for your region can result in dead patches, discoloration, and an overall unhealthy lawn. Choosing the appropriate type of grass for your climate ensures that your lawn stays healthy and vibrant throughout the year. Take the time to do some research and consult with a professional to determine the best type of grass for your region. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in your lawn’s long-term health and appearance.

Invest in a lawn mower that can handle your terrain- Sharpen its blades regularly for better cutting performance.

When it comes to lawn care, having the proper equipment is essential. Investing in a lawn mower that can handle your specific terrain will make the job easier and produce better results. From hilly landscapes to rough and rocky patches, there is a mower out there that is specifically designed to tackle it all. However, neglecting blade maintenance can lead to less-than-ideal cutting performance even with the best equipment. Blunt or misaligned blades can cause uneven cuts and make your lawn look patchy and unkempt. Regularly sharpening your mower blades will not only ensure a clean and even cut but also prolong the life of your mower. So, whether you have a small suburban lawn or acres of land, investing in the right equipment and performing regular maintenance will lead to a beautiful and well-manicured lawn.

 

Water your grass- deeply but infrequently to promote deep root growth.

Watering your grass can be a balancing act, but it’s essential to do it right if you want your lawn to stay healthy. One key thing to remember is that you want to promote deep root growth for your grass, which means watering deeply but infrequently. When you water your lawn in this way, the water penetrates deeper into the soil, encouraging the grass to develop strong roots that can reach down and access more water and nutrients. Shallow watering can lead to weaker roots and make your lawn susceptible to drought and other stresses. So if you want a lush, green lawn that can withstand the rigors of summer heat and dry spells, ensure you’re watering deeply but less often, and give those roots a chance to grow nice and strong.

Maintain a regular mowing schedule- Keep the grass from getting too tall. It will lead to an uneven cut and uneven blade lengths.

Maintaining a regular mowing schedule is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn. Letting the grass get too tall can lead to an uneven cut and uneven blade lengths, which can be detrimental to the overall health of your grass. Regular mowing ensures that all parts of the blade receive equal sunlight and nutrients. The longer the grass blades, the less sunlight, and nutrients the lower parts of the blade receive. Keeping your lawn at the proper height also prevents it from becoming a breeding ground for pests and insects that can damage your grass. So, mow your lawn frequently and keep those blades at the proper length to ensure a lush, healthy lawn.

The cold Albuquerque winters have an effect on lawn pests. Insects, burrowing animals, rodents and reptiles look for food, water, warmth and places to nest. As temperatures plummet, you may notice pest activity in your lawn, garden and home. If you see signs of pests, call the experts at Red Shovel Landscape Services to implement pest control strategies to prevent a dangerous infestation.

Common Winter Lawn Pests

There are several common winter yard pests in Albuquerque:

• Ants.
• Termites.
• Spiders, scorpions and centipedes.
• Snakes and other reptiles.
• Grubs and other destructive larvae.
• Burrowing animals, including gophers, rock squirrels, rats and mice.

Although all living creatures fill a niche in the ecosystem, some become pests when they threaten people and their living spaces. Some critters carry diseases. Others are host to fleas and ticks that pose health hazards. Pests are often attracted to the warmth and food of the indoor environment, shifting from the cold outdoors to your cozy living space. The licensed pest control specialists at Red Shovel Landscape Services are trained to identify and safely remove pests.

Ants

There are hundreds of ants species in New Mexico. Ants contribute to soil health by aerating and mixing components of subsurface earth. However, they can turn from garden assets to pests. Fire ants form colonies ranging from several hundred to thousands of individuals. When disturbed, they attack in numbers and can inflict multiple stings.

Termites

Termites build huge colonies underground and connect their nests to feeding places. You may notice disturbed earth, small mounds or clay tunnels near your home. Outside, termites feed on plant material, such as bark, dead tree limbs and leaves. However, if their subterranean passageways go into your home, they can cause extensive damage before you know they are there.

Spiders, Scorpions and Centipedes

These pests usually seek out places away from human activity. Spiders prefer dry, dark places. Centipedes nest in leaves, under rocks, in decaying humus or moist areas. Scorpions need warmth to survive. In the winter, scorpions may migrate from outdoor nests into your living space.

Snakes

Snakes are common around Albuquerque. Although most are harmless, rattlesnakes and coral snakes are poisonous. Snakes like cool, dark places to nest, such as stacked wood piles, tall grass, shrubs and crawl spaces. You may see holes in your lawn that are entryways into their nests. Snakes feed on rodents and other small animals. Keeping rodents away removes a primary food source. Our pest control specialists know how to identify and remove snakes safely from your home.

Grubs and Larvae

Grubs and other larvae can significantly harm your yard. Grubs hatch below the surface of the soil and feed on grass roots. In the winter, they burrow into soil and remain dormant until spring, when they migrate back to the surface and again feed on grass roots. Signs of grubs include brown patches in the grass or turf patches that are easy to dislodge. Birds, skunks, raccoons or rodents scavenging on the grass may be feeding on grubs. Our pest control experts will identify the type of larva and provide an eradication plan.

Burrowing Animals

Albuquerque is home to gophers, rock squirrels and several types of rodents that may find your lawn an attractive place to winter over. If you see mounds of earth, animal droppings around your home or the actual critter, call immediately. Gophers can do extensive damage before you are aware they are there. Rock squirrels have fleas that carry bubonic plague. Rodents multiply quickly, spread diseases and are attractive food for other wildlife, including snakes.

Tell-Tale Signs of Lawn Pests

Signs of lawn pests include:

• Dry, brown or barren patches in turf.
• Ant and termite hills that suggest subterranean insect activity.
• Mounds of dirt from burrowing gophers or squirrels.
• Overturned trash cans or strewn rubbish that indicated raccoons or skunks.

If you have a pest problem, call the professionals at Red Shovel Landscape Services.

Our Pest Control Services

Keeping your lawn in good condition is the first step in controlling lawn pests. Weed control, seasonal tree trimming and regular lawn maintenance keep unwanted critters from nesting in your outdoor space. We have served residents in Albuquerque and nearby communities since 2004. We are a licensed landscaping contractor, offering an array of lawn care services to keep residential properties attractive, healthy and well cared for.

Our services focus on minimizing harm to our natural environment while keeping your property attractive, pest-free and safe. We use eco-friendly pest solutions whenever possible. When more robust treatment is needed, we use products approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Call today for a quote by phone, Zoom or in person. With our care, your lawn will winter over safely, providing a healthy, attractive outdoor space to enjoy when spring arrives.