Insects

There are several different species of insects that love to eat the grass on your lawn.  Four of the most common insect pests you will find in your Colorado lawn include:

• Billbugs – a type of weevil.  These usually grow up to a half-inch in length and are slow-moving.  These insects are considered very destructive to lawns.  They feed on grass stems and work their way down to the roots, killing your grass blade by blade.
• White Grubs – these are immature larvae of several species of scarab beetles. These extremely destructive turf pests feed on grassroots just below the soil surface.
• Mites – mites feed on grassroots and blades with their rasping-sucking mouthparts and can damage the grass often to the point of death.  In Colorado Springs, mites are usually found on the south-facing sides of buildings, rock beds, sun-exposed slopes, and pine trees. The mites often feed on the grass from November to March during warm and dry weather.
• Chinch Bugs – Chinch bugs are tiny bugs that can cause major damage to your lawn by sucking your grass blades dry.

How To Prevent an Insect Invasion

The best and most powerful thing you can do to protect your lawn from insects is to make sure it is healthy and continuously watered.  The stronger and fuller your lawn is, the more resistant it is to pest damage.  If the plants and grass in your yard are dry, weak, and under-watered, even a small insect infestation could make a BIG dent in your lawn or garden.

What to do if you discover an insect infestation in your lawn

If an insect problem is discovered, it’s important to continue doing everything you can to keep the lawn healthy by watering consistently and mowing.  An insecticide should be used depending on the type of insect discovered.  Different insects require a different treatment.  This is where The Lawnsmith comes in.  We are well-versed in the common insects found here in Colorado Springs and can recommend the best and fastest solution to eliminate the problem.

If you decide to choose your own insecticide, make sure you follow the instructions very carefully and be extra careful if you have pets or kids who frequent the yard.  Water your lawn after applying an insecticide to help the treatment absorb into the soil.  This will make your lawn safe again, while ensuring the insects below the ground are taken out.

“Burrowers”

In Colorado there are a few burrowing animals that can reap havoc on your lawn like rabbits and voles.  These animals eat your plants and burrow root-destroying tunnels beneath the surface of your lawn which makes it very difficult to maintain healthy grass. 

Preventing Burrowing Pests

Baited or mechanical traps are your best defense against these pests.

Deer

In Colorado Springs, we are no strangers to the effects of deer on our lawns.  Large mammals like deer are known to crush your plants and lawn and will eat your plants and low-hanging branches of your trees. 

Preventing Deer

Preventing these animals from entering your lawn requires a tall fence (at least 8 feet tall) to be placed around the perimeter of your lawn.  If this is not feasible, then there are a few steps you can take to treat the problem.

• Repellant – there are several brands of store-bought repellant you can spray around your lawn to prevent deer from invading.   
• Light – a motion activated light can scare off deer or elk at night.
• Loud noises – Frighten deer away when you spot them with a loud clap or whistle.
• Deer resistant plant varieties- There are many deer resistant plant varieties, which is an excellent solution.

In Colorado, you’re likely to deal with at least one lawn pest or two every year.  But a well-maintained, healthy lawn can take the stress of these pests better than a weak one.  Need a helping hand to keep your lawn growing strong all summer long?  Call the experts at The Lawnsmith to give your lawn a fighting chance against Colorado wildlife!

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Nothing feels better than stepping onto a freshly mowed and beautiful lawn. In Colorado Springs,

Prepping For Your Lawn Care

Before you get going on getting your lawn ready for the spring and summer, we suggest doing the following:

• Sharpen Your Mower Blades

If you want clean cuts and a hassle-free mowing experience all summer, this is something that should be at the top of your list. Dull mower blades will rip and tear your grass which will leave rough, jagged edges. These edges will begin to discolor and could invite diseases into your lawn that can be a pain to get rid of.

• Get a Mower Tune Up

Replacing inexpensive parts like a spark plug or air filter will ensure that your mower is in tip top shape. We recommend doing this every year to save on bigger maintenance costs that could arise because of old parts. It’s a simple job to change these out, and you will notice your mower running smoother once it’s done.

• Put Fresh Gas in Your Mower

When you use a mower that has gas left in it throughout the winter, your putting your small engine at risk. Gas that has been sitting for a long time can gather moisture that causes some serious issues. This is especially true for fuel containing ethanol. We recommend using regular grades of gasoline in your mowers. If you need to dump old gasoline, as your city or county for local disposal sites that take old fuel. Don’t dump fuel just anywhere!

SPRING

Spring is one of the most crucial times of year to get to work on your lawn. In Colorado Springs, your grass is probably starting to show some growth in early spring, so it’s important to be ready for that first cut with the recommendations outlined above. Remember, you never want to cut your lawn when the grass is wet. Always cut a dry lawn. This will prevent lawn diseases and a clogged mower.

Fertilizing 

We recommend fertilizing every six weeks. Start in March for the first application to get things started, and apply pre-emergent weed control at the same time.  Fertilize every six weeks after that, ending in October with the last fall application.  The fall application is important because cool weather grasses go dormant over the winter months and store energy in their roots for use in the spring.

For the best results, closely follow the application directions on the product you select for this process. You should plan to spend about $50 to $75 per application for an average 1/4-acre lot.

Aeration

In Colorado, aerating is very important! What is it? The process of aerating punches small holes in your lawn so water, fertilizers, and oxygen reach grass roots. Aeration is a beneficial way to keep your lawn healthy.  It helps control thatch, improves the soil structure, helps create growth pockets for new roots, and opens the way for water and fertilizer to reach the new root zone of your lawn. It is always best to pick a day to aerate when the soil is damp, but not soaked, so the aeration machine can work efficiently.

Pre-emergent Herbicides

Springtime is the best time to treat your lawn with a pre-emergent herbicide. Using a pre-emergent herbicide is the most effective way to control weeds in your lawn. Have no worries, these types of herbicides pose no danger to your desirable plants. They simply kill the weeds in your lawn permanently which leads to less manual labor on your part to keep your lawn weed-free.

Pre-emergent herbicides work by soaking into the mulch/soil when properly watered. They create an invisible barrier in the soil which stops weeds from germinating. Another benefit is that they also kill newly germinated seeds that have not grown into an actual weed yet.

SUMMER

Here is a good mantra to guide you through the heart of grass-mowing season: The taller the grass, the

deeper the roots, the fewer the weeds, and the more moisture the soil holds between watering. With

that in mind, here’s how to ensure a healthy, green lawn:

• Set your mower blade height to 3 inches.
• Deep and infrequent watering is better for lawns than frequent sprinkles, which promote shallow root growth. In general, lawns need about 1 inch of water per week.

Lawns that receive less than that will likely go dormant. The grass in a dormant lawn is still alive and should still receive at least 1 inch of water per month. Your grass will green up again when the weather brings regular rains.

Here are some other useful summertime lawn maintenance tips:

• To check sprinkler output, scatter some pie tins around the yard to see how much water collects in a specific amount of time. Having a rain gauge will also help you keep track of how much water the lawn receives naturally.

• It is our recommendation to clean underneath your mower to prevent spreading lawn diseases once a month.
• Although it’s OK to leave grass clippings on the lawn where they can decompose and nourish the soil, remove large clumps. It is also important to regularly rake up any leaves, twigs, and debris so your lawn my breathe throughout the summer.

EARLY FALL/FALL

Fall is the best time of year to patch any bare sports. Cooler temperatures help in this process so take advantage! To ensure a good patch, follow these steps:

1. Remove any dead grass.
2. Use a garden trowel to break up the soil.
3. Add about an inch of compost and work it into the soil.
4. Add grass seed that is designed for shade, or sun, depending on the patch location. Spread the seed as evenly as you can across the bare patch.
5. Use a hand rake to work the seed into the soil to about an inch deep.
6. Water the patch several times a day until the new grass becomes at least an inch tall.

Throughout the rest of the fall, the most important maintenance for your lawn is to keep it free of leaves and other debris. Feel free to compost your leaves and twigs for your lawn, but always remove any big clumps that can cause your grass to die. Here in Colorado, we recommend giving your lawn another round of fertilizer in the fall. Your grass will store nutrients in its roots as it goes dormant over the winter months. This will give you a nice jump start in the spring when the ground begins to heat up again.

Maintaining your lawn throughout the year can seem like a daunting task to some. That’s where The Lawnsmith can step in to eliminate the work for you and your family. It’s never too late to give Keith a call at (719) 499-8873 to get your lawn on the right track! We can help you keep your yard looking great year-round with our Colorado Springs residential lawn care services.

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When to Fertilize Your Colorado Springs Lawn

Lawns in Colorado Springs respond well to an application of fertilizer five times a year. Each of these feedings is essential to the proper development and maintenance of a healthy turf. The following is a brief summary of what each feeding will do for your lawn.

Keep in mind that The Lawnsmith will fertilize your lawn at the correct times throughout the year if you are using them for residential lawn care or commercial lawn care! This way you don’t have to keep track of feedings ever!

Because of the differences in the environment and climate in Colorado Springs, these are some general recommendations. The color of your turf will help tell you when to fertilize. A properly fertilized lawn will be a uniform, dark green throughout. Yellowed or stunted turf needs to be fertilized.

Early Spring (March-April)

In the Spring, the roots begin growing before the leaf blades do. Fertilizing in the Spring will deliver more nutrients to this root system and help strengthen it for the coming growing season. A Springtime feeding will also green-up the lawn after being dormant over the Winter.

If Spring storms bring some snow (remember that The Lawnsmith removes snow and ice throughout the Winter and Spring) you’ve got a great base of moisture upon which to start your fertilization schedule!

Late Spring and Early Summer (May-June, July-August)

Prior to the onset of the hot Summer months, one more application is recommended. Fertilizing at this time is to strengthen the lawn for the hot, dry weather ahead and to help keep its green color. Remember, these cool season grasses actually go semi-dormant in the Summer. A fertilizer with a slow-release nitrogen source and slightly higher potassium is recommended in early Summer.

As your fully-fertilized green lawn grows and prospers, remember that the Lawnsmith provides the very best residential lawn care and commercial lawn care in Colorado Springs!

Early Fall (September)

As soon as the weather cools, another feeding will help replenish nutrients used up and help the lawn recover from the effects of summer stress. The grass will be growing at a faster rate again and will benefit from a fertilizer similar to what was used in the Spring.

Fall – Winter (November-December)

This application is actually the most important one throughout the year. As in Spring, when the roots begin growing before the grass blades, the roots in the Fall continue to grow a few weeks after evidence of top growth comes to a halt.

Again, as in the Spring, the roots will be able to utilize more of the available nutrients. This feeding will also help get your lawn off to a fast start in the following spring.

Summary

Fertilizing is critical for a healthy lawn and the timing and scheduling of applications makes a world of difference. Contact the Lawnsmith today to learn more about proper lawn care in Colorado Springs. Our commercial and residential lawn care packages INCLUDE fertilization!

Give us a call today to get your lawn looking beautiful!

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Start with Referrals

Personal recommendations are always best. If you don’t have a friend’s experience to guide you, see what others have to say. The Lawnsmith has an extensive list of references available upon request, many of them area available to talk on the phone so you can hear for yourself from a satisfied customer.

Experience is of Great Value

The reliability of longevity is always a plus. When a company has been around for years, it proves they are doing something right. The Lawnsmith has been a thriving growing business for many years. The Colorado Secretary of State has public records that let you know how long any business has been in operation and if they are in good standing with the state of Colorado. Visit these links to learn more https://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/BusinessEntityCriteriaExt.do

Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Make sure the firm you elect is trusted and verified by the Colorado Springs BBB. The BBB is a trusted resource and have been helping consumers identify trustworthy businesses for over 100 years. Businesses are awarded a letter grade (A+ through F) based on 17 important factors. Grades cannot be bought by The Lawnsmith or any other company. These grades represent BBB’s degree of confidence that the business is operating in a trustworthy manner and will make a good faith effort to resolve any customer concerns filed with the BBB. http://www.bbb.org/southern-colorado/business-reviews/landscape-maintenance/lawnsmith-inc-the-in-colorado-springs-co-4954491

Responsiveness and Communication

How quickly does the company return your call and follow-up with your initial requests? This is a very strong indicator of custom service and response time over the long-term.

Conclusion

We hope you select the Lawnsmith for your commercial maintenance, residential lawn care, commercial snow removal or parking lot sweeping. Regardless of which company you select, these tips will help you make the right choice.

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Watering is Not Enough

Watering and mowing alone will not make a healthy lawn. It must be fertilized. We recommend fertilizing five times annually at six week intervals. There are 16 different mineral elements necessary for the proper growth of all lawns. The three elements that are of most importance and used in greatest quantities by your lawn are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Nitrogen Is Important for a Healthy Lawn

Nitrogen is by far the element needed most by your lawn. It promotes root and blade growth and is responsible for the healthy green color of the grass. Without enough nitrogen, your lawn will grow slowly and become yellowish. With too much, a lawn will grow too rapidly causing thatch build-up that can lead to disease problems. Nitrogen is also the element used up the quickest, and it is only sufficient to supply enough nutrients for about 30 to 45 days.

Phosphorus for Healthy Lawns

Phosphorus is less important than nitrogen but is still necessary for the proper development of a lawn. Phosphorus helps the early formation and growth of roots. This is why starter fertilizers have a higher percentage of phosphorus. Established lawns need very little phosphorus because it is not flushed from the soil as readily as nitrogen.

The Complete Fertilizer

A complete fertilizer is one that contains all three of these major elements. A fertilizer bag will have a set of three numbers, for example, 18-6-12, printed on it. This series of numbers represents the percentage, by weight, of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contained in the bag. A 50 lb. bag of fertilizer with a “Guaranteed Analysis” of 18-6-12 will have 18% or 9 pounds of nitrogen, 6% or 3 pounds of phosphorus, and 12% or 6 pounds of potassium.

Get the Ratios Right

On established lawns, The Lawnsmith recommends the use of a fertilizer with a ratio of 3:1:3 applied at a rate of about one pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn per application. From the example above, a 50 pound bag with an analysis of 18-6-12 will cover approximately 9000 square feet (9 lbs. of nitrogen x 1000 sq. ft. = 9000 sq. ft.).

Fertilizer Comes Before Water

When fertilizing your lawn, start before you water. Using either a broadcast or drop spreader, apply one-half of the recommended amount in one direction then spread the remaining half at right angles to the first.

Conclusion

When using fertilizers, or any other chemicals on your lawn, follow the directions closely or you could do more harm than good. Over fertilization not only accelerates growth but can burn your grass. Contact The Lawnsmith for quality fertilizer applications and lawn care. Watch your lawn thrive in beautiful Colorado Springs.

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