Best lawn care pros near Cullowhee, NC

When spring arrives, it’s best to hold off on mowing until temperatures have consistently reached a temperature of at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Attempting to mow grass that hasn't fully thawed from its winter dormancy can harm the delicate blades. Ensure your grass is dry before mowing and aim to mow when the grass is about three to four inches tall, trimming no more than one-third of the grass blade's height at a time. This timing encourages healthy growth and prevents shock to the grass, preparing your lawn for a happy, healthy growing season.

Yes, watering after you level a lawn is essential. Water helps settle the soil, eliminating air pockets and encouraging the newly-applied topdressing to bond with the existing surface. Adequate watering aids in achieving a smoother and more even lawn surface. However, be sure to avoid overwatering, which could lead to soil erosion or compaction issues.

Signs of an overwatered lawn can be visual, physical, or related to pests and weeds. Visually, the grass may appear yellow, wilted, patchy, or thin instead of green and lush. You might also notice the presence of mushrooms, other fungal growths, or an increase in weeds like crabgrass. Physically, the soil may be waterlogged, soggy, and perpetually damp. An overwatered lawn often feels mushy or makes a squishing sound underfoot, even several hours after watering. Additionally, you may see an increase in pests such as grubs. To prevent overwatering, ensure your lawn has proper drainage through periodic aeration and adjust your watering schedule to meet its actual needs.

The first step is killing any current nutgrass plants, either through application of herbicides or sugar, by digging up the plants and rhizomes, or by using soil solarization. To discourage new nutgrass plants from forming, ensure proper landscape drainage and bring shade into areas of the lawn that are consistently damp.