The start of the spring season is the perfect time to think about irrigation and celebrate all things lawn, so it’s appropriate that April is National Lawn Care Month! Besides looking good, healthy landscapes are good for the environment.
A healthy lawn:
- Helps clean the air and water. A well-cared-for yard acts as a natural air cleaner, trapping dust and pollutants, and reduces runoff of soil and pollutants into streams and storm sewer systems.
- Cools the air. Studies have shown that grass lawns can be 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 20 degrees cooler than dirt areas.
- Improves the quality of life. Green neighborhoods help you stay healthy. One study found that even looking at plants and trees through a window reduces stress and blood pressure. Research indicates that neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and well-maintained yards have lower crime rates. A well-tended yard also encourages a more active lifestyle.
- Increases housing value. Houses with healthy lawns sell for more and sell faster than those without. In a 2012 study, 63 percent of those surveyed said they would pay more for an apartment or house with green spaces — twice as many as those who would pay more for convenient shopping or attractive cultural venues.
Now is a good time to review some tips to ensure you have a healthy lawn:
- Spring is time to fertilize. In April, conditions and temperatures are right for fertilizing. Test the soil to see which nutrients are required. Remember, more isn’t always better — it is possible to over-fertilize, which can harm, or even kill, your lawn.
- Don’t stress over weeds. It’s nearly impossible to have a totally weed-free lawn. But the best defense against weeds is a healthy, thick lawn. To cut down on weeds, water deep to nourish the grass to crowd out and eliminate the weeds before they have gone to seed.
- Make sure you water right. Proper irrigation leads to a beautiful lawn. Water in the morning or evening when there will be less evaporation and the water will be able to soak in. Water deep every few days rather than a little every day.
To help water right, look to the irrigation specialists at Challenger Irrigation to get your National Lawn Care Month off to a great start! We’ve been a trusted source for residential and commercial sprinkler and irrigation services for over 20 years in the Spring Hill, Hernando County and Tampa Bay Area. Call to schedule an appointment today!
