Do you have questions? We're here to help!
The look of my lawn is starting to decline. What conditions cause this to happen?
There are four cultural/environmental conditions that can cause your turf to decline.
1. Excessive Moisture- weeds tend to do well under wet conditions including dollarweeds, crabgrass, & nutsedge to name a few.
2. Inadequate Moisture- grass is not receiving enough moisture to be able to thrive and grow; weeds that do well in this dry condition are Brazil pusley, Alexandergrass, & spurge.
3. Insufficient Sunlight- grass needs sunlight for healthy growth; some weeds that do well in lowlight conditions include jewgrass and other winter broadleaf weeds.
4. Mowing Lawn Too Low- grass that is cut too low becomes weak and also affects growth since there is less leaf surface to make the sugars needed for growth; thinned out grass is also a great place for weeds to get re-established in your lawn.
These are just a few of many factors that could be affecting your lawn. Feel free to call us to find out more.
How much and how frequently should I be watering my lawn?
There are many factors to take into consideration when determining how much and how frequently to water your lawn. This includes turf type, condition, soil type, slope, type of irrigation system, season, watering restrictions, etc.
Ideally, your lawn should be receiving at least one inch of water per week, but this can vary. For example, water requirements are more in direct sunlight and warm weather. You should also be careful not to overwater or underwater since both can cause unhealthy root development.
For best results, watering should be done in the early morning or evening since at these times it is generally cooler, more humid, and less windy. Watering at those times should decrease the amount of water loss from evaporation. At these times water pressure may also be higher, adding to the overall operating efficiency of your irrigation system.
If you have any questions regarding the watering of your lawn, feel free to reach out to us!
What is the general care of Bermuda and Zoysia grasses?
The general care of warm weather grasses, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, requires slightly different care than cool weather grasses. This includes mowing at a height of 1-2.5 inches weekly from green up in the spring until dormancy in the fall, watering 1 inch per week from late spring until fall, fertilizing with 3-4 pounds of Nitrogen in late spring/summer, applying pre-emergent in the early spring, and pH controlling with lime as necessary.
Cool season grasses (Tall Fescue) general care includes mowing at a height of 3.5-4 inches weekly from March until November, watering 1 inch per week from late spring until fall, fertilizing with 3-4 pounds of Nitrogen in the Spring and Fall, and pH controlling as necessary.
What is covered by the a sod warranty and how long is it good for?
Our warranty covers the replacement or repair of any warrantied item which can be proven to be a direct result of our wrong doing or our supplier. Wrong doings would include such items as incorrect installation methods, incorrect aftercare (if requested) or bad product at installation. Warranty does not cover weather related damage, animal or pest damage, human damage due to error in applying water or chemicals. There is no warranty for sod if an irrigation system is not properly installed. An annual chemical plan by Pro Landscapes is encouraged for best possible results.
**Pro Landscapes reserve all rights to determine if the warranty is to be upheld and if the sod is to be replaced. A second professional opinion can be used to determine fault in the matter if needed.
The sod looks great and I want to keep it looking that way. What should I do to care for the sod?
We offer fertilization for customers who would like to get on a yearly cycle and who do not want to deal with the hassle of the chemicals. The average cost is $45 per application for the full yard. Contact us for further prices.
Thank you for your recent sod purchase. There are a number of steps that need to be taken in the next couple weeks and over the next couple years to ensure that your sod will stay as beautiful as the day it was installed. Below are the instruction for taking care of your investment.
Week One:
Keep close attention to your sod during the first week. This is the most crucial period of the sod growth. The sod should be DAMP throughout this time frame. You can check your sod by pulling up a corner of the sod to see if the soil beneath the sod is moist. It should never be dry. Most of the time the grass should be watered twice a day unless the weather is very cool and cloudy.
Try to keep off the sod. The ground will be very soft in certain areas if the ground was graded before the installation of sod. If there are any questions please do not hesitate to call us at 757-377-5200 .
Never put any type of weed killer on the lawn during the first month and a half. You can apply a starter fertilizer to help the grass grow greener and stronger at any point. It is recommended to apply a starter fertilizer right away.
Week Two and Three:
Watering can be cut back a little. The ground still needs to be damp but this time frame is not as crucial as week one. Most of the time the sod should be watered at least once a day unless the weather is very cool and cloudy.
You can cut the grass somewhere between week 2 and 4. If it is hard to pull up the sod pieces than it can be cut. Keep grass at approximately 3 1/2” - 4” in height and bag the clippings 3 out of every 4 cuts. Never leave clumps of grass in your yard.
Week Four:
Watering should be the same during this period as in week two and three. Depending on the time of the year, the watering can be decreased to biweekly. Please consult us if you would like to know whether it is alright. After your second cut, you can start to apply weed killers and start your yearly chemical cycle. Below is the 5 step process for tall fescue in our area.
After Week Four:
Watering can be done every other day during the spring and fall. During the summer, watering is recommended every day. During the winter, rain should be sufficient enough and watering should not be needed.