Lawn Frost, Crabgrass, Thatch Removal, Aeration, and Fertilization

Homeowners have always had to deal with noisy lawn care services invading their homes and disrupting their lives. Suntek Zero Emission Lawn Care believes that no one should sacrifice having a peaceful home to have a beautiful yard. That is why Suntek uses all-electric lawn equipment powered by solar energy. 

Suntek is here to provide tips to ensure your yard is looking its best. During a typical Florida winter, several areas experience cold and possibly even freezing temperatures. Suntek CEO Christopher Regis is sure many people will receive frost on their St. Augustine lawns. 

“Cold weather and wind together can cause stress on St. Augustine grass, so February is the perfect month to start preparing for a healthy and vigorous lawn for spring and summer.”

So how can you identify frost or cold weather stress on your St. Augustine lawn? You’ll notice that the blades turn purple, then black, and will most likely eventually turn brown. Regis clarified that this doesn’t mean the roots are dead – and you won’t lose your lawn.

“Your lawn should bounce back when warm weather returns. New green growth will replace any discolored blades of grass.”

Regis explained that areas with crabgrass will turn brown, but the crabgrass will not die off. When summer returns, crabgrass will be back healthy as can be. If those lawn areas are mostly crabgrass, Regis advised to consider replacing it with new sod or grass plugs in the spring but to treat the areas first to kill the crabgrass.

“If these areas are large, it can be expensive if you have to replace half your lawn. If the areas are small and in spots, this is a good time to get rid of unwanted grass,” Regis described. “Also, the thicker your lawn is, the better chance it has to choke out crabgrass if it starts to invade your lawn again. Another great suggestion is to rake out the leaves because they can suffocate a lawn and keep sunlight from reaching the grass, which can also turn it yellow. Be very careful to only water every two weeks during the winter, unless there is rain, in which case stop watering until it completely dries out. Too much watering also turns St. Augustine grass yellow.”

Thatch Removal

The month of February is the time to do thatch removal. Using a vertical mower is recommended for verticutting, the best method for removing the thatch in St. Augustine lawns. A vertical mower has evenly-spaced, knife-like blades that revolve perpendicularly to the turfgrass. The blades slice into the thatch and lift it up.

“I recommend hiring a professional company to do thatch removal [for it] to be done correctly. Plus, it is strenuous, and the machine is very heavy for transporting it from the rental place. You will have a truckload of thatch to be hauled away,” described Regis.

Aeration

Now is the time to have aeration done as well. This process creates small holes in the soil to give your lawn a better chance to receive water, fertilizer, and air to help the root system. The ground can become hard and compact over a period of time, hence the need for aeration.

“Once again, I would have a professional do this,” said Regis. “The machine is extremely heavy and not easy to work with. A company that has experience doing aeration will do the best job. Aeration will give a good foundation for a lawn in the spring and summer.”

Fertilization

The end of February is a great time to begin fertilizing your lawn. Regis recommended using a slow-release granular fertilizer to begin growing a healthy green turf with a good foundation for the upcoming seasons.

“You can apply weed and feed at this time to get a jump start on those ugly weeds, but there is a window on when to stop using it. DO NOT wait until it is too late when the temperature is above 80 degrees,” stated Regis. “Applying weed and feed when it is too hot for it to be done is not recommended. The chemicals can burn or kill your lawn. Always follow directions on the label as with any type of fertilizer you use.”

With spring right around the corner, begin now to have the healthy, lush green lawn of your dreams.

“If you are feeling unhappy or even slightly embarrassed by the way your yard looks, feel free to reach out to me directly – (754) 265-6608. I’ll be happy to give you some free guidance and recommendations to help you get a yard you can feel proud of!”

So, if you are in the market for a new lawn care service company that cares about the environment and lets you live your busy day with one fewer distraction, consider Suntek Lawn Care. Suntek offers 50% off the first mow for Lake Nona residents when they sign up. For more information, visit www.sunteklawncare.com or call (321) 396-2425 for a free quote.

Photos Courtesy of Suntek Lawn Care