A well-maintained lawn conveys that your business pays attention to detail. It also enhances your property’s overall landscaping and architecture.

A good commercial lawn care company will customize its services to your unique property. It may include using specialized weed control products that target harder-to-control weeds.

Grass Seed

Pennsylvania’s extreme winter temperatures, humid summers, and varying soil conditions make it challenging to maintain a healthy lawn. The key to success lies in the grass you select, as different varieties thrive in various environmental conditions. Start with your region’s hardiness zone and the conditions where you plan to grow your lawn, and then choose a variety that will meet those requirements.

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass are well-suited for Pennsylvania’s climate. They are tolerant of various environmental stresses, including shade and drought. They require moderate mowing frequency and fertilization needs, although they are susceptible to disease.

Fine fescues are a good option for Pennsylvania residents seeking low-maintenance turf. They are compatible in mixtures with most other cool-season grasses and are tolerant of heat, drought, shady conditions, and poor-draining soils. They are also resistant to disease and pests. They require less frequent mowing and lower nitrogen fertilization rates than other cool-season turfgrasses.

Fertilizer

Many lawn care companies offer a full range of treatment services, such as lawn fertilization, weed control, and soil pH control. Some use a granular fertilizer spread across your yard with a fertilizer spreader, while others apply the product via a lawn-mowing machine.

The type of grass in your lawn determines what nutrients it needs and the best way to deliver them to the soil. You can choose organic, inorganic, or synthetic fertilizers. Organic lawn fertilizers are made from once-living organisms and other organic byproducts, while synthetic formulas provide fast-acting chemical nutrients.

You can also opt for slow-release or quick-release fertilizers. The first number in the NPK ratio is important, as it dictates how much nitrogen is released in a single application. For example, a spring fertilizer should be low in nitrogen to avoid burning the lawn as it emerges from winter dormancy. Choosing the correct commercial lawn care products Pennsylvania also depends on the time of year and weather conditions.

Weed Control

The right weed control can take much of the guesswork out of lawn care. Choosing the right chemical and applying it at the correct time of year is important.

Different broadleaf weeds have different life cycles and require different chemicals. For example, annual weeds like wild violets and clover sprout from seeds not killed by pre-emergent chemicals and can turn a manicured lawn into a mess in a few weeks. Other common annual weeds include oxalis, cleavers, chickweed, ground ivy, and thistle.

Perennial weeds like dandelion and plantain produce new seeds after each flowering season and can grow indefinitely unless pulled or killed. Selective weed killers can kill the targeted weeds without harming your desired turfgrass species.

The right fungicide can prevent disease outbreaks in cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescues, and tall fescues. Maintaining a dense, thick lawn with regular mowing and fertilization helps crowd out disease-causing weeds.

Pest Control

A well-maintained lawn is less vulnerable to pests. Healthy soil, compost, and good mowing practices help the grass recover from disease and outcompete weeds. Practices like overseeding and aerating break up compacted soil, allowing nutrients, water, and oxygen to penetrate deeply into the root zone where they’re needed.

Organic fertilizers are another way to improve your lawn and avoid pest infestations. They contain no synthetic chemicals but can offer benefits like increased soil health and decreased carbon footprint.

Spinosad (SPIN-oh-sahd) is a naturally occurring substance and one of the most effective organic pesticides. The active ingredient, azadirachtin (A-za-dri-RAH-tin), inhibits insect growth and reproduction. It reduces the number of insects and protects the environment without damaging your lawn. It also has low toxicity to people and wildlife. Carbaryl is a popular chemical for controlling grubs. However, it can be toxic to earthworms and honeybees, which eat the grub larvae, and may also introduce fungal diseases into the soil.