LawnMark Property Maintenance Services

Your Seasonal Guide to Lawn Maintenance in Cleveland Ohio  

As a local greater Cleveland lawn care company, LawnMark has years of experience providing quality care to Ohio homeowners at an affordable price. To learn more about our lawn care services call our friendly Lawn Service Team 216-372-3792

Spring Lawn Maintenance

After a long winter of snow your lawn needs to recover from trapped moisture and lack of air circulation, these elements can foster fungal diseases like snow mold that have the potential to damage or kill grass. By raking up debris and dead grass after the snow melts, you can ward off lawn fungus in your yard.

Our LawnMark Landscaping staff avoid mowing grass on a specific date - we wait until the grass reaches at least 2 inches tall. This will help prevent any injuries to the roots of grass and we only cut  the top one-third of grass blades at any given time for a healthy lawn. Mow as often as you need to while keeping in mind that it’s best to cut grass when it’s dry and during periods of the day where there is less heat.

As soil temperatures grow warmer, perennial broadleaf weeds like broadleaf plantain and dandelions begin to germinate. By applying targeted pre-emergent herbicides early in the season, LawnMark can establish a chemical barrier that prevents these types of weeds from growing.

Summer Lawn Maintenance

With proper lawn maintenance in the springtime, your lawn is better equipped to handle the heat and stress of summer. But that’s just the start. To not lose sight of your vision for a thick, green lawn, there are plenty more tasks to tackle during the summer season.

Watering your lawn is one example. While regular watering of 1-1.5 inches per week are recommended while lawns are active, the effects of infrequent applications become more apparent in the summer. This is due to the combination of high temperatures and extended periods without rainfall. Making sure that you maintain a regular watering schedule—and increase applications as needed in the case of a drought—will help your lawn continue to thrive in these harsh conditions.

Then, there’s the practice of grass cycling. Rather than bagging grass clippings after you mow,  simply leave them on your lawn to feed nutrients back into the soil (in other words, act as a free fertilizer). While this practice is also recommended in spring and fall, it can be especially beneficial in helping lawns withstand heat as well as heavy foot traffic that is common in the summer.

While on the topic of mowing, you’ll also want to remember to raise your mower to the proper height. Taller grass will block out weeds as well as shade the ground so it’s protected from drying out.

Fall Lawn Maintenance

After months of high temperatures and minimal rainfall, a root-building fertilizer will boost the strength of your lawn. While a spring application can also be performed, fall fertilization is more crucial in the sense that it establishes a strong root system to help lawns survive harsh winter conditions. The ideal time to apply fertilizer is about six weeks prior to the first frost (when grass roots are still active).

Fall is the perfect time for aeration or overseeding. By adding thousands of tiny holes to your lawn, aeration relieves compacted soil, allowing moisture to reach grass roots, and it improves drainage so excess water does not accumulate on lawns. Meanwhile, overseed fills in bare and patchy spots that would otherwise be more susceptible to the impact of insects and disease.

While we’ve already mentioned one pre-emergent herbicide application in the spring, a second one may also be needed in the fall. This is true in the case of lawns where winter-annual broadleaf weeds like henbit and chickweed have emerged in the past.

The final recommendation for lawn maintenance is to rake up all the leaves in your yard before the first snowfall. When left behind, a bed of leaves (smothered under mounds of snow) further blocks out light and air from grass and can create bare patches that invite pests and disease.

Winter Lawn Maintenance and trimming of shrubs

While winter may often seem like a lull in the lawn maintenance routine, it’s the best time for pruning your shrubs. By trimming shrubs when they are storing energy in their roots, you can give their health a boost without interrupting their food production cycle.

When should crabgrass treatment begin?

Since crabgrass seeds germinate during the early spring, pre-emergent treatments need to take place before then to be effective. The best time to apply these treatments is when temperatures are colder and before the nighttime soil temperature reaches over 50-55℉ for three days.

Should I be concerned about mushrooms in my lawn?

Mushrooms are a naturally occurring species that pop up on overcast days and when there is a lot of moisture. They are nothing to be alarmed about and will disappear as quickly as they appear once there are some dry days with sunshine.

What can I do to get rid of snow mold?

Snow mold appears as discolored spots in your yard after the winter season. While snow mold typically corrects itself as the weather dries out and sunshine appears, it’s also recommended to lightly rake those spots or use a leaf blower to fluff up matted down areas.

Does fungicide fix my lawn disease problem?

Fungicide prevents the lawn disease problem from spreading, but the unsightly grass will need to grow out.

Should I roll my lawn in the spring?

No, rolling your lawn actually damages the crown of the grass plant. A core aeration should be performed to relieve compaction and aid with drainage from spring rain.

When should I begin to mow my grass in the spring?

Spring mowing should begin when your soil is firm, and not damp. Mowing a saturated lawn will result in mud marks.

Here are four lawn maintenance tasks that require little time but deliver significant results.

Sharpen Your Mower Blades

Does your grass feel like it’s pulling when you mow? If so, dull blades could be to blame. When lawnmower blades lose their sharpness, they can cause ragged tears in your grass (even sometimes turning the tips yellow or brown), promote fungal growth and increase mowing times.

That’s why it’s important to keep blades sharp. This enables you to cut through grass with ease (and save a lot of time) and ward off the potential for disease or discoloration in your lawn.

In terms of frequency, you should sharpen your mower blades at least once or twice every mowing season. For optimal results, sharpen blades every 8-10 hours spent mowing. 

Switch Up Your Mowing Patterns

Humans are creatures of habit, so it’s easy to see why homeowners settle on one mowing pattern and continue to follow that route. But change is a good thing in this case. Mowing in the same direction can make grass appear more horizontal and cause divots to develop from the constant weight of the lawnmower.

The better bet is to vary your mowing patterns. Weaker portions of your lawn can recoup after they encounter the weight of the lawnmower, and plant roots will have a natural impulse to grow when they sense the variety in activity happening above.

Clean Up Debris

Whether it’s leaves, toys or tools, debris that lingers on your lawn for too long has a similar end result. As debris smothers the grass, it can hinder plant growth and create a nesting place for pests that can harm your lawn and pose safety risks to your family and pets.

Then, there’s the curb appeal side of things. When a yard is littered with debris, it becomes far less attractive to potential buyers. Not to mention, they also perceive it’s value to be less.

By dedicating just a few minutes to cleaning up debris from your yard on a regular basis, you can ensure your lawn gets the sunlight it needs to thrive and is free of moisture traps. It’s also beneficial to spend a few minutes clearing out leaves and other debris from your gutters, as this can become a breeding ground for pests and potentially cause roof damage.

Water Your Lawn

Most homeowners have a tendency to over water their lawns. When too much water fills the pores of soil, it can block out pockets that would otherwise allow oxygen to circulate through. And without air to breathe in, plant roots can suffocate and eventually die.

While it may come as a surprise, a deep watering of one inch per week is needed to maintain a healthy lawn. This can either be added in one application or spread across two. (In summer months, your lawn may require closer to an inch and a half of water.)

In terms of time, make sure to water your lawn early in the morning so it has enough time to soak it up. Watering your lawn during warmer portions of the day will lead to more evaporation while watering at night can create an environment where lawn fungus thrives.

Looking to make maintaining your lawn even easier? 

LawnMark offers services throughout the greater Cleveland Ohio area. To learn more about our Lawn Service, Tree Service, or Snow Plow property maintenance services call our friendly staff at 216-372-3792.

Spring Lawn care in Cleveland Ohio

Snow Mold Damage Control

Snow Mold is a byproduct of having heavy snow and ice suffocate your grass for months. The damp conditions a lack of oxygen create a perfect environment for mold to grow and thrive. The affected areas will be grey, pink, or white and have clumps of fungus that look like cobwebs. Grey or white snow mold will not necessarily kill your lawn, but if you spot pink spots, you may want the contact a professional because it can be lethal to your grass.

To treat this you will need a rake and some fertilizer. Lightly rake out the snow mold to help break it up then add a small amount of fertilizer on top to help the grass fight it off. It is very important not add too much fertilizer or else you will feed the fungus and hurt your grass more.

Lawn fertilization - Feed Your Lawn

When your lawn wakes up and the roots are ready to start growing again, your grass is going to be hungry. Fertilizer is going to give your yard the nutrients and energy it needs to grow green and give you a full yard. If you are doing the do-it-yourself this spring, be sure to add a soil sample kit and fertilizer to your list. You will need a soil sample kit to find out exactly what fertilizer you will need to purchase, if you do not already know. Different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium occur naturally in different soils. Testing the soil will let you know which nutrients need to be supplemented. Buying the right nutrients is key for maximizing your lawn's health potential. The amount of fertilizer and tools you will need will be based on the size of your lawn. Fun fact: fertilizing your lawn can also help with weed control.

Time For a Tune-Up

Soon after the weather breaks and you feed your lawn, it will start to grow. When you notice some growth in your grass, you will be able to start mowing.  Change the oil in your lawn mower and sharpen the blades. Dirty oil can lead to overheating and tear up the engine so add an oil change to your to-do list. Do some research on you mower care. Look up a video or two on how to tune up your lawn mower specifically.

Imagine getting your hair cut with scissors that are dull... Your hair would be pulled and yanked out rather than being cleanly snipped. That is what happens to your grass with a dull lawn mowing blade. Sharp mower blades avoid ripping up your lawn and give a clean healthy cut.

Lawn Mowing

After you have sharpened you blade and serviced your lawn mower, it is time to roll. Lawn mowing begins as soon as grass growth begins. Mowing your lawn seems like it should be simple, but there are some tips you should follow for mowing to keep your lawn healthy.

You may think that cutting your lawn shorter is better for the grass, but I am sorry to tell you that is not true! Set your blade height to 3 or 4 inches to improve your grass health. Higher blades will prevent diseases, retain more water, and give the roots shade. Mowing your lawn often during the spring will help the health of your grass. It is important to maintain lawn height at 3-4 inches. 

Do not repeat the same mowing route around your yard every time. Change up your mowing pattern. This will help you avoid leaving “stripes” on the same areas all of the time. Yes, the stripes are aesthetically pleasing, but the grass in these areas are not standing upright so the grass blades are only receiving sunlight on one side.

Call the  LawnMark professional lawn care service TEAM today at 216-372-3792 !

You can have a beautiful healthy lawn without owning, fixing, repairing a lawn mower.  LawnMark lawn service and landscape company in Northeast Ohio will take care of your lawn service. The lawn care service TEAM will do a lawn analysis and know exactly how to treat your yard. You will be able to choose a service plan that will work perfect for you. LawnMark yard maintenance professionals offer great customer service. 

We are a certified HomeAdvisor professional Lawn, Tree, and Snow service  with great reviews from our customers, we call our LawnMark Family.   

Grass cutting height: 

Raising mower deck height to Cut grass at 3" in summer months - 

Our lawn maintenance team will typically raise the mower deck height to 3 inches during the warmer summer months to encourage grass growth, density, and color. Taller blades of grass tolerate the lack of water and more sunshine we get in late summer in Northeast Ohio. Higher mower blades mean less stress on your turf. The shorter the lawn, the more difficult it is for your turf to thrive and thus more common for it to brown out. In Northeast Ohio a good summer grass mower deck height is 2.75 - 3 inches for the summer months.  This is a long form text area designed for your content that you can fill up with as many words as your heart desires. You can write articles, long mission statements, company policies, executive profiles, company awards/distinctions, office locations, shareholder reports, whitepapers, media mentions and other pieces of content that don’t fit into a shorter, more succinct space.

Mission statement:  Our mission at LawnMark Landscaping and Tree Service is to provide exceptional service in a friendly genuine manner.  We VALUE RELATIONSHIPS with our clients we treat like FAMILY.

A company is only as strong as its executive leadership...and this is where Lawnmark excels.  Everyone from the CEO and Operations Manager are college educated, sincere and reliable hardworking TEAM members that "GET their HANDS dirty".   

WE ENJOY the outdoors and making properties aesthetically appealing with clean edge lines, plush green manicured grass, well maintained mulch beds and neatly  trimmed shrubs.    Call or TEXT Mark at LawnMark Landscape to set up a free  estimate at your residence or business property.  216-372-3792