Lawns & Landscaping
Lawns and landscaping ... these are two of the most important items to maintain on the outside of a home! Not everyone who lives in Emerald Park has grown up in North Texas, and therefore may not know how to deal with the temperature extremes that can be encountered year round. Summer heat is definitely the worst culprit, followed by pop-up ice storms in February, or gusty winds and hailstorms that seem to happen on a whim. No wonder it's been said that "the weather forms here in North Texas."
​We've pulled together some great resources from Texas experts that include tips and tricks on maintaining a beautiful lawn and landscaping year round, from the brutal hot, dry summers to the sometimes freezing winters our lawns have to endure. This professional advice is specific to our local North Texas area. From watering schedules to seasonal plantings, check back here often because this information will change with the seasons.
CURB APPEAL. It's the very first thing that draws the interest of a potential homebuyer to a property because it’s the first thing they see. Curb appeal is that crucial “first impression” of a home. This was probably your own experience when deciding to purchase your home in Emerald Park.
To that end, it's important that each of us continue to keep plants, bushes, trees, and flowers trimmed and pruned in all seasons to ensure that initial beautiful curb appeal doesn't disappear after the years do. Most people don't realize that these growing things have a shelf life. What was planted in full sun 10 years ago may now be shaded by other landscaping that has grown over the years, causing bushes to become thinned out and now showing more "sticks" than leaves. That means it's time to replace!
ABOUT MULCH. Mulch, mulch, mulch. YEAR ROUND! Three to four inches in every bed. Repeat as needed. Mulch is an unsung hero of a plant or flower bed. Aesthetically, mulch finishes off a bed and makes a planting look more cohesive. Culturally, it conserves moisture, keeps the sun from baking the ground, and discourages weeds. Mulch keeps the soil at a good temperature, conserves water, and generally looks nice. What's not to love? Mulch works to improve the quality of the soil and protect your plants and plant roots. It also protects bare soil from weed seeds so it remains attractive.
Top 10Tips for a Beautiful Winter Lawn
1. Over-seed Your Lawn During the Fall Season
Take this seriously. Over-seed the lawn during Fall to make up for patchy, uneven grass growth - and be sure to use grass of the same species. Water down the affected area, then add a bit of fertilizer before introducing the seedlings.
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2. Clean Up Your Lawn
Fall season comes after Summer, which means it’s time to do some cleaning from all the sunny activities. Clean out debris and dead grass, and remove dead leaves, thatch, and sticks to improve the look and feel of your lawn. Dirt and debris can block your lawn’s access to resources like water, nutrients and oxygen.
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3. Aerate Your Lawn
Aeration breaks up compacted soil and increases the permeation of nutrients through it. Aeration can be done using an aerator, or just gardening tools. The best time to aerate is just after the summer season ends.
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4. Fertilize
Grass roots will absorb more nutrients from the feed when you fertilize at the beginning of Fall. By the time your grass becomes dormant (as the weather gets colder), the nutrients will already be in use.
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5. Introduce Pre-Emergent Weed Control
Weeds are known to hide in the earth during the cold season, only to come out during Spring and take over lawns. This is why it’s important to introduce pre-emergent weed control as your grass goes dormant in Winter.
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6. Mulching Could Be Beneficial
Adding mulch to your lawn beautifies your property, increases nutrient levels, and protects plant roots as the weather turns inevitably colder.
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7. Tackle Pests Early
Pests are likely to be present on your lawn after the Summer season, so it’s important to tackle them early head-on. Monitor and take note of any changes on your landscape, then take action accordingly.
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8. Treat Lawn Diseases Before They Spread
If left unattended, lawn diseases can affect the beauty and health of your lawn. Check your lawn for patchy growth, thin spots, brown or yellow spots, and uneven growths of grass. The causes of these conditions are usually disease related. Early identification and treatment will help restore your lawn to its proper state.
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9. Water The Right Way
Regular, timely watering - the right way - can keep your soil and grass in great shape. Water your lawn at least once a week during the Fall season, but take care not to flood the lawn while doing this.
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10. Start Early For Best Results
An early start to your Fall lawn care can boost your chances of keeping your lawn in perfect shape.