Tier One Lawn Care, LLC

08/30/2023

I had fun in a new yard today!

07/28/2023

How's your lawn holding up in the heat? Are you seeing brown patches in what used to be green grass? Don't worry, here are some ways to deal with the browning or discoloration that often results from hot weather.

1. If you have an irrigation system, water deeply but infrequently (2-3 times per week), during morning hours.

2. Set your mower blades higher. Cutting too short can impact the lawn's ability to produce the energy needed for growth. Never remove more than 1/3 of the blade at a time.

3. Keep your blades sharp. Sharp blades will help the grass heal faster while preventing a brown appearance from frayed tips.

4. Avoid heavy foot traffic which can cause further damage to weak and sensitive turf.

5. Allow it to go dormant. This is a protective measure allowing your lawn to survive during dry or hot conditions.

6. Don't try to bring it back with fertilizer. Lawn fertilizer on a heat-stressed lawn can have the opposite effect and can cause more damage to an already sensitive grass area.

Have questions or concerns? Send us a message, we would be happy to help!

07/04/2023

I love this holiday, and I love this country. May God continue to bless America!

06/29/2023

☀️🥵🔥

06/28/2023

Another brutal day out there! Stay hydrated and take precautions.

06/18/2023

Happy Father's Day to all you legends out there crushing it! 🫵

06/02/2023

What height do you mow your grass? Do you let it grow tall then chop it short?

Mow regularly, but do NOT mow too short. Avoid taking more than 1/3 of grass blades at one mowing. Taking too much off too often may result in a thin, w**dy turf.

If you have gotten behind on your lawn maintenance (🤷🏻‍♂️ it happens!) set your mower high enough to avoid taking more than 1/3 of the blades. Give your lawn a day or two to recover then lower the setting and repeat until you are at the recommended height for your type of grass.

Generally, The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends maintaining a height between 2 1/2” and 3 1/2” for cool-season grasses and 1 1/2” and 2 1/2” for warm-season grasses. During the hot summer months aim for the higher end of the range. Higher-cut lawn grasses are more stress tolerant. Taller grass plants with higher density have an effective shading effect on the soil surface, which reduces germination of w**d seeds.

Specific mowing height recommendations for types of grass common on the Emerald Coast:
Centipede: 1.5”–2”
Zoysia: 1.5”–2” (full sun), 2”–2.5” (partial shade)
Bermuda: 1.5”–2”
St Augustine: 2.5”-4” (full sun), 3”-4” (partial shade)

05/25/2023

"Do I need to aerate my lawn?"

If your yard is starting to look weak and thin, even with fertilizing and proper moisture, it may need aeration. This creates channels into your lawn, allowing water and nutrients to reach the deep roots of your grass more efficiently.

To test if you need to aerate your lawn, dig a patch of grass to a depth of at least four inches. If the layer of thatch is a half-inch thick or more, your yard would benefit from aeration. There are self-drive aeration machines and machine-pulled devices you can rent to make quick work of large areas. For smaller areas, simply punching multiple holes with a pitchfork will do the job.

05/20/2023

But what if your post-work beer and your post-lawn mow beer are the same? 🤯

05/18/2023

"What is lawn thatch?"

Thatch is the tightly bound layer of living and dead plant material that develops between the zone of green vegetation and the soil surface. It is a natural component of turfgrass. Bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and other organisms that naturally live in the soil decompose thatch. Grass clippings and mulched leaves break down quickly and do not contribute to thatch accumulation under most conditions. When buildup outpaces breakdown, your lawn's thatch layer grows thicker.

A thin layer of thatch is beneficial to the health of your lawn because it acts to help conserve soil moisture and protect against temperature fluctuations. A layer of 1/2” or less allows water, air, and nutrients to pe*****te the soil and reach the roots.

A thatch layer of 1” or more becomes a barrier to water and fertilizer, making your lawn vulnerable to heat, drought, and stress. Water from irrigation can accumulate in the thatch layer so the roots may suffocate from the lack of air if the thatch layer has become too thick.

Dethatch warm-season grasses, such as Centipede or Zoysia grass, in the spring after it has come out of dormancy. Never dethatch when your lawn is dormant or stressed. This can damage it beyond repair.

05/11/2023

What type of grass do you have?

The first step to properly manage your lawn starts with identifying the type of grass you have. It’s important to know your grass type so you can get the most out of your lawn. Things like fertilization, mowing height and mowing frequency, as well as w**d and lawn pest control treatments could be dependent upon what type of grass is growing on your lawn. Once you've identified your grass, you can take the proper steps to improve upon or maintain what you have.

Ever looked at your lawn and wondered, "What kind of grass do I have?" Determining your grass type doesn’t have to be difficult. Learn more.

05/05/2023

"What time of the day should I water my lawn?"

The short answer: any time the grass is naturally wet from dew.

Watering in the late morning or afternoon wastes water to evaporation and the spray pattern has a higher likelihood of being disrupted by the wind. It also extends the “dew window” which increases the length of time the grass is wet and can accelerate disease occurrence as a result.

I water my own lawn before the sun comes up and I make sure the cycle completes before 8am.