Frequently Asked Questions about Landscaping in Prescott
Here is a list of FAQ that we’ve received over the years.
Q: When Is the Best Time To Turn Your Irrigation System Off For Winter And On For Spring?
A: It depends (don’t you hate when someone gives you that answer!). In the simplest of terms, turning off and on your irrigation system is all about the weather. If freezing temperatures occur, then you want your irrigation system turned off. Unless of course you’ve done what’s necessary to leave it on during winter (ask us how!). At the end of the day, our philosophy is to leave your irrigation on as long as possible. Even though you don’t see much growth, plants are still growing. Therefore, if you have one of our irrigation packages, as the weather turns towards freezing, we’ll winterize your system. Conversely, as the weather warms in spring, we’ll get your irrigation turned on, go through it and repair anything that needs it.
Q: What Is Dethatching Your Lawn, What Does It Do For The Lawn and What Time Of Year Is Best?
A: To Dethatch means to do a ‘deep rake’ on your lawn. Why would you want to do a deep rake on your lawn? Over weeks, months and years, grass clipping, leaves, etc. accumulate in your grass. Why is this a problem? Over time, this build-up puts stress on the grass that’s growing. Think of it like a filter; as the filter gets clogged, the filter eventually does not work optimally. As the top layer of grass gets clogged, water, nutrients, etc. find it difficult to get to the root system of the grass. Therefore, we recommend dethatching your lawn once per year, in spring. This will stimulate early season growth, and set up the lawn for success from the get-go. Lastly once the dethatch is complete, it will leave a significant amount of debris overtop the grass. We will then come behind and rake up (and dispose of) all the debris. The difference between dethatched and non-dethatched lawns is drastic, which is why we recommend a yearly dethatch.
Q: Do I Need Fertilizer For My Lawn?
A: Yes. Maintain your lawn’s health by fertilizing it every quarter. A well-nourished lawn is more resilient against drought, pests, and fungal infections compared to one lacking essential nutrients. Scott’s brand offers a year-round fertilization program with tailored nutrient balances for each season, available at your nearby Lowe’s or Home Depot. Local garden centers like Watter’s Garden Center, Prescott Valley Nursery, or Mortimer Nursery in Prescott can also offer valuable advice on selecting the best fertilizers for each season
Q: Which fertilizers are best for my lawn, and when should I apply them?
A: Choosing the right fertilizer and timing for your lawn depends on several factors, including your grass type, climate, and local soil conditions. Here are some general guidelines:
1.Spring: Use a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content to promote green growth and recovery from winter dormancy. Look for formulations like 20-10-10 or similar, which indicate nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content.
2.Summer: Choose a fertilizer with a balanced or lower nitrogen content to maintain growth without excessive lushness, which can make lawns more susceptible to diseases and pests during hot weather. Look for formulations like 15-5-10 or similar.
3.Fall: Use a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus and potassium content to promote root growth and winter hardiness. For example, look for formulations like 10-15-10 or similar.
4.Winter: Depending on your climate, you may apply a winterizing fertilizer with low nitrogen and high potassium content to help your lawn endure cold weather and prepare for spring growth. Look for formulations like 5-10-30 or similar.
5.Soil Test: Consider conducting a soil test to determine your lawn’s specific nutrient needs. This can help you select fertilizers tailored to your soil’s deficiencies and optimize nutrient uptake.
6.Organic Options: If you prefer organic fertilizers, options like compost, composted manure, or organic fertilizer blends can provide nutrients while improving soil health over time.
7.Application Rates: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and timing. Over-fertilizing can harm your lawn and contribute to environmental pollution.
For specific recommendations tailored to your lawn’s needs and local conditions, it’s beneficial to consult with local garden centers or extension services. They can provide advice based on your grass type and regional climate.
Q: Can We Remove A Shrub or Tree From Your Yard And Transplant It Elsewhere In Your Yard?
A: It depends on a handful of factors. Our overall philosophy is that transplanting is challenging and not cost effective for our clients. Why is this? In our experience, a majority of transplants do not survive the trek. Therefore, we’ve charged our client for the time spent transplanting. Additionally, we have a dead plant that must be attended to. From our experience, it’s much more economical to remove the plant and install a new shrub/tree where the client wants it. The percentage of a transplant living is very low, while the percentage of a new plant is very high. We’re happy to transplant, however, our client must sign off on understanding the difficulties listed above. Ultimately, we want our clients to make whatever decision(s) are best for them. Now that they have the pros and cons, we’re happy to assist however they need us.
Q: Will Dogs Injure Newly Planted Sod?
A: Yes. Dogs can harm newly planted sod. Their urine, high in nitrogen, can lead to brown or yellow patches, while digging may uproot the grass and regular traffic can create bare spots. To mitigate this, train your dog to use a designated area away from the lawn, dilute urine spots with water to reduce nitrogen concentration, and ensure plenty of exercise to minimize digging. Established lawns generally withstand traffic better but benefit from the same precautions.
Q: Are there artificial turf varieties that are more eco-friendly than other varieties?
A: In our experience, we’ve identified SynLawn Syntipede X43 as a possible option. Evidently, many artificial turf varieties use petroleum based polyol as their base. With that said, some clients are looking for options that incorporate less petroleum in their polyol. This is where SynLawn Syntipede X43 may be a great option. Their promise is utilizing a plant-based backing system which uses 60% less petroleum than many other varieties.
SynLawn Syntipede X43 also uses anti-microbial, anti-static and thermal shield technologies. These help with sanitization, static and keeping the grass cool in full-sun, high-temperature situations. This artificial turf does not use black rubber crumbs and instead has other in-fill options and a pet odor product as well. Give us a call today to discuss what artificial turf options are ideal for you.
Q: Do we create landscape designs and drawing?
A: We do not create formal landscape designs and drawings. With that said, we do create informal landscape designs and drawings, which for most clients is adequate. For formal designs and drawings, we recommend using Peter Bourgois at BMA Architects, Planners & Landscape Architects. He’s located in Prescott and his phone number is 928-713-6068.
To read about FAQ for pest control, read this article.
Lastly, we highly recommend Watter’s Garden Center, Mortimer Nursery, or Prescott Valley Nursery as great places to both purchase shrubs & trees but to also ask questions because these are the experts.