Maintenance

As the maintenance manager at our Champaign, IL branch, I take immense pride in our team's ability to create and maintain stunning, healthy lawns for our clients. Our secret lies in understanding the factors that influence lawn health and applying our expertise consistently. In this insider's guide, I'll share the best practices our team follows to ensure your lawn stays lush, green, and in top condition.

Grass Selection: Picking the Perfect Match for Your Lawn

Our team carefully selects the right grass species for your lawn, considering the Illinois climate, intended use, and maintenance requirements.

• Climate: We choose grasses that thrive in the Illinois climate, such as cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue. These grasses are well-adapted to our region's cold winters and warm summers.
• Intended Use: We take into account your turf's purpose, selecting grass species that can withstand heavy foot traffic for sports venues or low-maintenance grasses for residential lawns.
• Maintenance Requirements: We ensure that the chosen grass species align with the maintenance plan we develop, setting your lawn up for long-term success.

Mowing and Edging: The Art of Precision

Our team's meticulous mowing and edging practices ensure that your lawn always looks well-groomed and healthy.

• Mowing Height: We adhere to the ideal mowing height for each grass species, avoiding cutting more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing to prevent stress and vulnerability to diseases and weeds.
• Mowing Frequency: We monitor your lawn's growth rate and mow as needed to maintain the ideal height for your specific grass species, taking into account factors like weather, fertilization, and watering.
• Sharp Blades: Our team ensures that our mower blades are sharp, which results in clean, even cuts and reduces the risk of disease and pest infestations.
• Edging: We maintain clean edges along walkways, driveways, and garden beds, giving your turf a polished appearance.

Irrigation and Water Management: Expertise in Quenching Your Turf's Thirst

Our team understands the importance of proper watering for a healthy turf. 

• Watering Depth: Aim for deep, infrequent watering to encourage strong, deep root growth. Your goal is to penetrate 6-8 inches into the soil, which you can measure by using a screwdriver or soil probe after watering.
• Watering Frequency: We recommend adjusting watering frequency based on factors like grass type, soil composition, and weather conditions. Typically, turfgrasses require 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. You may want to increase the frequency during hot or dry periods to ensure your lawn stays hydrated.
• Time of Day: Water your lawn in the early morning when temperatures are cooler and the wind is calm. This minimizes evaporation, allowing water to reach the root zone more effectively. Avoid watering in the evening to prevent disease caused by extended periods of moisture on the grass blades.
• Efficient Irrigation: Invest in efficient irrigation systems that deliver water uniformly across your lawn. Smart controllers or soil moisture sensors help optimize water use and prevent over- or under-watering.

Nurturing Your Lawn: Fertilization and Weed Control Practices

Our team takes great care in providing your lawn with the right nutrients and keeping weeds at bay, ensuring optimal turf health.

• Fertilization: We develop tailored fertilization plans based on the nutrient needs of your specific grass species. Typically, turfgrasses in Illinois benefit from 2-4 fertilizer applications per year, spaced evenly throughout the growing season. We use slow-release fertilizers for a steady supply of nutrients and to minimize the risk of over-fertilization.
• Weed Control: A thick, healthy turf is your best defense against weeds, and our team works diligently to maintain it. However, some weeds may still find their way into your lawn. We use pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weed germination and post-emergent herbicides to treat established weeds. We always follow label instructions and apply the correct herbicide for the specific weed species.

Protecting Your Turf: Pest and Disease Management Strategies

Our team is well-versed in pest and disease management, ensuring your lawn stays healthy and vibrant in Illinois.

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): We follow the environmentally friendly approach of IPM to control pests and diseases. This strategy involves monitoring your lawn for signs of pests, using cultural practices to minimize infestations, and applying chemical controls only when necessary.
• Disease Prevention: Our team knows that the best defense against turf diseases is maintaining a healthy, vigorous lawn.
• We ensure proper mowing and fertilization practices to minimize disease risk. If we notice signs of disease, we consult with our turf care professionals to diagnose the issue and recommend appropriate treatments.

Aeration and Overseeding: Breathing New Life into Your Lawn

Our team understands the importance of aeration and overseeding in maintaining a healthy, dense turf. These practices improve soil structure, stimulate root growth, and enhance overall lawn appearance.

• Aeration: We perform core aeration, a process that removes small plugs of soil and thatch from your lawn, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the root zone more effectively. This promotes stronger root growth, reduces compaction, and improves drainage. We typically aerate cool-season lawns in the fall.
• Overseeding: Our team overseeds your lawn to fill in thin or bare spots and improve turf density. This practice helps to prevent weed invasion and maintain a vibrant, green lawn. We typically overseed cool-season lawns in the fall.
• Slit seeding:  Slit seeding is trusted by landscaping professionals due to the high success rate compared to traditional overseeding, as it helps to rejuvenate and thicken up thin or patchy areas of a lawn. By creating narrow slits in the soil and introducing fresh grass seed directly into them, we can promote healthy growth and fill in gaps in the lawn, resulting in a more attractive and resilient lawn.

Seasonal Lawn Care: Adapting to the Changing Needs of Your Turf in Illinois

Our team is well-versed in seasonal lawn care, ensuring that your turf receives the proper care and attention throughout the year.

• Spring: In the spring, we focus on cleaning up debris, dethatching, and applying pre-emergent weed control. We also start mowing and fertilizing your lawn to encourage new growth and a strong start to the growing season.
• Summer: We prioritize proper mowing techniques during the hot summer months to maintain a healthy, stress-resistant turf. We also monitor your lawn for signs of pests, disease, and drought stress, promptly addressing any issues.
• Fall: As the growing season winds down, our team focuses on core aeration, overseeding, and applying a slow-release fertilizer to promote root growth and prepare your lawn for winter. We also keep up with mowing as needed, adjusting our practices based on weather conditions.
• Winter: In the winter, we ensure that your lawn is free from debris and leaves, which can smother the grass and create a breeding ground for pests and diseases. We also monitor your lawn for signs of snow mold and other winter-related issues, addressing them as necessary.

Thatch Management: Maintaining a Healthy Turf Environment

Our team recognizes the importance of managing thatch, the layer of dead grass, roots, and other organic material that accumulates between the soil surface and the grass blades.

• Dethatching: We monitor the thickness of thatch buildup in your lawn and perform dethatching when necessary. We use specialized equipment like vertical mowers or power rakes to remove excess thatch, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots more effectively.
• Prevention: To minimize thatch buildup, our team ensures proper fertilization and avoids over-fertilization, and recommends not over-watering, which can contribute to thatch accumulation. We also use mulching mowers to return finely chopped grass clippings back to the lawn, promoting healthy decomposition and nutrient recycling.

Tree and Shrub Care: Complementing Your Beautiful Turf

Our team understands that a healthy, vibrant lawn is complemented by well-maintained trees and shrubs. We offer comprehensive tree and shrub care services to enhance the overall appearance and health of your landscape.

• Pruning: We prune trees and shrubs at the appropriate times of the year to promote healthy growth, improve aesthetics, and maintain structural integrity.
• Fertilization: Our team provides tailored fertilization plans for your trees and shrubs, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and health.
• Pest and Disease Management: We monitor your landscape for signs of pests and diseases affecting your trees and shrubs and implement the appropriate treatments to protect and preserve their health.

Leaf and Debris Removal: Keeping Your Lawn Pristine

Our team knows that a clean, debris-free lawn is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your turf.

• Regular Cleanup: We perform regular cleanups throughout the year, removing leaves, sticks, and other debris that can accumulate on your lawn.
• Fall Leaf Removal: During the fall, we provide thorough leaf removal services, preventing your grass from being smothered and reducing the risk of disease and pest infestations.
• Spring Cleanup: In the spring, we remove any leftover debris from the winter months, preparing your lawn for the upcoming growing season.

At Green View, our maintenance team is dedicated to providing the highest level of care and expertise for your lawn. With our comprehensive understanding of turf maintenance practices and our commitment to ongoing training and education, we ensure that your outdoor space remains healthy and beautiful throughout the year. As maintenance manager, I am proud of our team's unwavering dedication to excellence, and I look forward to continuing to create stunning landscapes that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.  We also have a branch in Springfield, IL, Peoria, IL, or Bloomington, IL, to serve your landscaping needs.

Skyler-Maintenace Manager