Lawn Maintenance

LAWN MAINTENANCE

MOWING

Many, if not most turf problems can be traced to  improper mowing techniques. Dull blades tear rather than cut the turf and provide an easy avenue for disease. Improper equipment, such as tractors used on rain saturated turf, results in ruts and uneven cuts. Still, the most damaging practice employed by landscape maintenance firms is found in cutting the turf at a height that discourages ideal growth. St. Augustine should never be cut lower than 3.5 inches (4 inches, with healthy turf is ideal). Most firms that cut too low do so for one simple reason; thick, healthy turf takes longer to cut and thus produces a lower profit margin. Conversely, turf cut at unacceptably low levels thins, thus making it easier to mow.

The problem with this, of course, is that unhealthy turf is prone to systemic problems. For example, turf consistently cut too low requires more water, is more susceptible to drought stress and therefore more prone to pest problems and disease. Healthy turf, on the other hand, is resistant to both. As a result, at Frontline, we focus on practices that promote the health of your turf, making it more time consuming to maintain, but producing a more attractive and healthier product for you.

TRIMMING

Mechanical trimmers are useful when not overused. This unfortunately is not the case on most properties. Mechanical trimmers cut through leaves as well as branches (When not properly sharpened and maintained, they chew through leaves and branches). This increases the plant’s susceptibility to disease. It also creates a product that is not always pleasing. Formal hedges have their place in every landscape plan, however, not every plant looks its best when trimmed with mechanical trimmers. In addition, many plants have a more pleasing appearance when pruned rather than trimmed. Plants can be pruned to maintain a “natural” look while still presenting a manicured appearance. At Frontline, we make the decision to prune or trim individual plants based on maintaining the health of the particular variety as well as its most pleasing look.

We know that a property can be expertly cut, edged and trimmed and still not meet our clients’ standards if it is not receiving adequate water, pest control and fertilization. As a result, Frontline, employs “Integrated Pest Management” practices that are promoted by the University of Florida and related Cooperative Extension Offices. The heart of this program is found in early detection of systemic problems through the use of a qualified, motivated field technician. It is the responsibility of the field technician to survey the property to note and report over/under irrigation difficulties, pest problems, fungus incursions, etc., along with proposed interventions. In this way, difficulties with turf and ornamentals are isolated and resolved before they become noticeable.

Frontline has been built on, and maintains, practices that promote healthy turf and plant materials that produce a pleasing product for our clients.