APRIL 2024 Newsletter: Nova Scotia & Moncton

APRIL 2024

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WINTER DAMAGE

Damage to a lawn caused by ice, snow, and disease is common in the Maritimes.

• Ice damages and often destroys the crown of a plant, causing death.
• Snow covers lawns for extended periods of time and can cause damage.
• Turf disease, such as snow mold, can also cause a lot of damage and is visible in the early spring when the snow melts.

• Vole damage is another common problem that can be an unpleasant surprise after the snow cover melts in the Spring. Voles tunnel along the surface of a lawn, protected by the snow coverage, and create turf damage from the surface tunnelling, and by feeding on the grass plant tissue.
• Salt damage along driveways and sidewalks is also a common problem.

To help encourage a quick recovery, aggressively flushing the salt damaged areas with deep water soakings can help leach away the salt below the grass roots. Over-seeding practices can also help re-establish turf in the damaged areas. An application of enhanced calcitic lime will also help free up and break down the salt accumulation in the soil.

BEFORE SERVICE NOTIFICATIONS

To further enhance our commitment to ongoing communications with customers, we offer text notifications the day before a scheduled service.

This is a fully interactive service where customers can have live conversations with a lawn care expert, during regular business hours.

POWER RAKING

Power Raking is great a way to remove the dead debris and crust that builds up on a lawn over winter. It is also a gentle way to remove thatch from the lawn without causing the significant damage often associated with dethatching.

• Power raking slices the surface stolons using fixed knife type blades that cut the thatch.
• Power raking does not cause extensive damage, so the lawn recovers rapidly and maintains its density.

Benefits of Power Raking

• Removes unwanted dead grass (thatch).
• Increases effectiveness of fertilizers and watering.
• Stimulates new growth, resulting in a thicker and healthier lawn.

SPRING MOWER MAINTENANCE

Before your lawn receives it’s first cut this Spring, it is a good idea to do basic maintenance on your mower. Disconnect the ignition wire from the spark plug before starting any maintenance, to avoid injury.

SHARPEN THE BLADE

• Dull blades rip and tear the tips of grass plants, rather than producing a clean cut.
• Dull blades should be sharpened professionally, and damaged blades should be replaced.
• We recommend sharpening mower blades at least once a year.

CLEAN THE AIR FILTER

• The air filter should be cleaned and/or changed regularly to protect the engine from dirt, dust, and debris.
• A clogged or dirty air filter puts added stress on the mower and burns gas less efficiently.

CHANGE THE OIL

• For optimal performance, replace the oil every mowing season.
• Continually monitor your oil level and colour throughout the season.

CHANGE THE SPARK PLUG

• Change the spark plug every mowing season.
• A new spark plug will ensure the mower starts easily, decreasing emissions and burning gas more efficiently.

CLEAN THE UNDERCARRIAGE

• Remove all the dead grass and debris build up from the undercarriage, on a regular basis.

Proper mowing is essential to maintaining an Ecology Friendly lawn. It is important to cut your lawn every 5-7 days at 2.5”-3" during the Spring growing season.

Nutri-Lawn

Bridgewater: 902.527.0007

Halifax: 902.468.8101

Kentville: 902.681.2654

Moncton: 506.857.9111

New Glasgow: 902.601.5046

Truro: 902.893.2099

1-888-688-7452