Definitions of Lawn Care terms as used by Extra Mile Lawn Care in Chesapeake, VA. 22 terms defined.
A common fungal turf disease that creates circular brown patches in lawns, especially Tall Fescue, during hot and humid weather. Coastal Virginia summers create ideal conditions for brown patch, making proper watering, mowing height, and fungicide treatments key prevention tools.
Grass varieties like Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Ryegrass that grow most actively in spring and fall. In Chesapeake, Tall Fescue is the most common cool-season choice because it tolerates the region's transitional climate and partial shade better than warm-season options.
A lawn maintenance process that uses a machine to pull small plugs of soil and thatch from the ground. This relieves soil compaction, improves air, water, and nutrient flow to grass roots, and is especially helpful for Chesapeake's clay-heavy soils.
The visual attractiveness of a property as seen from the street, heavily influenced by lawn condition, edging, and landscape maintenance. Strong curb appeal can increase home value by 5 to 10 percent and is a key factor for homeowners preparing to sell.
The mechanical removal of excess thatch using a power rake or vertical mower. Dethatching restores air and water flow to the soil, revitalizes stressed lawns, and is usually performed in early spring or fall before fertilization and overseeding.
The practice of creating a clean vertical cut between the lawn and adjacent surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, and flower beds. Regular edging gives a manicured, professional appearance and prevents grass from creeping into landscaped areas or hardscape joints.
End-of-season service involving leaf removal, final mowing, bed cleaning, and preparation of the lawn for dormancy. A thorough fall cleanup prevents matted leaves from smothering grass, reduces overwintering pests, and helps the lawn green up faster the following spring.
The practice of leaving finely cut grass clippings on the lawn after mowing instead of bagging them. The clippings decompose quickly, returning nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil, which can reduce fertilizer needs by up to 25% over a season.
A scheduled series of nutrient applications throughout the year tailored to grass type, soil conditions, and climate. A typical program includes four to six treatments balancing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to support color, root depth, and seasonal growth patterns.
A mowing technique that bends grass blades in alternating directions to create light and dark patterns across the lawn. Striping is achieved with a roller attachment behind the mower deck and is purely aesthetic, often associated with high-end maintenance.
The spreading of pulverized or pelletized limestone to raise the pH of acidic soils. Chesapeake's sandy, acidic soils often require periodic liming to help grass absorb nutrients efficiently and to discourage moss and weed growth that thrive in low-pH conditions.
The number of times per week or month that a lawn is cut to maintain optimal height and health. In Chesapeake's growing season, most cool-season grasses benefit from weekly mowing, while warm-season varieties may need cuts every five to seven days during peak growth.
The height at which grass is cut, measured from the soil surface to the top of the blade. Taller mowing heights, typically 3 to 4 inches for fescue, shade the soil, reduce weed germination, and encourage deeper, more drought-tolerant roots.
A core lawn care principle stating that you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade's height in a single mowing. Following this rule reduces plant stress, promotes deeper root growth, and helps the turf resist disease, drought, and weed invasion.
The process of spreading grass seed over an existing lawn to fill thin areas, improve density, and introduce more resilient grass varieties. Overseeding is typically paired with aeration in the fall for cool-season grasses to maximize germination and establishment.
A weed control treatment that targets weeds after they have already sprouted and are actively growing. These products can be selective, killing only specific weeds while sparing turf, or non-selective for spot treatments on driveways and walkways.
A weed control product applied before weed seeds germinate, creating a chemical barrier in the soil. Pre-emergents are typically used in late winter to prevent crabgrass and in early fall to stop winter weeds like Poa annua from establishing.
A laboratory or at-home test that measures the acidity or alkalinity of lawn soil on a scale of 0 to 14. Most turfgrasses prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, and testing helps determine whether lime or sulfur applications are needed.
A seasonal service that prepares lawns and landscape beds for the growing season by removing winter debris, leaves, and dead growth. It typically includes bed edging, light pruning, and the first mow, setting the foundation for healthy spring growth.
Using a handheld trimmer with a rotating nylon line to cut grass in areas a mower cannot reach, such as around fences, trees, and posts. Often called weed eating, this step completes the mowing process and creates a uniform finished look.
A spongy layer of dead and living organic matter that builds up between the soil and green grass blades. A thin layer is beneficial, but more than half an inch can block water and nutrients, encouraging pests and disease in the lawn.
Grass varieties such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede that thrive in hot summer temperatures and go dormant in winter. These grasses are well suited to coastal Virginia's climate and require peak mowing and fertilization from late spring through early fall.