Frequently Asked Questions

The Benefits of Topdressing a Lawn
Topdressing is the practice of applying a thin layer of organic material, like compost or sand, over your lawn. Though it might seem like a minor step, it offers many benefits that can significantly improve the health and appearance of your grass.
1. Enhances Soil Quality
Topdressing adds organic matter to your soil, which improves soil structure, promotes beneficial microbial activity, and encourages earthworms. These elements help your lawn’s root system to absorb nutrients and retain moisture more effectively.
2. Promotes Stronger, Healthier Grass
The organic material in topdressing encourages root growth and improves drainage. This means your grass will develop deeper roots, making it more resilient to drought and other environmental stressors.
3. Levels Out Uneven Areas
Over time, lawns can become uneven due to factors like erosion, foot traffic, or settling soil. Topdressing can fill in low spots and smooth out the lawn, providing a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
4. Improves Drainage
If your lawn has poor drainage, topdressing can help by breaking up compacted soil, allowing water to permeate more easily. This reduces the risk of puddles and waterlogged patches that can lead to disease or thinning grass.
5. Reduces Thatch Build-up
Thatch, a layer of dead grass and roots, can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the soil. Topdressing helps break down thatch, promoting better overall health for your lawn.

Caring for New Grass (Sod or Seed)
After installing new grass, whether from sod or seed, proper care is crucial for ensuring it takes root and grows strong. Here are some essential tips for maintaining your new lawn during the establishment period.
1. Watering: The Key to Success

• Sod: Water the new sod immediately after installation. For the first two weeks, water daily, ensuring the soil underneath stays consistently moist but not soggy. After the initial period, reduce watering to 2-3 times per week.
• Seed: New seed requires frequent watering—light, shallow waterings 2-3 times per day until germination. Once the grass sprouts, gradually reduce the frequency and water more deeply, encouraging root growth.

2. Mowing

• Sod: Wait until the new sod has rooted before mowing, usually after 2-3 weeks. Set the mower height high (about 3 inches) to avoid cutting too much at once.
• Seed: Once the new grass reaches about 3-4 inches, it’s safe to mow. Like sod, start with a higher mower setting and avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade.

3. Fertilization

• Sod: After the sod has been down for 4-6 weeks, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.
• Seed: Once the grass is about 6 weeks old, apply a starter fertilizer to boost the young plants’ development.

4. Traffic Control Limit foot and pet traffic on the newly installed grass, whether sod or seed. Walking on the grass can cause compaction or disturb the seedlings, making it harder for the lawn to establish.
5. Weed Control Avoid using herbicides on new grass for at least 6-8 weeks. Instead, manually remove any weeds that appear during the early stages.

Caring for New Plants After Installation
Your new plants are a beautiful addition to your landscape, but they require special care to help them get established in their new environment. Here are key steps to ensure they thrive.
1. Watering For the first few weeks, new plants need consistent watering to help their roots take hold.

• Water deeply at the base of the plant, ensuring that moisture reaches the root zone.
• For trees and shrubs, water every 2-3 days during the first two weeks, then gradually reduce to weekly.
• For smaller plants, water daily for the first week, then switch to every other day.

2. Fertilization Most new plants do not need fertilization immediately after planting, as too much can actually harm them. Wait until they are established, usually about 6 months, before applying a balanced fertilizer unless the plant shows signs of nutrient deficiency.
3. Pruning Avoid heavy pruning for the first year, as this can stress new plants. However, you can remove any dead or damaged branches or leaves.
6. Monitoring and Protection

• Keep an eye on your new plants for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection can prevent problems from spreading.
• If planting in late fall or early spring, consider covering delicate plants to protect them from frost.

Understanding Our Mowing Schedule: Weekly in Spring & Fall, Biweekly in Summer
At Avanza Landscaping, we tailor our mowing schedule to match the growth patterns of tall fescue, the primary grass type in many of our clients’ lawns. Our approach ensures your lawn stays healthy, attractive, and well-maintained throughout the year. Here’s why we follow a specific mowing schedule based on the seasons.
Spring: Weekly Mowing
In spring, tall fescue enters its most active growing phase. As temperatures rise and moisture increases, the grass grows quickly, requiring frequent mowing to maintain an optimal height.

• Why weekly? Regular mowing during spring encourages thick, lush grass by trimming just a small portion of the blades each time. This helps avoid scalping and stress on the grass.
• Benefits: Weekly mowing ensures your lawn remains neat while promoting healthy growth by stimulating fescue’s natural growth pattern.

Summer: Biweekly Mowing
During the hot summer months, tall fescue’s growth naturally slows down as the grass becomes dormant to conserve energy in response to heat and reduced rainfall.

• Why biweekly? Mowing less frequently during summer allows the grass to retain moisture and shade the soil, helping it cope with heat stress. Cutting too often can weaken the grass and make it more susceptible to drought.
• Benefits: A biweekly schedule minimizes stress on your lawn while preventing the grass from becoming too tall or unruly.

Fall: Weekly Mowing Resumes
As temperatures cool in the fall, tall fescue experiences a second growth surge. This is the time when the grass recovers from the summer heat and prepares for winter dormancy.

• Why weekly again? Weekly mowing in the fall keeps your lawn looking its best and promotes strong root development before the colder months.
• Benefits: Consistent mowing in the fall not only improves your lawn’s appearance but also encourages it to thrive when conditions are optimal for growth.

Conclusion
Our mowing schedule is designed to align with the natural growth cycles of tall fescue. By adjusting the frequency of mowing throughout the year, we ensure your lawn stays healthy, resilient, and beautiful no matter the season.
If you have any questions about our mowing services or would like to schedule a consultation, feel free to contact us!