Minnesota is known for its extremes in temperatures, from the bitter cold days of January to the sweltering sun of July. Because these vast climate differences can be rough on plants, gardens, and landscaping in general, we at The Lawnsmith recommend installing mulch or replenishing mulch that has dried up or blown away. Mulch offers numerous benefits, regardless of the specific type installed. 

Some of these benefits include:

• Prevents evaporation of water from the soil.
• Mulched plants produce deeper and more plentiful roots.
• As long as the mulch itself is weed-free, it prevents the growth of weeds in and around the area where it has been installed.
• Mulch comes in a variety of colors, which allows the homeowner to choose one that is most aesthetically pleasing to him or her.
• Installing mulch helps to prevent soil compaction.
• Since mulch keeps soil warm in winter and cool in summer, it helps to maintain a more consistent soil temperature.
• When mulch is installed, it guards tree trunks and shrubs from damage by lawn care equipment.
• Mulch stops soil from splashing, which in turn prevents erosion and soil-borne diseases.
• Mulch improves the movement and of water into the soil by preventing crusting on the surface.
• When organic mulch is used, it can improve the condition of the soil structure. After the mulch decays, it becomes topsoil and adds nutrients to all of the soil layers.

Spring is the Ideal Time for New Mulching
Late April or early May is a great time to install mulching for the first time or to replenish what has been covered by snow for the past several months. The Lawnsmith offers free estimates for installation services in addition to providing feedback to homeowners on the best type of mulch to buy for their yards.

Mowing is an essential factor to maintaining a beautiful lush lawn, and regular mowing is key to a green lawn. Other than the basics, such as never removing more than one-third of the grass blades at a time, and only mow to the height recommended for the selected species of grass, how often the lawn should be mowed is the most frequently asked question posed by property owners. Most experts will agree that during the growing season, mowing weekly is best, and will ensure your grass staying full, green, and healthy throughout the growing season.

Why is it necessary to mow the lawn weekly? In order to understand the reason behind frequent mowing, there are a few facts about grass growth that are important to understand. These factors are:

• Desired lawn height or how low you like to mow
• Health of the lawn
• Rate of Growth
• Type of turf

According the the University of Minnesota SULIS (Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series), mowing too infrequently can cause damage, as too much of the plant is removed at once. This weakened grass plant will not be as resiliant to environmental challenges, such as drought, heat or other weather stresses. Weekly mowing is the best way to ensure your lawn is healthy, and to avoid shock damage by removing too much blade height at a time. If mowing the lawn weekly seems like a lot of time to invest in your lawn, hiring a professional lawn service is the best way to ensure your lawn gets the care it needs, and you get the time to enjoy it.