Grass is ground cover that continues to grow on top of itself. Over time a buildup or “mat” occurs. This mat acts like a block preventing sunlight and vital nutrients from getting to the roots of the grass.

All home lawns are subject to thatch accumulation, but if thatch is left unmanaged it can cause serious maintenance and pest problems.

De-Thatching or Power Raking is like a mini-roto-tiller that shreds the mat without disturbing the grade of the soil. This is key because it exposes the soil to the sun and other nutrients as well as slicing the roots which stimulates new growth. This results in a brand new healthier lawn.

Core Aeration uses a series of small tube like cutters that pull about 3 inch plugs out of the ground and dumps them on top of the lawn. This is great for rolling greens as it provides a way for the water to penetrate the soil. Although there will be some stimulation of the grass due to the punctured roots the mat still remains intact. In addition, the plugs left on the lawn will work their way back into the holes.

We recommend power raking once a year for people who do not over seed with winter rye grass. This is best done in the early growing season as temperatures begin to rise (Mar- June) but can be done at any time throughout the summer. For those wanting a winter lawn– we recommend a power de-thatching, hand raking, scalping and a lawn vacuume in October providing a proper bed for the winter seed.

All Pro Lawn & Sprinkler provides professional de-thatching services, using state-of-the-art equipment that removes thatch that traditional hand raking would never be able to remove. If you would like to get your yard de-thatched, give us a call at 480-969-5000 and we’ll get your grass greener than you can imagine!

To keep your lawn looking lush and healthy requires some basic maintenance and care. The type of grass you have will dictate the maintenance you will need to follow. Basic maintenance consists of watering, mowing, and fertilizing.

Watering:
What is the best time to water? 5am to 9am provides maximum penetration with less evaporation, plus less risk of disease on the leaf blade. Grass that remains wet for long periods of time is more susceptible to disease development. Keep in mind, all sprinkler systems are different, and deliver varied amounts of water. The goal for watering is to put down approximately 1 inch of water to the entire lawn surface each week. Typically this is best done by watering every other day. When using manual or automatic sprinklers, let them run in one spot until the water begins to run off the surface. Then move to water a different section of your lawn.

Mowing:
How often should I mow? We recommend mowing once a week. Rotary mowers are ideal for Bermuda and hybrid Bermuda grass including Bob Sod, Midiron/easy turf, St. Augustine, and can be used on Santa Ana with a sharp blade. Reel mowers are ideal for dense grasses: Tifgreen, Tifway, Tifdwarf and Santa Ana.

Fertilizing:
Is fertilizing really necessary? Our desert soils are very alkaline, and they lack nutrients to keep turf grass green and healthy.

Fertilization is the supplementation of nutrients to the soil. There are three main nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus(P) and Potassium (K). A fertilizer that contains all three of these nutrients is called a complete fertilizer. Fertilizers containing trace elements such as Sulphur, Zinc, Iron and Magnesium make a complete and well balanced diet for your lawn.

Avoid fertilizers that are physical blended (they tend to look like birdseed). This can cause staining on brickwork, cool decking, flagstone and other hardscape surfaces.

We use a homogenous blend – each capsule of fertilizer is blended with the same formula throughout the bag. This type is assimilated more evenly in turf grass resulting in a more lush deep green lawn.

It’s real easy. Think of three holidays: Valentines Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day. This is when the growers do it. This is when we do it.

1) Feeding should be Feb 1 to Valentine’s Day before the tree blooms. This will increase the number of blooms and result in higher fruit yield.

2)The next feeding Memorial Day, the fruit should be about golf ball size. In the middle of summer, with heat stress, they will drop fruit. A regular feeding is needed to sustain them while growing and maintaining the fruit.

3)The third feeding is between Labor Day and mid October. Give it a final feeding in the fall while the sap is still flowing to sustain it through the cold season.

What if I fertilize at other times? It’s probably not a good idea. Remember the goal is to get the trees in a regular routine. Setting of the fruit can be harmed if it is fertilized at the wrong time. This can shock the tree and the fruit can actually fall off. Remember timing is everything.

If you fertilize when the sap is not flowing in the tree (such as during the cold months) the fertilizer will not get assimilated. You will be wasting your money!

Following a seasonal routine will ensure you have the sweetest and juiciest fruit possible!