Reestablishing The Lawn Care Blog

Cory Bettinghouse

Key Takeaways

Lawn care insights offer:

• Comprehensive Education: Detailed lawn care tips and information for enhanced property maintenance.
• Local Business Insight: Insights into the operations, services, and community contributions of a Reno-based lawn service.
• Customer Service Excellence: Emphasis on outstanding customer service driven by happy employees and accountability.

Check out our lawn care services.

Well it has been over 9 months since Cory's Lawn Service has last blogged, and it is time to get back on the horse and try again. The purpose of this blog is going to be about lawn care, obviously. I want to provide my customers, and anyone else who wants to read, with information and tips about lawn care in Reno. I also want to discuss about Cory's Lawn Service as a local business in Reno, what we are doing, what service we are providing, and what things we are working on  to better serve our customers and community. Since starting Cory's Lawn Service in 2006 I have gone from knowing nothing about lawn care or owning a small business to currently having over 100 repeat customers yearly. Over the years I have sought out the tricks of the trade, advise from other local landscape companies, and learned some good old fashion trial and error. Ultimately I have learned to strive for outstanding customer service which translates first to having happy employees and owning up to my mistakes. I believe that it is specifically because of our customer service, that we have repeat customers year after year. Using this blog is another way that I want to continue our excellent customer service by letting people know what things they can do to help their lawns along with other valuable information, discussions, and tips.

Thank you for taking the time to check out Cory's Lawn Service blog. I know according to the calender we are still at the tail end of winter, but we look forward to the upcoming mowing season, along with helping you with anything that you might need done around your property. I am so appreciative of the customers year after year that trust and enjoy the work we do.

What Is Dethatching?

Key Takeaways

Dethatching enhances lawn health:

• Improved Nutrient Access: Dethatching allows water, nutrients, and air to better reach the soil and grass roots.
• Enhanced Grass Growth: Removing thatch promotes healthier and thicker lawn growth by preventing overcrowded roots.
• Disease Prevention: By removing excess thatch, dethatching helps prevent lawn diseases by reducing the environment that pests and diseases thrive in.

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I had some people ask me about what the benefits of dethatching you lawn are. I found a great WEBSITE that will help with some tips of how to prevent thatch, what it does, and when you should have it done. If you are interested in this service for your lawn in Reno, I would be more that willing to assist.

Snow Removal

waist deep snow

Key Takeaways

Snow removal offers:

• Efficient Service: Successfully handled an overwhelming volume of requests during heavy snowfall.
• Team Effort: Trustworthy team members played a crucial role in managing tasks effectively.
• Equipment Use: Utilization and acquisition of necessary equipment to tackle extensive snow removal challenges.

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Just when it seemed that it was almost spring and time to start the mowers and blowers for lawn care in Reno, certain parts of the city got over a foot of snow. We even had one entry way in Del Webb that had over waist deep snow to remove.  Luckily, because of some trusty workers, we were able to tend to the overwhelming amount of phone calls for snow removal. It is amazing how 8 hours of snow removal will turn a consistent night owl into a sleeping baby that must have 12 hours of rest. Over all, Cory's Lawn Service had a very successful two weeks of snow removal. We removed snow from 76 driveways with our deepest removal measuring 32" in the picture to the right. You would think this would come with an award or something, but all it came with was a larger bill and noteworthy photo! In the process we were able to break 2 of our snow blowers, borrow another blower for part of a day, and buy our 6th snow blower.

During this time, I was able to complete the companies first on-site video (below),  followed by a few more that can be found on our youtube.com/lawncarereno site. In the end, I lost 6 lbs in the past two weeks from the exercise and actually had a good time of getting to know both Brandon and Geoff while we worked our tails off. Thank you to everyone who used our services these past two weeks, and please feel free to call me or email me with any other needs you may have.

Luckily, because of some trusty workers we were able to tend to the overwhelming amount of phone calls for snow removal. It is amazing how 8 hours of snow removal will turn a night owl into a baby needing 12 hours of sleep.

Reno Climate Tips

Map of Growing Conditions

Key Takeaways

Reno's climate challenges:

• Unique Climate: Reno's "Purple Zone" climate is tough on grass, featuring cool winters, hot summers, and high winds.
• Grass Selection: Native and drought-tolerant grasses like Buffalo grass and Blue Grama are ideal for local conditions.
• Seasonal Planting: Cool-season grasses are best planted in late spring or early fall, while warm-season grasses thrive when planted in late spring to early summer.

Check out our lawn care services.

Reno is located in the “Purple Zone” and is considered to be in the Western Region of the US. While many of us love the climate we live in, it is not ideal for grass. We are known for our cool winters, hot summers, high winds, and relatively dry climates. Cool-Season grasses are commonly found in this area. Due to the dry conditions, grasses that handle drought and extreme weather fluctuations are ideal. However, with proper watering techniques, a few cool & warm season grasses can grow if properly maintained. Mowing typically lasts from early spring through late fall, with watering required for many non-drought tolerant grasses, and during hot summer months. Planting of cool-season grasses is common during late spring and early fall months. Conversely, warm-season grasses tend to plant best during the late-spring and early summer months. Grasses commonly found here: Native Grasses (Buffalo grass, Blue Grama, and Wheatgrasses), Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Zoysia, and Bermuda. Interested in professional lawn care? Call Cory's Lawn Service at (775)-868-0123 to get set up today!

Lawn Care Tips

Key Takeaways

Insightful lawn care insights:

• Regular Maintenance: Consistent care is crucial for a healthy lawn.
• Seasonal Adjustments: Adapting lawn care techniques for changing seasons enhances lawn health.
• Professional Services: Expert services can significantly improve lawn quality and appearance.

Check out our lawn care services.

Moving into a new home? Have a damaged lawn? Here are a few tips to restoring your lawn.

Clean it up!

Removing all your weed and brush buildup will improve the quality of appearance and help your lawn grow to it’s full potential.

The best time to clear weeds and brush is the spring or fall, when your lawn is thriving. This allows for the lawn to recover quickly and look its best. In preparation for your clean up, mow the entire lawn. Short grass will make de-weeding and surface preparation easier. It will also improve seed germination rates because more seed will make contact with the soil and seedlings will have greater exposure to the sun.

Take care of depressions and holes

Depressions in your lawn can be caused by poor grading, uneven settling, or the decomposition of buried tree stumps, logs, or roots. Mark any irregularities with a flag or stick so you can find them easily when you are ready to level them.

To level small bumps, raise the sod with a sharp spade and remove the necessary amount of soil beneath it. Cut out at least a 2 by 2-foot section of sod. If you lift smaller patches of sod, they will likely dry out and die. While the soil base is exposed, mix in some compost and fertilizer. Watersoak the area using a hose and press the sod back into place. Keep the area watered to prevent lawn brownout.

Fertilization

Apply the fertilizer recommended by the results of your soil. Use a slow-release fertilizer, putting down more fertilizer than necessary will damage your lawn. The excess fertilizer may eventually pollute waterways. If you did not test your soil, apply a slow-release fertilizer with an Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium ratio of 3-1-2. Apply about 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn.

Microbes and Organic Material

Microbes digest grass clippings, dead grass roots, and stems, providing nutrients your grass. A topdressing of compost mixed with topsoil will add organic matter into the soil without hurting the lawn. Be sure to aerate your lawn after your application. Topsoil and compost can be found at your local nurseries and landscape centers.

These tips should help you on your path to a beautiful lawn! If you don’t have the time, we would be happy to help. Give us a call at (775) 686-0123.