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How to Wrap your Back flow from Freezing

When Freezing temperatures arise before your sprinkler system has been winterized,  there are actions steps for you to take to help prevent your back flow from freezing.

If you have an above-ground back flow device and have not yet had your sprinkler system winterized, your system is at risk for freeze damage.    

To help mitigate the risk, we recommend that you IMMEDIATELY take the following steps:

  1. Turn your sprinkler controller to the OFF position if you have not already done so.

  2. Locate your above ground back flow device at your home.  Please reference the  video below. 

  3. Take an old towel, blanket, or pillow  and wrap it around the exposed pipe.  You will  want to tie or tape those in place to keep it wrapped snugly around the pipe. 

  4. Cover the towel wrapped pipe with a heavy duty trash bag to keep water from penetrating. This can also be done with a waterproof padded pouch.

  5. Secure the bag tightly over the towel.  You can do this with any number of household items such as an old belt, duct tape, etc.     

  6. If you have not already done so, contact us NOW to schedule your winterization.  While we never really know exactly what weather the winter will bring, early indicators point towards it being a particularly harsh winter. 

Act now to protect your sprinkler system.

 

We are here to serve you,

Klawn of Colorado Springs

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Want a greener lawn? Here is what you do

Aeration Tips

Lawn Aeration

Annual aeration of your soil will help build a healthy, beautiful lawn. Aerating, or core cultivation, opens a path for air, water and nutrients to reach the root level of the turf and helps control thatch. Recommended prior to fertilizer application in early spring or late fall

Building Stronger Root Systems

Aeration will create pockets in the soil to help deliver air, water and nutrients to the turf roots. The root system of the lawn actually grows toward these pockets, filling them in to become deeper and stronger. And the healthier the roots, the thicker and healthier the lawn. Fall is the best time to aerate your lawn, but it can also be done in the spring.

Making the Most of Thatch

Thatch is a layer of dead vegetation that builds up on lawns at the surface of the soil. While a small amount of thatch is healthy for your lawn, an excess of thatch can be harmful. Power raking your lawn is not recommended for removing thatch, and caution should be taken if doing so, because it can kill your lawn. A better way to control thatch, the process of aeration will remove plugs of soil from your lawn and place them above the thatch level. This process will actually speed up the decomposition of thatch as the soil blends back into the earth, taking the natural nutrients of decomposing thatch with it.

Cultivating Your Soil

When soil is compacted, cannot growing deep root systems. Aeration will soften up the soil, allowing it to breathe. Turf roots will be able to grow deeper and spread to fill in thinner areas of your lawn. For more information on aeration, please feel free to contact your local K-Lawn® Lawn Care Specialist.

Key Benefits of Aeration:

  • Aeration opens a path for air, water and nutrients to reach the root level of the turf and helps control thatch.
  • Aeration pockets give roots space to grow thick and deep, helping to build a stronger root system for your lawn.
  • Aeration helps return decomposing thatch and its natural nutrients back into your soil.
  • Aeration mellows your soil so roots grow and spread to fill in thinner areas of lawns.
  • Aeration promotes a thick and lush lawn.
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The Secret to a Beautiful Lawn

Dedicated to Lawn Care

It’s a fact — K-Lawn is dedicated to providing the ultimate care for your lawn, so that you can spend your time enjoying it. Focusing on getting your lawn to look great is all we do — period.

With two programs designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of your lawn, you’ll never have to worry about fertilizing, insects or weeds ever again. One of our lawn care specialists will do an analysis to determine exactly what nutrients your specific lawn needs and suggest the program that’s best for you.

KQ Program

Proven on lawns for over 25 years, our standard KQ Total Care Program helps homeowners enjoy fabulous lawns with no headaches. Applications are strategically timed to match the season and the specific nutritional requirements of your lawn.

With our combination of quality fertilizers, nutrients, pest control and weed control, you’ll see a difference that will make you happy about your yard again.

KQ Gold Program

Maintaining consistent delivery of nutrients to your lawn over time, our KQ Gold Program is a premium plan that eliminates the “peaks & valleys” between fertilizer applications.

The secret of the KQ Gold Program is lawn fertilizers with a higher percentage of slow-release nitrogen and other nutrients your lawn needs to thrive. With KQ Gold, lawns maintain a healthier, more uniform appearance — all season long.

You get all the benefits of our standard KQ Program, plus all the extra nutrients to maintain a thick, lush lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

K-Lawn 4-Step Cycle

Both of our lawn care programs include a four step approach to providing all the care your lawn needs. With four applications designed to keep your lawn healthy, you’ll soon be on your way to having a beautiful and trouble-free lawn.

Early Spring

  • Custom-Grade and Balanced KQ Fertilizer
  • Pre-emergent Weed Control
  • Broadleaf Weed Control
  • Iron-Sulphur Supplement

Early Summer

  • Custom-Grade and Balanced KQ Fertilizer
  • Pre-emergent Weed Control
  • Broadleaf Weed Control
  • Insect Control
  • Iron-Sulphur Supplement

Summer

  • Custom-Grade and Balanced KQ Fertilizer
  • Broadleaf Weed Control
  • Insect Control
  • Iron-Sulphur Supplement

Autumn

  • Heavier Application of Custom-Grade and Balanced KQ Fertilizer
  • Broadleaf Weed Control
  • Iron-Sulphur Supplement

 

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Irrigation – Watering Tips

Watering Tips

Your turf plant is 75-80% water by weight, so it’s no surprise that watering is crucial to developing a beautiful lawn. When your lawn starts to look a little blue, or you can start to see footprints… it’s time to water.

The Best Time for Watering

It’s best to water your lawn in the early morning, between 4 – 8am, while wind and evaporation losses are low. Night watering should be avoided if possible, because it increases the chances of disease problems in your lawn. Plants should be dry, prior to nightfall to help prevent disease.

How Often and How Much?

You should always base watering on the needs of the plant, and you’ll want to make sure that you’re adjusting watering schedules accordingly. Your lawn should be watered as thoroughly as possible every 5 to 7 days. Deep soaking will help develop a strong root system for your lawn. Lawn sprinklers or your underground sprinkler system should cover the entire lawn area.

You need to find a happy balance that’s right for your lawn. Over-watering lawns will result in a shallow root system, and under-watering lawns will result in dead or brown grass. The best way to determine the proper amount of water for your lawn is to discuss it with your K-Lawn® lawn care specialist.

Points to Remember About Watering:

  • Your turf plant is 75-80% water by weight, so watering is crucial to developing a healthy lawn.
  • The best watering times are between 4 – 8am, while wind and evaporation losses are low.
  • Night watering should be avoided to help prevent disease.
  • Watering should be based on the needs of the plant.
  • Lawns should be watered thoroughly, as needed, every 5-7 days.
  • Deep soaking helps develop a strong root system in lawns.
  • Make sure your sprinklers cover the entire lawn area.

 

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Lawn Mowing Tips

Lawn Mowing Tips

Proper mowing is essential to a beautiful lawn, and contrary to popular belief, leaving your clippings on the lawn are actually healthy for it. Clippings will return nutrients to the lawn. They do not add to thatch levels, so it is best to let your clippings filter down.

The Hidden Nutrients in Grass Clippings

Grass clippings are 75 to 80% water and contain up to 25% of the fertilizer applied to lawns. Clippings quickly break down, returning moisture and nutrients to the soil. It only makes sense to allow the clippings to recycle into the lawn, where they can decompose. Those returning nutrients build greener and healthier lawns.

Understanding Thatch Levels

Thatch is a layer of dead vegetation that builds up on lawns at the surface of the soil. While a small amount of thatch is healthy for your lawn, an excess of thatch can be problematic. But thatch is primarily made up of roots and stems. Most people don’t realize that grass clippings do not add to thatch levels, as clippings decompose very quickly. Bagging and removing your grass clippings will not reduce your thatch level. For controlling thatch levels, see: aerating lawns.

The Right Height for Your Lawn

The length of your lawn is determined from the top of the thatch level to the top of the grass blade, and maintaining a taller blade length will help keep your lawn and root system healthy. Taller lawns reduce evaporation and help prevent weeds by shading your soil. Your lawn will stay greener when it’s kept at the right height. That exact height will vary by grass type, but you should never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade. For more information, ask your local K-Lawn lawn care specialist about the right height for your lawn.

The food producing part of your lawn is in the grass blade, and if you set your mower blade too low… you run the risk of damaging the plant. Scalping of this nature will cause your lawn to turn brown, restricts root growth and may run the risk of weed & disease problems.

How Often Should Your Lawn Be Mowed?

After determining the right height of your lawn, you’ll need to adjust your mowing frequency to maintain that height. Lawn growth is effected by a variety of conditions, such as the season, grass type, irrigation frequency and the temperature. If possible, adapt your mowing schedule to your lawn’s needs. During early spring and mid summer growing periods, you may need to mow more than once a week.

Using & Maintaining Your Lawn Mower

There are a number of good mowers on the market. It is preferable to use a mulching mower, so that clippings can be left on the lawn. Whatever mower you use, it is most important to keep your mower blade sharp. A dull, rough blade will damage the plant leaf and cause browning in lawns. Have your blade sharpened several times a year. Adjusting your mower deck height throughout the summer is equally as important. Remember, as temperatures rise, so should your mowing height. Early spring mowing can be lower to ‘clean up’ from the previous winter, but avoid scalping. Late fall mowing heights can be lowered as temperatures cool.

Points to Remember About Lawn Mowing:

  • Grass clippings left on the lawn are good for it, returning moisture and nutrients to your lawn
  • As temperatures rise, so should your mowing height.
  • Determine the right height for your lawn, removing only 1/3 of the leaf blade.
  • Mow your lawn as often as needed to maintain its determined height.
  • Use a mulcher with sharp mower blades to keep your lawn healthy