Regardless of where you live and what type of turf grass you’re working with, aeration can help your lawn be healthier and more beautiful. The trick is knowing when it’s best to aerate, what equipment to use, and what else you can do to encourage the vigor of your grasses while limiting weeds’ ability to gain a foothold in the lawn. According to Josh Friell, Ph. D, of The Toro Company’s…
Like all lawn mowers, zero turn mowers require care to prevent accidents when mowing around water, drop-offs, steep inclines, and wet conditions. Prepare for the mowing season by remembering these helpful safety tips: Before Mowing Read and understand the operator’s manual before operation. The manual provides important maintenance and safety information. Make certain safety devices are working properly, and never bypass or remove any safety equipment. While Mowing Do not operate…
Lawn tools fall into three categories: basic tools you’ll want to own, specialty tools to rent or own, if you have the budget and space, and tools to rent. Our recommendations assume average lawn needs. Your needs may differ. Basic Tools to Own Bulb Planter: Digs a hole and pushes the bulb into the hole. Garden Cart or Wheelbarrow: Hauls everything from lawn tools to fertilizer to lawn waste. Garden…
After your equipment has been stored all winter, it may need a bit of maintenance to get everything back in top shape for spring. If you plan on taking any of your power equipment to a local dealer for preseason maintenance or repairs, now is a great time to get that taken care of! By the time spring rolls around, service dealerships may be all booked up, so it’s the…
Ever wonder how to keep weeds from growing in your lawn and when to fertilize? Here are some key tips: Cut at the Right Height To promote healthier grass, mowing at to the right height is helpful in preventing weeds because keeping your turf longer helps block sunlight from weed seeds waiting to germinate. When weed seeds are evident, catch your grass clippings and dispose of them, rather than redistributing them…
How often do you upgrade your personal technology? For many of us, upgrading our phones, computers, even our cars is something we do every few years. Updating home technology likely doesn’t happen as often. But, keeping current can save you time and money. So, when was the last time you upgraded your irrigation system controller? If the answer is longer than a few years, now is the time. Putting…
When shopping for a new blower, many consumers look at the “miles per hour” rating to assess the power of a blower. However, it is possible for a 230 MPH blower to have more power than a 240 MPH blower. Here is why: MPH Alone is Not a Good Measure of Power A blower nozzle opening the size of a straw could blow air at 300 mph—it is good for…
The Toro Company is initiating case studies involving commercial and residential irrigation applications. This is the first residential case study in the series. Resident Profile The Schenck family has lived in their Yucaipa, California, home since 2007. Nicole Schenck, owner of a firm that stages large events, such as a water conference attracting irrigation experts from around the state, is a water aficionado who pays close attention to her monthly…
Good news – there are simple, cost-effective actions homeowners can take that can save up to 30% in outdoor water usage. Check out these 7 lawn-care watering tips from Toro to get started today.
Grasses require at least 16 different essential elements for healthy growth, most of which are provided by the grass’s surrounding environment. However, three of these elements, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), are needed in larger quantities and may require you to apply fertilizer to sustain healthy, vigorous turf. Nitrogen (N) Nitrogen is the mineral nutrient required in the greatest quantity. Not only is nitrogen responsible for enhancing the…