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De-thaching services.
Dethatching is the process of removing thatch build up from the base of the lawn in order to allow moisture, sunlight and fertilizers to better reach the soil.
Thatch build up is dead, un-decomposed grass stems and roots accompanied by other small debris. The “trapped” material above the soil base creates a barrier that reduces the absorption rate of water and other necessary nutrients. It can also harbor insects and encourage disease. While thatch build up is a natural process for lawns, excessive build up is a very common problem and can easily be diagnosed. Simply use your fingers to move apart your lawn and see how much dead grass has collected before you reach the soil. If you have more than ½" your thatch layer is preventing your lawn from looking its best.
Rotary operated dethatcher – This method is much more invasive to the lawn. While the build up of thatch must be addressed if it is a problem, only severe thatch build up is recommended for this method. It is the same concept as the mower mounted machine, thatch is agitated by small blades and then pulled up. It is then vacuumed up and discarded.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing is very important for Lawn Growth and root development. Your lawn, garden and trees all absorb the nutrients from the ground and require seasonal infusion of new nutrients. We suggest fertilizing twice a year as a minimum. Some lawns may benefit from a summer treatment depending on usage of grass, lawn nutrient requirements and irrigation.
Sodding
If you want a nearly instant lawn and cost is no object, then sodding your lawn is the way to go. Good quality turf sod can form an established lawn in 3-8 weeks that can provide a long lasting and pleasurable lawn.
Grass sods are available for most all cool and warm season grasses. Sodding is many times described as being like installing a new carpet, with the exception that your new lawn will need to be tenderly cared for until it re-establishes itself in your soil.
The majority of sod grown today is harvested by expensive sod harvesting machines that cut the sod either into small squares (2 ft. x 3ft., 1x2, 1.5x3, etc) or into rolls 2ft wide and of different lengths (usually 2-4 feet). Probably over 2/3 of all lawns sodded today are installed by commercial grassing companies who have the equipment, experience, and manpower needed to install a lawn quickly.
Core-Aeration
Over time the surface of your lawn can become tightly compacted and covered with dense thatch. This is a layer of dead stems and roots. When this happens, much of the food and water your lawn needs can’t penetrate the surface. Core Aeration is simply a method of punching holes into the turf to allow moisture, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. Aeration reduces soil compaction, enhances thatch breakdown, improves water infiltration and improves response to fertilizer.
This service also improves soil composition and maximizes turf grass rooting. Most importantly it makes the lawn less susceptible to damage from weeds, insects, drought and disease. Aeration combined with over seeding is an excellent method for an established lawn to relieve compaction and improve its density. We recommend aeration & over seeding once per season to all established lawns.
Spring & Fall Clean-Up
Spring and Fall clean-ups are a necessary part of your landscaping program. They both help keep your property tidy and get your lawn and garden ready for changing seasons. Our clean ups include services such as; bed maintenance, trimming and pruning perennials, removal of annual plants, leaf and debris collection and anything else your home requires to ensure a smooth and clean transition from one season to the next. Special services such as fountain/pond maintenance, tree burlap and anything else your home may need is available.
Seeding & Overseeding
Overseeding lawn services in the spring is a vital component to having a healthy lawn. One should check for dying grass and repair it with over-seeding and top dressing. Weed seeds are very opportunistic and will establish themselves wherever bare soil exists.
Top dressing is the addition of organic material such as compost to the surface of the soil or lawn to improve soil structure and nutrients. Over-seeding (sowing seeds on an established lawn) is one way to ensure your lawn stays dense from one season to the next. It is not necessary to cover grass seeds with soil unless there are bare areas which then need top dressing too.
Over-seeding is done with a broadcast spreader to evenly apply the grass seeds. The lawn needs to be kept moist until the seeds germinate which takes between 8 and 15 days dependent on the weather and type of grass seed. The morning dews in the spring and fall are conducive to grass seed germination from over-seeding. Spring over-seeding is essential for repairing areas where the grass has died or is thin after the winter and is best done between the end of April and the end of May.
Landscaping with Pride