Tips For Prepping Your Raleigh Lawn For Spring
Raleigh and the surrounding area is unique in that the climate dictates that once March hits, its go time. Spring is the single most crucial point in your lawns annual lifespan, and your actions during this time will make the difference between the best yard on the block, or a frustrating, brown mess. Here are a few tips to make sure you are best prepared for a successful growing season.
1) Test your soils pH
Soil with low acidity is an incredibly common problem across lawns in North Carolina. Knowing where your lawn is in terms of acidity will give you a leg up on how to face future problems. Soil test kits are cheap and can be found at many of the large home improvement stores. Applying agricultural lime, made from pulverized limestone, is the only effective solution to a lawn with low acidity. It can be applied during any season throughout the year, and wont harm your lawn at all. Why is low acidity a problem?
2) Consider aeration
It is easy to test your lawn for compaction, all you need is a garden fork. If the tines cant penetrate further than two inches into the soil, then you should consider ways to combat compaction. Core aeration is the most common, and will allow nutrients to seep deeper into the soil. Like pre-emergent, it is best to aerate your lawn before temperatures hit 60 degrees, as that would leave your yard extremely vulnerable to germinating seeds.
3) DO NOT put down insect control
4) Go easy with the mower
Tools For Lawn Aeration
The most common tool for aeration is a core aerator, a machine with hollow tines that penetrate the soil and pull out plugs of soil. Depending on the machine, the tines can be up to about three-quarters of an inch wide and four inches deep. Some homeowners have used spikes either via a device or spiked shoes to poke holes in the lawn, but this method is not as effective as it can compact the soil deeper. Professionals often have the proper tools and training to provide long term health along with aeration services.
Signs That Your Lawn Needs To Be Aerated
As a general rule, cool-season grasses should be aerated in the fall and warm-season grasses in the early spring. There are also a few things that you can look out for, which would indicate that your lawn needs to be aerated.
When your lawn is used very often, it may be very compacted and need regular aerating to help keep the grass healthy. If your children and pets play in your yard a lot, its likely to need frequent aerating. If youve recently had construction work done on your home, the soil may have become compacted due to heavy footfall. You need to avoid walking on grass after aerating.
If the grass in your yard feels dry or spongy, its likely to have excess thatch, requiring breaking up. Thatch is made up of dead grass, plants, and roots tangled with the new growth. If thatch is left to build up, it can suffocate your grass. Aerating your lawn can help break up the thatch and avoid any issues. Overseeding after cleaning up the thatch can really help too.
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Maintaining An Established Lawn
Consider your lawn established when you have mowed it three times. Lawn Care Maintenance Calendars for specific grass types are available online on the NC State TurfFiles website.
Irrigating
Improper irrigation of lawns results in wasted water, added cost, and unhealthy plants. Water should be applied only when a reasonable portion of the lawn shows signs of moisture stress. A dark bluish-gray color footprints that remain some time after walking and wilted, folded, or curled leaves are indications that it is time to water. A delay in watering at the first signs of wilt will generally not result in permanent damage unless the turf is being allowed to go dormant.
If irrigation is not available or desirable, then an alternative to irrigating is to allow the turf to go semi-dormant to dormant. Tall fescue, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass are tolerant of drought if allowed to go dormant. A thorough explanation on turfgrass water requirements and irrigation controller setup can be found in Water Requirements of North Carolina Turfgrasses. General watering recommendations include the following:
Mowing
Use either a rotary or reel mower. The reel mower is preferred if grasses are cut to less than 1 inch.
Fertilizing
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Why Aerate Lawns In Charlotte Nc
Aeration is all about maintaining good soil for growing. And, in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, we have Cecil soil which is great for farms and forests. Unfortunately, high amounts of clay decrease permeability, especially in urban areas like Charlotte. Over time, foot traffic and outdoor activities compress the ground, and roots don’t have room to grow. Eventually, there are no air pockets to circulate water, oxygen, and nutrients to the plants. That’s why homeowners need regular aeration to keep their lawn looking lush.
If your lawn is lagging, aeration might be the cure. At Thomas Pest Control, our lawn care professionals can help you identify the problem and provide a customized solution. If you notice signs of compacted soil, call us at 704-833-8716.
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When To Overseed Lawn In North Carolina
Overseeding your lawn in North Carolina is a great way to get a thick healthy lawn and fill in bare spots, but its important to find just the right time of the year to do it. Our goal at Jonathan Green is to help you grow a vibrant healthy lawn, and we provide everything you need to accomplish the task.
Why Aerating Helps Lawns
Grass roots need air, water and nutrients to grow thick, deep and strong. When soil becomes compacted, even slightly, it inhibit the flow of the essentials that support thicker, healthier turf growth. A layer of compacted soil just 1/4 to 1/2 inches thick can make a significant difference in the health and beauty of your lawn.1 Aeration creates holes down into the soil to alleviate compaction so air, water and nutrients can reach grass roots.
Deprived of their basic needs by compacted soil, lawn grasses struggle in stressful situations, such as heat and low rainfall, and lose their healthy, rich color. Grasses gradually thin and eventually die out completely, for lack of the oxygen, water and nutrients available just inches away. Even a single aeration session can open the avenue for these essentials to reach their mark and put your lawn back on an upward trend.
Core aerators pull small plugs of soil to the surface.
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Why Should You Aerate Your Lawn
It is important for you to aerate your lawn in order to alleviate soil compaction, which prevents proper air, water, and nutrient circulation in the soil. Soil compaction occurs when there are too many solid particles within a space.
Soil should be aerated on a regular basis because compacted soil can squish the roots, inhibiting their ability to function. Too much debris on the lawn can also prevent the roots from absorbing the necessary nutrients.
How To Dethatch Your Lawn
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Should I Pick Up Plugs After Aerating
The Short Answer. The consensus is that no, you should not pick up plugs or cores after aerating. In a few days, these little pieces of your lawn should break down and become unnoticeable. This process is aided by watering your lawn deeply after aerating or waiting to aerate before it rains…. see details
Benefits Of Aeration For Your Lawn
Aeration, also called core aeration, is the process of perforating or aerating the soil with an aerator, as well as any thatch layer that might exist, by removing a core or plugs of soil and depositing that core on the surface to break down.
Reduces the chances of having thatch buildup. Thatch makes it harder for your lawn to absorb water and nutrients. It also makes it more susceptible to disease.
Reduces soil compaction, creating more channels for water, air, and nutrients to travel through. Just like humans, grass plants need water, oxygen, and food to thrive.
Creates the optimal environment for seeding and germination. The new seed has the opportunity to embed in the soil, absorbing nutrients so that it can sprout lush, green grass.
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What Are The Benefits To Aerate Your Lawn
Lawn aeration is how will make your lawn healthy. As a result, youll get a dense and beautiful lawn. Aeration benefits your lawns root system, including:
Benefits Of Lawn Aeration
Soil can become compacted for many reasons. Vehicle traffic and children and pets running in the yard are just a few. Soil compaction prevents proper circulation of air, water, and nutrients, blocking them from reaching the roots. Lack of nutrients may leave your lawn looking dry and patchy. Lawn aerating pokes holes into the soil of your lawn, creating a direct path for fertilizer, air, and water to reach your lawns roots. By giving the roots direct access to nutrients, they can create a deep root system. A deep, strong root system is what creates a lush, healthy lawn.
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What Is The Best Time To Aerate And Seed Your Lawn
The undisputed best time of year to aerate and seed a lawn is in the fall. Warm soils, cool nights and dying annual weeds make fall conditions the ideal time for aeration combined with overseeding as well as general lawn seeding. Unlike fall, spring soils are cold and packed full of dormant weed seeds ready to grow…. see details
How To Know Your Lawn Needs Aeration
The first clue that Charlotte lawns need aeration is when the grass grows poorly. Thin, yellow grass is a sign of nutrient deficiency caused by compaction. There’s an easy test to check soil hardness. Stick a long thin object, like a screwdriver or pencil, into the ground. If it stops short of 6 inches, you likely have a compaction issue. However, if the screwdriver pushes in easily, you probably don’t need aeration.
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Reasons To Hire A Professional
Investing in professional lawn aeration presents a number of advantages, beyond freeing up your time for other activities.
Professional lawn care companies have the right equipment, allowing the job to be done quickly and correctly. Theres no need to buy or rent an aerator. Professionals have a better understanding of your lawns needs and will know the best time to aerate and overseed your lawn. Not only will they time the aeration correctly, but they will also apply the right balance of fertilizer and seed post-aeration to ensure the best grass possible. More peace of mind. Many lawn care companies will offer a guarantee of results and will keep working on your yard until you are satisfied. If you DIY, you may spend hundreds of dollars on supplies, only to be disappointed or frustrated by the results. Professionals will properly prep the lawn for aeration to ensure the best results.
As always, there are some pros and cons to hiring a professional. However, by the time you acquire the right equipment, you may spend about the same amount of cash either way.
If you dont have time to invest in aerating your lawn, contact TruGreen so you can have an envy-worthy lawn to make the neighbors turn their heads.
Should You Be Aerating Your Lawn
One of the most common questions from homeowners is how to determine if they should be aerating their lawn. Your lawn is probably a good candidate for aeration if it:
- Gets heavy use, such as serving as the neighborhood playground or racetrack. Children and pets running around the yard contribute to soil compaction.
- Was established as part of a newly constructed home. Often, the topsoil of newly constructed lawns is stripped or buried, and the grass established on subsoil has been compacted by construction traffic.
- Dries out easily and has a spongy feel. This might mean your lawn has an excessive thatch problem. Take a shovel and remove a slice of lawn about four inches deep. If the thatch layer is greater than one-half inch, aeration is recommended.
- Was established by sod, and soil layering exists. Soil layering means that soil of finer texture, which comes with imported sod, is layered over the existing coarser soil. This layering disrupts drainage, as water is held in the finer-textured soil. This leads to compacted conditions and poor root development. Aerating breaks up the layering, allowing water to flow through the soil more easily and reach the roots.
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Proper Mowing Techniques For New Grass
Mowing your recently seeded lawn too soon can cause distress and your new grass may die. Check your lawn weekly and measure the height of the blades. Once your grass reaches a height of 3.5 inches, you may continue your regularly scheduled lawn maintenance, but proper technique is still critical.
Let your new turf grow stronger by not cutting it too short, this is an important lawn care technique not only for new grass, but also established lawns as well. A height of 3.5-4.5 inches is a good length to ensure your new grass grows a deep root system. Once established, this height can drop to 2-4 inches depending on your type of lawn.
For future mowing sessions, you should never mow more than one-third of the blade height. Keep your mower blades sharp during every cut dull blades can harm the delicate new turf.
Carolina Lawns: A Guide To Maintaining Quality Turf In The Landscape
Lawns are smooth, living carpets that add beauty and recreational space to your home. The benefits of a healthy lawn go beyond the obvious. As your grass grows, it helps the environment by stabilizing soil and reducing air pollution, noise, heat, dust, and glare. Surveys show that an attractive, well-landscaped lawn can even add to the value of your home.
To reap the rewards of a handsome lawn, take great care in the selection, establishment, maintenance, and renovation of your lawn grass. By making the proper choices, you can create a durable lawn that will grow with minimal maintenance and pesticide use.
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Diy Or Hire Professionals To Aerate Your Lawn
As with most lawn care tasks, it is possible to aerate your lawn yourself. However, before you set aside a weekend afternoon for the chore, consider the benefits of hiring a lawn care professional. When you consider the pros and cons of DIY aeration vs. those of hiring lawn care professionals, you might find that its worth investing in some expert help.
When Should I Aerate My Lawn
The question of when to aerate your lawn basically comes down to two factorsthe type of grass in your lawn and the condition of that grass. The time of year at which your lawn needs to be aerated depends on the type of grass you have, and the quality of your grass may also be letting you know that it is time to aerate. Below are some basic guidelines to help you recognize when to aerate in North Carolina.
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How To Tell If Your Yard Needs To Be Aerated
You can perform a simple lawn aeration test that can be done using a screwdriver or pencil. Place either object into the soil. If its too difficult, the soil is compacted and needs to be aerated with a lawn aerator.
Your grass can benefit from aeration if your lawn:
- Is frequently driven on. The weight of a vehicle, even movers, can compact soil.
- Has high foot traffic. Children and pets running around the yard contribute to soil compaction.
- Was established as part of a newly constructed home. Often, the topsoil of newly constructed lawns is stripped or buried, and the grass established on subsoil has been compacted by construction traffic
- Is taking too long to drain and you experience water puddling on the lawn after rain.
- Shows heavy wear, is thinning, starting to patch, or bare.
- Has heavy clay soil.
- Has a thatch layer that is thicker than one-half inch. Thatch lies between the living grass and soil. Take a shovel to remove a slice of your lawn in order to look at grass roots in the soil. If they reach 4-6 inches deep, your lawn doesnt have a compaction problem. If, however, roots extend only 1-2 inches, you should consider aerating.
- Feels spongy or dries out easily.
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