Do You Really Need To Aerate Your Lawn
To answer the question, do you really need to aerate your lawn, we need to go over a little information first.
Before you can decide to do something or not, you need to be familiar with what it is, right?
Lawn aeration is just a fancy term for perforating your soil to allow water, air, and nutrients to reach the grass roots. The whole goal of aeration is to allow the roots of the grass to grow deeper and create a brighter, stronger lawn.
Aeration helps release some of the soil compaction that prevents water, air, and nutrients from circulating through the soil and getting to the roots.
Its a good idea to aerate your lawn if:
- It gets a lot of use. If you have pets and/or children who use the yard as a playground, it could benefit from aerating.
- Your home was newly constructed. The construction traffic and machinery can greatly compact the soil. In many cases, new construction even strip or bury the topsoil and establish grass on a subsoil.
- Sod and soil layering was used to establish the lawn. Soil layering is done when a finer soil from the sod is laid on top of a coarser soil.
- The grass dries out easily or feels spongy. These are both signs of too much thatch. You can find out if thats the problem by using a shovel and removing a patch of lawn about four inches deep. If the thatch is over a half of an inch, aeration is needed.
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When Should You Aerate Your Lawn And How Often
If your lawn qualifies as one of the above types, its time to aerate! However, like with all things involved in landscaping and lawn maintenance, there are good and bad times to practice aeration to get the most bang for your buck.
Remember, aeration is technically injuring sections of grass or other plant species depending on where you aerate.
The ideal time for aeration is during your growing season . Thats because your grass will be able to heal from any minor injuries incurred from the aeration process and should recover pretty quickly. Any holes you create will be filled relatively soon.
There are also differences depending on your grass type. If your lawn has cool-season grass, you should aerate in the early spring or fall. If you have warm-season grass, prioritize aeration in the late spring.
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When To Fertilize The Lawn In Colorado
When searching when to fertilize the lawn in Colorado you will find a lot of conflicting articles across the web. Some will say there are only certain seasons or cycles that you should be fertilizing. Another thing almost all the articles talk about different nitrogen levels to use as well. The weird part is none of these articles are wrong at all. There are different ways to get the same beautiful lawns, some are just more effective than others.
When Should You Fertilize Your Lawn In Colorado
Do you love the look of a bright green lawn all summer long? Well, if youre reading this in the dead of winter, youve got the right idea. Its never too early to start thinking about fertilizing your lawn here in Greeley. But fertilizing just for the sake of doing so isnt necessarily a guarantee of achieving that verdant carpet look you want. You have to be strategic about when you fertilize in order to get the best results. So when should you fertilize your lawn in Greeley? Heres what the specialists at Pribble Lawn have to say.
Creating a Colorado Fertilizing Schedule
Wed love to give you a few exact dates to go out and fertilize your lawn on, but its just not that simple. Based on what type of grass you have, as well as how often you mow, and how often you fertilize, you might have to put down more or less fertilizer throughout the year.
Generally, just as there are four distinct seasons here in Colorado, youll need to fertilize your lawn four times a year for the best results. That said, some times of the year are more critical for fertilizing than others. Keep this in mind as you determine when to fertilize your lawn this year.
Fertilizing in Spring
Whether you own a home or a business, part of your spring cleaning efforts this year should include fertilizing in early spring, around March or April. When you fertilize early in the season, you offer the roots of the grass the nutrients it needs before the blades begin growing.
Fertilizing in Early Summer
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Why You Need To Fertilize Your Tree
When conducting regular lawn care maintenance, you are also taking away a lot of the natural foliage that helps trees and plants to reabsorb it for nutrition. As we rake and sweep away dead leaves, we are keeping our greenery from recycling those nutrients.
Since the grass in our backyard is unnatural, it will outcompete the trees for available nutrients and water, so regularly check your trees to make sure it is not showing signs of malnourishment. Unsure? Give us a call and we will inspect your trees for you to provide an official diagnosis.
Common Lawn Grasses That Do Well In The Denver Area
The lawn grasses most recommended for the Denver Metro are bluegrass, ryegrass, fescue and buffalo grass. There are selections for rough wear and high traffic lawns, dwarf varieties to reduce lawn mowing, selections with lower water requirements or higher shade tolerance. Choose a variety that fits the way you use your lawn.
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What Fertilizer To Use In The Fall
The answer here depends on local ordinances or state laws. Some states do not allow the use of lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus . Even though phosphorus is critical for root growth during seed and sod establishment and in the fall to assist in root redevelopment, many soils naturally contain phosphorus so its not necessary to apply more.
If you live in a phosphorus-free community, use fertilizers containing readily available nitrogen sources and a fertilizer higher in potassium . This will properly feed your lawn going into winter. Good numbers would be 24-0-12 or 21-0-21.
If you live in a municipality or state where fertilizers containing phosphorus are allowed, this can add another layer of plant health protection to prepare your lawn for a harsh winter. A good example would be 24-5-10 or 20-5-20. A lawn starter fertilizer, such as a 14-14-14 or 12-24-12 would also work.
Liquid or soluble fertilizers containing similar NPK ratios can also be used. However, understand that recommended application rates of sprayable lawn fertilizers will deliver fewer nutrients per application compared to granular products. But, using a hose-end sprayer to apply a fall fertilizer is still an acceptable method of application. You may have to apply two applications a couple of weeks apart to realize its full benefit.
Fertilizing In The Fall Helps The Lawn Grow A Stronger Root System Before Going Into Winter
The proper amount of fall fertilizer provides the nitrogen and other compounds the lawn needs this time of year without promoting rapid growth. This will produce a denser growth and faster green-up in the spring, discouraging weeds. The best times to apply fertilizer is in October and November before Thanksgiving when the soil is moist, and temperatures are moderate. Make sure that you arent putting too much fertilizer because you are looking for root strength and not thatch production and new growth. Talk with the experts at City Floral for the right application for the type of lawn that you have. We have fertilizer spreaders available on loan, free with your fertilizer purchase.
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Residents Of Colorado Springs Can Count On The Team At Green Vision
Central Colorado is home to several military installations, including the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Space Command. With semi-arid like conditions and close proximity to the Great Rocky Mountains, there are various outdoor recreational activities throughout the year. Like the military institutions surrounding them, residents of Colorado Springs expect order, cleanliness, and upscale picturesque landscapes.
Residents of Colorado Springs ourselves, the team at Green Vision, has the experience, knowledge, and integrity to provide you with just that. Our six-step lawn care program, weed control, and additional services, including aeration and overseeding, will give you the healthy, durable, green lawn you deserve.
When To Fertilize Your Lawn
What time of year is best to fertilize your lawn depends on what type of grass you have, cool-season or warm-season. This is because the best time to fertilize is the period when the grass in question is growing most actively, and this period is different for cool-season grasses than it is for warm-season grasses. Nonetheless, there’s no one “right” fertilizer schedule. Different people have success doing it in slightly different ways. All that can be suggested is a typical schedule favored by many.
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Power Rake Vs Dethatcher Differences
- Robust 10 Amp motor, ergonomic, padded grip and adjustable handle for user comfort
- 14 inch dethatching path gets your work done faster
- 3-position tine depth adjustment provides greater control by removing matted layers to promote lawn health
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Both power raking and dethatching aim at removing excess thatch in the lawn. A power rake is good for getting rid of the thick layer of debris lying on top of the soil while a dethatcher is good for removing a thin layer of decomposing organic matter that forms the topmost part of the soil in the lawn.
Power raking is a more aggressive process of removing thatch and dead matter in the lawn while dethatching is a light process that removes just a thin layer of debris that makes fertilizer absorption poor.
A dethatcher is usually spring tines that rotate and dislodge the layer of thatch and dead matter on the lawn while a power rake is usually mechanical with a dethatching blade that has rotating flails. The flails aggressively dig up thick layers of thatch from the lawn.
A dethatcher is a small machine that looks almost like push lawnmowers. Some come as extensions that you can attach to a lawn mower. On the other hand, a power rake is a heavy-duty machine that removes large amounts of thatch from a lawn.
Pro tip:A power rake can be very unforgiving on your lawn. Try to do it early to allow your lawn to heal before going dormant.
How Often Should You Fertilize In Colorado
four times a yearGenerally, just as there are four distinct seasons here in Colorado, youll need to fertilize your lawn four times a year for the best results.
When should you put Winterizer on your lawn in Colorado?
Fall is the best time of year to fertilize Colorados bluegrass lawns. Promotions about lawn winterization may sound mysterious, but theres nothing magical about it. Simply fertilize with nitrogen sometime during late September to early November at lower altitudes, and earlier in the mountains.
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When To Fertilize Cool
Use this quick rule of thumb for the best time to add winter fertilizer to your lawn: Apply in September, unless you live in the southern third of the U.S. That’s because the northern two-thirds of the U.S. is home to lawns with cool-season grasses or “transition” lawns with both cool-season and warm-season grasses. Throwing a lot of fertilizer on your cool-season lawn in July is a waste of money because in high summer, those grass roots are just biding their time, waiting for the temperatures to go back down so they can spread out some more. In addition to fertilizing in September, you can add a light helping of fertilizer in spring and that should be all your cool-season lawn needs for the year.
So When Really Is The Best Time To Fertilize
If youre still wondering when to fertilize the lawn in Colorado just remember a one-time fertilization treatment isnt really best for your lawn as compared to treating it regularly. However, if thats the route you have decided to go, the best time to fertilize in Colorado is during the fall. Fertilizing in the fall is the best because it allows the root system to develop in the cooler months before winter. If you were to fertilize in the spring, the root system wouldnt develop enough before the summer heat.
The best time for most lawn care treatments is in the fall. Fertilizing goes best with aeration and overseeding. This combination of lawn service with year-round maintenance is the perfect way to keep a lawn happy and healthy! If youre interested in learning more about our services contact us here or at 948-6631 :)!
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Trust In Our Local Experience
Lawns in Colorado face many unique challenges. From big temperature swings to intense sun and local pests, getting your ideal turf here can be difficult. Thats exactly why you need a lawn care company with local, hands-on experience. Here at Integrated, were a proudly Colorado-based business with more than 20 years of experience in the greater Colorado Springs Area. So if you want your yard to live up to the Centennial States beauty, trust the local experts to get the job done!
When To Fertilize Your Lawn In Colorado
Its vital to correctly fertilize your lawn if its to grow thick and healthily. Before applying fertilizer, its a good idea to consider your location as lawns in the Northeast may need to be fertilized at a slightly different time to those in the Great Plains or the Southwest.
Many professional gardeners recommend fertilizing your lawn four times annually if you live in Colorado. Others say that if you notice your grass looks yellow or has stunted growth, you should apply fertilizer no matter what season it is. Fertilizer can be used on your lawn in Colorado at the following times of the year:
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Make Sure To Water Properly For The Best Results
It is really important to make sure that once the overseeded grass is watered, it remains moist during germination. Be careful not to overwater or the seeds will drown. Depending on the time of year, you may need to water 2-4 times a day in short-duration-bursts to keep from overwatering and washing the seed away. If a seed is left to dry out after it has taken up water, it will not survive.
In Colorado Should You Fertilize Your Lawn In March
The short answer is maybe, maybe not. Out of all the recommended times to fertilize a lawn in Colorado, early spring is the one fertilization most lawns can do without. This is a little strange, considering that its the one time of year many of us think about fertilizing our lawns at all.
When coming out of dormancy in spring, its normal for a lawn to have a mix of straw-colored and green leaves.
Keep in mind that its normal for a lawn to have a mix of straw-colored and green leaves as it comes out of winter dormancy. Thats because you have the new green leaves growing up through the dead leaves of last years growth. So, its important to base your decision on other factors.
Here are seven questions to help you decide whether to fertilize now or wait until May.
1. Did you fertilize your lawn last fall?
- Yes, I fertilized sometime between September and November.
- No, I didnt know that was a good time or I forgot to do it.
2. Do you normally leave the clippings on the lawn when you mow?
- Yes, I leave the clippings on the lawn to decompose naturally.
- No, I collect the grass clipping when I mow and dispose of them elsewhere.
3. Does your lawn hardly ever experience heavy use?
- Yes, I never notice traffic wear on my lawn.
- No, my lawn experiences a lot of use from people and/or pets and it shows up as traffic wear.
4. Is your lawn generally healthy, meaning thick, green and growing at a moderate rate?
- No, I wish it looked better.
Your Results
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When Should You Not Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn allows it to receive the nutrients that help the grass grow and flourish. However, when fertilizing your yard, you must learn a few things, including the right time to fertilize your lawn. Knowing when to fertilize your lawn is essential to maintaining its health and appearance. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Signs That It Is Time To Overseed Your Colorado Lawn
Overseeding has a number of benefits that result in a healthier lawn. A healthy and dense lawn can lead to less weeds. Also, by using a blend of disease-resistant grass seed varieties, you can work to prevent disease in the future. Youll want to consider overseeding if the lawn:
- is high-use and showing signs of wear and tear from kids and pets
- has bare or dead spots
- is thinning, patchy, or dull in color
- has a weed problem
NOTE: DO NOT overseed your lawn if you have applied a pre-emergent weed killer to it. This will prevent your grass seeds from germinating.
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