Beyond weeding, watering and mowing
Excessive rain, drought or heavy pet or foot traffic will cause stress resulting in disease and patches of dead grass. Other factors which will weaken a turf area are poor management practices, improper mowing or topdressing. Turf renovation will improve the soil ensuring a healthier and more attractive lawn.
What is involved in turf renovation?
One or more of the following:
Aeration:
As lawns age or with heavy foot traffic, compaction usually occurs. This limits the space in the soil that would normally hold air, water and nutrients. Aeration is essentially coring holes in the lawn which enables oxygen to penetrate allowing the soil to "breathe", giving the root system access to nutrients and water. Aeration breaks up soil compaction. Spring and fall are the ideal times for aeration.
De-thatching:
Thatch is the layer of dead stems and roots between the soil and grass. Thatch that is thicker than 1/2" repels water and fertilizer, resulting in excessive runoff. It can also harbor harmful insects and disease organisms. De-thatching is the process of thatch removal.
Over-seeding:
It improves the lawn by filling in dead patches, improving density and color; ultimately diminishing the need for water and fertilization.
Topdressing:
This is the application of a thin layer of soil and organic matter to the entire turf surface. Topdressing provides an ideal habitat for soil microorganisms which are necessary for soil health.
The best landscape management practices start with healthy soil, then proper mowing techniques, skillful monitoring of irrigation; pests, and the application of the right soil amendment products.
Our program, LivingSolutions is an approach that starts with organic products which improve soil health. Our top dressing is a special brand of worm castings which have been proven to be effective. The grass is healthier, less prone to disease and other stresses. We also input liquid microbial soil inoculants. They provide all essential nutrients for the soil and it is completely safe for people and pets. This program has been used on client sites with high traffic. The grass at these sites is far more resilient and needs less water.
The photo below is what a layer of thatch looks like:
