Posts Tagged ‘grass seeds’
FAQs about Lawn Plug Aerators
Do you really need a lawn plug aerator? Or can your lawn survive without it? Most homeowners believe that an aerator is not exactly a necessity when it comes to keeping their lawns healthy. As long as it is sufficiently watered and fertilized, the grass will continue to grow and the lawn will consistently be lush and green all throughout the year. Homeowners who think this way could not be more wrong.
A lawn aerator is among the most important and necessary tools for keeping your lawn green and healthy. But when it comes to choosing and buying an aerator, it is also important that you know which model and type will work best for your purpose. Many experts, for example, choose a lawn plug aerator as the most efficient model for several reasons.
For one, lawn plug aerators work by scooping out chunks of soil as they go through the lawn. This, in turn, breaks up the soil so that it lets in spaces for the air and water to enter and circulate. Lawn plug aerators are also said to be better and more efficient than other models, including punch aerators and aerating shoes, which don’t remove the soil but only leaves it more compact. Aerators are specially designed to make the soil less compact, so it doesn’t help to use something that only pushes the top soil further down.
There are also lawns and grass seeds that require organic matter to be applied onto the soil for the grass to be healthy. In such instances, you need more space in the soil to accommodate the organic matter, which makes aeration using a lawn plug aerator necessary before you can incorporate the organic matter. In addition, the typical lawn plug models are attached to a hydraulic system for them to operate. This allows the aerator to reach deeper into the soil than any other model.
Buying
your very own aerator could make a dent on your budget. As such, it might be a better idea to simply rent one in case you still cannot afford to make a purchase. Renting this machine will turn out more affordable than hiring a professional lawn maintenance expert to do the aeration. The only advantage, however, of hiring an expert is that you won’t have to worry about the equipment that you will need. They are bound to know what will work best with your lawn and soil conditions.
Of course, aerators can only work with the conditions in which you use them. If you aerate your lawn in the most convenient time and climate, your aerator will be able to do a better job at it. The best seasons to aerate your lawn are during the fall or spring. Using your lawn plug aerator in the fall will allow the grass to grow faster, leaving extra spaces underneath the soil to admit nutrients, water and air. On the other hand, doing so in the spring is perfect also when you need to incorporate organic matter into the soil.
Have Tools. Will Reseed Lawn!
Unfortunately, tools aren’t all you need to reseed lawn. You also need to have the right conditions, and the perfect strategies for dealing with adverse conditions. To ensure your success—and to help you achieve a bright and revitalized lawn—here are some of the things that you need to be prepared to deal with as you go through your lawn-reseeding project.
Choosing the Seeds
If you haven’t decided on which seeds to plant yet, we recommend going to the local nursery and consulting with the staff there. They are bound to be more familiar with the types of seeds that grow best in your climate, and can give you some recommendations on which seeds to plant during the season based on the level of shade and the intensity of tolerance to drought.
Dealing with Weeds
If your lawn has been neglected for a long time, it has probably already transformed itself into a breeding ground for weeds. You will need to get rid of these weeds before you start planting. You can do this either by manually digging and pulling out the weeds, or by applying herbicide on the area. In case the entire area has been overrun by weeds, it might require the application of herbicide on the entire area.
Remember, however, than you need to wait until the herbicide have dissipated before seeding. Otherwise, it will also kill off the grass seeds.
Insufficient Water
You need enough water to keep the seeds moist as they germinate. Lack of water can cause the grass seeds to die. You will need to research on how much water you need to reseed lawn based on the type of climate and soil that you have.
Uneven Ground
The problem with uneven ground is that it causes water to collect as puddles in lower places. If this happens, you will need to regrade either the lower portions or the entire lawn to level off your lawn. You can “regrade” your lawn by working the higher portions with a shovel to level them, or applying topsoil on the lower areas to raise them. It is important to do this before making any other preparations for reseeding.
Thatch a Problem
Thatch is those piles of grass cuttings and remnants of the old grass and weeds that collect below the grass blades. The problem with thatch is that they breed fungus and serve as a habitat for pests and bugs. You will need to remove thatch if it gets to a thickness of at least ½ inch. Otherwise, the seeds that you will plant and the fertilizer that you will apply won’t reach the soil. To remove thatch, you can either use a rake or a dethatching machine. There are also dethatching attachments that you can fit into your lawnmower.
Insects Alert
You will know that insects are damaging your lawn if they show up on the rims of the brown patches feeding on fresh grass. Another indication is when there are more birds than normal flying over your lawn. You will need an expert’s help to deal with the insect problem, so we recommend getting a sample, and taking this in a jar to your local nursery.
These are just some of the conditions that can make your efforts to reseed lawn more challenging. Now that you know how to deal with them, you are halfway there.
 Argentine Bahiagrass BAHIA Grass Lawn Seed 50 lb Bag US $200.00 |
 BERMUDA GRASS Seed Common Unhulled Lawn Pasture 50 lb US $185.00 |
 25 LB CREEPING RED FESCUE GRASS SEED TURF LAWN US $49.99 |