By, the Old Guy with the Pony Tail Soil Aeration: Soil aeration equipment comes in many shapes and sizes.  This equipment can range from very large units to smaller tow behind and walk behind units. Regardless of size, the primary objective of this equipment is to relieve compaction and open up the soil allowing detrimental gases to escape and allow air, water and nutrients to enter the soil and become available to the turf root system. Core aeration is typically considered the most beneficial of the aeration techniques. Cigar size plugs are pulled from the soil and deposited on the surface. Adjacent soil migrates into the holes left by the aerator and relieves compaction. The plugs break down over time,

By, the Old Guy with the Pony Tail Effective lawn care requires accurate granular product application. Broadcast spreader calibration is necessary for an effective application. The following procedures are one example of effective spreader calibration: Example: If your spreader spreads a given material 12 feet total, you will need to make your spreading passes 8 to 9 feet apart with an overlap of material in between. Notes: “Calibrations’ easy It doesn’t take that long. To make your lawn look lush and green Just do more right than wrong.”

By, the Old Guy with the Pony Tail Thatching your lawn is a very effective way to rejuvenate an older lawn or help to establish a new lawn. However, an understanding of the benefits and potential problems created by thatching are important to insure a positive result. First, what is thatch and how does it impact an effective lawn care program? There is a misconception that thatch is merely a buildup of dead grass from the mowing process. In reality, the major cause of thatch build up is typically dead and decaying root created by the normal growth process of the grass.  A certain amount of thatch, ¼” or less, is actually beneficial to your lawn. It serves as an

By, the Old Guy with the Pony Tail Weeds come in many shapes and sizes but more importantly, they have different growth habits. These growth habits determine the timing and best means of control. Some, such as crabgrass, are summer annuals which germinate, grow, and die within the same year. Others are winter annuals, such as annual bluegrass, that germinate in the late summer, live through the winter, reseed themselves, and die out the following summer. These annual grassy weeds are best controlled with preemergent products applied prior to seed germination. Most products designed to control weed seed germination also interfere with the germination of desirable grass seed. There are, however, a few products available that are specifically designed to

By, the Old Guy with the Pony Tail If you wait until the grass is growing to plan your lawn care program in the spring, you waited too long.  Look at your lawn. Are you seeing the results of drought or insect damage?  The two are often confused. Are you seeing the brown remnants of annual crabgrass? Are you seeing perennial broadleaf weeds that will inevitably be back again next year? Was Japanese Stilt Grass an issue? Does your lawn appear to be hungry or unhealthy?  These are all issues that should be considered and prioritized when developing a plan of action for your lawn care program BEFORE the next growing season. The number one objective for any effective lawn

By, The Old Guy with the Ponytail Soil testing is the first step in determining nutrient availability. A soil analysis provides the levels of all the major (macro) nutrients necessary for turf establishment and development. The pH of the soil is also provided. Soil pH the level of acidity or alkalinity. A slightly acid pH of 6.5 to 6.8 provides for the highest level of nutrient availability. Recommendations are made, if necessary, to achieve both the acceptable pH level and major nutrient levels. More complete testing can be accomplished to determine minor (micro) nutrients. This level of testing is not normally required since micro nutrients are typically adequately available in native soils. Soil compaction in typical heavy textured clay soil

By, The Old Guy with the Ponytail Soil compaction affects every aspect of turf quality. Addressing compaction is an important part of effective lawn management. It should be understood that there is no one product or procedure that can transform a poor quality lawn. It is rather the cumulative total of doing more right than wrong. Compaction relief is one step on the road to a healthy lawn. Core aeration is one of the most effective means of relieving soil compaction in a lawn. Cigar shaped cores are pulled from the soil and deposited on the surface. The holes remaining allow the surrounding soil to migrate into them, decreasing soil density, relieving compaction and improving drainage characteristics. Modifying or “topdressing”