Do you ever see those little dirt plugs that look like a hundred dogs were let loose on your yard? Well, those little pieces are the by-product of aerating. This process is performed for the purpose of lowering the compaction of the soils. Here in Kansas, we have a lot of clay. That clay gets really hard from mowing over it, kids and pets playing on it, walking on it and really just from time and gravity. This increased compaction, makes it difficult for those tiny little grass roots to penetrate deep into the soil. The shallower the root, the easier death. And that means a thin, dead yard.
Prevention is the best proactive plan. Performing an aeration every Spring or Fall will help to loosen the soils by taking out a plug and creating a hole in the ground. That plug is then pushed out of the machine by the next plug as you progress along. The plugs on top of the soil break down while the holes in the ground provide “breathing room” for those fresh ready-to-grow Spring sprouts.
As we touched on, aerating is done by a machine that has several tubes attached to a drum. These tubes dig into the ground, by the weight of the machine, about 2-3 inches as the machine moves forward. The hollow centers of the tubes collects your soil, grass and thatch leaving a hole in the ground while pushing out the soil from the previous rotation and hole.
It is also important to note that thatch is brought out with each core made. You want thatch gone, because while in place, it intercepts the delivery of water, fertilizer and other nutrients to you soils and grass roots.
Aerating is different than verticutting or dethatching and we have discussed these processes in a previous article if you would care to read. Click Here
Core aeration is great for the lawn as it breaks up compaction and helps control thatch. It is not the best practice for seeding. If your main focus is to overseed then verticut as it provides for the best and most even seed bed. Core aeration can be used but verticutting is preferred. Aeration is best done in the fall but can also be done in the spring.
- Dennis Patton
Johnson County K-State Research and Extension
We also do not suggest overseeding after aerating. You will get what we call Hair Plugs for grass. An example can be seen in this photo.
Call us for a free estimate or to ask questions. We are here to help you become the envy of the block.
We offer our lawn aerating / verticut / verticutting / overseeding services to all the cities of the Metro KC. Kansas City, Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, Shawnee, Prairie Village, Fairway, Gardner, Spring Hill, Merriam, Mission, Mission Hills, Leawood and more in Johnson County, Kansas.
Hurray for Spring! Warmer weather, sun, happiness…all the things we in Johnson County, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Merriam, Prairie Village, Gardner, Leawood, Lenexa and surrounding areas get excited for. But once those Spring rains subside, we rely on our sprinkler and irrigation systems to keep our lawns green or simply alive. We were fortunate to meet many of you winterizing your systems, and frankly, we just miss you. We would like to come back to visit our old friends and meet some new ones by offering a Spring Sprinkler Start-up.
Why do you need a sprinkler startup? I know, I know, you can turn on a valve…Well, Old Man Winter can be hard on systems so, let me count the reasons…and our start up service includes.
The service includes:
Check lines for leaks or breaks
Check all heads for leaks or functioning issues
Align all heads
Set timers for Spring watering
Discuss any findings or concerns with the Client
Should we find anything amiss with your system, we then will continue with our $65 theme and make repairs for $65 / hr plus parts. If we do find a problem, we can often prepare an estimate on-site and if schedule allows we can fix it at that time with approval. If not, we will reschedule.
So, save yourself the DIY philosphy with time and money by calling us at 913-256-LAWN (5296) or email us. Then you can do what you do, while we do what we do. It’s not uncommon for our activation service to pay for itself in the adjustments we make by water saved over the season.
As Kermit the Frog has always said. It’s not easy being green. Well, in Kansas, it’s not easy staying green either. Since we seem to being going through the “Winter that Wasn’t”. I thought we would mention our Annual Fertilizer Program we have to offer for fescue, bluegrass, bermuda, zoysia or whatever lawn you may have. Believe it or not, we are gaining ground on Spring and our first application is only about a month away. It’s very important to get the Step-1 Prevent down in order to stop crab grass from growing. Of course, if you have plans to overseed in the Spring, there are some alternatives you would want to use. Prevent fertilizers are not picky on what they prevent from growing. Meaning that they will also prevent grass from coming up.
For our 6-Step annual program we use all granular products. We do supplement weed control with sprays at the time of the granular applications at no additional charge. Our program is effective on two levels. Price and control. Our commercial Lesco spreaders are set to apply the correct amount of fertilizer. There is no such thing as “close enough”. Our prices are set competitive to your costs of only purchasing the fertilizer itself. Then add in your time and gas to get it each time and the time it takes to put it down. I am willing to bet too, that you either buy the bag to “make it work” or too much and have to store it… for how long and away from pets and kids etc.
Our 6-step program summary is as follows, but you can visit our Program Page for more details:
STEP 1 Late Winter / Early Spring - Professional, slow-release fertilizer plus crabgrass prevent.
STEP 2 Spring – Fertilizer, plus professional strength herbicide, for control of dandelions, clover, plantain and other broad leaf weeds.
STEP 3 Summer – A second application of professional, slow-release fertilizer plus crabgrass prevent.
STEP 4 Summer – Professional, grub control helps control grubs at the appropriate time in their life-cycle.
STEP 5 Fall – Professional, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer helps turf recover from summer stress.
STEP 6 Late Fall / Winter - Winter root builder made to move roots laterally and develop rhizomes, for fast thick spring growth. Encourages drought and traffic tolerance.
Give up the headache. Leave it to us and move on with your life. We are here to whatever level suits your needs. I used to like to just mow. Not worry about chasing sprinklers, so I got a system put it, then I hired a now competitor for fertilizer, so I have been a consumer. I know what the other guys do and how they perform and what they cost. No excuses. We are licensed, knowledgeable all while cost and performance effective. It’s a no-brainer.
Email us your address for a Free No-Obligation Estimate today.
Hometown Lawn is always accepting snow plow requests. Our dependable crews and equipment can keep you clear pushing snow when you need it. Whatever parameters you seek we can provide. Plowing / pushing and salt applications are available for for Johnson County. Now Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Merriam, Prairie Village, Gardner, Leawood, Lenexa and surrounding areas.
We can perform duties by the hour or by the job. Truck or Bobcat work is available. If needed, we can even haul snow off-site.
It’s never too late to contact us. Give us a call or an email and we can consult with you as to what may be the best services fit. We specialize in commercial properties, businesses, apartments, multi-family living, senior living, office and retail complexes. Landlords, call us to have worry free dependable service. We are only a phone call away. Learn what so many others already know! That Hometown Lawn is dedicated to customer satisfaction.
We have pushed snow for Wal-Mart, U-Haul, Price Brothers, Block LLC and many, many more.
We have been fielding a lot of calls and emails as it relates to people’s interest to renovate their lawns this Fall and upcoming Spring because the heat and no rain of the past Summer absolutely destroyed many lawns. Many times we hear about wanting to aerate / verticut / overseed from Olathe to Shawnee, Lenexa, Overland Park and Gardner to Leawood. So, I think it might be time to clarify these three actions by: how they are done, why they are done and what do they cost.
Aerate
Aerating is probably the most popular with people term-wise. It seems that everyone we talk to wants to “aerate”. The funny thing is that the more we talk the more we discover that they aren’t real sure why they want to aerate and that might just be what they have heard to do. So, let’s put some identity to the action.
More than likely we have all seen a lawn or golf course that has been aerated. I like to say that it looks a lot like a yard that has been pooped on by a bazillion little dogs. Well, that’s not what actually happened. Aerating is actually a shortened term for Core Aeration. In the Civil Engineering world we would refer to them as “samples”.
But anyway, aerating is done by a machine that has several tubes attached to a drum. These tubes dig into the ground, by the weight of the machine, about 2-3 inches as the machine moves forward. The hollow centers of the tubes collects your soil, grass and thatch leaving a hole in the ground while pushing out the soil from the previous rotation and hole.
The reason that aerating is done to a lawn is to decrease the compaction of the soils. By pulling out a “core” and leaving a hole and depositing its contents at the surface, the soils have room to expand and thus decrease compaction. Decreasing compaction allows for your grass roots to expand freely. It is also important to note that thatch is brought out with each core made. You want thatch gone, because while in place, it intercepts the delivery of water, fertilizer and other nutrients to you soils and grass roots.
We have seen many advertised costs starting at $50 per avg. Johnson County lawn. Don’t automatically assume that a higher advertised cost is just a bad deal. Ask questions about the service offered such as if it includes going in two directions or just one. (You want two, one perpendicular to the street and one at a 45 degree offset.)
Verticut
Verticutting uses a machine to cut straight lines into your lawn. The depth of these lines is variable and a by product of the slicing action is known as de-thatching. A verticut machine, like the aerator, has several blades attached to a drum. These blades slice the ground producing a proper seed bed, or corn-row, while removing thatch along the way. A machine like what is shown in the picture above has the ability to perform all three actions at once. Seed, cut and de-thatch.
Verticutting is argued the best way to prepare a lawn for over-seeding. By removing the thatch and cutting the rows, a “clean” evenly distributed seed bed creates an even lawn. Again, like aerating, verticutting should be done in two passes. Once to remove the thatch and slice, and again at a 45 degree to spread the seed. It should not be ignored that verticutting does also decrease lawn compaction by cutting in the rows. It is, however, not to the extreme as a core aerator is.
Verticut costs have been seen advertised starting at $70 per avg. Johnson County lawn. Again, higher pricing doesn’t mean a rip-off. The machine types, removing and collecting the thatch and two directions are all factors to consider. For what it’s worth, my lawn is verticut perpendicular to the street, thatch collected and removed, then cut in a 45 degree then distributing the seed.
Aerate vs. Verticut
The main thing we hear is of people that want both done. I always reply with, “That’s not a good idea.” Why? As you have read above, if you do both, you have hit your lawn between the two a total of FOUR times. What do you have left? Dust.
Core aeration is great for the lawn as it breaks up compaction and helps control thatch. It is not the best practice for seeding. If your main focus is to overseed then verticut as it provides for the best and most even seed bed. Core aeration can be used but verticutting is preferred. Aeration is best done in the fall but can also be done in the spring.
- Dennis Patton
Johnson County K-State Research and Extension
We at Hometown Lawn, suggest an alternating annual schedule of verticut and overseed one year, then aerate the next. I would never suggest doing both at the same time. If not only for the pet peeve of that a core hole collects your new seed and creates yard “hair plugs”. Agh, it looks horrible.
If your lawn needs both, then we would suggest a verticut and overseed in the fall and aerate in the early spring. This gives new grass time to establish as well as aerating early in the season will still allow for an application of Prevent. In our area, Spring Seed without growing a lot of weeds is nearly impossible.
Fall seeding for our area is best at an overseed application of 5-8 lbs / 1,000 sq ft. Followed by a starter fertilizer immediately after seeding and another high nitrogen fertilizer in four weeks. Follow up with a Winter fertilizer in November.
If you are ready to go, or still undecided give us a call 913.256.LAWN (5296) and let us get started or answer a few questions to help you determine what’s right for you and your lawn.
Hometown Lawn uses Grass Pad seed. Please specify Bluegrass or Fescue.
We offer our lawn aerating / verticut / verticutting / overseeding services to all the cities of Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, Shawnee, Prairie Village, Fairway, Gardner, Spring Hill, Merriam, Mission, Mission Hills, Leawood and more in Johnson County, Kansas as well as in Kansas City, Mo and Kansas City, Ks. Don’t see your city? Just contact us and we would be happy to discuss it.
It’s time to start thinking about those spring rains. To you residents of Johnson County, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Merriam, Prairie Village, Gardner, Leawood, Lenexa and surrounding areas, leaf clogged gutters don’t allow water to flow and it backs up and runs down the house. Not performing a proper leaf cleanup leads to rotting the fascia boards and causing drainage problems at the foundation. Watch the video for a real-world example. Call us today to set up an appointment. If you have trees taller than your home that lose leaves, YOU MUST CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS. Call Today. 913-256-LAWN (5296)
Commercial buildings are no exception. We can get on your flat roofs and use our leaf blowers, rakes, hands whatever it takes to make sure those roof drains are clear. This is an easy thing to forget coming into Spring until that first rain…Call Today. 913-256-LAWN (5296)
Do you live in Johnson County, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Merriam, Prairie Village, Gardner, Leawood, Lenexa and surrounding areas? Did you know that Hometown Lawn can build you a stacked block retaining wall just like we did for this happy customer? After seeing the front of his house in disarray for too long, Steven gave us a call for help.
In just a short time, we were able to renew his outlook and restore some excitement back into his landscaping ideas. These Old Castle stacked block retaining walls are fast, aesthetic and cost effective solutions for troubled sloping areas.
As you can see here, matching up to an existing walkway or drive is easy to do and gives you that finished look you have been wanting.
Hometown Lawn is always sure to used a compacted crushed rock with a fine sand to produce a solid foundation for your wall. It all starts there and unless you like to re-do things, which we don’t, spending a little extra time and effort in the first run will always provide for a lifelong stacked block retaining wall.
Landscaping improvements are a great way to revitalize interest into your home. In times like we are in, it is important to be sure that with whatever you are doing, you are making every dollar count. That is what you get when you call us at Hometown Lawn, LLC – Johnson County’s Engineer owned Lawn, Landscape, Irrigation and Drainage Solution Provider.
Hometown Lawn, LLC offers homeowner association (HOA) complete subdivision neighborhood grounds service management in Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, Shawnee, Prairie Village, Gardner, Spring Hill and Leawood all in Johnson County, Kansas.
We are happy to entertain bid solicitations for our services for the upcoming 2011 season.
I understand HOA’s. I have been the President of my Olathe HOA for the past 4 years. I relate to your volunteer positions and what you expect from your service providers. That being said, you can take us for granted that we will be dependable to provide you with a quality of service you would expect.
We offer complete grounds management. Including mowing, maintenance, bush trimming, pond and pump services, irrigation / sprinkler maintenance / repair, color changes, tree removal / replacement and everything else there may be associated with maintaining a subdivision.
We also offer seasonal services such as verticutting, aeration and over-seeding.
Give us a call today and see how we can positively affect your 2011 season!
Here we have a few suggested tips for improving the efficiency of your sprinkler system. Upgrading your irrigation system by implementing a even a couple of these items can take little time and provide you with a more economical irrigation system that saves you money. Hometown Lawn can help you implement any or all of these items. So, if you are looking to make some changes, please give us a call. 913.256.LAWN (5296)
Be sure to have all of the same types of irrigation heads working at the same time.
Make sure that sprinkler heads are installed close enough to one another so that all areas of the lawn will receive water, without overlap.
Raise low irrigation heads that have settled into the soil. This will prevent grass interfering with the stream of water, improving your sprinkler coverage. (To avoid damage from lawn mowers, be careful not to raise the sprinkler head casing too height and make sure the heads are upright and not tilted.)
Upgrade old water wasting heads with new water-saving products
Install heads that have built-in pressure regulating devices. High-pressure heads are identified by the excessive amount of misting water that occurs when the zone is operating, a common problem with pop-up spray heads.
Replace outdated irrigation controllers with user friendly ones with built-in water saving options that allow for multiple start times.
Install a rain or moisture sensor to prevent watering unnecessarily after a rainstorm.
Reprogram your controller monthly to correspond with the changing weather. Typically lawns in Johnson County need 1” of moisture per week in the summertime, less in the spring and fall.
Water shrubs and flower more efficiently by turning an existing pop-up spray head zone into a drip irrigation zone. On the average, conventional spray zones are generally only about 50% efficient, whereas drip systems are 90+% efficient in water use.
Group plants by their water requirements. Remember that trees and shrubs require less frequent watering than turf. You can actually drown shrubs if you water them as much as your turf. This may require you to rezone or add another zone to your system.
Renozzle for matched precipitation rate. Matched precipitation rate refers to uniform delivery of water across each square foot of an irrigated area. Each sprinkler’s coverage provides every blade with no more- and no less- water than the next. The result is high precision application and consistently green, healthy turf.
Once you have made the desired changes to your system, remember to check your sprinkler system on a regular basis.
Regular, preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your sprinkler operating efficiently.
Are you just plain done with the hassle of water where it shouldn’t be? Drainage problems? Call us. 913-256-LAWN (5296) We solve water drainage problems.
Hometown Lawn, LLC is an insured lawn maintenance, landscape, irrigation and drainage solution provider. Operated by a Civil Engineer, Hometown Lawn can provide knowledge and experience that no other provider in the area can at competitive pricing. There simply is no comparison when it comes to water and drainage.
“How?”
Our knowledge overhead is free, if you need an engineered design approved by your City, we can get that done. If you don’t, then there is no additional cost to having an engineer solve your drainage problems. No one else can do that. We create and install our own water drainage solutions, while our operator is often on-site to oversee each solution.
Call or email us to find out how we can help you to be trouble free. 913-256-LAWN (5296)
The picture above shows one of our designs of a buried downspout with a gravel bed drain to allow for the underground pipes to completely drain as opposed to evaporate. This prevents water from sitting and providing habitat for mosquitoes and other insects as well as odors that can occur.
We are successful solutions.
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Do you ever see those little dirt plugs that look like a hundred dogs were let loose on your yard? Well, those little pieces are the by-product of aerating. This process is performed for the purpose of lowering the compaction of the soils. Here in Kansas, we have a lot of clay. That clay gets really hard from mowing over it, kids and pets playing on it, walking on it and really just from time and gravity. This increased compaction, makes it difficult for those tiny little grass roots to penetrate deep into the soil. The shallower the root, the easier death. And that means a thin, dead yard.
We also do not suggest overseeding after aerating. You will get what we call Hair Plugs for grass. An example can be seen in this photo.
Hurray for Spring! Warmer weather, sun, happiness…all the things we in Johnson County, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Merriam, Prairie Village, Gardner, Leawood, Lenexa and surrounding areas get excited for. But once those Spring rains subside, we rely on our sprinkler and irrigation systems to keep our lawns green or simply alive. We were fortunate to meet many of you winterizing your systems, and frankly, we just miss you. We would like to come back to visit our old friends and meet some new ones by offering a Spring Sprinkler Start-up.
