Common Lawncare Mistakes-102

Sunbelt Turf Farm is happy to offer suggestions on how to avoid the most common mistakes homeowners make in regard to their lawncare.

Dethatch

Thatch is tightly packed layer of dead and living shoots, roots and stems that develop between the turfgrass and the soil surface.  It is important to use the right equipment to dethatch and don't attempt to remove the entire thatch layer in one treatment.  Do not dethatch with the soil is wet, only dethatch your lawn when it is truly necessary not on a routine basis.

Advice

Too much thatch can present negative consequences to your lawn, but a little thatch is desirable.  It will help moderate temperature at the soil surface and provides a cushion effect on the surface.  To determine if you need to dethatch your lawn, remove a small plug of turf several inches deep.  If the spongy layer between the soil and the turf is more than 3/4 to 1 inch thick, your lawn will benefit from dethatching. 

Aeration

Lawn aeration is recommended when the soil becomes compacted and water and nutrients can't get to the roots of the plants.  Aeration opens up the soil by pulling plugs of soil out of the lawn letting the air in.  One of the biggest mistakes is not pulling enough plugs from the soil.

Advice

Warm season greases tend to perform better if the aeration is done in late summer when the grass is actively growing.  The aeration is best done by hiring a professional or renting professional equipment.  The lawn should be moderately moist, but not soaking wet, so it is easier to penetrate  and pick a day when the temperature is mild.

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.