Landscaping and Lawncare Tips
Everyone wants to have a lush green lawn. How to get one takes a bit more effort than most people realize.
Is seeding better than sod or does it matter?
Seeding works well for all lawn applications. The seed blend can be altered to perform best in a wide range of exposures (sun to part shade). Sod on the other hand is best in sunny locations. Full shade is best left to plants other than lawn. Hydro-seed can be successful if the preparation is as diligently done as for sod and seed. And with all the above applications, proper and consistent follow-up care is the key to a successful lawn.
How often does a new lawn need water?
First, lawns perform very well with irrigation systems. It is a wise investment when used efficiently. Seed needs to stay moist at all times – not wet in order to germinate. If it dries out the seed casing can crack and die. Once there is grass about an inch or so long over the seeded area the watering should be adjusted to focus on establishing a good root system. This means less frequent and longer in duration. As the lawn matures and has been cut a few times it is best to water by lengthening the durations and reducing the frequently. This practice promotes a deep root system, which will strengthen the lawn and arm it against drought.
Drainage
The drainage on a landscape is one of the most important and least addressed items when thinking about a construction project. By looking at how the site’s drainage will change after the construction is completed in the early stages of a project, problems can be prevented successfully.
What should we do about downspouts that run water all through our landscape?
The ideal situation is to either install a drywell that can receive the water from multiple downspouts. This is possible when they are strategically placed in the landscape. Or when there is ample land and pitch to work with, downspouts can be piped to daylight in an area that will not cause erosion or adversely affect a neighboring property.