Questions & Answers
Q: What is the best way to water my lawn?
A: Your lawn should receive approximately 1 to 2 inches of water per week during the hottest, driest months. Deep watering to a soil depth of at least six inches is recommended. Light applications of water that merely dampen the grass are of little benefit and can actually harm your lawn. Watering your lawn in the early morning is ideal. Midday watering, when the weather is hot and dry, can waste water due to excessive evaporation. Evening watering tends to promote disease problems. Keep in mind, the key to effective watering is to give your lawn enough moisture to reach the deep roots of the grass plants. (Per www.lesco.com)
Q: What is the best way to mow my lawn?
A: Determining when to mow should be based on the growth rate of the grass, not the calendar. To keep your lawn looking its best, remove only about one-third of the leaf blade each time you mow. Another good practice is to change direction with each mowing. This keeps the turf growing in an erect, upright position rather than leaning in the direction it was mowed. It also helps reduce turf wear and the possibility of scalping. (Per www.lesco.com)
Q: Does your soil need testing?
A: Soils constantly undergo change. The quantity and availability of plant nutrient elements in the soil change as a result of removal by the growing or harvesting crop; leaching; erosion; or the addition of fertilizer, manure, or compost. The soil test reveals the current fertility status and provides the information necessary to maintain the optimum fertility conditions for the plants and sod to grow. Soil should be tested once every three years and more often if you want a closer check on foil fertility levels. For the Cincinnati, Ohio area Lesco - John Deere Landscape, 653 Mt. Moriah Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45245, 513-943-0940 & www.lesco.com and complete your testing. Also your county Cooperative Extension Service office can direct you to a company doing soil testing in your area.
Q: Will Aeration Benefit My Lawn?
A: Aeration is one of the most important maintenance practices we can employ to help the lawn remain healthy and help ward off problems. It is estimated that over two-thirds (2/3) of residential lawns are growing on compacted soils. Many times, there is no evidence of insect or disease activity, but the lawn seems to be off-color, thinning, and shows signs of stress in high temperatures. In general, the lawn seems lethargic. Chances are good that the lawn hasn't been aerated in the past few years . . . if ever. (For additional information on this subject - http://www.turfgrasssod.org/lawninstitute/digest.html)
Sod Uses
Have you seen or used sod in any interesting way? Please let us know! One example we have heard about is sod pieces used to create a couch for a school project. Another example is using a piece of sod inside a pet's crate to help train them. If you have photos of these or any others please let us know. We might post it on our website if it is interesting.
Turpin Sod, LLC Phone: 513/561-2621
