Is it best to Seed or Sod when renovating or establishing a lawn?

Any homeowner with a lawn dreams of a thick green carpet of healthy grass, the kind that invites barefooted fun on a warm summer afternoon. It is possible to live the dream but it requires an investment of time and effort or outsourced help from trained experts. A big component of the desired blanket of green surrounding your home is the installation of seed and/or sod for even if your lawn is in magazine-centerfold-shape now, without proper TLC, your grass will begin to thin and develop bare spots which in turn will make it vulnerable to invasive weeds.

By fall, some lawns can use some sprucing up. Sometimes trouble spots caused by disease , drought or insect damage can be re-established, but sometimes yard damage has gotten so extreme that complete renovation is necessary. In such cases, there are essentially two repair options: seeding or sodding. Seeding means establishing a new area of grass from scratch. Laying sod is done by installing a mature grassy roll of carpet, creating an instant lawn. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses, so the best option will depend on your situation.

New construction often requires a new lawn to be established you will have options as well depending on the situation.

Seeding requires some patience in that the grass will need time to develop, whereas sod provides mature grass immediately. When seeding, timing is somewhat limited because new grass seed will be particularly vulnerable to weather and weeds; seeding is best done in the fall, distanced from ever-present spring weeds and summer’s heat. Sod can be laid from spring through fall, so there is not a timing constraint, although sodding in hot weather increases the risk of drought damage to the new sod. Areas subject to erosion can be difficult to seed effectively in that seed can be swept away by runoff before it has the chance to establish itself. With sod, soil is protected while the sod takes root.

A quick glance at this overview of seeding and sodding may make sod seem like the clear choice; however, there is no clear winner when it comes to fixing your lawn. Seeding has several advantages as well.

• Sod is grown much like a farm crop in large, open fields. Because of this, grass grown as sod is used to plentiful sunlight and does not do well in the shade. If your property has many trees or is otherwise shady, this may be an issue.
• Along these same lines, sod offers less variety in the types of grass available. With seed, there are many options.
• Though it may take a while for root systems to develop from seed, once well established, they are typically in it for the long haul. Since sod is transplanted, you run the risk that it will not properly take hold in its new environment.
• Finally, seeding is drastically less expensive than laying sod–always a pertinent factor in any lawn renovation decision.

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Lawn Core Aeration Is The Secret to a Beautiful Lawn

All professional turf grass managers including lawn care specialist, golf course superintendents, and sports turf managers agree that core aeration is an essential part of any lawn maintenance services.

Lawn Core Aeration is the process of removing thousands of soil plugs about the size of your thumb throughout the lawn. The more plugs removed the better the job of aeration. Plugs are left on the lawn to break down and top dress the turf.

The process opens up the soil allowing water, air, and fertilizer to penetrate the root zone. While removing the plugs grass roots, stolons, and crowns of the plant are severed thus propagating the grass plant and thickening up the turf.

Relieve thatch accumulation

Most home lawns are subject to thatch accumulation. Left unmanaged, it impedes water, fertilizer and pesticide effectiveness. Core aeration combines soil with the thatch debris, so soil organisms are better able to break down the thatch and reduce its accumulation.

A healthy root system is the key to a beautiful lawn

Lawn core aeration can help make your lawn healthier and reduce its maintenance requirements through these means:

• Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
• Enhanced soil water uptake.
• Improved fertilizer uptake and use.
• Reduced water runoff and puddling.
• Stronger turf grass roots.
• Reduce soil compaction.
• Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.
• Reduce thatch accumulation

Excellent time to seed

Seeding following aeration is very advantageous because of the excellent seed bed provided.
This is a perfect time to:

• Repair turf that has been damaged by insects, disease or drought
• Thicken up thin stand of grass
• Add additional disease resistant, drought tolerant strains of Kentucky Bluegrass to your lawn for the best protection against these problems while adding better color to your turf.

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3 Ways to Accentuate Your Front Door with Outdoor Lighting

The front door is the first impression for guests when they walk in your home and the ultimate “welcome” sign for visitors.

Your front door is the main attraction for the entryway to your house, which is why it should be tasteful and well-lit. Not only should it match the overall style of your home but also be an added feature within your overall landscape lighting design. Here are three ways to highlight your front door: 

1. Lighting the Way

Accentuating the path leading to your front steps will add direction and volume to your front yard. This can also add a layer of safety and security to your home for guests walking up at night. Path lights are the perfect subtle addition to highlight a brick pathway or staircase leading to the front of your home. Path lights, which come in a variety of styles offered by Nite Time Decor, will serve you well for illuminating your walkway while adding a unique layer to your outdoor lighting scheme.

2. A Glowing Front Porch

For homeowners with a front porch, it’s best to highlight this useful and cozy feature with warm, overhead lighting. The advantage with overhead lighting is the variety of fixtures available to best accent your home. For a softer look, you can choose ceiling hidden ceiling lights that add a simple glow to your porch. If you’re taking a more decorative approach, choose lighting fixtures that blend in with the overall style of your home. Whether it’s southern-style country or urban and hip, be sure to add an overhead lighting accessory to add brightness and value to your porch.

3. The Door Itself

Your front door should be well-lit to add an inviting ambiance to your home. There are several ways to execute this technique, but one of the best is by using wall sconces. Sconces usually direct light up or downward and illuminate a specific space or unique detail in a home. These lights can be as decorative and creative or soft and subtle as you’d like. Both types will add a hint of beauty and warmth to your front door.

Nite Time Decor offers several products to accentuate your front door or other parts of your outdoor landscape lighting. To check out different lighting styles or get in touch with a contractor, visit us at www.nitetimedecor.com.

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Make Your Neighborhood Eco-Friendly with LED Lighting

As you’re probably aware of by now, LED lighting is better for the environment than outdated bulbs like incandescent. “Many individuals have begun to replace their home’s interior lighting with LED bulbs as LED sales have been steadily increasing, which is a great start, but more can be done! Homeowners should consider retrofitting their home’s outdoor lighting systems by replacing their incandescent or halogen bulbs with LEDs” Says Jim O’Loughlin Nite time Décor By All American Turf Beauty.

Not only will you be making a statement by switching your home’s exterior lighting to LED bulbs, but you’ll also be helping the environment and saving money in the process. Show your community that you care about the environment by switching your home’s outdoor lighting from incandescent or halogen bulbs to LEDs.

Just How Energy Efficient Are LED Lights?

Among all consumer light bulbs, LED lights are by far the most energy-efficiency, durable and longest-lasting on the market. LED lights use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs, according to ENERGY STAR.

What Will It Cost Me?

When first introduced to the market, LED bulbs were significantly more expensive for homeowners to adopt into their outdoor lighting than utilizing other bulbs. Initially Led bulbs may cost more than other bulbs, but because they last longer and use less energy, adopters will see a return on their investment rather quickly.

As LED technology has evolved, the price point for bulbs has gone down and now there is a wide range of prices for LED bulbs varying based on size and wattage available to consumers.

How Do LED’s Benefit the Environment?

Because of the way in which LED lights produce light, these bulbs draw much less energy and electricity than other bulbs. Outdoor lighting is typically left on for long periods of time, and if a home is using less eco-friendly technology then this can have a negative impact on the environment. LED lights also have a safer manufacturing process than other bulbs. In CFLs, mercury is used in the process. Mercury is a dangerous environment and can have harmful effects on the environment and animals, Most people don’t dispose of these bulbs correctly, which has a negative impact on the environment. LED lighting doesn’t utilize mercury, so opting for LED bulbs cut down on this hazard.

Is LED Lighting Better For My Yard?

Homeowners who opt for LED landscape lighting may actually have healthier lawns. In the illumination process, CFL and incandescent bulbs create a lot of heat. This heat can disrupt growth of plants in your garden, bushes, trees or grass. Conversely, LED bulbs don’t produce ample amounts of heat in the process, so opting for these bulbs can decrease your lawn’s risk of being affected by the heat produced from landscape lighting.

Be a Trend Setter!

It only takes one trend setter in a community to make a change. Be the trendsetter in your neighborhood by installing LED lighting, and soon enough you’ll see your neighbors following suit – creating a better environment one house at a time.

For homeowners who are looking to better their communities by installing eco-friendly outdoor lighting, there are a variety of landscape lighting products on the market to choose from. However, not all LED products and outdoor lighting fixtures are created equal. Homeowners should choose a contractor to take care of their home installation that utilizes a superior product line. Nite Time Decor provides a high-quality and durable line of outdoor lighting fixtures that utilize LED lighting to highly trained and professional contractors across the country.

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Don’t bag your clippings! Grasscycling is Lawn Care’s Biggest Bargain

Grasscycling is a popular trend in home lawn care that refers to leaving grass clippings to sit on top of grass as a natural fertilizer after mowing your lawn. It doesn’t require special equipment. You can use a regular mower – gas, electric or reel – or you can purchase a specialized mulching or recycling mower.

4 Reasons To Grasscycle

“All American Turf Beauty has always recommended that our customers leave the clippings on the lawn as often as possible” Says Jim O’Loughlin General Manager All American Turf Beauty.

It saves time. Grasscycling reduces mowing time by 40 percent – eliminating time handling and bagging clippings.

It saves money. When you let clippings lie, you no longer spend money on disposal – for bags or curbside yard waste programs.

It saves fertilizer. Clippings can cover up to 25 percent of your lawn’s fertilizer needs. One hundred pounds of clippings can produce 3–4 pounds of nitrogen, one-half to 1 pound of phosphorus, and 2–3 pounds of potassium (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the main components of lawn fertilizer). If 100 pounds sounds like a lot, consider that a half-acre lawn in a temperate region like Iowa produces more than 3 tons of grass clippings annually.

It saves space in landfills. Those 3 tons of clippings, mentioned above, wind up in landfills in some communities. Grasscyling returns clippings to lawns.

How To Grasscycle

• Use any mower. When using a non-mulching mower, remove the grass catcher and insert a safety plug. Many mowers have an adapter or retrofit kit that converts the mower into a mulching mower. Consider purchasing a mulching blade, which chops grass into smaller pieces.
• Remove only one-third of grass blade length at each mowing. This is healthier for the turf and creates small grass pieces that readily decompose. If grass gets too high due to weather or vacation, cut once and then mow over clippings to chop and scatter them.
• Keep your mower blade sharp. Dull blades tear grass, creating jagged edges that turn brown. Keep an extra, sharpened blade on hand so you can switch blades as needed and not miss a mowing.
• Always mow when grass is dry.
• When it’s time for a new mower, consider purchasing a mulching or recycling mower.

Grasscycling Myths

Two common misconceptions surround Grasscycling: that it causes thatch and spreads lawn diseases. These ideas are false.

• Thatch is caused by the parts of grass plants that are decay-resistant: things like roots, stems and rhizomes. Grass clippings are roughly 75–80 percent water and decompose quickly.
• The spread of lawn disease occurs when conditions are conducive for the disease organism and the lawn is susceptible due to poor health. Most diseases develop when lawns are improperly watered and fertilized.

When Not To Grasscycle

When something prevents mowing and grass grows excessively long, don’t Grasscycle. Instead gather and recycle clippings by:

• Composting grass cuttings.
• Using as mulch around perennials or vegetables.
• Sprinkling over dirt garden paths.
• Mixing into soil in new planting areas.
• Don’t recycle clippings when the lawn has been treated with pre-emergent herbicides. “Mulching the grass clippings and returning them to turf is one of the keys to a beautiful lawn” says O’Loughlin

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ABCs of Lawn and Turf Benefits

Healthy turf means healthy lives

“Frequently, those little green factories at our feet are taken for granted”. Says Jim O’Loughlin General manager All American Turf Beauty. It’s easy to overlook the many reasons why a healthy lawn or a dense athletic turf is an essential part of our lives. It’s as easy as A,B,C….

Aesthetically pleasing — The value of turfed areas have been recognized for their beauty since China’s emperors maintained mowed-grass areas (157-87 BC). Today, lawns are an integral part of home landscaping and public parks.

Business improvement — Businesses and manufacturing complexes that have well-maintained grassy areas create a favorable impression to the general public, employees, and customers. Lawns increase the value of the property by up to 15 percent.

Climate control — Turf grasses appreciably cool temperatures, thus working as exterior “air conditioners.”

Dust filter — Dust and smoke particles from the atmosphere are trapped by turf, keeping our air cleaner and fresher.

Erosion control — Grasses greatly control erosion by intercepting both raindrops before they disturb the soil and slow-flowing water so that larger soil particles are captured from the collected water.

Fire retardation — Buffer areas of well-maintained grassy lawns around buildings are good insurance against fire.

Golf courses — Millions of people play golf for exercise, relaxation, and business transactions. In the U.S., more than 14 million golfers enjoy the highly groomed grass found on golf courses.

Health promoter — Turf grasses cushion, clean air, generate oxygen, and create serene, beautiful landscapes.

Injury reducer — A soft, resilient turf grass surface buffers and absorbs some of the impact from injuries due to sports and games.

Junk prevention — Garbage is less likely to be thrown on an area where there is a well-maintained lawn.

Knowledge base — The care of turf grasses and other plants is considered so therapeutic it is used in a variety of rehabilitation programs, including those for the ill, elderly, handicapped, and the incarcerated.

Landscape of America — Lawns are estimated to occupy an area of between 25 million to 30 million acres in the U.S. (equivalent to the size of the six New England states) and is increasing along with the population.

Market value — Monetary value is associated with a well-manicured lawn. As a result sales prices of homes may increase up to 20 percent.

Noise reducer — Grassy areas reduce excessive sound, something especially appreciated in urban areas. Grassy slopes beside lowered expressways decrease noise 8–10 decibels.

Oxygen factory — The oxygen generated by turf grasses has a major impact on making our environment habitable. A 50-foot by 50-foot lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe for one year.

Pollutant blocker — Turf grasses absorb such pollutants as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which renders the air unfit to breathe. Turf grass thatch also acts as a barrier that deters chemicals from entering the soil profile.

Quiet inducing — Grassy areas, whether as aspects of parks, golf courses, memorials, or homes, affect mood and create feelings of serenity, thoughtfulness, happiness, or sadness, depending on our personal associations.

Runoff control — A highly maintained lawn greatly reduces runoff of water and pollutants. Dense turf grass cleans the water, which helps maintain a high-quality environment.

Safety net — Grassy playing surfaces are safer than dirt, Astroturf, or concrete because they provide sure footing and cushioning sod that adds to the quality of sports.

Traffic cop — Lawn barriers attractively and clearly direct both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in areas of heavy movement, whether on campuses, roads, or neighborhoods.

Urban relief — Urban area lawns offer a little taste of the countryside, providing a much-needed link with nature and reducing stress.

Vitalizer — Young and old alike enjoy games and come alive on grassy areas. No other surface material feels as soothing on bare feet or is as good for playing games and even turning somersaults.

Water filter — A dense turf enhances groundwater in two ways. First, turf grasses increase water infiltration. They also clean the water as it passes through the grass so that underground water supplies are replenished for our use.

Xeriscaping environments — Creating beauty in low-water areas is gaining popularity in appropriate regions. Ornamental grasses and small grassy areas are key parts of this practice.

Yearly sign — The cycle of the seasons produce changes in the color of lawns. Most turf becomes a duller green or even brown in the winter months, but is among the first areas to green up in the spring. This spring greening lifts the human spirit like little else, and is an event to look forward to.

Zoned improvement — Areas that are stabilized by turf grasses enhance safety on roads and airfields by reducing flooding, mud, and visibility — impairing dust.

 

For professional help in maintaining your turf area call one of the local All American Turf Beauty offices located throughout Iowa. One of our specialist will be glad to meet with you, analyze your lawn and recommend a program that fits the need of your lawns and budget.

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How to Accentuate Your Home’s Architecture Utilizing Outdoor Lighting

When looking at the architecture of houses, there are dozens of styles of homes on the market. Whether you have a Cape, an Art Deco, a Craftsman, a Colonial or any other style of house.chances are that you’ll have at least one unique architectural element that deserves some attention. Why not make your home’s unique architecture stand out even more during the night hours with beautiful outdoor lighting? “There are several outdoor lighting techniques that work best for homeowners who are looking to highlight their home’s architectural elements”. Says Jim O’Loughlin General manager for Nite Time Décor by All American Turf Beauty

Choosing What to Highlight

When looking at your home’s exterior, it can be overwhelming to try and decide what aspects to accentuate with outdoor lighting in the nighttime. That’s why it’s important to consult with a professional to get a plan that’s right for you. First, survey your home and pick your favorite features. Does your home have beautiful brick work? Are you looking to highlight your front door? Or maybe your home has architectural shaped windows. No matter what your favorite features are, placing outdoor lighting to emphasize these features can increase your home’s curb appeal dramatically and make your home stand out as the sleekest on the block.

Deciphering Outdoor Lighting Techniques

Now that you’ve decided what features to highlight, it’s time to decide what lighting styles you should use. Depending on what you’re accentuating, you’ll need to use different lighting techniques and a variation of products. Some common lighting techniques to highlight your home’s architecture and front yard include:

• Wash Lighting: This style of lighting is perfect for homeowners who are looking to highlight a home’s brick walls. This style of lighting creates interesting highlights and shadows by aiming a wide beam of light away onto the wall of a home.
• Spotlighting: If you’re looking to accentuate a certain focal point, then doing so with spot lights is a great idea. Utilizing this type of front yard lighting can help you highlight specific areas of your home’s architecture while leaving other areas in the dark, creating a dramatic effect.
• Greenspace Lighting: So there’s nothing special about your home? That doesn’t mean your home needs to stay in the dark! Consider opting for greenspace lighting to highlight your home’s pathways, gardens, trees or other elements that may not be built into your house, but built into your lawn instead.

Home owners don’t need to choose just one outdoor lighting technique to use to highlight their home’s exterior. Combining techniques can help to create a beautiful, ambient effect that will make your home look elegant when the sun goes down.

Picking a Product Line

Choosing outdoor lighting products to do the job is perhaps one of the most important steps in the process. Many home owners look to install outdoor lighting themselves and buy their products from a local home improvement store to save money, however in the long-run this could be more costly. Buying cheaper products may seem like a good idea now, but they oftentimes are less durable and corrode or rust faster than higher-quality products, which will leave you needing to climb up and down ladders probably more than you’d like to fix lighting issues.

“Instead of opting for a DIY outdoor lighting installation, it’s wise to seek out an outdoor lighting professional who uses high-quality outdoor lighting products in his or her installations.” says O’Loughlin
For example, you can’t find Nite Time Decor’s product line in home improvement stores. Nite Time Decor only makes its exclusive product line available to outdoor lighting contractors so they can optimally install these durable and immaculate-looking products. These outdoor lighting products are long-lasting, are specially designed to seamlessly blend in with a home’s exterior and can stand up to a variety of harsh climates. Choosing a line of premium products may be slightly more but will save home owners money in the long run in terms of maintenance and upkeep costs.

Nite time Décor By All American Turf Beauty provides lighting services throughout the state of Iowa. Professional lighting consultations and estimates are free of charge. Call today-

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