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4 Effective Tips for Crabgrass Prevention in Your Lawn

 

Crabgrass can not only decrease the appeal of a lawn but also make the soil beneath weaker. This blue-greenish, low growing lawn weed grows in the spring when the soil is warm, with the temperature of the soil falling between 55 and 60 degrees. Crabgrass can spread throughout the yard in a short time. At a time, mature crabgrass plants can lead to around 5,000 seeds. Removing crabgrass is a difficult task and the weed can ruin a lawn’s beauty. Prevention is the best way to achieve crabgrass control. For crabgrass prevention, small steps need to be taken to make the environment unsuitable for the growth of weed. Following are some effective ways to prevent crabgrass from growing in your lawn. 

Tips for Crabgrass Prevention

1. Ensure Your Lawn is Thick and Long 

During the dry and hot days of summer, a lawn may start thinning out if it’s not given enough water. Thinning acts as the foothold for crabgrass to start flourishing. In case of lawns that are quite unhealthy, crabgrass can take over the entire lawn in one season only.  

Keeping your lawn thick and healthy serves as the best way to prevent crabgrass infestation. Water on a regular basis and ensure that your soil always remains moist. Avoid trimming your grass too short. For best results, let the grass grow until it reaches the length of about two and a half inches. A healthy lawn reduces the chances of crabgrass infestation in it, thereby being an effective tool for crabgrass prevention. 

2. Mulch Your Soil

Healthy soil is also effective against crabgrass. It’s known that the weed can come back again and again. So, right after removing crabgrass from the soil, put some mulch in the area. The mulch will make it difficult for the crabgrass seeds to germinate, which may have been left behind in soil.

Use mulch in a light layer if your lawn has had crabgrass issues in the past. However, the mulch amount shouldn’t be so much that your grass becomes compacted. Compacted areas will not allow the growth of crabgrass, but they will not let your desired grass to grow also.

3. Use Pre-Emergent Treatments

Pre-emergent treatments come in several types and you can purchase one from a reputed lawn and garden shop. The ideal time for using a pre-emergent treatment for crabgrass prevention is during early spring, before grass has started to grow. Crabgrass doesn’t start developing until the weather is hot consistently. So, there’s ample time for applying a treatment prior to beginning of the growing season.

In case you have encountered crabgrass issues before also, you will be aware of the areas in your lawn that are susceptible to crabgrass growth. Focus the pre-emergent treatments on those regions specifically to prevent crabgrass from gaining a foothold during summer.

4. Pull Out Late Season Crabgrass

If you find crabgrass emerging during late summer, the only effective way to eliminate them is pulling them out by hand. Although a process that consumes time as well as takes work, it will help you drive away all of the weeds out of the lawn. After pulling out the crabgrass, remember to treat the region that had the weeds. Crabgrass seeds don’t take long to germinate and start growing again.

Apply good mulch or a pre-emergent treatment to prevent growth of crabgrass from seeds in areas from where you’ve already pulled them out.

Herbicides are Harmful for Your Lawn 

Using herbicide for eliminating crabgrass comes with a downside – the chemicals harm the crabgrass as well as the grass in your lawn. There are no effective chemical methods to get rid of crabgrass without adversely affecting your lawn.  

Wrap Up 

Prevention is the best approach to combat the weed. Treat the lawn in early summer prior to crabgrass starting to emerge or pull them out by hand after they emerge. Furthermore, the weed tends to grow in dry, sunny areas in your lawn, so, use enough water in the lawn for crabgrass prevention.  

If your busy schedule doesn’t allow you to invest enough time in crabgrass prevention, you can hire a reliable company offering professional lawn service. All American Turf Beauty is a reputed Iowa based lawn care company specializing in residential lawn care services that include weed control service and lawn maintenance. Contact our weed control experts today to get a healthy lawn free from crabgrass!

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Soil testing – necessary for your spring lawn

Start spring right with your soil in top shape

Do not be distracted by the snow on the ground. Fact is – spring is upon us! It is time to consider how your garden or lawn should look when there is more sunshine and rain to enjoy. However, before that takes place, your lawn requires proper awakening.  So, the first step is to ensure that your soil is ready for spring. This could mean soil testing, the need for fertilizing, and many other spring pick-me-up chores. As you must now know, in the early days of spring, soil testing comes right on top of the list.

Soil testing may pertain to a broad array of soil analysis done for several reasons.

Soil analysis is a critical process in evaluating your soil’s fertilization and quality to support plant life. While this can be conducted any time of the year, the ideal time to test soil is in spring. Soil testing is done best before adding any compost or any other modifications to your soil. These tests can determine the concentration of phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, magnesium, lime, and other organic matter in the soil.

Test results can indicate what you need to add to your soil to achieve the ideal pH level and nutrient composition.

You can perform soil testing through commercial labs and Do-It-Yourself kits. Commercial labs offer a wide range of tests focusing on different classes of compounds and minerals. Because of proximity, soil testing from local labs has the advantage of familiarity with the chemistry in the identified area for sampling. With this, the technicians are able to suggest the most suitable test/s for the purpose or goal.

Lab tests are able to test for plant nutrients in three categories: One is major nutrients such as NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium). Another is secondary nutrients such as sulfur, magnesium, calcium. Lastly, minor nutrients like copper, boron, iron, manganese, chlorine, zinc, molybdenum.

Do-It-Yourself kits commonly test only for the three major nutrients and for the soil’s pH level or acidity.

You can easily find these kits in gardening stores, some hardware stores, private and university labs, and farming cooperatives. While both types are useful, lab tests have relatively higher accuracy. Depending on the type of test and amount of information you need, DIY kits cost anywhere from $6 to $15. In comparison, lab soil testing services can cost much more.

So, keep in mind that even the most expensive Do-It-Yourself kit cannot take the place of a professional testing.

A good way to combine both is to start with a professional soil testing and analysis.

Afterwards, once you have the necessary professional test results, monitor the progress of your soil with a kit. Doing this can help you save money.

How to do your own Soil Testing

As per the manufacturer’s instructions, add the right amount of solution from the kit to the recommended amount of soil. Then, allow the particles to settle by shaking the mixture well. Using the chart that goes with the kit, match the color of the resulting mixture.

FAQs:

Why do we need to soil testing?

Every plant has its own nutrient and soil acidity requirements that are different from others for optimal growth. Soil testing evaluates nutrients, macronutrients, and soil pH available for your plants that are in your lawn or garden. Whether it has too much or too little, you will find the appropriate information on the data to help you address any possible issue.

How often should I have soil testing?

You can perform soil testing any time of the year so long as the ground is not frozen. It is a good idea to test soil in spring  before planting, but fall is best especially if soil acidity is a potential problem.

Retesting the soil after one year from the time you made amendments is a good idea.

This will help you assess if the results of soil testing addressed the issue.

Who benefits from soil testing?

Gardeners, Farmers, Planters, homeowners, greenhouse growers, landscapers, etc. all benefit from soil testing. Most importantly, your grass will benefit from early testing in spring. Good soil condition leads to great grass growth throughout the seasons.

What’s included in the Soil Test kit from commercial or university labs?

Generally, a kit contains a soil mailing lab together with a submission form that you need to fill out.

How much does professional soil testing cost?

It varies depending on the test you need or are asking for. A soil nitrate test ranges from $10 to $20. Tests for toxins for farming can be anywhere from $30 – $50 per test.

How do I collect soil samples for professional testing and analysis?

Using a rust-free and clean trowel, dig several holes in your lawn 6 to 8 inches deep. Take samples from several areas of your lawn. From one side of each hole, slice a part of the soil, saving 1 to 2 inches from the center of the slice. Leave out the sides, bottom, and top parts. Combine the samples in a clean and transparent container. Let them dry at room temperature. Do not forget to include the appropriate fee for the lab. Then you are set to send your soil sample to the lab.

The test results will give you information about your soil from which you can decide on what to do next if needed.

How soon can the soil test results be available?

A routine soil test can generally be ready within 5 business days. However, remember to allot 3 to 6 for mail to and from the lab.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Soil Testing

Lawn experts from All American Turf Beauty encourage early preparation for the coming of spring. This means an overall evaluation of your lawn’s condition. This includes determining what damage winter is leaving your lawn and the current conditions that will determine the actions you’ll need to take. Hence, soil testing is on the list of to-do’s if you want to start spring right. There is nothing only the best lawn care experts in Iowa can give you. Get in touch with All American Turf Beauty to keep you on the right track as it is time to revive your lawn. Call us today and talk to our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873 or you may visit us at 311 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA.

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Lawn care tips for spring is never too early

Welcome this spring with early lawn care tips

Having the winter freeze stay a little longer sure makes you miss stepping out to a pretty damp spring. Oh, how you wish to trade off the snow that refuses to leave with nice, fresh daffodils and your lush, green carpet. While you wait for the snow to leave, it would be a good time to make sure you are all geared up to welcome spring. So this early, let us revisit your known lawn care tips. That way, you can see that you have all the best practices in place to set up for spring.

What’s a good reason why you should revisit and revise your lawn care tips in spring?

Because it is the start of growth of everything in your lawn, it is vital that you start off well. If you neglect your spring lawn care tips, you could end up paying for it the rest of the year. Think about building a good foundation for your lawn. Then start early in spring to fortify its growth to withstand the summer heat and the shift of temperature in fall and winter. As you do this, be glad for there is good news! Spring actually requires little to do. So, you will find that your lawn care tips won’t have as much tasks as it will in summer and fall. As you now know, spring does not entail a lot of work for you. In fact, you will probably just need to implement only a few selections of the spring lawn care tips we have for you.

One thing that does not appear much in lawn care tips is caring for your hose.

Now is a good time to make sure that your hose is in prime condition. After all, spring brings lots of rain. However, it also brings lots of opportunity to water as you feed your lawn. Is your hose in great shape? While you are not preoccupied with growth on your lawn yet, take some time to check your hose. It is imperative to start the spring season with the right tools. Your lawn care tips and maintenance schedule is not complete without a sturdy hose. If you need to shop for a hose, buy one that is long enough to water your entire lawn. Note this as part of your lawn care tips for spring time.

Another thing you should bring attention to is your rake. You will need it in the early spring days. One of the lawn care tips you should take note of is getting your rake ready.

Raking will be your first task in your spring lawn maintenance.

Even if you cleaned out your yard in the fall prior winter, you must get ready to rake before spring. Raking is more than just removing leaves. When winter leaves, you will notice a thatch build-up on parts of your lawn. Some parts may have thicker layers than others. More than 1/2 inch of thatch is not good for your lawn. It will suffocate the soil and grass that’s beginning to grow. Hence, our lawn care tips for you won’t be complete without telling you to be ready to rake.

A few lawn care tips in other seasons relate to how your yard turns out in spring.

For instance, in fall, if you raked deeply, you will have removed potential thatch in the spring to come. Aside from removing leaves, deep raking in fall removes thatch, too. But even if you do deep raking in fall, you must not skip raking in early spring. Lawn care tips give high priority to raking as it removes thatch and dead blades of grass from winter. Another good reason for spring raking is discovering and destroying snow molds.

As you examine your lawn in early spring, you might find matted patches where grass blades are stuck together.

These patches might just be snow mold. If you have snow molds in parts of your lawn, one primary lawn care tip we would recommend is to rake those patches off. Sometimes, raking is sufficient. Otherwise, consult your lawn care expert for the proper treatment. Snow molds are not good for your soil and grass. Because it covers the surface, grass will have difficulty penetrating areas covered in snow mold.

Part of early spring lawn care tips is checking your soil for compaction.

Did your lawn have considerable amount of traffic this winter and throughout the year?

Now is a good time to check for signs of decline. Lawn aeration comes up on the list of lawn care tips for spring. As you must already know, it is the remedy for soil compaction. You can rent a soil aerator or contact your lawn care service team to take care of soil aeration. Get your lawn examined early to find out if it needs aeration.

FAQ: Do I need to apply lime on my soil in spring?

Grass naturally thrives in neutral pH. Imbalance in pH levels of your soil results in uneven and weak grass growth. You can solve this problem by liming your soil. However, it is not as easy as one, two, three. For one thing, the effects of liming take a long time to show. Hence, liming is most definitely not a quick fix. Make it part of the lawn care tips you follow to get a sample of your soil in early spring. After all, the best way to find out if it needs liming is to test it. Your lawn care experts can help you with soil testing. You need to find out the level of acidity your soil has. Then you can determine how much lime per square foot your soil needs.

However if your lawn has been doing quite fine and if it does not show any signs of acidity, you should not worry about liming.

Liming is but a corrective measure and not a must for your spring lawn care tips list.

Balance is the key. Putting lime on your soil does not prevent anything. Too much acid and too much alkaline can both do your lawn harm.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Lawn Care Tips for Early Spring

Lawn experts from All American Turf Beauty know how excited you are to be rid of the long freeze and to welcome spring with open arms. While the stubborn cold slowly leaves, it’s not a bad idea to get ready for early spring. Nothing but the best lawn care tips from your topnotch lawn care experts in Iowa. Get in touch with All American Turf Beauty to keep you on the right track as it is time to revive your lawn. Call us today and talk to our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873 or you may visit us at 311 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA.

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Lawn repair is the key to a green spring

Look forward to a great spring lawn by reviving your grass with our lawn repair tips

Lawn repair may just be the least of your concerns as snow fades away and the remnants of the holidays are slowly trickling out of your busy holiday calendar. You’ve just bid the last of the relatives farewell. You’re ready to empty the last container of the holiday treats. You’re all set to dive in and make your new year’s resolutions happen. Then you look out at your lawn and what the frost has left you with.

For some, it may be easy to bounce back and jump into a sound lawn repair routine to revive the dead grass of winter. For others, it may be a painstaking journey back to tending a nice, lush, green lawn ready for spring time. Lawn repair varies as the amount of moisture and the degree of extreme temperature differ in every area. To revive your lawn, there is treatment, fertilization, and many others involved.

You also need to assess the amount of damage the cold temperature brought about. So now, your lawn repair requires a spring pick-me-up.

The dormancy of winter puts your grass to sleep. While the grass is sleeping, weeds tend to invade the lawn. Unfortunately for your lawn repair timeline, these pesky little things called weeds, especially the aggressive ones, tend to wake up faster than your lawn grass. So, you need to work with your grass to beat them to it.

You will see how vital it is to give proper attention to your lawn during the other seasons.

If you took the time and effort in proper watering, mowing, and feeding, you will reap the rewards at this time.

You will see a strong lawn that is able to better withstand aggressive weeds. So, then you can take your time to help your lawn wake up properly after the cold winter days.

One thing that’s so important is examining and evaluating the damage. You cannot administer a solution without surveying the damage. Examine the obvious. Look at the thatch layer on your lawn. You would know best how much organic matter you covered your lawn with before winter. Consider the dead grass from your mowing, too.

If the layer of dead grass and organic matter on your top soil is deeper than one half inch, it is a good idea to dethatch.

The excess thatch will keep away water and oxygen, so you need to remove them and give your lawn space to breathe. At this time, your grass roots need water, oxygen, and fertilizer as part of lawn repair. The first step of recovery is to revive your grass roots.

As you begin to regrow your grass, you will want weeds and pests away – far away – so you can focus on reviving your grass. Another essential part of lawn repair is ensuring the weeds don’t beat you to your lawn. Pre-emergent weed killers are your help-mates for the season of lawn repair. Apply a pre-emergent weed killer before grass resumes growth and right before weeds become established. If the lawn is already growing back and the weeds have sprouted, apply broadleaf weed killers.

You may already have your preferred brand, so be sure to follow what’s written on the pack as brands also vary.

The next thing you can’t miss for your lawn repair is irrigation. Once you have your grass growing again, resume irrigation right away. Water once or twice weekly. Supply enough water to moisten the soil up to about six inches. Your grass roots will be grateful as they grow strong and deep. This will give them a fighting chance to withstand the upcoming drought in the summer.

Mowing is an essential part of lawn repair, too. Once your grass is about 1 inch taller than the setting on your mower blade, you can start mowing. But remember to only mow when the grass is already dry. Mowing or even walking on wet grass and soil is not a good idea for lawn repair.

If you see bare patches on your lawn, this is the best time to seed over them. While the soil is moist, it is okay to dig slightly and sprinkle the grass seeds evenly on the bare patch. Be sure to cover it with a quarter-inch layer of soil and water the seeded area lightly about twice or three times daily. If all goes well, your grass will start to establish, and you will see an even turf come spring time.

Finally, what you must have been waiting for – fertilize.

Of course, lawn repair involves fertilizers. Once your lawn is actively growing – that is, it is steadily growing enough for you to get back to regular mowing – you may fertilize. A slow start is a good idea. Apply the lightest amount depending on your grass type. Follow through with watering to force the nutrients into the soil and the roots. With all these lawn repair agenda, you are well on your way to a revived turf for your spring and summer lawn picnics.

FAQ: What are the necessary tools needed to start post-winter lawn repair?

There are only a few of your garden and lawn maintenance tools you will need in the early days of lawn repair. One thing that won’t be off the list even in winter is the dethatching rake. You will need it after winter to remove excess thatch. You will also need an herbicide spreader to evenly distribute pre-emergent herbicides to fight off weed and pests from your lawn. Lastly, you will need your lawnmower, but not until your grass is established and growing actively. These are the big three you should never be without during your lawn repair days.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Post Winter Lawn Care Maintenance

As the cool season draws to a close, so does your rest from lawn maintenance. It is time to get moving and awaken your lawn into another lovely spring! Get your lawn repair routine in order to control the damage the frost imposed on your lawn. Be it a smooth ride or a laborious start of the season, you can count on expert advice from lawn experts at All American Turf Beauty to keep you on track. Call us today and talk to our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873 or you may visit us at 311 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA.

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Winter lawn care can be a real good rest

Winter lawn care gives you little to do but more to look forward to

Oh, winter lawn care seems secondary in the holidays. What with all the snow and ice and your lawn needing less attention than it usually does. It seems to make sense to leave things be and let winter pass. In most parts of the United States, lawn grass goes dormant in the winter season; hence, needing little to no winter lawn care. It becomes too cold for the grass to grow, so you patiently wait for spring to see green again. Some cool season grass may thrive and keep some turfs green, but in most cases, grass stays dormant under snow cover.

However, the term winter lawn care would not be there if there is no need to tend to your lawn in the winter season. Yes, lawn care does not stop in winter. In fact, winter lawn care happens early in winter so you can sit back and relax throughout the snowy season. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips and tricks to maintain a healthy turf even in winter.

As the north winds blow and your yard starts to see the white blanket of snow, it needs less winter lawn care.

Your to-do list for your lawn in winter is much less, but it does not mean you should ignore your lawn completely. Your lawn still needs some work to ensure it will be in good shape when spring rolls around. The specific needs of your lawn and the tasks you need to focus on depend on where you live and what kind of grass you grow. Generally, these steps are what you should take for your winter lawn care preparation in the frosty season when there’s little to do in your lawn.

Fertilize

Do not let your lawn fall out of shape. Late autumn or early winter is the best time to begin your winter lawn care routine. Fertilize at this time. It is important to observe this timeline. Otherwise, fertilizing too early encourages weeds. Fertilizing when soil is frozen won’t serve its purpose either. Do not wait for the first freeze. Fertilize before it happens. Your soil needs to replace the nutrients lost in the warm summer days.

Winter lawn care means your soil survives the cold for your grass to grow in again the next season.

So the fertilizer remains in the soil and as the cold weather comes, the fertilizer you’ve applied feeds your grass roots all winter long. Do this vital step in your early winter lawn care routine and expect a lush, green grassy lawn come spring time.

If you have warm season grass, which is less likely in Iowa, you may need to overseed early before the first frost if you want a green lawn all winter long. If you don’t wish to keep the green, you can make use of the beige grass to leave your lawn winter’s touch. This is when winter lawn care becomes lighter work as you let the grass just naturally go dormant. Remember to water your grass after spreading fertilizer, though. This is necessary to wash the fertilizer off the blades of grass and into the soil where it should be.

Another crucial part of winter lawn care is to aerate your lawn. There are areas that particularly need aeration to avoid compaction of the soil. Use a fork or a spiking machine (Depending on your patience and budget).

Aeration before winter sets in improves drainage and allows more air into the roots of your grass.

This also allows fertilizer to settle into the roots more easily. This winter lawn care preparation makes way for a great, healthy soil. Then, come spring time, you have the lush green turf your neighbors will envy. Aeration helps your lawn increase root growth and minimizes thatch build up. You don’t want thatch in your lawn as it makes your lawn susceptible to diseases and insects. Just make sure the soil is moist before you begin to aerate. Moist, but not entirely wet. And yes, less work means you leave the soil plugs on the lawn to decompose naturally after aerating.

Next on your winter lawn care list is mowing. Mowing only stops when the grass stops growing for both cool and warm season grass. This means mowing up to late fall or early winter.

Mow over the fallen leaves as they add to organic matter that decompose quickly and do some good to your soil.

When you leave these dead leaves to wither away in their normal form, they cover your grass and smother them. Not exactly what you would go for if you want a lush spring yard. And definitely not what any winter lawn care expert would recommend. As you get ready for the winter lull, cut your grass shorter than usual. For instance, if you’ve been cutting it at 2.5 or 3.0 inches, decrease this gradually two or three mowings prior to the last one.

Finally, be sure to rest your lawn. Yes, as you rest, you also need to rest your lawn. Keep off the lawn especially when it’s wet or frosty. Grass damages easily during this period and they won’t repair until the spring. While grass is naturally resilient, it will have a hard time recovering in spring if a path has become worn out across the lawn. So remember that a big part of your winter lawn care rest means resting your lawn and just keeping off it.

FAQ: Is weeding necessary in winter?

Yes. Part of good winter lawn care preparation is making sure the weeds don’t stand a chance. A good way to control weeds is to strengthen your grass. Healthy grass shades the soil. This does not allow weeds from growing. Before the frost, dig up weeds or spot treat areas with herbicides. Pay attention to the type of herbicide you are using relative to specific temperature guidelines. Herbicides tend to be more effective when the temperature is 50 degrees or warmer.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Winter Lawn Care

Most of winter is a time to rest from the long to-do lists for your lawn. The care your lawn requires only comes in early winter or late fall to prepare for the frosty season. Let your lawn be productive in the snow. Know what you need to do to help it through the cool season into a lush spring. Call us today and talk about the best winter lawn care provider in Iowa. Call our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873 or you may visit us at 311 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA.

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Lawn drainage be gone this season

Improving lawn drainage brings long-term benefits to your lawn

Got lawn drainage problems? Wet spots on your yard? Soggy lawns can be such a nuisance and an eyesore. What’s more, grass will die eventually if it’s soaked in water for too long. Plus, you cannot even mow over these wet areas. Yard drainage problems put your lawn in a compromising situation especially in the rainier months or as snow begins to melt. Poor lawn drainage prevents oxygen from reaching the roots of your grass and garden plants. Aside from killing the grass and plants, the moist areas create a perfect habitat for fungus.

Moist areas damage your lawn and your garden even more.

Aside from killing your lawn and your garden, lawn drainage issues also have detrimental effects on your property. It can cause leaks on your basement, track mud into your home, or cause serious damage to its foundation entirely.

So, if you have water accumulating in different parts of your lawn, you must consider investing time, effort, and some bucks on some good quality lawn drainage solutions. With things like your home’s foundation at stake, it might well be worth the investment to avoid a much larger expense.

Lawns are prone to water logging especially in the later winter months when snow has built up and starts to melt. This season usually brings heavier rainfall and snow. This causes water to sit on the surface of the soil and drain very slowly. This is why you see puddles and even pooling on the surface.

You need to know the soil on your lawn as this is one factor that causes pooling, too.

For instance, high clay content on your lawn soil makes it difficult for water to be absorbed. This causes the pooling on the surface of your soil. Knowing your soil allows you to make the necessary action to deal with your lawn drainage issues with the solutions that best fit your lawn soil.

So before you take some drastic action or dig a trench to get rid of a wet spot, step back and evaluate the situation first. Find out what may be causing the pooling and water logging. For all you know, the problem may be as simple as a downspout or a discharge draining into a low area of your yard. In such cases, redirecting your downspout or running your discharge pipe to a different location might just be all you need to do to fix the problem.

If your problem is caused by the type of soil you have, the best soil amendment method known today is adding organic matter. It may be in the form of compost, manure, or anything that is well rotted.

Organic matter binds with soil particles.

In clay soil, it improves drainage by forcing the small, tightly packed particles apart. In sandy soil, it retains moisture better by filling the large pore spaces and acting as a sponge. The presence of clay soil is the cause of most minor lawn drainage problems. Thus, you will likely find unwanted standing water on your lawn. And a good corrected step you can do on your own is to add organic matter into your soil.

Another solution for lawn drainage problems relative to soil is soil aeration. Regular soil aeration allows the soil to absorb water more easily. This process punches holes in the lawn and adds air pockets, which aids in improving air and water circulation. If you do these basic tricks and you still end up with pools and water logs, another solution you might want to consider is to devise and install a drainage system. With proper evaluation, you will be able to determine if your lawn needs a top dressing. That is, if the problem stems from a higher elevation draining water down into your lawn. A good remedy is to raise the lawn to a higher level by adding a top dressing. Then you can lay down a drainage system beneath the top dressing. Ask your lawn drainage experts for advice on how to go about this.

Additionally, another solution to pooling and water logging that’s becoming more popular these days is a pond or rain garden.

Ponds help collect rain water, preventing pooling elsewhere on your lawn.

Aside from this purpose, this is a feature you can get your garden or lawn that adds aesthetic value! So, if you deem it fit, go dig a small pond in your yard and let the excess water accumulate in it. Turn your eyesore into an aesthetic view. Of course, it is always best to consult experts on lawn drainage before doing something as big as digging a pond or installing a drainage system. It would save you unnecessary expense, time, and effort if these solutions aren’t exactly what you need.

FAQ: What is a French drain and how does it work?

A French drain is a permanent drainage system constructed across the lowest area of the lawn. It is popular because of its versatility in dealing with all kinds of drainage problems. A French drain system utilizes a perforated pipe buried deep in the ground to disperse water over a large area. Gravel normally surrounds the French drain to allow the water to flow through. Generally, a French drain is enough to fix lawn drainage issues, but it can also be used alongside a dry well. How does it work? The water simply soaks into the soil as it flows along the pipe. It requires no inlet or outlet. You can just construct the drain to accept water along its length and just disperse it underground, ridding you of unwanted pools and water logs.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Improving Lawn Drainage

Winter fading into spring presents different needs for your lawn. One main concern is the wet and rainy period that brings about pools and water logs in some lawns. Not all solutions may work on every lawn simply because each lawn has unique characteristics and composition. Therefore, every lawn has unique needs and require tailor-fit solutions. Get expert advice on improving lawn drainage and find out what is best suited for your lawn. Call us today and talk to our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873 or you may visit us at 311 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA.

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