LAWN RENOVATION

Over the years, lawns can become weaker due to soil compaction, thatch build up, the aftermath of disease or insect problems or a variety of conditions. When a lawn has been underperforming, and fertilizer and water do not seem to help, it may be time to consider lawn renovation.

Lawn renovation techniques can provide a simpler way to restore the grass plants health and vigor, and save you from tearing out the existing lawn and starting over. Homeland Contractors uses the following techniques in our lawn renovation projects either alone or in combination with another.

Environmental Benefits of Turf Grasses

Stronger Root System. Research has clearly shown that the root system is the most important part of the grass plant. Also, it is known that a more thoroughly developed root system will result from the proper mowing height.

Weed Prevention. Millions of weed seeds are always present in even the most beautiful lawns. The key to a weed free lawn is, in part, the shading effect that a proper cutting height will provide.

A More Balanced Plant. Grass has three basic parts: root, stem, and foliage. But cutting too short, you tend to leave only root and stem. This is much like stripping the leaves from a tree. It weakens the plant’s ability to make food and will eventually stunt or kill it.

A Better Environment. Bluegrass and fescues are cool season grasses. On a hot summer day, the temperature is as much as 20 degrees cooler in the shade of the tall (three to four inch) grass than in a sunny bare spot and this lower temperature provides a more optimum environment.

Lawn Renovation Techniques:

• Core aeration – removes small grass plugs so that nutrients, moisture and air have more access to the grass roots causing improvement in lawn performance.
• Verti-cutting – Slice seeding – A machine is passed over the lawn in a criss-cross pattern scarifying the soil surface as it moves along. The machine drops seed and incorporates the seed into the soil surface. Fertilizer is applied.
• Top dressing/Over-seeding – A thin layer of soil is applied over the top of an existing lawn. Seed and fertilizer are incorporated.
• Fertilization
• Weed control
• Insect monitoring/control

Complete Landscaping Service

Homeland Contractors Complete Lawn Care Program

Winter – Spring (January – March)
Lime Application. Lime corrects soil acidity and toxicity, thereby promoting a better soil environment in which to maintain good, healthy turf grass.

Spring (March – April)
A dry, balanced fertilizer is applied to stimulate growth and development for the new season. During this period, grass develops new roots, rhizomes, and tillers thus increasing the density of your lawn. A pre-emergent crabgrass control is applied and actively growing weeds present are also treated. If necessary, Spring Seeding with aeration is applied at this time.

Late Spring (April – May)
This is the time when Weeds are growing most vigorously. An inspection of the lawn is made and a second weed application is applied at this time.

Summer (May – July)
A second application of dry balanced fertilizer, high in slow-release nitrogen, is applied to keep feeding the lawn throughout the summer. Weeds are controlled for the third straight month of the growing season. A dry insect control is applied to combat grubs, chinch bugs, and sod webworms throughout the summer. A second crabgrass pre-emergent control is applied.

Fall (August – October)
Fall is nature’s time to reseed and rebuild! We use top quality certified seed especially formulated for this area. A heavy application of dry balanced fertilizer is applied in anticipation of the return to lush growing conditions and cooler temperatures. We aerate your lawn making thousands of holes 1 to 2 ½ inches deep. Fertilizer moves into these holes and into the root zone where needed. Aeration also improves the carbon dioxide and oxygen balance in the soil so essential to proper root development. Watering every day, approximately one-half to three-quarters of an hour in each area, for 20 straight days will promote the maximum germination from the seed we have just sown.

Late Fall (November – December)
This period is an ideal time for very liberal feeding of fertilizer to stimulate root development and in turn, increased density in the lawn.