Pets, heavy snow, and frequent foot traffic can all leave your lawn with thin patches that make it look unattractive and unhealthy. It can even happen when you take extra time to treat and water the area. Fortunately, you can give your lawn a lush appearance with double aeration and overseeding. At The Lawnsmith, we recommend that homeowners schedule this procedure in the spring and fall to ensure a healthy lawn throughout the year.

What Happens During Double Aeration and Overseeding?
Double aeration is the process of removing thatch and other unwanted debris that interferes with your lawn's root growth. We do this by inserting round, hollow tines into the ground to help break apart the soil and bring it to the surface. The second part of this process involves placing multiple grass seeds on the barren areas of your lawn to discourage weed growth and improve the overall quality of your lawn.

The Benefits of Double Aeration
This process is beneficial to the health of your lawn in several ways, including the following:

• Improved root system:  This process helps the roots of your lawn maintain long-term health. Keep in mind that the lawn maintenance you perform now has a major effect on its performance for several years to come.
   
• Relief of soil compaction: Foot traffic and the use of heavy machinery are just two ways that soil structure can break down and become impacted. Physically inserting an aeration tine into the soil reduces its bulk density.
   
• Reduction of thatch: Thatch, which is dead and living plant material, is typically present between the surface of the soil and the part of the lawn that is visible to you. When thatch accumulates to more than half an inch, it can cause significant damage. Double aeration loosens the thatch and forces it to begin decomposing.
   
• Improved water filtration: When soil is compacted, it doesn't absorb water very well. Double aeration corrects the problem so your lawn receives the nourishment it needs for proper growth.

Finally, overseeding is most beneficial when completed at the same time as double aeration.
Contact us for an estimate on this service.

Spring is here, and that means many homeowners are considering landscaping projects to improve the appearance and value of their home. Like pioneers hundreds of years before them, today's homeowner is likely to include mulch to form a natural protective layer between the grass and the soil. While there are various kinds of natural and synthetic mulches available today, all serve these basic functions:

• To suppress the growth of weeds
• To protect against extremes in temperature
• To reduce soil water losses

Before buying a specific type of mulch, homeowners need to ensure that it supplies the soil with organic material, stays in place, and doesn't contain insects, weeds, or diseases. There are also several different types of mulch to consider, including the following:

• Chocolate mulch is derived from roasted cocoa beans. During the roasting process, the shell is sterilized when it is separated from the bean. The shell is organic and free of weeds, making it an ideal ingredient for mulch. However, homeowners with pets need to supervise them carefully as ingesting chocolate mulch can be toxic.
   
• Hardwood mulch is created from the bark of oak and maples trees. It compacts over time and doesn't blow away easily, which makes it a good choice for landscaping on a steeped hill.
   
• Pine bark mulch is taken from pine tree logs and then ground down. It typically comes with several different sizes of pine bark. Because this type of mulch is non-porous and lightweight, it should be placed on flat surfaces so it doesn't wash away.
   
• Ruby red mulch is a type of dyed mulch that many homeowners choose for its bright color contrast against green grass. It's important to check the ingredients to make sure that it doesn't have any harmful petrochemical dyes.
   
• Western red cedar mulch comes from the bark of cedar trees. Its light and airy fine texture makes it an ideal mulch for annuals, perennials, and other small plants.

In addition to selling and installing mulch, staff at The Lawnsmith is happy to help homeowners choose the right type for their budget and landscaping needs. Get a free estimate on our mulching services!