Moss, the green stuff that grows in many lawns, can be a problem.
First, moss usually grows due to a PH imbalance in the soil. A low PH will provide an acid soil that will foster the moss growth.
What creates a low PH? PH levels can be due to trees, leaves and srubs, Et al.
Oaks, dogwoods, azaleas will lower the soil PH. Leaves from these types of trees will help produce a low PH.
Yes, you can do things to your landscaping that will help. For instance, you can remove undesireable trees, rake leaves.
But, one of the most important things you can do is adjust the PH levels in your soil. Hence, you will make the soil more fertile. How? LIME(and plenty of it), at least once a year, if not twice a year.
A 10,000 sq. ft. yard would require at least ten bags of lime.
You can apply copper sulfate to kill the moss, and liquid iron somtimes has a browing effect, yet you must adjust the PH of you soil to get rid of moss. LIME will do this if applied enough.
Be sure to spread evenly, for your lawn may take on a zebra looking color(light green; dark green), if not spread evenly.
Another caveate, be sure to use granular lime, for it's easier to spread. Poweder lime will gum up in a spreader.
Until next time, good riddance to your moss problems.
Turf Touch
864.325.9939
www.24hourapartments.com
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Thursday, February 7, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Seeding and Aeration, by Turf Touch(r)--864.325.9939
Seeding and aeration, in Upstate South Carolina, means core(the best method, in my opinion), followed by applying fescue seed(there are many species).
First, core aeration is usually done with a walk-behind machine that rotates, pulling plugs from the soil that resemble dog turds(if you will). After core aerating, your lawn will be covered with plugs. Leave them alone; allow the water to dissolve them.
Immediately after aerating, apply your fescue grass seed--evenly and in the right quantity. The best fescues are usually Oregon grown species that grow to the height of 3-4''.
Should I apply hay after seeding? Hay is used to hold the moisture to the ground; hence, it will help with germination, yet you will usually not need hay if you water properly--twice daily for three to four weeks.
When you water fescue; hay will, unfortunately, germinate too. The hay will produce a lime green color different than your fescue which will be a darker green color. The May heat will burn most hay off, yet it's easier if you abstain from applying hay. However, there are circumstances where hay can help, especially when you have a yard that is merely dirt.
What's the best time to seed? THE FALL, around Labor Day through October.
If, however, you failed to seed in the fall, you can seed around late January through February. This will give seed enough time to germinate before hot weather can kill new seedlings.
This is a no-brainer, yet it must be stated, for it's the reason most fesuce lawns fail--lack of water. Water lawn one hour a day for three to four weeks subsequent to seeding. And, yes, a sprinkler system is a great investment, as it will save you time and money and assure you that your lawn will be watered, even after you are tired of the word, WORK.
Please call us if we can be of any assistance with any of these services.
TurfTouch
864.325.9939
Greenville, SC
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
ONLINE STORE
First, core aeration is usually done with a walk-behind machine that rotates, pulling plugs from the soil that resemble dog turds(if you will). After core aerating, your lawn will be covered with plugs. Leave them alone; allow the water to dissolve them.
Immediately after aerating, apply your fescue grass seed--evenly and in the right quantity. The best fescues are usually Oregon grown species that grow to the height of 3-4''.
Should I apply hay after seeding? Hay is used to hold the moisture to the ground; hence, it will help with germination, yet you will usually not need hay if you water properly--twice daily for three to four weeks.
When you water fescue; hay will, unfortunately, germinate too. The hay will produce a lime green color different than your fescue which will be a darker green color. The May heat will burn most hay off, yet it's easier if you abstain from applying hay. However, there are circumstances where hay can help, especially when you have a yard that is merely dirt.
What's the best time to seed? THE FALL, around Labor Day through October.
If, however, you failed to seed in the fall, you can seed around late January through February. This will give seed enough time to germinate before hot weather can kill new seedlings.
This is a no-brainer, yet it must be stated, for it's the reason most fesuce lawns fail--lack of water. Water lawn one hour a day for three to four weeks subsequent to seeding. And, yes, a sprinkler system is a great investment, as it will save you time and money and assure you that your lawn will be watered, even after you are tired of the word, WORK.
Please call us if we can be of any assistance with any of these services.
TurfTouch
864.325.9939
Greenville, SC
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
ONLINE STORE
Friday, January 25, 2008
Free Estimates by Turf Touch--864.325.9939
A new year has dawned, and the cold will soon give way to a new year, 2008. If you have planned a landscaping project, need a fresher looking lawn, need a sprinkler system. Look no further, we can provide all the services that you desire.
All you have to do is, pick up the phone, dial the digits, and--EUREKA!
TurfTouch
Greenville, SC
864.325.9939
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
ONLINE STORE
All you have to do is, pick up the phone, dial the digits, and--EUREKA!
TurfTouch
Greenville, SC
864.325.9939
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
ONLINE STORE
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sod--What is It? And Should I Install It? by, Turf Touch
Sod, what is it?
Sod is grass that one can apply to his/her lawn, and the grass will be instant. Great, everybody can do this right--WRONG.
There are several different species of sod; bermuda(many sub-types), zoysia, centipede, fescue, St. Augustine.
One must ascertain his/her environment. Does one have shade, direct sunlight, clay soil, sandy soil, etc.
In upstate South Carolina, there are all of the above grass types, but very, very few St. Augustine grasses.
Many tract homes have bermuda sod. Why? Because it is a quick fix, not that it's the best choice.
Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia, St. Augustine are, in laymen's terms, warm season grasses, meaning they thrive under warmer weather conditions. And they all need plenty of sunlight throught the day. Else, one is asking for a formula of failure.
A case study, one has a lawn with direct sunlight in many parts of the lawn, yet up beside the home, there is an abundance of shade. Should he sod this with bermuda. In my opinion, NO. Fescue may be a better choice if the year-round weather conditions are not too hot.
Fescue is a cool season grass. Hence, it thrives under cooler conditions, like Asheville, NC, Kentucky, Upstate South Carolina.
The warm season grasses mentioned above would grow better in conditions like Charleston, SC, Florida, especially where there are sandy soils.
Once new sod is laid, regardless of the type, be sure to water profusley for the first two to three weeks subseqent to install. After two weeks, reach down, grab a hanful of grass, tug. One should feel the roots affixed to the soil.
As trite as the cliche' may sound, when it comes to sod, do not try to put round pegs into square holes, Won't work, and one will not be pleased with the long-term results.
And be mindful that sod is not cheap, so make the wise choice when selecting the type grass that will go into your lawn.
Until we meet again,
TurfTouch
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
ONLINE STORE!!!
Sod is grass that one can apply to his/her lawn, and the grass will be instant. Great, everybody can do this right--WRONG.
There are several different species of sod; bermuda(many sub-types), zoysia, centipede, fescue, St. Augustine.
One must ascertain his/her environment. Does one have shade, direct sunlight, clay soil, sandy soil, etc.
In upstate South Carolina, there are all of the above grass types, but very, very few St. Augustine grasses.
Many tract homes have bermuda sod. Why? Because it is a quick fix, not that it's the best choice.
Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia, St. Augustine are, in laymen's terms, warm season grasses, meaning they thrive under warmer weather conditions. And they all need plenty of sunlight throught the day. Else, one is asking for a formula of failure.
A case study, one has a lawn with direct sunlight in many parts of the lawn, yet up beside the home, there is an abundance of shade. Should he sod this with bermuda. In my opinion, NO. Fescue may be a better choice if the year-round weather conditions are not too hot.
Fescue is a cool season grass. Hence, it thrives under cooler conditions, like Asheville, NC, Kentucky, Upstate South Carolina.
The warm season grasses mentioned above would grow better in conditions like Charleston, SC, Florida, especially where there are sandy soils.
Once new sod is laid, regardless of the type, be sure to water profusley for the first two to three weeks subseqent to install. After two weeks, reach down, grab a hanful of grass, tug. One should feel the roots affixed to the soil.
As trite as the cliche' may sound, when it comes to sod, do not try to put round pegs into square holes, Won't work, and one will not be pleased with the long-term results.
And be mindful that sod is not cheap, so make the wise choice when selecting the type grass that will go into your lawn.
Until we meet again,
TurfTouch
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
ONLINE STORE!!!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
It's About Time To Apply Crabgrass Preventer
Now is a good time to start your first application of crabgrass preventer here in South Carolina, for the temperature is still cold. Hence, the ground temperature remains cold too.
Why? Once the soil temperatures begin to warm, crabgrass can, and will, begin it's germination process, even though it will not be visible to the naked eye until the hot summer months, yet if you fail to start your first crabgrass application before the heat ensues, you WILL have troubles on your lawn. And then the only
solution is a non-selective herbicide, and this will kill both the good and bad grasses--a no-no.
In the Upstate of South Carolina, the customer will have to do at least two applications of crabgrass preveter, and you will probably still will not get 100% resistance, especially if your lawn is exposed to the direct sunlight all day.
Sunny lawns usually will have a worse crabgrass problem than shaded and simi-shaded lawns. If you are cognizant, you may notice crabgrass growing along the raods and sidewalks. Duh, go figure.
Untill next time,
Turf Touch
864.325.9939
Greenville, SC
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
"ONLINE STORE"
Why? Once the soil temperatures begin to warm, crabgrass can, and will, begin it's germination process, even though it will not be visible to the naked eye until the hot summer months, yet if you fail to start your first crabgrass application before the heat ensues, you WILL have troubles on your lawn. And then the only
solution is a non-selective herbicide, and this will kill both the good and bad grasses--a no-no.
In the Upstate of South Carolina, the customer will have to do at least two applications of crabgrass preveter, and you will probably still will not get 100% resistance, especially if your lawn is exposed to the direct sunlight all day.
Sunny lawns usually will have a worse crabgrass problem than shaded and simi-shaded lawns. If you are cognizant, you may notice crabgrass growing along the raods and sidewalks. Duh, go figure.
Untill next time,
Turf Touch
864.325.9939
Greenville, SC
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
"ONLINE STORE"
Monday, January 21, 2008
Master The Word: Featherbrained
Featherbrained: adjective 1. empty-headed; scatter-brained; lacking brain power.
Example: "Suzie, you are very nice looking. But I must confess that your looks will not supplant for brains. I hope you will age well and stop your featherbrained ways."
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
"Online Store"
Example: "Suzie, you are very nice looking. But I must confess that your looks will not supplant for brains. I hope you will age well and stop your featherbrained ways."
www.24hourapartments.com
www.roommatesville.com
"Online Store"
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Should I Have A Sprinkler System Installed?
Should I have an irrigation system installed?
First, do I have the money? The average system that we install at this time is around $3,500. Front yards usually range anywhere from about $2,200 and up.
Money is time, so my answer to the above question is--YES.
Once an irrigation is installed, properly, the customer will have a control box, which is most often installed in the garage area of the home. The customer can either operate the system manually; or, better, they can set the sytem up to run automatically.
Each zone can be programmed to run at whatever length of time they would like. For example, five mintutes one zone one; ten minutes on zone three, etc.
Before a lawn is seeded, the cutomer can irrigate the lawn to soften the soil. And better, after the lawn has been seeded, the customer can irrigate at whatever intervals they choose. Again, money is time, and the amount of time one will spend hand watering is time wasted.
Okay, we, here in the South, are in a drought, right? The customer chooses not to water. Really simple. Go to control box and turn dial to OFF postion, or the customer can go out into the yard and turn the entire system off at the "double check valve." A turn off valve that usually has two handles. This will turn the entire system off.
Nexy question: I have gotten three estimates, one is $1,000 lower than the other. BEWARE, for you get what you pay for, as the adage reads. This company very well may know the tricks of the trade well enough to know how to fudge, spreading the main too thin, skimping on wire, using cheap heads; the lists goes on and on. $2,000 dollars versus $3,500 may seem like a good deal, but I have witnessed the cheap deals turning into a massive cost. Do not fudge on costs.
Yes, an underground sprinkler system is a very good investment.
Until next time and for an estimate on a new install,
Turf Touch
Greenville, SC
864.325.9939
Powered by: www.24hourapartments.com
www.turftouch.com
First, do I have the money? The average system that we install at this time is around $3,500. Front yards usually range anywhere from about $2,200 and up.
Money is time, so my answer to the above question is--YES.
Once an irrigation is installed, properly, the customer will have a control box, which is most often installed in the garage area of the home. The customer can either operate the system manually; or, better, they can set the sytem up to run automatically.
Each zone can be programmed to run at whatever length of time they would like. For example, five mintutes one zone one; ten minutes on zone three, etc.
Before a lawn is seeded, the cutomer can irrigate the lawn to soften the soil. And better, after the lawn has been seeded, the customer can irrigate at whatever intervals they choose. Again, money is time, and the amount of time one will spend hand watering is time wasted.
Okay, we, here in the South, are in a drought, right? The customer chooses not to water. Really simple. Go to control box and turn dial to OFF postion, or the customer can go out into the yard and turn the entire system off at the "double check valve." A turn off valve that usually has two handles. This will turn the entire system off.
Nexy question: I have gotten three estimates, one is $1,000 lower than the other. BEWARE, for you get what you pay for, as the adage reads. This company very well may know the tricks of the trade well enough to know how to fudge, spreading the main too thin, skimping on wire, using cheap heads; the lists goes on and on. $2,000 dollars versus $3,500 may seem like a good deal, but I have witnessed the cheap deals turning into a massive cost. Do not fudge on costs.
Yes, an underground sprinkler system is a very good investment.
Until next time and for an estimate on a new install,
Turf Touch
Greenville, SC
864.325.9939
Powered by: www.24hourapartments.com
www.turftouch.com
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