Posted by: DONALD JR in Untagged on
Aug 18, 2011
The "Hole" truth about aerating your lawn
Aerating your lawn is a great way to reduce thatch, loosen up compacted soils and make it easier for water and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass or turf.
Even with the best care available, lawns can thin out and lose color due to excessive thatch buildup, too much foot traffic through specific areas that create hard or compacted soils, or periods of high temperature, high humidity, or drought. Aerifying and overseeding is recognized by turf experts such as golf course superintendents as the best treatment to control thatch, helps reduce those compacted areas, fills in bare spots and revitalize growth.
Aeration/Seeding—
Saunders Landscape Supply recommends their Two step process which is guaranteed to improve your lawn
An aeration treatment removes small cores of soil and thatch to allow air, moisture and nutrients to penetrate down to the root zone. The cores brought to the surface contain microorganisms, which help the breakdown of the woody thatch tissue layer just below the lawn's crown. As the thatch layer is broken down, it is converted into organic matter that will then combine with existing soil particles.
Also, as the cores begin to breakdown over a period of several weeks, the holes gradually fill in with a mixture of organic matter and soil, and the filled hole allows roots of existing grass plants to spread out and grow deeper, creating a healthier, thicker lawn.
Ideal time for Aeration in Northern Virginia and Maryland
According to Don Saunders, president of Saunders Landscape supply " the aeration process is stressful on lawns, it should only be done during periods just before active growth is expected. For Northern Virginia and Maryland, this would be in early spring or early fall, the 2 times of the year when cool season grasses really grow. In the spring we use a crabgrass control product and aerate before the pre-emergent application is made, which is as a rule around the time when forsythias first start blooming."
Overseeding areas, will fill-in bare or thin spots and help build a thicker lawn faster. The new seed quickly takes root in the freshly aerated lawn and provides new life to your already established grass. As your lawn gets thicker and healthier, your new grass plants help reduce the chance of new weeds sprouting.
Saunders Landscape Supply offers aeration and overseeding to their clients. Please contact our office for more information. 703-764-4831
Posted by: DONALD JR in Untagged on
Jun 7, 2011
Gardening Aerobics  Forget that expensive health club membership- all the benefits of a first-rate physical workout can be achieved while you garden! Here's the good news studies have found: Just 45 minutes of varied gardening each day can burn more than 1,000 calories per hour, while lowering risks of a heart attack by up to one-third. So don't hire someone to put down the mulch and top soil- burn calories while doing it! Gardening also provides proven psychological benefits, gets us outdoors into the fresh air, and encourages better nutrition from fresh vegetables and fruits harvested from home gardens. To get the maximum aerobic benefit from gardening, you may need to change some gardening habits to follow the rhythm of aerobic exercise. Begin by stretching, followed by light weeding, then working up to 10-15 minutes of strenuous jobs like turning compost, (http://www.saundersls.com/topsoil) before cooling down with a slower activity. Your goal should be to work for 30 minutes to 2 hours at a time instead of finishing the project. Begin slowly if you've taken a break from gardening in the last several months. Gradually build up the time spent gardening, and always stretch before, during, and after gardening. Remember to move carefully, using leg muscles to lift heavy objects. When bending over, pull in stomach muscles and keep knees unlocked. Place a comfortable chair in your garden so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor! Happy Gardening! Susan |
The Community has spoken and Saunders Landscape Supply has proudly accepted the Angie's list, 2011 Super Service Award. Thank you for allowing us to serve all of your landscaping needs in 2011. We look forward to helping you complete your 2012 Landscaping To-Do list.
Come see us at The Capital Home & Garden Show in Chantilly, Virginia at the Dulles Expo Center February 24-26th. Save $3 per ticket by purchasing now. We will have products samples and give-a-ways all weekend. 
The National MS Society is kicking off the 2012 Chesapeake Challenge, June 9-10th. Join us in the fight against MS by making a contribution to support our efforts. Want to join us on the day of the event? Stay tuned for the details.
