Dividing Perennials

Can’t tell where your daylilies end and your neighbor’s begin? Fall is a great time to begin dividing the perennials in your garden.  If you find your plants are outgrowing your space this is a great time to spread their beauty in a space where they belong.  Any plant that has grown over it’s allotted space is a good candidate for division. 

Perennials will grow in widening clumps; after several seasons of growth you may find that your original plant has now tripled in size. After several seasons of growing the centers of the plant begin to die out and soon your full plant has turned into a ring of growth.

If you plan on dividing your perennials, the first thing you can do to help this transition is to feed it plenty of water, preferably the day before it will be divided. Disrupting the root system can increase the risk of dehydration to the plant. Watering beforehand insures the roots are watered and well fed. Also, having the new location ready is best for the plant. Having little transition time is beneficial for the root system. The hot sun and a good breeze could dry the roots quickly. 

With a shovel or pitch fork divide the plant, including the roots (you will hear the roots breaking).  Transfer the new perennial to its allotted location. Make sure to treat this new plant as a seedling, giving it plenty of water and keeping it well watered until new growth appears. 

Perennials will continue to grow in clumps. Keep them healthy and looking good by dividing them when necessary. When you run out of room in your own garden you can offer them to a friend! As always, if you have any questions please let us know. Enjoy!

Now is the Time for Overseeding

There are many different factors that can cause damage to your lawn. July was the one of the hottest months in history. That combined with a lack of rain, put many lawns under drought and heat stress.

Other factors such as insects, grubs, and disease have also caused some lawns further stress. If your lawn has not started to recover with the recent favorable weather temperatures and rain you may want to consider overseeding. The end of August through September is the best time for seeding. There are many key factors to consider when seeding such as timing, proper seed selection, watering, fertilization, liming, and many more. 

Whether you choose to do this yourself or need guidance or assistance, your window of time is closing to get that seed down and your lawn thick and green again. As always, feel free to call or email with any lawn care concerns! If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you!

The Importance of Aeration

It’s amazing what a little fresh air can do!  Autumn is approaching with a new start for a healthy, lavish lawn.  Now is the best time to prepare your lawn for next spring’s growth. 

This is why it’s critical to stress the significance of aeration. Why is it important and how can it help your lawn? For grass to grow in the best conditions it needs to breathe. Oxygen needs to be able to reach the root system. More importantly, moisture and nutrients need to reach these roots through the soil. 

By aerating your lawn, it is allowing air and water to enter the soil to feed the root system and encourage growth. Aerating breaks up the soil and allows the roots to create a stronger and deeper root network. The deeper the network, the easier it is for the grass to absorb water, which is crucial during those hot summer days. 

When your lawn goes long periods without aeration or deep dethatching the thatch layer builds up. Once this layer becomes too thick it limits both water and nutrients from reaching the root zone. It also creates the perfect environment for both insects and disease to find a place to camp out. Once the thatch layer becomes too thick and problems are evident on the surface it can be too late. Aeration along with proper mowing and fertilization can help prevent this from happening.

The aerating process is completed with special equipment that punctures the soil with hollow tines, removing small plugs of soil from the ground. This creates the designed ability for air and water to reach further down the soil and feed the roots and make way for growth.

Fall is the best time to aerate your lawn, so help your grass be healthy for next year’s season!