Carolyn Fisk, an acknowledged Ohio State University soil scientist and master gardener, will be holding a hands-on conversation at the Garden center, April 18, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Topics include perennial dividing, identification and planting. Space is limited, so call early for your reservation. Each participant receives a small token of our appreciation.
Look for signs!
To whom it may concern,
I am so confused… I want to plant annuals, but some say now is the time, others say wait. Being that you are in the gardening business, what do you do?
Thank you,
Cathy C.
Oh, the “hurry up and get into the garden” syndrome has affected you and the only cure is dirt under the finger nails. Because of global warming the weather patterns are out of sorts and everyone is all excited about plants in bloom, birds singing and buzzards flying around, and we are also. But as a certified and trained Master Gardener, having a green thumb to boot, and being raised as a gardener, I can tell you it’s way too early for annuals and I doubt if we have had our last frost. But that could also not be the norm anymore. I am waiting to plant annuals, but we are putting in perennials, as they are much more hardier and will take a few days of cold. So, my dear, wait untill Mother Nature tells you she is ready then plant and enjoy the bounty of a wonderful blooming season.
Kevin
Kevin,
My lawn care company wants to aerify and thatch and overseed my lawn. We just had the lawn installed last year by the same company and. I am concerned they are more interested in money than product. Can you offer me some advice?
Robert K.
Kevin writes to Robert,
Overseeding areating and thatching is a part of the normal turf maintenance which should be done fairly often, however I am a bit concerned that a new lawn would need that maintenance service so soon. If the turf coverage is weak, sick, dying or in need of any of the three above mentioned then we need to look closer at the core problem.
Let me explain in more technical terms.
THATCH: Thatch is the build up of grass clippings which fall to the ground and build up over time. Thatch thickness of 1/2 to 3/4″ is normal. Over that limit, sunlight, rain and turf food have a harder time reaching the earth, thus removal of the thatch with a slit seeder or verticle cutter is required. A thatcher can also be used to “Slit seed” the lawn, which is a machine that cuts the thatch then puts in verticle grooves in the soil for best seed to soil contact.
OVERSEED: overseeding is a term for applying, injecting, spreading new turf seed in the soil at an existing lawn. Most golf courses overseed twice per year on high traffic areas. Again, this is more of a help the lawn look and feel healthier process. Once the thatch is removed, a machine is used or it can be done by hand to place the seed in direct contact with the soil. Some businesses like Athens Lawn & Gardenings will leave some thatch as a covering for the newly sewn seed. Overseeding is a maintenance program we like to use every 3-5 years if needed.
AERATION: when soil becomes compacted from whatever reasons (i.e. vehicles, children playing, heavy foot traffic or years of neglect and thatch build up), the soil can no longer breath or recieve water and turf food easily. An aerator is a machine that comes along and punches holes about 2-3″ deep and 3/4″ in diameter and also pulls plugs of soil out of the ground. Thus, the holes allow the soil to breath then over time collapse. The procedure is thatch first, aerate second, and overseed third.
To make this a more “Readers Digest” condensed question, I am skeptical that the lawn would need the surface that your provider is suggesting. As I said earlier, if the lawn is weak, has huge bare spots, or is sick then the procedure might be warranted
K
Hello,
Can you suggest when is the best time to apply fertilizer to my lawn, and as a last question, I want to use a chemical free product.
Thank you,
Sue B.
Sue,
That is a good question. For the spring time of the year, right now is the best time to get food down to the turf roots. My sugguestion is to watch when the forsythias are in bloom as that tells me the soil temps have hit the 52-54 degree range. Especially now that we are having early Spring rains to water in the fertilizer, I would put down your first application of nitrogen.
As far as what type or sort of turf food to use, the answer to that is Go Green. (no pun intended!) Most lawn care companies apply “Death Chemicals” to the turf which are all harmfull. We sugguest a plain simple mix of organic potash, potassium and nitrogen, as a real healthy lawn needs no chemicals what-so-ever to maintain a lush green safe place to enjoy your out-of-doors living room.
-Kevin
Kevin Martin, owner of Athens Lawn &Gardening Inc., employees Grant Oberrath and Jarid Warring recently (March 16 2007) competed the exclusive Versa-Loc Free Standing Retaining Wall installation program in Columbus Ohio.
The Athens Lawn & Gardening crew became certified in the installation of Oberfield’s Inc. Mosaic-Weathered Mosaic-edington and Handy Stone I&II wall systems. In addition the Cascading Steps and Stairway components retaining wall systems highlighted construction and design of Pillars, fireplaces, planting boxes, hot tub surrounds, fireplace stations and out door grill areas. AL&G is the only company in Athens Ohio qualified in both the Versa-Loc Paver and Retaining Wall installation. Call 592-6205 for a free estimate and catalog.
Example of Versa Loc Retaining Wall
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