Friday, March 15, 2013

Kansas City Landscaping Secrets


An informed home-owner shouldn't think that a pristine lawn is beyond their grasp. But merely watering and mowing the lawn is not going to make a great yard. So Kansas City landscapers use a variety of methods that this post will briefly go over.
You cannot forget the demands of each section of the grass as a plant- root, stem and leaf. Properly caring for each part of the lawn means the lawn will get what is requires in the right time and right way. With attentiveness, you will gradually become aware of how the lawn shows its needs and stresses. And you will know how to treat the threats and needs accordingly. Kansas City Landscapers know the top 2 inches of soil should be conditioned if the lawn is going to reach its full potential. The correct ratios of clay, sand, and organic matter will produce a loamy feel. Your goal should be proper water and gas exchange, while retaining some moisture. Experts are aware that roots need to "breathe" some oxygen, yet stay moist.
The next step in soil-preparation is the acidity of the soil. A Kansas City landscaping supplier should stock a simple test-kit. Once you know which level you are at, use lime or ash to alkalize (raise) and compost or manure to acidify (lower) the pH. Kansas City lawns are commonly too acidic (low pH) and need to be brought to near neutral. With all of the various methods and materials out there, refer to a Kansas City landscaping supplier.
Kansas City's snow and heavy rain create problems of erosion and standing water, which will result in bare areas and potential disease. There is no other remedy than preemptive management. Heavily saturated soil will not promote lawn-growth and may bring fungus, while erosion will wash soil, nutrients, and possibly the roots themselves away. To prevent this, level out areas that are prone to standing water or that are prone to erosion. Installing sod in steeper areas or utilizing landscaping technology like erosion blankets can help in especially steep areas.
Now you should choose the grass variety (refer to a supply store for a list) and choose between laying sod or planting seed. Seed is better for small bare areas, is much more versatile, and will cost much less initially. Sod is pre-grown and healthy, simple to install, and provides an immediate patch of great grass. Some yards have issues like heavy traffic and erosion, which will mean you should look into two or even three types of grass to be planted together. This will cause the yard to thrive, though some people do not like the resulting mixture of color and texture that may result. Landscape designs and advice can be found from a local Kansas City landscaping professional or supply-store.
Proper care in how you water is crucial. Many people unknowingly water at the wrong times or too often, resulting in an unhealthy yard. The majority of Kansas City landscapers work with a once-a-week watering routine that saturates the soil just right. Watering too often can inspire the growth of thatch, a dead layer of vegetation just above the soil, yet over-drying will kill the roots or burn the leaves. With correct soil preparation, watering should be done once per week at 1.5-2 inches.
If thatch is left for a long time or becomes uncontrolled it will be a menace to your yard. The grass itself can be choked or over-shaded by it. Ideally it should be present but not easily seen underneath the thick leaves of the lawn.
Removing thatch is necessary for some varieties of grass regardless of whether the yard is healthy or not. Kansas City landscapers used to simply burn the dead grass during the winter but this is no longer lawful so they power-rake it into piles instead. Take care not to harm the grass as you rake the dead thatch out from the yard. The dried grass can be a fire hazard so ensure that you throw it away or compost it. Throughout every season soil is pressurized by rain-fall and snow. This means the grass roots will not be able to diffuse oxygen and carbon dioxide productively; a major obstruction in growing an excellent lawn. Kansas City landscapers remedy this condition by aerating. To aerate the yard you will need to rent or borrow an aerator and run it over the yard repeatedly. Ultimately, the aeration will permit the roots to grow and work as they should.
It is far more effective to stop weeds before they will emerge. To achieve this Kansas City landscapers employ a pre-emergent. Once the weather gets consistently above freezing weeds begin to germinate. The pre-emergent will stop the weed seeds from activating and sprouting. This supplies your lawn a huge boost over weeds in the pivotal early-growth phase.
All living things need food to survive and grass is no exception. You will inevitably lose nitrogen and other elements throughout the year because of rain, sunshine, wind, etc. The grass must have these elements readily available or it will be malnourished and prone to deadly stresses. The beginning and end of the active season (Spring-Fall) are the ideal seasons for feeding. You can feed the lawn with chemicals or, the better option, manure and compost.
The grass should not be too long when it is fertilized or the pellets won't reach the roots and nourich them properly. And do not apply the fertilizer just after mowing either. The tender new leaves and cuts in the leaves can be harmed by the chemical nutrient, resulting in burns and yellowing. It's significant to mention that Kansas City landscapers and lawn-care pros usually set their equipment higher than many people would because of the trauma grass experiences when it is cut too close to the ground.
Once a year Kansas City landscapers employ a fungicide to prevent the spread of disease. Yards that are overly shaded or constantly wet are more susceptible to this threat. Kansas City landscaping is specifically vulnerable to fungus pores in milder seasons when watered plants may stay wet for a long time.
Savvy Kansas City landscapers will always strive for a healthy lawn in the good times before the bad times come. You will never regret keeping your lawn in good health. A yard that has bad roots and soil will be prone to disease and pests and eventually need complete replacement.
These are the fundamental issues that every lawn-care strategy should include. Stick to a good plan and give yourself plenty of time to reach your goals. Enjoying the process and learning as you go will guarantee an enjoyable and valuable experience. So what are you hesitating for? Get moving!

For more from a Kansas City Landscaper, click the link

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Pre-Emergent- Landscaping Tips


This document will concisely cover a fundamental Kansas City landscaping practice many proficient landscape experts apply. The beginning of the year is the right period in which to implement methods that will help the lawn reach its ideal.

In early March the plants starts a new stage of growth. It is important to utilize this short time period to help the lawn. You may help the yard by both nourishing it and by taking away hindrances to growth.To achieve these two goals at once Kansas City Landscaping pros use a pre-emergent technology. That is a combination of two items- a fertilizer and a herbicide. The mixture of nutrient and a weed-killer gives the turf a huge boost.As the term implies, this chemical is used by landscape design contractors in a particular period before the new generation of plants sprouts. In the region of Kansas City the appearance of weed growth and lawn seedlings will always be shortly after weather conditions warms sufficiently for the earth to thaw. It is imperative that the method you opt for has to be put on prior to when undesirable weeds germinate or it won't do the job and a normal herbicide needs to be used.The expression pre-emergent could be given to a number of variations of herbicide. Several are able to combat one species of unwanted plant while others can kill a wide range of weeds. It could be important to contact your local Kansas City landscaping design contractor to see which you need.The chemical can also be found in numerous styles though the more usual kinds usually are water-based or powder. Based on the grass that will be targeted and the strategies of the landscaper, one may prove more suitable compared to the other. Still, both choices are successful if employed properly.In the region of Kansas City landscaping tradesmen commonly work with a variety of weed killers given that the warm climate and plentiful rainfall can be optimum for many forms of pesky plants. One of the more hardy plants around Kansas City is poison ivy and enzyme-inhibitors will be particularly efficient at combating this plant.To utilize the herbicide/fertilizer you need the following-The product itself
The spreading equipment suggested on the product packaging
A Sprinkler
A Rake (if needed)
Typically Kansas City Landscaping professionals encourage mowing several days prior to applying your fertilizer in order that the lawn is at an ideal height. Too long and the chemical cannot reach the surface, too short and it may be blown or washed away and the grass may be spotted or over-fertilized.Another procedure applied by landscape companies is to briefly use a sprinkler on all the grass just before applying the particular chemical. This provides the pre-emergent a way to embed into the yard uniformly and thoroughly.Make sure you adhere to the spread rate presented on the packaging. Grass in Kansas City is susceptible to high amounts of stress from the local environment and competing plants. Too much chemical can do damage and uneven application may lead to spotting or other difficulties.Disperse the fertilizer/herbicide evenly over the entire yard, being sure not to skip any zones or use too much fertilizer. Utilize a procedure that assures you don't overlap or spray more than once on one region. Give particular care about a border and about home gardens which may be injured because of the chemicals.If you are applying a fertilizer spreader, there sometimes may be a need to have to propagate the chemical by hand and not by spreader, applying a rake or shovel to ensure the product is consistently scattered and in contact with the soil. And if working with a hand-sprayer, be watchful not to permit overmisting or spills. And when making use of chemical pre-emergent, make certain to mix along with water in right percentages. A lot of product can burn or strain the lawn and be hurtful to your property. Also, too little is going to lead to substandard fertilization and no prevention.After suitable application Kansas City landscapers and specialists are likely to briefly water the yard to encourage the product. Be sure you do not enable the water to sweep away the solution or sweep it into one area.As these measures are applied properly and the chemical is appropriately applied your yard is going to have a massive edge over opposing plants while getting nutrient for development. This is a fundamental strategy used by landscapers in Kansas City for Springtime lawn prep work

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Overseeding Tips for Landscaping in Kansas City


Easy Landscaping Procedures: Over Seeding Recommendations

Most people think that Winter is simply not a time of the year for landscaping. But, the truth is, Winter is a crucial opportunity for contractors and home-owners to provide the lawn a jump on the season. It's not too late to make up for a missed Fall Overseed.

Encouraging growth early in the year is likely to make a major difference. Summer can damage your yard without effective care and service. Additionally it is the most effective way to ward off weeds and disease.



In the Kansas City region Overseeding is a fundamental part of yard care. This basic DIY project can make your yard a treasure.

It may be ideal to seek professional assistance concerning the kind of grass seed to use For instance, in the Kansas City region the same lawn often has deep shade and high traffic, requiring a mixed grass-seed. Speak to a landscape-supply store to receive special suggestions and product.

You will need -
Verticutter or Hand Rake
Seed Spreader (or spread by hand)
Grass Seed
Growth Starter Fertilizer
Water

Using the Rake/Verticutter correctly will give you 1/5"-1/4" abrasions in the soil surface. Go around the yard multiple times in right angles.

Distribute the seed throughout the lawn, paying attention to uncovered areas . After distributing the seed, run the rake/verticutter over the  lawn again to work the seed just under the soil.

Once spread, the seed needs to be watered and made continually moist for at least two weeks to provide optimal maturation during germination. To maintain wetness, water repeatedly throughout the day.

It is important to make sure the seed is protected by a thin layer of earth and kept moist through sprouting. It is crucial that you allow precious time for root development in the late Winter and early Spring. These tips will provide the Landscaping tricks you need for a great yard.

This article was written by a Kansas City Landscaping Company. If you are in need of Landscaping in Kansas City, make sure to check them out.