How to Improve Drainage in Lawns?

Soil drainage is essential for lawn health. Plants need well-drained soil for healthy growth. Plants require enough water to grow, but too much water can be detrimental. A lawn with improper drainage can suffer from various problems like fungal infections, weed infestations, grass dying, and other diseases. 

Soil has tiny pores that hold vital nutrients and oxygen molecules. The roots need those nutrients to keep plants and trees healthy. Without a proper drainage system when those small spaces get filled with water, plants can’t absorb the necessary nutrients. The roots become rot, and fungal diseases may develop, thus leading to growth challenges for plants.

You can conclude that a lawn has poor drainage if you notice waterlogged in the yard or the plants in the garden are droopy. It is possible now to check the permeability of the soil, and if the result shows poor drainage, it is possible to improve it. 

How to make lawn drainage?

First, to get rid of the excess water in your yard, you should understand where the water is coming from. The problem could be simple, like the discharge of a drainpipe collecting in a comparatively lower area of your yard. Then, the problem can be solved with ease. All you need is to extend the drainpipe to a different location. Thus, the waste water does not stand in the yard. 

If it is too complex to detect the real cause behind water logging, you can consider installing an underground drainage pipe. This drainage pipe will help to remove clogged water from the low spots in the yard. To make the drainage system work properly, dig a trench that will gradually slope downwards from the source to the outlet. 

There are various other ways to dispose of the extra water, from the garden, like installing a dry well or adding a French drainage system. 

How to improve the drainage of soil?

To improve the drainage capability of your lawn, you need to find the causes behind waterlog. Lawn drainage has become a crucial issue, particularly in a residential neighborhoods. The continuous digging of virgin soil and too much construction has led to damage to the surface. 

It takes experienced supervision to determine why your lawn is flooded and how you can resolve it.

Here are some obvious reasons for poor lawn drainage:

Quality of soil- Dense soil is excellent at retaining nutrients and moisture. However, if it’s too denser air and water circulation suffer turning the lawn sodden. On the other hand, chalky soil and sandy loams have better drainage. However, the latter can dry out too much in the summer months. So, you need to choose the lawn soil correctly depending on the area you are staying in.

Underground obstructions- Buried debris can lead to poor soil drainage. If you notice any particular area in the lawn is often discolored or dead, check for buried debris, wood, or rocks. 

Level of the ground- Undulating lawns are more likely to collect water in places. Lower spots in the yard are likely to collect more water than the rest of the areas. Leveling the ground evenly can drastically resolve drainage problems. 

High water table- When the level of water underground is high, it will fill all the pores between rocks and sediments. 

Less structure in soil- organic matter formed by decomposing animals, plants, and microorganisms can add structure to the soil, and improve soil drainage. Without proper structure, the soil becomes dry and has fewer pores for the water to flow through.

Compact soil layers- Extreme compact soil layers cause poor drainage in the yard. Heavy machines pushed the dirt, resulting in few pore spaces of air and water to move through. 

Whatever the reason, it’s possible to improve the soil in a few simple ways. You can take assistance from professionals or DIY soil amendment options to enhance the drainage of the soil. 

Aeration

Aerating a lawn means creating multiple holes on the surface of the lawn. The process improves drainage, and the roots receive air which keeps them dry. Usually, an aerator machine is used in lawns to perform the process. 

The machine has different attachments that help to remove moss, spiking, pricking, and stilting the lawn surface. It can help ease the problem of compaction. It makes the roots strong and solves the overall drainage problem. 

There is a variety of aerators available in the market. Some of them are hand-operated. 

Fork lifting

Fork lifting is another common method often used to improve lawn drainage. It is a simple action where a garden fork is forced into the soil for about 2 inches under the lawn surface and then its gently lifted. The process creates sufficient holes beneath the topsoil layer of the lawn. It is a natural way to reduce compaction.

Changing the topsoil

Spreading a layer of compost-based loams or sand can improve the quality of soil over time and solve the drainage problem. However, the process takes time, and if you are ready to wait it can improve yards drainage over time. 

Making the lawn even

This involves filling the low spots with loamy soil and making it level with the rest of the lawn. The areas filled with new soil can then be turfed and seeded to complete the process. 

The methods mentioned so far to improve lawn drainage are simple, and you can do it too. However, if the problem is intensive and the lawn is too big, it is best to take the help of professionals. They can re-work the whole lawn level, improve the topsoil and install a proper drainage system. 

How to improve the drainage of sloped lawns?

Some people think that sloped landscapes have a natural advantage. But, sometimes sloping areas tend to collect water in areas, especially at the bottom of the hills. To get rid of that problem you can use:

  • Channel drains
  • French drains
  • Retaining walls
  • Sump pumps

How to improve drainage in clay soil lawn?

It is possible to improve the drainage in a clay soil lawn in a few easy steps. First, you need to loosen up the clay particles. For that, you need to aerate your lawn, make holes, top dress the land with sand, and compost. For a permanent solution, you can consider building a proper drainage system for your lawn. 

With all this information, you will be able to solve drainage problems in the lawn and will be able to create a healthy and green lawn. 

How to deal with grubs on your lawn?

Do you find that your lawn has lately turned brown and patchy? If so, then you are probably dealing with grub infestation. Grubs are larvae of different types of beetle species, such as Japanese beetles, European chafers, and June beetles, to name a few. The grubs are known to have soft, pliable, white bodies with legs close to their heads. If they are disturbed, they immediately curl into a curved C shape. The grubs are typically dormant during the cool winter months but start to act as the weather begins to warm up. 

As the months pave the way to spring and summer seasons, the grubs consume the roots of the grass and other types of organic matter and foliage to grow up. However, in this process, the grubs cause immense plant damage. The grubs grow to become adult beetles that lay eggs to produce more than perpetuate the infestation. Thus, it is significant that you get rid of them at the earliest possible instance.  

Signs of grubs in your lawn

If you are doubtful about whether you have grubs on your lawn, look for the signs described below. 

Yellowing grass

When the grubs start consuming the roots of the turfgrass, the grasses become yellow and spongy. So, if you start pulling at the grasses, they roll like a carpet.   

The number of beetles or moths steadily increasing

If you find a lot of beetles or moths in and around the grasses, you can be sure that there are many grubs under the grasses.    

Signs of drought

You water your grasses regularly, but even you find that your grasses look weary and drought-stricken. Such a problem can occur when you have grub damage. The problem with grub damage is that it may appear like a drought, but you won’t be able to fix it with additional watering. 

The active presence of multiple other pests

Pests like raccoons and skunks enjoy eating the grubs, and they ruin your lawn while they search for them. Such a rampage can be rather difficult and expensive to fix and is as bad as the actual grub damage itself. 

Patchy and brown grass 

Your grasses will become brown and patchy before they start turning yellow. These signs are spotted randomly in different parts of the lawn.

White grubs 

If you spot grubs in the soil of your lawn at a depth of about two to four inches, you have a grub infestation, even if there are no visible signs of damage in the lawn.

How to prevent and deal with lawn grubs?           

Staying proactive about lawn maintenance is the best way to ensure that you do not have to deal with a grub problem in your lawn. You should keep your lawn healthy, as this can minimize the chances of having a problem with grubs. Beetles don’t prefer laying eggs in tall, thick grasses. Hence, you should keep your lawn perfectly well-fed and mowed high. Make sure that you never really overwater your grasses. Prevention is always better than a cure. This adage certainly holds when protecting your lawn against a grub problem. People wonder about “how you keep grubs away?” and the best answer for them is regularly caring for your lawn grasses.    

What is a natural grub killer for lawns?

There are some natural ways you can remove grubs from your lawn. Let’s have a closer look at them. If you are wondering “how do you fix a grub-infested lawn?”, follow the steps mentioned here.                                                                  

Getting natural predators to get rid of the grubs 

One of the easiest and simplest ways of removing grubs naturally from your lawn is to get the natural predators of the grubs to feed on them. Grubs have numerous natural predators like chickens, chickadees, robins, and blue jays that can eat your grubs all day long, and unlike moles and raccoons, they do not damage your yard. You should try and make your lawn an attractive space for these birds to come and feed on the grubs.                           

Apply Azadirachtin or neem oil 

Azadirachtin is a chemical ingredient that is present in neem oil. Whether you directly buy Azadirachtin or go for neem oil, you can use it to prevent the grubs from causing havoc on your lawn.  

Using milky spore

The bacterial disease milky spore can target the larvae of Japanese beetles. The milky spore is a natural, eco-friendly, and non-toxic way to control your lawn’s grub population. Ideally, you should apply the milky spores to your lawn a couple of times, a year for around 2 to 3 years. It will prevent the appearance of grubs for the next 15 to 20 years. 

Limiting the amount of moisture 

The grubs must have a moisture-filled environment to thrive and survive. Hence you should stop watering your lawn and create a drought-like environment to remove the grubs quickly.  

What is the fastest way to get rid of grubs?

The fastest way to get rid of grubs from your lawn is by using chemical pesticides. The pesticides that have bifenthrin, carbaryl, or imidacloprid are highly effective in removing grubs from a lawn. You can use both granular pesticides as well as liquid grub killers.  

What is the best month to put down grub control?

The best month to put down grub control is during early spring and the late summer as your lawn starts showing signs of progressively increasing grub activity. If you work with grub prevention agents, you should from June-July, just before the grubs start hatching. 

How do you get rid of crabgrass in your lawn?

Lawns must be weed-free to maintain good looks. Caring for lawns is not everybody’s task, but you must be on the watch out to spot weed growth early so that you can seek professional help to get rid of it. Almost every homeowner living in the hot and tropical zones with lawns in their homes faces the problem of crabgrass that prevails through the hot season but disappears during fall. How you get rid of crabgrass in your lawn is a common question among homeowners. 

If you can bear with the unsightly weed growing rampantly across the lawn and wait for the fall, then the problem would subside on its own as the change in climate makes the weed die. However, it does not end the misery of homeowners because thousands of seeds sown during summer will resurface in spring.

Fast removal crabgrass

At a glance, crabgrass looks like some plant because the low-growing grass has stems that look like crab legs radiating from the center of the grass mound. To prevent crabgrass from reappearing during spring as the climate starts getting warmer, it is best to look for ways of fast removal of crabgrass. So, what is the fastest way to get rid of crabgrass? Acting fast seems quite sensible, or else you must endure another season with the weed that grows rapidly in the bare thin spots in your lawn. 

Killing weed is the best way to get rid of crabgrass, but you must be careful to protect your lawn.

Therefore, knowing what will kill crabgrass but not the lawn is crucial to ensure a weed-free lawn that looks beautiful. 

However, killing crabgrass does not rule out the chances of its re-appearance later unless you take steps to prevent it. Therefore, prevention of the re-growth of crabgrass is important as killing it fast. 

Killing crabgrass

Choose the right time to kill crabgrass, or it would be like a cat trying to catch its tail. You would be going in circles without any remedy in sight. Many ready-to-use herbicides are available that can kill crabgrass, and you can use these only if you have a few patches of crabgrass on the lawn. Making it a habit to remove the weedy clumps as soon as you spot it will prevent future growth. Does vinegar kill crabgrass is an oft-asked question. Spraying vinegar with 5% acidity will kill crabgrass with short-term soil damage. 

Pouring boiling water in areas infested with crabgrass up to a radius of 3 feet is effective in killing the weed. However, when the weed becomes widespread, trying to kill it can endanger your lawn. Instead, it’s better to wait for summer to end when the weed dies on its own.  

Looking for a permanent solution

Killing crabgrass might not be a one-time activity because the seeds sown around can pose more problems in the future. Many people keep asking – How do you kill crabgrass forever? The answer is simple because everyone knows that prevention is better than cure. Kill the weed once and then do it again during spring to ensure that the seeds strewn around never see the light of day. 

Use a pre-emergent herbicide

Assuming that you could get rid of every clump of crabgrass either by removing it by hand or killing it, you should get down to the task of preventing it from growing again when summer returns. During the springtime, when the crabgrass seeds are ready to germinate, spray some pre-emergent herbicide across the lawn. 

  However, you must apply the herbicide at the right time for the best results. Since the seeds germinate when the temperature crosses the 50 degrees Fahrenheit mark, you should act at the right time and repeat the operation for a few consecutive days. 

Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring when the seeds are dormant is the most effective treatment to prevent germination. 

Pay attention to lawn repair

 Another way to prevent crabgrass growth is to ensure the weed does not get a favorable surface to grow. Crabgrass grows in the bare spots of the lawn where the soil is visible. Identify the bare spots and repair these as soon as possible to prevent crabgrass from growing. At those spots, plant grass seeds and water them regularly to ensure that it grows fast and leaves no room for crabgrass to grow. It is the best way to nip the problem in the bud, but laborious. 

Focus on regularly feeding your lawn

The better care you take of your lawn, the fewer would be chances of weed growth. Ensuring a thick, lush grassy surface is best for lawns that do not have any weed growth. Dense and healthy grass does not leave any space for weeds to grow. Feed your lawn well so that the grass receives enough nutrition and grows thick that looks lush green. 

Underfed lawns are vulnerable to weed growth. During the growing season, fertilize the lawn at an interval of 6-8 weeks. 

Maintain proper mowing height

To get rid of crabgrass, you must take good care of the lawn grass with proper maintenance. Feeding the grass well with make it grow fast and timely mowing should help to maintain its good looks. Moreover, mowing the grass and maintaining proper height are critical to prevent crabgrass growth. 

The grass blade should be three inches tall after mowing so that it creates enough shade for the soil beneath. Leaving grass clippings create a covering on the ground and prevents soil exposure while gradually turning into manure. It prevents the condition necessary for the germination of crabgrass seeds.

Killing crabgrass will not help unless you take proper preventive measures to stop the germination of seeds. With proper lawn care, it is possible to eradicate crabgrass from your lawn forever. Following healthy lawn maintenance practices is critical to prevent crabgrass growth. Although none of the methods can ensure crabgrass eradication, relentless surveillance and prompt action to kill or remove crabgrass can ensure a healthy lawn free from weeds. 

How to Winterize Lawn Irrigation System?

Ohio, popularly known as a water-rich state, makes irrigation systems fix the precise needs of any lawns and landscape. However, winterizing the lawn irrigation system demands specialized techniques and machinery. But, if you live in an area where the temperature dips below freezing point, you must ensure you prepare the irrigation system for winter conditions by draining out the water and insulating the sprinkler components.

Steps for winterizing lawn irrigation system:

Turn off the water:

Use the primary valve placed near the water meter to turn off the water in the system. You should turn off any valves (usually, there are 2 valves) that help in thwarting backflow.

Switch off the timer:

If your system operates on an automated timer, switch it to rain mode. Doing so ensures that you are making your settings ready for the spring. If the system does not have a rain mode, switch the timer off completely.

Drain out the water:

Draining the remaining water from the system is crucial. You can follow three main methods of water drainage, depending on the type of irrigation system you own.

Manual draining method:

If you have a manual drain irrigation system, follow these simple steps-

  • Turn off the water supply
  • Open all the valves and drain the water from the system
  • Drain water from the backflow device

Automatic draining method:

Follow these steps to activate the automatic draining of water-

  • Shut off the water supply
  • Relieve water pressure in the system by running one of the sprinkler heads
  • Clear the pipes of excess water

Blow-out draining method:

Force compressed air through the irrigation system to drain the pipes. It helps in discharging extra water through the sprinkler heads. However, the blow-out method works efficiently; if you have a proper irrigation system to handle the pressure.

How does it work?

  • Turn off the water supply and use a coupler to connect the air compressor to the irrigation system
  • Check the highest point of the sprinkler station and turn it off
  • Close the backflow valves
  • Slowly open the valves to the compressor
  • Gradually add more air pressure
  • Continue the process till you see water coming through

Safety Tip- Do not exceed 80 PSI for PVC piping or 50 PSI for polyethylene piping. Don’t stand near an active head when blowing out your irrigation system. Make sure you wear safety goggles to protect your eyes. It is always advisable to hire a professional to use the blow-out method.

Insulate the irrigation system:

It is significant to insulate any exposed components of an irrigation system during the winter. Either, you may use insulation foam or tape to cover the components or use foil pipe insulation. Cover the water supply shut-off valve, backflow preventers, and exposed pipes. On the backflow preventers, make sure not to block any air vents or drain outlets.

Prevent pipe damage:

The automatic irrigation system is buried twelve inches below the soil surface. Hence, any leftover water in the system over the winter will freeze. It causes damage to pipes, fittings, valves, and sprinklers. You may use compressed air on your irrigation system equipped with automatic and manual drain valves to ensure that the irrigation system gets winterized properly.

Leverage proper lawn irrigation care techniques:

The first freeze typically occurs anywhere between early October and early November. The irrigation system you choose will either have a manual dial or digital readout. While digital controllers can be programmed, the manual controllers must be turned completely to ‘off’ mode with reprogramming requirements in springtime. 

All these techniques are relevant to lawn irrigation of any size and shape.

Galena Lawn Care has been one of the prominent names when it comes to specialist landscaping services in Ohio. The specialist in lawn care provides essential guidance to commercial and residential clients on different subjects that including winterizing lawn irrigation systems too.

Bee friendly plants and flowers in Ohio

What are the most bee-friendly flowers? – A Helpful Guide

Spring is around the corner the best thing to look forward to is great pollinator plants for Ohio. When you are a garden and landscape-loving person, all you need is beautiful plants and flowers that can enhance the gander. Look for bee-friendly plants and flowers in Ohio that are the most natural way of pollination.

Start by sectioning your garden into an area that can attract bees. Now get the best plants for attracting pollinators in Ohio

Here is a list of the plants that you can grow in your garden:

  • Milkweed: One of the most famous bee-friendly plants is milkweed. Monarch caterpillars receive them from milkweed, which is harmful to many other animals. These are just perfect native pollinators as they require plenty of sunshine which is plenty of Ohio weather. 
  • Bee balm: As the name goes so, does the charm of this plant over the bees. It is one of the favorites amongst the bees and other pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.   
  • Purple coneflower: The most common wildlife and pollinator food from native Ohio. From butterflies that feed on its nectar to many other animals that feed on the dry seeds that drop. 
  • Wild geranium: This plant is also known as cranesbill, or hardy geranium, or true geranium. Do not confuse these with annual garden geranium, as these are the wild variety that attracts butterflies and many other pollinating insects to your garden. 
  • Goldenrod: Your pollination garden is incomplete without Goldenrod. These are commonly growing wild plants that are available in meadows and roadsides. These are large-size plants, but you can opt for different varieties of goldenrod for smaller gardens and spaces.  

What kind of flowers should you plant for bees? 

Galena Lawn Care suggests more native flowers. The native flowers are:

  • Forget me not
  • Passionflower
  • Sunflower
  • Veronica
  • Oregano
  • Lemon balm
  • Chives
  • Thyme
  • Asters
  • Snapdragon
  • Bee balm
  • Hosta
  • Poppies

Bees have amazing color vision, and hence they flock to colorful flowers. Bees love early and late-season blooms. Some of the early season flowers are redbuds, maples, primrose, hyacinth, crocus, willows, dandelion, and hellebore. On the other hand, the late-season flowers are aster, golden red, viburnum, and potential. FLOWER BED MAINTENANCE SERVICE DUBLIN OHIO

What can you do for pollination?

Try to target only native flowering plants as they can adapt to the weather conditions and soil. Most native plants and shrubs need less irrigation, fertilizers, and the chances of weeds are eliminated. For this reason, you should encourage more native pollinators. 

Plant the pollinators in an open area with maximum sun. Bee-friendly plants need sun rays that help their growth. Look for those plants and shrubs that are suitable for the season. It means spring, autumn, and summer pollination plants are all different. 

A natural and organic approach to increasing pollination is the best way to increase greenery. You contribute to ecological balance by taking these simple yet effective steps.

Goldenrod, sunflowers, and red chokeberry are some of the much-loved flowering plants for the bees. A combination of native species and wildflowers to plant in your garden will be a great idea.

Conclusion

A natural and organic approach to increasing pollination is the best way of increasing greenery. Ask professional help from Galena Lawn Care to contribute towards the ecological balance.

When is national naked gardening day 2022?

World Naked Gardening Day is on the 7th of May

Yes, you heard it right. There is a national naked gardening day. It is celebrated on the 1st Saturday of May every year. This year, World Naked Gardening Day is on the 7th of May. People worldwide are waiting to celebrate it with great fun and amusement. 

The National Naked Gardening Day has been observed for years now. If you are still wondering about the intention of celebrating such a day, then read on. As the name suggests, gardeners are encouraged to take their clothes off and tend to their plants. Just the way it was originally intended by our creator- God.

What and Why?

It might sound eccentric, but some nudists observe this day happily. We also do it here in the United Kingdom with people in other parts of the globe. The idea is to feel strongly connected to nature in your bath suit. The garden can be anywhere. For instance, the garden can be in the backyard of your home, inside your home, on the roof, or at the park, if you are comfortable getting naked. 

You can observe the day with a group of close friends or family. It enhances the bond between people and also with nature. Moreover, the participants are encouraged to share their stories and also photos. People get creative while posting photos by covering private parts with foliage, garden props, and other funny tools.

Is Naked Gardening a Real Thing?

Yes, it is as real as it gets. Participants are encouraged to be naked, but if you have a problem being stark naked, you can always try creative and fashionable covers for your private parts. It helps people get comfortable in their skin and tend to the plants they love. It is liberating and also free of cost.

Gardening as an activity is rejuvenating, and naked gardening can be even more liberating. Also, it builds easy relationships between people and also with themselves. The World Naked Gardening Day is traced back to 2005 when Jacob Gabriel and Mark Storey celebrated it for the first time. Gabriel was a permaculturist, while Mark was a consulting editor for Nude & Natural Magazine. They founded this day as part of the Body Freedom Collaborative.

The first-ever WNGD dates back to the 10th of September 2005. Since then, the date got shifted to May. The Naturist Society and the American Association for Nude Recreation endorse World Naked Gardening Day. So, it is real with a documented history to back it.

Why is the National Gardening Day Celebrated?

The day is marked as part of the Body Freedom Collaborative started in 2005. People since then have celebrated the day as part of a tradition in which they tend to the garden plants naked or sometimes just covering their private parts. The day is promoted to become one with nature and establish a strong bond. Such activities led to building better relationships between humans and an individual with his/her own body.

How Do You Make a Garden Naked?

It is done similarly as you will do it usually. The difference lies in the fact that you will have to take your clothes off. In this tradition, the participants practice weeding, planting flowers, and trimming the hedges in the buff. Initially, only nudists practiced it. But, now it is being practiced by a wide range of people. It is a non-political and light-hearted event to promote the greater good. It provides the perk of whole body tanning along with the absorption of Vitamin D.

Can aeration and seeding be done in the spring?

Should you or should you not aerate the grass lawn? Let’s get answers

Spring brings lots of positivity and wellness. It is the ideal time to grow plants and sow seeds. But can aeration and seeding be done in the spring? The simple answer is Yes! You can aerate during the bright and sunny periods of the year. Aeration is indispensable for maintaining a healthy lawn.

To understand the process and the right time for aeration, read on. 

What is proper aeration?

Aeration is a lawn care process that involves opening the turf and soil underneath to penetrate the roots to allow the water and air into it. This process is to enrich the grassroots and help more airflow inside the soils. 

Core aeration is another popular term for this process. You can do this using a manual puncture, or a motorized machine for large lawns.  

In simpler terms – inserting small holes in the lawn to let the air and water circulate that helps the soils become healthier is aeration. Water and air are the natural sources of nutrients for any ground to help seeds germinate. When there are enough holes, the oxygen can penetrate through it and let the unwanted carbon dioxide out to make the soil fertile. 

When is aeration suitable for lawns?

Late spring aeration is a beneficial technique to waive off poor lawn conditions. It is more suitable if the turf is thin and is quite tight. March to May in the late spring is considered the ideal aeration period.

The best time to aerate and oversee the lawn is fall. It is a time when the temperatures are cool, and the weeds are at minimal growth. It gives more opportunity for the grass to grow, and you do not have to worry about the crabgrass.

What is the best time to seed the yard?

Seeding is the second step for growing anything in the yard. The foremost step is the preparation of the yard. The preparation includes aeration and the best time to seed is the start of the Fall season. Early fall and early spring are two times of the year when you can consider seeding. 

The yard is at its suitable temperature, which is 55-degree Fahrenheit, so it is neither too cold nor too warm. Hope this answers your trick question – Can you aerate your yard in the spring? And, it’s YES! You may.

When is the Best Time to Aerate and Overseed Your Lawn in Ohio?

Everyone wants a healthy lawn. Although it may seem like a distant memory right now, a green, healthy yard is staple of the American summer.

To achieve a lush lawn, homeowners need to do some work before the winter completely sets in. Having a lawn aeration and overseeding in Galena, Ohio is crucial for property. It is one of the best maintenance routines you can perform to your grass and brings new life to old roots, while also reducing soil compaction. If you are looking for lawn aeration and overseeding in Sunbury, Ohio, look no further than the landscaping professionals at Galena Lawn Care.

Aeration Basics

To aerate your soil, you need a lawn aerator, which removes soil cores from the yard. These soil cores are then left to break down on the lawn. Through this process they break down thatch, which is the spongy layer of decaying soil. Aeration feeds your lawn and helps restore the health of the soil.

Why Do I Need to Aerate?

Aerating your lawn is necessary to retain the soil health in the coming growing season. It increases the soil’s ability to properly absorb nutrients from fertilization and watering. This is essential for maintaining healthy appearance and lawn growth. In addition to providing a more opportunity for a more efficient nutrient delivery, lawn aeration can provide the lawn’s roots more room to expand. This is also an essential component to sustained lawn growth.

What is Overseeding?

It is a self-explanatory concept, but to further clarify overseeding is the act of adding an abundance of grass seed to your lawn. The benefits are the numerous but the primary reason for overseeding is to add new grass species that are resistant to disease and pests.

Ways to Green Your Garden on Earth Day 2020

The Earth Day comes only once every year. It brings with it opportunities and reasons to give back to the planet something in return for its bounty that sustains us through the year. If you have some things planned out this year to celebrate the Earth’s Day, make sure greening your garden is among them. If doing it alone seems to be a daunting task then you can contact our landscaping experts to assist you in getting the right solution. Galena Lawn Care emphasizes on quality lawn care and its team of professionals is always at your service.

While small lifestyle changes go a long way in protecting the environment, growing a sustainable garden in your backyard is the best way to start your journey towards going green.

If you are enticed, but also overwhelmed by the idea of going green and don’t know where to start, here are some simple but assuring ways to green your garden on Earth Day 2020.

Plant New Trees

If you have been planning to plant new trees in your garden this year, this Earth Day is a great occasion for that. If you have immediate plans, no need to hold it off for three months, but if you are raking ideas to do on that day, then planting a new tree or more is a good way to support the initiative. More plants in your backyard means purer air for your family and neighbors.

Use Organic Seeds

When planting new trees, try using organic seeds this time. There are plenty of nurseries that carry organic seeds these days. You can also order them online or even buy them at the garden section of the supermarket. Planting organic seeds is a great way to be on a planet-friendly footing.

Make Your Yard Bird-Friendly

Birds can be a nuisance for backyards, but not if you make it a friendly place for them to hang out. Put up a birdbath and a bird feeder to encourage the little twittering friends to come over and enjoy some nice time in your garden. On the upside, the chirping of the birds creates a perfect natural ambience just outside the window. The cleanups are only a very small way to thank them for it.

Start a Compost Pit

If you have been throwing away all your food wastes so far, it’s time to put them to use. Start a compost pit. Set aside all your organic kitchen waste in a separate trash and empty them in the pit at the end of the day. Keep the pit covered to expedite the decomposition, and in just a few days you will have the best fertilizer for your plants ever. It takes very little work and nearly no expense.

Collect Rainwater in a Barrel

Harvesting rainwater is a good way to reduce your carbon footprints. Set a wooden barrel out in the garden to collect rainwater every time it pours. Use this water to keep your garden fresh and green year long.

Hire an Eco-Friendly Landscaper Company

Be wise in your choice of landscape contractor. One of the most easily overlooked Earth Day tips for going green is to choose an eco-friendly landscaper. There may not be many of them yet, but the idea is to go with the one near you that offers the most eco-friendly service.

Reduce Grassy Areas in Your Backyard

Grass is great, but flowers are better. Plus, they are less work and less resource. So, next time you have the lawn guys over for grounds maintenance, get them to plant more flowerbeds for ground cover that are easy to care for and do not always need professional touch.

Switch to Natural and Organic Products

This Earth Day, discard all chemical-based gardening product and switch to the natural and organic varieties. This may cost you a little extra, but it will be money rightly invested.

Protect Your Grounds from Groundhogs This Groundhog Day

There are few things more frustrating than to find the planting beds in your garden that you spent days preparing massacred by groundhogs. Birds, raccoons, bugs and woodchucks, are known to wreak havoc in lawns and yards, but there is no wild animal that is a bigger nuisance than a ground hog. Quick and energetic, these mangy, burrowing rodents have a voracious appetite and a nose for mischief. Ground hogs love lush pastures and meadows, but gardens are an absolute favorite of these furry animals. They love burrowing through soft green lawns and freshly tilled soil.

If you have a vegetable patch in your garden where you grow carrots, broccoli, lettuce, peas, squash and such vegetables, then you need to keep your guards up against these mischief makers. A flower garden too can be a treat for ground hogs as they love to snack on sunflowers, daisies, marigolds and other flowers.

Lucky for you, there are ways in which you can insulate your garden against such intruders. Let’s find out how to keep groundhogs out of garden this Groundhog Day.

Most Popular Methods

There are four highly effective ways in which menacing intrusions by groundhogs can be managed. Those are- scaring the creatures away, fencing them out and trapping and releasing.

  • Timely and professional grounds maintenance can remedy the groundhog problem for good. Professional landscape maintenance not only results in cosmetic and vegetative improvement, but also helps discourage wild animals from entering the premise. Keeping the grounds clear of woodpiles and bushes that groundhogs and other animals use as covers to enter the garden deter them from finding an easy way in.
  • If scaring them away sounds like a doable option for you, then plant wind chimes, bells, pinwheels and such sound-making items at the perimeter of your garden. These animals are shy and therefore scare easily. As long as you can keep the noise going at all hours, they would keep away. The idea is to make sure that at no point should it be quiet and hushed up.
  • Fencing is another way to protect your garden from ground hogs. The upside is, it will keep other nuisance makers outside too. But just any fence won’t do. Groundhogs can jump short boundaries. They can also tunnel under. So, you need a fence that stands at least 6 feet above the ground and reaches 12 inches below. Look for chicken wires in the said specifications. Those work best for small gardens and lawns.
  • A great, but a slightly challenging technique is catch and release. Rig the perimeters of your garden with live traps, and go to bed. Next morning, you will have caught at least more than a few groundhogs in the traps. The risky side of this method is that it could easily be some other kind of animals caught in the trap. Plus it involves handling the animals for release.

So, if you are not up for it, learn below how you can protect your garden from groundhogs this Groundhog day in natural and safe ways.

Natural Ways To Get Rid of Groundhogs

There are some very effective natural ways of keeping the groundhogs out of your garden. The object of all these methods is to create a smell barrier around the garden. This will make sure that the animals stay away from the marked area.

  • Epsom salts are a great repellent. Sprinkle it along the perimeter or pour a pile at the mouths of the burrows, it will make sure that the groundhogs stay away. Make sure to replace it after a rain.
  • Castor oil has a specific scent that offends groundhogs. So one way of stopping them from coming into your garden is by pouring castor oil in good quantity in the burrow holes. But the smell being light may not hold them off for too long.
  • Kitchen items that have offensive scents to chase groundhogs away are cayenne pepper, garlic and lavender. Using those to make boundaries around the garden works too. Repeat and replace as often as you can to keep the barrier from weakening.

Keep your garden maintained this Groundhog Day with Galena Lawn Care to keep the pesky intruders away.