Lay Sod Now For A Beautiful Lawn Next Summer

October 12th, 2014 Posted in Sod
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Adding sod to your yard is the easiest way to obtain the lush, green lawn you have always wanted. The best time to lay sod is when the temperatures are moderate; in most regions, this will be during late spring and early fall. Weather conditions which are too hot or too cold can hamper the root growth of your new sod, making these mild times of year perfect. 

Preparing Your Lawn For New Sod

Once you either order your sod or have it delivered from the landscape supplier, you will want to get your lawn area leveled and cleared of obstructions before you begin installation. Once the area is tilled, remove all rocks, twigs and other debris from the lawn. Then, rake the area to ensure it is level; you may need to add quality top soil to any dips or low areas.

If your soil quality is poor, either too sandy or with too much clay, you may want to add either organic material or a layer of quality soil. Once the ground is ready, use a sod roller to compact down the soil and ensure it is level for laying your new sod. 

Caring For Your New Sod

Once the sod is installed, you will need to promote quick root growth to prepare it for the winter season. Your sod will need plenty of moisture, enough to penetrate approximately four inches down to the roots. Make sure your new grass is watered every day, either with rain or manually. It will take an estimated 2-3 weeks for the new sod roots to take hold, so keep people and pets off the sod until it has a chance to grow its root base. 

By laying your sod in the early fall, it will have plenty of time to mature before the winter weather hits. Over the next several months, your new grass can grow a strong root base which will ensure it will become the lush, green lawn that you envision for next summer.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Landscape Supply

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Does Your Driveway Need New Gravel?

October 12th, 2014 Posted in Gravel
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As winter approaches, it may be time to inspect your gravel driveway to ensure it’s ready for the wet months ahead. All driveways require some type of maintenance, and gravel driveways are no exception. Over the years, the gravel which makes up your driveway can shift or settle, causing potholes and ruts where water can collect. Now is the perfect time to add some gravel to patch those holes and uneven areas, and to make sure your driveway will be ready for the colder, wetter winter season. 

Repairing Your Gravel Driveway

If you have an existing gravel driveway which just needs a new crown or has a few holes which should be filled, you can do these repairs yourself. The first step is to inspect your driveway to determine what action is needed. During the inspection, ask yourself: 

  • Are there any potholes or ruts that need filling? How many, and what width and depth?
  • Does the entire surface need a new covering of gravel?
  • Does your driveway still crown in the middle? Gravel driveways should peak in the center to allow for drainage. 

Once you determine what needs to be fixed, make sure you take down the dimensions of your driveway, as well as the holes you will be filling. You will need to order gravel from your landscape supplier which you can either have delivered or haul yourself. For filling holes, larger gravel such as #57 will generally work. For the top layer, a smaller gravel like #21 is usually a good choice. 

After you have the gravel, start by filling in holes and ruts with your larger rocks. Then, cover these areas with the smaller gravel. Once you have added gravel to all areas that need enhancing, rake and spread the gravel level, with a peak at the center.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Landscape Supply

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Time To Add That Fall Mulch!

October 12th, 2014 Posted in Mulch
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Mulch is not just for springtime planting and landscape projects. With colder months ahead, mulch should also be added in the fall to protect your plants from harsher weather.  Mulch will insulate the roots of your trees and plants to give them extra protection from the winter cold. However, there are correct ways and times to add mulch to your landscaping in the fall. 

When To Add Fall Mulch

The trick to adding mulch in the fall is not to add it too early. You don’t want to over-insulate the roots of your plants before temperatures begin to drop. The extra insulation adds heat, promoting new growth which is not necessarily good late in the season. Too much new growth can leave your plants vulnerable to stress once the colder weather hits. 

The best time to add mulch for the winter is in the late fall, after the first frost. Once it begins to reach those colder temperatures at night, it is safe to add an extra layer of protection. The first frost should be your indication it’s time to head to your local landscape supply store and purchase your mulch for fall. 

Where To Place Mulch

For the fall, mulch should be added around trees to protect the roots. In addition, you can use mulch over planting areas, like flower beds, where you have bulbs planted or perennial flowers that will come back in the spring. 

How Much Mulch To Add

For winter protection, a layer of three to four inches of mulch is usually adequate. Reduce the depth near the stems of plants or trunks of trees, increasing the depth as you spread the mulch over the extending root areas. Once spring arrives, you should remove this layer of mulch to allow healthy growth.

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