Aeration at a Glance
February 16, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
What is aeration and why consider it?
Although the term sounds exotic and complex, aeration is like a spa treatment for your lawn. It does the equivalent of opening up skin pores and removing what’s plugging them up.
Two of the most common lawn care problems in the Lower Mainland are compaction and thatch.
Over time, a healthy lawn can become hard-packed when it’s trampled over or used for sports. This is called compaction. A boggy lawn that pools water is one sign of it.
Thatch build-up is another way that a healthy lawn can deteriorate. Thatch is a thick layer of stem, debris, clippings and root that is directly below the grass blade.
Why aerate?
Left untreated, a lawn that is compacted or has a thatch problem doesn’t get the air, water and nutrient at the root level. And it becomes vulnerable to weed, insect and disease.
What is core aeration and how does it work?
It’s a machine process that uses no chemicals.
Core aeration removes small clumps of soil, which are then deposited on the surface (they’ll work their way into the grass within a month). This breaks up the compaction, leaving small openings for water and air to penetrate to the root zone.
When is the best time to aerate?
There are two times of year to consider aeration: spring and fall. In spring, the best time to start aeration is before your grass enters its major growth spurt. An aeration window could range from February to June.
The rule of thumb is to aerate when the soil is not water-logged and after you’ve mowed it a few times.
What equipment is involved?
Core aeration machines that look like snow blowers remove the hard-packed soil and thatch. They don’t just push holes into your grass like the foot-powered manual aerators.
What are my options?
You can rent aeration equipment at a tool supply or garden supply store. But this 350-pound piece of equipment it won’t fit into a standard trunk. You’ll need a mini van or truck as well as help hauling it.
What should I do before I call for an aeration service?
Before you aerate:
- Check for yourself: long roots are one indicator of health. If you dig up 15 centimeters of grass and find short roots (less then 5 cm), your turf may need to be unclogged.
- Mark the location of anything that’s under your lawn: sprinkler heads, cables, utility lines.
- Water your lawn if it isn’t raining. Two days of watering are ideal.
If you are aerating yourself:
- Push the machine lengthwise, and then widthwise.
- Apply a top dressing of compost or store-bought manure: rake at least 5 millimeters to fill in the holes.
After you aerate:
- Consider applying seed, lime or fertilizer. This is the best time to help soil and grass. Freshly-aerated lawns are ideal for new seed.
At Bur-Han, we can take care of the entire process for you.
Interested in booking an aeration service or learning more? Give Bur-Han a call.
Common Lawn Questions
August 3, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
At Bur-Han, we get a lot of questions about lawns and gardens from customers in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland.
Here is a sample:
Answers to Frequently-Asked Lawn Care Questions
| How much should I be watering? |
Water according to the needs of your lawn. During periods of regular rain, you don’t need to water at all. Your lawn should be getting one inch of water each week. Invest in a sprinkler system that monitors the level of rainfall for you.
| What type of lawn seed should I buy? |
Start off by looking for premium seed rather than a specific type. Purity is the key. Generally, you’ll pay for seed quality; the lower-priced seeds won’t be weed-free. All seed is not equal and you generally will pay for seed quality and seed purity( ie no weed seeds). Overseed using a perennial rye grass.
| How often and when should I be fertilizing? | ||
Newly-fertilized lawn should be watered immediately, and the best time of day to water is the morning. That is when I recommend fertilizing.
How often you apply fertilizer depends on the type. There are many different types of fertilizer on the market — organic, synthetic and synthetic organic blends – and each type has different application rates and frequency of application rates. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
In general, for premium or organic fertilizer, you can fertilize every 6 to 8 weeks. Synthetic fertilizers don’t need to be applied as frequently during the warm season.
| What about fertilizing during rainy periods? | ||
You can apply premium or organic fertilizer during rainy periods but not inexpensive synthetics: rain will wash out these fertilizers before the grass can absorb the nutrients. Organic fertilizers need moisture because they can’t retain it.
| The lawn around my buildings is clumpy, uneven, and patchy in places especially at the edges. What can I do? |
To improve the appearance, consider over-seeding and applying top-dressing.
If the grass is rye grass, it won’t spread. You need to seed it evenly.
Sandy soil from construction can cause a problem with grass health. Some of the more common lawn problems are caused by heat and water. Water run-off can cause erosion and poor soil conditions. On the other extreme, grass can get overstressed by tthe heat from nearby exposed
My boulevard isn’t easy to mow. A lot of home owners in my area have turned their boulevard lawn into gardens. What tips can you give me for turning my boulevard lawn into a garden? Do I need to rake up my entire lawn?
| Understand what you are doing when you turn a lawn into a garden. If you plan to create a tree well garden, consider how this will affect lawn cutting. If you plan to add trees, ensure there is enough soil around the tree rather than have lawn grow right up to the tree. Or, purchase a trunk guard.
It’s a myth that a garden takes less work and cost to maintain than a lawn. When you consider planting, pruning, adding fertilizer, it adds up to a lot more effort than a weekly mow. It’s also a myth that lawns are not healthy for the environment. Lawns produce oxygen and help to cool. Plants and shrubs can drawn more insects especially mosquitoes. If you plan to replace the lawn entirely, you need to cut back the sod and then improve the soil for plants. Avoid planting too close to the edge of the lawn, sidewalk and street. Plants can easily get damaged by a trimmer or mower, and they can create safety hazards. If the boulevard includes a mix of lawn and garden, avoid small strips of lawn that are tough to mow. How can I get rid of clover in my yard? |
| Clover is a very difficult weed to deal with and it can be a problem if you are using a fertilizer with a high phosphorous level. Since herbicide spraying is banned in most municipaltities, consider corn gluten for your lawn.
It’s important to dig up clover while it can be managed. If the clover only appears in small patches, dig at least 3 inches deep and a foot around the clover. My lawn includes dry and shady areas. What are your tips mowing? |
Do not cut the lawn too short. Try for 2.5 to a 3 inch cut height.
| I want to create a “wild garden” effect with ornamental grass? How much effort is involved? |
Ornamental grass comes in a wide variety of height, colour and texture. They provide an inexpensive, low-maintenance way to achieve a natural yet high-end landscaping effect. Unlike other plants, they only need to be cared for twice a year, in the spring and fall. You can start off by adding ornamental grass as a border or backdrop.
How A Great-Looking Lawn Can Increase Your Property Value
July 26, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
With the real estate market so hot right now in Vancouver many people are looking to sell their homes. If you’re considering selling, you can earn thousands more just by keeping up your lawn and knowing how to make your lawn one that people want.
First impressions are important, and the first thing prospective home buyers see is your lawn, gardens and yard so you want to make it look great. By having a well-kept lawn and properly maintained yard, your property will be more attractive to buyers.
Here is a list of some things that you can do to increase the value of your house when you’re ready to sell:
- Lawn clippings.
Keeping your lawn clean and trim is going to make it much more appealing to buyers. Also, proper mowing and leaving clippings on the lawn provide nutrients to the lawn which will make it healthier and greener. Mulching can improve the look of your lawn because it adds back nutrients it can also make a poor impression if you leave clumps of grass. Make sure you have a mower designed to mulch and if you get any clumps disperse them.
- Watering the lawn, plants, and flowers.
One of the most important parts of lawn care is to make sure your lawn is getting the proper water it needs. Make sure you are very aware of the weather and how much what your lawn needs. Proper watering of the lawn, plants and flowers will lead to beautiful results. By the time you see your lawn starting to go yellow you are already behind. If you do see any yellow because you have not started watering make sure to use your local watering restrictions guidelines for times and max them out.
- Planting trees or flowers.
Fresh plants can give your lawn a different look. A few flowers here and there or just one large flower garden can really increase the aesthetic appeal of your property. You can use perenials or annuals. Your local nursery will have what you need.
- Removal and up-keep of unwanted weeds.
You should make sure to stay on top of the unwanted weeds in your lawn. If you remove them it can keep your lawn healthier. Unwanted weeds can spoil other plants. It is also improtant to remove weeds from gardens. The wide open ground of a garden is fertile territory for weeds. Weeds can have several seeding cycles in a season and allowing them to seed can result in a poor look and way more work. It is also common to have weeds blow from surrounding gardens into your lawn. Keep it clean and it will pay you back with many less hours of work.
- 5. Tree and Shrub Care.
Make sure to take complete care of your trees and shrubs by spraying at the right time of year and deep root fertilizing, which will help aid in the proper growth
- 6. Aeration.
This will provide a path for water and air to the roots. It also helps develop the lawn.
All of these things will help set you off on the right foot to increasing your property’s value. Lawn care is very important. It’s the first impression customers have.
Some other things to remember!
- Greenery attracts people immediately; it’s one of the best parts which any person can create in his environment. Greenery increases the value of the property since people will like the option of being able to sit outdoors and admire the nature.
- You can maintain your lawn by using eco-friendly chemicals that are easy on the lawn. There are organic and natural pesticides available now that are not only good for the health of the grass but for the atmosphere! As a home owner, you would not want the constant exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- If you can afford it, it may be worth the money to invest in a lawn care professional to help you add additions, updates, or just maintain your lawn. You may find that you are too busy or just don’t know enough about the subject.
Hopefully these tools can help you get a jump-start if you haven’t already in taking care of your lawn. It may require time and effort just like all good things do; but, in the end it’s almost always worth it.
How Community Gardens Are Improving Vancouver Neighborhoods
June 21, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
A thriving community garden in an urban Vancouver neighbourhood. (Credit: AndreCarol / Flickr)
Vancouver is known for its mountainous views, vast wildlife and diverse culture. Vancouver is also known as a very eco-friendly city. But, did you know about its community gardens? Community gardens are one of the ways Vancouver tries to stay on top of the demand for green space.
A community garden is a single piece of land gardened collectively by a group of people. They provide access to fresh produce and plants as well as access to satisfying community work, neighborhood improvement and a sense of community and connection to the environment.
Community gardens have existed for a long time, since cities began, and peaked in Canada during the two World Wars. The number of community gardens made a comeback again in the 1980s and have been popping up around the city ever since.
In May 2006, Vancouver City Council encouraged 2,010 new garden plots by January 1, 2010, as a legacy of the 2010 Winter Games. As Vancouver grows, more green space is demanded, thus the demand of community gardens are increasing.
Now, thanks to a grant from the City’s Host a City Happening Program, new brochures which feature walking tours around Vancouver’s 44 community gardens are available in public libraries, neighborhood houses, community gardens, Vancouver City Hall, Community Centres, Vancouver farmers markets and special events across the city. Every second Sunday of June, July, August and September, gardeners will be at select gardens between 11am and 1pm to answer questions from people taking the tours.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways that community gardens are improving Vancouver’s neighborhoods.
- Partnering. The Host a City Happening Program encourages Vancouver residents and non-profit organizations to partner with the City of Vancouver to create special City Happenings – events and legacy projects that reflect the Olympic and Paraolympic values of friendship, solidarity, peace, fair play, optimism, inspiration and empowerment.
- Improves the look. Vancouver community gardens are improving the look of neighborhoods. It provides more natural crops and plants to grow and thrive in the communities of Vancouver.
- Promotes Sustainability. Living conditions are better when there are naturally made products and carbons in the air. Vancouver is all about being good to the environment.
- Urban greeting. Community gardens are a great way to bring people together.
- Decreases reliance on fossil fuels. Community garden advocates point out that locally grown food decreases a community’s reliance on fossil fuels for transport of food from large agricultural areas. Since most of the work is done manually, it also decreases the level of fossil fuels used in agricultural machinery.
- Food security. Since citizens grow their own food or food for others to donate, it gives a sense of food security since the gardeners are closer in touch with their sources of food.
Costs for community gardens are very inexpensive and usually run between $15-20 annually.
If you’re curious, have a look at this map of Vancouver’s community gardens (warning it is a large PDF file).
12 Vancouver Lawn Mowing Tips
May 16, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Image Credit: AdamKR
Your mowing habits can make the difference between a picture-perfect lawn and one that is susceptible to weeds, diseases, clumping and other lawn problems.
Did you know that there are do’s and don’ts for mowing?
You can improve the quality and appearance of your lawn by following these mowing best practices:
1. Don’t mow using dull blades. This rips and shreds blades of grass instead of cutting the blades cleanly. When blades are ripped, they are more susceptible to disease. Make sure to sharpen the blades every four to six weeks in sunny times of the year when you mow more frequently.
2. Don’t mow under bushes, if you have grass under low lying trees or shrubs use a line trimmer to get these areas this will avoid damaging any exposed roots and potentially your mower.
3. Don’t mow freshly-fertilized lawn. If you have applied fertilizer or any other chemical to your lawn, hold off on mowing for at least 24 hours.
4. Don’t lower your mower too far. The higher mowing height helps your grass develop a deeper root system cut at 2.5 to 3 inches.
5. Don’t mow your lawn too short: only cut 1/3 of the blade at a time. The more the light each blade of grass can absorb, the better! When grass is too short, it is vulnerable to disease and weed infestation. A healthy lawn needs deep roots and it also needs to preserve moisture. If you let your lawn grow too high, when on vacation, mow at a higher level and then lower the blade the next time you cut.
6. Don’t bag your clippings during dry weather. The clippings you produce by mowing can benefit the lawn if you leave them to mulch.
7. Don’t force your mower when you hear the motor slowing. You can burn out an electric mower’s motor as well as damage lawn if you push on instead of pausing. Along with pausing, you can mow backward (over lawn already cut) or lift up the mower to allow the motor and your grass time to recover.
8. Don’t make sharp turns on your lawn. You can scalp your lawn and damage the crown of grass by turning your lawn mower too sharply. Instead of turning on the lawn, turn on a driveway or sidewalk.
9. Don’t mow in the same direction each time. This can create ruts in the soil, and compacts the soil making growth difficult and preventing moisture from being retained. Rotate mowing patterns by mowing north to south on one cut, and then east to west the next, finally going diagonally on the third cut. On a hill, mow across and mow diagonally rather than directly up and down.
After a month of rotated mowing patterns, your lawn will have a plaid appearance used by professional mowers on greens used in stadium ballparks and golf courses.
10. Mow your lawn while on vacation. A lawn that is not mowed is a clear sign that someone is not taking care of a lawn and can cause criminals to investigate. If a family member cannot take over your chores when you go on vactaion call a professional. They will make sure that your lawn is cut on a schedual. Remember when you were a kid and your parents went away did you cut the lawn and clean the house on a schedual?
11. Don’t forget to clean your mower. After you finish mowing and turnoff the motor, make sure to scrape any build-up of clippings underneath the mower.
12. Don’t wait too long to mow again. The rule of thumb is to mow more frequently rather than waiting for a few weeks.
I hope this helps, if you have any more questions about lawn mowing please feel free to contact us.
European Chafer Beetle Problem Wrecking Havoc on Vancouver Lawns
March 26, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
If you have driven down Oak Street en route to YVR or Richmond, chances are you’ve seen boulevard lawns that look like roto-rooter teams went drilling for treasure.
Home-owner Ingrid Schneller woke up one spring morning to find her back lawn looking as if vandals had been at work. Children passing by the alley asked why her lawn resembled a graveyard. When she called the VPD to take a look, one officer recognized the culprit: the European chafer beetle. Since its first appearance in New Westminster in 2001, these pests have been spreading throughout the Lower Mainland.
Between January and March, these grubs feed on the roots of grass deep below the surface. You can’t tell by looking at your lawn whether you have chafers. Digging up sections of your lawn in one square ft sections and peeling back the turf, will allow you to spot them.
A tell-tale sign is that predators from four-legged creatures to crows tear up the lawns to feast on them. If your lawn reaches this point, we suggest you rake up and get rid of grass that has been ripped apart. Next, aggressively rake over areas of exposed soil and add any new soil to fill depressions. Seed the areas with a hi-quality seed.
The most badly affected lawns have been poorly maintained and contain grass that has short root systems or is full of moss.
Keep up a regimen of weekly mowing but don’t cut your grass shorter than 5 cm and definitely 2.25 cm above any moss.
Some home owners protect their lawns by laying chicken wire or tarp as a stop-gap measure. But this only prevents animals and birds from ruining lawns. It doesn’t stop the underlying problem.
Maintaining health turf is your first defense. Aerating, over seeding cutting properly, watering and fertilizing will develop a strong turf with a deep root system that is less susceptible to birds and other critters. But the key to chafer fever is to eliminate the larvae when they are vulnerable.
By late early summer, adult beetles emerge at dusk. This is their mating and egg-laying season. By July, eggs are laid and baby grubs begin feeding on lawns. If you don’t apply a solution like nematodes, towards the end of July and the beginning of August your lawn will be the perfect home for that new colony. From late fall to winter, there isn’t much action you can take
The late July period is when nematode worms should be let loose at 750,000 per square meter. These microscopic organisms are available in packages from garden supply centers and can be applied by watering them into the soil in the late July to early August period. We recommend you read the package as to the lawn area they will cover as at least two packages to treat an area of 1400 square feet. Make sure that the lawn is moistened first, and apply the nematodes in the evening.
Vancouver’s pesticide ban that has been in place since 2006 make it challenging to stem the infestation by applying chemicals although two pesticides – Merit and Sevin – are effective.
BUR-HAN lawn care is experienced in chafer beetle control and was an early adopter. Start saving your lawn today by calling us to start a lawn care package. It is important to book your nematode application early, as they are only grown in limited quantities for the season. Book now and save your lawn.
To learn more about how much nematodes cost and to book an appointment, visit our Nematode Application page. For more tips visit our nematodes and solving the European Chafer Beetle problem page.
Vancouver Spring Lawn Care Tips
It is apparent to most home-owners that Vancouver lawn care can be difficult. Given the local climate and regular usage most residential lawns suffer from compaction (through pet and human traffic, snow and rain), thatch build-up and lack of micro-organism activity with the soil. Combine this with a lack of time, perceived upkeep costs, and available machinery and knowledge, it is no wonder that many lawns around the city look past their best.
Many residents simply do not have the time to put into their lawns. Given the correct approach, information and tools, lawn care in Vancouver, either by the owner or a paid company, can be far simpler and cheaper than one would realize.
6 Vancouver Spring Lawn Care Tips
Here are some brief lawn care tips to help you get your lawn off to a great start this Spring:
Cutting Height
Height of 2.5 to 3 inches is the recommended height to promote long a root system and a healthy plant. This will also ensure the grass fights off other dominant plants weeds.
Cutting Frequency
It is highly recommended that you do not cut more than 1/3 of a grass blade at one time. Cut grass frequently and mow high. Use a push mower to save energy, get fit and decrease pollution.
Fertilization
Fertilization is a vital part of maintaining a healthy lawn. With strong grass other weeds will be forced out. Fertilize in May, early June and September with a “slow-release” fertilizer. Use organic fertilizer if possible and top dress with a thin layer of compost and sand. Over-reliance on “quick-release” fertilizer will speed up growth and has negative connotations for the environment.
Watering
It is important to give your lawn the correct amount of water to maintain its health. Your lawn requires deep watering of about one inch, each week. Leave two small tuna cans around the lawn when watering, when the cans are full then optimum watering has been achieved. Watering less and more often will promote shallow root growth.
It is important to give your lawn the correct amount of water to maintain its health. Your lawn requires deep watering of about one inch, or one hour, each week. Leave two small tin cans around the lawn when watering, when the cans are full then optimum watering has been achieved. Watering less and more often will promote shallow root growth.
Aeration
This is a vital process that can be achieved by a lawn care company with a 350 pound machine aerator, or by hand to save money. Aeration should be undertaken in May and September. This process, especially effective given Vancouver’s wet climate, will reduce soil compaction, reduce water-run off and puddling, increase fertilize uptake, and improve rooting, thatch breakdown and resiliency. This takes some effort if doing by hand but will produce a healthier, stronger and more attractive lawn.
Seeding
Over-seeding in Spring provides variety in your lawn and makes the area more resilient and drought and disease-resistant. This will rejuvenate your lawn without the necessity of expensive and environmentally damaging re-turfing.
If you do not have the time or the inclination to manage your lawn, we offer 4 effective lawn care packages. These packages all include important services to ensure healthy grass in Vancouver’s unique coastal climate like Lawn Aeration, Lawn Fertilization, Moss Spray and Lime.
