|
|
|
Fire Your Boss! It's the Only Responsible Thing to Do
You may have been raised to think that firing your boss and becoming your own boss is an irresponsible, impulsive, and selfish thing to do. Think again.
Firing your boss may be the only responsible action to take if you want to build financial...
Getting Past The Idea Of Budgeting & Saving Money
I'm sure you'll agree that budgeting, saving money, and eliminating debt are very appealing ideas. If effectively tackled, these goals can secure your financial status for the future, and allow you to live a comfortable, debt-free life. However...
Makin' the Sauce
Let's face it, you're on a roll. After getting down to your attorney's office to sign the new Living Trust and then diligently tracking down your assets to fund the trust, you should be congratulated. You're one of the responsible ones - 70% of the...
“The ‘Matrix’ Is Real: 5 Ways to Pull Yourself Free and Live More Prosperously”
As millions of people flood cinemas to see the new “Matrix” movie, most of them will have no idea that in fact they’re plugged into a real-life matrix.
However, the real life matrix is not run by power-hungry computers; it has everything to...
Tips for first time home buyers
There's good news for renters! Recent dramatic changes in the mortgage finance industry have placed homeownership within easy reach of a greater number of people. A common obstacle today in purchasing a home is the outdated notion that obtaining a...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Landscape Techniques - Lawn Aeration
Landscape Techniques - Lawn Aeration
Article by Henry Thompson
Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz
ProGardenBiz, an online magazine
http://www.progardenbiz.com
Aerate, in the context of landscape and grounds maintenance,
means "to supply the soil with air". It is a contractor
technique to aid in maintaining and improving lawns. Aeration
improves the lawn appearance, usability, and it's ability to
absorb water from irrigation. Aeration is important for the
garden as well as the lawn, but the techniques for garden
aeration are different than for lawns, and the subject for
another column.
An aerator is the equipment that performs the work and it's a
machine every gardener and landscape maintenance contractor
should own. If you perform lawn maintenance or renovate lawns
you need an aerator. Aeration is a standard component of any
grounds maintenance program. For seasonal work you can rent the
equipment. If you have a larger customer base you should
consider adding an aerator to your contractor equipment.
Landscape companies will generally find it more profitable to
own the equipment instead of renting.
First let's discuss the need for aeration and the benefits of
a regular aeration program in landscape maintenance.
Grass roots need air as well as water and fertilizer. The grass
can actually poison itself as a result of the various chemical
processes that occur in the individual grass plants if the
grass roots do not have enough air. Soil that lacks sufficient
air can result in; slow growth in the affected grass, excess
irrigation runoff due to poor permeability, shallow root
systems, and a lawn that's highly susceptible to insects,
disease, and heat damage.
Soil compaction is the most common example of soil deficient in
air. The growth habits of grass in compacted soil are shallow
root development, a substantial decrease in the number of grass
plants per square foot, and an inability to properly use
applied fertilizers.
Soil compaction in lawns is caused primarily by pedestrian
traffic, whether it is children playing in a playground or
people taking shortcuts across a lawn. Stopping the use of the
affected lawns is generally impractical. A better solution
would be frequent aeration and, depending upon the composition
of the soil, the application of lawn and garden amendments such
as peat, sand, or gypsum.
The benefits of aeration are an increase in the:
- growth rate of the grass thus an improvement in its ability
to withstand and recover from pedestrian use
- ability of water and fertilizer to penetrate to the grass
roots soil's absorption rate from irrigation
- root growth activity contributing to the strength and health
of the grass
- ability of bacteria present in the soil to break down and
decompose the thatch layer thus increasing the soils ability to
hold sufficient amounts of moisture between waterings
- grass's ability to withstand low water situations and heat
stress
Aeration is a technique best applied in late summer or early
fall for cool season grasses and in the spring for warm season
grasses. This can also be a good time to overseed and topdress/
amend the aerated lawn. One drawback to aeration is that it
increases the probability of weed infestation thus it can become
important to include pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control
measures. In addition to being beneficial to the lawn, these
services are an add-on profit center for the landscape
maintenance contractor. Aeration
services are also often offered
by garden centers and nursery businesses.
If you have a severely damaged lawn or a lawn area that
undergoes heavy and frequent use you might consider aerating
these areas several times throughout the year. Remember,
aeration does damage the grass, so aerate "lightly" by using a
slightly wider tine spacing or only one pass.
An aerator that pulls plugs is more effective than one that
simply pokes holes. An aerator that pokes holes can further
compact the soil. Soil compaction decrease the available air
to the grass roots and causes excess irrigation run off. Either
remove the plugs or break them up (use a mulching lawn mower or
close the catcher chute on a standard mower). Always apply any
amendment immediately to achieve maximum penetration of the
amendments into the soil. The holes have a tendency to collapse
especially if pedestrian traffic is difficult to keep off.
Contractor equipment varies from dedicated aerators that pull
plugs to rototiller add-ons that simply poke holes. As
discussed, pulling plugs is better. You will also find the
dedicated aerator to be easier and more efficient to use.
Aeration is also a way for many landscape maintenance
contractors, gardeners, and garden centers to make more money.
Most offer the service to their customers as an additional
service. Pricing and costs will vary. Some charge by the
square foot, others by the job. The average price in Southern
California is about $45.00 per 1,000 square feet for owner
occupied single family residences. Other large landscape
maintenance contractors offer aeration as part of the
contracted service, especially for large residential
communities where the single billing cost for aeration could
be prohibitive. They calculate the cost of aerating and divide
the result by the term of the contract (usually one year, 12
months) thus charging the customer a portion (1/12th) of the
total cost each month. This makes the service affordable to the
homeowner association or property management company and brings
in more money to the contractor. The same technique could also
be used by smaller lawn maintenance and gardening companies.
Aeration should be part of your grounds maintenance and
irrigation service. Its an inexpensive way to improve your
customers lawns and make more money. It also makes it easier to
get those yearly increases in fees and keep customers longer.
Happy customers pay much better than dissatisfied customers.
Aerating really can make a big difference in the appearance of
your customer's lawns! Competition in the Green Industry is
strong and added services like aeration will help to put you out
in front of your competitors.
__________________________________________
About the Author:
Henry Thompson is a Contributing Writer for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a
free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and
inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.
__________________________________________
You have permission to publish this article electronically or
in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included.
Must be published complete with no changes.
A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
About the Author
Henry Thompson is a Contributing Writer for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors.
|
|
|
|
|
| Afterhours Inspirational Stories |
| Collection of inspirational and motivational stories, poems, parables, and jokes. |
| www.inspirationalstories.com |
|
| inspirational |
| mamarocks.com. Inspirational. Google · What Would You Do · An Angel For You · Angels · Amazing Grace · In The Valley · Deck Of Cards ... |
| www.mamarocks.com |
|
| INSPIRATIONAL FLASH MOVIES |
| LATEST MOVIES. Let there be Peace (30 Nov 06) Life on the Train (4 Nov 06) I'm Alive (20 Oct 06) Sea of Life (9 Oct 06) ... |
| www.inspiringthots.net |
|
| Inspirational - An Angelina Jolie Fan Site |
| http://www.makepovertyhistory.org. Would you like to receive free update notices in your e-mail? Then please join the mailing list below! Beowulf Filming ... |
| angelinaj.net |
|
| Quotable quotes, famous sayings, motivational stories ... |
| Welcome to the Motivational and Inspirational Corner, where the winning begins. Check out the Power Performance Program © - America's System for Success. |
| www.motivational-inspirational-corner.com |
|
| INSP - The Inspiration Network |
| Ministry Resources. Daily Devotional · Convoy of Hope · Inspirational Mall · Stewardship And Planned Giving. Additional Resources ... |
| www.insp.com |
|
| Motivational and Inspirational Quotes |
| A collection of inspirational quotes on topics including success, life, leadership, teachers and more. |
| www.inspirational-quotes.info |
|
| Inspiring Quotes to move and inspire you |
| Quotes to move you towards fulfillment - helping yourself and helping others. |
| www.heartsandminds.org |
|
| Inspirational Messages, Poems, Stories, Humor, Cartoons, Quotes |
| Christian poems and Inspirational poems, stories, messages, humor, cartoons, quotes. Over 3000 Inspirational and Christian pages, new daily content, ... |
| www.skywriting.net |
|
| The page of Inspirational Poems and Stories |
| Your web browser is NOT capable of playing Music. Subscribe to Mr. Mom's Mailing List for updates, Inspirational poems and stories Click Here ... |
| mrmom.amaonline.com |
|
| Star Trek Inspirational Posters |
| BASED ON THOSE DELIGHTFUL INSPIRATIONAL POSTERS WHICH HAVE BECOME A FIXTURE OF DENTIST'S OFFICES EVERYWHERE. Terms of use: You're welcome to save these ... |
| echosphere.net |
|
| GoodQuotes.com - Funny and Inspirational Quotes |
| GoodQuotes.com lists thousands of funny and inspirational quotes: bumper stickers, proverbs, funny thoughts, silly quotes, Murphy's laws, gravestones, ... |
| www.goodquotes.com |
|
| Motivational Posters at AllPosters.com |
| Motivational Posters at AllPosters.com. Choose from over 300000 posters and prints. Professional custom framing available. |
| www.allposters.com |
|
| Inspiration Peak: Inspirational Quotes, Poetry and Short Stories |
| A beautiful collection of inspirational quotes, poetry and short stories. Updated weekly with a new inspirational message. |
| www.inspirationpeak.com |
|
| DaySpring Christian E-Cards |
| Free Christian E-Cards | Christian Gifts & Products | Inspirational Movies | Find a Store | Contact Us | Job Openings | FAQ | Site Map | ... |
| www.dayspring.com |
|
| Inspirational Fiction |
| Please note: The books listed here cover a wide variety of genres and types, from traditional inspirational fiction authors such as June Masters Bacher and ... |
| www.ci.irving.tx.us |
|
| Inspirational Christian Poems and Stories |
| Inspirational poems and stories with photos and art which seeks to help Christians in their walk of faith. |
| www.promiseofgod.com |
|
|