|
|
How I found the perfect business for me
This article is free to reprint in your ezine and/or newsletter as long as you: 1. Print the article in its entirety. 2. Print the resource box with the article in it's entirety. Please notify me if you use the article. mailto:valdinca@xnet.ro ...
Innovation Management – Being receptive to inspiration
Inspiration or insight is that moment when solutions to problems become apparent – they reach the conscious mind from the subconscious. The mind has been tackling problems that have previously been identified either consciously or unconsciously and...
Making a Hard-boiled Egg -- A Challenge
"This isn't a hard-boiled egg!" my wife complained.
"Not too loud, Sweety. Your mama might hear us," I answered back
quietly.
Like every man of the house, I do the cooking once in a while.
This is now my second attempt so I'm puzzled...
THE "IN BETWEEN"
Have you ever wished you could go from Point A to Point B and not have to worry about the "in between? Just as a silly example it's 4:00 in the afternoon and you realize that it's close to dinner time and you have no dinner for the family! ...
Trend Setting: How Office Art Improves Productivity
Does the way your employees perceive their physical work environment have an impact on their job performance? You bet your break room it does! In a recent study conducted by the Business Committee for the Arts, in collaboration with the...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
  |
|