3 Things to Avoid When Overseeding and Aerating

 

Taking care of your lawn means doing a couple of important things every year. One is called "aerating," which means making tiny holes in the ground. This helps air, water, and plant food reach the roots better. The other is "overseeding," which means putting down new seeds and making small ditches in the dirt for them, allowing for better seed growth.

But here's the question: How do you figure out what tools to use, when to do these jobs, and how to mow your lawn afterward? Western Landscape talks about three common mistakes that you should avoid when you're overseeding and aerating your lawn.

1.     Mowing Your Lawn Too Soon

When you plant seeds to grow new grass in your lawn, they need some time to get used to their new home and start growing strong roots. Think of it like letting a new plant settle into a pot before moving it around.

After you've spread the seeds and helped them settle into the soil, it's important to give them a chance to grow before you start cutting them. This growing time usually lasts from two to four weeks after you've put the seeds in the ground and added some extra soil on top. But remember, this timing can change depending on where you live and the kind of grass you're growing.

If you're not sure when to start using your lawnmower on your new grass, it's better to wait a bit longer. Let those new grass plants get a good start before you give them a trim!

2.     The Wrong Equipment

For the nicest lawn results, try using a special tool called a core aerator. This tool takes out small pieces of grass and dirt from your lawn. When you're picking a tool for this job, look for one that takes out pieces of soil that are around two to three inches deep and about half to three-quarters of an inch wide. These holes should be about two to three inches apart from each other.

When you hire our team at Western Landscape to get the job done, we have machines that do this, and our teams know exactly how to use them. This way, your lawn gets the best care possible.

3.     Aerating During the Wrong Season

When the weather turns cooler, it's like a green light for your lawn to grow well. This is the best time to fix any problems caused by the hot summer. By using a special tool to make holes in the ground and planting new seeds in the fall, you're not only getting your lawn ready for winter, but you're also making sure it's all set to look great in the spring.

Get Overseeding and Aeration Services in Madison, WI, from Western Landscape this Fall!

At Western Landscape, we are proud providers of several landscaping services such as overseeding and aeration, seeding and sodding, hardscaping, and much more! We’d love to help you reach your lawn goals. Get in contact with us today to schedule a consultation!

The Advantages of Seeding and Sodding Your Lawn

 

When you're starting a new lawn, a question people often ask is, "Should I plant seeds or sod my lawn?" The answer to this question can vary for each person because it depends on where you live and how much time and money you're willing to put in. To help you battle the confusion, Western Landscape has put together a list of advantages for both seeding and sodding so that you can make the best choice for what your lawn needs.

Seeding Advantages

More Types of Grass to Choose From

When you're thinking about how you want your lawn to look, seeding gives you a bunch of options. You can pick from different types of grass that suit your area and your preferences. It's like choosing what color shirt to wear – you have choices!

Stronger Roots

Think about how a tree's roots help it stay strong and upright. Grass roots work in a similar way. When you seed your lawn, the new grass starts growing from the ground up, and the roots grow down deep into the soil. This makes your lawn tougher and better at handling different weather conditions.

No Thatch Layer

Picture a cozy blanket of old grass and debris on top of your lawn. This is called "thatch." When you seed your lawn, you don't have to worry about this blanket forming. Thatch can sometimes hide problems like diseases or pesky insects. When you seed, you're starting fresh, so there's no hidden layer causing trouble.

Sodding Advantages

Instant Satisfaction

Sodding gets you instant results and satisfaction for your lawn. Instead of waiting for seeds to grow, you get a full, lush lawn right away. You won’t have to wait for the grass seeds to grow into mature plants and for the grass to fully set in your lawn.

Fewer Weeds at First

When you sod your lawn, it's like giving the grass a head start against weeds. Sodding comes with mature grass, so it's hard for weeds to squeeze in. This means you'll have a nicer-looking lawn without those pesky plants popping up everywhere.

Anytime Planting

Have you ever missed a friend's birthday but still gave them a gift later? Sodding can be a bit like that. You can put it down on your lawn anytime during the year when the grass is growing. This gives you flexibility and convenience.

No More Mud and Erosion

Imagine you're building a sandcastle and waves keep washing it away. That's a bit like soil erosion on your lawn. Sodding can help with this problem. When you sod your lawn, it helps keep the soil in place, especially on slopes. Plus, you won't have to deal with muddy messes while waiting for new grass to grow.

Contact Western Landscape to Get a Consultation on Seeding and Sodding Services!

Trust our professionals at Western Landscape to do your seeding and sodding project! We know the best products and provide seamless services that will help you achieve a flawless lawn. Contact us today for a consultation!

Choosing the Right Retaining Wall for Your Property

There are many different styles of retaining walls out there, from custom-made solutions to ones that employ everything from natural stone to concrete. But not every type or material will be the perfect fit for your property, so how do you find the best one?

Here the landscaping and hardscaping professionals from Western Landscape have collected some important facts to consider.

What Exactly is a Retaining Wall?

 

A retaining wall’s main purpose is to prevent erosion by restraining your soil. It’s most often used where there is a steeper slope on properties and once installed, creates two different levels. It can be not only a practical landscaping tool but also one of beauty, adding extra aesthetic appeal due to the wide variety of sizes, styles, methods, and materials that can be employed.  

 

Retaining walls have become more popular in recent years, especially in urban areas, and now there is more variety than ever before, in addition to unique construction methods and an abundance of natural materials that offer seamless integration into your landscape.

 

3 Benefits of Retaining Walls

 

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, retaining walls are also:

 

·        Eco-Friendly: Made with sustainable products like wood, stone, concrete, and more, retaining walls are eco-friendly. Additionally, natural vegetation remains undisturbed during the installation process.

 

·         Efficient: Although efficiency might not jump directly to mind when thinking of a wall built to retain soil, they’re designed to withstand tons of weight. If properly designed and installed, a high-quality retaining wall will hold back water, earth, and other encroaching elements for decades at a minimum.

 

·         Durable: With the minimal maintenance and construction required for retaining walls, they can be surprisingly durable and require little to no upkeep. This means a great return on your investment.

 

Contact us for retaining wall installation and more!

If you want a custom retaining wall or a more traditional one, our hardscaping experts can easily meet your needs. Our team will sit down with you to discuss your vision and expectations for the project so we can do it to your satisfaction.

 

Western Landscape also specializes in lawncare, seeding/sodding, mulch and rock installation, and much more. Contact us online today to schedule a consultation or call (608) 520-7726.

The Differences Between Hardscaping & Landscaping

When it comes to landscaping, you’ll often hear the word hardscaping thrown into the mix when discussing the details of your landscaping maintenance plans or any upgrades. However, if you’re unsure as to precisely how hardscaping services differ from traditional landscaping services, the team from Western Landscape has collected this helpful guide here.

What is Hardscaping?

Much like it sounds, hardscaping deals with the addition of hard materials to your landscape to increase its aesthetics or create a more functional, usable space. It can often include the installation of rock sculptures, rock walls, stylized retaining walls for gardens, patios, walkways, and more. It is frequently used as a landscaping option that doesn’t include plants.

What is Landscaping?

Landscaping has to do with everything that grows including trees, flowers, shrubs, and more. A professional landscaping company will offer services to increase your property’s aesthetic beauty or add shade. It can also be used to boost residential and commercial property value and provides a variety of environmental benefits such as increasing oxygen, reducing greenhouse gasses, and absorbing carbon dioxide. 

How is Landscaping & Hardscaping Combined in a Landscaping Plan?

There can be many hardscaping/landscaping combinations that offer different benefits for properties. For example, in an urban environment, a landscaping plan might include more hardscaping fixtures and fewer landscaping ones to provide a more functional layout and access to a property. Other areas with more usable land will usually be more focused on planting trees, shrubs, flowers, etc.

The PROs of Landscaping

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, landscaping offers advantages like:

• Improving water retention and preventing drought conditions
• Attracting local wildlife, like colorful birds and insects throughout the year
• Providing food sources for local wildlife
• Making your property feel more welcoming

The PROs of Hardscaping

Some of the foremost advantages of hardscaping features include:

• Making your property more accessible to everyone that visits it including those with mobility issues
• The need for less maintenance 
• Reducing mud, dirt, and other messy conditions throughout the year

Contact our team for more about hardscaping services today!

If you’re in need of hardscaping or landscaping services, you can rely on Western Landscape. We’re a family-owned business that’s been serving the community for nearly a decade and has developed a reputation for quality services and great customer care.

We also specialize in lawn care, seeding/sodding, spring and fall cleanups, snow removal, and much more. Western Landscape is committed to establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with all our clients and we take the utmost pride in our work, regardless of the size or scope.

Contact us online today to learn more or call (608) 520-7726.