If you’re a homeowner with any sort of a lawn or garden you’re probably way beyond keeping it lush and green and are now locked in a battle just to keep it alive.
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Soil erosion is common during harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rains and hard winds. Thankfully, there are several ways to prevent your topsoil from being eroded.
What is soil erosion?
Soil erosion occurs when soil is removed and transported to other locations. This can be a major problem if you have landscaping such as plant beds or a garden. Here are some ways to protect your planting and prevent soil erosion:
Retaining Walls
Constructing a retaining wall made of brick or stones will minimize water runoff. This will help minimize or eliminate the amount of soil being carried away with groundwater runoff. Retaining walls don’t have to be extreme, but be sure they are firmly in place. If you don’t have a place for a retaining wall near your plantings, landscape edging can have a similar effect.
Apply Mulch
Another way to help prevent topsoil from being washed or blown away is to apply mulch. Apply a layer on top of the soil to help soak up water and protect against rain impact.
Create Windbreaks
Create natural wind barriers by planting rows of trees or shrubs. Evergreen trees or large bushes around the windward exposure area will help prevent erosion in those areas. This option is particularly helpful if soil often blows across your land.
Use Geotextiles
Geotextiles are fabrics that can be used to protect your topsoil. This is an effective method because it will stabilize the soil without disturbing any growing vegetation. Use this method to help prevent sloped areas of your land from storm damage.
Add Plantings
Planting vegetation, shrubs and trees will help keep the soil in place. The roots in particular will establish a system that stabilizes the soil and prevents erosion. Planting vegetation is the most natural way to prevent soil erosion.
For more information about how to protect your landscape, contact Olympic Lawn & Landscape today.
In hot weather, it’s important to take the right steps to care for your lawn. Kansas City summers are known for extreme heat, and this summer of 2011 is no different. As the weeks in July and August carry on, here are a few reminders for how to keep your lawn looking nice despite the summer heat:
Don’t Mow your Lawn Too Short
Make sure to not mow your grass too short in hot weather. The sun and heat will kill grass, and especially when it’s cut too short. Instead of a nice, looking green lawn – the sun will scald and dry out your grass, causing it to turn brown and die. To prevent dead grass, keep your lawn a little longer in the summer to trap in moisture and endure the heat. A good goal is to set your mower between 2.5-3 inches and not mow if the grass is shorter than that.
Watering Your Lawn in Hot Weather
If you have new grass, make sure to keep your sod watered through heat waves. If you are planning on watering the grass, make sure to water the grass long enough! Lightly watering will cause the roots to become shallow and not grow deep enough for healthy growth. It is best to soak your lawn so the water sinks in deeper less frequently rather than daily watering your lawn in small amounts. If you property fertilize your grass in spring and fall, you may not need to water your lawn, as the roots will be strong and healthy enough to grow deeper and gain moisture from the soil.
When To Water your Grass in the Heat
The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning or at dusk. A good goal is to give your lawn about 1 inch of water every 3 days. You may choose to water your yard while holding a garden hose, but investing in a high-quality is recommended, as it will help you make sure each section of your grass is watered evenly and adequately.
Avoid the Fertilizers in Summer
Chemical applications should be used in spring and fall. This will help keep your grass at optimum health. It may be tempting to lay fertilizer if your grass begins to brown, but resist the urge and increase your watering and grass blade length. Fertilizing the lawn in summer will take away from the grass’s main goal of growing deep, healthy roots to sustain the heat, and actually backfire on you.
Keeping your lawn and landscape green and healthy can be a challenge during periods of drought or high heat.
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