McIntosh Grounds Maintenance

When to Water...How Much to Water

2011-08-30T04:52:00.000-07:00

Water is essential to all life...too little water and we die, too much and we drown. The same is true of the grass in our lawns. Water makes up 70% to 80% of the weight of our lawn grasses and the clippings alone are nearly 90% water. While most people are concerned about not watering their lawns enough, the fact is that more lawns are damaged or destroyed by over-watering.

Newly installed turfgrass sod has very important watering needs. Proper watering immediately after installation will ensure the turf gets established, and it will also have an impact on how well the lawn continues to flourish for years to come.

Ice Dams

2009-11-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

An ice dam is a barrier made of ice that prevents water from flowing off your roof. Ice dams result when water from melting snow flows to your roofs edges and then freezes. More melting produces water that then becomes trapped on the roof because the ice dam prevents it flowing into the gutters or the ground. Standing water behind the ice dam gets trapped under your shingles and penetrates the roof sheeting. Significant damage to your can be the result. Avoid damage from leaking with prompt action and maintenance.

What Should I Do?

The most effective way to prevent ice dams is to keep the under surface of your roof cold. Ice dams occur most often when the layer of snow closest to the roof melts and runs down beneath the snow above.

Ways to keep your roof cold:

Proper Ventilation--make sure your attic is well ventilated and the vents are free of snow

Adequate Insulation--inspect your attic insulation for bare or matted spots.

Remove unmelted snow from your roof

For winter and year round maintenance call McIntosh Grounds Maintenance at 734.487.8940 at or fill out our estimate form!

Watering Tips

2009-07-29T22:42:00.000-07:00

The root zone of every plant requires three things: air, earth and most of all, water. Water is the essential blood of a plant and is necessary to the uptake of soil nutrients. Its presence in soil also governs how deeply a plant sends its roots into the earth, and this in turn is directly related to its ability to withstand drought. There is more to watering than simply turning on sprinklers. Dwindling resources demand you water efficiently too.

TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE?

It isn't easy to know exactly how much to water. If you over-do it the plant will drown in soil filled with water where oxygen should be. If you don't water enough it will wilt. If you're in doubt about whether you are watering adequately, don't just look at the soil, dig a little hole and find out exactly what's going on down under.

If you find black soil and roots that smell badly) you have watered too much. This may also indicate you have poor drainage, and water is just not percolating down and down and out of the root zone. If it's dry down there, then increase watering or change your strategy. Water more frequently or water for a longer duration.

A SIMPLE DRAINAGE TEST

The best way to know how water behaves in your soil is to dig a test hole. Make this one to two feet deep. Fill it up with water from the hose. The speed in which it percolates down into the soil is a gauge of its drainage.

* If it drains away in an hour or two you have excellent drainage.
* If it drains over night, you have adequate drainage.
* If it stands any longer, you have very poor drainage.

THEY ONLY GO WHERE THERE'S WATER

All plants large and small, woody or herbaceous send their roots to the nearest source of water. For proof, just ask anyone with a tree growing over t heir sewer line' .sprinkler systems apply surface water frequently, but saturate the soil only a few inches down. Plants naturally root in this surface layer, but if the water is not applied right on schedule, they will suffer accordingly. Under these conditions even the most drought resistant tree or shrub will become as needy as the rest.

Drought adapted plants grow deep root systems that are able to access moisture far underground after surface soil has dried out. This quality can also be encouraged in more thirsty plants to make them healthy and as water thrifty as possible, The result is you water less often, and the water you do apply is used much more efficiently.

WATER DEEPLY

The best way to water is to apply it at a rate that the soil will absorb without runoff It must be able to saturate the soil many feet below the surface, This can be difficult with slow draining soils, but if you provide each plant with a watering basin, it holds water right over the root zone so it can soak in at a gradual rate. It is always best to begin deep watering from day one with a new plant. This discourages surface rooting and enhances drought resistance early on.

If you are using sprinklers, runoff may occur or water may pool before it soaks in. Set watering duration to shut off as pooling or runoff begins, then set each station to operate more often, such as twice a day, or more days of the week, but do not increase the duration. This program will help water soak in much more deeply and encourage adventurous rooting.

Let your Lawn Breathe! Have it Aerated

2009-04-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

Compacted Soil and heavy thatch are the two biggest obstacles to a beautiful lawn. They tend to suffocate the grass plants by preventing air, water and nutrients from reaching the root zone.

This means your lawn looks less than satisfactory in spite of adequate fertilization, water and tender loving care!

Aeration opens up the thatch and helps relieve compaction. It should be a regular part of your annual lawn maintenance program.

It's a fact. Aeration is one of the best things you can do for your lawn.

Here is why...

Aeration is accomplished through the use of a machine with cylider-like tines designed to penetrate and shatter the soil. Cores of thatch, soil and grass are actually pulled out of the ground during this process. The plunging action of the tines opens up the soil, allows grass plants to breathe, permits better utilization of fertilizer, air and water and promotes a deeper, healthier root system.

Major Benefits of Aeration...

Increases air, water and nutrient movement to the root zone
Intensifies decomposition of thatch
Helps relieve soil compaction
Stimulated new growth
Improves drainage
Provides a better environment for overseeding
Increases the effectiveness of fertilizers and other lawn products

Give us a call at 734-487-8940 or fill out form to schedule this important service!