Nature's Fertilizers: Attracting Earthworms for a Nutrient-Rich Lawn

Key Takeaways

Nutrient-rich lawns offer:

• Enhanced Growth: Nutrients support vigorous lawn growth and greenness.
• Disease Resistance: Proper nutrition helps lawns fight off diseases more effectively.
• Drought Tolerance: A well-nourished lawn can better withstand periods of low water availability.

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If you want a thriving lawn, you must focus on creating a nutrient-rich lawn with plenty of fertilizing creatures. One fantastic example of nature's fertilizers is earthworms, which help to build the nutrients in your yard simply by living in it.

Many lawns are already abundant in earthworms, but this can depend on the location and how healthy your property is. If you notice a significant lack of earthworms, use some of these tips to invite them to your yard. Keep reading to discover why earthworms are beneficial and how to attract more to your soil.

How Do Earthworms Contribute to a Nutrient-Rich Lawn?

When developing a nutrient-rich lawn, you may consider most worm and bug species a nuisance. The reality is that worms play a significant part in this process since they live in the soil.

Earthworms are a particular type of worm that lives deep in the soil, consuming organic matter and tunneling through the ground. These worms are beneficial because they eat organic matter and then excrete it back into the soil through their waste. This waste is packed with nutrients that are now in a form that microorganisms and plants can use.

Because earthworms tunnel through the soil, this also helps improve the soil texture and breaks up larger or more compressed dirt areas. This increases the air in the ground, encouraging more microbes and insect life. The improved texture of the soil also increases water retention, helping the soil stay moist more consistently, which is perfect for plants and grass.

Unlike some other types of worms, earthworms tunnel deep into the ground, which helps to disperse nutrients to more deeply rooted plants that would otherwise be neglected.

Attracting Nature's Fertilizers to Your Lawn

Now that you know why earthworms are so crucial for a nutrient-rich lawn, what do you do if you don't naturally have them? The good news is that these worms are not picky and will gladly move in if you encourage them.

Keep the Soil Moist

Like most types of worms, earthworms love moist soil since they can lose up to a fifth of their body weight every day if they don't have access to enough moisture. Because of this, if the soil is dry, that will dry the worms out and ultimately kill them. Keep in mind that waterlogged soil can be just as bad since it can suffocate the worms.

To encourage earthworms, you should water the soil consistently and have plenty of drainage sources. This will ensure that the soil does not dry out in certain areas while becoming waterlogged in others.

Increase Organic Matter

As we mentioned, earthworms consume organic matter as the central part of their diet. If your soil does not have enough of this matter, you won't attract new earthworms since there isn't enough food to go around. The good news is that this problem can be easily solved by composting, mulching, and adding other sources of organic matter to the soil.

Because earthworms dig deep into the ground, it is a good idea to disperse the organic matter throughout the soil instead of simply leaving it on the surface. An additional bonus to this is that more organic matter will help with drainage and moisture, which will also attract more worms.

Leave the Soil Alone

Even though earthworms are expert tunnelers, they will struggle to tunnel through heavily compacted soil. That is why it is essential to leave the soil as untouched as possible so that the consistency is desirable for worms. You can do this by avoiding areas of exposed soil since walking over them will start to compact it.

Another thing to remember is that you do not want to disturb the soil since this disturbs the earthworms. For instance, digging or causing other soil disturbances could hinder the earthworms from laying their eggs and ultimately kill off any worm life you have.

How to Tell If Your Lawn Has Earthworms

Before using these tips, you first want to check your soil for any earthworm life. You can easily do this by digging a hole 6 to 12 inches deep to see if you come across any worms. 

Earthworms are easy to identify since they are one of the most common. They have a body made of many small segments and have a pinkish and purplish color. They can also grow larger than other types of worms, so they are hard to miss.

You may also be able to tell that your lawn has earthworms if you notice small mounds of fresh soil sitting on the surface of your yard. In particularly wet areas, you may even be able to find small earthworm holes.

Conclusion

Having a nutrient-rich lawn means sharing the soil with other living creatures, such as earthworms. These worms naturally help to improve the soil texture, moisture, and nutrients available for plants.

Most lawns will already have an abundance of earthworms but that may not always be the case for your property.
The good news is that earthworms are very easy to please, and it isn't difficult to attract them to your lawn if you want to improve your soil. Contact us today at Cory's Lawn Service for more information about improving the health of your lawn and soil.

Shady Business: How to Grow a Lush Lawn in Low-Light Conditions

Key Takeaways

Lush lawns in shade:

• Prevent Overwatering: Shade reduces water evaporation, necessitating less frequent watering to avoid fungal growth.
• Tree Maintenance: Regularly trim trees to enhance light penetration and minimize shade over the lawn.
• Soil Aeration: Aerating the soil improves root access to air, water, and nutrients, crucial for grass growth in shaded areas.
• Grass Type Matters: Use shade-tolerant grass seeds to ensure a lush lawn even in low-light conditions.

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If you want to have a beautiful lawn, you may need help with a prevalent problem: low-light conditions. Some people have a lawn covered in shade or a lawn in partial shade and sunlight. No matter what kind of lawn you have, this can make growing a lush lawn a little more complicated. But the good news is that it is not impossible to still have a beautiful lawn as long as you know how to care for it.

Keep reading to find out what tips you can use to counteract this common lawn problem.

Keep the Lawn Bare

If your lawn is in a shady area, you should be more careful when it comes to caring for it. One tip to follow is to keep the lawn bare so the grass isn't shaded more than it should be. For instance, if you have a tree over that area, make sure you are raking leaves so that they are only sitting on the grass for a short period of time. It is also a good idea to keep that area of your lawn bare of any lawn furniture or equipment.

Avoid Overwatering

A lawn with substantial amounts of shade won’t require as much watering as a sunny lawn would. Because of this, you should water shady areas only as necessary since the water will not dry out or be absorbed as quickly.

If you overwater these areas, you increase the risk of fungal growth, which will ultimately damage the lawn. This is more likely to happen if the lawn stays damp overnight or if the water isn’t draining properly.

Trim Back Trees

If you have large trees overlooking your lawn, they are most likely the source of the low-light conditions. When this is the case, you must upkeep these trees and make sure you are trimming them back yearly. How often you do this depends on the tree type since you want to be careful not to harm the tree. A professional lawn care expert can help you do this and advise you on the best times for aeration.

Aerate the Soil

If you are working with low-light conditions, one of the best options you have is soil aeration. Soil aeration creates holes in the soil, allowing water, air, and fertilizer to reach the grassroots better. This can help grass and shady areas grow and flourish even without the desirable amount of sunlight. Keep in mind that the time you aerate the soil will depend on the type of grass you have planted. You should also aerate the ground again when the thatch layer is around 1 1/2 inches thick.

Use the Right Grass Seed

If you are sowing grass seed in a shady area, you need to be very intentional about the type of grass you choose. The best option is a seed blend with different types of shade-tolerant grasses. A combination ensures a flourishing lawn even if certain grass seeds don't flourish in that environment. 

Minimize Stress

Grass growing in low-light conditions is more susceptible to being damaged and dying. Without an abundance of sunlight, it isn't going to be able to recover as quickly, especially when it comes to stressors. That is why limiting the activity on shady grass areas is advised. Examples include letting children and pets play in that area or driving over it. If you must walk over a shady grass area, consider adding a pathway to avoid trampling the grass.

Be Careful When Mowing

Shady areas of grass are more susceptible to things like compacted soil and ruts. Because of this, it is a good idea to vary your mowing patterns to reduce the risk of this happening. You also need to ensure you are not cutting the grass too short since it should be around 3 inches tall. 

Because grass in shady areas can be so delicate, hiring a lawn care professional to do the mowing for you is a good idea. They have the right equipment and knowledge to avoid mowing mistakes.

Low-Light Conditions: Building Shade vs. Tree Shade

If you have low-light conditions when it comes to your lawn, this is usually coming from one of two things. You may have to build shade from a house or other outdoor structure or shade from trees. Building shade creates a solid block of shade, but you have to remember that this shade will move throughout the year depending on the angle of the building.

As for tree shade, this shade will change quite a lot throughout the year as the tree grows, drops its leaves, and is cut back. It is also important to remember that not all trees create the same shade; some filter sunlight just enough to give your grass plenty of light. 

Conclusion

Having a lawn in low-light conditions doesn't have to mean that your lawn can't look healthy and vibrant. You can still create a lush law by minimizing stress on the grass and aerating the soil. You also need to ensure you choose the right grass seed, overseed the lawn, and keep the grass at a longer height.

If you have a lawn in low-light conditions, you may struggle to keep it lush and green. If so, you can contact us at Cory's Lawn Service for a free quote on our aerating, fertilizing, and mowing services.

The Nose Knows: How Scent Plays a Role in the Health of Your Lawn and Garden

Key Takeaways

What do these common outdoor aromas mean?

• Sour Scent: Indicates poor drainage, leading to waterlogged soil and bacteria growth.
• Fish Scent: Suggests fungus presence, often due to stagnant water.
• Feces Scent: Likely from pet or wildlife waste, posing health risks.
• Musky Scent: Could be from a mix of plants or compost usage.

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Many people enjoy going into their backyard or garden because it is fresh and vibrant. But the reality is that sometimes your lawn and garden may smell differently than expected. These outdoor spaces can smell downright bad, which is something that you want to take seriously since it could indicate something more serious going on.

In this article, we will discuss the most common bad odors you may notice in your lawn and garden. As well as what these scents mean and how you can improve the way your outdoor spaces smell.

What Do Certain Lawn and Garden Scents Indicate?

If you enjoy spending time outside, part of why this is so enjoyable is being out in the fresh and clean air. But this peace can easily be disturbed if you find a strange and unpleasant fragrance hanging over your lawn or garden.

For the most part, a lawn and garden should not have any distinct smell besides the smell of plants and fresh soil. If you notice something very strong and unpleasant, you will want to investigate to uncover the cause of this scent.

Sour Scent

The most common odor people complain about in their lawns and gardens is a distinct sour scent. The good news is that this usually indicates a particular problem: a lack of proper drainage. When this happens, the soil becomes waterlogged and muddy, the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Not only does this bacteria start to unleash a sour scent, but it also becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other unpleasant bugs.

Waterlogged soil also impacts plants and grass since this can slowly start to rot the roots, contributing to that unpleasant sour scent. It is essential to catch this issue as early as possible since it could quickly destroy anything you planted.

Fish Scent

A scent no one expects to smell when they go into their garden or backyard is a fishy smell. If you smell this, this often indicates that there is fungus growing in your lawn or garden. Fungus and diseases produce this unpleasant odor and contribute to organic matter rotting, which can destroy your grass and plants.

Fungus growth often goes hand-in-hand with poor drainage since it is encouraged when you have water that isn't going anywhere. It is essential to act fast in the case of fungus growth since it can infect your entire property.

Feces Scent

Another very common scent you may experience outside is the smell of fecal matter. This is most common if you have pets that spend time outdoors and are most likely defecating over the lawn or garden. But you may also experience this issue if you have wildlife going through your yard, which poses a variety of other risks.

Most types of animal feces can be quite dangerous since they can spread disease and harmful bacteria. It is also bad for your garden and lawn since it can kill the grass and plants and infect the soil.

Musky Scent 

Some people may experience an indistinct smell in their backyard that is unpleasant and musky. If you can't quite put your finger on the issue, this may be a combination of different plants since some don't have a very pleasant odor. It could also have something to do with the weather and the type of soil you have. If you use compost or organic matter, this is also a very common culprit for an unpleasant smell around your property.

How to Keep Your Outdoor Spaces Smelling Fresh

Now that you know how to recognize specific odors throughout your lawn and garden, how do you keep these outdoor spaces smelling good? The good news is that there are certain things you can do to improve how your property smells so that you can enjoy being outside. Here are some examples of how you can do this no matter what smell you are up against.

Plant Fresh Smelling Foliage

Sometimes, bad smells are simply the normal smell of outdoor spaces as different scents combine. To combat this, try planting fresh-smelling foliage that will overpower any unpleasant odors. The best way to do this is to choose fragrant flowers and herbs that you can plant in different areas of your garden.

Clean Up After Animals

Whether you have pets that go to the bathroom outside or you have wildlife, you will want to clean up after these animals. Not only is this good for the health of your plants and grass, but it will also help to remove bad odors and make your outdoor spaces more hygienic. A bonus to this is that cleaning up after animals will reduce the amount of pesky insects you have, such as flies and mosquitoes.

Create Proper Drainage

The most common culprit of bad odors is sitting water and waterlogged soil, so it is crucial to create drainage. You could have different drainage systems in place, or you can hire a lawn service expert to aerate your lawn.

Keep the Space Tidy

If your garden or lawn is overgrown, it will contribute to bad odors when it comes to poor drainage, rotting foliage, and fungus growth. That is why keeping the spaces tidy and cut back is vital to allow air circulation.

Conclusion

Having bad odors in your lawn and garden is unpleasant and can indicate a more significant issue at play. That is why it is important to understand where these odors are coming from so that you can find a solution that keeps your lawn and garden healthy.
Do you need help to care for your garden or lawn on your own? Contact us today at Cory's Lawn Service to request a quote.

The Magic of Microbes: How Soil Bacteria Can Improve Your Lawn’s Health

Key Takeaways

Soil health benefits:

• Microbial Diversity: A small amount of soil contains billions of microorganisms, including bacteria, which are crucial for maintaining nutrient-rich, healthy soil.
• Soil Testing: Testing soil for pH, nutrients, and texture helps determine if it has adequate soil bacteria, essential for lawn health.
• Organic Matter: Adding organic material, like manure or compost, to soil increases bacterial concentration, which improves soil structure and nutrient availability.

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A healthy lawn requires time, water, and seeds. You must also have healthy soil. It takes much more than dirt to make your lawn thrive. 

Some areas naturally have healthy soil, but many do not. In and around the Reno area, the soil quality can vary greatly. The soil here is made up of sand, silt, and clay. But the ratios of these materials can vary. 

Soil bacteria are necessary to ensure your soil has enough nutrients to keep your lawn healthy. And they provide many benefits, like breaking down pollutants and purifying water that moves through the soil. 

What are Soil Bacteria?

While soil in desert regions often doesn’t look like it is filled with living things, it is. Even a small cup of soil has billions of microorganisms. Some of these are bacteria, while others are fungi, nematodes, insects, and earthworms. 

These organisms ensure enough nutrients for plants - including lawns - to remain healthy and lush. They maintain soil health so that growing plants do not deplete their nutrients.

Most soil microorganisms thrive in soil with a pH between 6 and 8. If the pH drops below 6, fungi will proliferate at greater levels, as bacteria find this level too acidic. They generally do best when the soil pH is neutral to slightly alkaline. 

How can you identify if you have sufficient soil bacteria?

Northern Nevada’s soil is predominantly clay. The ideal microbe density for clay is hard to determine, as it depends on the type of clay and the type of microbe.

To truly understand what is happening with your soil, you will want to test it first. You can test the pH, nutrients, and texture. When you have results from soil samples, you can determine whether you have sufficient soil bacteria. Soil tests can be purchased from any lawn and garden center. Alternatively, you can contact a professional lawn servicing company, who can come and conduct a test on your lawn. 

How can I increase soil bacteria and maintain an optimal level?

All living things need food, and microorganisms are no different. They are attracted to decomposing organic material, such as plant or animal matter. One of the best ways to increase your concentration of soil bacteria is to introduce more organic matter. 

This is the reason manure and triple mix makes excellent fertilizers. Microorganisms are able to feed off the residual nutrients in them. As they feed, they break up the soil to ensure more carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen are available for other bacteria and organisms. This process also ensures plant roots get enough air and water. 

And as these microorganisms die, they decompose. This process releases nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium - all required to keep plants healthy and vibrant. Some bacteria also can protect plants from disease by increasing their immune systems. 

However, having too much bacteria in your soil can also be bad. Excess bacteria often leave your lawn struggling with disease or infested with parasites. It will inhibit growth in the same manner that not enough bacteria will. Therefore, maintaining a healthy level of microbes is a delicate balance.

Healthy soil is a complex composition that includes dirt, microorganisms, nutrients, air, and nitrogen. Healthy microbes can be maintained by adding natural organic matter to your lawn, such as manure or triple mix. You can also use a probiotic to optimize soil conditions in a way that supports the long-term health of your lawn!

How to Increase Organic Material on Your Lawn

There are several ways to increase the amount of organic material in your lawn, such as:

Composting

Composting is a great way to improve soil structure, particularly in clay or sand-heavy soils, as it is full of beneficial microbes, such as bacteria, algae, fungi, and nematodes. Compost is made up of decomposing organic plant material, similar to what may be found on a forest floor. Compost can be purchased at nurseries, or you can create it with a bin in your yard. 

Add Manure or Triple Mix

Manure are Triple Mix are excellent ways to add organic material to your lawn. This material can be purchased at a garden center, or you can arrange with a local entity that keeps farm animals. Using a manure spreader is recommended to spread the material evenly and at a sufficient amount.

Organic Lawn Fertilizer

Organic lawn fertilizers contain natural ingredients like seaweed, bone meal, and feather meal. They also contain synthetic nitrogen to help your lawn thrive. Organic lawn fertilizers can be purchased online or at a garden center.

These strategies can help you ensure a sufficient level of microbes to keep your lawn healthy, even in clay-rich soils found in Northern Nevada.

Planting Grass Seed in the Spring in Reno

Key Takeaways

Insights on spring grass seeding in Reno:

• Cool-season grass selection: Ideal for Reno's extreme weather, with choices like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue.
• Optimal planting times: Fall might outperform spring due to more favorable soil temperatures.
• Seed preparation and care: Steps include lawn dethatching, soil aeration and fertilization, mulch covering, and consistent watering.

Check out our spring lawn fertilization services.

When it comes to planting new grass, this process can be tricky for residents of Nevada, including those who live in Reno. Because this area is considered a high desert climate, several things should be considered when planting new grass seeds. 

What is the best type of grass to use for new seeds?

Northern Nevada requires cool-season grass since these grasses can grow in a climate marked by long, hot, dry summers and freezing cold winters. Cool-season grasses are hardy enough to withstand temperature extremes but often require irrigation to ensure sufficient water for growth and maintenance. They are ideal for the unique weather conditions found in Reno. Cool season grasses include:

• Kentucky bluegrass

• Tall fescue

• Perennial ryegrass

• Fine fescue

Consider researching the traits of each of these grasses before deciding. For example, they have different sun, shade, and cold tolerances, and slightly different appearances. Knowing these differences will help you make the right choice for your lawn. 

Determine when to plant your new grass seeds.

While most people automatically assume spring is the best time to plant grass seed, that’s not necessarily the best time. Given the unique climate in Reno, fall may be a better option. The temperature at the beginning of September is especially conducive to planting new seeds. The evening and overnight temperatures are mild, unlike the overnight temps in early spring. The temperature is usually milder, ranging from the low 60s to the mid-70s.

This time of year ensures that soil temperatures are ideal for the seedlings throughout the day and evening. And it also provides enough time for the new grass to grow sufficiently to withstand the coming winter. The seeds will usually germinate within one to two weeks after seeding and will continue growing if they have sufficient water.

If you miss the window for grass seeding in the fall, you can still plant grass seed in the spring in the Reno area. However, you may want to plant later in the spring than would be acceptable for more southern areas. Thus, ensuring more successful spring seeding.

Steps for Successful Seeding

When you have the right seed and know when you want to seed, you can go through the steps for seeding, which include:

• Prepare or dethatch the lawn: This involves raking to remove all of the debris, dead organic material, branches, and leaves. These materials accumulate over the winter, preventing air and water from reaching the root system. Preparing the lawn ensures new seeds and seedlings can access sufficient air and water. 

• Aerate and fertilize the soil: In addition to removing dead material and debris from the lawn, you can boost the chances of successful seeding by aerating and fertilizing your lawn. A good quality fertilizer will provide sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the correct ratio to support growth.

• Cover with mulch: If you plant in the spring, your seeds may benefit from the protection a layer of mulch can provide. Mulch holds moisture, provides weed control and pest control, and protects the seeds from freezing temperatures. You can also use tree bark, woodchips, leaves, grass clippings, straw, newspaper, or compost as mulch. These organic materials will decompose and provide organic material back into the soil.

• Water daily: Frequent watering helps your seeds germinate, and the new shoots grow. Watering early in the morning is the best time as it is still cool, which limits evaporation. Seed needs to stay damp for germination and should NOT dry out during early germination.

Planting grass seed in the spring is easy, but growing grass in Reno can be tricky. If you decide to do this yourself, be sure to distribute the seeds evenly. If you are in doubt, it’s best to consult with a lawn care professional to determine the best services or options for your lawn.