Lawn aeration, is this just an “extra” step like a wash, rinse, repeat? Why aerate your lawn, if you are already watering, mowing, and “feeding” it?

What is lawn aeration?

To put it simply, aeration is when holes are poked in your lawn to allow for “the good stuff” to get down into the roots. “Good stuff” includes water, nutrients, and fertilizer. Aeration improves the health of your lawn. 

Let’s revisit thatch. 

Thatch is the layer of dead grass that compacts on your lawn over time. It robs your grass of necessary rain and nutrients. Thatch is a thick covering that prevents the “good stuff” from getting through to the roots. 

So if you still wonder if aeration is really necessary, it really is. Aeration breaks up and improves the health and beauty of your lawn significantly.

Aeration options

People have used anything from pitchforks to baseball cleats to aerate their lawns. However, those DIY techniques require a LOT of time on energy and aren’t very effective.

Lawn aeration is an option you can add to your Lawn360 program at Lawn and Pest Solutions. You will see a noticeable improvement in your lawn over time if you add an annual aeration service to our Lawn 360 program. Lawn fertilization, weed control, and aeration will make your lawn the best on the block! 

Contact us here to get a quote on our lawn aeration service. We can make the Lawn and Pest Difference in your lawn today! We serve the North Mississippi and the Memphis, Tennessee areas.

Should I bag or mulch my lawn clippings? Does it matter? In order to have a weed free, beautiful dark green lawn you need to consider these three things:

1. Mowing

During this time of year (from May through August) you need to mow at least once a week. Sometimes you need to mow every five days. Grass is growing at a super fast rate right now! Mow your lawn with your blade set at the correct height for maximum effectiveness (Check previous blog for info on blade height). Proper mowing can make all the difference in the look of your lawn and set it apart from the rest. 

2. Bagging or mulching, which is better?

Bagging your lawn clippings is one option to consider. If you can’t commit to once a week (or more) mowing, bag it! If you leave clippings piled up on your lawn all summer during this rapid growing season, you will have weed problem in the form of thatch.

Bagging your clippings doesn’t mean putting them in big piles of garbage at the curb. We now know that the responsible way of disposing of clippings is to return them to compost. 

Mulching grass clippings means returning your clippings to the lawn. These mulched clippings provide great benefits to your lawn. The mulched clippings help retain moisture and nutrients. Deciding to mulch your clippings means that you have committed to the frequent mowing program!

3. Weed control

We can’t let this go without saying, weed control is important and the third element of this bagging or mulching issue. To have that beautiful, dark green lawn you must have a healthy lawn. Weed free lawns will continue to prosper. 

Let’s wrap this up.

Mulching is good for your lawn, but you need a good machine, set to the right blade height and you need to be mowing every 5-7 days. Bagging is not bad for your lawn, especially if you can’t commit to mowing frequently. Weed control is essential, you can’t allow thatch or any other weeds to overgrow your healthy lawn.

Bagging or mulching, whatever you decide, you can always contact our licensed lawn techs at Lawn and Pest Solutions for help. We help people from the Memphis, Tennessee area and all over North Mississippi with weed control. Our licensed professionals can help you nurture your lawn into the one you have been dreaming of. Contact our office here for more info today!

For a person who has never mowed a lawn in her life, I have watched more YouTube videos about lawn care than I could have ever dreamed. The things you do when writing a blog on the topic of “mulching versus bagging” are surprising. 

Should I mulch my lawn?

What are the benefits of mulching your lawn clippings? I asked my 17 year old daughter (another person who has never touched a lawnmower) what she thought the benefits would be . Her reply, “well, there must be some sort of nutrients or vitamins or something that your yard gets from the clippings”. OK, this is starting to make good common sense! Yes, there are nutrients galore in your clippings. According to one expert, one of the most beneficial is water.

So you want to mow it and leave it…

You knew there would be a catch. Mulching your lawn clippings and leaving them to nourish the lawn is a “win-win” situation. However, if you are committed, mowing once a week during this time of year (May through August) is required. Yes, once a week, sometimes every 5 days. Clippings that are allowed to pile up on top of growing lawns encourage the problem of thatch. Final answer, if you can’t commit to once a week, bag it up. 

Committed to the mulch?

Mulching is wonderful for your lawn. Mulch once a week and your yard is going to thrive. However, not all lawnmowers are made for mulching. There are two keys to success. The first part of your commitment is to make sure you have the  proper equipment. First, a lawnmower that is made for mulching. Second, setting your lawnmower blade to the proper height. Refer to the owners manual for specifics. The end result of a commitment to mulching is a beautiful and healthy lawn. 

Whatever happened to “summers off?” 

If mowing your lawn once a week give you second thoughts, there is another option. Bagging your lawn clippings isn’t anything to be ashamed of, own this option! If once a week lawn mowing is out of the question, get those clippings off of your lawn. Now that we know better, the “bagging” option is really referring more to the lawnmower’s collection system. Disposing of your clippings responsibly today looks more like using them for compost, not throwing bags of “lawn garbage” in a land fill. There are consequences to leaving your clippings too long.

Looks good, looks good…

If you leave clippings piled up on your lawn all summer while it’s growing like crazy, you are going to have a bigger weed problem in the form of thatch. One positive benefit to bagging your clippings is the satisfying thought of having a totally “clean” lawn. We can all picture a parent or grandparent standing proudly with hands on hips, admiring the freshly mowed and raked lawn! I can’t imagine my extremely detail oriented and lawn obsessed grandmother EVER leaving her lawn clippings out. I can hear her now…

So what did we decide?

Mulching is good for your lawn, but you need a good machine, set to the right blade height and you need to be mowing every 5-7 days. Bagging is not bad, especially if you don’t have the time to mow so frequently or if you don’t have the right equipment. Whatever you decide, you can always contact our licensed lawn techs at Lawn and Pest Solutions for help. If thatch has already gotten the best of you, let us help you get that under control. Call our North Mississippi office, we serve the Memphis area and all over North Mississippi.