Lawn Care

Lawn Care 1

Lawn Care

Many factors contribute to the health of a lawn. Some of those factors are over/under watering, foot traffic, dogs/pets, lack of iron, and over/under fertilizing. Below you will find some of the treatments we recommend for keeping a healthy lawn. Desert Roots Landscaping recommends that you deep water your lawn at least 2 weeks before treating your lawn with core aeration to promote moisture to reduce the stress of the lawn. We mark all your sprinkler heads before we begin core aeration to ensure we do not damage any of your sprinkler heads. We also check your sprinkler system to ensure the direction of the sprinkler heads where not altered. We will replace any sprinkler heads that get damaged by our equipment.

Core Aeration

Core Aeration is helpful when the soil has become compacted due to the accumulation small organic particles such as leaves, dirt, sticks etc. The compactness of the dirt then reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the root system of the lawn. When lawns do not have enough oxygen, it is difficult for the roots to absorb water, and nutrients which will deteriorate the appearance of your lawn. Core aeration can be performed on a yearly basis to make sure your lawn has enough oxygen and nutrients reaching the root system. Signs that your lawn needs core aeration is brown spots, water pooling or slow water absorption, fertilizers not functioning properly when you treat your lawn.
Lawn Care 2

Dethatching

Dethatching like core aeration allows air and nutrients to reach the root system of your lawn. Thatch is a layer of dead grass that creates a barrier that is beneficial for a lawn when it is less than 1” thick. Having Thatch in your lawn helps retain moisture that breaks down nutrients. The Thatch layer is problematic when it is more than 1” thick. You can tell a lawn needs dethatching treatments when you stick your finger in the grass area and it takes some digging to reach the soil. Often your grass will also feel spongy when you walk on it. When dethatching is performed, we are making sure your lawn has less than 1” of thatch. The equipment we use combs the layer of thatch and only removes the excess similarly when a dog owner combs their dog’s fur to release the undercoat to allow the skin to breathe.

Fertilizing is usually applied in the spring, summer, and fall for optimal lawn health. Each season requires a different type of fertilizer.

Lawn Care 1

Lawn Care FAQs

Why is lawn care important?

A healthy lawn requires proper watering, fertilization, and maintenance. Factors like over- or under-watering, foot traffic, pets, and nutrient deficiencies can impact your lawn’s health. Regular lawn care helps keep your grass green, strong, and beautiful.

What is core aeration and why is it important?

Core aeration involves removing small plugs of soil from your lawn to reduce compaction. This allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. Aeration can improve your lawn’s health, reduce brown spots, improve water absorption, and make fertilizers more effective.

What is dethatching and why is it necessary?

Dethatching removes excess thatch—a layer of dead grass and roots—when it exceeds 1 inch. Too much thatch blocks water, nutrients, and air from reaching the soil, which can harm your lawn. Dethatching helps your lawn absorb nutrients properly while keeping the beneficial thatch intact.