6 Mistakes to Avoid When Seeding Your Lawn

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Seeding is an essential step to creating, as well as maintaining, a healthy lawn.

It promotes a fuller and more complete lawn while discouraging the growth of weeds and other invasive plants in the process.

If you’re planning to seed your lawn, though, you should avoid making these six mistakes.

#1) Neglecting to Test pH Level

Prior to seeding your lawn, you should test the soil’s pH level to determine its level of acidity.

Even if the soil looks healthy, it may be too acidic or alkaline for grass to grow. For most varieties of grass, you’ll need a balanced pH level of about 5.5 to 7.

#2) Using Too Much Seed

Overseeding is an all-too-common problem that can wreak havoc on lawns.

As the seeds sprout into grass, they’ll compete for the limited amount of nutrients, sunlight and water.

Check the seed rate to determine exactly how much seed you should use on your lawn.

#3) Using the Wrong Type of Seed

Another common mistake to avoid when seeding your lawn is using the wrong type of seed.

There are hundreds of varieties of lawn grass, and some of the varieties prefer different climates in which to grow. In Texas, popular varieties include Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda, Fescue, St. Augustine, Centipede Grass and Carpet Grass.

You can use other types in your lawn, but you need to ensure they are compatible with your climate.

#4) Seeding During Fall or Winter

Although there are exceptions, you should typically avoid seeding your lawn during the fall or winter months.

What’s wrong with seeding your lawn during the fall or winter months? Well, grass – like most plants – enters a dormant state during this time of year.

#5) Not Aerating the Soil

Don’t forget to aerate the soil before seeding your lawn.

Aerating creates small holes in the soil in which the seeds will enter. If you don’t aerate your lawn, the seeds will simply sit on top of the soil.

Over time, the superficial seeds will get blown away or eaten by animals, meaning they won’t translate into healthy new grass for your lawn.

By aerating your lawn, on the other hand, the seeds will dig deeper into the soil where they are naturally protected from the wind and animals.

#6) Relying Strictly on Rain

You can’t always rely on rain to hydrate your grass seeds.

If there’s no rain in the forecast, you’ll need to set up a sprinkler. Without water, the seeds won’t sprout into grass. With that said, you shouldn’t use too much water.

Generally speaking, about 10 minutes of watering should suffice for most types of grass seed.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

Request a Quote / Schedule an Appointment

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Help! One of My Trees Was Struck By Lightning

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Has a tree in your landscape been struck by lightning?

Statistics show roughly 8 million lightning strikes occur each day. While most of them occur in rural areas, others occur in residential communities. When lightning strikes a tree, though, it can cause serious damage.

So, what should you do if a tree in your landscape has been struck by lightning?

Assess the Tree for Damage

First and foremost, you should assess the tree for damage.

Lightning, of course, is a powerful force of nature that can destroy otherwise hard objects, including trees.

The temperature of lightning is over 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. With so much heat, it quickly converts any moisture within a tree into steam, resulting in an internal explosion.

Some trees will die immediately after being struck by lightning, while others may survive.

While keeping a safe distance – in case the tree falls – assess the tree for damage. Specifically, look to see where the lightning strike occurred and the extent to which it “split” open the tree.

If the lightning strike occurred at the base of the trunk, resulting in a large split through the middle, you’ll probably need to remove the tree. If the lightning strike occurred on one or two branches, on the other hand, you should be able to restore the tree.

Restoring a Tree Struck by Lightning

To restore a lightning-struck tree, you need to water it.

As previously mentioned, lightning strikes convert moisture within a tree into steam. The steam pressurizes inside the tree, which subsequently triggers an explosion.

If your tree only suffered minor damage from the lightning strike, you may be able to restore it – but you’ll need to give it plenty of water.

In addition to watering the lightning-struck tree, you should consider cutting down any damaged branches. As long as the trunk is left intact, removing the branches shouldn’t kill or otherwise seriously harm your tree.

Removing a Tree Struck by Lightning

If the lightning strike caused severe damage to the point where the tree is longer salvageable, you should remove it from your landscape.

Allowing dead or dying trees to go unnoticed creates a safety hazard for you and your family. As the tree begins to rot from the inside, it’s integrity will become compromised. Even it looks structurally sound, it may fall over.

By removing the lightning-struck tree, you can rest assured knowing that it won’t fall over. At the same time, you may be able to harvest the wood for firewood.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

Request a Quote / Schedule an Appointment

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The Pros and Cons of ‘Topping’ an Oak Tree

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Is an overgrown oak tree in your landscape causing you problems?

Maybe it’s blanketing your lawn with acorns – some oaks can drop 10,000 acorns per year – or perhaps its large branches are overhanging your front porch.

In cases such as these, many homeowners assume that topping the problematic oak tree is the best approach. While topping may work, it has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

Cleaner Lawn

Topping an oak tree will promote a cleaner lawn.

Not to be confused with pruning, topping involves the complete removal of the top of a tree.

By removing all the top branches, the oak tree won’t drop as many acorns or shed as many leaves. The branches will likely regrow, but it can take years or even decades for this to occur.

Improved Aesthetics

In addition to promoting a cleaner lawn, topping can improve the aesthetics of an oak tree.

When left unchecked, oak trees will grow a large and dense canopy that looks somewhat disheveled. If the oak tree is directly in front of your home, this may negatively impact your home’s curb appeal.

Topping, of course, will significantly reduce its canopy to improve your home’s curb appeal.

Cons:

Increased Risk of Infection

On the other hand, topping can increase the risk of infection in an oak tree.

All trees are susceptible to viral, bacterial and fungal infections – and oaks are no exception. When topped, however, a tree’s risk of infection increases dramatically.

Difficult and Laborious

Topping is both difficult and laborious, which may deter some homeowners from using this method to deal with an overgrown oak tree.

Assuming the oak tree is mature, you won’t be able to top it using a pair of shears. Rather, you’ll need to use a chainsaw.

And because topping involves the removal of the top part of a tree, you’ll also need a ladder and safety harness.

Stress Sprouts

Furthermore, topping an oak tree can lead to the production of many small sprouts on and the trunk.

Known as stress sprouts, trees develop them when suffering from extreme stress. The sprouts will quickly grow in an effort to keep the tree alive.

This means you’ll have to spend even more time maintaining the oak tree.

As you can see, topping usually does more harm than good. If an overgrown oak tree is causing you problems, consider pruning it rather than topping it.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

Request a Quote / Schedule an Appointment

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How to Prevent New Sod From Drying Out

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Are you planning to lay sod in your landscape?

When compared to natural “seeded” grass, sod offers several benefits. It grows more evenly, protects the soil from erosion and has an attractive appearance. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for newly laid sod to dry out.

Whether you’re covering just a small area with sod or your entire landscape, you should follow a few tips to prevent it from drying out.

Water at Least 4 Inches Deep

The first few weeks are critical to sod’s overall health and longevity.

If it doesn’t get enough water, it will dry out and turn brown, eventually leading to death.

So, how much water does newly laid sod need exactly?

A good rule of thumb is to water your sod at least 4 inches deep during the first two weeks.

While watering your sod, lift up a corner in a discreet area to determine how deep the water has reached. If it’s still dry at the 4-inch mark, keep the sprinklers turned on.

Lower the pH

Lowering the pH level of your soil can protect newly laid from said drying out. Most types of sod prefer slightly acidic soil in which to grow.

Granted, soil can adapt itself in a range of conditions, but it typically prefers soil with a low pH level of about 6 to 7.

If your soil has a higher, more alkaline pH level, you should address it before attempting to lay sod.

Aerate Before Laying

Before laying sod, consider aerating the soil.

Aerating, of course, involves scoring the soil with many small holes. It’s usually performed when laying grass seed, as it holds the seeds in place while encouraging faster, healthier grass in the process.

But aerating your soil before laying new sod can also prove beneficial.

Sod is real grass, and like all grasses, it has a root structure that soaks up moisture from the surrounding soil.

By aerating your lawn before laying sod, the roots will extend deeper into the soil so that they are able to absorb more moisture.

Cover With a Light Layer of Straw

After laying sod, cover it with a thin layer of straw.

Straw acts as a mulch to minimize water evaporation. The straw will hold moisture, allowing your sod to absorb some of that moisture.

Just remember to use a small, thin layer of straw.

If you cover your sod with a thick layer of straw, it probably won’t get enough sunlight, which of course is equally, if not more problematic than severe dehydration.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

Request a Quote / Schedule an Appointment

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4 Common Fungal Diseases Affecting Lawns

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No lawn is immune to fungal disease. Assuming your lawn consists of natural grass, it may become the target of a disease-causing fungus.

By familiarizing yourself with the four following fungal diseases, you’ll be able to maintain a healthier lawn.

#1) Necrotic Ring Spot

Caused by the fungus Ophiosphaerella korrae, necrotic ring spot is an all-too-common fungal disease that affects turfgrasses. It receives its namesake from its characteristic ring-shaped pattern of brown and dead grass.

When a lawn is infected with the Ophiosphaerella korrae fungus, it will develop these ring-shaped patterns. And if left untreated, the fungal infection will quickly spread while destroying large sections of grass in the process.

#2) Red Thread Disease

Another common fungal disease affecting lawns is red thread disease. It’s caused by the fungus Laetisaria fuciformis, which creates the appearance of thin, reddish-colored lines in infected lawns.

Like necrotic ring spot, red thread disease primarily affects turfgrasses, some of which include annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bluegrass and bermudagrass.

When a lawn is infected with red thread disease, it will develop these discolored patches, most of which measure about 2 to 24 inches in diameter.

#3) Brown Patch Disease

Brown patch disease is a common fungal disease caused by the Rhizoctonia fungus. It’s similar to necrotic ring spot in that it manifests as ring-shaped patterns.

Brown patch disease often occurs as a result of overwatering and/or poor runoff. If your lawn is exposed to significant rainfall – and it’s not properly graded to ensure proper runoff – the wet conditions will serve as an ideal environment for the Rhizoctonia fungus.

#4) Pythium Disease

Also known as cottony blight or grease spot disease, pythium disease is yet another common fungal disease that affects turfgrasses. When compared to other fungal diseases, however, it’s arguably the most destructive.

Depending on the conditions, pythium disease can kill large sections of turfgrass in as little as a few days.

Pythium disease manifests as irregularly shaped patches measuring about 0.5 to 4 inches in diameter. If left untreated, the patches will spread while gradually joining together in the process.

As a homeowner, you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the symptoms of fungal disease.

Whether your lawn is infected with necrotic ring spot, red thread disease, brown patch disease or pythium disease, the problem won’t go away on its own. You must take action to control and manage the infection to prevent it from spreading.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

Request a Quote / Schedule an Appointment

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