The very best lawn aeration services in Little Rock

Aeration in Little Rock, AR

With a nickname of "The Natural State," you get a sense of the role that nature plays in forming Arkansas's identity. Arkansas might be land-locked, but it has nearly 10,000 miles of rivers and streams. It also rivals Minnesota with more than 600,000 acres of ponds and lakes. Arkansas has a plethora of hot springs too, which are located in Hot Springs National Park, that have bathed celebrities including Babe Ruth, Al Capone, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Right outside of the park is Hot Springs, which is the hometown of former president Bill Clinton.

Even though your yard might not be on the map as a famous site, you can still turn it into a place that you're proud of. There are several steps to getting a picturesque yard, which begins with selecting the right kinds of grass and flowers for your property. These species, called native species, are adapted to the local environment, which means they will flourish with minimal care and maintenance. However, you will still need to maintain your property to keep it looking healthy and in good condition. One of the best ways to do that is through a process called aeration, which is a maintenance technique that lets water, oxygen, and nutrients into your yard's soil. This, in turn, improves your yard's overall health and gives you more free time for other activities, such as exploring Little Rock.

Maintaining Your Arkansas Lawn

Like most people, you might envy your neighbor's picture-perfect lawn and wonder how it got that way. Although a beautiful lawn might look effortless, there is a lot of work required to keep it looking healthy. The path to a healthy, vibrant lawn begins with planting the right grass for Arkansas. The University of Arkansas recommends planting grass based on a series of factors for best results. This includes the intended use of your property, sustainability, and local climate. Arkansas is in the transition zone, which means that it supports both warm-season and cool-season grasses. However, local weather conditions in the transition zone can fluctuate, meaning that you might need to put in a bit more effort. If you do, you can effectively maintain a lawn full of warm-season or cool-season grasses.

Some property owners choose to have a mixture of the two types of grass. This is primarily accomplished through overseeding. The most commonly planted cool-season grass in Arkansas is called Tall fescue. Kentucky bluegrass is another cool-season grass that you can grow successfully in Arkansas. Warm-season grasses that thrive in Little Rock include St. Augustine, Zoysia, Centipede, and Bermuda. These grasses require minimal watering, are generally low-maintenance, and can withstand the state's hot summers.

Even after establishing a lawn with native grasses, you can't just sit back and watch the grass grow if you want your yard to look its best. Instead, you'll need to put in some work to keep it looking healthy and strong. One key part of lawn maintenance is called aeration. Aerating a lawn lets vital nutrients, oxygen, and water into the soil. The most common technique for aerating a lawn is called "core aeration." Through this process, you remove plugs of dirt (or "cores") from the surface of the lawn. This creates passageways under the surface where water, nutrients, and oxygen can flow freely through the soil and reach the grass. The lawn should be aerated at least once each year, but some species do better with more frequent aeration. If you are only aerating the lawn once annually, fall is the best time to do so. However, many experts recommend aerating your property in the springtime as well. Summer is not recommended, as the soil can get too many nutrients at once. The grass can also dry out more quickly and easily in summer through the process of aeration.

Along with aerating your lawn, there are several supplemental lawn maintenance techniques you can use, too. This includes overseeding and dethatching. Overseeding means sprinkling the seeds of one type of grass over another. Many homeowners choose to overseed a lawn with a combination of warm-season and cool-season grasses. This way, your lawn retains a nice green appearance throughout the year. Dethatching involves removing the surface layer of debris on your yard. Fallen leaves, dead grass, and even fungi can accumulate on the top layer of the soil, which causes compaction and prevents nutrients and oxygen from reaching the ground beneath.

Since it can be tough to perfect your lawn maintenance technique, it's generally a good idea to consult a professional for assistance. A professional can help you determine when to aerate your lawn and how to prepare it for the different seasons based on the type of grass that you have, the weather conditions, and other factors. Hiring a professional also gives you more time to see Little Rock.

Places to go in Little Rock

Whether you want to spend a day outside or find a family-friendly place to visit, there is always a fun and exciting place to go in Little Rock.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Pinnacle Mountain State Park is one of Little Rock's most popular outdoor recreational areas. This scenic state park features an extensive network of hiking and biking trails that wind through beautiful forests. It also has a waterway that serves as a prime spot for canoeing. The state park also includes a visitor's center and an arboretum.

Little Rock Zoo

More than 700 animals, ranging from the familiar to the exotic, are displayed at the Little Rock Zoo. The zoo extends over 30 acres and has many different habitats. An antique carousel and a train add to the zoo's appeal for all ages. The zoo was established in 1926 and is recognized for its contributions to supporting the survival of threatened and endangered animals.

Although Arkansas may be primarily known for its presidential associations, the state is full of natural beauty, too. From rivers to forests and hot springs, there is plenty of stunning scenery wherever you go. If you want to have a piece of natural beauty at home, just contact Lawn Love, Little Rock's lawn care professionals, to make your property look its best.