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Time to spring clean your yard

April 11, 2019 by BBadmin

Spring is the ideal time to get your yard back in shape after a long winter. As we turn our attention to lawn care, rather than snow removal, it is time to patch dead grass areas, de-thatch, and fertilize. Check out our easy pro tips on improving the appearance of your yard.

De-Thatch to encourage growth. Remove dead layers of grass, roots, and debris that accumulates between the soil surface and the green grass blades by de-thatching. If not performed regularly, you may notice portions of grass that form a thick mat, preventing water and air from reaching the soil. To prevent this, de-thatching should be done once a year in the early spring, before grass becomes bright green and thick. De-thatching, which can be done to smaller lawns with a special rake, allows you to get the thatch out of the grass, allowing air to get at the base of the plant and gives it a healthy start in the spring after a long winter. Those with larger lawns may choose to rent a de-thaching machine, which can be either be pulled behind a lawn tractor or there is a push version likely available at a local general rental store.

Replenish your lawn with fertilizer. Fertilizers are important to lawn care because they can expedite plant growth, making plants and crops grow quickly and appear greener, fuller, and healthier. Most nutrients for your lawn are water-soluble and, over time through snow, rain or irrigation, the water will carry nutrients out of your lawn and leave it nutrient deficient. An unhealthy lawn is susceptible to disease, and fertilizer can replenish those nutrients and keep your lawn healthy. Our experts recommend fertilizing early in the spring, following up every four weeks through the month of June.

Repair or replace your lawn with sod. For new lawns, sod is an excellent option to jump-start the growing process, as it gives you an immediate green lawn with mature density and a solid root system. Turfgrass sod creates a soft, clean and safe playing surface for children, lawn games, and family entertaining. Our easy-to-use small sod rolls make laying turfgrass yourself easy and efficient. There is no expensive machinery needed, making small sod rolls the do-it-yourselfers product of choice.

Prevent weeds and over-watering. Pre-emergent weed control should go down when the ground temperature reaches 50 degrees to avoid any seeds that may have dropped last fall to germinate. No need to water your lawn this early in the season just to expedite greening. Spring rains typically produce sufficient moisture for awakening lawns. Only irrigate if grass shows signs of dehydration.

To learn more about spring lawn care and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434-6572.

It’s not too late to winterize your lawn!

October 28, 2018 by BBadmin

Many homeowners think October is too late in the season to spend extra time on their lawn, but this is a myth! In preparing for a long, dormant winter, your grass is busy absorbing energy, moisture, and nutrients. Fall is ideal for giving your lawn some TLC to ensure a lush a beautiful lawn come spring.

As you continue to cut and water your lawn this season, drop the blade on your mower to its lowest setting as the season comes to a close. This modification allows more sunlight to reach the grass and less to turn brown over the winter.

Applying fertilizer in the fall provides essential nutrients for grass to grow deep roots and stay healthy until the last snow melts. Using a drop spreader for application provides an even and consistent layer of fertilizer.

If you’ve been waiting to lay sod, now is the time to do so. Cool temperatures and regular rainfall allows sod to retain moisture and root quickly.

And don’t forget to water! Until the ground is frozen plants and grass still need regular watering to stay healthy.

Purchase sod and winterizing fertilizer from B&B Hoffman Sod Farms in Elk River. To learn more about us and products we offer, visit us online or call 763-434-6572.

Early Autumn Lawn Care Tips

September 18, 2018 by BBadmin

As temperatures begin to cool and leaves fall, autumn brings ideal conditions to care for your lawn. Before thinking about dusting off that snowblower, here are a few tips to ensure your lawn will be beautiful next spring.

Lay Sod. If you’ve been waiting to lay sod, now is the time to do so. Cool temperatures and regular rainfall allows sod to retain moisture and root quickly. Since we are experiencing a rather hot fall so far, plan to install sod on an overcast day to avoid stress on the plant. Prepare your soil by removing debris on the surface and filling in any small holes. Use a rake to loosen the soil and add any topsoil you may need. Apply the sod in a bricklike pattern, using an utility knife to fit the sod together tightly. Once the sod is in place water it immediately. Typically, it takes sod 2-3 weeks to root completely; avoid mowing until roots are strong, approximately 14 days after installation.

Let your soil breathe. Aerate your existing lawns in the cooler fall season to reap the benefits year round. Aeration creates small holes into the soil, either by using a spike or a machine to remove a core of grass and soil from the lawn. Benefits of aerating are: stronger grass roots, reduced water runoff, improved air exchange between the soil, and less susceptibility to disease. Increase root growth by allowing your grass to breath and minimizing thatch build up by aerating prior to applying a fall fertilizer.

Apply fall fertilizer. While many homeowners may think fertilizer should be applied in the spring, fall is an ideal time to refresh your lawn before going dormant in the winter. Fall fertilization will assist in storing food and ensuring strong roots throughout the winter, and greener grass after the spring thaw. Apply fertilizer around the first week in October for best results.

Purchase sod and winterizing fertilizer from B&B Hoffman Sod Farms in Elk River. To learn more about us and products we offer, visit us online or call 763-434-6572.

Lawn Maintenance in Hot August Heat

August 14, 2018 by BBadmin

August often brings high temperatures and sparse precipitation, leaving homeowners wondering how to best care for their lawn. Here are some tips to keep your lawn healthy throughout the season.

Reduce lawn maintenance–for now

Help your lawn beat the heat and make sure your mower is on the highest setting. This will help evenly distribute the moisture it receives and slow the spread of disease (and maybe allow you an extra hour or two on the lake!). Since August is typically a hot, dry month, you may notice browning in some areas, which is natural. Established grass is able to survive during a mild drought and can quickly rebound when moisture levels stabilize.

Review your sod options

Sod can be installed in August however, homeowners will need to be very diligent on watering, doing so at least once or twice a day for 8 days. After 8 days, the grass will tell you if it needs water by appearing bluish in color. If you have the opportunity, lay sod on a cool, overcast day to minimize plant stress. Stagger rolls in a brick-like pattern and place seams together without overlapping. Moisten the soil to a depth of 4 inches or until you can lift the sod and see that the water has penetrated through and saturated the ground underneath. After 8-10 days gently tug at the sod, if you feel a little resistance, then you know the roots are starting to anchor in the soil and it is safe to mow. Mowing stimulates root growth; therefore, you want to mow around the 10 day mark.

To learn more about sod, summer lawn care, and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434- 6572.

Mid Summer Lawn Care Tips

July 19, 2018 by BBadmin

Hot summer months often require regular watering for lawns and gardens. Follow these easy July lawn care tips to showcase a beautiful landscape all season long.

Soaking sessions. Most lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water every week. If rainfall is sparse, watering should occur through irrigation, ensuring water soaks 5-6 inches deep into the soil. Watering for a longer duration, less often, is preferred over daily watering. This routine prepares your grass for potential drought, and creates a hardier grass cover.

Timing is everything. The most efficient time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours, prior to 9 a.m. At this time, there is the least amount of sunlight and wind, and the lower temperatures allow for equal water distribution. Watering at night is not recommended as the lawn then sits with no sunlight, often causing moss, different types of weeds, algae, and possibly diseases to grow and spread. Always check with local watering restrictions in your area.

Adjust your clipping. Mow your grass to its specified type height, usually around 2 ½ to 3 inches. Taller grass is a natural weed repellent and allows deeper root growth. Shorter grass drys easily, often turning brown and spreading disease.

Fine tune your tools. To ensure an efficient irrigation routine, make sure all sprinklers are aimed at grass, not pavement or hard surfaces. Repair hoses, fittings and nozzles as needed to eliminate leakage and save on water waste.

To learn more about summer lawn care and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434- 6572.

June Lawn Care

June 20, 2018 by BBadmin

June is an important month for lawn care. Keeping grass vibrant and healthy can be challenging, as temperatures rise and sun exposure reaches its max. Follow the tips below to enjoy a beautiful lawn, all summer long.

Mowing

The ideal grass length to encourage deeper, cooler root growth, is 3 inches. If grass is too short, brown spots may appear, leading to higher occurrences of weeds and disease. Avoid mowing in the middle of the day, as newly cut grass may be damaged in hot summer heat.

Watering

A healthy lawn consistently needs about an inch and a half of water each week. Since weather patterns are often unpredictable, watering is recommended. If you don’t own a rain gauge, and are able to use a sprinkler or irrigation system, set your sprinkler for 20 minutes, three times per week. It is better to water for longer periods, less often, rather than shorter amounts, each day. Watering in the early morning and late evening will ensure a better soaking, as temperatures are cooler and less water is evaporated. During dry spells, check your city watering regulations.

Weeding

To maintain a healthy lawn, fertilize and use weed control. Crabgrass preventer should be applied in May with a second round of slow-release fertilizers spread in June. Make sure to select the right kind of fertilizer for your lawn type.

To learn more about summer lawn care and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit them online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434- 6572.

Get your lawn ready for summer entertaining

May 11, 2018 by BBadmin

The long, harsh winter was hard on all of us, delaying lawn care and landscaping plans. But, it’s not too late to prepare your yard for graduation parties, family reunions, or grilling get-togethers. B&B Hoffman Sod Farms is open for the 2018 season and we have fresh cut sod and fertilizer ready for you!

We recommend fertilizing early and often throughout May and into June. For the first treatment, use a fertilizer with crab grass pre-emergent/preventer to start repairing any damage done from the winter and get a jump-start on crabgrass. Ideally, this should be applied before the growing season begins. Crabgrass can germinate when the ground temperature reaches 50 degrees for 3 consecutive days, so early application to prevent growth is key. In Central Minnesota we typically reach this temperature around Mother’s Day. Visit our Elk River location to purchase fertilizer this spring to keep your lawn lush and healthy. While fertilizing is an important spring lawn care step, it isn’t the only maintenance needed for a beautiful lawn. After a long winter your yard needs some fresh air too, so be sure to rake and remove thatch as well as old leaves, twigs and fallen branches.

If your lawn has a lot of foot traffic, watch for compaction. When soil is compacted, it has less room to hold air and water to keep it healthy and full, making it difficult for roots to penetrate and fertilizers to be absorbed. To treat a compacted lawn, aerate at the beginning of the growing season. Aerating creates larger spaces in the soil, allowing more oxygen, fertilizer, nutrients, and water to penetrate. Small lawns can be aerated with special sandals with spikes attached that aerate as you walk your yard. Larger lawns may require a petrol-powered core aerator that can be rented. Regardless of the style of aerator, be sure to water the lawn thoroughly the day before you aerate to make the process easier.

Finally, tune up your mower and make sure it’s as ready for spring as your family. Raise your lawn mower height to keep grass trim and moist, as most types of grass have deep roots to take in water.

To learn more about spring lawn care tips and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com , or call 763-434- 6572.

Fall Lawn Care Promotes to Healthy Spring Yards

September 14, 2017 by BBadmin

Fall is a great time to lay sod for a variety of reasons! Cooler temperatures mean you don’t have to water as often because the ground retains moisture better than in the summer heat. The grass also grows slower in the fall so you don’t have to mow as frequently, and you may have better luck getting friends and family to come out and help when it isn’t as hot and muggy outside.

For existing lawns, fall is the ideal time to aerate your lawn. Aeration involves putting small holes into the soil with a spike, or removing a core or plug of grass and soil from the lawn. Doing so allows air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produces a stronger, more vigorous lawn. Aerating in the fall will break up compacted soil before the winter hits so that air and water can get at the roots.

Fall is also a good time to purchase your winterizer fertilizer, which should be applied in the first week of October. B&B Hoffman Sod Farms in Elk River supplies winterizer fertilizer, which prepares lawn for winter dormancy by helping lawns store food and build deep roots. It also improves spring green-up by providing nutrients that promote thick and rapid growth.

You can purchase low-maintenance Kentucky Bluegrass sod that is resistant to disease and weed-free at family-owned B&B Hoffman Sod Farms. Call us today at 763-434- 6572 or visit www.bbhoffmansod.com to learn more about our Kentucky Bluegrass and to get additional tips for fall lawn care.

Can You Lay Sod in the August Heat?

August 24, 2017 by BBadmin

Is it practical to put sod down in August? Absolutely! Sod can be installed in August when it’s hot and dry, however, you will need to be very diligent on watering. For an established yard, Kentucky Bluegrass is resilient and will go dormant if not watered properly. Because of its resiliency, it should come back once you get the water going again. However, you may see weeds trying to creep in.

The season at B&B Hoffman Sod Farms will continue into November, weather permitting, so if watering is an issue, September and October are also great times to lay sod due to the cooler temperatures and occasional rain. If you do lay sod in August, water at least once a day for 8 days (unless it rains, then that is a day of watering). After 8 days, the grass will tell you when it needs water by looking a little blueish in color. Be very mindful of this and get water on it right away.

Before you lay the sod, prepare the soil by removing twigs, stones and other debris larger than a golf ball. Fill in low areas with good quality topsoil. It’s easy to add to the soil when it is bare, so take advantage of the opportunity if needed. Break up soil clumps that are larger than 2 inches in diameter and smooth the soil with a stiff garden rake.

If you have the opportunity, lay sod on a cool, overcast day to minimize plant stress. If you lay sod in the heat of summer, call some friends to help get the sod down in a hurry and have a
little fun along the way. Stagger rolls in a bricklike pattern and have seams tight together without overlapping. A utility knife works best for cutting the sod rolls.

Once an area of sod is in place where you can water it without getting wet, turn on the sprinklers. Moisten the soil to a depth of 4 inches or until you can lift the sod and see that the water has penetrated through the sod and saturated the ground underneath. After 8-10 days gently tug at the sod, if you feel a little resistance, then you know the roots are starting to anchor in the soil and it is safe to mow. Mowing stimulates root growth; therefore, you want to mow around the 10 day mark.

To learn more about the Kentucky Bluegrass that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms grows and other products we offer, visit us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434- 6572.

B&B Hoffman Sod Farms – July Blog

July 18, 2017 by BBadmin

When, and How Much, to Water Your Lawn

Our lawns need moisture to grow and thrive in the hot summer months, sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t take care of that for us and we need to water our lawns ourselves. But how much water does a lawn need? And when is the best time of day to do it?

A well hydrated lawn is a happy lawn. Most lawns need one inch to 1.5 inches of water every week and if that does not come from rainfall, it should be done through irrigation. Water should soak 5-6 inches deep into the soil for best results.

Homeowners should wait as long as possible between waterings without allowing the plants to go into water stress. Once a week should be plenty for most soil lawns. Those with poor soil may need to water twice a week. It is best to water a lawn heavily and infrequently. This causes plants to develop deep, strong root systems that can extract water from a much larger volume of soil than the shallow roots associated with light, frequent irrigations.

The most efficient time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours between 4-8 a.m. At this time, there is less sunlight and the temperature is lower so there is less water lost to evaporation. The wind is typically calmer in the morning hours, so distribution is improved. Mid-day watering is good for the plants because it cools the plant temperatures, but it is not efficient because some of the water will evaporate before it even gets into the soil.

Watering at night is not recommended because the lawn then sits wet all night. This can cause moss to grow, as well as different types of weeds, algae and possibly diseases.

B&B Hoffman Sod Farms can help keep your yard in shape with its easy-to- use small sod rolls that make laying turfgrass yourself easy and efficient. Don’t need sod? Check out B&B Hoffman’s supply of fertilizer to help your lawn build strong roots and keep your grass healthy and thick.