--- title: Green Meadow Lawncare Learning Center | Nate Bahler (2) description: Learn everything you need to know about lawn care and lawn services. Topics include pest control, fertilization, and overall lawn health. (2) --- [![GreenMeadow](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Green_Meadow_LawnCare_January2019%20Theme/Image/download.png)](http://www.greenmeadowlawncare.com/) ## Learning Center ## Nate Bahler ![Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Nate%20pic%201-1.jpg) ### Recent Posts ## [Summer Annual Weeds](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/summer-annual-weeds) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Jun 29, 2021 12:28:43 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Purslane.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/summer-annual-weeds) Some customers ask us why they have weeds in the Summer if we have already treated their lawns for weeds in the Spring. Treating weeds is an ongoing process. Why? Because there are different ***generations*** of annual weeds.  Summer annual weeds can be difficult to manage in the Northeast because they are suited to thrive in many of the same conditions that cool season grasses thrive in.  [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/summer-annual-weeds) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/summer-annual-weeds#comments-listing) ## [When Does Grass Seed Germinate?  \[Air Temp Vs Soil Temp\]](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/when-does-grass-seed-germinate-air-temp-vs-soil-temp) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on May 24, 2021 11:20:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![soil temp vs air temp ](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/soilTemp.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/when-does-grass-seed-germinate-air-temp-vs-soil-temp) Coming into Spring, soil temperature dictates just about everything we do in lawn care - especially in the Northeast where we have a lot of cool season grasses.   ## What temperature does my soil need to be for seeds to germinate? ### Spring seeding and dormant seedings won't germinate until soil temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  A range of 50-65 degrees is optimal (measured at a depth of 2 inches).  Once we reach this soil temperature, the process of germination will begin.  [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/when-does-grass-seed-germinate-air-temp-vs-soil-temp) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/when-does-grass-seed-germinate-air-temp-vs-soil-temp#comments-listing) ## [Annual Blue Grass (Poa Annua) vs Kentucky Blue Grass](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/annual-blue-grass-poa-annua-vs-kentucky-blue-grass) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Apr 29, 2021 11:36:01 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Poa annua or annual blue grass](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Poa%20Annua%20(1).png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/annual-blue-grass-poa-annua-vs-kentucky-blue-grass) While these two sound similar, they couldn't be more different.  They are both types of bluegrass. One is *desirable* and one is *not*.  ## Kentucky Blue Grass yields a beautiful, lush, dark green lawn while Poa Annua (annual blue grass) spreads rapidly and dies quickly, often leaving you with a patchy lawn.  Fun fact: Many *homeowners* find Poa Annua undesirable but some *golf courses* find it very desirable.  It grows low and is easier to maintain in this environment. [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/annual-blue-grass-poa-annua-vs-kentucky-blue-grass) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/annual-blue-grass-poa-annua-vs-kentucky-blue-grass#comments-listing) ## [Hard Water vs Soft Water in Lawn Care](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hard-water-vs-soft-water-lawn-care) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Jan 8, 2021 10:48:26 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Tripod4-Optimized.jpg)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hard-water-vs-soft-water-lawn-care) # **How does hard water or soft water affect my soil/lawn performance?** ### Water that is *too hard* and water that is *too soft* can be equally damaging to a lawn. What’s the main difference between the two? Hard water contains minerals and soft water does not.  ### With hard water comes nutrients that are beneficial to a lawn, whereas soft water contains no nutrients for your lawn - just salt.  Rain water is soft. When it travels through the ground before reaching treatment facilities, it picks up minerals along the way in the process of becoming hard water.   [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hard-water-vs-soft-water-lawn-care) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hard-water-vs-soft-water-lawn-care#comments-listing) ## [Spring Lawn Care Myths](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/spring-lawn-care-myths) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Dec 23, 2020 5:00:44 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Crabgrass-Pre-vsPost.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/spring-lawn-care-myths) **Myth #1 "The best time to seed my lawn is in Spring" ** ### A lot of people believe the best time of year to seed your lawn is in the spring.  Seed planted in springtime will germinate quickly but might die just as quickly as it came up.  - [Time of Year to Seed My Lawn \[Best to Worst\]](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/times-to-over-seed-your-lawn) - [Best Way to Prepare My Lawn for Spring](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/best-way-to-prepare-my-lawn-for-spring) [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/spring-lawn-care-myths) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/spring-lawn-care-myths#comments-listing) ## [A-List Grass Seed - What's So Special About It?](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/a-list-grass-seed) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Nov 3, 2020 8:59:16 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/A-list%20certified%20grass%20blends%20require%20up%20to%2040%25%20less%20water%20(1).png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/a-list-grass-seed) *We are very proud to be able to provide our customers with what we believe is some of the highest quality grass seed in the country. * *Atlantic Golf & Turf, where we get our grass seed from, is very proud to be one of only TWO certified A-list Seed variety blenders in the entire COUNTRY. Right here in the Northeast! * [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/a-list-grass-seed) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/a-list-grass-seed#comments-listing) ## [Winter Lawn Care Tips](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/winter-lawn-care-tips) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Oct 28, 2020 3:42:29 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/DONT%20SHOVEL%20SALT%20ONTO%20GRASS.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/winter-lawn-care-tips) *Winters can put a lot of stress on a lawn if you aren’t careful. To make sure you are ready, take a look at some of the tips below. * *In many cases, these winterizing tips don’t cost much and don’t take up much time but can yield great rewards come Spring. * *Here’s what you can do to get your lawn ready for a cold, New England winter. * [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/winter-lawn-care-tips) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/winter-lawn-care-tips#comments-listing) ## [Top 7 Benefits of Dethatching Your Yard](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/top-7-benefits-of-dethatching-your-yard) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Oct 20, 2020 12:49:09 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Thatch.jpg)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/top-7-benefits-of-dethatching-your-yard) ## **For starters - what is thatch?** ### Thatch is the layer of organic material between grass and soil that consists of the build up of living and dead grass and leaves.  A thatch layer of about a 1/4 inch can be beneficial to your lawn and can help soil retain moisture and maintain a steady soil temperature.  [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/top-7-benefits-of-dethatching-your-yard) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/top-7-benefits-of-dethatching-your-yard#comments-listing) ## [Top 10 Benefits of Dormant Seeding](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/dormant-seeding-why-should-i-seed-my-lawn-in-late-fall) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Aug 31, 2020 4:37:06 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/DormantSeeding-Optimized.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/dormant-seeding-why-should-i-seed-my-lawn-in-late-fall) ## **What is Dormant Seeding? ** ### Dormant seeding is the practice of sowing grass seeds in late fall or early winter when the soil temperature is below 40 degrees.  Grass seed will not germinate when the soil temperature is cold.  **Dormant seeding can be a great option for those of you who have missed the late summer/early fall window to Aerate and Seed. ** [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/dormant-seeding-why-should-i-seed-my-lawn-in-late-fall) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/dormant-seeding-why-should-i-seed-my-lawn-in-late-fall#comments-listing) ## [Top 6 Benefits of Fall Seeding](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/top-6-benefits-of-fall-seeding) Posted by [Nate Bahler](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler) on Aug 28, 2020 2:11:43 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Fall%20seeding%20can%20improve%20your%20spring%20lawns%20thickness%20by%2050%25..png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/top-6-benefits-of-fall-seeding) **The best spring lawns begin in the fall.**   Fall is the best time of year to rejuvenate your lawn from summer stress and give it strength for the winter to come.   We have a lot to look forward to this fall. Pumpkin spiced everything, leaf peeping, flannels....and those cool, crisp evenings.   Our lawns love the cool evenings as much as we do! Cool air temps paired with warm soil is one of the main reasons that fall seeding yields such great results. [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/top-6-benefits-of-fall-seeding) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/top-6-benefits-of-fall-seeding#comments-listing) [Previous](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler/page/1) [All posts](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/all) [Next](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/nate-bahler/page/3) ### Top Learning Center Articles [Get a Quote](https://go.greenmeadowlawncare.com/request-an-estimate) [Refer a friend for a $25 account credit!](http://www.greenmeadowlawncare.com/refer-a-friend) Green Meadow Lawn Care, LLC, 100 West Road, Ellington, CT, 06029, United States860-870-5700[sales@greenmeadowlawncare.com](mailto:sales@greenmeadowlawncare.com) [Refer a friend for a $25 account credit!](http://www.greenmeadowlawncare.com/refer-a-friend) Green Meadow Lawn Care, LLC, 100 West Road, Ellington, CT, 06029, United States860-870-5700[EMAIL](mailto:sales@greenmeadowlawncare.com)