Aeration, Dethatching, Seeding, & Sod

In the South HIlls of PIttsburgh, PA.

Our aeration and dethatching services are designed to allow your existing lawn to better receive nutrients. Property owners looking to improve spots in their lawn or replace it entirely will benefit from our seeding and sod services.

Call (412) 913-1962

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We can restore and maintain a green lawn with aeration, dethatching, seeding, and sod services in the South Hills of Pittsburgh & surrounding areas.

At M.J. Donas Landscaping, we have the experience and expertise to properly nurture and restore your lawn to its fullest potential. Our knowledgeable pros can perform proper aeration to allow sunlight and moisture to penetrate the soil, which is vital for fostering a rich, green lawn. We can provide dethatching service for your property with professional seeding and sod to create the ideal yard.

We service commercial and residential properties in McMurray, Canonsburg, and Venetia.

Core Aeration, Thatch & Dethatching

Core aeration is a process that allows water, light, and nutrients to enrich your soil. The work is usually completed with a machine called a lawn-aerator, which removes the “cores” or plugs that cause unhealthy soil and block much-needed oxygen. Soil can also lose vitality when it becomes blocked by thatch. Thatch is composed of tangles of dead or living roots between the soil and the surface of the lawn.

The dethatching process removes the unhealthy crisscrossing of roots to allow oxygen and nutrients to reach the soil. If your lawn is badly compacted or riddled with thatch, our experienced professionals have the equipment and knowledge to handle the entire process.

Aeration does not need to be performed every year, but it’s an important step in restoring a lawn. Dethatching is best performed on an annual basis in the early spring or early fall months to promote healthy growth. During your consultation, we will help you determine what methods are needed for your property.

Thatch builds up when the micro-organisms in the soil cannot decompose the dead turf or grass tissue beneath the soil.

Seeding & Overseeding

We can either restore an existing lawn to bring back its rich thickness with overseeding services or provide grass seeding to start fresh. Overseeding is the process of bringing a lawn back to life by introducing new seed. The grass is cut much lower than usual, and the area is raked to loosen up the topsoil. Grass seeds are then spread throughout the existing lawn. If done right, the new seeds will germinate and bring new life and vibrancy to your grass.

For the McMurray, Canonsburg, and Venetia, PA area, it is recommended to overseed your grass roughly 45 days before the first fall frost, and the process works best right after an aeration treatment. Our pros will explain what the best steps for your specific property are.

Grass Seed Versus Laying Sod & Sod Removal

Depending on your needs and wishes, we can prepare your lawn to lay grass seed, and we are also experienced in laying sod. Both require the proper preparations to ensure healthy growth, which may include core aeration or dethatching.

There are benefits and drawbacks of both sod and grass seed. Sod is not ideal for shady areas but is known for producing less mud and dust. Grass seed, on the other hand, can tolerate shade better but takes longer to establish. Grass also allows us to choose which variety will best suit the Pennsylvania climate and sunlight levels in your yard.

Seeding an entire lawn costs less than sod overall, but requires patience to allow the grass to grow to its full potential. Sod is highly desirable because it’s instantly green and thick, but is more expensive to install.

The ideal time to lay sod is during the spring or fall, whereas the best time to use grass seed is during early fall as weeds become an issue in the springtime.

Removing Existing Sod For Replanting

Like grass grown from seeds, sod can and does die. This usually occurs when the soil was not properly prepared or if the sod was underwatered. We can remove dead or discolored sod and prepare your yard for a fresh installation. The process usually involves killing off the remaining sod first before using a sod cutter. Sod cutters cut the sod into strips that can be rolled up and removed. Aeration and dethatching can be applied where necessary to ensure proper nutrients and water penetration. We can then install fresh sod to give your lawn a new start. We can also perform small lawn repairs or full lawn restoration.