by epicweb on May 16, 2012
Many homeowners confuse black medic with white clover because of its three leaflet clover-like leaves that make them appear very similar. Lawn care professionals say you are likely to see this weed in your lawn in the months between May and September. Unlike other weeds that stick out like a sore thumb, black medic is low-growing and generates bunches of tiny, vividly yellow flowers that are noticeable in the late spring and early summer. Lawn care technicians say their stems are slightly hairy and they grow in dry soil that is high in phosphorous.
Another irritating weed that homeowners are likely to spot in the early spring and be hounded by until September without professional lawn care intervention is the broadleaf plantain. This weed is grayish-green in color and begins its lifecycle in mid-spring. The egg-shaped weed has wavy-edged leaves that grown near to the ground. In the early summer, lawn care experts say the seed stalks will begin to rise and will last through early fall. Unfortunately for a lawn care professional without the right expertise and weed control program, broadleaf plantains can overtake desirable lawn grasses by suffocating them. They key to eliminating this bothersome weed is to eliminate the seeds; lawn care agents say this plant grows from seeds and re-sprouting roots.
Curly dock is another incessant weed that pops up in lawns. This weed has lance-shaped leaves which turn a reddish purple color in the summer and fall. A narrow spike emerges from the center of the plant where small greenish flowers occur. Lawn care technicians say you are more likely to see this weed during bouts of hot, dry weather. As the grass suffers, curly dock thrives.
Don’t let weeds be a drain on your lawn; contact your local lawn care authority for a rigid and effective weed control program.
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on May 9, 2012
There are steps you can take to protect your trees and the roots below from damage during construction on your property, however, plans aren’t always followed and mistakes are made. So what do you do to provide care to your damaged trees?
If your tree has experienced damage to its exterior, the first place to start is with the bark. Any tree bark that has been damaged should be shaved away to encourage healing. Lawn care experts recommend using a sharp knife to trim around the wounded area in a rounded motion, not cutting any deeper than is necessary to avoid cutting into healthy bark. Removing the damaged bark will promote moisture and nutrients into and around the bruised area. Just like a wound on human flesh, the tree will have a scar, but if the bark is properly cared for, the tree should heal around the wound.
If a large section of the tree has been damaged, for instance more than half of the tree’s circumference, you may want to consult your local Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn care company to save it from dying. Trees will not immediately exhibit symptoms of damage, but without proper nutrients and moisture getting to all the parts of the tree, branches will become brittle and break off, leaves will fade and eventually the tree will stop growing at all. Your tree company can stop the dying process of the tree through intensive Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn care that involves corrective pruning, fertilization and curative irrigation.
If your tree has become damaged during the construction process, call your local Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn care company as soon as possible to save this vital feature of your landscape.
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on April 18, 2012
So you’ve finally decided this is the season you will add an outdoor living space that will give you a place to escape to and take in the sounds, smells and sights of your gorgeous landscape, as well as provide a comfortable and convenient area to entertain great friends and family. Lawn care experts suggest adding a hexagonal gazebo might just be the perfect avenue to that destination!
Hexagonal gazebos are traditional in appearance, but add a style and sophistication to your landscape. And although you may choose a design and materials that exude luxury, Illinois lawn care specialists say hexagonal gazebos are quite affordable. Furthermore, your property value will increase with this beautiful addition!
Hexagonal gazebos do not have to be one-size-fits-all in style. Lawn care professionals say there are several different options, including whether or not to add benches inside the gazebo and different types of railings. When it comes to topping your hexagonal gazebo, you can choose from a canopy top, an ornamental cupola or more traditional roofing shingles, perhaps to match the roof of your home.
Hexagonal gazebos typically come in 8 foot and 10 foot sizes. Lawn care pros suggest a great way to accentuate your landscape gazebo is by adding garden lights and seasonal plantings around the gazebo itself. The plants and flowers will give you something beautiful to gaze upon as you relax the day away in your landscape and the garden lights will allow you to enjoy this outdoor living space even on cool, summer nights.
Contact your local Illinois lawn care company today to find out more about adding a hexagonal gazebo to your landscape this season!
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on March 28, 2012
Many lawn care companies offer the design and installation of irrigation systems because proper hydration is absolutely vital to creating and maintaining a healthy lawn. Many homeowners find that watering their lawn is more of a guessing game than anything else. Knowing precisely how much water your lawn needs is important because without enough water, your lawn’s color and growth will suffer. If you water too much, you run the risk of soil erosion, drowning the roots and if the watering takes place late in the evening, the development of mold.
Lawn care specialists can help you determine the correct watering procedures, but the installation of a sprinkler system can take the guesswork out of the picture. Hydration systems are designed to give your lawn just the right amount of water without overburdening the roots or causing them to go thirsty. Sprinkler systems can also be programmed to be sensitive to weather conditions, so you are experiencing a few days with heavy rainfall, your sprinkler system will not activate.
Irrigation systems are also designed and installed to make sure every inch of your landscape is covered. Many store-bought and self-installed hydration systems only cover one part of your lawn or landscape, whereas lawn care professionals will know how to install the system so that all your plants benefit.
If you are worried about the cost, think of how much money you waste by watering too much or forgetting to turn the sprinkler off. Professionally installed sprinkler systems can actually save you money, not to mention save water from being wasted.
Call your lawn care company today to find out more about the many benefits of an expertly designed sprinkler system.
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on March 21, 2012
There are several different varieties of mulch to choose from, but many homeowners and commercial property owners seem to prefer cedar mulch. Cedar mulch offers the landscape a hint of rich color, and of course there is the aromatic cedar smell that adds an extra incentive. Cedar mulch also offers landscape beds superior protection against soil erosion and compaction, weed growth and protects the roots of your plants from the hot sun. If you think cedar mulch is only useful when the weather is warm, you’ll be happy to know that mulch also protects the roots from freezing during spells of cold weather. So now that you know all the benefits of cedar mulch, you may wonder how you can make your own.
In order to make your own cedar mulch, according to Illinois lawn care experts, you will need cured cedar wood in the form of a stump or logs, a chainsaw, a hatchet and a hammer. Using the chainsaw, cut the cedar stump or the logs into two-inch sections, stacking the pieces atop one another. Once you have a complete stack, use the chainsaw to cut vertically down the stack again in one- to two-inch sections. Gather the stack back together and proceed to perform another vertical cut, this time forming a crosshatch pattern. All of the resulting wood shavings and pieces will serve as part of your mulch.
You will still have some smaller pieces that need to be broken up into tinier pieces. Use your hammer and hatchet to bust them up in whatever sizes you prefer. Place all the wood in a large container and add an amount of water that is proportionate to the wood chips. Lawn care professionals say for this project, a gallon of water is usually plenty. Make sure all the wood chips have been dampened by the water and let sit for three days. Drain the water from the container and let the cedar mulch dry in the sun for a day, turning it occasionally to make sure the undersides of the wood chips have a chance to dry out as well. Once all the pieces have dried, you have your very own source of cedar mulch to adorn your Illinois lawn!
Making your own cedar mulch may be a fun activity, but perhaps you’re looking for a more professional approach. Call your local Illinois lawn care company and ask about their mulching services.
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on March 14, 2012
Ever wonder what to do with those scraps of food that shouldn’t go down the disposal, but create a terrible smell if left in the garbage for more than a day? Or perhaps you’re looking to enhance the growth of your landscape plants in a more natural and cost-effective manner? Lawn care experts recommend using your kitchen waste to make your own all-organic mulch.
The first step in this journey toward a more eco-friendly way to fertilize your Collinsville lawn and landscape is by choosing the right type of composter. Many Collinsville lawn care experts recommend using worm bins. Filling the bin with live worms, your kitchen waste will be broken down by the worms and voila! You have a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your Collinsville lawn and landscape! Using a worm bin is also beneficial because you can keep it inside your home if you wish for easy access. The only rule when it comes to worm bins is to not leave it in direct sunlight.
If you’re not sure how to use a worm bin or where to get the materials (or the worms), check with your community’s Department of Water and Power; they may offer worm bins as well as instructions on how to use them.
So what can you throw in the worm bin? The ingredients that make up worm bin mulch can range from fruit and vegetable rinds and pieces to most Collinsville lawn and landscape debris, according to Collinsville lawn care experts. So instead of throwing your kitchen scraps in the trash, or even to the dog, think about creating your own personal brand of all-organic mulch.
If making your own mulch is too much of a hassle but you still want to bring a more organic approach to fertilizing your Collinsville lawn or landscape, call your local Collinsville lawn care company and ask about their organic fertilization program.
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on March 7, 2012
All grass types are susceptible to diseases and weeds, however, there are ways to prevent, deter and combat these issues through proper Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn care techniques. But even with the absolute best care, you cannot guarantee that disease or insects will never be a problem with your St. Augustine Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn.
St. Augustine grass is a sturdy type of turf and is able to assert itself over weeds as long as it is healthy and is receiving adequate care. If St. Augustine grass is left to fend for itself, it may become weak, at which time opportunistic weeds will stop popping up throughout your landscape. This is especially true if the Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn is already infested with insects or has been infected with a disease. St. Augustine turf is usually found to have broadleaf and grassy weeds, however, chickweed, clover and henbit have also been found by Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn care specialists to be a menace to this type of grass. These weeds respond best to hormone-type herbicides that are applied in the early spring. Other weeds such as fescue, crabgrass or annual bluegrass require a different type of treatment that includes precise applications of pre-emergent herbicides.
In addition to fighting off weeds, St. Augustine grass is also susceptible to a number of turfgrass diseases including Helminthosporium, brown patch, SAD, Pythium, gray leaf spot, rust, downy mildew and more. Most of these diseases are caused by the presence of fungi and can be easily controlled by a knowledgeable Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn care company. SAD is a virus disease for which there is no chemical solution, which means only defiant types of St. Augustine grass are resistant to the disease.
Brown patch and gray leaf spot are the most severe diseases caused by fungi infecting St. Augustine turfs. Although these diseases seldom destroy St. Augustine, they weaken and thin the grass to the degree that the Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn is extremely unattractive. Precautionary treatments of fungicides are most effective against these diseases.
To keep your St. Augustine Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn primped and pristine, call your local Illinois Lebanon IL Collinsville lawn care provider and ask about their weed and disease control programs.
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on February 29, 2012
When the leaves on the trees start to fall, each year you are faced with a tough decision: to bag, or not to bag, that is the question.
Raking and bagging leaves is a tedious Collinsville lawn care chore. It means spending countless hours outside, hoping and praying a gust of wind doesn’t come along and undo all your hard work. However, despite your disdain for this Collinsville lawn care have-to, you know that leaving the leaves on the Collinsville lawn isn’t an option. Or is it?
Many homeowners believe in the power of mulching. It is a common misunderstanding that using a Collinsville lawn mower to mulch leaves is bad for your turf or landscape. Quite the contrary, actually. But mulching the leaves and cutting them up into teeny tiny little bits, you will create a buffet of nutrients and organic matter on which your Collinsville lawn or landscape can feed and thrive.
In addition to the nutritional benefit and the fact that mulching leaves with a Collinsville lawn mower requires less time and effort, there is also the environmental benefit. Unless you use the brown leaf bags provided by Lowe’s or The Home Depot, you’re probably filling plastic bags and hoping the garbage men don’t get too nosy when loading your trash into the compactor. These plastic bags will end up in landfills, taking up even more room and putting a material (plastic) into the ground that will never decompose.
So the next time your Collinsville lawn is covered with leaves, rev up the mower and get those leaves mulched!
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on February 22, 2012
Unless you have a sprinkler system that automatically goes into the ground after it has completed its watering chores, you may be familiar with the damage that can occur to your irrigation system when performing such lawn care services such as mowing. Thanks to the ingeniousness of Leo D. Gauthier III, there is now an easy way to minimize or completely eliminate the chance of damaging your sprinkler system with the invention of the Sprinkler Buddy.
The Sprinkler Buddy was designed to help homeowners and possibly lawn care technicians be more aware of the presence of sprinkler heads by indicating their presence on the lawn. According to Gauthier, the Sprinkler Buddy promises to be able to fit any model of sprinkler head by measuring, cutting, inserting and installing the Sprinkler Buddy over the irrigation parts.
The Sprinkler Buddy gives homeowners and lawn care technicians a clear warning so anyone who performing any type of lawn maintenance will be well-aware of the product. Instead of ruining your lawn mower and your sprinkler system, possibly resulting in expensive damages, the Sprinkler Buddy provides a more cost-effective solution.
Gauthier says the Sprinkler Buddy can be installed by the homeowner, but if you want to make sure it is installed correctly, you can inquire to your lawn care company whether or not they use Sprinkler Buddy or if they can help you properly install it prior to their maintenance.
For more information, visit Gauthier’s website or contact your local lawn care professionals for more information on this innovative and helpful lawn care product!
Lawn Care Blog
by epicweb on February 15, 2012
Most homeowners know what services are necessary for good lawn care: proper mowing, aeration, overseeding, adequate hydration and fertilizer. Aeration is one of the most beneficial lawn care services, especially if you live in an area that experiences episodes of little to no rainfall. Aerating your lawn will allow the water from your irrigation system to reach the grass roots directly and be immediately absorbed. However, even though aeration ensures that your lawn and soil are manipulated, you should go one step further and also have your soil periodically tested by a lawn care professional.
A soil test is a fairly simple procedure and many lawn care companies offer the service for free in conjunction with their lawn care programs. The lawn care technician will take a small soil sample and have it sent to a lab. A qualified soil expert will examine the sample and look at the pH level (acidity); the presence or absence of such macronutrients as phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen; the presence or absence of such micronutrients as iron, calcium, zinc, boron, manganese, copper and other nutrients that deter weed growth and enhance the lawn’s resistance to insect and disease infestations; the soil type, which can help your lawn care technician create a preventative plan to reduce the incidence of compaction; and levels of decomposed plant material, also known as thatch.
Once the results are back, your lawn care specialists can consult with you on what the best plan of action is regarding your lawn care regimen. To schedule a soil analysis, call your local lawn care company today.
Lawn Care Blog
