INVASION! Have you noticed chewed leaves and brown grass? Worms in your yard? Uh-oh, you’ve got ARMYWORMS! What are armyworms and what do they do, you ask? Armyworms DEVOUR almost everything in their path. The dry conditions of summer made the perfect breeding ground for moths to lay their eggs, and the recent wet weather (beneficial to the caterpillar's survival) has encouraged the armyworms t…Read More
So you’ve always wanted that picture-perfect, make-the-neighbors-green-with-envy, fescue lawn? Regular over-seeding is the key. While over-seeding fescue is not difficult, there are a few tricks and tips that can ensure your fescue seeding success. Whether you are starting a new lawn or area, or just performing your annual “over-seeding” ritual, these tips can turn even the blackest thumb in…Read More
A springtime cut could save you a bundle! Here are seven ways properly scalping can reduce lawn maintenance costs: Green with Envy: Removing old, brown growth will help your lawn be the first to green up this spring. Thatch-versary: Bagging the clippings when you scalp will help slow down thatch accumulation. A thick thatch layer is expensive and time consuming to remove. Prevention is the best me…Read More
Once you start to feel that “Ahhhh... spring is coming” feeling, it is time to start thinking about scalping your lawn. Scalping means cutting your lawn at the lowest possible mower setting. If you scalp too early, you risk damaging roots due to being exposed to the cold. Too late, you may scalp off new growth (which totally defeats the purpose). Ideal times for scalping Bermuda and Zoysia law…Read More
As spring sneaks up on summer we are seeing a “bloom” of a pesky little weed known as Fireweed. Although some varieties of Fireweed produce beautiful, vivid flowers, it is an un-welcomed addition to residential lawns. Fireweed is more difficult to control that broadleaf and grassy weeds. The roots of the Fireweed plant do not stretch down into the soil. Instead, the plant grows exclusively in …Read More
It is officially SPRING! Along with pretty flowers and green grass, here in the mid-south it also means that tree seedlings will be sprouting. Tree seedlings can be found in most yards this time of year because, just like their partner in crime fireweed, they germinate in the thatch layer of your lawn, not in the soil. Therefore, pre-emergent treatments are less effective. Also, those little t…Read More
Whether you are using an installed irrigation system or a manual (eg. sprinkler or hand watering) irrigation system, there are several points to consider to keep your lawn healthy and vibrant. How much water? For established grass, once the temperatures get into the 80’s, Cullen recommends 1” of water in each area once a week. A great way to measure this is to take an empty can (soup, vegetab…Read More
1. Know Your pH Testing your soil 6 to 8 weeks before you plant will allow your tiny seedlings the most comfortable environment in which to spread their tender roots. To learn more about soil testing, check with this soil test guide. 2. Remove Debris Look for anything on or just below the soil (i.e. wood, pipe, rock, discarded cement, brush, construction scrap) that may obstruct the growth of…Read More
Why do I need to fertilize when my grass is dormant? Now that we have all put away our sprinklers and lawn mowers for the winter, you might be wondering why your lawn would need fertilizer if the grass is dormant and no longer growing. That is an excellent question! First, grass roots continue to grow for several weeks after frost. The roots grow more slowly as the soil temperatures cool but t…Read More
