When I think of lawns, I think of bare feet, slip-n-slides and four leaf clovers. I think of lawn chairs, cold lemonade, small children and puppies. I think about hammocks gently rocking in the wind and the click-click of a sprinkler. The scent of freshly cut grass is intoxicating and is the essence of summer.
This year’s erratic weather combining the rainstorms and heat waves with tropical-like humidity, has been brutal on lawns [as well as shrubs and trees]. The weather this season is causing many lawns to look like a teenager with acne–breaking out with random brown patches [which are actually a fungal growth]. Some lawns appear zombie-like, suffering from slime mold. Slime mold can also be found in landscape beds [where it looks like a yellow blob of dog vomit]. Dollar spot sounds like a good deal until you realize it is actually a fungal disease that makes your lawn look like a green shirt covered in bleach stains. Red thread sounds pretty until your lawn looks like a Christmas ornament.
However, all is not lost. There is time to repair the damage – and still enjoy your lawn. In fact, August is a great time to address the problems that are now evident in lawns, trees and shrubs.
Many times, lawn repair is all that is necessary to remedy any of the lawn issues. When disease has run rampant, however, re-seeding a lawn is likely the best remedy. The best time for re-seeding is generally August through October.
Another secret weapon to achieving a healthy lawn is aerification. Aeration is a method of loosening up compacted soil by removing plugs of soil, allowing water penetration and the exchange of air in the soil with fresh air and water. It also helps break up thatch and improves the uptake and utilization of fertilizer applications.
Keep your lawn happy and enjoy the memories you make this summer. If you need lawn care help, call us at 214-701-7622.
The most common lawn watering mistake that most homeowners make is they over water the lawn. It is much more damaging to over water a lawn versus under water a lawn. Over watering a lawn causes the soil to become anaerobic or absent of oxygen. Water replaces air in the soil and anaerobic soils become compacted, prevent deep digging grass roots, and will kill beneficial microbial activity.
Daily lawn watering is extremely damaging for a lawn. Daily lawn watering prevents the roots of the grass from growing deep into the soil. These shallow grass roots will make the lawn unable to stay green during the heat of the summer.
The best way to promote the grass’ roots to start digging deep into the soil is to water deeply and infrequently. After changing the lawn watering to the recommendations below, your lawn might look worse before it starts to look better. The lawn will start to look healthier as soon as the grass’ roots start digging deep into the soil.
The ideal time to water a lawn is early in the morning before sunrise. Our recommendation is to finish watering no later than 6:00 AM. If this is not possible then the next best time to water is late evening.When daytime high temperatures are hot and average above 85°F: Water no more than 3 days per week. This is typically between mid or late June through mid or late August. (e.g. Water every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).
This lawn watering technique is a very deep watering, but it also allows the soil to completely dry out before the sprinkler system waters again. Organo-Lawn invented this lawn watering technique and it is universal worldwide.
Symptoms of an Over Watered Lawn
Some clear signs of over watering a lawn include: severely compacted soils, the presence of Necrotic Ring Spot lawn fungus, the abundance of insect pressure, mold, root rot, and a shallow root system. Over watering a lawn is much worse for the grass and trees than under watering a lawn because a lawn that is watered too much will starve the soil of oxygen. Air is extremely important to the health of the soil and to promote deep digging grass roots. Most of the time when we see a lawn watering problem in a Boulder or Fort Collins area lawn, we advise the customer that we need to adjust the lawn watering schedule in their lawn, they often assume we want to increase the amount of water. This might be true some of the time, but the majority of the time we end up reducing the frequency of days the lawn is being watered and increase the duration.
First Response Lawn Care can perform a sprinkler auditand set up the system to water according to our suggestions. The lawn is usually being watered deeper and less frequent. Most of the time, after we make our adjustments, the total water use is reduced which goes a long way towards water conservation. It’s a good thing for your lawn, for resources and for your pocketbook.
Call First Response Lawn Care (214) 701-7622 if you would like a sprinkler audit, sprinkler repair or need a new irrigation system in Rockwall, Fate, Royse City and surrounding areas!
Think of keeping your grass green much the same way as having a healthy smile. Your dentist provides regular care along with advice on preventing problems and warning signs to watch for. In between visits, you floss, brush and follow recommendations for any special care.
You want that same kind of relationship with yourlawn service. Regular weedkiller treatments and fertilizationalone won’t guarantee a yard you’re proud of. For best results, you need to work with someone who is knowledgeable in what they do, can explain what you need to do, such as how to water your lawn properly, and can help you recognize threats to your yard from pests and diseases.
So, how do you find a lawn service that fits the bill? At First Response Lawn Care we can provide all the services you are likely to require, and here are five key things where we shine.
Compare standard lawn treatments
Compare treatment programs from lawn company to company. Do they provide both turf care and ornamental tree and shrub care like we do? Are lawn care treatments tailored to specific types of turf? What makes your neighbor’s warm-season grass thrive won’t necessarily be what your cool-season grass needs.
Go beyond yard maintenance
The needs of your yard can change from season to season, year to year. Just like you wouldn’t go to a dentist who only does cleanings, you want to hire a lawn care company that can provide additional services when you need them.
At a minimum, these should include diagnosis and treatment of diseases and pests, and service calls between regular lawn treatments if you notice a problem. Other common yard services to look for include aeration, overseeding andlawn pest control.
Know who is treating your lawn
When it comes to lawn care technician training, the more the better. This goes for not just knowing how to apply grass treatments properly and safely. They should also be able and willing to answer questions you have about your treatments, your yard’s basic needs and how you can meet them, and alert you to anything you need to keep an eye on.
Look for preventative lawn care service
There are certain pests, lawn diseases, and other problems that can crop up with lawns, trees, and shrubs in North Texas. When you know what to watch for, you’re able to contact your lawn care provider for a service call so the problem can be diagnosed and treated before damage is done.
Customer satisfaction
We care about our customers and their lawn. That’s what we do. Call First Response Lawn Care today at (214) 701-7622 for all your lawn care needs! We’ll be happy to answer your questions and provide you with top notch service!
Now is the time to start paying attention to the summer guide
to North Texas lawn care to ensure that the Texas heat doesn’t inflict its
damage on your yard. With the heat rising and the outdoor season starting in
earnest, the summer guide to North Texas lawn care will let you start off the
season right!
Watering Habits
When and how you water your lawn is the most important factor in the quality of your lawn and plant life. The industry standard for the amount of water your lawn needs is roughly an inch of water per week or 1/2 an inch twice per week, whether the yard gets water manually or from rainfall. The best time to water the yard is early in the morning before the sun starts beating down on it. This will allow the water to soak into the dirt and to the roots.
Watering restrictions in your community during periods of drought will affect when you can water your lawn. Try to stay diligent to the one inch per week of water guideline. Too much water can be wasteful and damage harmful to the life span of the grass. Having your irrigation system checked and maintained during this time will ensure that water usage is appropriate for the needs of your yard.
The grass should be taller during the summer months, which
will allow for deeper root growth and cover from the sun. The insulation also
allows for the soil to maintain its moisture better. The general rule of thumb
is to keep the grass roughly about 1 ¾ inches to 2 ½ inches for most turf
types.
It is also important not to let the grass get too long. and removing more than 1/3 or the leaf blade height at when mown can do damage to the grass. Different mowing and watering strategies are required depending on the type of grass. It is prudent to check the type of grass in your yard before taking any serious steps.
Preventative Care
The actions you take now will be seen a month from now. One key preventative measure is fertilization and aeration of the lawn. But not all fertilizers are created equal when it comes to summer lawn maintenance. Call us today at (214) 701-7622 to discuss your lawn care needs and we will be happy to help!
it’s critical to take care of weed problems during the summer before they’re able to germinate and seed in the fall. It is also recommended to apply weed treatment while the temperature is less than 85 degrees to prevent harming the grass. Aerating and loosening the soil is another pivotal step in the process. This act ensures that the dirt retains its moisture. Tight, compact soil typically leads to quicker evaporation. Keeping the soil less compact allows for greater water penetration down to the roots.
Pest and Insect Control
The summer months are also a time when you’re likely to see
more pests and insects in your lawn as tiny creatures search out for water.
Many beetles and other insects lay their eggs in the grass during the early
parts of the summer, which hatch into grubs during the middle of the season
that will eat at your grass.
A healthy lawn will help prevent insect infestations. Dry stressed, or dormant lawns are more likely to be home to insects. Aphids, Caterpillars, Fleas, Fire Ants, Chinch Bugs,Grubs, Mosquitoes, Spider Mites, Snails, Slugs and Beetles are just some of the pests can provide services for. Call First Response Lawn Care today at (214) 701-7622! For all your lawn care needs!
Did you know we offer a variety of lawn pest control services from ants to grub worms? Say goodbye to brown patches, weeds and pests by calling your lawn care specialists at First Response Lawn Care today. Utilizing a 7 step program customized to your yard combined with an expert pest control service, we keep your yard healthy all year round.
How do you know if your lawn is falling victim to insects and other pests? Bare spots or irregular patches of yellow or brown grass can indicate the presence of insects or fungal diseases that require immediate attention from a knowledgeable professional. When your lawn has been exposed to insects for a lengthy amount of time, the diseases spread by insects can quickly lead to the need to re-turf your entire lawn. Therefore, taking care of the problem once the signs become apparent is key.
While most homeowners think that any DIY insecticide job will work, they could actually be doing more damage to their lawn. Every lawn is unique, and selecting the correct insecticide, fungicide, or herbicide to resolve the problem takes experience and expertise. At First Response Lawn Care Rockwall, Texas we have the skills, products, and equipment to make short work of lawn insects while maintaining the integrity and beauty of your landscaping.
Whether you want to protect your landscape against future problems or you need immediate help with an insect infestation, you can rely on First Response Lawn Care Rockwall, Texas for expert weed and insect control solutions.
If you want a healthy, lush lawn all year, let’s get started! Call our Lawn Care experts at (214) 701-7622!
Here are 8 Things To Do Right Now For Your Winter Lawn. Texas’s warm humid climate and rich soil, is ideal for plant life. Gardens here show evidence of that.
With the first official day of Spring still over a month away, your attention may be focused mostly indoors. Even in the cold winter months, however, our lawns and gardens have specific needs. What may look dead and brown but is teeming with life just underneath the surface.
In order to reduce pests and ensure that your plants and grasses will thrive as the weather warms up, your Texas winter gardening regimen should include these essential steps.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL TEXAS WINTER GARDENING.
Apply Pre-emergents
Now is the time to apply your pre-emergent on lawns and grasses to prevent the germination of weed seeds. The window of opportunity is open right now. Corn gluten meal is a great organic approach, but other herbicides can be purchased at your local nursery or home improvement store. Pre-emergent is a small step that yields BIG dividends in spring and summer.
Fertilize
If you haven’t done so already, fertilize all established trees and shrubs (except azaleas and camellias), and feed perennial bulbs. This can be done simultaneously with the pre-emergent. Your compost pile is perfect for this use, or check with your local garden center for recommendations.
Watch the weather
Historically, the coldest days of the year fall in the month of February. This does not come as great news to those of us yearning for the warmer weather, but gardeners should be on watch for a potential freeze all the way into the month of March. Make sure to water the roots well, and cover plants if temperatures fall below 32 degrees.
Pruning
This is the best time to prune shrubs, trees, and roses, but wait to prune spring flowering trees until after they bloom. Crepe Myrtles are the exception to this rule. Experts advise that crepe myrtles should never be pruned or can be pruned very gently.
Mowing
Mow your lawn once this month. This will allow the sun to reach the roots.
Clean up
Rake any fallen leaves, for the same reason. Grass roots need sunlight to germinate and begin the new growth cycle. Be sure to remove all debris and other encumbrances to growth. These leaves and other lawn debris can be put into the compost bin for later use as fertilizer.
Weeding
Dig weeds out by hand. There may only be a few, but soon they will become legion. Tackle the small job now, to avoid a larger one later.
Plant bulbs
Now is the time to plant later blooming bulbs and tubers such as dahlias, elephant ears, caladiums, and calla lilies. This is also the perfect time to plant strawberries.
Yes, it is cold outside. But if you want to have a beautiful landscape when spring comes, the time to begin is now.
Questions? Contact First Response Lawn Care by clicking the link below to ask about our expert services in all these areas!
