There are a lot of landscaping and gardening procedures that you can plan for in early spring. Call First Response Lawn Care today at (214) 701-7622 to discuss your landscaping needs and ideas for this coming Spring and Summer.
Spring weeding
Begin your gardening and landscaping design now, and remember that it is never too early to weed. Weeds that have seeded in your soil are just waiting to sprout up at the first sign of Spring. Our pre-emergent services are ideal for this time of year, and getting an early start in weed control will save countless hours rectifying any unwanted growth when the sun starts shining.
Soil prep
Whether you plan on adding new shrubs, grass, or a vegetable gardens this year, we can start prepping your soil early. Soil prep will ensure young plant health. Aerating and fertilization are best stated earlier in the season as well. Breath-ability must be preserved for healthy soil.
Irrigation
It’s never too early (or late) to plan your irrigation. A sufficient irrigation system will make sure that your plants always have the optimal amount of water. If you already have an irrigation system set up, now is the time to check for broken sprinkler heads and leaks. Get your system up to par before the sun hits and any issues prevent your lawn from getting the hydration it needs.
Spring Cleaning
We can handle your spring cleaning chores by clearing out broken branches, leftover leaves, and all of the other winter debris and trash that has accumulated.
If you take the rights steps now, your garden or yard will be completely ready for the spring planting season.
Call us today – (214) 701-7622 and ask about our landscaping services and be ready for the spring planting season.
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Most residential and commercial property owners use excessive amounts of water to keep their lawns and green, costing them more money than necessary.
An irrigation system will put the right amount of water, where and when it is needed.
You get the balance and consistency that hand watering can’t. Your lawn is a reflection of you, so put in a dependable watering system and let your lawn shine.
Irrigation Benefits
Installing an automatic watering system can help transform your grass into the green, beautiful, healthy lawn you want. Lawn irrigation systems are the most efficient way to ensure your yard gets the hydration it needs without over-watering.
Save Time: Irrigation systems work on their own, so no more wasting time manually watering.
Save Money: The benefits of an irrigation system outweigh the initial cost of the system, which will pay for itself sooner than you think.
Save Water: Installing an irrigation system can conserve water while maintaining a healthy landscape.
Recommended Watering Schedules
Established Lawns
Established lawns require less water than newly sodded or newly seeded areas. For the hotter summer months, we recommend that you water five to six times a week. Watering between 3-6AM is the ideal time to take advantage of the coolest time of the morning, but completing prior to sunrise to allow the water to infiltrate the soil as much as possible. You may need to check any water rationing or watering mandate days from your local water utility company first.
Sod
For newly installed sod, we recommend that you water at least two times each day. In the case of extreme heat, it might be necessary to add a third water cycle. Once the grow-in period of a few weeks has passed, it is recommended to reduce the watering frequency.
For twice a day watering, schedule your system for 3-6AM and 6-8PM.
Recommended Water Duration
A lawn irrigation system from First Response Lawn Care includes the proper type of sprinkler heads needed for the area. For instance spray heads and rotor heads for distributing two different amounts of water per area.
Zones consisting of spray heads typically require about 5-10 minutes of run time per cycle .
Zones consisting of rotor heads typically require about 15-25 minutes of run time per cycle.
Signs of a Healthy Lawn:
Fairly even color range from green to dark-grey green
Grass blades bounce back almost immediately when walked on
Even thatch at the soil level
Blades will have fairly even thickness
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Cleaning up your property after a Texas winter is a bigger job than most areas of the nation. Our team can do it all for you. We have landscaping and lawn care programs for both residential and commercial properties. We understand that your time is valuable and limited. Let us take care of your spring cleaning and help you plan for your landscaping needs for the coming season.
What does spring cleaning involve?
Our spring clean-up service involves a variety of things such as:
Weeds pop up fast in lawns and gardens when the temperature starts to rise, so jump on them right away. Using a pre-emergent weed control to get rid of weeds before they’ve had time to germinate, or use a post-emergent if they’re already actively growing. Call us today – (214) 701-7622 and ask about our 7 step program to feed and control your lawn weeds.
Whatever your yard and lawn needs are, our number one goal every day is to help you. Our team of lawn care technicians and landscaping experts can take care of all your maintenance needs. Call us at (214) 701-7622 to schedule an appointment to get your property looking its seasonal best by cleaning and organizing your property after the winter months. First Response Lawn Care can revive your lawn for the Spring and Summer months.
Those super pesky patches of unwanted growth that mar your manicured lawn and create an endless series of headaches for you.
Weeds are not only unsighly, but they can have a devastating effect on an entire landscape if they are allowed to spread. Weeds compete with grass for sunlight, water, and essential nutrients robbing your turf. Once they overtake what was once a healthy lawn, it can quickly turn into a wasteland of troublesome weeds.
And when it comes to pre-emergent weed control, timing is everything. Pre-emergent herbicides are only effective if applied before the annual grass weeds emerge. Apply too late and the pre-emergent herbicide will be totally ineffective.
How Pre-Emergent Herbicide Works
To get a better idea of how pre-emergent works, let’s look at 3 key principles of pre-emergent weed control.
#1 Pre-emergent herbicides are designed to control germinating weed seeds.
As its name suggests, pre-emergent is targeted towards weeds that have not yet emerged from the soil. To get the best results and to avoid wasting time and labor cost down the road, the weeds shouldn’t be visible above ground at the time of application.
Important: Pre-emergent is not designed to control existing weeds or weed seeds.
The weed will only be killed when it begins to sprout from the seed and hits the herbicide barrier. It is possible for seeds to remain dormant and not be harmed by the pre-emergent herbicide application. This is why weed control is a constant process. There will always be seeds under the surface and a portion will germinate each season. Annual applications must be made to significantly reduce large infestations.
Remember, pre-emergent herbicide can affect desirable plants. That includes turf. Caution must be taken if you’re applying pre-emergent and seeding the turf in the same season. Seed first, then apply pre-emergent at least 6 weeks later to allow for lawn establishment. Or seed at least 3 months after the pre-emergent has been applied.
#2: Pre-emergent must be mixed correctly and applied evenly over the target area for best results.
Pre-emergent herbicides need to be mixed correctly for the spray solution to be at the appropriate strength. Take the time to read the manufacturer’s recommendations and don’t forget to calibrate your sprayer!
Thorough coverage is key. Think of pre-emergents like a blanket – you need to cover an entire area through which the weed seeds cannot germinate. Spot spraying achieves nothing, as there is plenty of open space for weeds to come through. Manufacturer instructions will indicate how much product to use “per 1000 square feet” or “per acre”, which determines how much herbicide to use for each gallon of water. Note that it usually takes 1 to 2 gallons of spray solution to cover 1000 square feet.
#3: Pre-emergent herbicide must be watered in.
Watering in activates the herbicide, creating a barrier just below the surface. Most products call for 0.5 inches of irrigation or rain within 21 days after application.
If you’re working with a non-irrigated area or a drip zone, apply the pre-emergent just before rain is anticipated.
Applying Pre-Emergent to Different Classifications of Weeds
To know when to apply pre-emergent herbicide, it is important to know how weeds are classified, namely by their life cycles.
Weed Classification: Summer Annuals
Most well-known example: Crabgrass (Crabgrass Germination Map below) Other examples: Lambsquarters, Mallow, Pigweed, Spurge Life Cycle: 1 year – Germinate in spring. They flower, produce seed, then die in fall. Pre-emergent timing: Late winter/early spring
By eliminating the threat of a weed invasion when the weeds are still seeds, you’re literally nipping the problem in the bud. The best way to accomplish this effectively is by implementing a pre-emergent weed control program. First Response Lawn Care offers an efficient 7 step program to feed your lawn and control your weeds.
Ants are one of the most common pests in Texas. Most ant species that invade homes nest outdoors. Knowing what species of ant you are dealing with is an important first step in eliminating unwanted ants from your lawn before they can nest in your home.
Our experts can determine an appropriate treatment for whatever type of ant problems are prevalent in your yard. Identification is the first step in determining what process is necessary to eliminate these unwanted guests. If your lawn is left untreated, ants can make their way into your home and nest in your walls and foundation making it extremely difficult to find their presence.
With rainy season approaching now is the time to schedule treatment. After a rain, those mounds will start popping up in your yard. Rain will cause fire ant colonies underground to appear above the ground.
Fire ants typically work their mounds between April and July and late September through October. That’s the time when they can cause problems for anyone who comes close.
Fact: Stinging ants such as fire ants may present a medical problem to individuals who are allergic to their stings.
Our technicians are knowledgeable and competent in ant control. We can help you determine the right solution for your lawn.
In order to achieve and maintain a beautiful lawn, it is important to ensure that nutrients can reach the soil beneath your grass. Aeration allows air and water to penetrate built-up grass or lawn thatch.
WHAT IS AERATION?
Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous and healthy lawn.
The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction. Compacted soils have too many solid particles in a certain volume or space, which prevent proper circulation of air, water and nutrients within the soil. Excess thatch or organic debris buried under the grass surface can also starve the roots from these essential elements.
Should You Be Aerating Your Lawn?
One of the most common questions from homeowners is how to determine if they should be aerating their lawn. Your lawn is probably a good candidate for aeration if it:
• Gets heavy use, such as serving as the neighborhood playground or racetrack. Children and pets running around the yard contribute to soil compaction.
• Was established as part of a newly constructed home. Often, the topsoil of newly constructed lawns is stripped or buried, and the grass established on subsoil has been compacted by construction traffic.
• Dries out easily and has a spongy feel. This might mean your lawn has an excessive thatch problem. Take a shovel and remove a slice of lawn about four inches deep. If the thatch layer is greater than one-half inch, aeration is recommended.
• Was established by sod, and soil layering exists. Soil layering means that soil of finer texture, which comes with imported sod, is layered over the existing coarser soil. This layering disrupts drainage, as water is held in the finer-textured soil. This leads to compacted conditions and poor root development. Aerating breaks up the layering, allowing water to flow through the soil more easily and reach the roots.
When to Aerate Your Lawn
The best time for aeration is during the growing season, when the grass can heal and fill in any open areas after soil plugs are removed. Ideally, aerate the lawn with cool season grass in the early spring or fall and those with warm season grass in the late spring.
Aeration is a beneficial practice toward achieving a beautiful lawn, but most people don’t realize it or understand the process. If your lawn is a candidate, make it an integral part of your lawn care regime. Your lawn will thank you for letting it breathe again.
You can count on First Response Lawn Care for your lawn maintenance. Still not sure if your lawn needs aeration? Call us today at (214) 701-7622!
Are you in need of spot or a drip irrigation watering system before the Texas weather starts heating up this summer? First Response Lawn Care is a licensed lawn sprinkler company implementing customized irrigation systems for your lawn. We can install spot watering emitters, micro bubblers and adjustable micro sprays to help water your container plants, ground cover and vegetable rows.
Rain Bird is one of our preferred brands for irrigation drop systems. Drip irrigation puts small amounts of water right at the root zone, helping to keep plants hydrated while reducing runoff, overspray and weeds. Drip systems can also cut your water use in half. Check out Rain Bird’s video below with drip irrigation basics. This video guide explains the different types of drip watering products available and how to choose the right one for your needs.
If you’re in need of a new irrigation system, let First Response Lawn Care Rockwall Texas provide you with efficient and reliable service. Call us today!
From our affordable lawn maintenance to our 7-step weed and fertilization program, our customers only get the best. This coupled with commercial application equipment and well-trained staff makes the perfect recipe to a lush and green lawn.
Your spring lawn maintenance schedule sets the foundation for how your lawn looks through the end of the growing season. Creating the lawn care program that is right for your lawn is crucial. All lawns do not require the same lawn maintenance. You need to consider your grass type, lawn drainage ability and the landscape around your home. Having a lawn care schedule that is right for your lawn will ensure you cover all the bases and don’t miss a critical step. Let First Response Lawn Care help you maintain a healthy lawn that wards off weeds and looks lush and green spring into summer.
We are proud to provide our service in communities like Royse City, Rockwall, Fate, Heath, Caddo Mills and surrounding areas.
In the service industry you want someone you can trust. For lawn maintenance, First Response Lawn Care is that someone.
Call us today for a free estimate for your lawn maintenance at (214) 701-7622!
The City of Rockwall has listed current watering restrictions to conserve water throughout the extreme periods of the North Texas drought as follows.
Watering permitted up to 2 times per week, as needed
There are no assigned watering days
Do not water between 10am – 6pm
Rockwall residents are urged to follow these guidelines and remember that watering is not allowed between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. This provides for the most efficient, cost-effective use of water purchased by customers. For more tips on how to practice conservation, visit the City’s conservation page at:
Let us install a sprinkler system for you so you don’t have to worry with trying to adhere to the watering restrictions. First Response Lawncare can set up an irrigation system that will automatically water on set day/times for you.
Installing a watering system helps your grass develop into the beautiful, healthy lawn you always wanted. Lawn irrigation systems are the most efficient way to make sure your yard gets the water it needs without over doing it.
Save Time: Irrigation systems work on their own, so no more wasting time manually watering. Now you have more time to do the things you love, while your lawn gets what it needs to thrive.
Save Money: The benefits of an irrigation system outweigh the initial cost of the system, which will pay for itself sooner than you think.
Save Water: Installing an irrigation system can conserve water while maintaining a healthy landscape.
Weather in Texas can be extreme to say the least. Summer generally guarantees scorching temperatures every day, and spring or fall can be pretty much anything. This makes lawn care around here tough to plan for. Choosing the right grass for your home is an important decision when planning your landscaping.
1. Bermuda
Bermuda grass, also known as (Bahama grass, couch grass, or devil’s grass) can survive extreme temperatures and severe drought conditions prevalent through Texas and mid-west and is a popular choice for lawns throughout the United States.
Its roots can grow up five feet deep allowing it to thrive at times when drought conditions limit the longevity of other less hearty species. Ideal for high levels of foot traffic and is often used at recreational facilities due to its tenacious nature.
St. Augustine grass, also known as (Charleston grass or Buffalo Turf) is a tough grass that stands up to most climates. It is a great choice for backyards that get a lot of use over the year. Most popular in tropical and subtropical regions, this dark green grass is easily distinguishable by its wider blades. It’s also a highly popular grass for lawns in residential areas. Although it may be less drought-resistant than Bermuda grass, it is just as aggressive and resilient.
Some grass needs more care, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth your time. Zoysia, requires little in the way of fertilization and is more resilient against insect damage.
Zoysia has a much finer texture and needs a lot of attention when it is first starting out. Once grown and developed, this grass is great for preventing weeds and fungus from growing on your lawn throughout the seasons.
