Our Newsletters
- Winter Weather Prep
It’s cold out there! It looks like it might stay that while for a little while. We wanted to share a few tips with you guys and hopefully save you the headache in the future!
- Don’t Trim Camellias Yet!
While it may be tempting, don’t trim your camellias just yet! Camellias bloom in the winter, which means they add some color to your landscape when everything else is looking a little dull. Camellias, like azaleas, are one of those plants that needs to be trimmed at very specific times of the year to avoid cutting off any buds. Trimming these plants at the wrong time can lead to missing out on their beautiful blooms. Trimming should happen around February, but the key is to make sure it has shed all of its blooms first. Once that has happened, don’t wait too long, as they begin to set their buds for the next blooming cycle pretty quickly. Hope this helps and if you guys have any questions about camellias, let us know!
- Keeping Christmas Light Take-Down Organized
Well guys, Christmas is over and that means it's time to take those Christmas decorations down. Yes, we know, it’s a sad time of year. But we have a great Just The Tip Tuesday for you! Taking down Christmas lights can go a lot faster than putting them up, but don’t just pull them down and throw them into a box! Make it easy on yourself for next year and consider making yourself a map. We use maps for every home that we install lights on, simply because it makes reinstall easy for the next year. The maps are color coded and individual light strands are labeled with the correct color tag. Taking a few minutes to make yourself a Christmas light map will save you tons of time next year. You can also label the ends of your strands to tag what strand goes where. Hope this helps and if you guys have any questions, let us know!
- How To Manage Boxwood Dieback
We talk about plant diseases a lot here at Matthews. One of the lesser known issues is boxwood dieback. This is one that we have actually seen more often this past year. This disease is actually a type of fungus and is relatively new. Boxwoods are known for being pretty hardy shrubs and are used in a lot of landscape designs. Dieback is an unfortunate disease that plagues these guys and as of now, there’s no real “cure” for it. There are a few ways that you can help though. The fastest method is to just go ahead and dig up and replace the shrub. If that just isn’t in the cards for you, you can simply prune the diseased potions off the boxwood. You’ll be left with some unsightly bare spots, but with proper trimming and some time, it can come back. Hope this help! You can learn more about boxwood dieback here!
- It’s That Time Again!
It’s that time again! Believe it or not, if you want to prevent spring weeds in your lawn, NOW is the time to put out your pre-emergents. You want to get pre-emergents down because they prevent the weeds from germinating in the first place. So if the weeds never germinate, then they won't sprout and grow in your lawn. You don't want to treat your lawn too early, but you also don’t want to treat it too late after the germination process has started. However, if you do treat a little late and begin to see weeds in your lawn, don’t worry! You can always go back and treat with broadleaf herbicides that will take care of breakthrough weeds. Hope this helps and if you guys have any questions about pre-emergents, just let us know!
- Tropical Plants Looking Sad?
With the below freezing temps that we had this past weekend, you may have noticed that tropical plants in our area are looking a little sad. Don’t panic just yet! In the winter months, tropical plants take more of a hit simply because they have so much water in them. The foliage of the plant will look dead, but just cut it down to about 4-6 inches from the ground, and wait until spring to enjoy your tropicals again! Hope this helps!
- GFI Plugs: Our Number On Christmas Light Service Call
There are many things that can go wrong with your Christmas Lights. Listen in as Garrett talks about one of our most common service calls for Christmas lights.
- Incandescent Vs. LED Christmas Lights
We all know that technology changes rapidly. Even in the outdoor lighting and world. LED lights are definitely pulling their weight in the Christmas Light world. Tune in as Garrett goes through some key differences in LED bulbs vs. incandescent bulbs.
- Pink Muhly Grass: Almost Time To Trim
Pink Muhly Grass is blooming! It's wispy and airy look makes it a popular choice in landscape design. This is one of those plants that you have to hold off on trimming in the summer. Now it is getting close to one of the only times where you can safely trim Muhly Grass.
- Encore Azaleas: A Special Kind Of Azalea
When you hear “azalea” you probably think about a plant that needs shade and only blooms once a year around Easter. What if I told you that everything you know about azaleas is false? Just kidding. It’s not false. BUT there *is* an azalea that doesn’t fit into the typical azalea mold. Encore azaleas are a different species of azalea that gives a little more. These guys bloom once in the spring, like their cousins, but they also bloom in the fall! Hence the name “encore.” They’re also able to withstand direct sunlight; something that your typical azalea cannot do either. With the pros, you always get a con. Encore azaleas don’t get as large as other azaleas, but if that doesn’t bother you, maybe you’d consider adding them to your flower beds. If you guys have any questions about azaleas, just let us know. Have a great weekend everyone!
- What Is Going On With My Hydrangeas?
If you have hydrangeas in your flowerbeds you may have noticed they are looking a little sad. Don’t panic! They begin to look a little crappy this time of year but it is all part of their normal cycle. These guys require very little maintenance, if any at all. In the video, the hydrangeas haven’t been trimmed in a few years because the home owner wanted the to fill I a large area. If you want to keep them small or bring them down in size, all you will need to do is wait fo the leaves and blooms to fall off (they will look like sticks poking up form the grown) and just trim them down to a more manageable size. Hope this helps!
- Flowerbed Clean Up Tips: Weep Holes
We have another fall clean up tip for you guys! When replacing pine straw or mulch for your fall clean up, make sure you don’t cover your slab line or weep holes. Weep holes are built into homes to aid in any trapped moisture to get out of the walls. When you pile your pine straw or mulch over theses weep holes it can cause a lot of problems. If we get a bad rain the water will easily pour into those weep holes. Another issue it causes is that it helps pests gain easy access to the inside of your home. So just keep in mind when you’re replacing or refreshing your pine straw or mulch to keep it below the slab line and save yourself the headache! Hope this helps!
- The Struggle: Fall Grass Watering
If you have lived in Louisiana for ANY amount of time, you know that just because they say it’s fall, we all know that means late summer. The night time lows and day time highs are a real pain because we know that it creates the perfect environment for fungus to thrive. At the same time, you really want to keep watering your grass so it goes into dormancy in good conditions. It’s a delicate balance of “to water or not to water?” Listen as Garrett talks about the back and forth of fall time watering.
- How Often Should You Replace Your Pine Straw?
Hope everyone is having a great day! It's beautiful out there! How often do change out your pine straw? We recommend a complete rake out and full replacement once a year. This is usually done in the Spring and once it's time for your Fall clean up, you can add to and "fluff" the existing pine straw. Of course, if your beds need a little refreshing throughout the year, you can do that as well. Hope this helps!
- Mosquitoes Aren’t Going Anywhere!
We are all excited about fall and the cooler weather that it brings. Well..that it will bring at some point.. There are other benefits to cooler weather that we all look forward to like less mowing. But don’t be fooled when it come to mosquitoes. They’re not going anywhere for now and will still come out to bother you. There are a few things yo can do to reduce the mosquito population around your home. Make sure you remove any stagnant and standing water around your home. Also be sure to treat you landscape beds with IGRs, or insect grown regulators. IGRs are taken back to the population by individuals and work by disrupting the mosquitoes natural growing cycle, which in turn, will result in total colony elimination. Hope this helps and if you guys have any questions about controlling of mosquitoes, just let us know!
- Tips for Fall Prep
With the arrival of fall we can expect cooler weather, sweaters, and pumpkin spice! It’s easy to think that the lawn and landscape world goes dormant with the grass, but I assure we are very much awake and taking care of business. It is a good time of year to go ahead and trim any shrubs that need it, replace mulch or pine straw, and even planting fall annual flowers. Make sure you’re also checking for bugs in your landscape beds. Believe it or not, bugs are a year round issue. In the lawn it’s important to maintain your program; you really want your grass to go dormant in good conditions. Keep an eye out for fungus as well because it is going to take off soon. If you have any questions about cleaning up your lawn and landscape in preparation for the fall, let us know!
- Watch Out For Brown Patch
We had a very cool morning this morning. While it is a welcome relief from the blistering days we’ve been having, the cool weather brings with it one of our least favorite times of year. Fungus season. Cool night time temps with warmer day time temps create the perfect conditions for fungus to start back up. Specifically, brown patch fungus! Look out for highlighter colors in your grass as well as the typical circular pattern brown patch fungus develops. If you can catch and treat fungus early, your grass can recover more quickly. Don’t let it get out of hand because fungus will destroy your lawn before you know it. If you have any questions or think you may be battling a fungal issue, let us know!
- Pest Control Tips With Dylan
Pest control is important in keeping a happy healthy home. Whether you treat your home yourself or have a professional come do it for you, watch as Dylan gives some tips on treating your home the right way! If you have any questions about pests or how to control them, let us know! #matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Earwigs
Earwigs are pests that are occasional invaders. That means they rarely come in a home unless outside conditions are unfavorable for them. Which is why you may be seeing them inside now! These insects prefer a happy medium between too wet and too dry (don’t we all!). Neither the eggs or adults can withstand long periods of dryness, so they invite themselves inside. They are active at night and hide during the day in moist, shady places such as under stones, logs, or in mulch. Usually, a high population of earwigs means there is lots of old mulch and other organic debris that is breaking down or other pests that they feed on are present. Removing all non-essential mulch, leaf litter, stones, or any foliage will help keep them away from the home. Any trees or shrubs that are touching your home should be trimmed away. Hope this helps and if you have any questions about earwigs or other pests, let us know!
- Summer Annuals Are Starting To Fizzle Out
Now that we are getting closer to the end of the summer, you may have noticed your spring annual flowers starting to fizzle out. This is the time of year where color starts to...well...look like crap. Don’t worry, it's nothing you did or didn’t do. It’s just part of the life cycle for annual color. Some flowers may still look good and you have a little while longer to enjoy it. Others are not so lucky. While it may be painful, you may want to go ahead and pull the flowers that don’t look so good. I know, the beds will look like they’re missing something, but fall annual flowers will be coming before you know it! If you have any questions about pulling your color or anything else lawn and landscape related, just let us know!
- Watch Where You Store Your Firewood!
Fall is coming and then before you know it, it will be COLD! If you haven’t gotten your firewood yet, now would be a good time to stock up. It is important to be aware of where you’re planning on storing your firewood. It's inevitable that you’re going to wind up with some bugs in there and maybe even some termites. So just make sure that you choose a spot away from the house so you don’t make it easy on those pests! So, two things here: Get firewood and watch where you’re putting your wood!
- Don’t Give Up On Your Grass Yet!
It's hot! The thought of working in the yard when it's this hot is a little unbearable, we get it! But you just gotta keep on keepin’ on. Maintaining your lawn by continuing to mow weekly and watering every few days is important for when your grass goes into dormancy. If you let your grass go dormant in less than favorable conditions, it will require a lot more TLC in the spring when it comes out of dormancy. We hope this Just The Tip Tuesday helps and if you have any questions about maintaining your lawn, just let us know.
- How To Trim Roses By Hand
Check out this how-to video on trimming roses by hand. Not all of us have power trimmers to take care of our roses. But thats okay, you don't have to have them! When trimming roses by hand all you need are some hand pruners and some gloves. In August (when this video was taken) you are going to want to trim them to about half their size. Make sure you also trim away any dead stems that you see. Take care and use gloves to avoid getting poked. Emily had to learn the hard way. Hope this helps!
- Don’t Touch Your Shi Shis!
A Shi Shi is a type of Sasanqua that is commonly known as a Camellia. These shrubs will bloom in late Fall to early Winter. You do not want to trim Shi Shis now because they are producing small buds for the Fall. If you trim them, you would be cutting off the blooms and affecting the blooming cycle for the late Fall months. If you absolutely need to trim a Shi Shi, be sure to make selective cuts rather than an aggressive trim. Try to avoid cutting the small buds! The best time to trim is late January, depending on the shrub's blooming cycle.
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Fig Ivy
Are you looking for wall coverage that is pretty low maintenance? If so, fig ivy is the way to go! Fig ivy is a popular yet traditional wall covering that can give your home that Southern touch you may be looking for. Throughout the year, the ivy will thicken, and you will need to trim the few stragglers you may see 2-3 times a year. Even though fig ivy is pretty low maintenance, you will need to trim up the top of the growth so it doesn't cause damage to the trim of the home.
#matthewslandscape#shreveportlawncare#bossierlawncare#wefeedgrass
- Leaf Spot On Crape Myrtles
Let’s talk about leaf spot. Most of the time when we talk about leaf spot, we’re talking about Indian Hawthorns. Since Snowmageddon killed all of the hawthorns, leaf spot has been homeless. Just kidding, we found it! This case of leaf spot is on a crape myrtle. Leaf spot is a type of fungus that tends to go after new foliage. Most of the time, the leaves will be covered in spots and the leaf may even turn a reddish-orange color. If you see leaf spot on any of your plants, don’t panic! It can be treated with a fungicide, but be aware that it may need to be treated more than once. If you have any questions about leaf spot or any other plant ailment, just let us know!
- Crabgrass
Crabgrass is a very common weed in our area. It is most often confused with dallisgrass. Crabgrass has a broad grassy leaf along with tiny hairs on the stem. This weed can be seen in early summer, but it is typically a late summer weed. This is why it is so important to get your spring pre-emergents down at the right time. If you put them down too soon, you’ll have late summer weeds like crabgrass break through. Don’t worry though! If you do have crabgrass, it can be treated with an application of Tenacity. Be prepared though, as Tenacity will turn your crabgrass white. The way it works is by bleaching out the blades and interfering with the photosynthesis process. It’s actually pretty neat to see! If you have any questions about crabgrass or need help identifying it, let us know!
- Hands Off Muhly Grass!
Don't touch your pink muhly grass! This grass is becoming a very popular choice due to its wispy look and its ability to tolerate drought-like conditions. This time of year, most of the other ornamental grasses are beginning to fade out. Pink Muhly grass is just getting started. They bloom in the fall and the result is a beautiful fluffy pink flower that lasts for about 6-8 weeks. Trimming it now would mean that you would be cutting off any blooms that are getting ready to pop out. Hope this helps and let us know if you have any questions about pink muhly grass!
- Drip Lines And Your Termite Control
Here’s a tip you may not be aware of. Whether you are a DIY-er or you have someone come install termite bait stations for you, be aware of your drip line. The roof of your house overhangs the wall a bit and when it rains, there is usually a very obvious area where you can see that water falls off and hits the ground. This is your drip line. This area sees a lot of water and it is very difficult to get grass to grow. What does this have to do with termite you ask? Good question, Emily! If you install your bait stations on your drip line, the stations will begin to deteriorate more quickly than normal. Even if you decide to use liquid treatments, that will break down quickly as well do to the water. So you really want your treatments and prevention to be outside of your drip line to increase the longevity and not have to replace them prematurely. I hope this helps and if you guys have any termite related questions, or any other landscape or pest questions, let us know!
- Grass Clippings In The Streets
Today we're talking about something that is a major pet peeve of ours. Grass clippings in the street. I get it, when mowing near the road it’s easy to just leave the clippings where they land. But this can be a huge issue for several reasons. First, and probably the most trivial, is that it just looks bad. Secondly, grass clippings get into the city’s drainage system and can clog things up, making it a time consuming and costly problem. Lastly, it’s a major road hazard. Cars, bicyclists, and most importantly, motorcyclists, can slip and slide over grass clippings causing wrecks which could result in some major injuries. So please, if you cut your grass and get some in the street, take the extra 5 minutes to either blow it back into your yard or rake and bag it. I hope this helps and maybe we taught you something new today. If you have any questions for us, let us know!
Photo Credit: Brenda Bennett
- Check Out These Before And Afters!
Check out this Transformation Tuesday! This was a really fun job that was extremely rewarding in the end! Like most of us, these guys lost some plants with Snowmageddon. So we removed the dead plant material and replaced them with some smaller shrubs. We aggressively trimmed some overgrown shrubs and removed the dead fronds on the palms. It's important to note that when aggressively trimming shrubs, they tend to look like they may not make it. This actually promotes new growth and before you know it, these shrubs will be full of healthy new foliage! If you have any questions about this satisfying Transformation Tuesday, let us know!
- Rose Rosette
Roses are an extremely popular flowering shrub in the landscape world. But rose rosette is a virus that plagues roses, especially knock out roses. The virus is actually caused by a tiny insect called a spider mite. In its beginning stages, rose rosette can be difficult to distinguish from new plant growth. The signs include deep red and jagged leaf growth, excessive thorniness on the stems, and small rose buds that never fully bloom. The unfortunate reality is that once the roses get rose rosette, there is no known cure as of now. It is recommended that the plants are removed and destroyed, but to make matters worse, no other roses will be able to take their place in the landscape. The soil is still contaminated so any new roses that are put in their place will develop rose rosette as well. Last year, most cases that we dealt with were in the North Bossier, Benton, and Blanchard areas, but now we are beginning to see more and more cases in the southern parts of our area. It's an extremely unfortunate disease that has no fix. You may be able to help reduce your chances of getting rose rosette by treating your roses with a miticide approved for spider mites. If you think you may have rose rosette and need help identifying it, send us some photos and we can help you!
- Lawn Destroyer Series: Chinch Bugs
This will be the last of our lawn destroyer series...for now. Today we are going a little more into detail about our most common foe, the chinch bug. Chinch bugs don’t feed on the grass blades or roots like our other two pests. They have small beaks that they use to poke into the blade and suck the nutrients out. This is what makes it so difficult for someone to know that they have chinch bugs. The damage can look extremely similar to damage from lack of water. Chinch bugs can be prevented and treated with regular lawn insecticide treatments with products like Bifen (another win for Bifen!) Well, there you have it! That’s our three part series about our area’s most common lawn destroying pests and what you should do if you find yourself battling with them. If you guys have any more questions about chinch bugs, army worms, or grub worms, just let us know!
- Lawn Destroyer Series: Grub Worms
Here in the second part of our lawn destroyer series we’ll talk a little more about grub worms. Grub worms look like big blobs of snot. Gross. I know. They live underground and actually feed on the roots of your grass. And you know what they say: no root, no grass! It does take a little longer to notice as the grass begins to turn slowly. You can actually go out and pull your grass up in sheets when you have bad grub worm damage. Although at this point, the only fix for your grass is to rake up the dead grass and install new sod. For grubs, we treat with Bifen and sometimes it can take more than one treatment. These guys aren’t as common around here, but they are still a big deal when it comes to destroying lawns. Hope this helps and as always, if you have any questions or think you may have a case of grub worms, let us know!
- Lawn Destroyer Series: Army Worms
Here is the first of our “Lawn Destroyer” three-part series! Army worms are small grass eaters that look like small caterpillars. They are about 1-2 inches long and very green (inside and out...gross). Army worm damage comes in the form of thinning and disappearing grass. It’s important to act fast with an army worm invasion! Feeding an army takes a lot of food and your grass is what's on the menu. For us, treatment involves an application of two products: Bifen and Imidacloprid. This cocktail provides a fast knockdown and keeps working residually which should take care of any of these pests that may still be around or haven’t hatched yet. We hope this helps and if you have some questions about army worms, let us know!
- Lawn Destroyers To Look Out For
Now that we're on in the summer, there are three main lawn destroyers that you need to keep an eye out for. Chinch bugs, grub worms and army worms can all destroy your lawn in their own way. We will touch on the main points of them here, but will go into more detail about each one later. Watch to see what you should look out for. If you have any questions, or think you may be dealing with a lawn destroyer, let us know!
- Backflow: What is it and why is it important?
Let’s talk about backflow. First of all, what is backflow? Water systems are designed to move water in one direction. Sometimes things happen though and water can go in the opposite direction that it is supposed to. When that happens we call it backflow. Because.. back..the water is flowing back.. You get what I’m trying to say. Well, why is that such a big deal? When the water backflows, it can introduce contaminants into the water system which we all know is kind of a big deal. This is where backflow preventers come in. They prevent the water from flowing backwards in your system and causing contamination. Take a minute and see what Garrett has to say on the subject. If you guys have any questions about backflow or any other irrigation questions, let us know!
- Tips On Treating A Flea Problem
Fleas are a common problem here in the hot summers of Louisiana. There are a few ways to deter the population away from your home. But what happens when you start seeing them in your home and yard? One of the very first things you need to do when you notice a flea problem is to treat your pets. Fleas dips, topical flea treatments, or even a flea pill are all options to help with flea control (check with your vet for specific recommendations).
The next thing you would need to do is treat the lawn (Cyzmic CS is our recommendation - be sure to read the label for instructions and warnings! Let it dry for at least 2 hours before letting pets back on the lawn). If the fleas haven’t made it into the home yet and you don’t treat the yard as soon as possible, it’s only a matter of time before they come in.
Treat your home as well and make sure you target your pet’s frequent hangouts, whether it’s their bed or just a favorite spot on the living room floor (PT Alpine is a good option - no one can be in the house though once applied...read the label!). Be sure to vacuum your carpet and sofas frequently to help clean up any dead or still living fleas after treatments. Flea control is one of this things that you will most likely have to stay on top of every few months when it comes to “preventing” them. Hope this helps, and if you guys have any questions, let us know!
- How To Reduce Your Mosquito Population
Did you know a single bottle cap full of water is enough for a mosquito to lay up to 300 eggs? Insane, but true! Think of all the places around your home that could be holding water. This is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Eliminating standing water by dumping it out is going to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home. When treating your home for mosquitoes, you can also use products called insect growth regulators, or IGRs. This product will be carried back to standing water sources and interfere with the breeding cycle causing colony elimination. Hope this helps!
- River Birch: A Personal Favorite
River Birch trees are a personal favorite. You can identify them by their "fluffy" bark. They're pretty cool trees that are fast growing and provide lots of shade. Although, this time of year they begin to dump their leaves; but don't worry, it's part of their normal cycle and they won't lose them all. If you're looking for a tree to add to your property, check out the river birch!
- When Should You Water Your Grass?
Believe it or not, the best time of day to water your grass is not during the day. It’s not in the evening either. The best time to water is actually early in the morning, sometimes before the sun comes up. Watering during the day can cause a few potential issues. One of the first issues that you could run into is the wind. Typically, at night, the wind is not nearly as…uh...windy. Depending on the type of sprinkler heads you have, the breeze can carry the water to areas other than where you want it to go. Another issue is evaporation. During the hotter parts of the day, the water from sprinklers will quickly evaporate. What little water that makes it to the ground won’t have enough time to soak in properly. Did you ever use a magnifying glass to burn leaves when you were a kid? Well, in the heat of the day, water droplets act as mini magnifying glasses on your blades of grass that can cause damage. Watering early in the morning before the sun comes up is the best time of day for your grass because the soil has time to soak up the water properly. It also gives the blades of grass ample time to dry so you don’t get the magnifying glass effect. Dry grass also helps ward off any fungus that might be lurking. We know this was a long winded video with lots of info, so if you need some further explanation or have any questions, let us know!
- Crape Myrtle Shedding: Is This Normal?
If you have some crape myrtles that seem to be losing all of their bark, don’t worry! It’s normal! Every now and then crape myrtles shed their bark. It mainly happens in more mature trees and it may or may not happen every year. This is a totally normal process and doesn’t harm the tree in any way. Let us know if you have any questions about your crape myrtles!
- How To Sharpen Your Mower Blades
This has been a highly requested video. You've seen us stress about the importance of sharpening your mower blades and the damage it can do to your grass. Here is a video of Garrett actually showing you how you can sharpen your blades at home. Let us know if you have any questions!
- Keep Your Grass In Shape
Keeping your grass weed free and looking good isn’t something that happens over night. Being on a program is also not something that you can just stop and expect your grass to stay looking good. It is kind of like working out. You go to the gym, it starts off slowly, but you finally get in shape and looking good so you stop going to the gym. Then after a while, surprise! You’re flabby again… It is the same for your grass. Keeping it healthy and weed free is an ongoing process. So don’t take your foot off the gas, the results are worth it! Let us know if you guys have any questions.
- Are Your Crape Myrtles Turning Black?
Are your crape myrtles turning black? Maybe you’ve even noticed the plants under your crepe myrtles turning black as well. This is caused by scale. Scale is a pest that attaches itself to the crape myrtles and essentially, sucks the life out if it. The black goop that you see is actually a sooty mold caused by the scale’s…uhh.. poo. After some time of the scale’s by-product sitting there, the mold begins to grow. To get rid of the mold, you first have to get rid of the scale. Down below is a link to a video about the treatment process. After you get rid of the scale, the mold can be scrubbed away with some soapy water and a brush, or even a power washer. Hope this helps!
Treating Crape Myrtles Video Click here
- The Rundown On Irrigation
With all the rain we have gotten you probably haven’t even thought about turning your irrigation system on. Now that we have some sunny days in the forecast and it’s getting to be a lot hotter, now would be a good time to do a walk through to address any problems. Watch our Q&A with Ashley and David on some potential issues you may run into. If you have any questions for David, let us know!
- Great Grass Takes Time
Having that thick, green, weed-free lawn is what we all strive for. Getting on a consistent fertilization and weed control program is the first step to a beautiful lawn. In a world that is all about instant gratification, it's important to remember that grass is a living thing and it will take time for it to get healthy and grow to be the way you want. There are so many factors that go into how long it will take and how much effort you’ll have to put in. You’ll have to start somewhere, but all your efforts will pay off and you’ll get that beautiful lawn that you’ve been wanting. In the words of Joe Dirt, you gotta just keep on keepin’ on. Let us know if you guys have any questions. #matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Use Round-Up Wisely And Don’t Let This Happen To You!
Round-Up is a very useful tool when you need to get rid of some unwanted vegetation in areas like sidewalks, driveways, or even fence lines. You just have to be sure to take extreme caution when using it close to vegetation that you don't want to get rid of. Rain or even your irrigation system can cause round-up to go exactly where you don't want it to, and in this case, the rain caused some runoff into the actual grass and caused a little damage. Make sure you don't get too close, and you don't use too much. If this happens to you, don't worry too much about it, the grass will eventually fill in over time. Hope this helps, and let us know if you have any questions.
- Tip Tuesday: Keeping Weedeater/Grass Trimmer Line Fresh
Here's another Tip Tuesday! Weedeating is already a little frustrating. Spooling the line into the weedeater is a chore itself, and can become increasingly annoying when you’re dealing with old dried out line. The line itself is a hygroscopic material. That is just a fancy way of saying it absorbs moisture from the air. As a company, we go through a lot of this stuff, but homeowners may not go through line as quickly. If it is stored in a dry area, it loses it flexibility and becomes stiff and brittle. Stiff and brittle weedeater line means that you’ll be going through it a lot quicker and it won’t be as easy to put onto your weedeater. The easiest way to solve the problem? Just throw it in a bucket of water for awhile! It will add the moisture back, thus giving you back the flexibility. Hope this helps and let us know if you guys have any questions.
#tiptuesday #matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- How Did Ashley Deal With Dallisgrass?
Dallisgrass is one of those weeds that is an absolute headache. It is hard to get rid of and the main reason for that is that the root system is so deep. There are only a few ways to get rid of dallisgrass. The first way to get rid is it is to dig it up, taking care to get the entire root system. Another way to do it, what we call the “back saving” way, is to spray it with Round-Up. You must use extreme caution when using the Round-Up. Spray the crown of the dallisgrass only. You will have a dead spot from the herbicide, but the grass will eventually fill-in the dead area. Watch as Ashley shares her struggle with dallisgrass.
- Do I Need Aeration?
Aeration is a great way to help with compacted soil. When you have compacted soil in your yard, air, water, and nutrients have a hard time getting down the the roots, leaving your grass lacking. So, how do you know if you have compacted soil? One of the quickest and easiest ways to check is to get you a plain screwdriver. You should be able to take your screwdriver and easily drive it down into the ground. If you have a hard time doing that, or it just simply won’t go, you probably have compacted soil and would definitely benefit from aeration. Just another quick tip for our #TipTuesdays. Let us know if you guys have any questions.
- Remember To Sharpen Your Mower Blades
Make sure you remember to sharpen your mower blades every so often. Believe it or not, sharpening your blades actually has an effect on your lawn. You want your blades to cut, but when the blades get dull, they start to rip and tear at the grass leaving it frayed and damaged. You don’t have to have a lot of fancy tools to sharpen them; a file, angle grinder, or a bench grinder will do the trick. Hope this helps and if you have any questions, let us know!
- Fungus Is Hanging On
Fungus is unfortunately, still a thing! Be on the look out. The main fungus we are seeing right now is take all root rot. Take all root rot earned its name by, well, taking all of your yard. Its super important to take action as soon as you notice the lime green grass like here in the photo. If you’re struggling to identify it or you need some help with it, just let us know. Thanks!
- Hurry! Trim Your Azaleas Before It’s Too Late
Your azaleas should have dropped all of their blooms by now. Which means, this is the only time of year to trim them and still have blooms for next year, and the window is closing quickly. If you're needing to reduce the size of your azaleas, or just want to shape them up, now is the time to do it. Generally we like to have them trimmed, at the latest, mid-June. Of course, if you need to trim them at any other time of the year, you won’t kill the plant, you’ll just miss out on those beautiful spring time flowers. If you guys have any questions, let us know.
- Clean Out Your Drains!
With all this rain coming in be sure to check your under ground drains! The drains in your yard can get stopped up by leaves and other debris that will stop the flow of water. You want your drains to flow efficiently. This is a quick and easy chore that can save you a lot of headache. Simply brush off the leaves and debris and watch the water flow. If you have any questions about your drains just let us know. Thanks! #matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Chop Your Fire Wood Now
Now just stay with us here for a minute. Fire wood. Why in the world would we be talking about fire wood right now? Well, cutting your fire wood now is actually the best time to do it, in our opinion. Cutting it now will allow it to dry out all summer and get “seasoned.” Seasoned fire wood is probably a term you’ve heard before, but if not, all it means is that the wood has been allowed to sit and dry out to get rid of as much moisture as possible. Seasoned wood makes for a much better fire than green wood, aka freshly cut wood. Got any questions, let us know!
- How To Keep Spiders Gone
Spiders are one of those creepy crawlies that no one wants around their home. While there are chemicals on the market that can kill spiders, it can be a bit difficult. Sweeping the webs continuously is a way to keep them gone. You can use a broom or any other soft bristle brush and simply sweep the eaves. The spiders will want to rebuild, but it takes a lot of energy to build those webs, and if you stay on top of its and keep knocking them down, they will eventually realize that your eaves aren’t a good area to make a home and move on. Hope this helps and if you have any questions, let us know!
- Bare Spots In Grass Caused By Water And What To Do About It
Do you have a part of your yard that just holds water? Maybe even after the rest of the yard has dried up, there’s that one place that just stays wet? You may notice that particular area has virtually no grass, or the grass that is there is full of weeds. When water stands in one place of your yard for a long time, the grass just isn’t going to do well. Another issue that you’ll run into is the break down of any chemicals that you use on your grass, particularly pre-emergents. The water breaks down the chemical over time and makes it ineffective at keeping weeds at bay. There are several options to solve your water woes. The area can be leveled or you can install a drain to route the water else where. Bottom line is, if you want healthy weed-free grass in those wet areas, you’ll have to get it died up a bit first. Hope this helps and let us know if you have any questions!
- Do Your Hawthorns Look Dead On The Top And Alive On The Bottom?
Did you know that snow can insulate? If you haven’t, take a look around town and you might notice how some plants, especially Indian Hawthorns, have healthy new growth down at the very bottom, but brown and crispy foliage on the top. The reason the plants look healthy on the bottom is because the snow and ice actually insulated and protected that portion of the plant from the frigid air. Aside from the frigid air, the added wind further dehydrated the plants. There are two solutions to dealing with this problem. You can completely remove the plant, or you can cut all the dead portions off. If you go the route of aggressively trimming them, just be aware that they won’t look good for a long time. Hope this helps and let us know if you guys have any questions!
- Wi-Fi Controllers For Efficient Grass Watering
Have you ever seen someone’s irrigation system running during the rain? Maybe they (or you) forgot to turn it off before a storm blew in. Once every now and then it probably won’t matter, over time, the cost could add up. Wi-Fi controllers are a pretty neat tool to help better regulate your lawn and how it gets water. These systems link up through wi-fi to a weather channel outlet. They can tell how much water your area has gotten and will adjust accordingly to get your grass watered efficiently and save you some money. You can also control the system from your phone. Pretty neat!
- We’re Still Keeping An Eye Out For Fungus.. Are You?
I know, I know. We talk about fungus a lot. It is one of those things that's still a pretty big issue right now. We've had a lot of people asking us about it. It's important to remember that a fungicide treatment will not reverse the damage already caused but the fungus, it will stop the damage from progressing. It takes a good long while to repair fungal damage, this is why it is so important to remain vigilant when it comes to it. As always, if you have any questions, let us know.
- Tips: Prepping For Annual Color
Preparation is key! Especially when it comes to annual color. Annual flowers need a certain type of soil to thrive. They really need a finer soil that provides good drainage with some type of filler to keep it from clumping. Mounding the soil is super important as well. This is really going to help with drainage. Also, make sure you know what type of flowers you’re choosing and what specific needs they have; some enjoy full sun, while others prefer some shade. Just a few things to keep in mind while you're adding to your beds!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- How Are Hydrangeas Doing?
Are you one of the lucky ones?? Hydrangeas did well with the winter weather that came through our area. We had some high hopes for hydrangeas since they were dormant during the storm. Most of the ones we have seen have put out leaves and even have buds on them! As the heat comes on, they’re getting ready to bloom, so don’t trim them just yet. If you have some dead portions of the plant, you can go ahead and trim those areas off with hand shears or just pop it off at the bottom. If you have any questions, let us know!
- Plant Of The Week: Knockout Roses
Hey guys! Our plant of the week this week is the beautiful and classic knockout rose. They did so well after the snow this past winter and are really looking good. Knockouts should have been trimmed back in February to about half of their size. Don’t trim them right now! It won’t kill them, but it would mean that you’d lose all of your buds and it wouldn’t bloom again until next season. The next time they will need to be trimmed will be around August. If you’re not seeing any blooms on your roses right now, you may have have some sort of issue going on. You could be experiencing fungal issues, insect issues, or even the dreaded rose rosette. Keep an eye out for more upcoming information about roses. Hope this helps and if you have questions, let us know!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- How To Get Rid Of Stickers (Burweed)
Stickers are such a pain. Did you know these are actually winter weeds? These stickers, or burweed, actually germinate in the fall and grow during the winter. In the summer they start to flourish like most other weeds, and as the summer goes on, the weeds begin to die. The catch with these weeds is that when they die they become a big pain. The burr itself gets hard and this is the part of the weed that’s painful when you step on it. There are a couple of ways to take care of them. The first and and most effective way is to prevent them from ever germinating in the first place by using pre-emergents in the fall. While that’s the best way to deal with them, it doesn’t really do you any good right now. This time of year, the best course of action is to treat for them while they’re still relatively underdeveloped; before they start to develop the burrs. Using a chemical like MSM will help knock them out, but if you’re too late in treating them, you may get stuck with them. Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare.
- Slow-Release Granular Fertilizer
Make sure you feed your grass! There are so many products out there for fertilizing your lawn. We always recommend using a slow-release fertilizer. Slow-release fertilizer is a granular fertilizer that comes in various sizes and thicknesses of coating. The coating breaks down at different times and the fertilizer is released over a longer period of time. These slow-release fertilizers can last from 90-120 days! Most home improvement stores carry brands that only last 30 days. In the long run, you could save some money by treating with slow-release fertilizers, which means treating less often. Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Termite Swarmers
Termite swarmers are active! We’ve gotten a lot of rainy days then warm days back to back. This created the perfect environment for termite swarmers to stretch their wings. When swarmers become active, they’re looking to find mates and branch out to form their own colonies. It is safe to assume that if you’re seeing them, there is a colony nearby. It would be a good idea to call a professional to get a good treatment plan. If you have any questions, let us know!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Its Time To Fertilize
It's time to fertilize your grass! When choosing a fertilizer, it’s important to know what type of grass you have so you know the correct amount of nitrogen to use during the growing season. If you take a look at any fertilizer bag you’ll see a set of three numbers. The one number we are concerned with is the first number, which is 32 in this example. This means that 32% of what’s in that bag is nitrogen. Now, let’s say we’re wanting to treat a 1,000 square foot area with one pound of nitrogen. Do a little magic, or math (you decide!), and you come up with 3.2 pounds of fertilizer mix for that 1,000 square foot area.
Knowing your grass requirements also helps you get the results you want. If you use too much fertilizer, you could wind up with fertilizer burn. If you treat it with too little, you may not see the results you want. Hope this helps and if you have any questions, let us know! #matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Brown Patch
Let’s talk about brown patch.
Brown patch is a type of fungus that plagues our area this time of year. It shows up as a circular patch of brown grass. St. Augustine grass it more susceptible to this fungus than the other common grasses in this area. When we get major swings in temperatures like we’ve seen these last couple of weeks, added to the moisture we’re getting, fungus is absolutely thriving. It’ s important to treat any fungus in your yard before it has a chance to take off. It moves quickly and can ruin a beautiful yard in no time. If you have any questions, let us know. Thanks!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Dollar Weed
Another weed we’ve been seeing a lot of lately is dollarweed. It looks like a mini lily pad and it thrives in wet conditions. The catch with this weed is that the ideal conditions for this weed are not the ideal conditions for your pre-emergents. Don’t worry though if you do get some break through dollarweed, it can easily be treated with a broadleaf herbicide. While herbicides are a good band-aid for dollarweed, it would be a good idea to figure out why the area is holding so much moisture and attack it from that angle. Hope this helps and if you have any questions, let us know!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Prepping Pots The Right Way
Did you know there’s a right and wrong way to do larger pots? When doing pots, it’s easy to just want to fill them up with dirt. If you do it that way, you’re likely to get that nasty coffee-colored water leaking all over your patio and that could potentially cause a nasty stain that’s hard to get rid of. When you’re first starting a pot, you really want to get you some weed fabric. Cut a piece and place it in the bottom of the pot. The next thing you should do is fill the pot 1/3 of the way up with wash gravel. On top of the wash gravel, cut another piece of weed fabric and put it over the gravel. Then you’ll want to put in your dirt and plants. This will help filter the water in your pots and keep it from being so nasty. If you have any questions about your pots, let us know!
- What To Expect With Your Irrigation Turn On This Season
Whether you’ve already turned your irrigation system on or not, we want to give you guys a heads up on a couple of things you could be seeing.
Your system has been sitting all winter and the first turn on of the season could release a foul smell. This smell is cause from things like algae build up and stagnant water that has been sitting since the system was turned off in the fall. Don’t worry, this will go away fairly quickly.
Another thing that you will most likely see is sputtering from your sprinkler heads. This is another thing that you don’t need to worry so much about. This is caused by the air being pushed out of the lines. Each zone will continue to spit and sputter until all the air is out of the system.
Once all the air is out and the water starts to flow through, make sure you check each sprinkler head. Clogged up lines can cause a lot of other issues, so if you see a sprinkler head putting out low volume or none at all, it could be as simple as cleaning out the head filter or flushing the lines.
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Sweeping Spider Webs
One of the chores that comes along with pest control is sweeping spider webs along the eaves of your house. While there are chemicals on the market that kill spiders, sweeping the webs continuously is a way to keep them gone. The spiders will rebuild their webs, but if you stay on top of it, they will eventually realize that your eaves aren’t a good area to make a home and move on. Hope this helps! #matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Plants Post-Freeze
What are we seeing after the freeze? A few disappointing things, but a lot of really positive signs!
The Bad:
Most annual flowers look bad. We aren't going to talk much about this, though, because it's almost time to change them anyway.
Loropetalums are pretty much smoked! Most of the ones we've seen so far have lost all of their foliage. Several are outright dead. The ones that are alive will have to be cut back to about ¼ of their current size and allowed to grow back out. When this happens, they will be left bare. If you only replace the dead ones, it’s going to look weird having some new good-looking ones mixed in with other dead, bare looking plants. It’s going to take at least 2-3 growing seasons for them to get back to their original size and shape. We are recommending replacing these with new ones. You may be concerned with the same thing happening again next winter, but the reality is that this was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Typically, Loropetalums thrive very well in our climate and you should not be concerned.
Indian Hawthornes are another plant with a high mortality rate. All of them have lost their foliage and look completely dead. In fact, most of them are dead and will need to be replaced. When deciding what to replace them with, we are asking people to consider a different plant like the Sunshine Ligustrum. Over the past several years, Hawthornes have suffered greatly from a fungus called Leaf Spot. This was already creating a massive issue with the plants losing their leaves and looking bare. Unfortunately, this issue isn't going anywhere and simply replacing them with new ones is going to give you more of the same issues.
The Okay:
Boxwoods actually fared the storm okay. We are seeing a lot of “tip death” where the tips of the plants have died off. As it gets warmer and they start to grow more, the plant can be trimmed. We predict after 2-3 trimmings, most of these dead spots will have grown out and disappeared. There are some cases where we are seeing where the total plant died and are recommending to just replace the plant with a new one.
Ligustrums seem to be a hit or miss situation. We have seen some that are totally dead and will have to be replaced while others look perfectly fine. Others seem to have lost half or more of their leaves. The good news is most are still alive. It may take the rest of the year to completely fill back out but they should be okay. Considering the cost of these plants and the amount of time it takes for them to grow, we are recommending to leave them alone and let them come back.
Sasanquas and Camellias are another group that did way better than we expected. There are some younger plants that didn’t make it, but the more mature plants did well. There is some foliage damage to most of the plants where they look dead and burnt; however, this should go away as the plant grows and needs to be trimmed. A possible issue we may see is if the plants are trimmed too late into the year, some of the new buds could be damaged and affect the bloom cycle this coming winter. Consider the alternative of replacing the plant; this is a better outcome!
Agapanthus may be too early to tell, but we are confident everything will be okay. Hopefully by now, you have cut them back to the ground and gotten rid of all the dead foliage. We are already seeing new growth out of these and expect a full recovery. How much they bloom is still in question, but based on past experience we should be fine. This more tropical plant tends to get damaged more often requiring the aggressive cut back. In the years that follow they alway seem to do just fine.
Live Oaks may look bad right now, but are just fine. Every year, they drop all of their leaves but this happens over time and never leaves the tree looking empty. Following the ice, most of them around town have dropped everything, leaving them to look bare and dead. Don’t worry - they are fine!
Ivys and Jasmines are looking rough right now but will be fine. They are going to need all the dead removed but will come back with new growth. Make sure you don't remove the actual vine - just the dead foliage.
Most all Palms lost their fronds but survived the cold. The dead limbs will need to be removed but they will grow back out this year. There are a few cases where they were a total loss and will need to be replaced, but overall they did well.
The Good to Great:
We are excited that Azaleas are not a total loss! Yes, most lost their foliage, but we are seeing a ton of buds developing and in a few cases they are starting to bloom already. They are going to require a decent amount of trimming and then allow them to grow back out. All things considered, we are thrilled they aren’t completely dead! We do realize there are some cases where they died, but it’s not near at the level we expected to see.
Youpons are the heavyweight champs of the year! 99% of them look the exact same way as they did before the storm. They don’t need any special attention this year other than normal maintenance.
Sunshine Ligustrums are another plant that thrived and don’t seem to be showing any damage at all. This is also the plant we are recommending people use to replace Indian Hawthorns with.
Holly trees fared very well. There seems to be a decent amount of foliage lost, but they are not bare and still seem full. Just keep performing normal maintenance with these.
Ornamental Grasses did well and are already flushing out with new growth. Nothing to do or worry about with most of them. Spring is upon us and we are looking forward to seeing what is to come! Let us know if you have any questions.
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Orange Slime Mold
Orange slime mold is a not so common phenomenon. Sometimes the stars align and conditions are perfect for you to get slime mold. While it can look terrifying and even a little off-putting, slime mold is not actually harmful to the tree. In this case, the tree received some sort of injury. The sap from the tree is full of carbohydrates and sugars. When the sap begins to weep out of the injury, bacteria can sometimes get in there and feed on the carbs and sugars. This is an environment that bacteria absolutely thrive in. While it is unsightly, there isn’t really anything that needs to be done for slime molds. As the temperatures rise, it will eventually dry up. Although it may leave a temporary orange tint on the tree. If you guys have any questions about orange slime molds, let us know!
- Fig Ivy After The Snow Storm
Another plant that took a beating after all the snow is Fig Ivy. Fig ivy is a popular plant used on trees and especially walls on houses. While the ivy looks dead, the vines attached to the wall or tree may still be alive. The dead foliage will need to be removed from the vines in order to promote new growth. This is another one of those plants that you don’t have to wait until spring to take care of. Remember to be careful though when removing the dead foliage, you don’t want to accidentally pull the vines off of the wall. After a while you will start to see new growth and you’ll have your beautiful wall of fig ivy back!
- Fire Ants Invading Your Lawn?
Fire ants! Another pesky insect that could ruin your day is starting to show up now that it’s starting to get warmer. Most routine lawn programs offer some sort of insecticide to take care of bugs in the yard like fire ants. If you’re a DIY-er, you'll want to take care and make sure you kill the ant bed completely or they’ll just move to another place in the yard. Being on a regular program offers a barrier to protect your yard even if your neighbors have ants. If you have any questions, let us know. Hope this helps! #matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- The Termites Are Coming!
The termites are coming! No, really!
Its’s that time of year where we’re starting to see termite swarmers. Swarmers are masses of termites that are trying to find mates and start their own colonies. Make sure to be on the look out for termite tunnels and the swarmers themselves. As always, prevention is key! Let us know if you have any questions and hope this helps!
- Camellias After the Snow
One of the shrubs that you can trim after Snowmageddon is the Camellia. We encourage waiting until after the bloom cycle of all plants to trim. Camellias bloom in the winter months and are coming up on the end of their bloom cycle.
Since most of them have dropped their blooms, it’s okay to go ahead and trim them to get rid of some of the ice damage.
Like most other plants in the area, Camellias used a lot of energy during the winter weather and could use a little pick-me-up in the form of some good plant food.
With the stress most of these plants went through, it can make them more susceptible to outside influences such as insects and disease. So make sure you keep an eye on them and let us know if you need any help! - Annual Color Looking Bad After Snowmageddon?
Is your annual color looking bad after all the snow? Most plants took a beating with the all the snow and ice. While it’s too early to tell the true damage of the ice, the good news is with warmer weather on the horizon, some may start to perk back up. They’ve used a lot of energy these past few weeks, so if you’re not already feeding them, get your plants on some sort of plant food to replenish that energy. The unfortunate reality is the type of annual color that is planted in the area just isn’t cut out for the wild winter weather that we experienced. It's inevitable that some won't make it. In that case, you can remove it until it's time for new spring color. Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Worried About Your Grass After The Snow?
After snowmageddon last week, people have been contacting us about their yards. They've been worried the snow and ice did permanent damage to the grass below it. You might be surprised that the layer of snow actually helped protect the grass from the cold. An extremely cold wind would do much more harm than snow and ice by dehydrating the grass and drying it out. The soil below was much warmer than the top layer. More good news? If you did pre-emergents, the melting snow will actually help spread them across the soil. So, don't fret! Your grass should be fine. Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Sprinkler Systems & Irrigation Problems
With the recent storms and cold weather our area has experienced, we've been getting many questions about sprinkler systems and irrigation problems. The most common issue we're seeing is a crack in the copper leg or in the vacuum breaker. Another issue you may see is water gushing out of the vent kit. We show you examples of these scenarios, why it happens, and how to address the problem.
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Azaleas After Snow
This week, we're going to talk about a few plants that may have taken beatings from Snowmageddon 2021! As a general statement, your plants will be fine. Although they look a little sad, we wouldn't recommend going in with sheers and trimming them just yet. Cutting some plants now could do more harm than good. Check out the video in regard to azaleas, one of the most popular plants around time. Hope this helps!
- Worried About Your Plants After a Winter Freeze?
With all the cold temperatures, snow, and ice many people are wondering if their plants are going to survive. The truth is some will and others won't. The plants that will have the most damage are going to be your palms and other tropical type plants. Other plants will suffer from broken limbs and branches due to the heavy weight of the ice buildup. A lot of annual color that is covered in snow and ice will be damaged beyond repair as well. Just because you see a foliage turning brown though doesn't mean the plant is dead. Oftentimes the plant will stop sending food and energy to the foliage in an effort to save the main body. A lot of plants will need some major pruning this Spring when things warm up and the plants start growing again. It is important to remember though not to get out there and start cleaning anything or cutting branches just yet. We still have plenty of winter left and will more than likely see freezing temperatures again this year. When you cut off the dead limbs, it will promote new growth which is something we don't want yet. The new tender growth will be more susceptible to freeze damage and could just harm the plant even more. It will also be important to feed your plants this spring, more so than ever before. The plants are exerting a ton of energy and using up their food sources right now to stay alive. Once this all passes, we will want to replace that so there is plenty of nitrogen for them this Spring.
So, to sum it all up:
Don't trim your dead plants yet. Wait until the Spring when the temperatures are warmer and freezes like this are past us.
Don't be alarmed when you have to do major cutbacks to several of your plants. They will need a total reset to come back stronger and healthier.
Do make sure you feed your plants a quality slow-release food source this Spring. Make sure it is early and don't wait too long.
- The Correct Way to Spray
Not only is putting the correct treatments down at the right time important for effective lawn care, the way they're put down matters as well. If it's not done correctly, there could be spots missed, under-spraying, over-spraying, etc. Our techs are very methodical in how they distribute the liquid. If you're treating your yard yourself, slow down and make sure you're covering the entire yard evenly. If you have any questions, let us know!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Winter Prep Series #3: Faucet Covers
The last video to help prepare y'all for the incoming cold weather. It's so important to cover outside faucets in cold weather to help prevent freezing in the pipes. They are an inexpensive purchase at your local hardware store. If y'all have any questions, let us know!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #babyitscoldoutside #snowmageddon
- Winter Prep Series #2: Fountains
We're giving you guys some little tips to save yourselves some headaches and dollars with the cold weather rolling in! Today, we're going to talk about fountains. As you can imagine, freezing water can cause costly damage. Many people think about their plumbing in cold weather but might not think about the accessories around their home. We hope this helps!!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Winter Prep Series #1: Vacuum Breakers
Over the next few days while temperates start to drop, there are some things that you can do to save yourself a headache. We will discuss a few things this week with vacuum breakers being up first. It's important to get things winterized to prevent things from bursting or breaking. Check out our YouTube channel for advice or call us so we can help you! Y'all stay warm!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Got Bugs?
It's a good idea to have regular pest control treatments (hey, I know a guy), but besides that, there are things you can do that can help prevent the bugs from entering your home. Bugs like to enter through any nook and cranny they can, so be on the lookout for entry points, and get them handled before you're sharing your home with more than just your family members and pets. Let us know if you have any questions!
#matthewspestcontrol #wepreventbugs #shreveportpestcontrol #bossierpestcontrol
- Clean Your Drains and Gutters!
With the leaves still being around from Fall and the periodic rain we've had and will continue to have, it's important to keep your drains and gutters clear of debris. They can't work their best if they're clogged with leaves, sticks, etc. If you can't, or don't want to, do it yourself, there are plenty of companies that can do it for you! If you have any questions, let us know.
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Don’t Chop Off The Blooms of Your Loropetalums!
Loropetalums are a common shrub which are easily recognizable by their purplish leaves. They provide a whimsical look, but some people like to keep them very manicured by trimming them into a certain shape. If you are itching to trim your loropetalums, try to resist. They bloom little pink flowers! Right now, they should have their blooms or will be getting them very soon. Trimming them will cut those buds right off, and you won't be able to enjoy the flowers in a few months. It's best to trim them in the summer AFTER their flowers have fallen off. If you have any questions, let us know!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Eager To Trim Your Azaleas? Don’t!
We know it might be tempting to trim your azaleas, but it's not the time. If you trim them now, you will disrupt their natural blooming cycle. The best time to trim them is in Spring after their buds have dropped and their petals have fallen. Let us know if you have any questions!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Trimming Your Palms
If your palms have taken a beating from the cold weather and have more brown than green, the plant is still fine but trimming will need to be done at some point. Don't worry about the plant itself - it's fine! This goes for all palms whether it be trees or sago palms in your landscaping. If y'all have any questions, let us know!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- How to Treat Your New Sod
Several of our customers have gotten new sod put down recently. If you've also laid some new sod down, this is NOT the time to put down any pre-emergents. It's important to allow time for your new sod to root before putting down anything that could jeopardize your lawn. Check out the video to see what you CAN put down. Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Step Away from the Weed and Feed!
To follow up our video from yesterday, let's discuss why Weed and Feed shouldn't be used. This is NOT the time to feed your grass. Feeding your grass should be done when temperatures rise. The main focus of lawn care right now is pre-emergents!! You guys having deja vu? Yep, we're saying it again! Get those pre-emergents down while it's still time. We'll be sure to let you know when it's time to put down a different treatment!
#matthewslandscape #wepreventweeds #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Weed and Feed? We’d Rather Not!
Still questioning the importance of pre-emergents? We won't stop until everyone understands the importance! Don't waste your money or time on inferior products. You can get everything you need from a local store or Amazon. Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Granular vs Liquid
While we are on the topic of pre-emergents, let's dive a little into whether you should use a granular or liquid product. Frankly, it depends on what you're trying to do. What you use for pre-emergent might be different than what you use for herbicides. Here's a short explanation on what we recommend using and why. Let us know what else we can help you with!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Different Types of Pre-Emergents
After our post yesterday showing the difference between a yard that has had pre-emergent treatments and one that has not, we got many questions about products that can be used. Here is a breakdown of 4 different products. Let us know if you have any other questions!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Black Sooty Mold on Crapes
Crape Myrtles are prone to scale that leaves a black sooty mold. Although you can treat the scale, it won't remove the residue left behind. It will have to be washed off. It's also not the time to treat the scale. It's best to wait until warmer temperatures when bugs are most active.
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Don’t Trim Your Knockout Roses!
Knockout roses are starting to look a bit sad, and we know it's tempting to trim them, but stay away! For this area, February is the ideal time to perform an aggressive trim in order to keep them on their proper blooming cycle.
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Treating Dallis Grass
Dallis grass is a weed many people deal with! People are often disappointed when they realize that it's not an easy weed to treat and cannot be prevented. The only product that can kill it is roundup. Roundup has to be carefully sprayed in order to avoid killing the grass nearby. Let us know if you have any questions!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Correcting Improper Crape Myrtle Trimming
We shared a video a few weeks ago showing the sad state of many crape myrtles. Crape Myrtles need to be trimmed properly, but just because there have been mistakes made in the past, it does not mean it's too late to right those wrongs. Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- It Is Time for Pre-Emergents!
Have you put down your pre-emergents?
We try to stress the importance of prevention when it comes to weeds. If you aren't familiar, pre-emergents help to stop the weeds from germinating underground. If you've never treated your yard, don't expect perfection in the first year. Yards tend to take a year or two of regular treatments in order to really combat the problem. If you're doing this yourself, there are several products that work well but following the instructions and getting the formulation correct is crucial. Let us know if you have any questions!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Christmas Light Storage
As people are putting away their Christmas decorations, little tips and tricks can prevent some frustration. Christmas lights in particular can be a headache for many. We hope y'all enjoy this tip!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #christmaslightstorage
- Pink Muhly Grass Trim
It's time to trim your grasses! This video explains the importance of trimming specifically pink muhly grass and how to do it properly, but all ornamental grasses need to be trimmed right now in order to keep them on track for their intended blooming cycle. Let us know if you have any questions!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Preventative Termite Treatment
Take a minute to listen to Dylan explain the importance of prevention when it comes to termites. Just because someone doesn't currently have a termite problem, doesn't mean it won't become one in the future. Termites can cause costly damages to your home. Prevention is key in avoiding those issues.
#matthewslandscape #pestcontrol #termites
- Let’s debunk this termite myth.
There is an age-old debate about which is better - barrier treatment or bait stations when treating termites? We go with the bait stations.. and here’s why. Some say that using bait stations is like ringing a dinner bell and attracting the termites to your house. While the barrier treatment only stops some of the termites already headed for your house, the bait stations attract the termites AWAY from your house and to the bait stations. Another benefit is as the termites feed on the bait station, they carry the bait back to the colony to cause the entire colony to collapse. Our mission is to not just intercept termites as they come to feed on your house but to eliminate your termite problem completely. Let us know if you need our help or have any questions. #matthewslandscape #andpestcontrol #termites
- What should I do with my Christmas tree after Christmas?
When taking down your Christmas decorations, if you are unsure of how to properly dispose of your Christmas tree, you should consider bringing it over to Bailey Bark Materials off St. Vincent Ave. so it can be recycled. You can just drop your tree off and they will grind and mulch it up for you so it doesn’t end up in a landfill. #matthewslandscape #recycling #thepowerisyours
- Christmas Lights Take Down
Pro tip: When taking down your Christmas lights, make things easy on yourself and create a map of your layout and label your lights. This will save you the headache next year when you go to reinstall. Hope this helps! #matthewslandscape #wehanglights
- Merry Christmas!
Thank you for another awesome year!
- Don’t Commit Crape Murder!
Now that the leaves have started falling off of your crape myrtles, some of you are probably itching to trim them. First rule of thumb is to wait until all the leaves have fallen before making your first cut. If they were trimmed last year, make diagonal cuts above the ones made last year and remove all twigs. With very large trees, they don't need to be trimmed, but you can still clean up the suckers growing at the bottom. The benefit of proper pruning is to promote healthy growth and control scale. If trimming your crapes seems too complicated, either leave them alone completely or call a professional. Crape murder should never be an option!
#matthewslandscape #crapemurder #makeamericacrapeagain
- Rain vs. Christmas Lights
Do you notice that your Christmas lights flicker during rain? Don't stress! It's most likely a GFI trip due to the detection of water. As it dries out, which usually takes a few hours, things will smooth out. Just hit the reset button to get the system working again. Hope that helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- How do you plant 2,000 lb/20 ft tall trees?
In this case, it took 8 men, 2 supervisors, and the boss to get it done! This is a glimpse into the process of installing three Japanese Maples in the backyard of our client's home. Japanese Maples, when planted in an ideal climate, can live over a hundred years. They do better in cooler climates and lose their leaves in late Fall/early Winter. Y'all stay tuned for the finished product!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare - Fun Fact:
Before holly was hung in houses to accompany Christmas trees, it was considered to be a sacred plant by the Druids. While other plants wilted in winter weather, holly remained green and strong, its berries a brightly colored red in the harshest of conditions.
The Druids regarded holly as a symbol of fertility and eternal life, thought to have magical powers. In Druid lore, cutting down a holly tree would bring bad luck. In contrast, hanging the plant in homes was believed to bring good luck and protection. Holly was also thought to protect homes against lightning strikes. Romans associated holly with Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest, and decked the halls with its boughs during the festival of Saturnalia.
- It’s time to winterize your irrigation system
Don't make these common mistakes when attempting to winterize your irrigation system. In this video, we will show you the proper steps to get your system ready for the winter. Hope this helps!
- Bloom Cycles!
If you've replaced plants in your flower beds this year, don't be alarmed if you haven't seen any blooms just yet. It may take a few seasons before they get on the same bloom cycle. Remember.. patience is a virtue! Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare
- Let’s talk maintenance!
If you notice that your tropical plants start to wilt once we get closer to freezing temperatures, there is no need to worry. This is totally normal! This just means it is time for some simple maintenance. When trimming, you will want to make angled cuts about 6 inches above the ground and when the weather starts to warm back up in a few months, these tropicals are going to come back to life. If you have any questions, just ask. Hope this helps!
#matthewslandscape #wefeedgrass #shreveportlawncare #bossierlawncare - Should I Cover my Plants?
As the temperatures begin to drop, you may be wondering how to keep your plants protected. In our area, the temperatures dont stay cold enough for long enough to do a lot of damage. However, if you feel the need to cover your plants, you have a few options. Using plastic vs cloth coverings comes down to personal preference. In this video, we go over these options and give you some tips on making the best decision for your plants. Hope this helps.
- Ladder Stabilizers
Here is a handy tool to use on your ladder while hanging your Christmas Lights. Ladder stabilizers actually serve a couple of purposes. The first and most important is that it stabilizes the ladder against the house and helps keep it from moving. Another big one is that it keeps the ladder from leaning against your gutters and causing damage. They are pretty cheap and can be taken on and off the ladder easily as well. Hope this helps! Be careful out there!
- Winter Time Bugs
During the winter it’s not uncommon to see new or additional bugs inside of the house. It isn't always a sign of an infestation though. The 2 major causes of new pests are firewood and decoration boxes. Most all bugs come into your home from the outside. This is why you are able to protect your home using an exterior application. The bugs are intercepted before coming inside. When you bring firewood from outside into the house you can also be bringing in bugs. Another big cause is decoration boxes. They sit in storage all year and then get brought inside. If you don’t inspect the box before bringing them inside you could also be bringing in bugs. Our suggestion is to keep firewood stored away from the house and keep decoration boxes outside if you can help it. Also inspect everything before bringing it in to make sure it’s not covered in bugs! Hope this helps!
- Termite Treatment Inspection
We talk a lot about the importance of protecting your house from termites. What you don’t want to forget though is the importance of ongoing inspections. These inspections are one of the main reasons we only use bait stations and recommend you doing the same. Just like in the video, you are able to remove the stations and visually inspect whether or not there is any active termite activity. When there is you know they are now present and to be more diligent in watching for them. You also will know that if they are actively feeding that soon the colony will collapse. You can also change out the old bait for new in the event there is heavy activity. If the bait starts to break down you can also change it out. The important thing to remember is don’t just treat and forget! Make sure you are inspecting the bait stations at least twice a year for activity or issues! Hope this helps!
- Snapdragons in the Fall
You must be mindful of the fluctuating temperatures when planning your fall flowers. If you plant too early and it gets to hot outside you will loose some of your plants. It you wait too late the cold temps will keep the plants from rooting and doing as well. Snapdragons are tender perennials that will repeat bloom throughout the season but do best in the cool of spring and fall. Throughout the winter their performance will depend on how extreme our weather is. The colder it is the less they will bloom. Don't count them out in the Spring time. As it warms up they will explode and often still be blooming when it is time to plant your summer flowers. Hope this helps!
- Leaf Removal vs Mulching
https://youtu.be/12FUANftxis
Your grass may not be growing but you still need to keep your lawn clean! If you have trees anywhere near your yard then there no doubt by now that you have seen a ton of leaves. Depending on the types of trees will depend on the size of leaves, amount and the time they fall. In the start of Fall, using your mower to mulch them up will sometimes be enough. As you get further into the year however, you will usually have to pick up and remove the leaves at least 1-4 times. When you mow over them with a mower it turns them into mulch like it does cutting grass. The issues start when there are too many leaves. You will end up contributing to the thatch layer that sits above the root system in the lawn. Some thatch is an ok thing, too much is harmful to the grass. The issues however are going to be delayed and you won't see the negatives for some time like when the grass is struggling to grow thick next summer. Another issue is when to many leaves start to form a sort of mat on top of the grass. Over time this mat will stay wet and keep the grass wet. This will then lead to rotting of the grass and other possible fungus issues. Just remember to not let the leaves build up to much on your lawn and unless your mower can make them disappear, there are to many and they need to be picked up and removed. Hope this helps!
- LED Bulbs VS Glass Bulbs
Before you buy your Christmas light material this year, make sure to research all the given options. We have done our best to go full LED and it has changed the game! Although LED bulbs are more expensive, the cost is well worth it. One thing we have always wanted to avoid is broken glass! No matter how careful you are broken glass is just a thing. LED bulbs are made of hard durable plastic, making them almost indestructible. Something to keep in mind is how much you can save on your power bill. LED bulbs use 90% LESS electricity vs your traditional glass incandescent bulb. Let us know if you have any questions!!
https://youtu.be/ofsT5Fvr7JU
- Questions Before You Buy.. Christmas Lights!
Halloween has come and gone.. Time to start thinking about Christmas!! Looking to out do the neighbors this year? Wanting to hire professionals to install your Christmas lights? If so, there are a few key questions you should be asking. These questions are to ensure you receive the best product for the best price. Let us know if you have any questions or need suggestions! Have a great day!
https://youtu.be/qkliHUVwAoU
- Crape Myrtles Are Changing!
We've had a few calls about Crape Myrtles changing color and if anything could be wrong with them. Don't worry, nothing is wrong, it is perfectly normal this time of year. Crape myrtles will continue to change through the rest of the year. Once December hits their leaves will begin to fall, but that doesn't mean it's time to trim them. Crape myrtles should be in complete dormancy before being trimmed. Once they are dormant, this is when selective cuts can be made… Remember to never commit CRAPE murder! Hope this helps! If you have any questions, let us know down below! Have a great day!
https://youtu.be/kZ9tLbAf-w8
- Pine Straw or Mulch?
It's one of the most popular asked question this time of year.. "Which is better.. Pine straw or Mulch?"
In all honesty.. The ball is in your court! While both have their own pros and cons, one does not out do the other. For example, price. The price difference between the two is not enough to choose one over the other. Here are a few things that may help you decide.
Don't install mulch if pine trees are in the yard. Although mulch tends to look much cleaner, over time it ends up covered in pine straw looking messy! Pine straw is a hiding place for snakes… so that a huge con for some people! If landscape beds hold water keep in mind, mulch is more likely to wash out of the bed vs pine straw.
The list could go on and on. At the end of the day, choose whichever looks better in your opinion or best fits your situation. Let us know if you have any questions!https://youtu.be/qHMGFpd9DrE
- Landscape Lighting: Photocell Timer
Time change is this weekend so don't forget to set back the clock! While everyone knows to set back the clock, people do tend to forget about their landscape lighting. The biggest complaint with landscape lighting is having to figure out when and how to set the time manually. Either the lights are coming on too early or going off too late, vise versa.
An easy solution for this is a photocell timer. A photocell timer will trigger landscape lights to turn on once it's dark and turn off once the sun comes up. The one downside of a photocell timer is if we experience a thunderstorm the lights may trigger and come on. It's a very small downside compared to all the positive advantages they give. These timers can be bought here in town at Ewing Irrigation.
Let us know if you have any questions or need suggestions. Have a great day!
https://youtu.be/vGJc0zDXfyM
- “Winterizing” A Lawn
This time of year we are asked about "winterizing" a lawn. The meaning of winterizing can be subjective. If someone is living up North and has cool season grass, there are far more steps needed compared to someone in the South with warm season grass. Right now the main thing that needs to be done is apply pre-emergent. Pre-emergents stop winter time weeds from germinating. Do NOT apply fertilizer to your lawn right now. Grass is weeks away from going dormant and green grass is coming to an end. Applying fertilizer right now opens the opportunity for disease and fungus to develop. Later in the year you can apply supplements for the grasses root system. Right now is all about weed control and prevention with Pre-emergents!
https://youtu.be/Hvc0RWHlha8
- Yuletides and Shi Shis
Looking for Fall blooming shrubs? Once knockout roses are done with their blooming cycle, it's time for Sasanquas! Yuletides are tall and have a cylinder shape, while Shi Shi’s are short and shrub-like. Both are beautiful Fall and Winter bloomers. When Shi Shi’s bloom, the flowers are bright hot pink. Yuletides flowers are bright Christmas red with a yellow center. It is very important that these two aren’t trimmed right now since buds are set! Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/dH0g1KKpZNE
- Mosquito Treatment
Don't forget about mosquito treatments!
Mosquitoes live in the "shade" of a plant and also feed on nectar they produce. This is why we treat the landscape of a home. On top of treatments, be sure to eliminate beneficial producing conditions for mosquitoes. Let us know if you have any questions or need suggestions!
https://youtu.be/4ZnW-NzhmtE
- Mums & Crotons This Fall
If you are wanting to spice it up this year, considering planting mums or crotons. Both of these plants scream Halloween and Fall! The downside is you can only enjoy them for about two months. Once we get a frost or hard freeze they will begin to die off. This goes especially for mums, but both will not survive a Winter.
https://youtu.be/3S6kkIBnCYM
- Azaleas.. Don’t Touch Them!!
Don't make the mistake of trimming your azaleas this Fall! Azalea buds are set for next Spring, trimming them now will remove the buds resulting in bloomless Azaleas. It is okay to make selective cuts if needed, but not an aggressive trim!
https://youtu.be/QcuhkH7mLgY
- Don’t Wait.. Get Your Firewood!!
Got that good wood??
If not, now is the time to get your firewood!! Although you may not be using it just yet, ordering earlier in the year can save yourself from a huge hassle. Once Winter comes around, more and more people are buying! Meaning supplies run low and you could be left waiting. We highly recommend using All Pro Tree Service! This is a local company we use personally! You can pick up or have firewood delivered. As well as a wide size variety to choose from. Have a great day!
https://www.allprotreesite.com/app/order
https://youtu.be/oAbX8auTg5c
- Annual Flowers.. Do you know where they come from?
With the temperatures changing it's about time for annual color hit the shelf. Do you know where vendors get it from? Nine times out of ten it's from up North where the temperatures are completely different. These flowers aren't used to this climate. This is a perfect reason to shop locally. Hope this helps!
https://youtu.be/JbH1nWT2hX8
- Autumn Blaze Maple
One of our favorites this time of year is the Autumn Blaze Maple. During the Fall, their leaves go through a color change of green, bright red, yellow, and orange. They provide the perfect accent to an area. If you are looking to add something for privacy or shade, a Maple is probably not the best choice. This is because once Winter hits, they are completely bare. Like a River birch, Maples are a fast growing tree. Typically any tree that completely loses its leaves is fast growing.
https://youtu.be/zVQ6P7-58po
- Fall Trimming
Are you ready for your Fall clean up? Remember what you should and shouldn't be trimming. Let us know if you have any questions or if there is anything we can help with.
https://youtu.be/QWmDzP3SUpQ
- Pre-Emergents!!!
The time is now! We want to stress the importance of laying pre-emergent and the amazing results they bring in the future. If you decide to lay pre-emergents yourself, be sure to read the label carefully. It is important to lay the correct amount. Laying too little will result in break through and too much will cause extended dormancy. If you guys have any questions just let us know! Have a BEAUTIFUL day!
https://youtu.be/TkOzdsSyVH4
- Tools That Can Make Life Easier
Happy October!
If you're getting ready to tackle your Fall clean up, this is a tool to consider! We use shrub rakes to remove trimmings, leaves, and debris. At hardware stores, they are sometimes marketed as kids hand tools, but they are shrub rakes. Let us know if you have any questions!https://youtu.be/OWf6OhBHq3M
- Replacing Pine StrawHope everyone is having a great day! It's beautiful out there!How often do change out your pine straw? We recommend a complete rack out and full replacement once a year. This is usually done in the Spring and once it's time for your Fall clean up, you can add to and "fluff" the existing pine straw. Hope this helps!!
- The #1 DO and the #1 DON’T For Your LawnDO put down your pre-emergent!This application will prevent winter weeds and will help specifically in the late Winter early Spring. The weeds seen at this time are actually Winter weeds and are prevented NOW.DON'T apply fertilizer!When you hear us say "winterizing" the lawn, this is not a nitrogen based fertilizer. You do not want to apply something that is high in nitrogen, this helps feed and promote fungus. Be mindful of what you apply to you lawn right now.
https://youtu.be/633iuR-l0ns
- Treating Brown Patch Fungus
Look out.. Brown Patch is back and here to stay as long as we have wet weather and large temperature swings. All grass is prone to brown patch, but is mostly seen in St. Augustine grass. If you have St. Augustine this is something you need to be aware of! Brown Patch does not need to go ignored. The fungus can spread throughout the lawn in what seems like overnight. Apply a fungicide as soon as possible to stop any further spread. Moving forward, make sure to allow your lawn enough time to dry out before watering to reduce moisture.
https://youtu.be/wNkCdqTFsvQ
- How to Prevent Stickers!
Let’s look back at the Spring.. Did you have those God awful stickers in your yard? What if I told you there is a way to PREVENT them for next year? Stickers are winter weeds that germinate in the Fall and thrive throughout the Spring. Once Summer heat hits, seed heads harden and fall, causing stickers. “How do I get rid of them? When?” NOW. You prevent them with pre-emergent! Stop them from ever germinating!
Hope this helps and let us know if we can help in any way. Have a great day!
https://youtu.be/MYB9qXYCGTg
- Scale on Azalea Bushes
We are always talking about scale on Crape Myrtles and what to keep an eye out for. While scale is predominantly found on Crape Myrtles, it can also be found on other plants. In this case, these azaleas look relatively healthy, but one area is starting to die back. When looking at the underside of the bush.. it is covered with black sooty mold and scale! Scale needs to be treated with an insecticide. Depending on the scale severity, the plant can be saved. Keep an eye out and don’t let scale progress.. Get ahead of the issue. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/C7xBepvf99o
- Different Drainage Options
Who’s tired of the rain already? Well get ready, we’ve got more coming!
After multiple rain days, we get tons of calls related to poor drainage throughout yards. When it comes to better drainage, you don’t need to add new dirt and regrade the area. The best option is to install a simple drainage system. When you regrade an area, the issue is being addressed, but it is just moved from one area to another. A drainage system catches water and moves it to the preferred area such as the street or a vacant lot. Water is lazy and wants to take the path of least resistance.. Give it a path and there is no issue!
If you have any questions feel free to ask… Stay dry out there!
https://youtu.be/nAAlJkwxc9o
- Brown Patch Fungus Among Us
Heads up!!! Brown Patch is on its way back! Brown patch hasn’t been a large issue just yet, but will be in a matter of weeks! When looking for active fungus, look for almost perfect brown circles throughout the lawn. Remember to act fast and lay a fungicide to avoid further spread. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/YlWjzyvgQos
- Pre-Emergent…Don’t Want To Miss It!
Are you wanting a good looking lawn this Spring? Well now is the time to start the prep work and lay a pre-emergent down. The weeds you see throughout March-May actually aren’t Spring weeds… They are winter weeds! These weeds wait patiently to explode once the temperatures rise. The goal is to stop winter weeds from ever even germinating. This is why you apply a pre-emergent in the Fall. If your plan is to wait till the Spring, once the weeds start to take over, this is a REACTIVE approach and won’t give you the results you're looking for. Take a PROACTIVE approach this year and apply your pre-emergent now. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ8xnULr5oM
- Pruning AgapanthusOne of our favorite plants have come to the end of their life cycle. Once agapanthus have bloomed, the stalk will need to be removed. When the stalk is still green, find the base of the plant and cut the stalk off. The easiest way to remove the stalk is with bypass pruners. If the stalk is brown and dried out, it can easily be pulled by hand. There is really not much to the removal but it will leave a landscape with a cleaner look! Also, friendly reminder! Although agapanthus are being trimmed, don't touch your shi shi's, azaleas, or pink muhly grass. This will interrupt their Fall blooming cycle. If you have any questions, leave them below.
https://youtu.be/-lIzqhPQfgU
- Yuck! Black Sooty Mold
Have you noticed Crape Myrtles turning black? What about the plants around them? In case you’re wondering.. It’s not normal or healthy. Thankfully, it can be fixed! This black mold/mildew is the result of armored scale and their bathroom habits. Armored scale is an insect that lives and feeds on the tree. After doing business it drops on any plant material below. After a short time, it turns into the unsightly black mold.
https://youtu.be/LquAePpPMHI
- Looks Worse Before It Looks Better
When first starting lawn care, things may appear worse before they get better. Let’s say your lawn has a large amount of weeds. Once you take the necessary steps to kill and also prevent weeds, areas of the grass can be left weak and thin. People are often surprised by how many weeds they actually had until they are gone! As weeds die off, it can take 2-3 cuts to remove dead weeds. With time and patience, these thin areas will fill with new grass. A good looking yard does not happen on it’s own. Proper lawn care and weed prevention is a process that needs to be followed carefully from start to finish. Although you got rid of the weeds once.. Doesn’t mean they can’t come back!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWw1_34Fn38
- How Are Your Summer Flowers Doing?
How are your Summer flowers looking? It isn’t uncommon to have to pull Summer color before being able to plant Winter color. Don’t worry, there isn’t anything you did or didn’t do, it’s just the end of their life cycle. Through September, Summer color may appear to be overgrown and begin to fall over. Sometimes they will break and in itself kill them. Although most color will start to die off, others may carry out through September and possibly early October. Hope this helps!
https://youtu.be/rFnFxjZd4ho
- Importance Of Surfactant
When applying your liquid pre emergent, you need to consider adding in a surfactant. A surfactant helps break down an application's water surface tension. Once it’s broken down this allows water to spread evenly and absorb faster. This may sound like a nerdy topic, but it is extremely important! Let us know if you have any questions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3fpKQdIToI
- Applying Pre Emergent.. The Time Is NOW!
When you think of Fall pre emergents, you think of Winter weeds like clovers and such that will take over a lawn when it’s cold outside. While this is correct, be mindful that the most important weeds it will prevent are the ones visible next March and April. Most of the weeds seen during these months are actually still Winter weeds. They lie dormant all Winter anxiously waiting to explode once the temperatures warm up. You have 2 options to address the issue.
1-Be proactive and apply a pre emergent NOW
2-Be reactive and “attempt” to kill the weeds as they start to grow.
Make the right call and get ahead of the game...apply your pre emergents this Fall and don’t fight weeds next Spring!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKjwzaFYLeY&t=13s
- Dog Pee Effects On A Lawn!!
We all love our furry friends, but their pee can cause damage in the grass. Dog pee contains a high concentrate of ammonia and nitrogen. If your dog pees in the same spot repeatedly, over time the grass will begin to thin out and eventually die. We often see this damage off the edge of patios, along fences, or near front doors. The best way to avoid damage is to dilute the pee as soon as the deed is done. Hope this helps!!
https://youtu.be/igBCV4M7eF8
- ⭐ Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply
Do you plan on tackling a project yourself? We are often asked where to buy certain products or materials. We highly recommend Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply for the materials you need. They carry everything needed for irrigation, drainage, landscape lighting, and commonly used lawn products. Hope this helps!
https://youtu.be/mLvPpJMCYf0
- 🧚 Fairy Ring 🧚
With the recent rain and humidity, it’s not surprising to see mushrooms in someone's lawn. We have explained before that all lawns have all varieties of fungi in them. In this case, the fugi is called fruit producing which causes the mushrooms to grow! Mushrooms can grow throughout the lawn, but can also be seen in a perfect ring. This is where the name Fairy Ring comes in. Don’t worry.. These mushrooms don’t harm the grass. They can be mown over and are likely to never be seen again. Hope this helps! If you have a Fairy Ring-- Share your pictures below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EghuFe8jxdo
- We Love Arbor Chain!
Since the recent storm, it's likely to have a tree with a bit of a lean and needs to be stood back up! If you're looking for something fast and easy, we recommend using Arbor chain. Unlike using rope and having to tie knots and risk slippage, Arbor chain provides great support while also giving the ability to adjust as the tree continues to grow. Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any questions.
https://youtu.be/9Az-z9-EX3E
- Be Prepared.. Clean Your Gutters!!
With the storms rolling in, you want to be prepared. If you have drains in the yard, we highly encourage you to go out and remove any debris that could stop water from entering. Check your gutters and make sure they are clear of debris as well. Just a proactive tip before this rain comes in! If you need help with any of this let us know and we can make arrangements. We will also be available Thursday after the storm to help with any emergency cleanups. Be safe out there!https://youtu.be/CvkOnaVJCGg
- Look Out For Yellow Jackets!!!
Often mistaken for honeybees, Yellowjackets are brighter in color, with a thinner, more defined waist. Yellowjacket attacks can be deadly for people who are allergic to their stings. Yellowjackets are more aggressive than other stinging insects such as wasps, hornets, mud daubers or bees. They can both sting and bite. They will often bite to get a better grip to jab their stinger in. Yellowjackets vigorously defend their nests. Swarm attacks can occur when someone accidentally steps in or hits a nest opening. Ground vibrations can also trigger attacks from underground nests -- Thus, mowing lawns can be hazardous during the late summer season when colonies are large. Hope this helps, let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/h_qx6Jlpo00
- Maintaining Fig Ivy
Looking for wall coverage that requires relatively low maintenance? Fig Ivy is the way to go! Fig ivy is a traditional wall cover that can give the home a Southern touch. Throughout the year, once the ivy has thickened, you may notice a few stragglers across the wall that can be evened out. Although it requires low maintenance, over time the ivy will need to be trimmed away from the house. If left alone, Fig ivy can cause damage to the actual trim of the home.
https://youtu.be/44lgrrKSPP0
- Hands Off Pink Muhly Grass!!
PSA: If you’ve got it.. don’t touch it! Pink Muhly grass is preparing to bloom and you don’t want to miss it. The beautiful pink blooms start close to the end of September and will thrive for about 8 weeks. If you trim them now, you will be removing the stocks and never see the blooms! The recommended time to trim is January-February and will need to be cut back about 6-8 inches above ground. Pink Muhly grass is a great addition to a landscape. It’s hardy, drought tolerant and loves full sun. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/pbV9wtMAUbk
- ARMY WORMS !!
The time has come! Army worms are back and causing some serious damage. Army worms look extremely similar to caterpillars and are easily misidentified. These bugs eat the actual blades of the grass and will leave a yard thin and even seem to disappear. Just like Chinch bugs and Grubs, Army worms need to be treated immediately to avoid any further damage. When treating Army worms, an insecticide needs to be laid to kill on contact. Army worms do not need to be ignored! Remember, act fast or you may regret it! Let us know if you have any questions!
https://www.domyown.com/imidacloprid-2f-p-21196.html
https://youtu.be/J18WFVjgzw4
- Calibrating.. It’s Important!
We always want to stress the importance of calibrating.. especially if you are doing your own lawn care!
You want to know everything down to the gallon. Most products you will eventually use on your lawn are extremely specific and concentrated. When applying, you want to make sure you’re getting the precise amount down.
We often are asked “How much should I apply?” and this can’t be answered without specific questions. How much water are you using? What kind of grass do you have? Do you know how fast are you spraying? How much water is being applied each minute? How much ground can you cover in a minute?
There is a lump sum of math that goes into this in which answers need to be precise and exact. This is something that needs to be checked on a regular basis. If you are wanting to take matters into your own hands, we support you! We just want to stress the importance of proper calibration and staying on top of it! If you have any questions just let us know!
https://youtu.be/Z8G_et3sNLg
- Lawn Pimple Popping!
Have you ever seen a lawn pimple?? Sounds fitting! This is a massive build up of water underground. Sometimes a system will have a break and can easily go unseen. In this situation, soil compaction and a tough root system caused the water to remain underground. Once waters built up enough, it caused a lawn water bed! It’s very important to find the break and address it as soon as possible due to the amount of water. Considering how much the city charges us for water, you’ll act fast! Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/p3jjmi-8oSU
- Know Your Mower Blades
Did you know there is a difference in lawn mower blades based upon whether you are mulching the grass, bagging or blowing? This is something to think about when it comes time to replace them! Mulching blades have winged edges that create a lift inside of the lawn mower. These blades cause grass clippings to remain lifted and continue to be chopped up. Eventually being left behind in fine pieces to disintegrate turning into mulch. This is the method we typically recommend. When blowing, these blades are much more straight. Instead of creating a lift, it allows the grass to blow out of the side of the mower. Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/YZmV4mim_8g
- Why Is Consistent Mowing Important?
We can’t express enough the importance of cutting your grass on a consistent basis. When you go for longer periods of time without mowing this causes thatch to build up. Thatch build up can occur when grass grows so tall the mower does not have the full opportunity to mulch the grass. The left over piles of grass settle and cause a thicker thatch layer. This prevents water, fertilizers, and nutrients from fully getting to the roots. These are essentially all of the things needed to have healthy grass. Another thing to consider is if your mower blades are being sharpened on a regular basis. A mower is unable to fully mulch with dull blades.
https://youtu.be/_J4NRqTYwe8
- Deadheading Summer Flowers
How are your Summer flowers looking? When it comes to Summer time flowers, there is maintenance that needs to be considered. Flowers like daisies, petunias, zinnias, and marigolds may require deadheading. Deadheading promotes new blooms and also removes dead unsightly flowers. When deadheading, you can either cut the bloom off at the base of the flower or the base of the plant. This will prevent energy from being exerted to save old or dead blooms. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/VByHFkWtAEY
- Chinch Bugs Are A Pain In The Grass!
With the hotter temperatures, Chinch bugs are becoming more and more active and you want to keep them happy! These bugs can do some serious damage to a lawn within a matter of DAYS! Chinch bugs live and reproduce down in the cooler layer of the grass. If a lawn's soil becomes too dry, the bugs begin to travel to the surface and feed on the blades of grass. When Chinch bugs feed, they inject poison into the grass and eventually suck the nutrients from the grass blade.
If gone untreated, this will quickly result in unsightly large dead patches throughout. Active infestations can be treated with an insecticide (Something like Bifenthrin). This will eliminate them quickly. Keep in mind this will not fix the damage that has already been done. Chinch bugs can very well be prevented with a proper watering schedule. Just remember when you’re water-- Deeply, but infrequently! Only you can prevent Chinch bug damage.
https://youtu.be/wZgyMO2MVGc
- Armored Scale
There are two types of scale.. Aphids that attach themselves to the crape myrtle leaves and armored scale that attach themselves to the bark. Once these insects attach themselves they remain immobile and never move again. These attached insects are female and continue to lay eggs under the established armor. Armored scale needs to be treated with an insecticide and the crape myrtle needs to be covered from top to bottom. We recommend using Zylam, but depending on the maturity there is another product called Acephate. Before treating, it is beneficial to remove any excess bark to ensure you cover all areas. You can also scrub the branches and remove some of the insects. Below we have attached a link for Zylam. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/XPJfRZplJ-o
- Indian Hawthorn Leaf Spot
Indian hawthorns are very prone to Leaf Spot fungus especially in moist conditions . When looking for Leaf Spot, you will notice yellowing and dark colored spots on the leaves. If this goes untreated the leaves will turn red and fall off. Be sure to remove these leaves from the landscape to avoid spreading. It is important to treat this fungus immediately to prevent thinning, spreading, and possible loss of the plant. Leaf spot fungus needs to be treated with a fungicide. When treating, be sure to spray thoroughly.. Inside and out! It is not uncommon to need more than one application. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://youtu.be/4oMA7CS5sFo
- Friendly Reminder For August.. Rose Trimming!
Heads up!
As we sweat our way into August don’t forget... It’s time to trim roses! Roses need to be trimmed two times a year, once in January/February and again in August. During the month of August, you will need to take them back about half size. While in January/February you would perform a more aggressive trim. When a rose bush is trimmed, this promotes new growth for the next blooming cycle.
Right now, your roses may have yellowing leaves, dead blooms, and showing signs of decline. This is completely normal-- It’s time for them to be trimmed! Before trimming, this would be a great time to examine your roses for possible rose rosette. Let us know if you have any questions! Have a great day!https://youtu.be/hVLdYO6o438
- Watering On A Slope Or Hill
Does your lawn sit on a hill or slope? If so, when watering your lawn this is something to be mindful of. When you’re watering your lawn, if the soil is compacted or has a thatch issue the water is going to run down the hill or slope. Meaning less water is being absorbed and the root system is unable to thrive. Resulting in thin unhealthy grass. To avoid this you will want to consider breaking up your irrigation run times and watering in sections. Most irrigation systems have the option to run zones for different amounts of time.
https://youtu.be/fkI1ecQkg6s
- Louisiana Bald Cypress Tree
The Bald Cypress tree can be identified by its soft and featherly like foliage. This tree is commonly placed along fences for privacy, border driveways, along bodies of water, and to provide a light shade. These trees can tolerate extremely moist conditions as well as drought conditions such as dry compacted soil.
They can grow 1-2 feet per year, but grow fastest in moist well drained soil and full sun. They do not require maintenance, but it is suggested to prune off the dead wood and unwanted branches.https://youtu.be/rusg2xQlWwg
- How Did She Handle Dallis Grass?
Ashley wanted to share her personal experience with the devil himself… Dallis grass!
https://youtu.be/UW94N__JTvs
- Let’s Talk About Water
With Summer approaching and little rain.. How long should someone water their lawn? It’s hard to give a concrete answer to this because there are multiple variables that go into it. Does your yard have any slopes? Run offs? Do you have spray nozzles or rotors? Are your nozzles spraying in a full circle or back and forth?
Like a person, every yard is different in its own way.
A lawn typically needs 1-2 inches of water a week. We recommend watering twice a week for longer periods of time vs watering everyday for a short time. Watering for longer allows water to saturate the grass and forces the roots to go deeper as it begins to dry out.
You can’t have an answer without getting to know your own system!
Place small bowls around the lawn and run the system for 30 minutes.. Let’s say the bowls collect a quarter of an inch of water.. This shows your system needs to run for a full hour to receive half an inch. At the end of the day the goal is to give the yard a full soak. Let us know if you have any questions!https://youtu.be/skl0jnhXbiA
- Once It’s In Shape.. You’ve Got To Maintain!
If you work out everyday and get into great shape can you stop going to the gym and maintain the same look? Didn’t think so! Same thing goes for your lawn. It’s taken time and money for your lawn to get where it is today. Don't let your guard down and let the lawn go! Just like taking care of yourself, you have to stick to the plan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgqsFxhWSOY
- Crabgrass or Dalis Grass?
Crabgrass is commonly mistaken for Dalis grass, but there are a few key features to look out for when identifying the two. Crabgrass is soft and sponge like, while Dalis grass has a coarse texture and grows as a solid, circular clump. When taking a closer look, crabgrass has tiny hairs growing along the stem. Crabgrass can be prevented with a pre emergent in the Winter and treated with a herbicide. Prevention is key! Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAGaA256r4g
- Plain and Simple.. Push Mowers are Better!
This could be a subjective topic, but push mowers are just better and most would agree! Yes, riding mowers are fun and get the job done in half the time, but is it good for your lawn? It’s completely understandable using a riding lawn mower when dealing with a much larger lawn, but when it comes to residential lawns you should be using a push mower. Push mowers offer more control using one blade instead of multiple which result in a better cut, maintenance is easier, and they are lightweight so you are able to mow after it rains. Lighter mowers help prevent soil compaction and the all around health of the lawn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_GXINEyyLQ
- Rose Rosette Disease
Rose Rosette Disease is on the rise! This disease is carried and caused by mites. It is often identified by disfigured branches, excess thorns and poor blooms.The biggest issue with Rosette is there is no known cure. Once plants are infected they must be removed and destroyed. Some will go to the extremes of burning the plants to make ensure the virus is killed. Unfortunately, because remaining infected soil– Replanting is not an option. If Rose Rosette is present, do not brush it under the rug. Address the issue!
https://youtu.be/0fMP-dZc9Uc
- DIY Insecticide Treatment
Are you having a problem with bugs in your grass? If you are looking to treat this yourself we recommend using the product Bifen. This product comes in two different forms. Bifen being thick and milky and Bifen XTS which is oil based. We prefer using Bifen XTS (oil based) because it mixes better in water versus the thick milky product. This product is a quick solution to any insect within the grass. This time of year chinch bugs, army worms, and grub worms are the most popular issues. You can snag this product at your local feed store or even Amazon. Be sure to read the label.. Follow the instructions.. And mix correctly!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLut4ZSqMtQ
- Construction & New Grass
Are you or someone you know building or have recently built a home? During the construction process, debris like brick, sheet rock, paint can be left behind. It is extremely important that all of the debris is removed and new top soil is brought in before laying any new grass. New clean soil is going to give the grass the opportunity to thrive. If your pre-existing lawn is struggling and think this may be the reason, there are different products available to help add new organic material back into the soil. Remember that good grass comes from good roots which grow in good soil!
https://youtu.be/lNiINbXUSqA
- Spurge Has Been Spotted!
This warm seasoned weed is extremely common in our area. Spotted Spurge grows low to the ground in thick mats across the lawn. Spurge thrives in thin or dry areas that can be caused by poor irrigation or simply forgetting to water. When treating Spurge, use a liquid herbicide such as MSN. Make sure your equipment is calibrated and the proper amount of chemical is applied. It’s easier to kill Spurge when it is young, but can be prevented with pre emergents.
https://youtu.be/to7mDh5UGEQ
- Another Day, Another Home With Active Termites
We want to help clear up some things that have come up recently.
-Termite activity is a huge topic in the Spring time once people have noticed the active swarmers. This is just when they are most visible.. Termites can be a problem year round.
-Just because your home is newer, doesn’t mean you can’t get termites! Termites live underground and it is a matter of time before they make their way into the home. No one is safe.. Termites are not picky and will go anywhere with a food source.
-If your neighbor has termites.. This doesn’t mean you won’t get them. Consider treatment as more of an insurance policy. When coming across active termites you definitely want to treat sooner than later. The cost of treatment is much cheaper than paying the price for the damage possible to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02C-fH59qdk&feature=youtu.be
- Treating Bagworms
If you have seen these in your landscape, you need to act FAST! A bagworm is exactly as it sounds.. A worm that lives in a bag. They venture in and out of the bag to feed on a plant's vegetation. Early signs of bag worm injury are brown and stressed needles at the tips. When treating bagworms, use an insecticide and make sure to spray not only the frontside of the plant, but the inside as well. We recommend using a micro encapsulate product that can sustain any given elements. It's best to treat in the late evening or at dusk during cooler parts of the day when the bag worms are actively feeding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtHqdBhlZkE
- Crape Myrtle Bark
Have you noticed your Crape Myrtles bark peeling? Are they a reddish pink? The immediate thought is that the tree is dying.. This isn’t the case. You shouldn’t worry, this is all completely normal and part of the tree's life cycle. The bark will shed naturally or can be easily peeled without causing any harm to the tree.
https://youtu.be/u2o1BRINYOs
- Head to Head vs Tip to Tip
With the temperatures rising this is a great opportunity to know how your irrigation system is set up! Whether it is the right or wrong is entirely subjective.. We’ll let you be the judge. Nine times out of ten sprinkler heads spray at a pre set distance. For example, let’s say you have a head that sprays around 20 feet. Water should make it all the way to the next head. In order for them to reach, water is sprayed in an arch. This allows the waters spray patterns to overlap and ensure the entire area receives coverage. This is called “head to head” coverage. Instead of water hitting from head to head, “tip to tip” head placement is determined on where the water stops. The issue with this is when the two heads spray towards each other the patterns will meet. This will result in uneven water coverage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcnwaQAWQAw
- Behind the Scenes- Matthews Landscape Bloopers!
https://youtu.be/khz_AQodPaM
- Plant Placement and Proper Bed Prep is Key!
Do you know the long term effects of incorrect plant placement and soil preparation? These tree roots were growing along the surface and in a ball-like mass rather than growing downward into the soil. Clay can become incredibly thick and compacted to where a plant’s roots are unable to grow proper. This is a perfect example of improper soil preparation. When preparing to plant trees or shrubs in your landscape, you need to ensure that you are digging most of the visible clay out and back-filling with a soft easy landscape mix. The mix will allow the plant’s root system to penetrate and permeate. If you dig directly into the clay, it will create a “bowl” where root balls will eventually sit in water once we get too much rain or if it is over irrigated. This will eventually cause wet roots and result in plant death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFHGXEdiems&feature=youtu.be
- Maintaining Agapanthus
Now that we are approaching Summer it's time to maintain your agapanthus. We get asked the question "What now?" once the agapanthus blooms have dropped. You have two options: Let the seed heads fall and the stem dry up or cut them now. Cutting them now is the perfect opportunity to clean up any dead or dying leaves that accumulate at the base of the plant. Removing this debris not only improves the appearance of the plant, but prevents the plant from exerting energy on saving the plant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBTATRITYBI&t=1s
- Standing Water & Mosquito Eggs
Did you know a single bottle cap full of water is enough for a mosquito to lay up to 300 eggs? Insane, but true! Think of all the places around your home that could be holding water.. This is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Eliminating standing water is going to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home. When treating your home for mosquitoes, you can use products called IGR's. This product will be carried back to standing water sources and interfere with the breeding cycle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWr2vUNKoHo
- Got Mold?
Finally...a fungus we don’t have to worry about! Have you noticed any small grey patches in your lawn lately? This is more than likely slime mold.This is easily identified by rubbing your finger across the top of the grass. If the mold comes off easily and there are signs of normal grass underneath, then chances are you are just fine! This fungus lives and feeds off of the organic thatch at ground level. As it tries to reproduce and spread, grayish black spots are visible. As the day warms up, it will just go away. If not, the next time you mow it will get knocked right off. Hope this helps!!!
https://youtu.be/TUmUN79n9m8
- Did you Fertilize in the Spring?
Did you put a weed and feed or fertilizer down in the Spring? Did you know most store bought fertilizers only feed your yard for 30-60 days? Chances are that the Nitrogen in the product has expired and is no longer in the yard. You’ll want to feed your yard through the Summer as well. Be mindful of how many pounds of Nitrogen are being put down, how long it’s going to be able to feed from, and most importantly make sure you do not have too large of a gap in between treatments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E02GIROh25I
- Nutsedge
Nutsedge is a grassy like weed that is very easily identified by its bright green waxy like appearance. It grows much taller than your regular grass so it is very easy to pick out. Nutsedge thrives in any kind of soil, but it prefers moist areas. This is commonly around AC units, along fence lines, and in areas that hold water. Although it thrives in damp areas, established nutsedge will grow anywhere. Pulling nutsedge is the common reaction when it appears. If you do not get down to the nutlet this will cause germination underground. Reproduction of tubers can occur if the tube is torn and not completely removed.
The best treatment for nutsedge is to spray it with a chemical-- For example Sledgehammer. To prepare for treatment: Avoid mowing a day prior to allow adequate foliage to absorb the treatment. Do not mow for two days to allow the chemical to move to the tubers.
https://youtu.be/Uf6Ixk-0ywg
- Why is Irrigation so Important?
Can you tell the difference between an irrigated lawn and a non irrigated lawn? We can't stress enough how important water is for your grass! Having your lawn property treated is just a piece of the puzzle. Along with treatments, a lawn needs to be cut regularly. Most importantly, it needs to be fully irrigated for the best results. If you are not running your system regularly.. Or just not running it at all, it will result in thin, discolored, unhealthy grass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc2SEYOkJAE
- Chinch Bugs
It's getting hot out there, which means chinch bugs are becoming more and more active. Make sure to water your lawn properly to keep these bugs happy. Chinch bugs live down in the thatch layer of the grass. With the cooler soil, this is where they lay eggs and stay content. If your lawn becomes too dry, chinch bugs travel to the surface and begin to feed on the blades of grass. Once chinch bugs start to feed, they inject a poison into the grass itself. Which will result in the lawn dying! This damage can start in one area and spread throughout in a matter of days. This all can be prevented with a proper watering schedule.
If you do come across a chinch bug infestation you will want to apply an insecticide such as Bifenthrin. This will kill the bugs fairly quickly. However, it will not fix the damage that has already been done.
https://youtu.be/asn1foTJmdQ
- Don’t touch your Shi Shi’s!
A Shi Shi is a type of Sasanqua that is commonly known as a Camellia. These shrubs will bloom in late Fall to early Winter. You do not want to trim Shi Shi’s now because they are producing small buds for the Fall. If you trimmed them, you would be cutting off the blooms and affecting the blooming cycle for the late Fall months. If you absolutely need to trim a Shi Shi, be sure to make selective cuts other than an aggressive trim. Try to avoid cutting the small buds! The best time to trim is late January, depending on the shrubs blooming cycle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpa6jx4xvWw&feature=youtu.be
- Trim your Azaleas.. Before it’s too Late!
If you have not trimmed your azaleas yet this year, you definitely should before it's too late! Azaleas need to be trimmed in early to mid June- At the absolute latest early July. Trimming any later can affect the blooming cycle for next year. Azaleas only bloom one time a year and if you want to enjoy their beauty next year.. Hurry before it’s too late! If you have any large or leggy azaleas, these can be trimmed back to about a third of their height. Over time, the shrub will begin to have new growth.
https://youtu.be/3PS40zXq4zQ
- Tea Scale
Tea scale is an insect that attaches itself to the underside of the leaves, as well as the stems. These insects suck the nutrients out of the plant which will cause discoloration and falling of leaves. When treating tea scale, you will want to use horticultural oil and mix with water. When applying the treatment you will want to hit every angle of the shrub, especially the infested areas. This insect will attach themselves, become stationary, and will not move again. When using an oil, this will suffocate the insect by clogging their breathing pores. If you have a heavy infestation, you will want to use horticultural oil followed by an insecticide, such as imidacloprid. A two prong approach will provide best results.
https://youtu.be/7ZQDSTsBDE4
- Cut Your Grass Taller
As it warms up there are several things to keep in mind for your grass. Outstanding of feeding and watering it correctly, how you mow it is important as well. When it is hot outside you actually want to cut your grass taller for several reasons. First you don’t want to expose the root system and have it get stressed out from the heat. Taller grass will offer protection to the root systems as well as shade from the heat. If the roots are healthy then the grass will grow thicker leading to a better overall lawn. Hope this helps!
- Dog Pee and Dead GrassWe all love our furry friends, but their pee can cause damage in the grass. Dog pee contains a high concentrate of ammonia and nitrogen. If your dog pees in the same spot repeatedly, over time the grass will begin to thin out and eventually die. We often see this damage off the edge of patios, along fences, or near front doors. The best way to avoid damage is to dilute the pee as soon as the deed is done. Hope this helps!!
https://youtu.be/ZqgYtW7RWOw
- How Long To Water
It’s summer and we want to keep the grass green so what do you do? Possibly one of the most asked questions this time of the year, “How long do I run my sprinkler system?” There are several factors that go into answering this question. What kind of heads do you have, how much grass is in the area, is it on a hill, has it been raining, etc. The biggest thing to remember is don’t water everyday for short periods of time. Water long and deep.
https://youtu.be/B5GU2nJaRjI
- Chinch Bugs vs Droughts
With it getting hot 2 things are going to happen. Chinch bugs are about to become active and yards are about to get dry. It’s important to know the difference between the two because the can easily be confused and look very similar. It’s not uncommon for people to think their grass is dry and needs more water. They turn the sprinklers up higher only to find the issue doesn't get any better. It’s not until the large parts of the grass die off that they realize it is actually chinch bugs and they need an insecticide, not more water! Hope this helps!
https://youtu.be/bQaM_dbsw7Y
- 3 Tips For Your Lawn
As it warms up we have 3 tips for lawn to make things better.
1: Make sure you are cutting your grass higher than normal. As the grass gets taller it will also get thicker. Thicker grass leads to healthier grass and better roots. The taller grass also offers additional shade and protection to the roots as well.
2: Water for longer. You are better off watering the grass fewer times a week but for longer periods of time. An example would be some people tend to water their grass everyday for 10 minutes. You would be better off watering 2 times a week for 30 minutes each provided there is no run off. Watering longer allows for a better soak into the ground.
3: Water early in the morning. When you water early in the morning the wind tends to be less so you get less waste or loss. It also allows the water to sit on the ground and soak in. When you water during the day you will lose some to evaporation over soaking in.
https://youtu.be/ACNEgUXa9a0
- Sago Babies
Have you ever noticed your sago palms having babies! If you stop and pay close attention you will notice that coming off the main trunk of your main sago are new palms forming. This is why over time your once normal looking palm now is exploding! It's safe to “pop” them off using a shovel in most cases. Take a look and see what we mean!
https://youtu.be/PXckdpeltQ4
- Sprinklers In The Wind
How to water your lawn is a super important topic. We go over time and again about using the right products but making sure you are watering correctly is a huge part as well. Not only is the time of day important but knowing the conditions outside needs to be considered. If you are running your system when there is a lot of wind outside you will not get an effective usage of your water. Typically when spray heads are running they mist and spray the water out. It doesn't take much wind to move the water “off target” and it is not effective. We often talk about running your sprinkler system early in the morning before the sun comes up so it doesn't evaporate but also because this is usually when the wind is the least amount. Hope this helps!
https://youtu.be/XelKzJzMBwI
- Taking Soil Samples
What is a soil sample and how do you get one? Sometimes despite your best efforts, you lawn may simply be missing some of it's key nutrients needed to grow strong, green and healthy. Much like you body if you aren't healthy you can't perform like you want to. Some key points to remember are take a sample in more than one spot of the lawn and mix the dirt together. This will give you a more actuate look of the entire lawn. Also there is no need in digging super deep. You are mainly concerned about the fist 3-4 inches where the root system is. Don't forget to make sure your equipment is clean as well when you take a sample. Finally, box up the dirt and put it in the per addressed box then mail to LSU. Watch the video to see an example of how to perform this test.
https://youtu.be/XcCtKp22YQ4
- Termite Treatments
https://youtu.be/8P64fXbzcPQ
Termite Treatments: Bait Stations vs Liquid Applications
Termite season is officially here and several people will have to deal with this issue. When you start to get estimates you need to also consider how your home will be treated and what products will be used. Generally speaking you have one of two choices: bait stations or liquid applications. We install and only recommend bait stations for several reasons but here are some basic facts so you can make your own decision. Bait stations are installed approximately every 10-15 feet all the way around your home. Inside of the station is a product that is designed to attract termites to the station vs your house. Once they start feeding on the bait it is carried back to the colony to be shared with the other termites. Since all the termites feed on the bait it will cause the entire colony to collapse and die. With liquid you spray a barrier around the base of the house. The termites are not attracted to it rather if they come into contact with the barrier it will kill them. If there are gaps in the coverage then you could have an issue where termites get to the house and start to feed. The theory is that you are only killing termites that come close to the house only. Another issue we see with liquid treatments is you can not see the product once it is applied. This means it starts to deteriorate over time you will not know. You are also at the mercy of the applicator trusting that they did in fact apply the correct amount of product. With bait stations you can at any time see if the bait is being fed on and know if there are active termites in the area. If the bait starts to break down you will also visually be able to see this and get it replaced. All of the stations are pre filled with the specific amount of product needed so there is no guessing if the right amount was applied. For us we go back to the first and main point we made. Termites are attracted to the bait stations and they will lead to the collapse of the entire colony. We hope this helps make you more informed. If you have any questions feel free to let us know!
- St Augustine Runners
https://youtu.be/kGjU4Zy-b2c
Have you ever noticed long pieces of your St Augustine grass on the surface? Sometimes these pieces of grass can be 12-24 inches long. We refer to them as “runner” because it looks like the grass is running on top of the surface. Your entire lawn is actually made up of a woven mesh of these long runners called Stolons. We tend to see this more in the Spring when the grass is coming out of dormancy. Typically a few are normal and you should just mow over the top of them. After a few weeks the issue will correct itself and go away. It is happening in most cases because the grass is growing and looking for new areas to weave into and form the thick mat St Aug is known for. Some things you may be doing to make the matter worse are:
1: Mowing to short-when this happens the grass is not allowed to grow up and the stolons are exposed and can now be seen. Just raise the deck and mow around 3-4 inches.
2: Compacted soil-when the grass is compacted and hard the new runners have a hard time “pegging” into the ground. Usually watering more to soften the ground helps and depending on how bad it is aeration may be needed.
3: Thatch Build Up-if the thatch layer is too thick the runners can’t make it to the ground to root themself. Depending on how thick the layer is, de thatching may be needed.
You don’t need to be worried about your grass dying and typically this is a harmless issue that will fix itself in a short amount of time. Just make sure you're following all the proper steps to give the grass the best shot possible to thrive and your all good!
- Sunk Pump Drain
https://youtu.be/AKJlk3W1bLM
With all the rain we get in our area it can cause serious problems for homes. One of the biggest hurdles people often face is where to take the water. Several yards do not have enough slope of fall to drain the water away and off their property. Typically french drains and catch basin collect the water and they carry it away in an underground pipe. When the area is too flat or you don't have the needed slope to carry it away you may need to consider using a pump. What you can do is install the drainage system like normal and have all of the water directed to the lowest spot on the property to be collected. Then you bury a 55 gallon drum or some other large collection tub. Inside of the drum is an electric pump with a hard pipe leading to the street or some other area you want the water to go to. All of the water dumps into the drum and is then pumped away. It is a very effective way to get rid of water and fix all of your drainage issues when there are problems with the grade. Most people want to add dirt and try to alter the grade of their lawn when they have drainage issues. It is often cheaper and more effective to just install a drain. Hope this helps!
- Dying Palm Limbs
Do you have any palm trees? Ever wondered what to do with the dead limbs? They actually need to be trimmed off but how you do it is important. With most palms like this one you can see that the old limbs make up the look of the truck. You need to be careful with how close you trim them to the trunk of the palm in order to keep the look the same. Be Careful though because most palms are full of thorns and will cause pretty deep cuts. All you need is a good set of loopers and just make a clean cut. Dead limbs are a natural and normal part of the plant's life cycle so there is no need to be concerned!
https://youtu.be/9U7ENRYl080
- Take All Root Rot vs Brown Patch
Take All Root Rot vs Brown Patch
There are several different types of fungus in our area but when it comes to grass 2 causes the biggest issues. Both of these can be present in the Spring and Fall but each has its time of year. Take All Root Rot is most common and destructive during the spring time and early summer. Brown Patch is most common in the fall. Both can be deadly to your grass but Take All is hands down the worse of the two because of the way it affects the grass. It affects the roots system of the grass first and will cause death of the entire area. Your first sign typically is a bright yellow or lime green look to the grass. This is the grass starting to die because the root system is being affected. Brown Patch on the other hand affects the actual blade so you see the fungus earlier and therefore can get it treated faster. With both it is super important to act fast and apply a fungicide to kill the active spores. Usually with Brown Patch you just need to give the grass time to grow back. With Take All you oftentimes need to dethatch the area in question depending on how much death and destruction has been caused. The most frustrating part of any fungus is you typically don’t realize you have it until you have it and damage is being caused. Most products used to kill it are only active for 14-21 days so it can be cost prohibited to constantly spray your lawn. Some best practices would be to avoid quick release fertilizers, allow your lawn to dry out if you're running sprinklers and be careful on how low you cut the grass. Thatch can also be a big contributor too fungus when the layer is allowed to get very thick. Under the thatch layer can get and stay very wet which is a prime environment for fungus. If you think you have a fungus remember that Brown Patch is usually in round circles and affects the blades of the grass. Take all affects of the roots and you will start to see random dead spots throughout the lawn. We want to avoid making a blanket recommendation on a type of fungicide to use. It really depends on the fungus you have, grass type and time of year. We can help you figure all this out if you need it though! Just send us a picture! Have a great day!
https://youtu.be/P-u9y1yv9T8
- Take All Root Rot
A very common fungus you will see this time of the year is one called Take All Root Rot. It has several other name such as Dead Patch, Die Off or (grass name) Decline but they are all the same thing. Sometimes it will show up in the fall but is most common in the Spring and early summer. The first signs you will typically see are a lime green yellowish color on the grass blades. There will also be some dead or dying patches of grass in the area. The fungus affects the roots and is in the thatch layer so this discoloration and dead grass is usually a delayed sign of an already present and active fungus. When these signs show up it is important to act fast because with Take All there are deadly consequences for the area in question. We take about several things that cause this issue, ways to handle it and ways to treat it. Let us know if you have any questions or need any help identifying a possible fungus in your lawn.
https://youtu.be/qB9IjleziqQ
- Pine Straw Makes A Good Choice
Pine straw is a great alternative to using mulch in your landscape. Both are pretty close from an expense standpoint so it really comes down to your personal opinion. Pine straw tends to not wash away in your beds as easy once it has settled and matted down. The layer also offers a good weed barrier and helps insulate the beds during the winter. Another thing to consider is the type of trees in your area already. If you have several pine trees in your yard then it would make sense to use pine straw. You would end up with mulch beds that just get covered once the needles start to drop. Just like mulch though, pine straw will fade and break down over time and need to be replaced. At the end of the day however it is just your choice and what you think looks best.
https://youtu.be/ujS5_i8am1Q
- Crappy Looking Grass
Are you wondering why your grass looks so crappy right now? It’s a battle we have been fighting this year all over. Everything has been done correctly but your yard looks bad. The truth is that even if you have done the right things, we are still dependent on the weather. While the temps outside have been pretty amazing they are not ideal for aggressive grass growth. Think back just a week ago and we had night time lows getting into the 30’s and 40’s. For grass to grow properly we need these night time lows in the 60’s. These temperature swings can also create issues when like a month ago we had a week of ideal conditions that promote new growth followed by the cool down. All the new tender growth is prone to fungus and other issues. Looking at the extended forecast however there is relief on the way! We feel confident that warmer temperatures are almost here and will stay helping the grass kick into overdrive and really take off. If you have any questions let us know!
https://youtu.be/Cfyt5Bt3Xxg
- Mulch and Weep HolesAre you going to install some mulch at your house? Did you know if you put to much against the slab you could flood your house? It's true! Watch this and you will see what we are talking about. There are weep holes which are voids in the brick. If there is not enough space to water can drain into these holes and get inside. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/B0ZVbRhjSmg
- Flowerbed DrainageIt’s almost time to start planting you summer time flowers and you need to make sure there is a good plan in place. One of the biggest issues you can experience with your flowers is proper drainage and making sure the roots don’t rot. This is ever more true when you get all of the rain we have recently experienced. In a case like this one, the edge of the bed is boarded with bricks that prevent the water from draining fast enough. As it builds up it causes the roots to stay wet and the plant ends up dying. The answer would be to pull the dead plants for now and next time don’t plant the flowers as close to the edge. You could also consider pulling some drainage in the edges as well. The most important thing though is to always take a step back with looking at your issues and think outside the box. Sometimes the answer is easy and obvious. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/cdsbAeuMae4
- When Lightning StrikesWith all the storms we had this weekend, what do you do if a tree gets hit by lightning? Sometimes it depends on how bad it was but other times like this one there is nothing you can do. Notice in this one how the damage goes from the top all the way to the base and into the root system. It’s basically a death sentence to the tree. The power can be so great that it will blow bark 20-40 feet away from the tree. In the event the lightning strike doesn’t kill the tree, it is now prone to damage from other things like bugs that will surely finish it off. It will typically take up to a year for it to look completely dead and you will need to have it removed. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/iETCulAHIlI
- Tiny Oak TreesAre you growing tiny oak trees in your yard? If you have ever noticed these little sprouts shooting up and been concerned everything is going to be ok! Oak trees have both male and female reproductive capabilities and are able to reproduce on their own. As animals such as squirrels feed on the acorns and drop them or as they naturally fall, some will germinate and start to reproduce. This is what gives you the small shoots with the full size leaf. Typically you will just notice them in the drip line area of the tree. That is the area where the canopy reaches out. As you start to mow the lawn they will go away because they can not handle the stress. If you can stand them being there options would be to remove the shoots by hand but that just seems time consuming. You could also use something like Roundup but that is going to kill the grass as well. The best option is just mow like normal and it's handled. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/enO_m71Xqns
- Bare Spots In The YardA common concern we hear from people is about bare spots in their yard. We are not talking about small spots but larger areas where the grass is not there and there is just bare ground. The purpose of a lawn care program is to care for the grass that is currently growing. The treatment program in itself is not going to create new grass or cause grass to start growing in an area. To get grass in these areas you will have to install sod or consider using a grass seed. The biggest question you need to first answer is why is the grass not growing there now. Typically it is due to shade, water, soil conditions or something else. These issues will need to be addressed before you will be able to fix the issues of no grass. Once the new sod is installed you can then treat the area like normal! Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/CXJNoKkK_q0
- Termite SwarmersEvery year this time it is very common to hear about termite “swarmers” infesting an area. Generally speaking people will call because all they see are flying bugs everywhere and they want them gone! The reality is that they have a far greater problem...active termites in the area. Swarmers are actually future kings and queens looking for an area to form a new colony. The fact that you are seeing them also means that they flew from another colony somewhere close by. You can also assume that if you are seeing them swam inside the house then part of the colony is already inside the house feeding somewhere. Most people make the mistake of wanting to kill what they see and then nothing else. Again, swarmers are coming from an existing colony so it is important to treat the immediate area and structure to protect and hopefully kill the main colony. As the temperatures keep rising, be on the lookout for these swarmers. If you see any and have questions, send us a picture and we will help you identify what's going on! Hope this helps!
- Knockout Are ReadyDid you listen to us back in February when we said it was time to trim your knockout roses? Hopefully you did and yours will look similar to these! Knockout roses are getting ready to blow up with new blooms! Some have even started already. This is not the time to do any trimming to them because doing so would remove the buds and reduce the number of flowers you get to enjoy! Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/Y6YmTvUVYQM
- Flower Size MattersWhen you get ready to plant your seasonal flowers this spring, keep in mind that cheaper is not always better. A popular option for flowers is what is called a 6 pack vs the bigger 4 in pot. They are both the same plant but one is just in a bigger container than the other. This larger container though allows the plant to develop a thicker root system which results in a bigger plant. This bigger plant will not only give you more instant satisfaction but the plant to withstand the pressures of being installed much easier. Take a look at the video and you will see what we are talking about! Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/fkRQUG1yKTE
- Azalea Trim MistakeLearn from our mistake...don't trim your azaleas unless it it time to! https://youtu.be/u2PILo0ghk0
- Dallisgrass KillerThey have finally done it!!! There is now a product on the market to kill Dallisgrass! https://youtu.be/qsBMrHJjNQE
- How To Prevent Sprinkler System Water HammerWhen you turn your sprinkler system it is important to be careful with how you go about it. Most all systems have, or at least should have, a ball valve located somewhere between the water meter and the vacuum breaker of the system. This is the U shaped thing that comes out of the ground and is typically made of copper or plastic. The water line should be empty and full of just air. When you turn your system back on, if you open the valve too fast you can create what is called a “Water Hammer”. This is when the force of the air or the wall of water hits the pipes or any other connection so hard that it causes damage to the equipment. The proper way to handle this would be to slowly turn the water on and allow the air to escape. Even after you open the system up don’t be surprised if it blows a lot of air from the lines for several minutes. On another note, I’d be careful just sticking my hand into any of these boxes without first looking and making sure there are not any critters living in there. We have found everything from spiders to snakes and even scorpions. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/IoHK3_wuino
- Termite Hole Sizehttps://youtu.be/OkftsVFzJk0 A popular option for termites treatments has become using bait stations. They are installed all the way around your house every 10-20 feet apart. They have a bait in them that attracts termites to feed on them. As they feed they will carry the product back to the colony for others to feed on as well. This will cause the destruction of the total colony. When installing these stations, it is important how deep and wide the holes are. The stations need to fit into the ground very firmly so that the termites can travel through the soil and into the bait stations with ease. If you use something like a post hole digger you will create voids on the edges of the stations which make it difficult for the termites to reach the bait stations. They should be difficult to pull out of the ground and require you to have to pry them out. The bait stations are a great option, just make sure they are getting installed correctly so it doesn't defeat the purpose. Let us know if you have any questions!
- Home Drip Linehttps://youtu.be/j2nomIqYLSI Whenever you are performing any kind of service against your house one thing to be mindful of is the drip line. The drip line is the area directly under where the roof overhangs the house. Sometimes you can even see a worn out eroded area where the water rolls off the roof and hits the ground. In this case we are performing a termite treatment and need to make sure they are far enough away to not get a constant drip of water on them. Otherwise water would eventually wash away all of the product and prevent the treatment from being effective. The same thing could be said about your landscape plants as well. Having them under the drip line could cause erosion and wash away your beds. Hope this helps!
- 3-23-20 Operations Updatehttps://youtu.be/vX9ADQK6zVM ***Update On Operations*** Quick update: Here are a couple of highlights. If you have any specific questions please let us know. We are trying to keep everyone up to date on the most pertinent information. -To date we are operating as an essential operation. The current order reads as such: “Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.” -Our office staff is working remotely and our trucks are down to 1 or 2 man crews. Each day everything is being sanitized and start times are staggered to limit the number of people in the same place at the same time. We will also be checking everyone's temperatures before work. -We understand that some people have concerns about us being at their property. We have taken all precautions possible to make our visit safe. All work is outside, there are no in person visits and social distancing is being practiced. -Our staff and their ability to provide for their family is a top priority right now. As long as we are able we are going to allow them to work. We feel a strong conviction to help our staff through this time. NO ONE has been laid off due to this and we hope to keep it that way. We are prepared to run the business at a loss for as long as possible and as long as funds will allow in an effort to keep paychecks coming. If anyone is upset by this decision please let us know and we will respect this until this entire issue is behind us.
- Indian Hawthorn Leaf Spothttps://youtu.be/Gy98z2lK-6Y The fungus Leaf Spot is still not any better in our area, particularly on Indian Hawthorns. I'm sure you have noticed by now the orange, yellow, red leaves on the plants. If you look closer you will notice dark colored spots on the leaves. These spots are where it gets its name from, Leaf Spot. The fungus tends to exist in areas where there is a lot of water and not much air flow. As they stay wet the fungus starts to develop and spread. We see it a lot in the areas where the plants are packed in super tight and where there is excessive irrigation. An easy solution is to thin out the area and give the plants some growing and breathing room. Immediately though the plants will need to be treated with a fungicide. In cases where all of the leaves have fallen off, the plant may still be alive but the overall damage is just too much. You would be much better to just replace the plant and start all over. If you do use a fungicide, don’t be alarmed if 2 applications are required for complete treatment. Here is a link to one we have had good success with. The entire plant both inside and out needs to be completely covered when it is sprayed. If there are an excessive amount of leaves on the ground it is also a good idea to pick them up and remove them from the area since they can carry active fungal spores. Hope this helps!
- Termite Bait Stations vs Liquid Treatmentshttps://youtu.be/9CqOQ_Z-D-Y With termite season upon us it is important to understand your most common options for getting a treatment. Typically you will have 2 different options, bait stations or liquid treatment. There are arguably pros and cons to both however we chose to go the bait station route unless there are active termite visible. Termites are what is considered a subterranean insect meaning they live and travel underground. With the bait stations you are installing an attractant bait underground every 10-20 feet. The termites will feed on the bait and carry it back to the colony where the queen and other termites live. When the food is shared it will kill the other termites and cause the entire colony to collapse. The other big advantage to the bait stations is the ability to inspect them for activity to see if there are termites in the area feeding. In the event there is a break down in the bait it is easy to see and replace. The bait also acts as an attractant to the termites. With liquid applications, you are trying to intercept the termites when they get close to the house. Until the termites come into contact with the product there will be no effect on them. The concept is that if you kill enough of the worker termites it will starve the colony out basically. The disadvantage is that if the barrier breaks down due to water or digging in the landscape you have no way of know if there is still an effective amount of product down to kill the termites. If the event there are currently active termites, we always recommend to spray the immediate area and bugs with a termiticide and then install a bait system for the others you can’t see and will be in the area. Hope this helps and let us know if you have any questions!
- Termite FAQWhen are termites most common? Once a colony is established, termites are a year-round problem. However, there is an increase in colony expansion activity during warm weather. What Do Termites Look Like? When we talk about termites, we usually speak mostly of the subterranean termite. It is responsible for 90% of all termite damage. If you were to find a termite infested stump on your property and split it open, you would immediately notice two distinct termites: the worker and the swarmer. The worker will appear pale and worm-like from a distance, but up close you will see the six legs and two antennae that distinguish it as an insect. The swarmer will appear black in color and have white wings that layer on top of each other and appear as one. Do Termites Have Wings? In a termite colony, only the swarmer termites, also known as reproductives, have wings. Swarmer termites quickly shed their wings after mating and go on to become the queens and kings of newly established termite colonies. When Do Termites Swarm? Termite swarms can happen any time of the year, but often occur in spring when temperatures warm up. What Attracts Termites? Subterranean termites are attracted to moisture, especially moistened wood. If you have mulch, bushes, shrubs or dead stumps near your home, you will invite termites in close to your exterior walls. Termite swarmers are attracted to light, so it is important to keep lights off at night or switch white light bulbs to yellow, insect-resistant bulbs. My Neighbor Has A Termite Problem, Should I Be Worried? If you don't have termite protection around your home, you should be worried. When the termite colony in your neighbor's yard or house becomes mature, it will produce hundreds of termite swarmers. When this happens, your home is at great risk of a termite infestation. Termites forage year-round and they spread most commonly underground. If your home is currently termite-free, it could become infested by termites that are active nearby. A preventative termite control program will help avoid termite infestation. What are common signs of termites? Mud tubes provide shelter for termites and have a muddy, flattened appearance approximately the width of a drinking straw. Look for mud tubes along cracks, beneath flooring, around baseboards, on pipes, piers, chimneys, behind siding, plumbing and other fixtures. Mud tubes may also extend over concrete foundations and other exposed surfaces. How can I identify a termite? Termite workers are pale, soft-bodied insects about one-quarter of an inch or less in length. They appear to have a head and body because their thorax is broadly joined to their abdomen. Their antennae are straight. Termites are mistakenly called white ants, but are not ant-like in appearance. Ants are usually heavily pigmented and have three distinct body regions: head, thorax and abdomen. Ants also have a very narrow or pinched “waist,” and their antennae are "elbowed." Winged termites, also known as swarmers, have pigmented bodies with broad waists and two pairs of wings that are equal in size and shape. Subterranean termite swarmers have bodies about one-quarter of an inch in length. The swarmers quickly shed their wings after a brief flight. Winged ants, on the other hand, have pinched waists and two pairs of wings that differ in size and shape (front are much larger). Can termites make their way through concrete? Termites cannot go through solid concrete, but they can get through a crack only 1/32nd of an inch wide. Openings this size or bigger often occur where two pieces of concrete about – like when poured separately – and around plumbing penetrations through the concrete or where the concrete has cracked. What will termites do after they swarm? Subterranean termite swarmers attempt to pair with a swarmer of the opposite sex within their colony. They must locate a suitable habitat to establish a new colony of their own. They need moist soil, preferably in direct contact with wood, in order to survive. The termites that swarm inside a structure and cannot get out will quickly die from lack of available moisture. The termite colony that produced the swarmers will continue to be active after the swarm has taken place. How do termites get inside my property? Termites don’t need much room to squeeze inside your home or business. In fact, they can enter a structure through a space as small as 1/32nd of an inch. Subterranean termites usually enter a building from the soil along its foundation or through cracks in the slab, expansion joints, weep holes, voids in brick or block and around plumbing. Decks, porches and other wood structures in direct contact with the ground are also easy access ramps for termites. I have an old tree stump infested with termites, should I have it treated? You don’t need to treat the stump, but you may want to give your home termite protection. Preventative action makes good sense in any termite-prone area and you should also consider implementing a termite control program before you notice an infestation. Remove all wood debris from around your home, especially after new construction and remodeling. This includes wood form boards along foundations, tree stumps and roots, as well as firewood stacked near the house. My house does not have termites - should I still get a termite treatment? Yes. Without an effective prevention program, like a barrier bait station plan, your home is open to termite damage, which could remain unnoticed until it becomes a serious problem. How much damage do termites cause? Termites feed 24/7/365, they never sleep, meaning damage to wood in and around a structure can happen very quickly. In fact, the NPMA estimates that termites cause $5 billion in property damage each year. The good news is that termites can be controlled and killed.
- How To Spot Tea Scalehttps://youtu.be/N-YYpCRsQHk Scale and your plants...how to spot it and how to treat it. With Spring upon us now is a super important time to get out and check on your plants. This time of the year is when a lot of insects that feed on your landscape shrubs start to hatch and become active. Here is an example of Tea Scale growing on Hollies. When the bug is young and moving around they tend to be a grey, tan, brown color. As they mature, they start to form a white colored amour over themselves and that is typically where they will stay. As a general rule, the younger they are the easier they are to kill. The more developed the armored is, the harder they become to kill. There are 2 basic approaches you can take to handle this. To treat immediately you use a horticultural oil and spray the plant from top to bottom. The oil coats the scale and suffocates them. This is a more effective route to take because as they develop their amour it can become hard for other insecticides to penetrate and kill them. The other approach would be to do a root injection in the soil with a systemic insecticide. The plant will over time uptake the insecticide and as the scale feeds on the plant they will ingest it and die this way. It’s a much slower way to handle the issue and is more of an ongoing preventive application. When you are treating the plants, it is important to make sure you are treating from top to bottom but also get on the inside of the plant to make sure everything is getting fully covered. It’s also suggested to use a sprayer with pressure to take care of this. The high pressure causes the leaves to move around and allows for more product to cover all over. Here are a few links to some of the products we have had the best luck with. Hope this helps! Remember to take care of your investment and don’t overlook the care of your plants!Horticulture Oil https://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Horticultural-…/…/ref=sr_1_9… Liquid Systemic Insecticide https://www.amazon.com/Gordons-Liquid-Systemi…/…/ref=sr_1_2…
- Free Termite InspectionYou need to make sure your home is protected. Let us help you with a FREE termite inspection of your home. We will inspect for any active termite activity and make suggestions and recommendations if anything is seen. Most people are surprised to find out that termite damage is not covered under your homeowners insurance. The cost of repairs can cost up to 10 times the cost of getting a treatment. Knowing that why wouldn't not want to be proactive and keep your home protected! Click Here To Claim Your Free Inspection https://my.serviceautopilot.com/viewform.html?rk=51c7313b-1e0e-48fc-bbb5-e342c0da2e9d&Type=new&Source=web
- Leaf Removal vs MulchingYour grass may not be growing but you still need to keep your lawn clean! If you have trees anywhere near your yard then there no doubt by now that you have seen a ton of leaves. Depending on the types of trees will depend on the size of leaves, amount and the time they fall. In the start of Fall, using your mower to mulch them up will sometimes be enough. As you get further into the year however, you will usually have to pick up and remove the leaves at least 1-4 times. When you mow over them with a mower it turns them into mulch like it does cutting grass. The issues start when there are too many leaves. You will end up contributing to the thatch layer that sits above the root system in the lawn. Some thatch is an ok thing, too much is harmful to the grass. The issues however are going to be delayed and you won't see the negatives for some time like when the grass is struggling to grow thick next summer. Another issue is when too many leaves start to form a sort of mat on top of the grass. Over time this mat will stay wet and keep the grass wet. This will then lead to rotting of the grass and other possible fungus issues. Just remember to not let the leaves build up too much on your lawn and unless your mower can make them disappear, there are to many and they need to be picked up and removed. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/12FUANftxis
- GFI Plugs vs Christmas LightsHere’s a pretty relevant tip going into the weekend. If you have Christmas lights installed and they turn off and won't come back on, chances are you have a tripped GFI plug. Have you ever noticed the random plugs around your house with the button on them? They are usually in your garage and bathroom. These are called GFI plugs and are a safety against water and electricity. It’s not uncommon during heavy rains for these to get tripped and need to be reset. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/8ta1aSgncOQ
- Knockout Roses and Winter TimeA common mistake we see this time of the year is Knockout Roses getting trimmed. Sometimes, inexperienced homeowners and lawn care guys will cut the Knockouts and Drift Roses back during their fall cleanups. The proper time for their next trim is not going to be until February or early March depending on the temperatures outside. Trimming them know could lead to new growth which would make the plant vulnerable to injury and disease during the cold winter. They don't look their best right now because they just finished a bloom cycle and are full of dead blooms. Be patient though and you will have more on the way! Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/9UoqCWorVo4
- Mistletoe and Kisseshttps://youtu.be/YEVOiV1M1Uw Have you ever wondered why or how Mistletoe became a Christmas tradition? Most everyone knows about stealing a kiss under the mistletoe but why? It all started in ancient Greece. The plant was thought to have links to fertility since it is able to grow during the winter, it must be strong and able to live. People would make tea out of it but the issue there is it can be fatal. The tradition of kissing that we know today is thought to have started in England. Whenever someone is caught under some hanging, you can steal a kill on the cheek. It’s even said that if a woman denies the kiss she wont get proposed to for the entire year. After taking you kiss your suppose to remove one of the berries. After all the berries are gone the kissing stops. So there you have it! There are some other versions out there on how it got started but this is the one most people agree with!What even is Mistletoe??? It’s actually a parasite that grows on tree mostly. It gets there from bird poo. When the parasite starts to grow it wraps around the tree limbs and sucks all the nutrients and water out of the limb. Hope this helps!
- Christmas Light ClipsNow that it’s time to hang your Christmas lights let's talk about a few options for making sure they give you that crisp professional look. Other than the obvious of using commercial grade bulbs, the next important piece of material used in the clip that holds the light. There are 4 basic types that are used for installs. The best in our opinion is the shingle tab. This allows the plastic tabs to slide under the shingle and hold the lights in line. Another option if you have gutters is the gutter clip or all in one clip. These simply grab the gutter and hold the light in place. Surface mount clips can be used to line walls, fences and other places where you want lights on a flat surface. Another one that most people do know exist is the magnetic lights. These have an actual magnet in the base of the socket and can attach to anything metal. All of these clips have their own specific use and serve a different purpose. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/Fui4QzFrgBY
- Cold Snaps vs Your PlantsIt’s going to get into the 30’s the next few days and several people are worried about their plants. One plant everyone stresses about are palms. Generally speaking, you only need to worry about these when there is ice and snow covering them. In the event we get into the low 20’s so long periods of time you can expect some damage as well. All that said with the upcoming weather you will be ok. You can however expect to see some damage to your summer time annual flowers. This isn’t a huge issue though because it is time for them to die off anyway. Depending on if we get a frost as well you may also expect to see some damage to your tropical plants as well. Again, this time of year we expect them to die back and require maintenance. There is also no need to worry about your sprinkler system right now either. Frankly, it isn’t going to be cold enough long enough for there to be any freezing issues. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/Q7YVDkdp5ZA
- Don’t Touch ShiShisThese are ShiShi buds. In a matter of weeks or even days all of these buds will turn into flowers. It is super important to remember this while doing your fall cleanups. When you trim the plant now, before it blooms, you will be cutting and removing the buds which create the flower. Wait until the January time frame when the plants have completely gone through their bloom cycle. This is when you want to trim and feed them. The plant is not meant to be a manicured one so in a lot of cases they will just need a light trim to get any limbs that have outgrown others. Hope this helps!
- Deer vs HairDeer vs Hair: If you are having issue with deer eating your plants, consider a trip down to the barber shop. Not to get your hair cut but to get a bag of hair. Deer hate the smell of humans. By getting a bag of hair and sprinkling it around your land scape, the deer will avoid the strong smell of humans in the area. The smell will wear off over time so be prepared to re apply. https://youtu.be/7AO7g8428fE
- What Does It Mean To Winterize?This time every year we get asked about “winterizing my lawn.” I guess what this actually means is kind of subjective. If you were living up north and had cool season grasses then there are a lot of steps that need to happen. Here in the south with warm season grasses not so much! Right now all you really need to worry about is Pre Emergents. This will help prevent weeds this winter and into the Spring. DO NOT apply any more fertilizer to your lawn this year. The grass is weeks away from going dormant and applying fertilizer will actually make the lawn open to disease and other issues. Later in the winter you can apply some supplements for the roots systems but for now just worry about the weed control with Pre Emergents! Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/y8QHtcTJ7q0
- Pre Emergent Timehttps://youtu.be/gKjwzaFYLeY We are in FULL pre emergent mode around here! These trucks are about to hit the road with full routes of perhaps the most important application of the year, for sure next Spring! When you think of Fall pre emergents you think of winter weeds like clovers and such that will take over a lawn when it’s cold outside. While this is correct, it’s important to note that the most important weeds it will prevent are the ones you will see this upcoming March and April. Most of the weeds you see during these months are actually still winter weeds. The lie dormant all winter just waiting on the temperatures to warm up and like a light switch the blow up! You basically have 2 options to deal with this issue. 1-Be proactive and apply a pre emergent NOW 2-Be reactive and “attempt” to kill the weeds as they start to grow. Make the right call and get ahead of the game...apply your pre emergents this fall and don’t fight weeds next spring!
- Stop Watering Everyday!STOP WATERING YOUR YARD!!!! Everyday we are seeing homes that are running their systems daily. We understand it’s hot and “droughty” outside. You have to remember though that running your system everyday is actually counterproductive to the health of your lawn. What is important is HOW LONG you water. When you run the system fewer times a week but for longer sessions you get a much deeper soak into the soil. This forces the roots to grow deeper looking for water. Letting the lawn dry out in between these sessions is also important as it helps prevent possible fungus damage. Hope this helps! Side note, we are unsure if "droughty" is a real word but it is one we use almost daily. Feel free to use it in your personal vocabulary moving forward! https://youtu.be/4aRmExJHsIo
- How You Water MattersIt’s hot as HE🏒🏒 out there this week! If you're not watering your lawn you will see the damage soon enough! We’ve said it 100 times by now though that “HOW” you water matters as much as actually watering. The time of day is one of those “HOW” issues. Watering at night is usually the best option for a few reasons. The wind is usually much calmer during the night for one and this means less drift. The water pressure is also higher since people are sleeping and not taking showers, washing clothes and the such. It also gives the water plenty of time to soak into the ground. When you water during the day you lose a lot to evaporation in the sun. We usually recommend running your system anywhere from 12:00-4:00 this time of year. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/6NSZDh197mA
- Shrub Head FilterIf you have a clogged sprinkler head here is another possible issue you’re facing. All of your shrub heads have a filter installed in them. You get to the filter by removing the head and then pulling it out with your fingers. If you do this while the system is turned on be careful that it doesn’t get shot into the air and lost for good! Once the filter is removed you can clean it out in water to get all of the trash out of it. Then simply stick it back into the shrub nipple and screw the head back down. This simple task will fix a lot of your basic issues with shrub heads. If there is still a problem and you need help, send us a picture or video! Have a great day! https://youtu.be/h0m5gtREyog
- Bifen XTSBugs in the lawn and home are never any fun. If you have ever wanted to try a professional grade product, take a look at Bifen XTS. It's easy to apply as long as you have equipment to spray a liquid. A hand sprayer or backpack sprayer will work but it is hard to calibrate them sometimes. We suggest the XTS version over the IT version due to it's make up. The XTS is in an oil base and mixes in water much easier. The IT is a lot thicker and will sink to the bottom of your spray bottle if your not carful. When you read the label, there is a wide range of insects that are covered by Bifen making it a staple in most pro's trucks! https://youtu.be/mLut4ZSqMtQ
- Sharpen Your Mower BladesThis subject will never get old! It's something that is such a simple task yet is over looked. Most people should sharpen their blades at least 3-4 times a year. When your blades are sharp the mower does a better job of mulching, it cuts the grass instead of tearing it and is just overall healthier for the lawn. Watch the video and see what we mean! https://youtu.be/xdW4OuTSOfM
- Changing Mow DirectionsHow you mow matters...actually matters a lot! When you mow your lawn the same direction every week you will start to develop ruts or tracks in your lawn. This happens when the weight of the mower travels the same path every week. Before long you will start to notice actual grooves in the yard. This can easily be prevented by changing the direction you mow each week. Mow at different angles, go from front to back, side to side or any other pattern you can come up with. In the long run you wont regret it! If you are starting to see some effects of tracking, consider using a aerator on the lawn to break down the top layer and help give it a head start. https://youtu.be/_bPutR4KSgg
- Bag Worms on HawthornsSo we have been doing this for a while now and are seeing something for the first time. Bag Worms are a bug that are fairly common to be seen growing on Juniper Trees and other cypress type plants. More recently we have been seeing a species of bag worms growing on Indian Hawthorns. As you can see in the video, they physically eat the leaves away to the point that almost all of the foliage dies and falls off. The plants is still alive but it has no more leaves. It happens very fast and cant be ignored. This is also a good example of why we say getting on a preventive plan in a good idea. https://youtu.be/JnmTrB45Lcc
- Mosquito EggsDid you know a mosquito could pay up to 300 eggs in an area the size of a water bottle cap? It's true! The amount of area needed would blow your mind. This is one of the main reasons we always say it is important to remove any standing or stagnant water from your yard. It is also why using a quality insecticide is so important. The bugs will carry the product to the water where they are laying eggs and infect the entire batch of new mosquitos getting ready to hatch. Watch the video and see more about what we mean. https://youtu.be/dWr2vUNKoHo
- Agapanthus is about to Bloom!Have you looked at your agapanthus lately? It's almost time for them to bloom! This is truly a sign that summer is here. They make a great addition to any landscape and provide a very unique look and color as well. Also referred to as "Lilly of the Nile", they come in 3 different colors, purple, blue and white. They are very hardy and can come back from even some of the colder temperatures like this last winter. There isn't much maintenance involved with them either. Let us know if you have any questions about this great plant and how to incorporate them into your existing flower beds!
- Weed Eaters vs Fenceshttps://youtu.be/RmyEIOtVBCo Some battles are as old as lawn maintenance it's self...Weed Eaters vs Fences! I wish I could say there was an easy way to deal with this but there is not. Regardless of how careful you are, when it comes to trimming against fences there is going to be some line damage to the wood. There are a few "unsightly" alternatives but Im not in love with any of them. We have seen people use brick pavers to line the fence. This could get costly and also can look pretty random. Some people even will use the metal edging for outlining your landscape beds against the fence. Again, not very sightly. The one that seems to make the most sense would be attaching a extra piece of wood to the base of the fence. There is still going to be some damage to even this piece however the thicker wood will last much longer than the thiner fence boards. Ultimately, unless you have small animals that will escape, have the fence stop just short of the ground is the best answer to fixing this problem in our opinion. Hope all this helps!
- Hydrangeas and Soil pHhttps://youtu.be/WRXihfUSAuk Not many plants get more traditional or southern than Hydrangeas. They provide your landscape with very large and beautiful blooms for several months during the summer. What you might not know however is why some plants bloom a different color than others. It all has to do with the soil pH the plant is growing in. When a plant is growing in an acidic soil where the pH is around 5.5 or lower you will get blue blooms. When you get a more basic pH of 6.5 or higher you will get pink blooms. It is also not uncommon to see blooms with shades of Purple when you get pH's in the middle. You can actually change the color of your plants bloom by altering this pH. Im sure you have heard about putting old rusty nails or other metal at the base of the plants. As it rust the water will bleed into the soil and alter the pH and change the color of the blooms. Also, remember to make sure these plants get plenty of shade. They don't like the afternoon sun very much and will wilt and get droopy. Hope this helps!!!
- Valve Box CoversIf you have a sprinkler system then you see some of these in your yard. Better yet, I bet you have chopped a few up with the lawn mower or had the dog eat one or two! The are valve covers and are a part of your sprinkler system. The green lid is a top for the total valve box that protects the valve underground. They are very important and you need to make sure they are clear and easy to find. The valve box keeps dirt and other debris from covering the valve up. This matters most when you go to perform maintenance on your sprinkler system. If they are covered up and start to have issues it could get pretty costly trying to use a locator to find them all. We buy ours at Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply on Lynbrook Ave. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/x9Kw4tQNadQ
- Using Good FuelMost people only ever use the cheapest gas possible for their lawn equipment. Something to consider this year is the life of your mower. Did you know something as simple as using the high octane or ethanol free fuel will help your mower to not only run better but last longer. Look at it as a cheap insurance policy to make sure your equipment lasts longer or need fewer repairs. Fewer repairs and longer life means money saved! Also, when it comes to your 2 cycle fuel, use a product like TruFuel50 that has cleaners, stabilizers and ethanol free fuel. You wont regret your decision! https://youtu.be/7aaToWG85P8
- Hawthorn Leaf Spothttps://youtu.be/Ii36cU5oJl8 Have you ever noticed Indian Hawthorns in your landscape getting very thin and losing all of their leaves? You may even notice the leafs turning red and orange before they fall off. Before long the entire plant looks dead and bald. Chances are your shrubs are suffering from a disease called Leaf Spot. It's a fungus that attacks shrubs like hawthorns very hard. Typically you will first notice dots or spots forming on the leafs then the plant starts to drop all of the leafs. Once it forms in one plant it will also start to spread to the others nearby as well. We typically see it in areas where there is excessive moisture or not much air flow. It also is common in areas where the plants are planted very thick and form a hedge. The good news is unless you have let the issue go on to long the plants can be treated using a fungicide. The entire plant and surrounding plants will need to be sprayed at least once and sometimes twice depending on how advanced the issue is. We also recommend removing all of the affected leaves that have been dropped. Reducing the amount of water the plants get and allowing them to dry out is also a very good practice. Here is a link to a effective product we recommend to use if you decide to tackle this project! https://www.amazon.com/Propiconazole-Generic-Banner-Quart-nuf-010/dp/B004GTONG8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1GT9LV4LRV54Z&keywords=propiconazole+14.3+fungicide&qid=1555950859&s=gateway&sprefix=fungicide+pro%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-3
- Dethatchinghttps://youtu.be/W3lpZvM5KSM Most people have heard of thatch in your lawn but do you really know what it is? Basically it is a bunch of dead grass in your yard. Some thatch is actually a good thing. When it gets out of control and builds up a super thick layer is when you will start to see issues. There are several ways you can get an unhealthy layer of thatch. The most common is allowing the grass to get too tall in between the times you cut it. Most lawns have a mulching mower used to help break down the grass into smaller sections. This issues start when there is more grass to break down than time will allow. It's pretty easy to tell if you have a thatch issue in your lawn. Is it hard to see the dirt below the grass? When you walk across the yard does it feel very soft or like a cushion? If you pull a rake through the yard do a lot of dead grass come to the surface? These are all simple signs that you may have an issue to address. When the layer is allowed to get too thick you will start to notice the lawn getting thin. This thick layer prevents water from getting to the soil where the roots are. It also makes it hard to fertilizers and other nutrients to get to the ground. The solution can sometimes be as basic as aerating the lawn. This can help break down small amounts of thatch. Other times you need a more aggressive approach like using a power rake or de thatcher. The de thatcher has several metal "fingers" that run through the grass and pull all of that thatch to the surface. It usually surprises people when they see the amount of dead grass that gets removed. We must warn you, don't try this unless you have a way to haul off an excessive amount of trash and debris. As you can see in the video there is a lot of old grass that will need to be raked up and thrown away. If you try to take this on by yourself there are a few places to rent them like Tubbs Hardware in Bossier or Home Depot on Bert Kouns. Bailey Bark and Material is a good place to consider dumping the trash when the job is done. Hope this helps!
- Water Bubblehttps://youtu.be/p3jjmi-8oSU Have you ever seen a lawn pimple! HaHa...actually it's just a massive build up of water under ground. It's very common this time of year when your sprinkler system has been turned off during the winter. Sometimes there will be breaks and since they are underground you can't see them. In a situation like this one, the root system of the grass is thick enough and the soil compacted to the point the water stays under ground. It then forms a water bed like situation in the lawn and the water builds up there. The issue ends up being you have punch a hole in the ground to let all the water out then dig around to find the break. It's very important to find these types of breaks because it is usually a major one that is letting lots of water out. Considering how much the city charges for water you want to get it fixed! Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any questions!
- Do I Need To Aerate?https://youtu.be/utGso_h111A To aerate or not to aerate? Wait what do you mean aerate? Our area is no stranger to clay soil. That along with all of the rain and high heat can cause for very compacted soil. To combat this soil compaction problem there is a process called aeration. This is the process of physically removing cores of dirt which helps loosen the ground. When the ground is not as compacted it allows for better absorption of water, proper air flow and better ability for nutrients to get to the grass roots. The real question is how do you know if you need it? We suggest getting it done at least once a year. If you have never had it then lets just assume you need it! A simple test is to take a normal screw driver and try to stick it into the ground. If you can not get it into the ground relatively easy then you need to consider getting this done. You should not have to lean into it and put a ton of muscle and body weight into getting the screwdriver into the ground. The benefits are huge. If you have any questions about how or where to do this feel free to ask any questions!
- Cleaning Your Irrigation PipesEach Spring we get calls about peoples sprinkler systems smelling! Let me explain...during the winter when you winterize your sprinkler system you are actually only draining water from the vacuum breaker. In a lot of homes there is still water left in the pipes. It's been just sitting there stagnate for 4-6 months now and will develop a foul smell. When you turn your sprinkler system on for the first time it will start to flush all of this water out of the lines and also spread the bad smell. The good news is it will go away pretty quick. The bad news is if there was a lot of allege or dirt build up you may need to flush your lines out. Trash as fine as sand can cause your vales and heads to not function the right way and prevent the sprinkler system from spraying the lawn in the right way. The easy way to clean these line out would be to remove a nozzle on each zone and let the water flow freely until it becomes clean and clear. https://youtu.be/KnAYDufMMP4
- Boxwood DiebackAs if there was not enough to worry about...the one plant we all thought was virtually impossible to kill has a new disease that is attacking them. The LSU Ag center is actually the lead agency in discovering the fungus and running test. It's got the most original name you have ever heard of, Boxwood Dieback disease. And as you would guess it, it causes the plant to die back. The first tall tell sign is you will notice random die back in the plant. Some limbs look well and alive while others are dead. The cause of this is a fungus. The cure at this point is going to be a fungicide however it is so new we are still running trials on how much and what kind works the best. Send us pictures if you have any questions! Here is a quick link to learn more information. https://www.ncipmc.org/action/alerts/boxwood.pdf https://youtu.be/azpYhj9etOY
- Don’t Trim Your Loropetalums…yetIf you start cleaning up your flower beds early this year be careful about trimming certain plants to early. One of those are Loropetalums. This is the purple shrubs you have seen all over town. They have a wispy natural look to them and are very hardy. One benefit is they bloom several small pinkish purple flowers in the Spring. However if you trim them to early you will actually be removing most of these blooms and will not get the full effect. Typically by May they are done blooming and can be cut to shape and size you were hoping for. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/jJtiCIofKwU
- Don’t Trim Your Azaleas…YetIn our area it's pretty normal to start cleaning up your flower beds in February or March. While there is nothing wrong with getting a head start there are a few important things to remember before you start trimming. Typically speaking in our area Azaleas don't bloom until April and into May. If you were to trim your azaleas to early in February or March you would actually be removing a lot of the bloom buds that are going produce the flowers. Since the blooms are the main reason planting the azaleas it's a loose loose! The proper time to trim these shrubs in immediately after they drop all of their flowers. Usually May or June. This is also a great time to feed them with a nice slow release granular fertilizer. Also don't forget to regularly inspect your azaleas for bugs or other pest. Typically it's to late and the damage is done before most people realize there is even an issue! Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/dKe8-tBzbJI
- Japanese MagnoliaJapanese Magnolias are an amazing plant to get anyone ready for Spring. This tree is in the magnolia family but differs for a few reasons. One it that it looses all of it's leaves during the winter time unlike your more traditional magnolia trees. You may think of this as a negative until later winter or early spring when the tree starts to bloom! They produce the most beautiful pinkish, purple and white flowers and they usually cover the entire tree! Some people call the tree a Tulip tree or a Tulip Magnolia because the blooms look a lot like tulip flowers. Regardless of what you refer to them as, they are one of the most traditional, truly southern plats. And because of the timing of their bloom cycle right before spring they are the perfect kick start to the new year! https://youtu.be/J2FzdHWd7LI
- Aphids on AzaleasSometimes confused as scale, aphids are a bug that can create a unsightly mess in your Azaleas. They are a bug that feed on the sap of the plant by sticking a needle like beak into the plant. As they feed they drop their waste on the plant that's called Honeydew. This is a clear sticky substance. After a short period of time a black mold grows on the honeydew. It's this black mold that usually first alerts people to a issue. While it's not deadly at first, it can over time be bad for the plant therefore it needs to be addressed ASAP. The entire plant should be sprayed with an insecticide to kill the beds and then treated routinely as a preventive measure. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/vGr_RImbaiQ
- 90% Sign Up To LateLike clockwork every year 90% of our new clients sign up in April & May. Why? Because it is warm and the weeds are growing like crazy! If you have any interest in using a lawn treatment program then now is the time to get started. When the average ground temperatures start getting to 55 and higher you WILL have issues. That is unless you applied a pre emergent. Pre emergents act like a blanket covering the entire lawn. This blanket prevents the weeds from being able to germinate and start to grow. Once the germination process starts you can not stop them from growing. Instead you will have to use herbicides all year to kill the weeds. It's really easy to prevent this from being the case. Most lawns only cost $45-$65 to treat. At least give it a try!
- Weed & Feed Sucks…If you are using weed & feed then your wasting your time. Don't be the disappointment of a lawn on your street this year. The average house only cost $40-$60 dollars per visit. Invest in something that matters this year! https://youtu.be/0ycGG786qNU
- Trim Your Liriopehttps://youtu.be/mqAmgbiqIrE
- Doing Our Part With Pre Emergentshttps://youtu.be/wJLM_B348F4
- Pre Emergents Save you $$$https://youtu.be/40MZT6Gytz4
- 1000’s of weed seedsThe reason Pre Emergents are so important right now is that your lawn is in a race. Not against time but against the ground temperatures. There is not a specific time that the summer weeds will start growing. Instead the germination and growing process is based off the weather and more importantly the ground temperatures. Once the soil reaches an average of 55 degrees the seeds will start their life cycle. If you get your pre emergents applied before this happens you will stop this process and prevent the weeds from growing this summer. https://youtu.be/4kl_pUZkx_Q
- Trimming Pink Muhly Grasshttps://youtu.be/QUOS72OlhOg
- Race Against TempaturesThe reason Pre Emergents are so important right now is that your lawn is in a race. Not against time but against the ground temperatures. There is not a specific time that the summer weeds will start growing. Instead the germination and growing process is based off the weather and more importantly the ground temperatures. Once the soil reaches an average of 55 degrees the seeds will start their life cycle. If you get your pre emergents applied before this happens you will stop this process and prevent the weeds from growing this summer. https://youtu.be/mU6uX9mTj9s
- River Birch Factshttps://youtu.be/mk7KgcwsnzI
- Understanding Pre Emergentshttps://youtu.be/z__HcAl03U8
- Preemergent time!https://youtu.be/y1xdZNnVmv0
- Kill Your Dallisgrasshttps://youtu.be/1jV8JAfsafY Dallisgrass is a huge pain the the grASS! Right now during the winter when the normal lawn is dormant you can attack it using Roundup. Just don't get to crazy with the over spray.
- Repairing Crepe Murderhttps://youtu.be/COJKAsYRagoDo you have crepe myrtles that have been Murdered over the years? You don't have to drive very far around town to see what we are talking about. It's everywhere! Crepe Myrtles are suffering from years of being trimmed in the wrong way.Good news...if you have patience, dedication and are committed to doing the right things there is some hope!
- Black Sooty Moldhttps://youtu.be/u9PtR7xk83c Are your Crepe Myrtles turning black? What about the plants under them? There are a few options you have.
- Crepe Myrtle Trimminghttps://youtu.be/eYYKSqoTHes Murdering your Crepe Myrtles is just wrong on so many different levels. It happens every time of the year...don't be that person this year!
- Pre Emergent TimeDoes your lawn look anything like this? It's our favorite time of the year...It's Pre Emergent Time!!! Of all the things you can do for your lawn Pre Emergents are the most important one of all! Every Spring and Fall when the weeds are getting ready to wreak havoc remember they can and must be stopped. Weed and Feed is a horrible idea to plan on and generally speak is a big fail in the long term. Why kill the weeds when you can prevent them! Do something positive this year and take care of your lawn!
- Proper Maintenance Orderhttps://youtu.be/Im3aC8ngjFM When you are performing your maintenance in the landscape it sometimes may take several days. Even if it doe not, make sure you are doing everything in the right order. What we mean by this is you don't want to clean out the beds before you have trimmed the shrubs. If you did you would be left have to clean them out twice. Think through the order in which you attack the clean up. Start at the top and work your way down. If you are adding new mulch or pine straw this is always the last step. Before you blow or rake out all of your trash make sure you are done crating any new debris. Hope this helps!
- Azaleas and Sasanquashttps://youtu.be/VE-TUaySVx8 In the Fall time when you start to clean up your landscape, make sure you stay away from the Azaleas and Sasanquas. Both of these plants have already set their buds and are prepared to bloom. By trimming them now, you will cut off all the blooms and affect the number of flowers they produce. Both of these plants need to be trimmed after they have bloomed along with being fed.
- Deer vs Hairhttps://youtu.be/7AO7g8428fE Deer vs Hair: If you are having issue with deer eating your plants, consider a trip down to the barber shop. Not to get your hair cut but to get a bag of hair. Deer hate the smell of humans. By getting a bag of hair and sprinkling it around your landscape, the deer will avoid the strong smell of humans in the area. The smell will wear off over time so be prepared to re apply after some time.
- Photo-Cell Timer Problemshttps://youtu.be/yTebVHgQ_to Photo Cell timers are one of the easiest and most reliable timers to use with your Christmas Lights. They have a photo eye on them and when it gets dark they turn the power on. Most have a dial so that you can choose to run the lights for a predetermined amount of time. An issue that can arise is when there is other light sources in the area. Sometimes security lights, the Christmas lights them self eves or any other light source will make the timer think it is daylight again and turn the lights off. The fix to this is to move the timer or use a digital one.
- Questions you should ask about Christmas Lightshttps://youtu.be/Vbikm2TySUM If this is the year you decide to get Christmas Lights there are a few important questions you need to make sure you ask. 1: Am I getting to purchase the lights or am I just leasing them? The purchase model is one of the more popular choices we see people take advantage of. With this model there is an upfront investment the first year to actually purchase the lights but in the years that follow you are only paying to have them installed and removed. They are your lights and you can do with them as you please. If you decide to change your installer then you have the material to let someone else use. With the lease model you do not own anything. You are just renting the lights during Christmas and pay the same fee every year. 2: What kind of material are you using? With commercial grade material you have the ability to custom cut the Christmas lights to fit your home. If you need 33 feet of lights then that is exactly what you cut. You also want to ask about what size bulbs are being used. C9 bulbs are the larger and more popular bulbs. Don't get sold the cheaper and smaller C7's because they wont look as good in the end! 3: LED vs Incandescent? LED's are taking over the market very fast. Not only do they last longer but they also save you money with the electrical bill. Incandescents are also made of glass and break very easily. They usually are only good for 2 maybe 3 seasons and then have to be replaced.
- Trim Your Sago’s!https://youtu.be/amWrQX18wOU If you don't have SAGO PALMS I'm sure you know where some are and I'm sure they look like these. Typically speaking, they can handle out winter time temperatures with out any issues. This last winter was anything but typically though! When they are subjected to extreme temperatures and/or snow and ice, the fronds (palms) will turn brown or yellow. This doesn't mean the plant is dead but the palm will need to be trimmed. Once they turn color, they will never turn green again. They need to be trimmed all the way to the base like the one in the video. This summer when it starts to get hot again they will fill back out and be as beautiful as ever. When you do trim them, make sure to wear gloves because they can be very sharp! If you have any questions feel free to ask!
- Apply Pre Emergents NOWhttps://youtu.be/ffgr3NkPkcc Why Now Is The Time Pre Emergents are super important to lawn care and now is the time to apply them. It happens every year to us. We preach the importance of Pre Emergents in Shreveport / Bossier City lawn care. Some listen and act soon. Others wait until April and May to start their lawn care. Why? Because by this time their lawn is full of weeds from all the rain and warm temperatures. The reaction is usually to put out some weed & feed or call a lawn care company. The problem is by this point the weeds have already germinated and are ready to grow. Lawn care and fertilization is something you have to be pro active about. Even after you first get started you have patience. Steps you take will be for the benefit of your lawn months from now. Applying pre emergents back in the fall is what would have stopped weeds from being a issue today. Applying pre emergents now is what will stop the weeds from being an issue this summer. Not only is timing super important but also make sure you are using the correct products. When it comes to pre emergents in the grass for the Shreveport / Bossier area, liquid is what works the best. When you go this route you are able to get the barrier down to the soil right away and dont have to worry about the granular getting washed away. The say this is try with you are using insecticides and herbicides. Liquid is just a far more accurate and effective route to take. The other thing most people are surprised by is that its often just as cheap to have the service provided for you. By the time you pay homeowners prices for products and then purchase and maintain the equipment needed to apply, we can do it for the same price. If you need help with picking out a provider, feel free to email us are info@matthewslandscpae.com. We can help make suggestions about products. If you need help buy a product, Do My Own Pest Control is a great source to have items shipped right to your door step!
- Be ProActive…Not ReActive with Pre EmergentsWhen it comes to lawn care and weeds you have to be ProActive...not ReActive. Timing is everything with pre emergents. If you wait until the weeds get to germinate then it is to late. You get to spend the next 6 months killing weeds instead of enjoying your lawn. The seeds are already in the grass and there is nothing you or I can do about that. What you can do is prevent them from ever growing. When you do this there are not any weeds to drop more seeds and continue the circle! Don't kill your weeds...Prevent them. Apply your pre emergents before it is to late. For more information, click here!
- Winter care for Sago PalmsThis winter has been brutal in the south. We've had consistent below freezing temperatures that are not normal for our area. Many plants we have in the south are planted because we typically have warmer weather. Being that we have many warm temperature plants we've have had several plants that have taken a beating this winter. One is the Sago Palm and you may have noticed that the fronds are brown. Everything that is brown on your Sago Palm fronds has been damaged by the cold. What do you do now? Go to the base of the plant and trim off what is brown. Although the fronds are brown, the plant is not dead!! If you have any questions, let us know. Have a great day! For more information on Sago Palms, click here. You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed.
- Winter is hereWinter is here. December 21st this year marks the first day of winter solstice. What is Winter Solstice you ask? Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year here in Earth’s northern hemisphere. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol sistere, which means “sun standing still.” On the December solstice, the sun’s daily southward movement in the sky appears to pause. The time and date of the solstice changes every year, but this year’s solstice will occurs at 11:28 a.m. (ET) on December 21st, 2017. The solstice marks the exact moment when the sun’s most direct rays reach their southernmost point of the equator. The exact times of sunrise and sunset depend on two things: your latitude and geographic location within your time zone. As much as every hears "first day of winter" and frets because of the weather ahead of us, just know we are inching out way to spring! For more information on the Winter Solstice, click here!
- Buying and Caring for your Christmas TreeEvery year when I was little we would always go to the local tree farm and pick out the perfect family tree. Being I had siblings, we always fought over the biggest or fluffiest or the one that just had that smell... the smell of pine and the woods... the smell of Christmas. We would get to rotate every year who would get to choose. Some years we even felt sorry for the "imperfect" trees and would get them. Sure they leaned over a little and weren't perfect... but those are the trees I remember the most. If you are venturing out this holiday season to purchase your own Christmas tree, here are a few things to remember. When selecting a tree, slightly pull on some stems. If the needles fall off, move on to the next tree. You want to find a tree that has no needles falling off. Once you get the tree home you want to cut about 1/2 inch off the bottom. This will allow the water to absorb into the tree. Speaking of water... you need to water your tree everyday!!! Christmas trees can absorb up to a gallon of water a day! They are thirsty, so don't forget to water them. You want to pick a spot in your house away from any heat sources. We all remember the movie the Christmas Vacation and you don't want your Christmas tree to go POOF like theirs. After Christmas is over with what do you do with your tree???? Here in Louisiana, we like to take our trees to our favorite fishing hole! The fish will use the christmas tree as cover and come spring, you'll know exactly where to find them! If you have any questions about Christmas Tree care, let us know. Have a great Holiday Season!!
- Caring for your plants during WinterFinally it is starting to feel like Christmas outside and lately we have had some temperatures that have dipped below freezing. What happens when it freezes to your plants.... well.... the water inside a plant freezes causing damage to the cells of the plant. What does that mean for your tropicals??? That means a lot! They need to be covered as best they can. All home improvement store in town sell material blankets. They are perfect for protecting your plants from frost. They are lightweight and easy to put on and take off. If you have potted plants you need to bring them inside if possible. Even if you just store them under you covered porch or garage. Getting them out of the elements will help tremendously. Let just say you forgot. The weather dipped below freezing and frost has already got to your plants... you can bring them back but it's best to wait until the spring. Keep your plants slightly wet and use some fertilizer after the frost has is gone. If you have any questions about plants during the winter, let us know. Have a great day! For more information, visit this website for some great tips on winter care for your plants!
- Installing Shingle Tabs to your RooflineWhen it comes to hanging Christmas lights on your roofline, people usually use staples. Staples are notorious for leaving damage to your roofline. We wanted to share a little tip with you. When you are hanging your Christmas lights, try using a shingle tab. A shingle tab is a plastic piece that you can screw light bulbs into that will slide under the shingles of your house. Using a shingle tab not only helps with keeping your lights lined up but it is also less impactful to your roofline. You can buy these online or in town. They aren't that expensive but they do provide you with a cleaner look for your home. If you have any questions, let us know. Have a great day! Matthews Landscape has been in the Christmas Lights Installation business since 2008. Our focus has always been on making the installation and maintenance of your lights a stress free part of your holiday celebration. To make sure you receive the best experience available we have made sure every installer goes through a series of training and safety classes to help them become the best they can be. We provide all the custom fit materials to our clients for the install. During the Christmas season we service the lights in the event bulbs burn out or other issues arise. After the holidays, we then come back and remove the lights, box them up and then store them in our warehouse free of charge! For more information, visit our youtube channel.
- Add some Christmas light flare to your landscapeThe Christmas season is about family and joy and Christmas lights!! It's always been a favorite childhood memory of mine to hop in the car and drive around looking at all the different Christmas light display. Now that I am a adult it's fun to spruce up my yard with that same joy I had when I was a kid. Fast forward to today, Christmas light displays have changed... drastically. At any given time you can drive down your street and find lights not only on the roofline but lights around the columns, lights on the fence, lights around the front door and every window, lamp post etc.... you might even see a 6ft Mickey Mouse blow up decoration as well. It's safe to say this isn't your grandmas light idea anymore. This year we wanted to bring you a few more ideas to add some flare to your yard. Everyone knows lights on the house give it that extra glow but have you considered adding lights to your tree trunks? Yes, tree trunks! It's so simple and will add so much "wow" to your landscape. First you want to get some string lights and you want to wrap the tree trunk (or limbs). You want to make sure the spacing is about 2 - 4 inches apart. Every so often, add a few staples just to make sure you keep those stings in place. At night, this will give your yard an even better glow. If you have any questions about Christmas light install, please give us a call. Matthews Landscape has been in the Christmas Lights Installation business since 2008. Our focus has always been on making the installation and maintenance of your lights a stress free part of your holiday celebration. To make sure you receive the best experience available we have made sure every installer goes through a series of training and safety classes to help them become the best they can be. We provide all the custom fit materials to our clients for the install. During the Christmas season we service the lights in the event bulbs burn out or other issues arise. After the holidays, we then come back and remove the lights, box them up and then store them in our warehouse free of charge! For more information on Christmas lights, click here to visit our youtube page.
- Commercial grade Christmas lights are the better choiceWhen it comes to Christmas lights, everyone wants the brightest and easiest set up. This is why we recommend using a commercial grade christmas light. Commercial grade lights you can cut to size. Meaning... you aren't subjected to using the exact amount of lights with all that over hang. You can literally cut the cord to the length you need for your roofline. Nothing is more frustrating than getting to the end and having 3 or 4 extra feet of lights you don't need. They are very simple to use, you can cut the wire, and use the plugs to make a new end. You can't do that with the lights you buy from Home Depot or Lowes. The other advantage to commercial grade Christmas lights is the shingle tabs. They slide under your shingles and it holds the light in place. We also recommend you buy LED. This will save you so much in power. The other neat thing is it comes with a wire that you can make your own extension cord. If this is something you are interested in, you can buy commercial grade lights in bulk online or if you wanted to visit a local store, Splash Pools and Spas has them. We do recommend getting an extra few feet when you purchasing your lights. You'd rather spend a little extra so you don't come up short. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Have a great day! For more information on Christmas lights, click here to visit our youtube page.
- How to care for your Poinsettias this Christmas seasonPoinsettias are a staple at the Christmas season and you can find them everywhere during the holiday season. From malls to front porches they bring the color to Christmas. They come in many different colors: red, white, and pink. When choosing your poinsettia you want to look at the stem. The stem needs to be thick and strong. Stay away from stems that have breaks or wilting as it will cause the plant to wilt faster. Most poinsettias will last about 4-6 weeks with proper care. Once the flowers start to fall off the poinsettia life is near it's end. Poinsettias need sunlight to survive. Placing them in a window makes them happy. They are also temperature sensitive. They like it to be about 65 to 75 degrees. They don't need a lot of watering. You will know it's time to water when the soil on top gets dry to the touch. So don't over water them. Once the poinsettia has bloomed, you do not need fertilizer. Just water. Side note: Poinsettia is NOT poisonous. They have gotten a bad rap in the past however they safe for human and pets. Just don't try to eat it... mainly because that's just gross. If you need more information on Poinsettias, click here.
- Replacing your Irrigation Nozzles with MPR NozzlesWhen you are updating your irrigation nozzles, consider an MPR nozzle. The MPR nozzle waters your yard more effectively. Rather than spraying the water with a mist like spray.... it's more of a controlled spray with 5 different smaller streams. It gives the water time to soak in which prevents run off. It also doesn't give you that misting effect that if you were to have a big wind, it just blows it all over the place. It will continue to give you a good watering regardless the wind speed. To replace the existing nozzles it's as easy as twisting them off and twisting the MPR nozzle on. It also saves you money. That's everyones favorite part. You do not have to use as much water because you aren't losing as much. It's not hard to replace either. You can change it yourself! They aren't pricey... about $4 or $5 bucks each. If you have any questions, let us know. You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed.
- Oh, DeerOh DEER! We've seen this before but not at this level. Deer love Pansies! A couple things you can try that can help in keeping them out of your flowers beds are Deer Off or Vinegar. Deer Off is a product you can buy at any local home improvement store. It emits a human type odor which is suppose to keep the deer away. Another option is just using some household items. We are using a kitchen sponge covered by pine straw. Once you get it covered, pour some vinegar on it. So if you are having issues with your pansies missing.... try one of these options. Hope this helps and if you have any questions, let us know. You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed.
- Why we Use Commercial Grade Christmas LightsThanksgiving is past and this is the time everyone will be putting up their Christmas lights. We wanted to talk to you about the advantage of commercial grade Christmas light material. It comes in bulk but the best part is that you are actually able to cut your Christmas lights to fit the area you need. Nothing is more frustrating than putting up your lights and having so much extra material. There are several places online you can purchase this from or you can swing by Splash Pools and Spa and they can get you set up. If you have any questions, let us know. Matthews Landscape has been in the Christmas Lights Installation business since 2008. Our focus has always been on making the installation and maintenance of your lights a stress free part of your holiday celebration. To make sure you receive the best experience available we have made sure every installer goes through a series of training and safety classes to help them become the best they can be. We provide all the custom fit materials to our clients for the install. During the Christmas season we service the lights in the event bulbs burn out or other issues arise. After the holidays, we then come back and remove the lights, box them up and then store them in our warehouse free of charge!
- Planting your fall colorWhen you are planting your fall color you want to make sure you are making good decisions when choosing your soil. As you get ready to plant your fall color keep in mind that your flower beds need to be higher than all other areas. The reason for that is you want it to be able to drain really well. This prevents root rot. Also you want to use a really rich and fine potting soil or some sort of landscape mix. When you squeeze the soil you want to make sure it does not clump up. This will ensure it will not retain a lot of water. If you have any questions, let us know. Have a good day!
- Laying mulch during fall clean-upLaying mulch during fall clean-up is something everyone loves to do. Something about a fresh bed of mulch really makes your flowers pop during each season. We wanted to warn you about something you need to watch out for when you are laying your mulch line. You can tell in the video that there is a brick line and then the slab line. You want to make sure you don't stack the mulch up over the slab if the house. You can see the weep hole in the brick. That's where the wall weeps away moisture. If you cover that weep line, water can actually seep into your house through those covered weep holes When laying your mulch, make sure you leave plenty of the slab line showing. Just something to keep in mind when laying your mulch. If you have any questions, let us know. Have a great day!
- Planting Seasonal ColorFall is here and you are probably getting ready to add your seasonal color. What you need to be aware of is the weather. It's still pretty warm and with is being so warm the flowers haven't hit their full growth. As you see in the video, we went to a local grower in town and their flowers still aren't bloomed. There are flowers grow locally. What you need to be aware of is when you walk into a Lowes or Home Depot and you see fully bloomed flowers. That means those flowers have been grown elsewhere and have adapted to that weather. These plants have had the opportunity to root and grow faster. What concerns me is when you take those flowers and plant them in our current weather conditions, you will have some loss. We want to encourage you to keep an eye on the weather. Wait until you see where the weather consistently drops, when it gets ideal for the best chance of survival. If you have any questions about where to buy, what to buy... just let us know. We'd love to help you out. Have a great day!
- Start Your Pre-Emergents Now!If you are wanting a good looking lawn in the spring, now is the time to start the prep work and get your pre-emergents down. If you were seeing weeds this summer, those were not summer time weeds, those were winter weeds just waiting for the ideal temperatures to germinate. In order to stop those winter weeds you have to lay down a pre-emergent in the fall. When you start a pre-emergent in the fall you are preparing the ground ahead of time. Lawn care is just like working out. If you want to lose weight, it doesn't happen over night. It happens over time. Same with lawn care, what you do now, is for the benefit of later down the road. We have a lot of people ask about weed and feed. Our opinion... weed and feed sucks. It just does. It's not going to give you the control you are looking for or the results you are looking for. The hard truth about lawn care is you need to get on a regular routine schedule. Be proactive. Put down your pre-emergents. If you are wanting the lawn that everyone wants, it starts right now. If you don't do pre-emergents or cant do them, feel free to ask us. We can help you. Just as long as it gets done. If you have any questions, give us a call. We'd love to help you out. You can also find us on Facebook! Ya'll have a great day and let us know if you have any questions.
- Pre-Emergents vs HerbicidesPre-Emergents vs Herbicides Weeds have to germinate to grow. The important thing to remember is Pre-Emergent prevents the weeds growing. The Herbicides attack the weed after the weed has already grown. The issue with herbicides is that they will attack an existing weed but if you have other weeds that haven’t germinated yet, herbicides won’t kill those weeds, pre-emergents will. If you want a good looking lawn it's better to apply the pre-emergents and start well before the weeds even germinate and prevent the vast majority of weeds from ever germinating. Your lawn is more than just grass. Maybe it’s your children’s playground, maybe it your pride and joy. It’s definitely the first thing people see when they look at your house. You deserve to have the most beautiful looking grass on the street. We all like compliments, let us help you get one from the neighbors!!! Our lawn care program is designed and overseen by some of the most able bodies we could find. With degrees in turf management and agronomy, let’s just say they know a lot about grass! Our program consist of 6 steps throughout the year. This allows us to be on your lawn every 6-8 weeks giving your lawn just what is needed at just the right time! Give us a call to set up your first appointment. Have a great day!
- Army WormsCaterpillars are cute … until they aren't!!! Ever heard of Army Worms? You need to be very concerned about Army Worms. They can literally ruin a yard if not treated as soon as possible. They will eat the grass blades and can actually eat all the way to the root of the blade. How to spot these?? You will most likely find these on the grass surface, patios, etc and where there is 1… there is 100! Do we have you freaked out yet?? You should be. However, there is treatment options. If you have questions or comments, give us a call! You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed.
- Do you have mushrooms?Are you seeing a lot of mushrooms in your yard? If you are seeing this, it's ok! Yes they are an eye sore but they aren't doing any damage. Our video today examples why you may be getting them and if you need to treat them. If you have any questions, give us a call. You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed.
- Crape Myrtle Scale TreatmentPretty excited about this!!! We've talked about Crape Myrtle Scale before but we wanted to give an update on the treatments we have done. The last couple years these crape myrtles have been eat up with scale but since our treatments there is very little scale remaining. Even the Azaleas are clean of the mold! We were able to treat them by using a three step process. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. We'd love to help! Y'all have a great day!! Below is the first treatment video: http://matthewslandscape.com/treating-crape-myrtle/
- Why Atrazine isn’t worth the savings!Atrazine is a very common product that you find in weed and seed. It is easy to apply and been around forever. You will find it in granular and liquid form. The problem with atrazine is that it leaches pretty bad. When you get a lot of rain like we have had lately, it pretty much will be washed out and rendered infective. If you start seeing less than favorable results and maybe you or your provider put it out earlier this spring, it is probably because it has not been washed out and is no longer working. This is why using a good quality product is going to be your better option. Just something to keep in mind. If you have any questions please let us know!
- Knock Out RosesOne of the more popular plants you will see in the south is the Knock Out Rose. Knock Out Rose will have two trim cycles: Jan/Feb and August. All of the new blooms develop off new growth and if you do not trim them they will start to get out of control. In August we will cut them back about half size. When you do the cut back it will introduce new growth and causes it to be much fuller. You can use any type of shears.. maybe gloves because they do have thorns. If you have any questions give us a call. Have a great day! You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed.
- Trimming Your ShrubsWhen to trim your shrubs is just as important as how. Certain plants require being trimmed more or less than others and trimming will affect how well they bloom. In the next few weeks it will be time to cut the knock out roses by half. If you were to do that with your sasanqua's you would remove all the bloom buds and be disappointed this winter. Just remember that there's a time and way to trim most of the plants in your landscape. If you ever have a doubt or question, please feel free to ask! You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed. Call today for your FREE estimate, 318-286-0967!
- How to Treat Chinch BugsHave you ever heard of chinch bugs? Chinch bugs have a needle like beak that they poke it into the blades of grass and take all it’s nutrients. What it leaves behind is similar to what people would think would be dry spots in their yard. Most people assume their yard needs more watering, however, it may need insecticide. Be on the look out for dry spots in your yard and don't just assume it's dry spots. For more information on Chinch bugs visit Do Your Own Pest Control or if you have any questions or is you are seeing spots similar to this and have concerns, give us a call. You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed.
- Recycling Landscape MaterialWhat do you do with the debris left behind when landscaping yourself? One option is calling the local trash service. We recommend calling because they will and will not take certain debris. Another option if you have a trailer is take your debris to Bailey Bark. Bailey Bark Materials is off St. Vincent Avenue in Shreveport. Bailey Bark is a recycling center that takes your debris and turns it into mulch. Taking it to a place like Bailey Bark ensures that it gets repurposed and that it doesn’t just end up in a landfill. If you have any other questions or comments, give us a call. At Matthews Landscape, LLC we strive to be your most reliable service company in the Shreveport / Bossier City and surrounding areas. With years of experience in lawn care, landscape maintenance, liquid lawn fertilization and irrigation service, we specialize in keeping your property looking its best.
- Watering your yard during summerWe wanted to stress the importance of watering your lawn right now! Remember.... you are going to do more harm if you water your yard everyday for 15 minutes. It’s better to water your yard less frequently for longer periods of time! The objective is to completely soak the ground and then allow time to dry out. Mowing, feeding and watering are so important to your yard, especially with our high temperatures right now. If you have any questions or comments, let us know. Have a great day! You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed. Call today for your FREE estimate, 318-286-0967!
- Drainage IssueIf you are having issues with standing water around your house sometimes you have no other choice but to install a drainage system. Depending on your yard, you might have to install a larger pipe. Most yard will do well with a 4 inch pipe, however, some with larger yards or pools may need to go to an 8 inch pipe to make sure that you get enough drainage for the yard size. If you are not sure what size you will need, NDS is a great resource for sizing gallons per minute. As always, contact us with any questions. We'd love to answer your questions. Have a great day!! https://www.ndspro.com/
- Mosquito TreatmentIt's a solid fact that mosquitoes are the worst part about summer. Especially when you live in the south. They show up at the worst of times too! Like when you are having a cook out, while the kids are playing in the yard, when grandma shows up to help with the flowerbeds! They are the pest that won't easily go away.We use a process known as fogging or barrier spray to help control mosquitos in your yard. We do this with a water based insecticide that doesn’t have a smell, leave stains or residue behind. After approximately 30 minutes after your application, you won’t be able to tell that we were there other than the fact that you are not getting eaten up by mosquitos anymore! If you have any questions about this service please leave your comments below. Have a great day!!
- Mowing Your Yard during SummerAs temperatures are rising, you are having to mow your yard more frequently. It’s very tempting to skip mowing the yard on weeks that are hotter but that is a very bad practice!! When you mow your yard infrequently, it promotes a thick unhealthy layer of thatch. The mulching mowers will not be able to mulch up that much grass. Also, the water and fertilizer will have a harder time getting to the roots. If you have any questions or comments, let us know. Have a great day! Our business philosophy revolves around the concepts of highest quality standards and offering guarantees to our clients. This is why we are confident that even if you can benefit from our “fix for free” policy, you won’t need to use it, as we will do our job perfectly from the first trial. Since we work with trained professionals and you won’t see a dull mowing blade nowhere around your lawn and landscape, we think that all you need to do to see if we’re as good as we say we are is to give us a call and ask for a free estimate. We always answer the phone and we provide you with a secure online account and many payment options, including credit card. We know you are a busy person, so flexible schedules are not a problem.
- What does a Flood Watch mean for your Landscape?
What does a Flood Watch mean for your Landscape? As we prepare for Tropical Storm Cindy we wanted to talk about the effects large amounts of rainfall has and what it can do to your lawn and landscape. Most grasses will tolerate being overwhelmed with large amounts of water for longer periods of time without serious damage. The biggest problem with too much rainfall is from the movement of soil and debris over the grass.
What about shrubs and trees? Although we are not expecting high winds to knock over trees, the rain alone can do damage to trees if the ground gets overly saturated. Most shrubs and trees will have a healthy root system already in place that will protect them from too much rainfall. However, if heavy amounts of water should sit for multiple days, freshly planted shrubs and trees could be damaged.
Cleaning up after the rainfall is actually the worst part. After you remove debris such a fallen limbs and soil build up, you will want to avoid walking on your lawn until it dries out. If your lawn is severely damaged by the amount of rainfall you should consider core aerating your yard to help in drying it out faster. Saturated soil followed by drying out can sometime lead to soil compaction which is fixed by aeration. Be sure to also turn off your sprinkler system and allow your landscape and grass to throughly dry out before running it again.
Unfortunately, our lawns cannot hide from the force of mother nature but having a plan in place for lawn care during heavy downpours will help to ensure that after the storm passes your lawn, trees and shrubs will survive.
- Dollar Leaf WeedDollar Leaf Weed is a very common weed you will find in the south. It is commonly described as "mini lily pads" which is exactly what they look like. You will find them in any type of grass. They like really wet areas in your yard so if you have area in your yard where water does not train really well, you might see this weed start growing. It is considered a broadleaf weed so you can prevent it and you can kill it with any type of atrazine product. Dollar Leaf Weed has an almost identical twin called Dichondra Weed. The difference between them is that the Dollar leaf weed has a stem that hits the leaf in the center. The Dichondra weed has a stem that grows on the side of the leaf that causes the leaf to make a half moon. Dollar Leaf Weed is a very low growing weed so cutting your grass higher will allow the grass to choke out the Dollar Leaf Weed. Here is a product we suggest using in helping with Dollar Leaf Weed. Let us know if you have any questions! Have a great day! http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/bayer-advanced-southern-season-long-weed-control-for-lawns-p-2036.html
- How to treat DandelionsDandelions are a broadleaf perennial that grows all over the United States. Most people think that just pulling the flower out of the soil will kill the weed, however, Dandelions have a root system that can grow 2-3 inches into the soil that will need to also be removed. Spring is the best time frame to starting the process of killing the weed. There are serval ways you can stop this weed from growing in your yard. Mow high! Having a thick and healthy lawn will help prevent dandelions from spreading. Dandelions will thrive in thin lawns so keeping a thick lawn will in a sense suffocate the weed out. Being consistent with the use of pre emergents in the spring and fall are a way to prevent them from growing. Using a pre emergent will help in suppressing the weeds.... making it more difficult for dandelions to grow in the future. The main thing to remember when trying to rid your yard of dandelions is that you must treat all the way to the root! Also, we know everyone loves to take the dandelion once the flower has turned to seeds and blow them into the wind. Just make sure that wind direction doesn't blow those seeds back into your own yard! If you have any comments, leave them below. Have a great day!
- Crape Myrtle Scale: What is it?Now that spring is in full force and your crape myrtles are about to bloom, you need to be aware of what else might be going on with your crape myrtles. Scale has become a big issue around Shreveport / Bossier when it comes to scale. Most people notice the black sooty mold first and that's when they realize there is an issue. You usually see the black mold on the tree and on all of the plants under the tree. The reason for this is the scale. The live in the tree feeding on the outside bark. They secrete a by product called honeydew, the clear sticky stuff you will see. The black mold grows on this honeydew. So the answer to get rid of the mold is to get rid of the scale. Fixing one issue will fix 3. In the Spring the scale are young and tender. This is also when they are the most active. While there is no real way to get rid of them all, you can control them right now. If you wait until later in the summer the treatments are not nearly as effective due the are armored shell they develop which makes it hard to get insecticide to the bug. Like we said, there is no way to get rid of the scale but there are treatments. It has to be a 3 step approach. First you want to use a bee friendly insecticide that way you don't disturb the pollinators or bees. The first two should be sprayed onto the tree and all the crakes. This is best if done using a spray gun that can reach the tops as well. Space the first 2 applications out by roughly 2 weeks. The third application can be a deep root injection if you have the equipment for this or you can drench the roots using a bucket. If you have any questions, let us know. This is a very important step in helping to control this problem. Have a great day!
- Powdery Mildew in St Augustine GrassHave you seen powdery mildew in your St Augustine Grass? This is actually a pretty common issue during warm, wet or humid weather. All of which we are no strangers to. Generally speaking it's hard to prevent but it's also pretty harmless to the grass as well. You typically can brush your hand or foot across it and it will fall right off the grass blade. So long as the grass doesn't appear to be in distress like the ones shown, there no need to react or do anything. It will usually go away the next time you cut the grass of when the weather dries up. In the event it does seem to be spreading or causing a decline to the grass, you will need to apply a fungicide to the affect area. If you've got any questions please let us know! Have a great Monday!
- Do you have a Sprinkler System?There is so much to be said about this picture! If you have a sprinkler system at your house then you should also have a vacuum breaker. That's the copper U shaped thing in the side of the house. You know, the thing that freezes in the winter! This is an attempt to repair one, a poor attempt at best. Usually we are all about telling you how to fix this stuff on your own. However, when it comes to vacuum breakers they have to be installed, inspected and tested by a licensed professional. PLEASE don't accept this as an ok job! If you have any questions, please let us know!
- Spruce up your patio with colorWanna spruce up your patio with color but have no yard space to plant flowers??? Pots with mixed plants always make a great addition to your patio. Try mixing different colors and plants to add some variety. Depending on the size of your patio, try adding multiple pots with color. It will really give that pop of color your patio needs. If you have any questions, let us know! Have a great day!
- All About HydrangeaWho Loves Hydrangeas? Such a traditional plant here in the south. They are gorgeous. Something important to remember about your hydrangeas is that they don't favor the evening sun. Typically from lunch on - they need to be in the shade. A good time of the year to trim them is in the Oct-Nov timeframe. They are a funny flower... and will change color with any soil change. As always, if you have any questions, let us know. Y'll have a great day!! You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed. Call today for your FREE estimate, 318-286-0967!
- AerationHey everyone! I know we have talked a lot about aeration lately and we wanted to show you an example of what we mean by aeration and the benefits of aeration. It's a machine with a whole bunch of spikes and we run it back and forth over the grass. It literally pokes little holes in the ground pulling the core plugs out. The core aerator will pull a solid core of the ground out and aerify the root systems, allows more water and fertilizer and will help build a better root system. Your grass looks great when the root system is healthy. If you have any questions about aeration please let us know!! Yall have a great day!
- Drought Friendly FlowersHow many of you never plant flowers because you are guilty of killing them because you forgot to water??? You are in luck!!!! Portulaca Flowers are very drought tolerant. In fact, if you water too much, it can kill them! They are a flower that stays low to the ground and will spread pretty well. It has a lot of different bloom heads so they will provide you with plenty of color. So if you are scared to plant some color because of the watering process, this is the plant for you! If you have any questions, let us know! Have a great day!!
- Have you seen Fungus?Be on the look out for Fungus!!! The weather recently has been the perfect conditions for fungus. The moist and wet weather is always a common cause for fungus but you may not realize the temperature plays a big part as well. When there are significant differences between the highs and lows like last night, 48 to 81, it creates optimal conditions. Back yards or areas where there isn't a lot of wind are also more prone. It's not very practical to try and prevent fungus since the chemicals are only good for 14-15 days, plus they are expensive. The best practice is to keep a look out for the early development of fungus and when you first see it, treat it then to stop and prevent further spreading. If you have any questions or concerns, send us a picture and we will help you ID what you have and make suggestions on what to treat with!
- Is your sprinkler system saving you money?Is your sprinkler system saving you money??? Now that it's getting hot outside we are going to start talking more about your sprinkler system. You may not realize it, but there are several ways available to use you system effectively and save money in the process. Most propel simply give up during the summer after to many expensive water bills. That doesn't have to be the case any more. Below is just one example of how a smart controller will not water the yard based upon predicted weather conditions. We will go over this and several other ways so stay tuned!
https://youtu.be/76GjGHsTqP8
You Deserve Exceptional Lawn Care Service with The Most Powerful Lawn Care Guarantee in Louisiana! If you aren’t satisfied with our lawn care or landscape services we will come repeat the work free of charge. Still not happy? Then you owe nothing. It can’t get any easier than that. Our business plan is simple. You want a beautiful yard without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love lawn and landscapes and know how to care of them. Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed. Call today for your FREE estimate, 318-286-0967! - Variety is the spice of lifeThey say "Variety is the spice of life!" When you go to plant your seasonal flowers this year, try something new! There are so many different types and colors of flowers that will work in our area that life doesn't have to be boring! Remember to use different colors and sizes of flowers to add a layered look to your landscape. Put taller plants behind smaller ones and it will give you a layered look that adds extra depth and attention. Also, don't forget when planting new flowers to give them enough room to grow and fill in the extra space. If you have any questions about types and placement, feel free to ask!
- DIY Advice
We are all about DIY projects....just not when they are done wrong. I'll give them a A for effort but one bolt later and they still had a leaking system. A PVC cap would have cost about $1 dollar and the repair takes a few minutes once it is found. There are several different tricks of the trade that will make your job and life so much easier. Morale of the story here...do it right the first time. A little piece of info to keep in mind as well in terms of dollars saved by doing it right. If a leak is not fixed and allowed to leak all day from a single cracked pipe like this one, you could cost yourself over $100/month is additional water on your bill. Give us a call or send us a message if you have any questions about fixing anything in the yard.
- Plant Colors have Arrived!We are finally starting to get some good looking color in! Despite the cooler temperatures recently, the roots have finally developed. A suggestion if you get out and plant some flowers soon is make sure you select a good plant to begin with. Make sure you pick a more developed plant that has a good root system growing. We always recommend buying the 4 inch pot plants over the smaller 6 packs for this reason. Also do your homework and make sure you select a plants that is suited to the bed it's going in. Some flowers do better with sun while others need shade. We will talk more about bed prep later but that is also very important. If you have any questions about location or types of plants, contact us today!
- Treating Crape MyrtlesIt's time to start treating crape myrtles for scale!!! Per the LSU Ag testing sites the scale are officially starting to move. The treatment process we are using this year, tested by LSU, is to make two spray treatments followed by one roots soak. This is an example of the tool used to soak the roots. It's and injectors that is pushed into the ground just deep enough to get to the feeder roots. The high pressure pump forces the insecticide into the ground and soaks the soil. The roots aboard the product and it is carried through the tree and its leaves. As the scale feeds on the tree it comes in contact with the insecticide and the rest is history. This is a great way to "control" the scale. There is still no way to guarantee getting rid of them all together. This will though handle the vast majority of them. Let us know if you have any questions about the treatments!
- St Augustine GrassHave you ever noticed long strings of grass in your St Augustine sod before? They are called runners and as the grass comes out of dormancy you will start to see them more. St Augustine grass is known for its ability to fill in bare spots and repair damaged spots the fastest. As these "runners" grow throughout the yard they help give that thick carpet look it is know for. Also, as our night time temperatures get warmer and the grass starts to grow more aggressively, it's a perfect time to aerate the ground so the yard can repair itself faster. Personally, it's my favorite type of grass! We provide a wide range of services, including but not limited to lawn mowing, mulch installations, irrigation services, weed control and fertilization, edging, trimming and many more. We respect your property, so we always clean after ourselves and use only full functional, clean and maintained tools and equipment. We won’t treat your lawn like just any other one, but we will assess its needs and features and we will provide you with a care and maintenance plan supervised and approved by our head agronomist so your lawn can benefit from the best care and reach its maximum of potential. Turning your lawn and landscape into the envy reason for the whole neighborhood is a goal we aim to reach! Call us today!
- Mulching Your YardMulching your yard actually has more to do with the equipment you mow with instead of an actual technique you use. Most mowers do one of three things to the grass. They blow or discharge it out of the side, catch it in a bag or mulch it. To mulch make sure all of the openings in the deck of the mower are closed off. Also make sure you have a proper mulching blade installed as well. They are curved like the one shown in the video. Now, as you mow the grass, it is chopped into several smaller pieces and dropped back into the ground. This organic material decomposes and provides nutrients to the soil. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. At Matthews Landscape, LLC we strive to be your most reliable service company in the Shreveport / Bossier City area. With years of experience in lawn care, landscape maintenance, lawn fertilization and irrigation service, we specialize in keeping your property looking its best. Our business plan is simple. You want green grass without any hassle and you do not want to worry about how, when and why things need to get done. That’s where we come in. We aren’t just making a bunch of empty promises. We are saying that we love grass and know how to care for it! Exceptionally reliable, worry free, quality lawn care…guaranteed. We Guarantee You Will Be 100% Satisfied With Our Lawn Care Services or We Will Repeat The Work Free Of Charge . If You Are Still Not Satisfied, You Owe Us Nothing !
- Crape Myrtle Bark Scale
Crape myrtles are considered an essential Southern plant for good reasons. Selected from Lagerstroemia indica or its hybrid with L. fauriei, these summer-flowering trees offer spectacular flowers, colorful autumn foliage, and handsome sculptural trunks that few other plants can match. A new pest on crape myrtles, the crape myrtle bark scale was first detected in Texas in 2004 and quickly spread to 130 counties in 11 states by 2016. An article on its distribution, damage, life stage and population trends was published in the spring 2016 issue of Louisiana Agriculture. For more information click here
At Matthews Landscape, LLC we strive to be your most reliable service company in the Shreveport / Bossier City area. With years of experience in lawn care, landscape maintenance, lawn fertilization and irrigation service, we specialize in keeping your property looking its best. We offer a broad range of techniques and work hard with our in-house technicians and horticulturists to bring you a well-rounded approach to your home or business. - Sharpening your mower blades
If you are looking for a greener, fuller and healthier yard, you might think about to sharpening your mower blades. With dull blades, your lawn mower will tear the blades of grass leaving it weak and promoting grass diseases. Sharpening your blades will leave clean cuts to the blades allowing a healthy grow safe from fungal and diseases. Here at Matthews Landscape, we use an angle grinder with regular grinding blades. Make sure you are taking off an even amount off both sides of the blades. Putting an even edge on your blades will give you that clean cut for your lawn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy0bRAadT9k&t=6s - Episode 001: #FeedYourGrassIn this episode, Curtis and Garrett talk about fungus, bugs and what you can do about them all! https://youtu.be/lmpXqhZ96Ek
- Scale On Crape MyrtlesAre your crape myrtles and shrubs covered in a black looking mold? If so, here are a few answers to break down whats going on. As most people know by now scale is a a very serious problem in our area. Scales are a bug that feed on the leaves and limbs of your plants. They are usually the white looking part you will see. What most people dont realize is that the black sooty mold on all the plants under the trees are a result of the scale as well. As they feed on the trees the put off a by product called honeydew. This is usually the sticky and shinny stuff you will see on other plants, walls, patios or anything else under or around the trees. They black stuff is called sooty mold and it grows as a result of the honey dew. While the mold and honey dew themselves wont kill the plants they block the plants from being able to absorb light which will affect its growth. They best way to fix all of these issues is to get the scale under control. Removing they from the equation will fix everything else. Once the scale are under control all the pants can be sprayed off with water and a little time to get things back to normal. The technical name for the scale is Armored Scale. As they mature they form a hard shell on the outside that can be difficult to get chemicals to. The best time to treat for them is in the early spring with the new generation of bugs are young and have not developed the armor yet. So noteworthy facts are that generally speaking scale is very hard to kill and control but can not be ignored. Also they way they spread, if you treat yours and the neighbors do not there is not guarantee it will no spread. There are several different chemicals that have better than average control results. If you need help deciding what to use call our office and we would be glad to make suggestions.
- Why Sharp Mower Blades MatterWhen your mowing your lawn its important to make sure you keep a sharp set of blades on the mower. Obviously the amount of grass you are cutting will determine how sharp you blades are but there are several other factors to consider. If you are hitting rocks, sticks in the yard or other debris this will all affect how shape the blades stay. Cutting tall thick grass or wet grass will also affect how dull they get. When your blades are sharp they will actually cut the grass. Dull blades tend to pull and tear the grass. A easy way to see this it by looking at the ends of the grass. If they have a frayed look then it may be time to sharpen them. If like most people you are mulching your grass it is even more important to have a sharp set of blades to make sure the grass is getting chopped into fine pieces that can easily break down into a natural mulch for your grass. If it is not it can lead to a thatch build up sooner than normal. It is a good idea to change them at least once on month if possible. This can be a easy task by simply using a angle grinder in your garage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akkbM39oEq4
- How To: Calibrate Your SprayerAnyone who has ever fought with weeds in their yard will tell you that liquid chemicals give a far better control than granular. In order for this to be effective though you need to know how much product your putting out. To do this you equipment will need to be calibrated correctly. This task is extremely easy and extremely important. Since most people will be using a hand sprayer that is what we will focus on. To start, mark off a 10x10 area on the concrete to give you 100 sqft. Next fill your sprayer with plan water. Now you will need to time your self spraying the 100 sqft area. Once this is complete spray into a container for the same amount of time. This will tell you how much water it takes to spray 100sqft. Armed with this knowledge you next will look at the chemical you are using. There will be some basic math involved and the numbers will be different for each person. Now you know how much chemical to mix in your tank and can apply the right amount to the grass for weed control. While granular products work ok, liquid is by far the best to control weeds in your grass. If you need more help feel free to call or email our office!
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- Matthews Landscape…And the Winner Is…
And the Winner Is...
We want to Thank all of the people who took the time to leave us a review.
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UnsubscribeMatthews Landscape, LLC 381 Mt. Zion Rd Shreveport, Louisiana 71106 United States (318) 230-2585 - January Newsletter
January Newsletter
We hope your your holidays were great! As the new year rolls around we are trying to find more ways to provide you with the best lawn care and landscaping service possible. One of those ways is through quality communication.
Newsletter
We are going to start a consistent monthly new letter to keep you informed about whats happening in that month as far as services. When we have special deals or raffles taking place this is how you will be informed. It will also have pointers and tips if you choose to perform certain task on your own. We understand that not everyone wants to get these and respect that. If this is the case and you would like to opt out and not receive anymore newsletters from us simply CLICK HERE. Thank you again for all of your support and we look forward to another great year with you!
January - Prepare for the Freeze
Recently our temperatures have been dipping well below freezing and as most of you know this can cause a problem with you irrigation system if it isn't winterized properly. Most of the problems you will see occur at the vacuum breaker. This is the upside down U shaped pipe, usually made of copper, that comes out of the ground typically on the side of the house. When the water isn't drained out of the pipes it can freeze and bust the pipes. This can result in repairs that range from a range of $50.00-$500.00 depending on the extent of the damage. Just because the temperatures drop below freezing doesn't mean the pipes will rupture however the cost of repairs isn't worth the time to properly winterize the system. To learn more about the proper way to winterize your sprinkler system watch the video below. Or if you would like to have us take care of this for you feel free to call our office of go to our web site and submit a request. Thank you again and have a great day!
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Garrett Matthews (318) 286-0967 info@matthewslandscape.comMatthews Landscape, LLC381 Mt. Zion RdShreveport, Louisiana 71106(318) 230-2585
- Matthews Landscape New Website LaunchedWe are always looking for ways to improve our service, and to that end, we proudly announce our new website launched. Over the years, we have grown as a company, and now we offer many services that you may not be aware of. (more…)
