Greenscapes - Seasonal Tips

Lawn Tips

Mowing

Mower Height - 2 1/2 - 3 inches throughout the year is recommended. The last cut of the season should be made at 3 1/2 inches. This will help act as a winter blanket.

Mow frequently, especially in the Spring when growth is rapid.

Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade in a single mowing.

Try to avoid mowing in extremely wet or hot conditions.

Blades are often over looked and are not kept as sharp as they should be. Blades should be sharpened several times during the growing season to help with nice, clean cuts. This will help to maintain deep color longer and will eliminate frayed grass blades.

Scalping of the lawn (cutting the lawn too short) can lead to many problems for the lawn and should be avoided. Scalping can lead to thinning of turf, loss of color, and can contribute to the build up of crab grass and broadleaf weeds. Lawns that are scalped during dry, hot conditions may have the appearance of being burned.

A properly mowed lawn will tend to be thicker, maintain a better color, and be more resistant to diseases, insects, and weeds.

Watering

The best time to water is in the early morning. This will allow more water penetration and less evaporation than watering during the day.

Avoid watering in the evening. This will not allow proper drying time which may contribute to disease build up in the lawn.

1 inch of water per week is ideal for established lawns. One or two deep waterings per week is recommended and will promote a healthier root system. Shallow watering, on the other hand, promotes limited root systems.

Sprinkler systems should be checked often to assure proper coverage and proper application amounts.

Changing the length of irrigation cycles to coincide with seasonal changes is recommended.

How do you know if your lawn is too dry?
Lawns that are thirsty tend to show stress signs such as wilting and color fade to yellow or off-green.
Grass blades will not rebound quickly and mower tracks or footprints will remain in the grass.

Core Aeration

Core aeration is a vital part of a lawn management program. Aeration is beneficial to the lawn and is recommended every fall for cool season lawns. Aeration can also be done in the spring but is not recommended because it may break down crabgrass control barriers that may already be in place.

There are many benefits to core aeration:
1) Thatch management increases activity of micro-organisms needed to decompose thatch by bringing them from deep within the soil to the surface.
2) Relief of soil compaction allowing for deeper water and nutrient penetration.
3) Aeration works well in conjunction with over-seeding by giving the see a good growing environment.
4) Aeration encourages healthy root zone activity.

Tree and Shrub Tips

Pruning

Spring is the recommended time for pruning many types of plants. Spring flowering plants should be pruned in Winter or early spring before new growth appears.

Evergreens may be pruned anytime as long as the wood is not frozen.

Deciduous trees such as maples, dogwoods, and elms should be pruned in early Fall. This will eliminate sap flow that will occur if pruned in the Spring.

Always use very sharp pruning equipment that is large enough for the job. This will keep bark from ripping and give nice, clean cuts. Do not leave jagged edges and try to keep the branch collar in tact so that heal-over begins immediately.

Wound paint is not necessary on properly made pruning cuts.

Winter Stress

Desiccation is the process that occurs when leaves continue to lose water. This is also known as "winter burn". This process usually occurs when the soil is frozen or dry. Younger plants and recent transplants are more prone to this condition. Evergreens such as hollies, azaleas, and rhododendrons in wide open, exposed areas are also very prone to this condition. Some symptoms of this condition include wilting of leaves, tip burn, leaf browning or blackening, leaf drop, or in severe cases death of branches or part of the plant.

To aid in the prevention of desiccation, the following tips are recommended:
1) Mulching around plants at a 2 - 3 inch depth will help retain soil moisture.
2) Use burlap or other wind breaks where plants are in very exposed "wind tunnels".
3) Provide proper nutrients to the plants to keep them as healthy and vigorous as possible. Our root fertilization in the fall is ideal for this.
4) Plant hardy trees and shrubs in areas desirable to their needs.
5) Prune injured or dead branches in the Spring.

Frost Damage

Frost damage can cause blackening, curling, and leaf drop of leaves and twigs. In severe cases, frost can result in sudden death of flowers, buds, or foliage. In the Spring, after plants break dormancy, frost damage is often confused with "spray damage" by customers after an application. Hardy plants will recover from most damage caused by frost.

General Winter Stress Tips

1) Fertilize the trees and shrubs in the Spring and Fall to help maintain good plant vigor and health.
2) Keep plants watered going into the Winter, especially young plants, transplants, and exposed evergreens.
3) Maintain soil moisture by mulching to 2 - 3 inch depth.
4) Prune damaged or dead wood in Spring after plants break dormancy.