Drip Irrigation – Pros and Cons

On November 16, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
Drip Irrigation – Pros and Cons

Drip irrigation is a watering system that works well in gardens. In contrast, a sprinkler system is better suited for lawns and large landscaped areas. Also called localized irrigation, micro-irrigation, or trickle irrigation, drip irrigation drips water at low rates through a plastic piping system. It focuses on the roots of each plant rather than the entire area. Is this system the way to go for your lawn and garden needs? Consider these pros and cons of drip irrigation before deciding. Pros of Drip Irrigation Water Conservation With a drip irrigation system, water travels through pipes into drippers, called micro-sprinklers or emitters. The drippers release a slow trickle of water at the soil surface, allowing the water to absorb more effectively into the soil and the plants’ roots. You also lose much less water to evaporation and runoff. This system is highly effective at targeted garden watering. It can save up to 50% more water than using a sprinkler or other water method. More Control With this system, you can place pipes and drippers right where you want to water. Sprinkler systems don’t allow for targeted watering, instead watering the entire area the sprinkler reaches. While this is great if

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

Best Landscaping Ideas for 2022

On October 29, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
Best Landscaping Ideas for 2022

It’s time to look ahead for the best landscaping ideas in 2022. Due to lockdowns and a new normal, gardening and landscaping saw a surge in popularity during 2020 and 2021. It shows no signs of slowing down as we enter the new year. In fact, this new normal is being seen right throughout the garden trends and ideas for 2022! This blog will outline what landscaping ideas to look out for in 2022. A Mix of Interior and Exterior This new normal is all about functionality and ease of living, and it’s no different for landscaping in 2022, either. Outdoor entertainment spaces are becoming highly popular in 2022, as well as peripheral buildings and functional spaces within your garden. So, if you’ve been thinking about building that She-Shed, installing the BBQ, creating that outside kitchen, or finally creating the terrace of your dreams – now is the time to do it. Bring your interior outside and entertain your guests in your beautiful outdoor area. Embrace the Wild Look for wild gardens and meadows to storm the landscaping trends for 2022. A fun trend for 2022 – replicating an English meadow – full of wildflowers, untamed, and free. This trend

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

Armyworms

On October 1, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
Armyworms

Armyworms are a pest for any homeowner. This aggressive parasite can often appear in plague-like proportions and wreak havoc over your healthy, fresh lawn every summer. These worm infestations can threaten any yard if left untreated, so it’s best to understand how to treat them and how to maintain a healthy lawn all year round. This blog will explain all about the threat of armyworms and what you can do as a homeowner to protect your property and curb value. What Are Armyworms? Armyworms are actually not a worm at all. They are a caterpillar that is the most prevalent on grass and turf in the summer months. They prefer only to eat healthy grass, so if your lawn is healthy and well-maintained, it’s best to look out for these worms in the summer. They are prone to repeat infestations, so any form of pest maintenance will be ongoing. What Damage do They Cause? They can cause a lot of damage to healthy turf. They work in very large numbers to eat away at the green leaf in yards and gardens. Large numbers exist because moth parents lay up to 500 eggs in one sitting – multiply that by seven

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

Pretty Perennials Add Lasting Beauty

On August 10, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
Pretty Perennials Add Lasting Beauty

Adding perennials to your garden is a great way to incorporate lasting color with less maintenance. Annuals may have a more extended bloom season than some perennials, but they won’t come back next year, requiring you to replant your garden each season. When choosing perennials for your Maryland garden, there are a few things to consider to make your landscaping efforts provide curb appeal and a wow factor. Hardiness Zone Depending on where you live in Maryland, you could be in one of five hardiness zones: 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b The hardiness zone you live in is based on frost dates and weather patterns. Zones five and six are hardy down to -20 degrees, while zones seven and eight are only hardy down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Knowing which zone you are in can help you select the right perennials to flourish best in your zone. The hardiness zone also determines the best time to plant for the best results. Sun Tolerance Plants need sunlight to survive, but each perennial has its own amount of sun tolerance. A perennial requiring outdoor shade would burn up and die in full sun, and a perennial needing full sun won’t grow in

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

When is the Best Time to Plant Fruits and Vegetables?

On May 21, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
When is the Best Time to Plant Fruits and Vegetables?

A fruits and vegetables garden offers you many benefits like access to fresh produce. To enhance your harvest, you need to consider the planting time. Most importantly, the planting time and season mainly depend upon the weather the vegetables can tolerate. Notably, you only need to consider two main types of fruits and vegetables: warm season and cool season. Therefore, the question is, when is the best time to plant? When to Plant Cool Season Vegetables You can know cool season vegetables by edible buds, leaves, or stems, think cabbage, potatoes, and onions. The crops must mature when the weather is still cool. Cool season vegetables usually have shallower roots than warm season vegetable plants. In normal circumstances, they stop producing in early summer when temperatures surge to 80°F. Their ideal planting time is in spring, when soil temperatures range between 40°F and 75°F. Plant these vegetables between 2-4 weeks before the last spring frost. Don’t plant them in soggy soil, as they might rot. Most seed packages will come with the desired soil temperature to sow the seeds for the vegetables. It is advisable to have a soil thermometer, which comes in handy. Here are examples of crops for

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

Insect Control for Your Lawn – Grubs, Worms, Spiders, Ants

On May 19, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
Insect Control for Your Lawn – Grubs, Worms, Spiders, Ants

A perfect lawn is the dream of every homeowner, as it gives your surroundings an aesthetic appeal. Managing a lawn requires basics such as watering, mowing, landscaping, and fertilizing. However, insect control is one of the most challenging lawn maintenance tasks. Generally, pests that affect lawns vary, with some living underground, while others inhabit the surface. Once insects attack your lawn, it is advisable to address the problem immediately to prevent further damage. An insect-free lawn is a pleasant place for family and friends to gather and enjoy your outdoor spaces. How to Detect Insects in Your Lawn Insect control should be a basic lawn maintenance practice. Therefore, while carrying out routine maintenance, you need to combine several approaches that will help you identify the types of insects attacking your lawn. Visual Examination for Insect Control Scan the lawn for patches. Most patches occur from pests such as moths, white grubs, and black turfgrass beetles. Monitor the grass for sections that have been chewed off or are missing as it might signify a moth problem. Furthermore, look at any brown lawn sections overall, and if the blades appear chewed, then it is a moth problem. Additionally, drying grass indicates there

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

The Case for Mulch

On April 16, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
The Case for Mulch

Using mulch is part and parcel of gardening as it supports some natural processes in your garden. If you carry out mulching correctly, your garden will reap several benefits while cutting down on watering, weeding, and pest control expenses. Notably, you can incorporate it into any gardening system. So, what are the benefits of mulching to your garden? The Benefits Of Mulching Your Flower Beds and Trees To get the full benefits of mulching, ensure the layer is at least 5 -7.5 inches. The mulch offers the following benefits to your flower beds and trees. Helps With Weed Problems A good layer inhibits the growth of weeds in the soil. It is the solution for a weed-free garden. A weed-free garden ensures the flower bed and trees have all the nutrients without competition. Retains Moisture and Nutrients AThe same layer helps with water and nutrient retention. Furthermore, if you opt for organic material, it will release the nutrients into the soil on decomposition. Moreover, it will help the plants survive hot weather like during the summer. Soil Temperature Regulation Mulch ensures plants remain in stable condition without being stressed in conditions of fluctuating temperatures. This is beneficial, especially during the

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

Spring Prepping Your Lawn

On March 24, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
Spring Prepping Your Lawn

The exhaustion you feel from Daylight Saving Time may also put some wind in your sails. The time change signals that winter is about to leave, ushering in spring! Time to put away the snow shovels and start putting your spring plan into action. Let the Spring Prepping begin! What should you do when prepping your lawn for spring? Here are six tips to get your yard ready for summer? Spring Prepping – Cleaning First things first – time to assess the damage caused by the winter season. As soon as it’s warm and dry enough, take a walk around your yard and clean up debris. You should remove leaves, twigs, branches, acorns, and litter. Inspect your soil, grass, trees, shrubs, and garden structures to see what’s growing back and which section needs the most attention. Create a plan to tackle it when the ground isn’t saturated, which can create further damage. Rake the Grass Thatch, the layer of dead turfgrass covering the soil and root system, needs to be tended to. No matter how vigorously you raked in the fall, don’t skip this step. Raking not only gets rid of the thatch covering, but it also stimulates the grass

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

4 Reasons Why Perennials Make Sense

On March 24, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
4 Reasons Why Perennials Make Sense

Spring is in the air, despite the wet weather we’ve been getting. Have you planned out your garden for this year? If not, you may be wondering if it’s better to plant annuals or perennials. Annuals are colorful flowers even the most novice gardener can keep going. They are inexpensive, usually have a long bloom time, and can add bright cheer to your home’s exterior. The biggest downside to annuals is that when they die, they won’t come back, so you have to buy and plant them every year. Perennials, however, come back year after year, sometimes for decades. Perennials include flowers, fruits, legumes, nuts, and vegetables. The foods we eat come in both annuals and perennials. Today, we’re making a case for including perennials in your garden. Here are four reasons why perennials make sense. Water Conservation Annuals are particular about water – too much, and they rot, not enough, and they can burn in the harsh Maryland summers. Even still, annuals require frequent watering, sometimes twice a day when it’s hot and not so humid (which is rarely the case here). Perennials, though, require watering while the roots are getting established but can adapt more easily to the

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

When Should You Start Planting Bulbs?

On February 18, 2021   /   Lawn Care Tips  
When Should You Start Planting Bulbs?

Planting bulbs in your garden is easy, and the colorful displays you receive once they bloom are a prominent sign of a job well done. But when should you plant bulbs in your gardens for maximum impact during peak season? The answer to this depends on the type of bulbs you’re planting and whether they are spring-blooming or summer-blooming bulbs. Here are some tips to use for planting bulbs in the right place and time in your gardens. Know Your Bulbs It doesn’t matter if you’re a serious gardener or a beginner; flowers grown from bulbs are a simple way to beautify your landscape design. You want to choose large and firm bulbs, avoiding any that are soft or mushy. While it’s normal to choose flowers based on colors and presentation, you have to know if they will bloom in spring or summer. When they bloom will determine when you should plant them. It would be best if you planted Spring-blooming bulbs in the fall after soil temperatures have cooled. Living in the transition zone of the Mid-Atlantic, that could mean as late as October or even November. Evening temperatures should be between 40 to 50 degrees, and the ground

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top

What Do You Put on Your Lawn in the Winter?

On December 17, 2020   /   Lawn Care Tips  
What Do You Put on Your Lawn in the Winter?

We know you won’t be outside mowing the lawn and tending your garden over the winter. But, that doesn’t mean you should ignore your yard until the warm weather returns. You don’t want your lawn looking like a brown, dry, lifeless mess when the seasons change. There are a few things you can do with your lawn in winter to get a jumpstart on spring. Aerate Your Lawn In Winter Over time, the soil in your yard can get compacted, especially in high-traffic areas. This can limit the number of nutrients your grass can absorb and prevent the ground from draining properly.  One way to improve drainage and ensure your grass is getting the nutrients it needs to stay healthy is to aerate your lawn in winter. You can do this with a power aerator if you have a large yard.  This machine will puncture the earth, allowing air to flow and water to get down into the soil. If your yard is on the smaller side, you can also do this by hand using a pitchfork. If your lawn could benefit from aeration, be sure to get it done before the first frost. Fertilize Fertilizing is another way to

GET THE FACTS >> →
Back to Top