By Josh Wise / CEO, GrassRoots Tree & Turf
From time to time, Mountain Lakes Insurance asks a valued local business to assist our clients by writing a guest blog post about important information that will be helpful to you and your family. This month’s guest blog is from GrassRoots Tree & Turf. The staff of GrassRoots has over 75 years of combined experience in weed treatment and landscaping fertilization. Since 2002, GrassRoots has operated locally with a commitment to championship caliber service at reasonable prices.
It seemed a long time coming this year, but summer is finally here and if you’re like us, you’re ready to enjoy some time outdoors. A well-manicured landscape not only adds to your home’s curb appeal, but it also adds joy to your life by expanding the space your family calls home.
With plenty of sunlight and a little TLC, your landscape can be at its healthy best this season. Here are a few helpful tips for summer lawn care:
1. Water and mow with care: With both of these activities, consistency is the key. It’s stressful to the turf when you let it grow too long or let it get too dry and then try to resolve the problem by overdoing it. Grass should never be cut more than 1/3 of its length at one time. Bermuda and Zoysia should remain 1 to 1 ½ inches high, while Fescue and other cool season grasses should remain 2 to 3 inches in height. Watering in the morning is best as it helps prevent fungal growth by allowing the turf to dry by nightfall. And remember, even though you’re on vacation, your landscape still needs consistent care.
2. Getting the moss out: Though moss is not a fungus or a disease, a lawn riddled with it does not look like it is being cared for properly. Areas that stay damp due to shade or poor drainage are especially vulnerable and once moss begins to grow, it can reproduce rapidly from a single spore. Moss Out is a product that will eliminate moss quickly, allowing the grass to regrow. Within hours of application, the moss will begin to turn black and die. Once the moss is gone, drainage issues should be resolved. If moss is a result of spotty turf growth due to excessive shade, a type of turf meant for growing in shady areas can be used and other strategies can be implemented.
3. Don’t forget your trees and shrubs: While focusing on keeping the turf healthy, it’s easy to forget that trees and shrubs need care too. Aphids, Japanese Beetles, Lace Bugs, Scales, Spider Mites and Whiteflies are all insects whose eating habits can seriously damage or kill its host, sometimes even before you know they are present. While there are solutions for infestations, the sooner the problem is identified, the better the outcome. If you are unsure about why your tree or shrub is struggling, it may be best to call a professional before the damage gets too far along. And finally, don’t forget that trees and shrubs need water too.
4. Safely ridding your yard of Fire Ants: Fire Ants can be downright dangerous to small children or pets when their mounds are accidently disturbed. One pesticide-free way to rid your yard of fire ants is to use a mixture of instant grits and sugar. Mix a 2 pound bag or box of Instant Grits (the slow cooking type will not work) with a 1 pound bag of sugar. Pour two spoonfuls on top of each mound. If the mounds aren’t gone in 2 to 3 days, add another spoonful to the top of the mound. Before long, your yard will be free of Fire Ants.
While summer lawn care requires a little more effort than other times of the year, the benefits and pleasure that a nice landscape brings are well worth it.
If you have questions about lawn care, feel free to call us at 770.917.8200. To find out about all the services we offer, visit our website at www.grassrootsturf.com.
Our thanks to Josh Wise and GrassRoots Tree & Turf for writing this guest blog post. Maintaining a healthy and pest-free yard is a great way to keep your property value up and save money, and also avoid potential hazards that could result in a liability claim. We encourage you to contact GrassRoots and then give a call to Mountain Lakes Insurance at 770-926-9444 or email mli@mountainlakesinsurance.com so that we can help ensure that your home is protected and that your home liability exposure is minimized.
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