Category Archives: Lawn Care

What Happens to Leaves if Left Alone Through the Winter?

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Watching leaves change color is something that never gets old. Raking and bagging those leaves once they fall is a different story, though! If you’re struggling to get the motivation to clean the leaves on your lawn, you aren’t alone. What will happen if the leaves are left all winter, though? The answer is different than you might expect!

A Natural Mulch

The good news is that leaves aren’t all bad. Once they fall, they will start to create a natural mulch around the base of the trees. This natural mulch is packed with nutrients that promote growth while insulating the roots of your trees as the weather gets colder.
Birds and insects can also benefit from the leaves being left behind. Insects can burrow under them to keep warm and protected, while birds can carry leaves to their nest for extra insulation.

How Leaves Can Affect Your Lawn

If leaves are left all winter, it can have some not-so-great effects on your lawn. The leaves will create a layer across the grass that then gets compacted with snow and ice over the winter. Once the snow and ice melt, the leaves will remain. It’s difficult for grass to grow successfully come springtime if leaves are still on top. Your lawn will likely come in patchy, discolored, and grow more slowly than your neighbors.
In the spring, you’ll be left to remove the leaves or mow over them before your grass can start to grow. Grass seed will likely be required to get your lawn looking good again, which can be quite a tedious and pricey process.

How to Prepare Leaves Before Winter

If you want to skip the leaf cleanup process and still enjoy a flourishing green lawn in the spring, you can! To create a fine mulch, go over the fallen leaves with a lawn mower. When the leaves are cut like this, it allows sunlight to get through to the grass below. The leaves won’t form such a thick barrier over your lawn, and you don’t have to spend any time raking them up.

Overall, it’s clear that letting leaves stay out over the winter isn’t as bad as we initially thought. If you hate fall leaf cleanup, don’t do it! Mulch the leaves, then let them act as natural mulch and insulation over the winter. You’ll save a lot of time and money while eliminating one of the most tedious outdoor chores.

If you need help preparing your lawn and patio for the winter, contact Lola’s Landscape today! Our team can remove leaves, mulch them, clean gutters, and get all the outdoor tasks marked off your to-do list. Don’t waste another year stressing over yard maintenance. Leave it to the professionals!

When should you begin mowing your lawn?

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Every spring, before the grass, turns green and starts to grow, mow the lawn. The lawn receives its signal to begin growing when the old, dead tips are cut off. The sooner your lawn begins to grow, the more effectively you can crowd out weeds before they emerge.

How frequently should I mow?

The norm is to mow your lawn once a week, but some lawns require more frequent maintenance. Some lawns, which grow more slowly, might only require cutting every ten or two weeks. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Any more could endanger the grass. Instead of considering when the lawn was last mowed, think how long it is.

Mowing Advice

Blades should always be sharp. Instead of cutting the grass blades, dull mower blades often rip them. Every broken blade provides a path for disease and stresses the lawn. Avoid mowing a lawn when it’s wet if at all possible to avoid the same issue. If you attempt to mow a wet lawn, you’ll create ruts and the grass will start to lean over, making it challenging to get a good cut.

Feel free to leave the clippings after mowing as long as your lawn is healthy and there are no thatch issues. Mulching is beneficial, but it is not required. Your lawn won’t be harmed if the clippings aren’t too much. In a short amount of time, the clippings will decompose and supply nitrogen to your lawn.

Let it Develop

Your lawn’s root system will extend the longer you allow it to grow (in terms of length, not necessarily time). Your lawn will be healthier and more resilient to stress if its root system is longer. Less watering is required for lawns that are more resilient to drought and stress. Additionally, studies have shown that by limiting the amount of sunlight that weed seeds receive, the number of weeds in the lawn can be decreased by allowing the grass to grow to a length of 212 to 3 inches. Longer blades also provide more surface area for photosynthesis, which gives the grass more energy and food to sustain life. Make the season’s final cut the shortest one possible. The likelihood of matting, which contributes to winter kill damage, is decreased by cutting the lawn short for the winter.

Don’t have time to mow your lawn or maintain it? Call Lola’s Landscape for your seasonal package deal that best suits your home. Learn more today!

Summer Lawn Concerns

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We put forth a lot of effort every year to maintain our lawns healthily and appeal. One of the key reasons is that our families and friends may enjoy themselves while spending time outside. Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones who believe that summer is the best season to admire a lovely yard. During the warmest season, dangerous pests are also at their height. Here are some of the most prevalent risks in our area, along with recommendations for dealing with them.

Aphids

Because these bugs are so minute, the damage they wreak will almost probably be visible before you notice them. Flowers, leaves, or stems sprouting in strange twisted forms are frequently the first symptom. Honeydew, the sticky fluid they leave behind that progressively becomes black, is another hint. They usually occur in big bunches, so you’ll probably notice them everywhere once you notice them.

 

However, even large groups of them rate quite low in terms of potential devastation. They’re also a popular meal for ladybugs and other beneficial insects you’d like to have in your yard. Nonetheless, their sheer numbers may be disconcerting. With a few well-aimed sprays from a hose, you can impede their activity. If you want to get rid of them completely, you should go to a lawn care business like Arbor-Nomics.

Armyworms

 

These worms have voracious appetites and may eat a whole garden in a surprising amount of time. Fortunately, birds are also eager for armyworms; in fact, an increase in the number of winged visitors to your yard might be one of the earliest symptoms of an armyworm infestation.

Birds may be able to solve the problem for you, depending on the amount of the infestation. If not, you may fight back by picking them up one by one and placing them in a soapy water container. Many individuals become tired of this before they cure the problem, so that a lawn service business can be your best choice. Arbor-Nomics’ Silver Plus, Gold Plus, and Platinum plans all contain two armyworm prevention treatments.

Fire Ants

 

As far as we can determine, fire ants are born with a sour attitude that only worsens with time. If someone upsets one of their characteristic mounds, they quickly protect it with stings that are first extremely painful but quickly decrease into acute itching. Serious instances are uncommon, but they do happen, especially in those who are allergic to their venom. Fire ants may kill a large animal or an adult human in large enough quantities; assaults kill approximately a dozen Americans each year.

Because there are so many distinct kinds of fire ants, each with its size and look, identifying them by sight can be difficult. Contact Lola’s Landscape for a consultation on taking proper care of your lawn!

 

 

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Maintaining their Backyard in Spring

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Spring is a wonderful time of the year. Flowers are blooming, and there is greenery everywhere. Whether you want to maintain your backyard on your own or enjoy a professional service like Lola’s Landscape, be sure to take care of your yard, so it looks in its best condition.

 

Everyone wants to have a fresh, healthy, and green lawn, but unfortunately, there are some common mistakes that people make that can lead to a lot of issues. Here are some of the most common issues that people face when it comes to maintaining their backyards during Spring:

1.    Planting in the Wrong Location

There are many aspects of planting that people usually ignore. Every plant has different sunlight and shade needs. Also, never plant too close to the main building of your house. These are some things that you need to be mindful of if you want your lawn to bloom. Soggy patches in the lawn are not very suitable for plants because they like to stay dry. Similarly, plants that need sunlight will not fare very well in the shade of your house. These plantation mistakes are common, and you should educate yourself about the needs of different plants to make sure you have a healthy lawn.

2.    Poor Research

This is probably the biggest pitfall that most homeowners fall into. You can resolve almost any issue on your lawn with proper research. Being prepared is always going to help make sure that you don’t make mistakes. Enlisting the help of a professional landscaper is always recommended.

3.    Too Much Decoration

A well-decorated lawn looks amazing but excessive amounts of anything can be bad. It can be very tempting to throw lawn ornaments left and right, but they can cause serious issues for your grass and plantation. You should decorate your lawn with beautiful plants rather than adding excessive embellishments. Make sure that you don’t go overhead with decorations.

4.    Cutting the Lawn Grass Too Short

The smell and look of freshly-cut grass can be amazing, but it might not be the best idea to get the close-cropped look too often. If the grass is kept too short for too long, it can lead to many issues such as heat damage, drought, weeds, and many others. Make sure that your lawn is properly maintained and the grass is cut to the appropriate height.

So these are common mistakes that people often make while maintaining their backyards during the spring season. If you want a professional person to look at your lawn, please feel free to contact us. We have extensive experience working in landscaping, and we will provide you with the best solution for your problems.

How to Treat Your Lawn After Snow Melts 

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Winters are soon going to be over in most parts of the country which means it’s time for the lush green grass to flourish once again. You should always prepare your lawn before the winter arrives but taking care of the lawn after the snow melts is also a very sound strategy. To properly treat your lawn once the snow melts, you need to keep the following things in mind:

Wait for Thawing

Do not start your lawn care routine immediately after the first sign of snow melting. Being aggressive at this stage means you will damage your landscape, and it could result in rough patches being created in the law. Wait for the entire lawn to thaw completely, and then you can start your lawn care routine.

Remove, Repair and Weed

There is a very good chance of natural debris buried inside the snow layers. Take a rake to the grass and the bases of bushes and plants to clear away the remnants of any fallen branches. If possible, remove complete patches of weeds that you have missed during the first snowfall. Animals, salt, and many other external factors can wreak havoc on your lawn during the snow season, and the issues only reveal themselves once all the snow has melted. You might see some ugly holes and rough patches once the snow has melted, and to fix them, use sand or compost and mix it with the new soil, allowing the plants’ roots to catch the fresh ground and regenerate the lawn.

Check for Snow Mold

Snow mold occurs when a thick blanket of snow falls on susceptible grasses before it has the chance to freeze. You can identify it by the pink or gray spots that linger after the snow has completely melted. Sweeping the affected area with a coarser broom or a rake can loosen up the affected areas, and if the damage is too extensive, you can replace damaged spots with new sod.

Fertilize

Last but not the least, you should fortify the strength of your lawn by fertilizing it after all the snow has melted away. There are many different brands of fertilizers available in the market that are specially designed to be used after the snow melts. Choose the one based on your soil’s PH and other factors and fertilize away.

10 Landscaping Must Dos to Help Your Plants Survive the Colder Season

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Do you worry that your plants will be at the mercy of the cold season? A change in temperature means a difference in the environment for your plants. The colder season brings harsh temperatures to plants, and if you do nothing to protect them, you may not have come spring. You have to consider some landscaping strategies to help your plants survive the colder season. Here is a look at ten landscaping MUST Dos to give your plants a chance to live through the winter. 

  1. Be Proactive With Your Landscaping

The first line of defense is taking the necessary steps to prevent winter from getting the better of your plants. You have to be practice with your landscaping approach. The actions you take or neglect to take now will impact the survival of your plants in the bitter cold. If you want your plant to around come spring, strategize and figure out ways to keep your plants healthy and alive.

  1. Stick to Hardiness Zone

Knowing and sticking with plants that are best suited for your area’s hardiness zone is key. Hardiness differs from plant to plant, and not all can survive cold temperatures. Beauty fades, and if you refuse to plant by zone, no matter how beautiful your plants were before the cold ushered in, they will be far less appealing when the winter rolls out. If you live in zone 4 but love zone 7-9 plants, don’t risk it. 

  1. Lay Mulch

It may not be something you have ever considered, but mulch landscaping in winter is a good defensive measure to protect your plants from cold temperatures. It’s effective at preventing repeated freezing and thawing of soil that results in plants heaving. After ground freezing begins, lay 3-4 inches of mulch, three to four inches of mulch, careful not to apply a lot near the plants’ stems and trunks. 

  1. Dig Up Tender Plants

Come fall, dig up tender plants that are not hardy enough to survive the harsh cold temperatures. If you intend on using the plants after the cold season has ended, dig up and store them for the winter. Tender plants like cannas and elephant ears are examples of tender plants that should be dug out ahead of ground freeze, ideally after a hard frost. Remove dahlia tubers two weeks after the first hard frost.

  1. Adequately Water Plants Into Fall and Winter

Some plants can take a beating in the frigid winter temperatures. Some plants’ water reserves can deplete if not adequately watered into fall and winter. This depletion can place plants, like evergreens, at risk of winter burn and death when the freeze sets in and the plant roots cannot absorb water. 

  1. Wrap Plants

If you have young plants, they lack the thickness to survive the winter on their own. As such, they require a bit more care to ensure their survival. Maple, ash, and linden trees have thin barks, making them more likely to suffer frost cracking and sunscald. Protect your plants by wrapping them from bottom to top using burlap or thick paper tree wrap. If the tree starts showing signs of growth, which could happen later in winter or early spring, remove the covering. 

  1. Cover Roses

Tender roses should not be left out in the cold of winter. Grafted roses, in particular, should get some added TLC because the rootstock below ground isn’t sufficiently hardy to withstand the cold, like the plant growing above does. A simple solution is covering the graft just below the soil line with a cone-shaped mound of soil that’s 6-8 inches. Once a sign of growth appears-usually in spring-remove it.  

  1. Keep Salt De-Icers Away From Landscaping

Winter carries snow with it, and many homeowners typically pull out their bag of de-icer to keep their sidewalk and driveway safe for pedestrians. Salt is detrimental to grass and plants. When salt is absorbed through the root and leaves of plants, it robs their cells of moisture and dries out their tissue. Try alternatives like sand or calcium or potassium-based de-icer. Pay attention to not overusing the de-icer.

  1. Prune The Right Time

Fall is the right time to prune your trees and shrubs before the bitter cold sets in. If you want to remain with beautiful plants in spring, pruning spring-flowering plants during the fall is crucial. Flowerless plants in spring aren’t quite appealing or aesthetically pleasing, so you have to prune certain plants, shrubs, and flowers at the right time. Spring-flowering plants, such as lilacs, should be pruned immediately after they flower, while summer-flowering perennial hibiscus should be pruned in the spring.

  1. Rake Leaves in Fall

If you want to keep your grass alive, do not neglect to rake your grass in the fall. The key is ensuring that sunlight reaches your grass, and leaves can often form a dense mat covering that acts as a barrier against sunlight. The leaf covering can suffocate the grass, so much so that when autumn rain showers and milder temperatures trigger growth, it is hindered. 

Helping your plants to survive the colder season may take some know-how, and at Lola’s Landscape, we can take on your landscaping project and get your plants ready to thrive during the winter. We have the knowledge and skills in lawn and plant care that you can depend on. Give us a call today, and let us be your landscaping specialist. 

How to Properly Install a Lawn

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At some point, you may have thought that your neighbor’s lawn is greener than yours, right? But have you considered how you can improve the aesthetics of your front or backyard? Well, you can do it with just a few essential tips and techniques.

You will find many options when installing a lawn in your front yard or backyard. Therefore, installing a new lawn can vary depending on the type of lawn you choose for your home. We have compiled a simple guide on how to install a lawn properly. So, let’s start the discussion.

Properly Installing a Lawn

  • Step One

A sod cutter or grape hoe (also grub hoe) may come in handy when you begin the lawn installation in your yard or elsewhere. Removing the old grass or weeds is necessary before you place the new lawn.

  • Step Two

It is essential to grade the soil before installing the new lawn as it helps to counter any drainage problems. Moreover, it will help the roots of grass settle firmly and occupy proper space on flat soil.

  • Step Three

Does your lawn soil have a clay-like or sandy texture? For promoting high-quality grass growth, consider adding premium topsoil (manure, peat, organic material from shops, etc.) for healthy lawn soil.

  • Step Four

If you are conscious about your soil’s conditions and health, you should allow laboratory tests. They will suggest any nutrients or pH-affecting deficiencies in the soil.

  • Step Five

Following lab tests, the next step is to add healthy phosphorous starter fertilizer to ensure healthy plant and grass root growth. Bear in mind that you have to rake it instead of tilling the entire fertilizer gently.

  • Step Six

Watering the soil is a crucial step to allow it to settle nicely for one week before you plant grass or sods in it. During this one week, you can add more soil, grade the soil, and add more water. Consequently, after rolling the soil to release air pockets, use a light garden roller.

  • Step Seven

As your soil is ready for plantation, you may consider the type of lawn you may need for your yard. Turf or sod, whatever you may call it, is an artificial lawn that is extremely easy to install yet requires consistent maintenance.

Grass seeds, on the other hand, take time to grow but are much more natural in appearance and give higher self-confidence and satisfaction. There are multiple options, and you can go with one that seems convenient for you.

Conclusion

Are you looking for the best sod or other forms of lawn improvement methods? We have you covered. Call Lola’s Landscape today to learn about our lawn services with the best resources and help.

We can help you achieve the lawn that you desire and help you relax in the comfort of your own home. 

Summer Lawn Care for Commercial Properties

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Summer lawns are beautiful and see a lot of activity. People are out playing sports, conducting social interactions, concerts, and a lot of other activities. As someone responsible for maintaining a commercial lawn, there are many things to keep in mind. We have prepared a list of things that will help you better care for a commercial property.

Here are some of the Do’s and Don’ts of a Summer lawn that you should keep in mind if you are responsible for maintaining a commercial lawn.

●      Mow Higher – 

A lawn should be mowed at no less than 3″ during the summer. The taller height will help shade the competing weeds and encourage the grass to take deeper roots. If you cut the grass too short, it will result in the turf burning up due to the lack of water and summer heat.

●      Easy on the Food – Minimum fertilizers should be used during the summers. Unless your lawn gets watered from an automatic irrigation system, fertilizers can burn a summer lawn. Excessive amounts of nitrogen coupled with little rain can cause the grass to become brittle and dry.

●      Lawns Get Thirsty– Water is crucial to the health of your lawn in the summers. Properly established lawns need at least 1.5″ water per week( for about 20-30 minutes and a minimum of three times). If you have an irrigation system in place, make sure the water settings are adjusted accordingly for the summer months. 

●      Weeding Your Lawn– Grass thrives in the summer, and so do other weeds. These competing weeds can rob your grass of vital nutrients. It’s important to rid your lawn of these weeds to ensure that your grass maintains its health.

●      Put Pups in a Park – Pet poop contains high ammonia levels, which essentially means setting your lawn on fire. Brown patches that result from pet defecation are not going to repair themselves. If your lawn gets a lot of furry visitors, it is time for you to designate a specific area for these pets to do their business. 

Apart from looking good, a well-maintained commercial lawn can increase a property’s value by about 15%. That is no small increment in the value, and for this reason alone, many people keep their commercial lawns in such great shape. 

If you need more help with your domestic or commercial lawn, we are at your service. Please get in touch with us and let us see how we can help you maintain your lawn in a more efficient manner.  

Landscape ideas to prepare for Summer

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Nothing beats the feeling of stepping on a freshly mowed lawn and picking fruits from a garden right behind your house. It feels like paradise, especially when the summer sun gently invades through the window to warm the sheets. The feeling is lovely. But it comes with plans. If you want to create a paradise on your small fenced earth, what are some ideas to lighten up the summer? 

Trending Landscape Ideas

There are a lot of beautiful landscape ideas currently trending. If you choose one, it should be tailored to your needs, taste, and style of life. These designs work just great for the summer.

  • Edible Garden

It has been a raging sensation in recent times. You can have a few greens in hanging pots, some vertical growing berries, and a few crunchy plants right outside where the sun meets your yard.

 

You help support the ecosystem by providing for the birds and yourself while having an excellent color play on your yard every time the sun comes up. What a lovely idea! Are you not in the mood for an edible garden already?

 

  • Fancy fountains

All you may need will include some programmable water spillers or some advanced irrigation technology. Although it may be a little expensive, having a fancy water feature right where people can see it will make your summer landscaping exceptional.

 

Some old fashion bricks, some nicely styled statues from where the water spills out, and some simple flower pots is a lovely concept, especially for people who love to stand out.

 

  • Pet-Friendly Scaping

You could have a mown lawn with a nicely built dog house right where your human friend can get enough sunbathe. You could have tiny birdhouses attached to raised poles at considerable meters apart to welcome some birds in the summer.

 

The whole concept is to have a beautiful yard that is animal friendly too. You could have a ball to keep the dog busy. You could also have pots full of seeds at exciting locations to watch the birds find food. But you must be a pet lover to appreciate this concept.

 

  • Trimmed Lawn

Trimmed Lawn represents a quiet life in a residential area. It is sometimes expensive to maintain, given the cost of labor required to plant and mow.

However, innovative ways to these costs are;

Would you not love to wake up to the smell of green grass every morning of this summer?

Conclusion

Imagine for a second the feeling of fulfillment as you watch your dog basking happily in the sun with the garden hose in its mouth. These ideas can help you feel that joy in the coming summer.

 

 

Winter Landscaping Tips You Need To Start Now

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When you hear the word landscaping, you’re probably picturing blooming flowers in spring and summer or even the changing colors during autumn, but landscaping is an art form that can be used all year round. Taking a little extra time to plan during the warmer months and then adding some key features as temperatures begin to drop will allow you to have a gorgeous yard even on the coldest days. Try some of these simple tips to start your winter landscaping today!

Repurpose Summer Containers

Finding an adorable flower container for spring and summer is always exciting, so why let it go to waste in the winter? Flower boxes and pots of all types can be repurposed in the winter with some hearty spruces and evergreens. Rhododendron, miniature spruce, and holly are among the most popular winter plants that can go in a smaller container. Not every container can withstand cold temperatures, so double-check the recommended care instructions before leaving your container out to repurpose it!

Utilize Hardscaping

When fewer blooming plants are creating a gorgeous landscape, allow your hardscaping to shine! An arbor, garden statue, trellis, and so many other types of hardscaping materials will look especially gorgeous when they’re the primary focus during the winter months. Look for areas in your landscaping design during spring and summer that need a little more structure, then incorporate hardscaping that you’ll be able to love year-round!

Find Winter Plants That Keep Their Fruit

There are plenty of trees and shrubs that keep their fruit through the winter. A vibrant berry against a snowy white background will create a gorgeous and festive landscape that’s simple yet beautifully unexpected. Crabapple trees and holly berries are the most commonly seen winter fruit plants, but there’s plenty more to choose from depending on your location and how cold the winter gets.

Embrace Evergreens

When designing a new flower bed, plan to put one or two evergreens in a central location. They create a great colorful addition during the warmer months and can stand alone to keep the bed looking vibrant in the winter. Evergreens come in more than just green too! There are yellows, blues, reds, and a variety of green shades to choose from.

Landscaping in the winter takes a little time to get the hang of, but once you get it, your yard will look better than ever! Contact a local landscaping expert for some professional advice if you’re unsure where to start.