Mowing should be done on a frequent basis throughout the growing season to maintain a healthy and attractive lawn. Each mowing should never remove more than 1/3 of the blade and it is recommended to let the clippings return to the turf to recycle nutrients.
For more information: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/resources/mowing-lawn-turf
Fertilizer is a mixture of elements that are natural to our soil and essential for plant growth. Fertilizer can be derived from natural means or synthesized for use, both being organic in nature. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K) are the essential elements for a fertilizer blend and are labeled with the percentage of each on every bag. Research shows there is no difference in the end result of the turf whether a dry, granular fertilizer or a liquid-based fertilizer is used.
For more information: http://extension.illinois.edu/lawntalk/planting/choosing_fertilizers_for_home_lawns.cfm
Lawn care programs can provide a property owner the peace of mind when it comes to having a healthy, attractive, and weed-free lawn. Standard programs are developed to help meet the needs of most of the common lawns in our areas; however, customized programs can be developed to help meet a particular need.
For more information: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ay/ay-26-w.pdf
When choosing a company advertising lawn care services, they should be a reputable company in your community with a history of professionalism. Any lawn care company that advertises “weed-control” or other services requiring the use of pesticides needs to be licensed by the Department of Agriculture in their particular State.
For more information: http://www.bbb.org/blog/2012/06/how-to-hire-a-lawn-care-service/
Adequate soil moisture is a must for lawns not only to survive, but also to continue to grow. According to most research studies, a typical lawn in our area, needs anywhere from 1/2″-1″ of rainfall per week. In the case of a drought, your lawn will need the proper amount of soil moisture to survive. Sometimes during a drought, your lawn may appear to be brown and dead; however, most well-established lawns actually go “dormant”, which is a resting period where the lawn is not actively growing.
For more information: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/cook/downloads/9241.pdf
Nutsedge is neither a broadleaf weed nor a grassy weed. It belongs to the sedge family and can only be controlled with a specialty herbicide. Nutsedge is a yellow-green looking plant and thrives in hot humid conditions, usually when the rest of your lawn in showing signs of stress.
For more information: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/weeds/hgic2312.html
Thatch is a layer of plant stems, roots, rhizomes, and plant crowns that is intermingled between the soil level and the green leaf tissue. A thick thatch layer can prevent adequate air, moisture, and nutrients from getting to the root zone of the soil. Some of the best ways to prevent a heavy thatch layer is to choose your species of turfgrass wisely and incorporate regular aerations into your lawn care program.
For more information: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/lawns/thatch-control/
There are several species of grass to use in our area. Fescues and Bluegrasses are the most popular. Each species of grass has various benefits and drawbacks. Choosing the proper grass to have in your lawn is important to meet your individual needs.
For more information: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/low_maintenance_lawns_in_the_midwest
Moles can be effectively controlled by trapping and/or baiting with a pesticide. Each method has its own benefits and disadvantages. Some people have been told that a grub treatment for their lawn is the most effective way to control moles. This however is simply not true. Moles will eat grubs, but earthworms are their primary diet. Just because you have moles does not mean you have a grub infestation.
For more information: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G9440
A white grub can be identified in your lawn by finding an affected area in the lawn and tugging on it. If the lawn comes up easily and there are white-looking larvae in the soil beneath, it is a good bet that you have grub damage. White grubs have a body similar to a worm, but a head and some legs similar to a beetle. Grubs are identified for their particular species by their rasters (the last abdominal region of their body).
For more information: http://pested.osu.edu/presentation02folder/Lawninsects.pdf
Japanese beetles are in invasive winged-beetle that has been known to damage several desirable ornamental plants, shrubs, trees, and turf. Like many beetles, they begin life as an egg that hatches into a grub (larvae stage) in the soil beneath your lawn.
For more information: http://pested.osu.edu/presentation02folder/Lawninsects.pdf
Roses can be an attractive attribute to your landscape if properly cared for. Roses require proper pruning techniques and fertilization to help maintain their beauty.
For more information: http://www.weeksroses.com/assets/info/WR15_Info_RosePlantingAndCare.pdf
Ohio has an abundance of trees native to our area and others that are commonly used in landscapes. This link provides a guide to identify several of Ohio’s trees.
For more information: http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/trees
Bagworms are a caterpillar that attaches to a host plant, most commonly an evergreen, and feed off of the plant tissue. They are identified by a bag or sac comprised of the host plant’s leaves or materials that hangs from the plant. A common control method is the use of a pesticide.
For more information: http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/bagworm.pdf
The thick webbing that can appear in many ornamental trees in our area can be blamed on the Eastern and/or Forest Tent Caterpillars. These caterpillars build a thick nest comprised of webbing and live and feed on the host tree within their web/nest.
For more information: https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef423
The ISA is an acronym for the International Society of Arboriculture. This organization is responsible for several educational and accreditations in the arboriculture industry.
For more information: http://treesaregood.org/faq/faq01.aspx
Almost anyone can call themselves an “arborist” if they work on trees. Only ISA Certified Arborists are the professionals in the industry with the training, education, and certification to back up their claims.
For more information: http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/hire_arborist.pdf
This is a helpful link to find a Certified Arborist in your area and what ISA certifications they may hold.
For more information: http://www.isa-arbor.com/faca/findArborist.aspx
This link will provide you with the certifications and credentials of West Chester Lawn Care’s ISA Certified Arborist.
For more information: http://www.isa-arbor.com/faca/arboristdetail.aspx?ID=157923
There are several benefits to having trees on your property. Trees can help lower heating and cooling costs and release oxygen back into our atmosphere. Tress can also help improve your property’s real estate value.
For more information: http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/benefits_trees.pdf and http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/TreeValues.pdf
A popular way by some to quickly reduce the size of a tree is to “top” it. Although a tree may survive for a few seasons after being topped, this practice is harmful to tress for many reasons.
For more information: http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/WhyToppingHurts.pdf
When wanting to plant a tree, there are a few things to consider. You want to find the right kind of tree with the growing habits and size to meet your needs. You also want to make sure it is planted in an area it will grow well and receive plenty of sunlight and water while not interfering with other existing plants or structures. The holes need to be dug wide enough to backfill with good topsoil and only as deep as the root ball to the root flare.
For more information: http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/New_TreePlanting.pdf
Pruning is a practice to help achieve a particular shape, size, or structure for many trees. However, there is a wrong way and a right way.
For more information: http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/Pruning_YoungTrees.pdf and http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/Pruning_matureTrees.pdf
Mulch can provide many benefits for your trees. Proper mulching techniques need to be observed when doing so to ensure the overall health and longevity of the tree(s).
For more information: http://treesaregood.org/treecare/resources/ProperMulching.pdf
There are several diseases and insect pests that can harm your trees. ISA Certified Arborists are trained to identify and provide solutions to most any common problem.
For more information: http://treesaregood.com/treecare/resources/InsectAndDisease.pdf
While having trees can provide you with many benefits, there are times that trees can present a risk. To avoid some of these risks, consult an ISA Certified Arborist. The link below also includes some very helpful tips that are endorsed by the ISA.
For more information: http://treesaregood.com/treeowner/treehazards.aspx
IPM is a practice that uses several common-sense techniques for pest management. PHC (plant health care) concepts are another set of techniques that aid in proper plant management. The links below gives a helpful overview of different practices the IPM approach employs.
For more information: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htm and http://ento.psu.edu/extension/trees-shrubs/ornamental-entomology-ipm-phc
