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DALE NAPIER
As a lawn care service professional from Nixa, Missouri, it is my goal to answer some of the most commonly asked customer questions about lawn care. |
DALE NAPIER
As a lawn care service professional from Nixa, Missouri, it is my goal to answer some of the most commonly asked customer questions about lawn care. |
Hello everyone! This week's blog was written for the sole purpose of getting you excited for the holidays! And of course, with a little bit of plant care mixed in there. Here's a list of the best plants to have around to increase your home's curb appeal, and impress all your family members coming over for the holidays! Poinsettia Nothing says Christmas like an abundance of poinsettias! And with a little love and carefulness, these colorful plants can remain vibrant and blooming for weeks after Christmas is over. Poinsettias need proper light, water and temperature to hold their bloom. Poinsettias should be watered thoroughly, and kept in semi-cool, humid areas with indirect sunlight. be careful not to over water them, or root rot can occur. Never fertilize poinsettias while they're in bloom, and only do so if you intend on keeping them after the holidays are over. Christmas Cactus Christmas cactus are beautiful, and typically bloom at Christmas! And by doing so, makes it a wonderful addition to any holiday decor. Not only is this plant incredibly easy to care for, but it makes a great gift. As for care, Christmas cactus does well under normal indoor home conditions, and requires little care. Christmas Cactus will produce the best blooms if placed indirect sunlight, and if the soil is kept slightly moist, but letting soil dry out between watering intervals. Holly Holly bushes can make an excellent addition to your outdoor garden decor. The bright berries add a beautiful splash of color in the winter, and mix well with other blooming flower come spring. Care-wise, Holly bushes are best planted in spring or fall. low temperature and increased rainfall make it less stressful for Holly. The best location for Holly is in moist soil with full sun, but Holly can adapt in less-than-ideal conditions. Amaryllis Amaryllis is a big, beautiful addition to any holiday decorations. They make an excellent statement piece to decor, since they bloom big, vibrant colored flowers. As for care, they can be cared for Indoors with a little work, and their bulbs will be ready to bloom around mid-November. Indoor Amaryllis needs to be watered twice a week, fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks, and out of direct sunlight for long portions of time. And if you can do that, you'll have some of the most beautiful flowers you've ever seen! Scotch Pine
Last but not least, the infamous Christmas tree. Christmas trees, either cut or live, are the centerpiece of all Christmas decor. Most commonly used and grown In Missouri are Scotch Pines and White pines. Scotch Pines are found in most of North America, and grows well in deep, well-drained and moist soils, and is highly adaptable. Scotch Pines are often used as Christmas trees, due to them being extremely durable as well as attractive, and are able to withstand indoor conditions for weeks after being cut!
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Fall is here, and we all know that means winter will be here before we know it. With that in mind, you may not be spending too much time thinking about your lawn, but fall is the best time to start preparing your lawn for spring! Right now, grass is working to absorb nutrients, moisture and energy to prepare for a dormant winter. But with a little love, you can have a wonderful and green lawn come spring! Here’s what you need to know. Aerate that soil! It is important to make sure your lawn gets a breather in autumn and winter. Your lawn is needing that oxygen, water and fertilizer in those grass roots. This process of aeration can provide room for seeds to sprout, and new grass to grow and spread, without competing with annoying weeds. If you have kids that like to play in your yard or have an otherwise high-traffic lawn, it is recommended to aerate twice per year: once in the fall and once in the spring. If not, once a year in the fall will suffice. Leaf Cleanup! It’s very important to keep fallen leaves off your lawn. As soon as they start to fall and begin to build up, we recommend doing it as soon as possible. If not, the leaves will become wet and form into a thick layer on top of your lawn, keeping out the sun and oxygen the grass needs. Whether you use a rake, or a lawnmower fitted with a collection bag, be sure to remove the leaves or else the grass under that soggy mess of leaves will be dead come spring. Fertilize! Pro tip; If you only fertilize your lawn once a year, fall is the time. Grass leaves grow much slower in cool weather, but the roots continue to grow quickly. With a fall fertilization, it gives the roots the necessary nutrients they need to form deep roots to keep some nutrients on reserve for spring! Give the plants a little attention! Cut back dead growth on perennials. Pruning your plants will allow for regrowth come springtime. If you have annuals, you can pull them up once they die when the weather chills, or simply wait until spring. Cover flowers and tree bases with mulch, compost, or dead leaves. For ideal protection from the winter weather, consider buying some nutrient-rich mulch to provide the best care against hard freezes that could kill your plants for good. The last mow of the season!
Just because the weather is getting chilly doesn’t mean you have to stop mowing! You should mow your lawn right up to the time it quits growing in the late fall. The grass should be cut to a level of two inches at last cutting. If it gets longer than 3 inches, it can mat. This can lead to lawn disease problems, such as snow mold. If it is shorter than 2 inches, its ability to store food for growth will be limited. A good sign it has quit growing is the absence of lawn clippings when you run the mower. Fall is a wonderful time of the year. The weather is finally cooling down, allowing for all sorts of fun activities! Here’s a list to get you started. Build a Fire Pit There’s nothing quite like sitting around the fire pit when it’s nice and chilly outside. You can roast some marshmallows, tell some stories, and not to mention the added aesthetic a fire pit gives to your yard. There are a few ways you can go about it. You can either pick once up at the store for around $30, or head down to your local Lowes and pick up a few materials such as fire brick and concrete and build it to fit your needs! BBQ Time! We can all agree that there may be nothing better than firing up the grill and making some delicious food, whether that be hot dogs, hamburgers, kabobs, we love it all! And this is your chance before the snow starts to fall! Plant Annual Flowers Spend some time in the garden this fall! Flowers such as Angelonia, Daylily (which is very pretty, and nearly impossible to kill) Pansies, and Sweet Williams are perfect to plant in early fall. DIY Projects There are lots of fun things you can build before the snow starts to fall! You can finally build that tree house, put in a tire swing or a hammock, make a few birdfeeders with the kids, or turn an old pallet into an outdoor sofa (we’ve seen it done, and it’s wonderful.) With Pinterest at your disposal, anything is possible. Landscaping and Decor
You don’t have to go all-out to add some personality to your yard! Take a trip down to Hobby Lobby and pick up a few cute outdoor decorations and give your yard a cute fall aesthetic. Plastic pumpkins, Fall Wreaths (another DIY project), and planting some flowers are great ways to get you feeling like fall! You can even get the kids involved and build a fairy garden to add a whimsical feel to your garden. Fall is almost here! And that means it's almost time to start setting up the perfect fall decor, and sprucing up our gardens to add to our autumn aesthetic! Here are 5 flowers that are guaranteed to get your garden turning heads this season... Mums Mums are one of the prettiest varieties of perennials that start blooming early in the autumn, and are known as the favorite flower for the month of November. Mums can come in festive shades of red, orange, yellow, peach, and white, as well as contrasting shades of pink. Because of their popularity, you can find these fall flowers in a wide variety of sizes. Look for dainty mini-mums in tiny 2-inch-wide pots (perfect for table decor) or giants that can grow a couple of feet across. And if paired with a few pumpkins, makes for the perfect fall decor! Croton Croton is an ideal autumn addition. It can be a houseplant in cold-weather regions, or a shrub in frost-free areas, it also grows well as an annual. With beautiful multi-colored leaves, It adds rich shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple to your home, and draws the eye like month to a flame. Witch Hazel Witch Hazel is an excellent fall-time addition to your garden! They are popular ornamental plants, grown for their clusters of rich yellow to orange-red flowers. Witch Hazel is an annual bloom, and usually peaks with its brightest colors between mid-October to mid-November. Not to mention, it smells lovely! Celosia Durable and easy to care for, celosia is a natural for fall because many varieties appear in the traditional color palette. Celosia provides bright yellow, warm orange, scarlet red, and deep burgundy purple accents. Plus, the flame-like plumes of bloom add fun texture to other fall flowers! Ornamental Kale
Ornamental kale was developed for their bright, vivid colors. It thrives in cool temperatures and requires very minimal care. If planted in early fall, it produces rich color throughout the season; and color will intensify with the first few touches of frost. Leaves range from pink and purple to green and white, and leaf shape can be ruffled, flat, or curly. Pair with a few decorative white gourds for a lovely contrast in your fall decor! Knowing how to properly prune your trees can enhance your landscape curb appeal. While I'm out servicing properties, I see so many trees pruned improperly. This can hurt your curb appeal, and cause unwanted disease. The most common mistake I see out in the field is improper cuts, or over pruning. So in this blog I'm going to walk you through how to prune a tree the proper way. To start off on any pruning job you will need to determine what pruning method needs to take place. There are two types of pruning, thinning and raising the canopy. These are two basic methods that any home owner can tackle as a DIY, with just a little bit of research, and a few tools. Here is a list of tools needed:
The third mistake I see people making is improper cuts. Often I see the cuts too close to the bark ridge, or too far from the branch collar. I also see people pruning the tree in the right spot but still doing it incorrectly. By this I mean, pruning in the right spot but only making one cut and leaving the branch too long and causing it to rip away from the tree and causing wounds. To properly make a cut, you will want to practice a 3 cut method as shown in the diagram below. Now, lets talk about tree thinning. Thinning is a process where you take selective branches and cut them out to increase light penetration, air movement, and tree structure. The most common mistake I see with thinning is over pruning. People taking too much off at once. It is better to under prune then over prune. Cutting too much can lead to decaying. Any cut on a tree is a wound that must be healed. The fewer cuts, the better. Over pruning can also lead to reduced food storage, decreased tip growth, as well as increase the chance of sun injury. The second most common mistake I see is timing of thinning. Timing has a huge factor on how the tree heals. The best time I would recommend to properly prune your tree is in the fall, or late winter. While the tree is in its dormant stage it will put less stress on the tree and give it plenty of time for recovery. Check out the photo below on a example of a proper thinning. A good rule of thumb when it comes to pruning is: don't take off more then 1/3rd of the tree. After reading this article, if you're still not sure if you can tackle your tree pruning yourself, make sure you call a professional. Just because your neighbor has a chainsaw and a truck, doesn't mean he knows what he is doing.
Check out our new Vlog for aerating and over-seeding. We will be talking about the benefits of this process. Hope this video helps you out and if you have any questions please feel free to email us at [email protected]
The best way to a nice green, thick, and healthy lawn in the spring is the work that is put into the lawn in the fall. Fall is a great time of the year in the Ozarks. Nice cool weather, tree’s changing colors, and pumpkin pies. The fall can also be a busy time of the year for lawn maintenance, and not sticking to a schedule can result in an unhealthy lawn in the spring. Here is some tips for this fall so you don’t make any mistakes before the lawn goes dormant.
Remove the leaves: This is a job that most people don’t like, or have time to do. Leaving the leaves on the lawn can cause mold, fungus, block sunlight, and diseases that can wipe out a lawn in 1 to 2 years. There are two methods of removing the leaves. You can rake them up or mulch them using a mower, this method adds nutrients to the lawn. Aerating and Over seeding: Aerating the lawn opens up the lawn to breathe better and to allow the nutrients to get to the roots. Doing this will also help against grass and soil compaction. Some people wait till the spring to do this but doing that will leave an opportunity for weed seeds to germinate. Over seeding in the fall is the best time of the year due to the ground is warmer, cool nights and not so hot days. Over seeding will provide a thick lawn which will be harder for weeds to germinate and have great curb appeal. Fertilize: Using a fall fertilizer in the fall will give your lawn a jump start in the spring if applied at the right time. Best time to do this is Mid-September till Mid-October. Fertilizing in the fall will give your lawn the nutrients it needs to survive the winter months. It will help fall and winter color, and fall and spring root growth. Mowing: Grass will continue to grow till the first frost of the season. Cutting at the right height in the fall can avoid many problems through winter and spring. It is recommended to mow at a height of 2 ½ to 3 inches. Some people wants to skip the last few mows of the season thinking that they will take care of it in the spring. Taller grass in the winter can cause a fungi known as snow mold. Also be careful to not mow the lawn too short as this could cause damage to the roots. Damage to the roots this time of year can have a major effect for fighting against winter coldness and dryness. If you find yourself not having the time or ability to manage your fall lawn care a local lawn care company can help you. Many lawn care companies offer weekly services, and have the equipment to get these jobs done in a quickly manner. If you hire a local lawn care company this fall make sure they are licensed in the area you are located, have insurance, good reviews and check references. The most important part for lawn maintenance in the fall is to get everything done in a timely manner. Remember, a beautiful lawn doesn’t happen by itself. As a business owner or commercial property manager, you understand that making a great first impression for your customers is vitally important. As a company providing commercial lawn care services in Springfield, MO, we understand that getting your customer in the door often starts with great curb appeal. Here are some tips on how to keep your commercial landscape looking its best. 1. Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!
Many times, businesses underestimate the importance of staying on top of lawn care when it comes to their commercial property. However, the best way to keep your existing landscape looking its best is to maintain it. Make sure that any grass you have is neatly cut, trimmed and edged on a weekly basis; arrange to have all mulched areas or flowerbeds de-weeded each week; keep shrubs and trees trimmed away from walkways and parking areas; Finally, don't shy away from additional maintenance tasks a few times a year, such as fall leaf cleanups, fertilization and aeration services, power or pressure washing, and adding a fresh application of mulch! 2. Add Something New! Your business may be overlooked by many potential customers as time goes by, especially those that pass by regularly. Seeing the same site on a daily basis can cause people to "blend" your business into the surroundings. Remedy this by adding something new and eye-catching from time to time. Ideas that you may want to try include:
3. Keep It Safe! Another aspect to consider when it comes to commercial property, is the safety and security of your customers. Be sure to monitor your entire commercial area for anything that may be deemed hazardous or seem unsecured. Keep parking areas and walkways clear of debris, overgrown trees and shrubs, and snow and ice. Be sure that all areas are adequately lit and not perceived as dark or dangerous to those consumers who are shopping early in the morning or late in the evening. Finally, take time to seal potholes, repair sidewalk cracks and shifts, and any other area that might create a trip or fall hazard. 4. Schedule, Contract & Save! Many lawn and landscape companies offer discounted rates to commercial customers, if they schedule services early and sign a contract for the entire season or year. Additionally, Dale's Lawn Service in Nixa also offers a monthly contractual payment plan that allows commercial clients to pay one set amount each month for the entire year, to help business owners budget their landscape and lawn maintenance costs easily. For additional information on our company's commercial lawn care and landscape services in Springfield and Nixa, MO areas, contact us here. We offer free quotes, convenient billing options, and quality commercial mowing services in the greater Springfield area. Light up your landscape this fall with exterior lighting options! Here is a video from Lowe's that gives good information on getting started yourself. If you want to skip the DIY process, contact Dale's Lawn Service in Nixa for a free estimate. We offer landscape lighting installations in Springfield, and surrounding areas, along with a variety of other lawn care and landscaping services. Looking for more "how to" videos and guides, landscaping and lawn maintenance tips, and information on Nixa area lawn care? Visit our full blog page and connect with us on social media! As more and more leaves begin to fall, it is the perfect time of the year to think about putting a new tree or two in the ground. While there are many companies that provide quality tree planting in Nixa and Springfield, such as Dale’s Lawn Service, many people prefer to try their own hand at it. Here is a short guide that will help you know the basics of fall tree planting in the Ozarks. Timing Trees can be planted throughout the year, but many people agree that the fall months are one of the best seasons. Why? Because the cool temperatures are not as hard on a young tree that is being transplanted and trees planted in the fall months have time to establish themselves before spring. This means that they usually produce new growth and bloom earlier than others planted in spring time. Fall and winter is also a time when most of the nutrients are at work developing the root system of a tree, instead of the leaves and seeds, in the spring time months. Location Where you choose to plant your tree is even more important then when you plant. Be sure to select a place where there is adequate sun for the type of tree you desire to grow, as well as room to expand. Be careful about planting trees too close to homes, driveways, power lines, or similar. Check your tree’s maximum growth height and width, and plan accordingly. Be sure to also check for any underground utilities or lines that may interfere with the initial planting or the root expansion of your tree. Digging Once you have selected the tree you want to plant, made sure you have chosen the perfect location, and had all underground utilities marked for safety, it is time to start digging. An ideal hole will only be as deep as the root ball, allowing a small lip of roots to remain above ground level, but will be very big around. In most cases, experts recommend that the hole be at least 1.5 times as wide around as the roots, but can be even bigger if you desire. Planting To plant the tree in your prepared hole, remove any pots or wrappers and gently set it inside the space, as centered as possible. If the root ball is below ground level, fill in under it to lift it up a bit. Once you have it perfect, backfill around the roots with soil. You may want to use the dirt that came out of the hole, or you may choose to supplement with enriched soil, designed to enhance tree growth. Pack the soil to remove any air pockets. Finishing Up Once the tree is in the ground, be sure to water it well. This will settle the soil, as well as provide a drink for roots that may have dried out slightly during transplant. Adding a nice thick layer of mulch on top is a great idea as well. Mulch will help prevent weeds from growing, will insulate the roots over the winter, and will also help with moisture retention as well. When applying mulch, pile it about 3 inches high over the area where the hole was dug, but do not let it touch the trunk, as wet mulch can lead to trunk rot in some cases. For more benefits of applying mulch in Springfield, visit this article. Sound like more than you want to tackle? Dale’s Lawn Service offers tree planting services in Nixa, Springfield, and the surrounding areas. Give us a call at 417-414-8355 or visit our contact page to request a free estimate. We also offer fall cleanups in Springfield, gutter cleaning, and a variety of other lawn and landscape services. Images Courtesy of Exsodus and Amenic181 via freedigitalphotos.net
Need a fall friendly backyard enhancement? Check out this video, courtesy of Lowe's Home Improvement, on how to build your very own backyard firepit! Want a Nixa Lawn Care Professional to do the work for you? Contact Dale's Lawn Service for a free estimate! Want more inspiration for your lawn & additional Springfield landscaping tips and tricks?
Connect with Dale's Lawn Service in Nixa on social media!
Repair Spots & Over Seed Whether the intense heat of the summer wreaked havoc on your lawn, or you just want to add a little thickness and new growth, the first week of September is a great time to repair spots where the grass has died and lay down some fresh seed. This will allow the new grass time to grow and establish before the cold of winter hits, and will also give you a jump start on having a beautiful lawn next spring. For help with patching dead spots, visit our article here. Whether you are repairing spots, or over seeding, be sure to water regularly and thoroughly for the first 1-2 weeks. Mulch Leaves With the changing of the seasons comes the falling of leaves. While some people prefer to rake and bag, an alternative option is to mulch your leaves into very small pieces and allow them to decompose over the winter months, adding nutrients to the soil. This process is simple to do, and more time and cost effective than traditional raking and bagging. It is also helpful to your lawn. Don’t have a mulch kit? Contact Dale’s Lawn Service for an estimate on leaf cleanup in Nixa and Springfield. Images Courtesy of nongpimmy and nipitphand via freedigitalphotos.net
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