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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. |
Smart tech gadgets don’t just come in handy for our home entertainment systems or grocery shopping from the kitchen counter. There are also plenty of clever smart tech devices that help make our home gardens more eco-friendly. Plus, they can help cut back on labor intensive chores that can eat up an entire afternoon on a regular basis. And, finally, there are inventive smart home gadgets that can help us monitor and maintain healthy conditions for our plants, aiding homeowners as we help our plants grow.
So, let’s take a look at four clever and helpful smart home upgrades that can enhance your home’s landscaping. 1. Smart Sprinklers Your smart sprinklers will water the lawn and the garden on a regular timer, keeping your lawn and garden well-hydrated and healthy. But a smart sprinkler system can do so much more than that as well. With automatic sensing capabilities, your sprinkler system can analyze the weather and recognize any leaks in the system. That means that when it is raining heavily, your sprinklers will take a break from watering, so you won’t be contributing to water waste. You can access and adjust your sprinkler system remotely via a Bluetooth connection on any smartphone, laptop, or tablet. 2. Smart Garden and Weather Monitor Every gardener, from the most novice to the most advanced, can benefit from this smart device. A smart garden monitor allows you to track specific factors that can affect your plants’ health, including light levels, moisture levels, and humidity. Your garden monitor will be able to measure the nutrients present (or absent) in your soil, so that you can adjust accordingly to ensure that your plants are being treated to the optimal conditions to support their individual growth. You can track rainfall, heavy wind conditions, and extreme weather events so you know the best possible time to plant in your area. Plus, water level measurements and analysis allow you to understand and adjust how much water is not only present in the soil, but how much water is necessary for each plant. That way, you can adjust your smart irrigation system accordingly, so all your gadgets work together in harmony to create a bountiful home landscape. 3. Smart Lawnmowers Mowing the lawn can really take the joy out of that beautiful lawn that surrounds your home. With a simple smart tech upgrade, you can remove the hours of sweaty labor required to maintain your lawn’s lovely appearance. A smart lawnmower can automatically complete the task for you. Similar to robotic smart vacuums, the smart lawnmower will venture out and cut that grass for you on its own, with little oversight or monitoring required. Most smart lawnmowers come equipped with GPS and connect to your home Wi-fi network, so, you can program them remotely from your smartphone and tablet. 4. Smart Planter For all of the potted plants jazzing up your home landscaping, upgrading to a smart planter or smart plant pot is a great choice. There are a number of options for upgrading to smart pots, including expandable pots. These pots automatically detect when your plant is ready for more room- and it expands accordingly, to accommodate your plant as it gets bigger. Another smart planter innovation comes equipped with a built-in water monitor and alarm system, so you will be alerted if your plants are ever lacking in water or sunlight. Some of these smart planters even come decorated with a sweet cartoon character, whose facial expressions illustrate how happy your plants are inside the pot. Final Thoughts Clever innovations to help boost your home’s landscaping will continue to emerge, with robotic weeders and thermal imaging among the smart home devices that will be released in the near future. In the meantime, try upgrading to some of the gadgets we have listed above. You will be more knowledgeable about your plants’ wellbeing, your plants will be happier, and your home landscaping will have a better impact on the environment. An all-around win-win situation.
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Are you tired of how your lawn looks? Or, do you want to add some flare to your lawn when spring comes? Our customers in Nixa, Missouri for landscape can all agree, everyone wants a beautiful lawn to accentuate a beautiful home. So, we’ve put together some simple, easy landscaping tips to help your yard look incredible!
A little Clean-up goes a Long Way The start to any great landscaping project begins with the not-so fun part. Clean up! Mowing, cleaning up fallen branches, dead plants, and getting rid of anything that you don’t see being a part of your new landscaping vision is an important step to getting your beautiful dream yard. Find a Focal Point First things first, what do you want to be the focus point of your yard? Does your yard have a big item that directs attention? Whether it’s a fire pit, a nice outdoor seating area, or even a large tree, starting with your main area is a great way to figure out which way you want to go with the rest of your landscaping design. Add a Flowerbed Flowerbeds are a relatively easy, as well as attractive addition to any yard! And if you have a green thumb and an eye for color, a very fun weekend project. Flowerbeds are great for curb appeal because their placement is flexible. You can place them around mailboxes, along the side of your house, or around a main focal point of your yard, such as the previously mentioned. Even a small flowerbed with the right mix of color can make a huge difference! Freshen up your yard with fresh mulch Old, weathered mulch can really drag down your curb appeal. A fresh layer of gravel, dark mulch, or even sand is an easy way to get your yard looking fresh again, with the added benefit of protection your plants and preventing weed growth! Plant Native Flowers- If you’d like to opt for a cheaper option with far less maintenance, try planting flowers native to your region! There are a lot of benefits to planting native plants, such as their ability to adapt to our climate and soil, requiring little to no irrigation, and usually having no need for fertilizers or pesticides. Not to mention, they’re good for the bees! For us, in Nixa, Missouri we have a lot of beautiful flowers to choose from, such as Black-eyed Susan, Missouri primrose, Butterfly milkweed, Purple cone-flowers, and many more! We hope we gave you some great ideas in this week’s blog. And, as always, if you are needing help with lawn care in Nixa, Missouri, be sure to call Dales Lawn Service at (417) 414-8355 for a free quote! We all love our four-legged friends more than anything. And more importantly, we want them to be safe. Here are some pet-friendly lawn hacks to keep your yard healthy and your dog happy! Keep Fido out of the garden! Most dog owners have been there. The garden looks amazing, the tomato plants are doing well, and you just trimmed all the flowers. And then suddenly, they’re dug up and eaten because dogs are dogs. A tip to keep them from using your garden as their own personal salad bar, spray some odors around! Dogs hate vinegar, and it’s a great pet repellent for your flower bed. Marigolds also work, keeping out harmful insects as well. Pet Paths and off-limit areas Many times, with pet owners, you’ve got a certain spot in your yard that your dog has claimed as “Theirs”. Holes, dead spots in the grass, dirt piles everywhere. A good way to fix this problem is a little bit of landscaping! River pebbles are commonly used to give the dogs a good dig space, without hurting their paws or your lawn. Setting some boundaries could also help keep your garden bed alive through the season. A little chicken wire goes a long way, and is great for keeping our rabbits and other pests as well. High Levels of nitrogen in pet urine is what causes those dead spots all over your lawn. To fix this, a designated “potty-area” should do the trick. A small area of your yard, with gravel or mulch and something vertical to help your dog quickly identify the spot should work great to keep your lawn looking good and spot free. Be sure to reward your dog for using the spot when its time to go out! Keep the grass a little longer The grass in your backyard is your dog’s favorite thing. They love to roll in it, run on it, nibble on it. And keeping the grass around 3 inches is a good way to provide them with a softer bed for their daily dog activities, not to mention strengthening the root system of your grass. Go Organic While Fertilizer and Insecticides help with keeping pesky fleas and ticks out of your yard, both can be potentially harmful to your four-legged friend. Opting for organic soils with no added chemicals can be a great alternative and leaves you worry-free. Be sure to water after you’re done fertilizing, and wait a bit for everything to dry before you let the dogs out! Be mindful of the mushrooms Certain weeds and mushrooms can be very harmful to pets. Just like you pull weeds from your flowerbeds and gardens, be sure to keep an eye out and check around your yard to make sure there isn’t any suspicious fungi growing around within your dogs reach! With that in mind, avoid toxic plants in your flower garden as well. That includes...
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. A nice, green, healthy lawn is every homeowner's goal. Whether you're having a Sunday barbecue, a get-together, or relaxing around the fire pit in the evening with your family, its important that your lawn is healthy and you have that lovely "barefoot" lawn! Here are 5 tips to help you achieve it! Aeration! Aeration involves piercing the soil with small holes which allow air, water and nutrients to get to the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. Aeration is done mainly to alleviate compact soil. Over-seeding! Overseeding newer turfgrass into an older lawn can help it better withstand insects, disease, drought. the best time to seed your lawn in Missouri is in the fall, from late August to mid-October with early September being the ideal time. During this time of year, the soil is warm, so grass seed germinates faster, and the cool temperatures favor the growth of cool-season grasses. Watering! Before 10 a.m. is the best time for your lawn to be watered. It's cooler and winds are calmer, so water can soak into the soil and be absorbed by the grass roots before it can evaporate. The later you water, the greater chance of disease becoming widespread in your lawn. Fertilizing! Your soil supplies some of the nutrients that turfgrass needs, but most soils are not able to provide all of them during the entire growing season. A healthy and actively growing lawn uses a great deal of energy. Fertilizer helps your lawn stay healthy by promoting new leaf and root growth. But while your grass is trying to grow, so are the weeds. If you spread a fertilizer which has a weed remover in it, it will provide the nutrients your lawn needs, and control weed growth as well. Weed Control!
Before you start any weed control program, you need to determine which of the three types of weeds you’re controlling. Each requires unique products and application methods. Some treatments are very time sensitive, while others can be done anytime during the growing season. 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. Keeping your lawn looking good is a lot of work...and maintaining a lawn that is amazing is even harder. For some people, spending hours of their week taking care of the grass and flowers is relaxing, therapeutic, and completely manageable. For the rest of us...here are some quick reasons why hiring a lawn service care company is a great idea!
1. EXPERTISE Lawn care companies spend nearly all of their time every week with lawns just like yours. With all of this experience, they are usually pretty good at knowing the right steps to take for maximum results. Lawn care companies also may know how to troubleshoot problems that you are experiencing, which can often save you time, frustration, and money trying to play "guess how to fix my lawn". Finally, a professional lawn service will be able to help you spot potential problems before they become major issues. Minor things that you may not even notice at all could become a major threat to your landscape or lawn, if not caught and treated in a timely manner. 2. EQUIPMENT Another advantage of hiring a lawn care company is their access to specialized equipment. Mowing companies spend large amounts of time and invest lots of money to ensure that they have the best tools to tackle nearly any landscape or lawn care job. This means that your lawn benefits by having work done by quality machinery that is designed to perform well. Things like commercial decking systems on mowers, which provide better airflow for grass and are engineered to minimize scalping the turf, help keep things green and healthy week after week. 3. EFFICIENT What could be better than coming home from work after a long day and having nothing to do to your outdoor space but enjoy it? Mowing companies keep things consistent and efficient, completing tasks that may take you all weekend in a matter of hours. This means less to worry about for you and more time to spend with your family doing things you love. If you are a homeowner seeking lawn care in Nixa or Springfield, MO areas, Dale's Lawn Service in Nixa would like the chance to earn your business. We offer free estimates, affordable monthly payment options to help you budget, and convenient billing options that let you set it up and forget it! Give us a call at 417-414-8355 or contact us here for more information. Although we have not yet seen much winter weather or had the need for snow removal in the Nixa and surrounding areas yet this year, our region of the country does typically experience some snowfall each winter. Aside from being a chore to remove, it is important that you know the proper way to remove snow so that you do not damage your landscape or driveway areas. Generally speaking, there are two options for snow removal. They are: Removing Snow Yourself Shoveling is free and you get some fresh air and exercise. You can also coordinate when to remove the snow on your own schedule and maintain better control over where the snow is placed at. That’s all great, unless you are limited on time or live in a home that has a long driveway. A snow blower can make your life a lot easier, especially when it snows several inches or more. However, there are large upfront costs to buy it, plus fuel and maintenance costs that you’ll have to consider. Having a Professional Remove Your Snow If you aren’t able to remove snow yourself, then consider hiring a Springfield or Nixa snow removal company to perform the service for you. Some companies can be hired on an as needed basis, while others will want to sign a seasonal agreement with you. Be sure to ask questions about how much snow needs to fall before removal will be done, as well as equipment used and any special requests you may have on removal procedure and areas. Regardless of which method you decide on for your Nixa snow removal, be sure to keep these tips in mind: # 1 - Clean Early, Clean Regularly Snow that has been walked on, driven on, and left for several days will adhere to the surface it is on, making it much more difficult to fully remove. Not to mention that small batches of snow is easier to remove if you are shoveling, than several snows piled on top of one another. #2 - Avoid “Walling” Snow against Structures Snow is heavy and wet, and if it is piled against a structure, there is the possibility that the weight and moisture could cause damage over time. Be careful to place piles of snow in open areas, where it will not be a threat to landscaping walls, foundations, fences, or other structures. #3 - Mark Plant & Shrub Locations When there is a deep snow, it is easy to forget where your landscaping beds are at. This can cause damage to your small shrubs and plants if you step on them, pile snow on them, or hit them with snow removal equipment. Take time to locate and mark your driveway and sidewalk boundaries before you begin, so that you (or your snow removal professional) know where to plow. #4 - Don’t Overdo the Chemicals While salt and ice melting agents are helpful, too much can pose a risk to your lawn and landscape. As the ice and snow melt, these chemicals end up running into lawn areas and being absorbed into the soil. To avoid this, only use chemicals when needed, and try to minimize how much is applied. If possible, sweep up all leftover residues after the winter weather has passed. For a free estimate on snow removal in Nixa and Springfield areas, contact Dale’s Lawn Service today. We offer quality snow removal of driveways and sidewalks for residential customers. Images courtesy of Simon Howden and debspoons at freedigitalphotos.net
Giving your home maximum curb appeal is key to getting a prospective buyer in the door. While winter makes this task a bit more challenging, there are still some great solutions that will help make your home stand out. Check out this video, created by Remax, for more information. Dale's Lawn Service in Nixa offers a variety of landscape curb appeal packages for Springfield, MO homes all year long! We will gladly visit your home and create a custom curb appeal package that will meet your needs. Request a free consultation today! 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
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
When I talk to home and business owners about lawn care in the Springfield and Nixa areas, one of the top questions that people ask me is how they can improve their landscape. While this can be a complex question to answer, I almost always suggest mulch as part of my recommendation. By far, one of the most under utilized ways to spruce up your landscape and lawn area is by adding a fresh layer of mulch on a regular basis. While many people consider mulch applications to be spring activities, there are benefits of adding it in the late summer or early fall as well. Why Mulch? Here are my top five reasons why mulch is important to your landscape. 1. Mulch Adds Beauty Beautiful landscapes are about color and contrast, and mulch gives you both of these. Whether you are highlighting the bright green of your lawn or the radiant colors of a flowering bush, mulch makes your plants and grass stand out. From dark black and deep tones of red to rich browns and lighter cedar mulches, there are many colorful options that will complement your home and existing Springfield landscape wonderfully. 2. Mulch Retains Moisture Watering your landscape is a big job, and it becomes even more demanding when the heat of summer is in full force. One way to combat water loss, though, is by applying a thick layer of mulch to your beds, flower pots, and around your trees. Mulch adds a moisture absorbing layer above the soil, and also gives shade to the roots of shallow plants so that moisture does not evaporate as quickly. 3. Mulch Minimizes Weeds A third advantage to having a fresh and sufficient layer mulch in your landscape is weed control. While some weeds will likely still find a way to grow, the mulch will smother and block out a large amount of small weed saplings that end up in your beds. Simply put, the mulch creates a thick boundary between soil and sun, discouraging weeds from taking root and thriving. 4. Mulch Regulates Temperatures Mulch is a natural insulator, helping to maintain a more equal temperature for the soil and the plants that are living there. In the spring and fall, this means that the ground will be more likely to retain the heat that it collected from the sun during the day, extending your growing and flowering season. During the winter months, having a thick layer of mulch can aid in keeping the roots of perennial plants or bulbs from damaging freezes during very low temperatures as well. 5. Mulch Reduces Erosion Finally, mulch is helpful for keeping the soil in your landscape in place. Because it is heavier than soil and lies on top, a thick layer of mulch will help protect the ground from erosion during windy weather, times of rainfall, and even foot traffic. For more information on having Dale’s Lawn Service apply mulch in the Springfield area, or to request a free lawn care quote for your property, visit us here. We proudly provide a variety of lawn care services in Ozark, Republic, Nixa, and Springfield. Concrete driveways take a lot of abuse with weather, car oil and dirt. Regularly cleaning your driveway with a pressure wash and sealant can make all the difference. Use this quick how to video, courtesy of Lowe's Home Improvement for DIY instructions! Interested in some professional assistance with your Springfield or Nixa power washing project? Contact Dale's Lawn Service at 417-414-8355 for a free estimate on pressure washing in Nixa and other lawn care services in Springfield and surrounding areas. The summer heat that has settled in the Ozarks seems to be leaving many Springfield and Nixa lawns in need of some TLC. For many people, keeping your lawn looking lush and green all summer long is a challenge, mostly because they are not sure how to handle the hottest months. Here is a quick tutorial that will assist you in keeping your yard BBQ ready…even during the hottest days and nights of the year!
Step 1: Mow A Little Higher One of the biggest mistakes that many homeowners make, when mowing their lawns, is not adjusting the height of the mowing deck as the days turn warmer. In early spring, mowing at a height of 3 inches is usually about right. You will, however, need to mow higher during the hottest months. Mowing higher, preferably at 3.5 inches, helps to shade the roots and ground below the grass, keeping it cooler. If cut too low, the hot sun will dry out the grass more quickly, causing it to turn brown and even die in spots. Already have dead spots? Here is an article to give you instruction on getting those repaired. Step 2: Water Deep, Water Late Watering your lawn during the summer months is probably a no-brainer for most people, but many people who water do it incorrectly, leaving their grass lacking despite their hard work. When watering during the hottest months, it is important to water for longer periods of time, allowing the moisture to soak deeply into the ground. As a rule, try to water to a depth of about 1 inch, every 3 days. This is better for your lawn than shallow watering daily. When to water is also important to consider. Watering during the hottest part of the day, when the sun is beating down on the lawn can actually do much more harm to the grass than good. The water also evaporates quickly, limiting the amount that penetrates the ground and gets to the roots. For best results, plan to water in the late evening or early dusk hours when the weather is cool and the sun is low. Step 3: Avoid Chemical Fertilizers While many lawn care companies will push their fertilization services all season long, fertilizing during the hottest months can actually cause the roots of your lawn to grow in a shallower pattern. This, in turn, makes the grass more susceptible to death by heat. Why? Because chemical fertilizers lay at the top of the soil and roots tend to stay where the food is instead of growing deep where they are safer from the sun’s rays and have more access to water. Are you in need of some professional Nixa lawn care? Dale’s Lawn Service Nixa offers lawn mowing, and a variety of other lawn care services to homes in the Nixa, Ozark, Republic, and Springfield areas. Give us a call at 417-414-8355 or visit our Contact Page to schedule a free estimate! We would love the opportunity to earn your business. Images provided courtesy of Toa55 at freedigitalphotos.net In the Midwest, our lawns are exposed to both blistering heat, as well as bitter cold. For homeowners trying to maintain their grass and lawn care in Nixa and the surrounding Missouri areas, this can mean patches of bare dirt and sections of dead grass from time to time. If you find yourself needing to do some spot repair, here is a short how to guide to get you started!
Whether you are trying to entice the perfect buyer inside your home that is for sale, or you simply want to spruce up the exterior, making a lasting first impression with your curb appeal is really a great idea! While some exterior curb appeal jobs, such as painting the home, can be expensive and labor intensive, there are many things that can be done that will truly make a large difference, without breaking the bank. Here are 10 ideas to get you started! 1. Paint the Front Door For most homes, the front door is a focal point. If the paint or stain on your door is dull, peeling, or just doesn’t stand out from the rest of the house, giving it a quick facelift can really brighten up the entrance and catch the eyes of guests. 2. Install Landscape Lighting These days, installing outdoor lighting doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. From low voltage do-it-yourself kits to even easier solar powered lighting options, adding a warm and welcoming glow to your walkways, front porch, or even landscape beds is a great way to instantly increase the curb appeal of your home. 3. Update, Add, or Refresh Groundcover Mulch, rock, or whatever groundcover you have installed in your flower beds needs periodic maintenance. Be sure to remove any debris first, such as leaves or trash, and then decide what the best way to restore the beauty of the groundcover is. For mulch, a new top layer might do the trick, or a quick color enhancing dye spray. For rock, washing and adding new is often necessary to achieve the best results. 4. Add Color with Potted Plants The addition of a new landscape bed can be a big task. If your home lacks in this area, though, a quick solution is to decorate with potted plants. Choose colors and styles of pots that compliment your home and then mix a nice variety of flowering plants and grasses inside. 5. Don’t Forget the Mailbox Many homes neglect to makeover their mailbox, but that is often the first part of the home or lawn that a visitor will see. To begin, select a mailbox that matches the style of your home and that is a complimentary color as well. Next, decorate the ground and surrounding areas with colorful flowers or even a vine style plant that crawls up the post! There you have it! A quick guide to increasing your home's curb appeal! If you are in the Springfield area and find that you need assistance with making the outside of your home look great , we would love to provide you with the best Nixa lawn care service available! Give us a call at 417-414-8355 or request a free quote on our contact page! Image Courtesy of Archipoch at Freedigitalphotos.net |
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