BLOG
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!
0 Comments
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.
Pruning in the winter doesn’t sound like a project that most people would want to take on. Some might say that pruning in the winter is bad for the plant or that it is too cold, but pruning at the right time in the winter could be beneficial for your plants and shrubs. You might be thinking, “When is the right time to prune in the winter?” Actually, late winter is the best time to prune plants, shrubs, and rose bushes. When is late winter? Here in southern Missouri, at Dale’s Lawn Service, we like to say late winter is from the beginning of February up to the end of the second week of February, depending on the temperatures. This is when we like to start pruning those roses and trimming the shrubs. The garden is still dormant at this time but the spring thaw is only four to six weeks away. Any late winter pruning should be done before spring budding begins. Need to know what to prune at this time of year? Great! I have put a list together for you.
Tools You really don’t need anything big or super expensive for pruning. There are so many options to choose from, from manual “muscle” powered tools to gas or electric powered. At Dale’s Lawn Service, we use four different tools for pruning. We use gas powered hedge trimmers, a gas powered pole saw, hand pruners, and loppers. It is important to know each tool and how they work, as well as what they can and cannot cut for ease of use. Not every job will need a gas powered or electric hedge trimmer, as some jobs demand a hand pruner and anything else would be overkill or simply just won’t work as well. The most important thing is picking the right tools for your pruning job and then making sure they are sharp, and rust free. Homeowners typically can get by just sharpening the tools once a season, depending on usage. Check out the list of tools and when to use guide below.
So why prune in late winter? Pruning in late winter when many shrubs and trees are dormant will give strength and energy for profuse growth in the spring. The wounds from pruning are only unprotected for a short amount of time before the new growth starts, and they will be less susceptible to any diseases because of this. The best part about pruning in the late winter it is easier to see what needs to be prune without all of the foliage or blooms being in the way. Always call a professional out when branches are not able to be reached safely, or if you are unsure what to prune, as you don’t want to risk hurting yourself or the plants. If in doubt, call a local landscape or tree company, as many will share their skill and knowledge with you, and most companies offer free estimates. For more ways to improve your home's landscaping and curb appeal, and get ready for the spring season, check out this article! 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!
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
Here in Springfield, Missouri, our winters really are quite unpredictable. Some years we have massive amounts of snow and moisture, while other years, we have seen very dry winter months. With this much variation in precipitation, many people ask how they should handle watering their landscape and lawn during the winter months. Here are some simple guidelines to help you! Ditch the Schedule During the summer months, having a set watering schedule is key, to ensure that your active, growing grass does not become dehydrated and wilted. In the winter, though, the lawn is dormant, and needs much less moisture. So when do you water? Take your cue from the weather! A general rule of thumb is that your lawn will need 1-2 good waterings a month during cold weather. If mother nature provides this via snow or rain, then you really don't have to water at all. If not, plan to drag the hose out on a warm day and give your grass and landscape plants some moisture! Water Deep Because watering is much more sparse during the winter months in Missouri, plan to completely saturate the ground when you do water. This will ensure that the root systems have adequate supplies to last until the next watering. To water deep, leave your sprinkler or hose running until the ground becomes soft and the water is running away instead of being absorbed. Drainage Is Important Too While we are on the subject of watering and precipitation, I want to touch on drainage systems as well. Many times, I see lawns that fall victim to too much moisture, which can be just as harmful as not having enough. Keep a close eye on your landscape beds and lawn areas, to ensure that water is not standing when it shouldn't be. Lawns and beds should have drainage that allows excess water to run off of them in a timely manner. If you see areas that have poor drainage, make plans to address the problem before it harms your plants. For more information on lawn care services that our company offers in the Springfield, Missouri area, please visit our home page. Image Provided, courtesy of papaija2008, from Free Digital Photos When it comes to lawn care and maintenance in Springfield, most of the focus is during the spring and summer months. While it is true that grass doesn't need as much attention during the winter time, there are still important tasks that should be done to help your landscape get ready for the upcoming Missouri spring season. Here are three ways that you can maintain your lawn...even during the coldest months of the year! #1. Aerate & Fertilize! The very end of the fall season, and into the first weeks of winter is the perfect time to lay a nice, even layer of fertilizer on your yard, and aerate it well. Thatch, which results when a lawn is not properly aerated, is especially active in the winter and will stunt spring growth if not addressed. By taking time to aerate and fertilize your lawn before the first solid freeze, you will be preparing your grass for the best growth possible for springtime. #2. Clean up Debris! Have you ever left something laying in your yard all winter long, only to find that in spring, you have a patch of bare dirt underneath? While most grass will not be growing during the cold winter months, it does need adequate sunlight and air in order to survive. Take time in the winter to remove things like branches, toys, and debris from your yard to ensure that the grass underneath grows properly when the warm weather finally arrives. #3. Research & Plan! One key ingredient to having a beautiful lawn is being knowledgeable on how to build and maintain it. During the winter months, take time to educate yourself on the specifics of your lawn and landscape plants and the best ways to care for them. If you are considering the addition of new plants, research and understand how each selection will work with your current landscape. For information specific to the Springfield and Missouri climates and areas, here are a few links that might help you get started! MU Lawn & Garden Extension Missouri Dept of Agriculture Springfield Urban Agricultural Coalition For more information on lawn care services that our company offers in the Springfield, Missouri area, please visit our home page. Image "Winter Landscape" courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee at Free Digital Photos. |
Details
Archives
February 2022
Categories
All
If you are looking for a lawn care or lawn mowing company in the Nixa or Springfield, MO area, we would love to have the opportunity to earn your business.
Already one of our current customers? Show us some love with a review or positive comment on our Thumbtack page! |