Common Mistakes

• Over Watering: Applying too much water contributes to poor rooting and thatch accumulation. This could lead to disease problems
• Under watering: Your grass plant is composed of 90% water. Any change in this water composition rapidly puts the lawn under stress, resulting in a shallow root system and thinning turf. 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water needs to be applied, all at one time, three to four times pre week
• Improper Mowing Height: Raising the mowing height can improve the health of your root system and increase density, reducing weed seed germination rates. A good mowing height is 2 1/2 to 3 inches
• Lack of Sunlight: If the lawn has too much shade, the grass will not be efficient at developing food or roots, and will become notably thin. Pruning trees to increase sunlight in conjunction with a shade tolerant seeding program is the best solution
• Inconsistent Seeding: Leaf blades and other grass plant parts are continually dying, which thins your lawn’s density over time. In order to maintain turf density, overseeding and seeding of bare spots should be part or your annual maintenance program.
• Lack of Mulch in Beds: While planting seasonal color or simply maintaining your bed it is important to install and replenish fresh mulch to beds as it will retain moisture during high temperatures, will protect plants during the cold weather season and will help reduce the weeds in your beds.

Seasonal Tips

• Winter: Apply preemergent fertilizer late January, February, early April, late May and early July
• Spring: Spread granular, slow-acting fertilizer. Aerate the lawn to treat compacted soil Mulch with organic matter, if necessary Sharpen your mower blades at the start of the season-ECL changes blades on our mowers weekly
• Summer: Learn the signs of bug infestation, and head them off before they get settled in Water your lawn 3-4 times per week (more often if high temperatures are present) Treat weeds and bare spots as soon as you see them Sharpen your mower blade again halfway through the season
• Autumn: Apply preemergent fertilizer mid September Water trees and shrubs thoroughly. Mulch before the first frost But don’t over water! Plants and shrubs should be expected to look a little brown in September and October Mulch with organic material, or mow a layer of fallen leaves into the lawn
• Winter: Put burlap windscreens around less hardy plants if they’re in exposed areas Use a broom to brush snow away from evergreen trees gently, to keep the weight from breaking the limbs If ice or snow does break tree limbs, have the limbs removed as soon as weather permits – damaged trees are prone to disease Use only non-salt de-ices for sidewalks and driveways, so the runoff doesn’t harm plants Salt will damage grass, perennials, and shrubs, and will keep the plants from absorbing much-needed water Check any perennial plants during periods of thawing soil to see if roots popping out of the ground. If they have, gently push them back into place, and add mulch