Lawn Care Tips from Pro Sports Groundskeepers

The Corning Leader, a newspaper based out of New York State, recently released a list of tips and tricks compiled from discussions with professional groundskeepers. We think many of these tips are useful but often overlooked so we’ve summarized them here for you and added in a few of our own…

KEEP BLADES SHARP
Ed Mangan, head groundskeeper for the Atlanta Braves, says many homeowners do a lot to keep their yards healthy but don’t pay much attention to their equipment. He suggests keeping a spare blade around and having your lawnmower blade sharpened at least once a month. We also suggest oiling machinery often and taking all your lawn care tools in for a checkup at a local hardware store every other year or so.Continue reading

San Antonio Offering Free Community Lawn Care Seminars

All over the country cities are getting behind home gardeners and community gardens alike – a great trends for the environment and homeowners. From organic gardening tips to free consortiums on proper lawn care, we’ve noticed more and more municipalities offering their citizens information on growing a healthy lawn.

The latest city to jump on the lawn care bandwagon is San Antonio. Home of the Alamo, San Antonio is offering no less than three lawn care seminars in the month of March alone! Two of the seminars are free, both focusing on lawn care basics, and one costs only $10 and provides information on growing a vegetable garden.Continue reading

The 7 Best Apps for Avid Gardeners

Gardening hasn’t changed much in the past hundred years and is enjoyed by people all over the US as a relaxing and low-tech pastime. A new wave of mobile-friendly apps are changing the gardening landscape (pun intended!) and making it simpler than ever before to keep track of what’s going on in your soil. If you’ve been looking for a tool to help rid yourself of that black thumb once and for all, check out this list of the top seven apps for avid gardeners.Continue reading

Auburn’s Historic Oaks to be Removed in April

Auburn University in Alabama has announced its intentions to remove the majority of the school’s iconic “Toomer’s Corner” oaks at the end of the 2013 school year. The trees, which have been growing for over 130 years, are a mainstay of the school and students take delight in rolling their branches with toilet paper after every Auburn football game victory.

Toomer’s Corner is a popular and beautiful location on Auburn’s historic campus hearkening back to a slower time in the genteel south. Providing shade and respite for students and faculty alike, the oaks have taken on a personality among the University over the course of generations.Continue reading

Tired of Tulips? 6 Unusual Spring Flowers

Spring is upon us and that means one thing: color bursting forth from flower beds, vegetable gardens, and window boxes around the neighborhood. After a long, chilly winter, no one’s complaining about the appearance of spring’s favorite perennials but if you’re sick of the usual suspects like tulips, geraniums, and peonies here are six suggestions for new and unusual flora that are easy to grow and maintain.

Let us know in the comments if you’ve had luck with these flowers!

1. Primrose: The name may sound more than familiar if you’re a fan of The Hunger Games but the Primrose flower has actually been around for centuries. It’s five-petal shape and stark white blossom make it a favorite of home gardeners in more arid climates, where it thrives. It does well in moist soil, too, but be sure it doesn’t get full sun.Continue reading

It’s Time to Plant Your Spring Vegetable Garden

Spring is a great time to plant a vegetable garden that will flourish for months to come…are you ready? There are a few things to remember when planning for spring veggies and a little forethought now will save you miles of hassle a few weeks down the road.

First, clean up your garden or pots from last year if you had them. This means trimming back old, shriveled growth and picking up rotten leaves and branches. If you need any new gardening supplies, now’s a good time to purchase them before they get too expensive. Think: trowels, gloves, and heavy clay pots.Continue reading

Prepare Your Yard for Spring: To-Dos Before Easter

It’s not too early to begin planning your spring gardening routine, particularly if you manage your lawn yourself. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for this time of year – preferably to be completed before Easter – if you want your new spring lawn to flourish.

Now’s the time to fertilize.
Most people assume it’s still too cold and wet to effectively apply fertilizer but late February is actually a perfect time to start getting your plants the nutrients they need. Investing in organic fertilizers is a surefire way to make sure your plants stay healthy throughout the end of winter and a couple of easy sprinkles over the grass itself can fortify root systems in preparation for warmer weather.Continue reading

Why Hire Someone to Maintain Your Lawn?

With so many homeowners cutting back across the US it’s no surprise some have chosen to forgo lawn maintenance service and take care of their yards themselves. While this setup works for plenty of Weekend Warriors there are a few reasons you should think twice about whether or not you’re doing your yard a disservice. Here are a few thoughts on hiring out your lawn care service.

You’ll Save Tons of Time
The average American spends 65 hours a year on mowing alone. That’s nearly three full days! Considering how much time and effort it takes to fully cultivate a lawn and/or garden it may be worth the money to save the time, particularly if you find yourself short on free time as it is.Continue reading

Maryland Goes Green: Will Other States Follow Suit?

In a groundbreaking move, the Maryland State House in Annapolis has decided to go totally green when it comes to lawn care. The historical grounds have long been renowned for their lush grass and expansive views of the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Pesticide Network was a key partner for the project and provided guidance to top-level decision makers concerning greener strategies for the grounds.

Lawmakers hope the move will inspire other states to follow suit and in turn lead to greener, more environmentally-friendly lawn care practices nationwide. Citing danger to the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland officials say they think it was a good decision to totally eliminate pesticides and chemicals from their lawn care regimen.Continue reading

How to Choose a Lawn Care Company

Choosing a lawn care company can seem like a daunting task. From the teenage boy next door to the multi-national maintenance company there are dozens if not hundreds of providers to weed through. Whether you’re used to doing your yard yourself or you just need to make a switch, here are a few things to consider when weighing one lawn care company against another.

Decide Your Budget:
First and foremost, determine how much you’d like to spend annually on lawn care and shop for rates. Don’t assume the cheapest lawn care company is the best bet – consider the next few items on the list and how they relate to value before you choose based on cost.Continue reading