Home & Garden Club

bly already know that you want to have a healthy and beautiful stretch of grass in your yard. You want beautiful, green grass because it makes your home look well cared for, and you can have guests without any embarrassment. If you will be putting your home on the market for sale in the near future, you know a green lawn can create a good first impression and enhance the perceived value of your property. Perhaps the reason you want a thriving lawn is simply because it is a delight to see the plant life in your yard healthy. As you may know, this kind of yard does not occur by accident. You have some upkeep to do to achieve your goal of a green, lush yard. 

Applying fertilizer on your yard is not an onerous task. Fertilizer is readily available in many of local retail outlets, like plant nurseries, hardware stores, thrift department stores and the like. The local experts in these stores and the labels on the packages can help you calculate the amount you need to buy for the square footage of your yard, so you can be sure to have enough and yet not too much. A push spreader can disseminate the fertilizing granules, and then it is just a question of watering it in and you are done. 

Another consideration you should make is to do a few things to make your fertilizer more efficient so the grasses are able to draw upon the nutrients in their environment. Aerating the soil once a year is one of those things. Aeration is punching holes into the soil by aerating equipment or spiked shoes so that water and air can get into the soil, and so that the soil is made softer for worms and roots of the grass. 

Another task that increase fertilizer efficiency is to rake your yard. Raking removes detritus that lying upon the soil beneath your grass blades. This kind of clutter, in addition to sticks and leaves lying on top of the grass, will inhibit the growth and spread of your grasses. If you do your raking before your application of fertilizer, you can open up the soil so that the granules dissolve and soak into the soil more easily upon watering. Raking can amplify the effectiveness of your fertilizer greatly. 

Every effort you make to prepare your yard for fertilizer by making the ground clean and uncluttered, will increase the efficacy of your time and money spent on the fertilizer. Another tip is to level out uneven bits of ground with topsoil and add good grass seed to the the barren places before you apply your fertilizer. Lastly, you will need to have your yard on a schedule of regular waterings for your grass to come in and stay full and lush.

Spring is here, the sky is blue, the grass is green and it’s time to give that lawn a trim. Maintaining lawn equipment is an important part of safe lawn care. The lawnmower is the main tool used for lawn maintenance or yard work and therefore, it is heavily used by most homeowners.

To keep your mower in excellent condition, do-it-yourself maintenance is needed at various times. Keeping your mower in working order is important for many reasons including safety. Lawn mower-related injuries to children are relatively common and can result in severe injury or death. Many amputations during childhood are caused by power mowers. Pediatricians have an important role as advocates and educators to promote the prevention of these injuries.

Lawn mower injuries are a seasonal threat to children and the leading cause of amputations in adolescents, say specialists from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Maryland’s designated pediatric trauma center where the most severe injuries are treated. The number-one advice to parents is: Treat the lawn mower as hazardous equipment, not a toy,” says Carol Gentry, R.N., pediatric OR nurse manager. “You don’t let a child play with an electric saw, and that’s exactly what a lawn mower is. Each year, lawn mower accidents send 9,400 U.S. children to the hospital, causing injuries more severe than any other tool or device, research shows. The most common injuries are lacerations, fractures and amputations of the fingers, hands, toes, feet and legs. Most injuries occur when an operator is unaware that a child is behind the mower and shifts into reverse, backing over the child.

Careless use of John Deree lawn mowers results in more than 55,000 injuries every year. The devastating nature of these injuries cannot be overemphasized.

significant proportion results in loss of toes or part of the foot. Approximately 75 people die from lawn mower injuries every year.

How Do the Injuries Happen?

• Young children can fall or slip into the operating mower blade while playing and running nearby.

• Children can be injured while operating the mower themselves when too young to do so, or when preschoolers and school-age children fall off a mower while riding with an adult.

• Children can be injured when mowers are placed into reverse and the operator is not aware a child is behind them.

All of the injuries could be prevented by taking the following precautions:

• Before operating equipment, familiarize yourself with it and make sure it is in good working order.

• Never go barefoot while mowing.

• Keep children under 6 years old indoors while a power mower is in operation.

• Prevent injuries from flying objects, like stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Use a collection bag for grass clippings or a plate that covers the opening where cut grass is released.

• Designs for mower controls should continue to be improved for ease of operation and to minimize inadvertent control contact and unintended operation.

• When a lawn mower cuts off, be extra careful in removing any objects from the blade.

Lawn maintenance in Orlando - and anywhere else - can be a dreaded chore. There so much to do…mowing, trimming, fertilizing, edging, dealing with pesky pests…the list is endless! If you’d rather leave the job up to someone else, consider hiring a lawn maintenance service for your Orlando home.

Here are our top10 tips to insure that the local Orlando-based lawn maintenance company you hire will do the job right.

1. Decide what you want from your lawn maintenance service in Orlando. Most offer fertilizing, weed and lawn-damaging pest control, aerating, mowing, and small tree and shrub maintenance. Some Orlando-based lawn maintenance services even offer sod installation and tree removal, which can come in quite handy.

2. Inquire about the lawn maintenance company’s philosophy and methods. This includes their pesticide spraying methods, soil testing, fertilization, etc. and their knowledge of the Orlando climate and its challenges relating to your landscape.

3. Talk to your neighbors in Orlando who utilize lawn maintenance services. This is a good way to determine which services operate in your area and get an Orlando homeowner’s recommendations.

4. Request a lawn inspection and a free estimate from the company. Beware of lawn maintenance companies that quote “guaranteed” annual prices without having seen your lawn.

5. Ask what services are included and the cost for each. Some lawn maintenance companies based in Orlando require a yearly contact; others work on verbal agreements that can be discontinued by the customer at any time.

6. Check around to determine if you can save money by paying an annual fee up front; this method is more convenient than paying your lawn maintenance contractor after each treatment.

7. Understand what services the lawn maintenance company is proposing to provide before work starts. Find out what treatments are included, approximately when they will be applied, and what results can be expected.

8. Ask about their guarantees. Some lawn maintenance companies will assure performance, and others will refund your money if the work is unsatisfactory.

9. Make sure the lawn maintenance service is licensed to apply lawn-care products as required by Orlando.

10. Check with the Orlando Better Business Bureau to find more information on a specific lawn maintenance company’s service record.

The services your lawn maintenance service in Orlando offers should range from basic weekly lawn care to irrigation installation and repairs, sod installation and advising you in making the best choice of shrubs and plantings. Well in advance of storm season, you might want to contact your local Orlando lawn maintenance company to assist you in the removal of unstable trees or tree limbs that hang precariously over your house, posing a threat to you and your property.

Remember…a well maintained lawn increases the value of your property…shouldn’t you trust it to a professional who has been thoroughly trained in the lawn maintenance techniques relative to Orlando? Find a dependable lawn maintenance company in Orlando who can provide low-cost, exceptional service in a timely manner…then sit back and relax!

 

Sod worms are also known as lawn moths. This name comes from the fact that these worms change into moths over time and they feed off the grass blades in yards, golf courses and in some areas of turfgrass. In the larval stage these worms are dingy white in colour. As adults they fly around the lawn planted their seeds and feeding off the grass at night. However it is not really the moths that damage the grass. It is the larvae that do the most damage. The larvae feed off the grass at night and leave an area of the lawn bare. During the spring and summer months the larvae turn into moths that drop their eggs and the cycle continues again.

The damage caused by lawn moths can be clearly seen in the grass. An infected are of grass will appear to be brown in appearance and it will have an irregular shape. If you closely examine the grass you can see small tunnels or lines that branch out around the browned area. In the damaged area, the blades of grass have been removed completely and the area appears to be scalped. There are other indicators that there may be an infestation of lawn moths and that is the presence of the small green fecal pellets.

Treatment for the sod worm starts with how well you monitor the amount of damage that has been inflicted upon your lawn. If you notice that you are getting small brown patches but nothing too big, then you might want to try using a simple home remedy of laundry detergent mixed with water. However, if you have tried the home remedy and you find that you are not able to contain the worm then you might want to consider getting a chemical product from your local gardening store. If you are unsure what to do about your problem then you might want to contact a lawn care expert in your area to find out what you can do to prevent the increase in damaged areas in your lawn. There are a number of chemical products on the market today but if you plan to use one of these then you need to make sure that you are able to use them on your grass.

Lawn moths are more prevalent in grasses like bluegrass and Zoysia. The problem with using chemicals on your grass to kill your worm infestation is that you might be killing insects and pests that are actually beneficial to your grass and then there is the possibility that you might end up killing your grass anyway. Be sure to read information on the product to find out what insects that it will kill. There are also a number of biological controls that are capable of killing the sod worm so you might want to consider exploring that avenue if you are unsure about using chemical products.

Proper lawn maintenance will help you discover the presence of these worms right away so that you can take steps immediately before too much of your grass gets destroyed.

When you think of lawn maintenance, do images of artful landscaping immediately come to mind? The link between your lawn’s aesthetic beauty and its health is undeniable. And because disease, insects, and weeds do the bulk of their damage during the summer months, now is the time to control them.

The Onset of Disease

Lawn diseases can be difficult to diagnose before they have done substantial damage. Familiarizing yourself with common varieties of mosses, algae, mildew, and mushrooms will go a long way in improving your identification skills. Also, most of these species can be treated with some savvy management practices. Here are some suggestions from the North Dakota State University Agricultural Department:



Plant suitable grass varieties for your climate.

Water and fertilize in the proper amounts.

Mow regularly at the recommended height.

Aerate periodically as needed.



Suffering from Insect-a phobia

The insects that do the most damage to an otherwise healthy lawn are the ones you rarely see. Many types of beetles, cinch bugs, and worms are revealed only through The University of California Davis’ Integrated Pest Management Program suggests looking for these signs.



Chewed leaves in irregular patches.

Brown-tinged grass in irregular patches.

Yellowish patches in exceptionally warm weather.

Grass with few roots that can be pulled up easily.



When Weeds Attack

Weed issues are entirely local. That is to say, the weeds you’ll most likely encounter thrive in your region’s particular climate and precipitation range. The most common weed maintenance process is with spray, granular, and aerosol weed killers. Your lawn professional will prescribe one of several chemical agents: 4-D, MCPP, dicamba or Basagran. Combinations of formulas are not uncommon for homeowners with a range of weed problems.

Source(s): University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, NDSU, UC IPM Online

A basic way to make sure your lawn is substantial as well as healthy each spring is to provide it with the proper lawn care throughout the months of winter and in late fall. While most lawns appear altogether hibernating throughout these months, the way that the lawn is cared for during this time period can make a lot of difference to the overall beauty and health of it when the summer time arrives. Here are a few ideas that will assure that the lawn is as healthy as it can possibly be when warm weather eventually returns.

Clearing Debris

If you happen to live in a region where there is regular snowfall, you want to be certain your strategy includes seeing to it that all parts of the lawn are free of debris as well as clutter prior to the first large snowfall of the year happens. Good maintenance of your lawn and preparation for winter snow include raking the leaves, getting rid of sticks, and removing any other kind of debris that simply does not belong on your lawns.

Even if you do not expect a lot of snow, it is always important to make sure the grass is not left under a pile of leaves or other waste which can interfere with the grass receiving a higher rate of moisture, air and nutrients. While the growth of most grass frequently stops at the end of autumn, it still has the capability of dying if it is buried under any type of yard debris.

Controlling Weeds

There are numerous individuals that have the misconception that the summer season is the most significant time period to control weeds. However, just the opposite is true and it is significant to realize this in order to plan for appropriate and healthy lawn care for the lawns that are around your home and garden.

Weeds actually grow much quicker than your lawn did during the winter, as compared to the summer season. If weeds are allowed to merely grow out of control during the “off season”, then there might not be a lot of lawn left to enjoy when spring comes.

Fortunately, since your grass will be growing at a much slower rate during the fall and winter, it is fairly easy to pinpoint the progress of weeds during this time period. Just make certain that you give a little attention and care to your lawn during these particular months, and get the weeds pulled out, or apply herbicide, so these weeds do not smother the lawn and ruin the appearance of your designed landscape.

Rye Grass and Bluegrass

If you are happy with the look of a thick flourishing lawn through the wintertime, then it is a good idea to plant ryegrass, bluegrass or other types of northern grasses which all have a tendency to be heartier and will survive through the cold winter months.

One of the primary benefits when using rye grass in your lawn, is that it generally grows well when mixed with your current grass and it will make your lawn appear more lush and full. However, the ryegrass will actually die off and the lawns regular grass will then take over as it comes to life in the springtime.

The winter grasses such as rye, will tend to grow better if you plant them in mid and later part of October. If you decide to plant in the fall, you will still need to make sure that your new lawn receives sufficient amounts of water.

If you get a week of dry weather, you want to make sure you water your lawn so that the rye gets one to two inches of water per week. Just by taking a few simple measures of lawn care should help you achieve a healthy and lush lawn that stand out in the summer.

Living in Orlando, Florida is a lucky situation for lovers of lush, green lawns. That might seem extreme, but it is true! Orlando is the perfect place for warm and cool season grasses, and if properly cared for, a lawn can be green year-round. There are several basic lawn maintenance tips to follow to keep your Orlando lawn healthy and vibrant.

• Mow your grass at the proper height for the species. Bermuda needs to be kept shorter than St.Augustine. Setting the mower at the proper height helps avoid weed problems, because the grass will shade the soil, preventing weed seeds from sprouting.

• Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one time. That might mean that you will have to mow twice a week during periods of heavy rain and fast growth. Removing only 1/3 of the grass blade helps keep the grass healthy and un-stressed.

• Observe and jump on fungal and disease problems immediately. If you notice large brown circles or patches in the lawn, call a certified landscape contractor to help you deal with the problem. In order to correctly treat the problem, you need to correctly diagnose the problem. A certified pesticide applicator can help you diagnose and treat any grass problem properly, and with the least risk to your lawn and you family.

• Water deeply and infrequently. Every single article you read about lawn maintenance will mention this. If it doesn’t, be wary of the advice. Watering deeply and infrequently encourages deep root growth for grass plants, and an overall healthier more vigorous plant.

• Fertilize in the fall for root growth and for growth of cool season grasses. About three weeks before your warm season grass goes dormant for the winter, fertilize to promote root growth. A healthy root system for your warm season grass will help it overwinter well and reduce stress caused by overseeding.

• Before overseeding, mow your warm season grass to the lowest point, without killing the grass stems-usually ¾ of an inch. Overseed with a cool season grass and water in. Cool season grasses need more food than warm season grasses, so you will most likely need to fertilize two or three times during the winter.

• Leave grass clippings on the lawn to return nutrients and organic matter into the soil. Grass clippings do not cause thatch problems.

• Aerate in the spring or fall with a punch-core aerator, and top dress with organic matter. This helps reduce problems caused by compaction, and by aerating in the spring or fall, ensures that the grass will not be stressed trying to recover during the hottest parts of the year. Aerating also helps reduce problems from thatch buildup. A great time to aerate in the fall is just before overseeding, as the topdressing of soil can help the cool season grass seeds sprout quickly.

The above tips will help you have a lush, green lawn year-round in Orlando. For more information and a specific lawn-care schedule, contact your certified professional landscape company.

 

Little wonder that modern attitudes towards gardens and what they represent have evolved from traditional views over the last fifty years. Not so long ago, the garden was ‘an area’ intended to be enjoyed, easy to maintain, yet full of variety and ideally providing colour throughout the year. In fact apart from children running around playing, mowing the lawn and deciding how and when best to prune the fruit trees, gardens were considered more in visual terms, in other words within the garden space, form took precedent over any garden activity.  This traditional perspective has been dramatically overtaken partly because of the vast array of new garden products featuring innovative technologies but mainly by the dynamic changes in modern living and working habits.

Yes gardens have become smaller and people generally have less time for garden maintenance activities, but most will demand more and spend (both time and money) more in getting the outdoor space right for them and enjoying more time outdoors, whether it is alone or with family and friends.

No matter whether you consider your garden large or small, traditional or minimalist, it should not be seen as merely an asset to add value your home or property but more importantly as an asset that enhances your outdoor living lifestyle.

A place to sit

We probably spend more time in the garden sitting and eating than any other activity. So it is vital the layout of the outdoor space takes this important aspect into account. Invariably the sitting and eating activities take place on or the near the patio areas. Not long ago patios were constructed from poured concrete or even concrete flags. In more advanced gardens, crazy paving invariably broken pieces of natural stone were used. Today’s choice is vast including an extensive range of natural stone which includes bestsellers like Sandstone, Granite and Limestone to name but a few. Unquestionably Sandstone available in a wide range of sizes and colours is a top seller and the preferred choice by far of most people. Natural stone demanding little maintenance is still the preferred choice over other patio alternatives such as man made products and decking. Locating the patio in the sunniest part of the garden is obvious but you would be surprised to discover how frequently this prized location in the garden is occupied by the garden shed. Monitor the sun movements throughout the day to determine what is the best position for the patio. Most prefer sunny positions late afternoon or early evening but some might prefer dappled shade during midday. So choose a location for the patio where and when you’re most likely to use it most. Patios should be level so that you have no trip hazards at joints or patio chairs do not annoyingly rock each time you shift position. They should also have a slight slope or fall for rain to run off. A typical fall is 25mm in 1000mm (approx 1:40). Fall should not be confused with sloping sites which can be cleverly utilised to create split or different levels in the patio. In other words do not be too quick to level sloping ground instead seek new ideas to develop imaginative patio forms.  In larger sites it is not uncommon to find two or more patios, designed to take full advantage of the sun at specific times.

Plants please

Of all the elements that go to make up your perfect garden, plants after structure are the essential component. The choice of plants today is practically endless, whether your preference is evergreen or deciduous (shed leaf in autumn), lime haters or lime tolerant, 

prefer sunny or shade, dry or damp, open or sheltered conditions. Also how you use plants in the garden can yield specific effects on overall garden size and style. Some plants may be planted as sole specimens, i.e. the centre of attention in a low level bed or to provide a screening requirement. Others may be planted as informal i.e. natural groups or formally to create dramatic geometric patterns.

Ideally plants should be used in as naturalistic way possible so as to enhance the desired look whether it is to follow a gentle curve or sometimes affect the overall appearance. For example, trees and shrubs can be cleverly used to disguise a long narrow garden to make it appear broader in effect, conversely plants can also be used to lengthen broad gardens which are not very long by using the taller plants nearer the house and shorter further away to create a perspective effect that makes the garden appear longer.

Although plants may be used in a variety of ways, it is well worth considering the maintenance aspects before making final selection. There is little point in planting large varieties in confined spaces and despite repeated cutting and pruning neither plant nor gardener will ever be happy. Instead choose plants carefully, consider mature heights and spread not just what the label states ‘…in ten years…’ because plants continue to grow. Instead try to determine what is actual plant height and spread at maturity. Pick plants to suit the suit site’s soil, prevailing conditions and size. This way you will have plants that will flourish and require little or no cutting.

Borders can be straight but better to have gentle curves. Avoid intricate curves and above all pathways that dissect the lawn which will destroy the open aspect and make the garden appear smaller. Instead position pathway to oneside. Ideally borders with at least two or three planting lines look far more interesting. The backline representing usually the taller varieties are the all year round backbone with the middle and lower foreground lines providing seasonal impact. Beds should be at least 900 mm- 1,200 mm deep and to conceal structures like rotary lines or garden sheds might be larger than 2.000mm or more.

For added interest, try to use plants and shrubs with contrasting shapes, heights and colours all linked in a gentle flowing manner around the garden. More impact can be achieved by planting in groups and here think odd as best., i.e. plant in groups of 3,5,7,9 etc for effect. Group planting can be very effective to emphasise the curve nature of the border. Also better to allow at least 100mm-150mm clear space between front line plants and lawn edge, this are can be easily maintained and looks particularly attractive when edged with mini-chip bark mulch dressing. Alternative lawn edgings are available including brick, stone which are a very effective long-term solutions to defining lawn-bed boundary but also providing a useful (lawn must be at least 20mm above height of stone) mowing strip and standing area for any seasonal maintenance work.

Raising your spirits

Raised Beds are becoming a very popular feature for more gardens, not only do they provide added height and hence presence to particular planting arrangements but a great solution to creating soil conditions required for specific groups of plants not found in other parts of the garden. Here azaleas, rhododendrons, forest flames all with spectacular foliage and flower characteristics and are easy to grow so long as the soil is lime free soil. These soil conditions are easy to create in raised beds. Raised beds can be positioned against boundary walls or more prominently as island beds within paved areas. Raised beds may be constructed form brick, natural stone and a variety of timbers can also be used to create attractive enclosures for water features. Trailing bedding plants can be used to great effect in Raised Beds.

Watered Features

There are a wide range of types and sizes but nowadays people choice is influenced by the safety aspects and low maintenance requirements, hence the popularity of Reservoir features typically positioned on or near patio area where they are best enjoyed for both visual and the soothing sound effects of trickling water. In more contemporary gardens stainless steel columns are a popular choice. Irrespective of your style preference, water features add a new dimension to any garden. All that is required is careful attention to detailing, a thoughtful selection of plants, e.g. ferns, ornamental grasses combined with natural river cobblestones create superb compositions and very pleasing features to admire.

The meaning of Light

Lighting is really a must have in the garden. It can not only make an ordinary garden look spectacular revealing an aspect unseen during daylight, but come nightfall the silhouettes of trees and shrubs against textured walls take on a whole new meaning. Just as much as gardens can be visually admired for their interest during daylight, lighting offers a whole new dimension to the meaning of beauty in the garden albeit at nightime. There are many lighting effects to be considered including: spread lighting across access paths, uplighting to direct light up through the branches and trunks of trees or up the walls of buildings, spot lighting can be used to illuminate a statue or water feature and downlighting is typically used to illuminate steps.

Contained Treasures

Growing plants in containers whether it is seasonal summer planting and/or all year round planting is an important dimension to the planting aspects of gardens. Much easier and less costly to introduce to a garden, containers be they urns, planters or humble terracotta pots can be very cleverly used to add high drama and bold colour schemes to areas within the garden. Container planting also permits the growing of plants which might be too vigorous to grow in open ground because of lack of available space or other limitations. Bamboos are fantastic container plants so too are Japanese maples but require sheltered conditions which may not be available in open beds during winter months. Containers can be very useful mobile units to locate around patio to great effect. Try bringing fragrance (lavender, santolina, helichrysum or rosemary) nearer the patio. For added impact try and use three plant types per container, i.e. place tall specimen in centre, small compacts in corners and trailers between corners.

In summary

For some of us relaxing in the garden is nothing more than sitting out or swinging in the hammock, usually in the sun but perhaps increasingly in dappled shade. Whether alone or with family and friends, sitting or eating, dozing or entertaining, living outdoors is a major aspect of how we relax and sometimes let’s be honest, a popular place ‘to get away from it all.’ Today’s outdoor living spaces reflect our preferred ‘approach to interior living’ and hence the common link to bring the indoors out or take the garden in. Irrespective of how you express it, more and more people are demanding more from the outdoor living space and wish to integrate it more with the established ‘interior world’ both visually but also how and what activities take place outdoors. How we use the outdoor living space is increasingly becoming more important than how it looks. In other words today’s homeowners are demanding more functionality from the gardens, yes, you guessed it, form follows function, is the prevailing principle and the smarter approach to determining the outdoor living space.

Owen Chubb is Director of Owen Chubb Garden Landscapes Limited, an established and award winning landscaping company offering clients a complete landscaping service including Garden Design, Construction and Planting. A full member of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland (ALCI), the only professional body for landscape contractors and proud winners in 2005 of the prestigious ALCI Award for BEST PRIVATE GARDEN (Over € 13,000 Category). Tel 087-206 128 / 01-492 0904 www.owenchubblandscapers.com