Everyone knows that moles can dig tunnels and cause damage but did you know that voles and gophers are also diggers and can do significant damage to a lawn?  

Determining which you have depends a lot on which part of the country you live in but we'll point out some of the major differences below:

Does snow fertilize a lawn?

Have you ever heard the old adage that snow is Poor Man's fertilizer? Well, it actually is!  But not to the extent that you would find in a standard application of fertilizer.

Snow, rain, sleet, lightning and hail all collect Nitrogen, Sulfur and other nutrients as they pass through the atmosphere. It brings these nutrients to the ground, then your soil and then your grass. 

While you can't count it as a full application, snow can supply up to 5 pounds of nitrogen per acre of land throughout a season. 

What's the Difference Between Local and Franchise Lawn Care?

It’s easy to hire the “Big Boys''; with their enticing prices, tv commercials and coupons galore.  Some of these companies spend millions just to stay in front of you. 

Is going out of your way to take the time to find a local, family owned lawn care company even worth it anymore? 

Just like our grass needs nutrients to thrive - so do our trees and shrubs. While Trees, Shrubs and Grass can be fed similar nutrients, they are not fed in the same way. 

When we fertilizer a lawn we spread nutrients across the surface of your turf. Grass has a relatively shallow root system so nutrients can reach the soil where they become available.  

Trees and shrubs have deep root systems and therefore require special equipment and deeper feeding methods.

Which Kind of Grass Seed is Best for My Yard?

The Northeast’s changing seasons can be tough on turf. It’s important to have a grass variety that can withstand the challenges of long winters and moderate summers. In the northeast, no one grass can do this alone.

The benefit of having a grass seed blend is that it offers genetic diversity.  Where one grass type lacks - another might excel when considering factors such as humidity, seasons or elevation.

While there are many conflicting statements out there on the topic, here's our expert's take and a few resources to inform yourself below:

My Takeaway:  I have applied Round-Up safely now for 29 years as a CT Licensed Ornamental and Turf Supervisor.  I faithfully follow all label instructions and use personal protective equipment whenever mixing or applying these products.  The State also requires ongoing education to renew my license.  If you are going to use a product like Round-up on your property and want to minimize the risk of exposure for you and your family, hire a professional YOU TRUST to do it. 

When is the best time of year to seed my lawn?

Fall, followed by winter (dormant) seeding are the two best times of year to seed your lawn. Both will give your lawn the adequate head start it needs to green-up in Spring and suppress weed growth. 

Below, we'll go over the times of year that you can over seed your yard from best to worst:

Fall Seeding:

The best way to repair a thin or damaged lawn is to fall seed. Fall seeding works best with aeration to allow for optimal seed to soil contact.  

Fall Seeding and Germination

Grass seeds will sprout and enjoy a full season before going dormant for winter. This new grass will have plenty of time to establish a strong root system to survive winter and green up in Spring. 

When Should I Fall Seed? 

 The best time to fall seed is between mid August and mid October. Pros: soil is still warm. Has time to germinate and fully establish before winter. 

The Importance of Preventative Grub Control

Grubs are the silent killers of lawn pests. It is very easy to not notice them until it is too late.  Preventative grub control can save you a lot of money in the long run.

When grubs kill patches of your lawn, that grass will not come back on its own. Grubs can destroy an entire lawn in a very short amount of time. 

You will generally have to rake clean the debris, then soil and reseed all of the affected areas. 

Getting Rid of Weeds In My Yard

We have all been there - you have a lawn full of pesky weeds. What do you do? We are here to help offer some tips on how to better identify and manage weeds on your property. 

Some weeds can be more aggressive than others. Some are just eye sores, while others cause harm by robbing water and nutrients from other plants. Below we'll cover both weed identification and weed treatment. 

Weed: /noun/ A wild plant growing where it is unwanted and in competition with cultivated plants.