Published on Monday, May 30, 2022
In Iowa, Ascochyta leaf blight is an unfortunate threat that our lawns may have to face. Ascochyta leaf blight is a fungal disease that begins presenting around early June, turning areas of turf straw-colored as it spreads and kills grass. The best preparation for this disease is preventative treatments that will give your lawn a leg up against the fungus as well as professional lawn care to bolster your turf's defenses. If you begin to notice signs of Ascochyta leaf blight amongst ...
Published on Sunday, May 15, 2022
It's hard to believe tiny insects like aphids are capable of inflicting extensive damage to your lawn and landscape. In Iowa, these pests can cause a lot of damage to your lawn and landscape if they're not dealt with in a timely manner. You may notice that your plants are bitten through and discolored after aphids have latched onto them. After they establish themselves on your plants and lawn, it becomes difficult to get rid of them unless you reach out to a professional to...
Published on Monday, May 09, 2022
Dandelions, white clovers, creeping Charlies, and black medics are all invasive weed species in Iowa that tend to show up to bloom in spring. Once established on your lawn, they each can become a nuisance and can be rather difficult to get rid of as they disperse their seeds and continue to spread. Whenever dealing with one or more of these invasive species, it's best to contact a professional to eliminate them from your lawn!
1. Dandelions
The first spring lawn weed you should...
Published on Wednesday, April 20, 2022
It's a good idea to be aware of the pH level of your soil in order to cultivate a healthy lawn. When your soil has a low pH level, meaning it has higher levels of acidity, the growth of your lawn is hindered due to a lack of nutrients. However, there is a way to restore these pH levels in your soil, and that is by way of lime treatment. In short, lime makes soil less acidic, which will allow your plants to grow and flourish in healthy soil! One way to tell if your lawn is in need of a lime...
Published on Thursday, April 14, 2022
Beneath your healthy and vibrant grass is the soil that holds the roots and supports your turf. Soil is the layer in the ground where plants grow and thrive. There are many different soil types, including sand, silt, and clay. Here in Iowa, we have a combination of all 3 soil types. Each has varying drainage capabilities and nutrient compositions, which is why it is so important to regularly test your soil to find out what it needs to help your grass thrive. Learn more about the earth...
Published on Monday, April 11, 2022
The winters we have here in Iowa can take a toll on your lawn, which is why your grass needs all the help it can get as it wakes up from winter dormancy and prepares for the growing season. If you're looking for a lawn care solution that doesn't involve chemicals, core aeration is going to be your lawn's best bet.
Core aeration is a mechanical process that includes pulling plugs of soil from your lawn to reduce compaction. It allows nutrients and resources to easily...
Published on Thursday, March 24, 2022
If you're looking for ways to improve the health and vigor of your turf this spring in Iowa, scheduling an aeration service can do the job. Aeration involves pulling tiny plugs of soil from the ground to loosen compacted soil and allow the roots of your grass to access more nutrients and resources like water, air, and sunlight, which will help it revive itself after winter dormancy. Additionally, aeration equips your turf with the strength to fight off lawn diseases and insects....
Published on Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Brown patch is a fungal disease that commonly affects lawns here in Iowa. As the name suggests, this disease is characterized by the large, brown patches it leaves on your lawn. However, these brown spots can also indicate that your lawn is dehydrated. To figure out which issue your lawn is suffering from, you should first consider your watering schedule and check if you are watering your lawn correctly. Next, you should take a closer look at the brown spots on your lawn to see if they ...
Published on Tuesday, March 01, 2022
Lime treatments are very beneficial for the health of your grass, specifically for lawns with overly acidic soil. Because the soil in Iowa can be mildly acidic, you should also have your soil tested to determine if your lawn would benefit from lime treatments. There are also other things that can cause your lawn to need lime treatments, such as a nutrient deficiency. If your lawn does need a lime treatment, you should schedule it for the late spring or fall for the best results....
Published on Thursday, February 17, 2022
Most property owners know that regular fertilization is an important part of keeping your lawn healthy, especially with the drastic changes between the seasons in Iowa. However, it is not a good idea to fertilize your lawn with no knowledge of the status of your soil. Testing your soil is the best way to figure out what kind of fertilizer you need and how much of it to use so you don't waste any. Soil testing does this by telling you exactly how much of each nutrient is in your...
