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Thawing Out Your Lawn: A Casual Guide to Spring Recovery Post-Freeze Damage

2/6/2024

1 Comment

 
​So, your lawn's looking like it just survived a deep freeze, huh? Brown patches, grass playing dead, and an overall "brrr" vibe? No worries – we're here to help you thaw out your outdoor space and have it looking sunny in the spring after it's been through a freeze-induced winter slump. In this laid-back guide, we'll spill the beans on how to revive your lawn and have it basking in the post-freeze sunshine.
Picture of lawn with frost damage
lawn with frost damage
Getting to Know the Freeze Drama

Before we embark on this lawn-recovery journey, let's get cozy with the drama your lawn went through during the freeze. Picture this: soil turned into a rock-hard popsicle, grass roots wrapped up like winter burritos, and your lawn becoming the neighborhood ice queen. Understanding these issues is like getting the inside scoop – it'll guide your comeback strategy and help you show your lawn some serious love.

Lawn Inspection Time
Grab a cup of something warm, and let's take a stroll around your yard. Spot any spots that look like they've seen better days? Brown or dead grass, soil as hard as frozen yogurt – take note of it all. And keep an eye out for any unwanted guests like pests or diseases that hibernated in your lawn.

Poke Some Holes – Lawn Aeration Style
Your lawn needs a post-freeze massage, literally. Rent a lawn aerator and let it do its thing, poking holes in the soil like it's giving your lawn a spa day. This helps the soil loosen up, allowing water and nutrients to defrost and mingle with the grass roots. Think of it as your lawn's hot tub party.

Throwing a Grass Seed Mardi Gras
Your lawn's going to need some new friends – grass friends, that is. Pick up a quality grass seed blend that vibes with your region and your lawn's personality. Spread that seed like confetti, making sure it gets cozy with the soil. This will fill in the bare spots, bring the grass back to life, and give your lawn some serious springtime swagger.

Fertilize Smart, Not Hard
Time to feed your lawn, but don't go overboard – we're not trying to stress it out more. Grab a balanced fertilizer, the kind your grass would appreciate, and sprinkle it like you're seasoning a hearty winter stew. Follow the instructions, and for the love of all things green, water the lawn after. It's thirsty, you know?

Watering Wisdom
Watering is an art form, my friend. Forget about sprinkling like you're in an ice fight. Your lawn prefers deep sips, not shallow sips. Water early in the morning – it's like a sunrise for your grass. And if you're really fancy, invest in a smart irrigation system. It's like having a lawn butler that knows exactly when to defrost the crew.

Mowing: Grass Haircuts, Not Stressful Makeovers
Your lawn's hair needs a trim, but don't get scissor-happy. Raise the mower blade, let the grass hair grow a bit taller. Longer grass means less evaporation, deeper roots, and an all-around happy lawn. And keep those mower blades sharp – your grass deserves a clean, stress-free cut.

Evicting Unwanted Lawn Guests
Pests and diseases crashing the post-freeze party? Show them the door. Keep an eye out for weird stuff – discolored or damaged grass, suspicious patches – and consult the local gardening whisperer for advice. Integrated pest management is the cool way to handle these party crashers, combining a bit of everything to kick them out.

Pampering the Soil
Your soil needs some love too, you know. Introduce it to organic matter – compost, well-rotted manure, the good stuff. Spread it over the lawn like a cozy blanket and rake it in. This is like a spa treatment for your soil, making it the envy of the neighborhood.

Zen Mode: Patience and Consistency
Recovering your lawn isn't a sprint; it's a thaw. Don't rush it, and don't go all out with treatments that might stress out your grass even more. Keep an eye on the progress, make tweaks as needed, and enjoy the journey. Your lawn will thank you in its own green way.
Picture of lawn recovered from frost damage
lawn recovered from frost damage
Turning your lawn from a freeze hangover into a sunny haven is a laid-back process that requires some chill vibes and a bit of effort. Poke some holes, throw a grass seed fiesta, fertilize with care, water like a pro, give your grass a post-freeze spa day, and kick out any unwanted guests. With a bit of patience and consistency, your lawn will be the life of the neighborhood party in no time. So, grab your gardening gloves and let's get that lawn back to its lush, green glory – because every lawn deserves a warm comeback!
1 Comment

Landscaping Baton Rouge - Landscape Cleanup

2/9/2014

4 Comments

 
It is time for landscape cleanup as the temperatures start to rise.  Below is a ten item check list to get done before spring. With these landscaping items complete, you will be well on your way to having a great looking lawn and landscape.
landscape cleanup baton rouge louisiana
Before cleanup and landscaping.
landscaping baton rouge
After cleanup and landscaping.

Top 10 Ways To Cleanup Your Landscape For Spring

  1. Pressure washing - winter can cake on the dirt and grime to your exterior walls. Rent, borrow or hire and clean your home and driveway.
  2. Winter Cleanup - Cut back all the winter die-back on your tropical plants. Tropical plants and ornamental grasses really need this.
  3. Pull and replace dead plants - winter can be a tough time on your plants. Replace them now before the get stressed from the heat of summer.
  4. Winter weed control - Weeds in the winter do not grow as fast, but they can take over if left alone.
  5. Prune roses - Valentines day and George Washington's birthday are great times to prune your roses.
  6. Dead head flowers - Pinching off withered blooms will make way for new blooms.
  7. Plant spring annuals - start checking the stores for the early batches of spring flowers.
  8. Lawn aeration - aerating your lawn will get your grass looking great in the summer.
  9. Fertilize your garden - a slow release fertilizer now will get your flowering shrubs to pop out.
  10. Landscape mulch - a good new layer of mulch is essential to having your home look well kept.

Professional Landscape Cleanup

GreenSeasons will have your lawn and landscape looking amazing, just give use a call. We provide landscape cleanup services in the greater Baton Rouge, greater New Orleans, Slidell, Prairieville, Walker, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Baker, Zachary, Hammond and Covington areas. If you need your landscaping cleaned up, just click here and we will give you a call. 

If you would simply like some additional advice, please contact us and we will be more than happy to help.  
4 Comments

Landscaping In The Winter

1/9/2014

7 Comments

 
tree pruning
Most take a complete hiatus from their yard in the cold months. It is a great time to stay inside and stay warm. There are a few things you should pick a warm day to go out and take care of to make your lawn and landscape look much better when spring rolls around.

Tree Pruning

The best time to trim most trees is in the winter. They won't have nearly as many issues from heat, insects and fungus in the winter as they would in the spring or summer. Pruning trees also encourages better growth on existing branches when it warms up.

Cutback Winter Damage on Plants

landscape winter cutback
Tropical plants look very brown in the winter. Remove the dead parts so the tropical plants can start anew in the spring.

Fertilize and Apply Pre-Emergent

annual poa in grass
Do not use nitrogen rich fertilizer in the winter. Use a potassium rich fertilizer fertilizer instead. Additionally, include a pre-emergent that will target the weeds that pop up in spring. Treating them now with a pre-emergent will prevent the weeds from ever sprouting and being seen. 

Mulch and Install New Trees

Mulch your landscape beds once all the leaves have fallen. It will keep your landscaping looking fresh when everything else appears drab. Also, planting a tree now will give it time to adjust to the climate more easily than being planted when it is hot. This will help to ensure it has time to take root and grow.

Professional Landscaping

GreenSeasons is a top class professional landscaper. We provide landscape services in the greater Baton Rouge, greater New Orleans, Slidell, Prairieville, Walker, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Baker, Zachary, Hammond and Covington areas. If you would like landscaping work at your home, just click here and we will give you a call. 

If you would simply like some advice on landscaping, please contact us and we will be more than happy to help.  
7 Comments

How To Adjust Soil pH

10/27/2013

1 Comment

 
adjust soil pH baton rouge louisiana
The big three for growing plants are sunlight, water fertilizer. The fourth component most home gardeners (and professional landscapers) need to focus on is the pH, or potential Hydrogen ions, of their soil. All it takes is a soil test from either your local garden center or agriculture co-op. There have been many good plants ruined simply due to the soil not being tested. Once you have the results from your pH soil test, check your plants' optimal pH range and see if they match up. If they do, great! If not, prepare yourself of a slow soil correction with your yard. Fall a great time to get started adjusting the pH of your soil.

How To Raise Your Soil pH

Add lime, usually the smaller form the better it will be absorbed. 
Apply at three months or more before you plant.
Mix the lime into the soil. If you are liming your lawn, aerate first.Use the amount recommendations on the bag you have bought. Do not attempt to raise your soil pH more than 1.0 point per year.
Make sure your soil is getting watered. The water is what activates the lime to raise your soil's pH.

How To Lower Your Soil pH

Add sulfur. There are different forms of sulfur, some work rather quickly while some take a long time.
As a rule, you will want to use a form of sulfur to lower your soil's pH slowly. Forms of sulfur that lower your soil's pH quickly can be harmful to plants.
If you are adding sulfur to your lawn, aerate first.
Use the amount recommendations on the bag you have bought. Do not attempt to lower your soil pH more than 1.0 point per year.
Irrigate after adding sulfur to make sure all of the sulfur has been washed off your plants since it can burn plant material it touches.

Professional Landscaping Advice

Wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, gloves, dust mask and any other personal protective gear recommended by the label of the products your are applying.
Read and follow the product label.
It may take you years to adjust your soil pH to where you want it to be.
A little lime goes a long way. Remember, lime is a key ingredient in cement, don't harden your soil unnecessarily.
If you soil is very alkaline, you may not be able to lower it to your desired level. Consider different plants or bringing in soil for a landscape bed in that area.

Professional Soil pH Adjustment In Louisiana

GreenSeasons will your soil's pH for you. We provide landscaping, lawn care and pest control services in the Greater Baton Rouge, Greater New Orleans, Slidell, Hammond and Covington areas. If you would like your soil's pH tested and adjusted, just click here and we will give you a call. 

If you would simply like some advice, please contact us.  
1 Comment

Tree Fertilization

2/27/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture

WHEN TO FERTILIZE A TREE?

The best time to fertilize a tree is in spring with the next best time being late fall. Trees are actively absorbing nutrients and moving sap through their trunk during the spring. The tree will perform better if the nutrition it needs is in the soil. We do recommend a soil test so you will know what your soil is lacking. Be sure to mark down the type of tree before sending your test off so you can get proper recommendations on what should be added to benefit your tree to most.

how often to fertilize a tree ?

Smaller and younger trees can be fertilized every year. Normally older large trees only need to be fertilized every two years. They typically do not need to be fertilized more than that unless they show signs of damage. Damage would usually be caused by insects, fungus or a severe drought in previous years.  If you are currently in a drought, please do not try to fertilize your tree back to health. If the tree needs water, fertilizer will actually cause your tree to get worse. Think about what would happen to a human who was severely dehydrated and ate to cure their dehydration.

HOW TO FERTILIZE A TREE?

First we need to discuss where the fertilizer is going to go. This may seem like common sense, but this is an area where most people mess up. On a large tree, the area from two to three feet from the trunk of the tree to one to two feet past the drip line is the place you want to apply fertilizer. On a small to medium tree, stick to the whole area from two inches from the trunk to the drip line. The drip line would be the place on the ground the water would drip from the tips of the branches furthest away from the tree trunk.
  • Tree Fertilizer Spikes: If you have just a few small to medium sized trees, these actually do a really good job. They provide your tree the fertilization it needs. Usually these are put out in a grid with equal spacing, simply follow the spacing instruction on the package. Mark your irrigation and outdoor lighting first to make sure you don't accidentally damage it with the spike. 
  • Deep Root Fertilization: This is the best method of fertilizing trees. Mychorrhizal fungi soil drench and preventative insecticide can be added which will further help your tree beyond regular fertilization. Every injection point also loosens the soil which allows air and water to move more free to the roots. The problem with this method is it requires professional equipment that is out of reach to nearly all home owners.
  • Granular Fertilizer: Do not use granular fertilizer on a tree. It will get absorbed by any other plants growing on the soil. Instead of a stronger tree you will probably have really green grass or really big weeds. 

WHAT TYPE OF TREE FERTILIZER

Organic fertilizers and amendments are naturally occurring  Examples are peat moss, compost, saw dust, bone meal, manure. These will not only increase the nutrients in the soil, but will help reduce compaction and allow water to be held better. These fertilize the soil as they decompose so it is less of an immediate effect.  The good news is they will be there for a while so your tree will continue to benefit from them for much longer than alternatives. They also contain less salts than inorganic produced fertilizers.  
Inorganic fertilizers are cheap and scientific so you know exactly what you are getting. These are the most widely used for tree fertilization and get the job done.

Three things we recommend are nitrogen, mychorrihizal fungi drench, and a systemic insecticide labeled for your tree.  Aside from that, you should rely on the soil test results. Be sure to retest the soil near your tree every four to six years to see how you need to adjust your fertilization plan.
*If your tree has a fungus problem, treat the fungus before fertilizing as fungus will thrive on nitrogen.  



If you live in the Greater Baton Rouge, Greater New Orleans or anywhere in Southeast Louisiana, please feel free to call us at 225.752.2333 and have us help you in person.
2 Comments

The Secret to a Great Lawn : Aeration, Top Dress, Overseed 

2/15/2013

8 Comments

 

LAWN PREPARATION

Picture
  • Have your soil pH tested.  After aerating is a great time to add nutrients to the soil.
  • Look into adding a mycorrhizal fungi drench after aerating to really have your yard looking great.  
  • Mow your lawn to the lowest recommended height for your turf type.
  • Lightly irrigate your lawn 30 minutes prior to aerating.  This will help make core aeration easier.

CORE AERATION

Picture
This is one of the best things you can do for your lawn.  It reduces soil compaction and thatch by removing small plugs of small plugs of soil throughout your yard.  This allows more movement of air, water, beneficial insects and microbes.

When to aerate your lawn
You should core aerate in early spring, shortly after your warm season grass begins to green up. In the spring, be sure to irrigate your yard for the next week to ensure it does not dry out.  The other time to do this is in the fall after it has started to cool down some.  I do not recommend doing this in the middle of summer since grass can get stressed due to the extreme heat and lack of rain.

How to aerate your lawn
You can rent a machine to do this from nearly any rental store.  If you have a large piece of property, there is a version you can drag behind a tractor or four wheeler. Do not use a tine aerator or spiked shoes, they actually compact the soil more. This can be a pretty physical task, so if you may want to look into hiring someone if this seem a bit much for you.

Use the machine in the same pattern as you would to mow your lawn.  Make three to five passes in spring but only one to two passes if aerating during the fall.  If you are aerating soil that is mostly clay, you will want to use a rake to remove as many of the plugs as you can.  Other soil types are fine to leave on the lawn. The aeration cores left on your lawn will go away on their own when it rains or your water your lawn.


TOP DRESSING

Why top dress
  • Top dressing is great for leveling out uneven areas and low spots.
  • It reduces compaction in high traffic areas.
  • It is also an excellent way to keep your lawn healthy with a "working in" of fresh soil.

What soil to add

  1. River Silt - We recommend river silt for most people in the southern Louisiana area.  It is easy to get and it is most likely the soil used to plant your lawn originally.
  2. Peat, Loam, Sand Mix - You can mix in a combination of peat, loam and coarse sand if you have a need for it with your lawn.
  3. Compost - If you can find it (or make it), compost is a great option to topdress with. Be sure to use less of it with Centipede and St. Augustine grasses.  Unfortunately, there are not many suppliers in our area that we have found that will supply a high quality product you can order in bulk for a reasonable price.
  4. Sand - Sand is also a acceptable in a few situations. Unless you work on a golf course, it is not recommended in most situations.
  5. Bed Builder - We don't recommend using bed builder or a lot of anything with a large amounts of organic matter since centipede and St. Augustine do not respond well to excessive amounts. This also has poor drainage and will lead to a muddy yard that holds water.
  6. Manure - Do not use manure. Trust us!


How to top dress
Top dressing is pretty simple.  Get soil, throw soil, repeat, rake when finished.  Below are a few ways to get this done.

The Hard Way
Wheelbarrow, a shovel and a rake.  Simply move it to the area you want to spread it and use the shovel to fan it out. Estimate it will take around three pounds of top dressing per square yard.  Keep the added soil to an added level of 1/4" to 1/3" inch. Much more than this and you will run the risk of killing some of your existing grass. When you are finished, you will need to use a rake to remove the soil that is resting on top of the grass itself. As you may notice, this will take a lot of time and Tylenol. The average size yard will take one person two or more days to finish.

Picture
The Better Way
If you can find one, rent a top dressing machine. While you still have to load the machine and rake the remaining loose soil, it will make this project unbelievable easier.  The flaw in this plan is these are hard to find since most people do not do this to their yard.

The Easy Way
Hire a lawn company specializing in top dressing to do it.  While this option is more expensive, it will save your weekend plus the days of recovery afterwards.


OVER SEEDING

Why overseed
If your yard is healthy and full, don't worry about overseeding.  Keep good cultural practices and doing what you were doing to keep it healthy in the first place. If your lawn is starting to thin or if there are other grasses growing, overseeding will help with both.

When to overseed
The best time to overseed is during the growing season for the seed you are putting down.  For us this is between spring when temperatures are above 68 degrees and the early summer. You can still overseed in the middle of summer, but the grass will have less time to establish before winter and it will take more water due to the excessive heat.  There is some debate on whether to overseed before or after top dressing. I tend to favor doing it after since there is a rick of burying it too deep if you overseed before top dressing.
Picture
Overseeding in spring and summer
Bermuda - Great for overseeding
Zoysia - Great for overseeding
Centipede - Only do this is there are are bare spots throughout your yard.
St. Augustine - Do not bother overseeding. If you have bare spots, use sod.

Overseeding in fall and winter
For all types of grasses, use a low growing rye grass to overseed your lawn in late fall. It will keep your lawn green all winter and will die off when it gets warm in spring.

How to overseed
You can overseed using a push spreader. Simply fill up the spreader, use the settings on the bag and keep a constant pace. Be cautious of where you spread the seeds (your flower beds) since grass will grow there.


JUST ADD WATER

Water your lawn immediately after and try to get a good five inches of water penetration into the soil.  You will need to keep your lawn irrigated daily for the next half of a month to make sure the seeds germinate.





If you live in the Greater Baton Rouge, Greater New Orleans or anywhere in Southeast Louisiana, please feel free to call us at 225.752.2333

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    Charlie Casselberry

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