EARLY SPRING 2005 ONLINE NEWSLETTER

Welcome to a new season of Royal Greens lawn care. We will be here to answer your questions and help solve problems as they arise. You can call the office to speak to someone during office hours or leave a message anytime and we’ll return your call. Be sure to leave your name and a phone number where you can be reached. Our website is another way to contact us. It is checked several times daily. The web address is www.royal-greens.com. It also contains program information and past issues of Royal Proclamations.

Your Lawn

Crabgrass control is the most critical issue at this time of year. Because crabgrass has such a long germination period, it is difficult to achieve 100% control all season long. Today’s application which included pre-emergent crabgrass control (unless otherwise specified) will aid in providing season-long control.

This year we are adding a second application of pre-emergent control with your late spring treatment. The product that we use is the most effective on the market.

If you edge your sidewalks, driveway, etc, you should continue to do so all season. Once you have broken the barrier, crabgrass and other weeds will germinate in the cracks. Continued edging will keep the weeds in check.

Proper mowing height is very important in preventing crabgrass germination. All cool season grasses such as bluegrass, ryegrass and fescues should be mowed at 2 1/2 - 3 inches.

Mowing too short stresses the turf grass causing it to thin out and allow more sunlight to reach the soil surface. This in turn provides a better germination bed for crabgrass and weed seeds.

Should I collect my clippings?

Whether you collect clippings or let them lie has been a debate for years. Recent research has concluded that leaving the clippings lie will actually put some nutrients back into the soil. Our only word of caution is not to allow the grass to get too long between mowing. Leaving piles of grass clippings on your lawn can smother and kill the grass and produce thatch build-up.

If you decide to leave your clippings, we recommend a good mulching mower or mulching kit for your mower. Collecting your grass after mowing will give your lawn a cleaner appearance: however, it is extra work and the debris can be a disposal problem.

Spring Mower Check

• Sharpen or replace blades

• Install new spark plug

• Clean the air filter

• Change oil

• Put in a new supply of gas

Your Ornamentals

What plants should I prune now?

The proper timing for pruning plants is very important. Some general guidelines to follow are:

• Plants that flower in the summer should be pruned in winter or spring

• Plants that flower in the spring (azaleas, rhododendrons) should be pruned immediately after the flowers drop

• Broadleaf and narrow leafed evergreens can be pruned at any time

• Deciduous trees that considered “bleeders” (maples, birch, dogwood, elm, walnut and yellowwood) should be pruned in the summer or fall to prevent bleeding.

A word of caution - If you aren’t sure, don’t prune it until you find out. Improper pruning can cause severe damage to a plant.

able as long as you follow a few basic rules. Never mow more than 1/3 off the leaf blade at a time. Always mow with a sharp blade. Mow between 2 1/2 - 3”.

Remember - the proper mowing height is 3 - 3 1/2 inches.