With the weather warming and the days getting longer, the 2017 lawn care season is just around the corner.  This is the time to get your lawn ready for when the grass begins to green up and starts to grow.  Here are a few tips to get your yard ready for spring.

1. Clean up the yard.  Pick up leaves, twigs, and anything that is laying in the yard.  Lawn waste and debris will prevent your grass from growing and cause bare spots in the yard.

2. Fertilize the lawn.  WHAT?!  The grass is brown and still dormant.  Do I really need to fertilize the lawn now?  Well, yes you do.  There are typically two parts of a fertilizer application.  One is the herbicide that tackles the weeds specific to that time of the year.  The second is the fertilizer - grass food.  If your yard didn't have a Winterizer Application applied last fall, the grass is going to wake up this spring very hungry.

3. Mow the lawn.  I always mention this because when the weather warms up, people get excited to get their first lawn mowing of the season.  It is OK to cut the grass so that you can get the lawn nice and even.  Then wait.  Let the grass green up and grow.  Only after you have more than 1/2" of grass growth will it be ready for the next mowing.  And never, ever, mow your grass too short.  The taller the grass, the healthier and weed-free it will be.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us by clicking the "Contact Us" button below.  We'll be happy to answer any lawn care questions you many have.

Each year I attend lawn care seminars and clinics to keep up to date with new lawn care products and techniques in the industry.  In my last seminar, one speaker did a short presentation about Radon.  He went over the gas levels in our area and the effects the gas has on adults and children.  In addition, he provided links to each states Radon program.  I though this information was would be of interest to you as my clients and wanted to provide each states program website:

Missouri Radon Program Website: http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/index.php
Kansas Radon Program Website: http://www.kansasradonprogram.org/home    

There are various ice melt products on the market for you to choose from.  There are basic ice melts like sodium chloride (rock salt) to advance blends such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride.  Each product melts ice at different rates and temperatures, but also affects the environment around them in different ways as well.  Be sure to read the label and any precautions listed for the ice melt product you intend to use.  Seek out and pay special attention to how the product affects or can cause damage to the surfaces you intend to treat, how the product can damage or kill grass or plants in your landscapes, if the product is dangerous for children or pets, and the appropriate application rates and frequencies.  With a little research, you will find the safest and most appropriate ice melt product for your needs.

Mole trails are below the ground and Vole trails are above the ground.  Step on the trail and if you feel a sinking of the ground under your feet, the trail is a mole.  If you do not feel a sinking feeling, the trail is a vole.