Plant City Lawn Service Guide
Plant City and the surrounding communities are rapidly growing. New residents are heading south from northern states and finding their new roots in homes in and around Plant City, FL. Many new residents are unaware of how the climate shift can affect many of their usual annual activities, such as lawn care. Lawn care and maintenance in the southern states differs in some ways from the change of seasons that the northern states experience. In fact, one of the main differences between areas like Plant City, FL and New York or Pennsylvania is that your lawn now needs more work for more days out of the year. In any case, we have put together a brief lawn service guide to help new residents get acquainted with their lawn’s needs in Florida. Defining Lawn Service So, what is lawn service? Lawn service consists of all the tasks that are done to maintain your lawn. From mowing to string trimming and everything in between, lawn service is at the foundation of every great property. And at the core of lawn service is knowing the type of lawn you are dealing with and what needs to be done to promote growth and vibrancy. Comparing St. Augustine & Kentucky Bluegrass The most common type of grass in Plant City and most of Florida is St. Augustine, which is much different than the Kentucky Bluegrass that is used in many of the northern states. Why is it important to know what type of grass is growing on your lawn? Every type of grass has specific needs and requirements to maintain optimal health. The St. Augustine species is meant to be mowed at a height of 3.5 to 4 inches versus the Kentucky Bluegrass of the northern states which is maintained at a height of 2.5 to 3 inches. St. Augustine grass is a favorite in the Plant City region because of its hardiness, which is necessary to withstand the harsher climates faced in the south. Furthermore, upon inspection, the difference between St. Augustine grass and Kentucky Bluegrass is obvious. The blades of Kentucky Bluegrass are finer than that of the thicker and more course blades present in St. Augustine grass. When Lawn Services Start In Plant City & What Is Included Spring lawn services in Plant City, FL and surrounding communities typically kick off in the early parts of March. When you invest in lawn services for your property, you are getting everything you need to protect the health of your lawn while also promoting a well-maintained property. And, getting the proper start in the Spring can be the key to the longevity of your lawn. Lawn care services from a professional service like Creative Edge Landscape & Lawn Care LLC of Plant City typically include the following: Mowing the entire property following the one-third rule String Trimming in areas where mowers cannot reach, such as around fence posts, perimeter of landscape beds, and hard to reach corners. Edging along the border of hardscaping, such [...]
Preparing Your Yard for a Hurricane
Why is it important to know how to prepare your yard for hurricanes? Well, experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have predicted the 2020 hurricane season to be an active one. An average season typically has about 12 name storms, while the NOAA predicts approximately 13-19 named storms for 2020, which includes a seasonal outlook of 6-10 hurricanes and 3-6 major hurricanes. Just in the first month of this hurricane season alone, there have been six named storms (Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, and Fay). This breaks records for the earliest we have seen this many named storms during the hurricane season. Now is the time to prepare your property. Mitigate or avoid potential damage from any storms passing through the Lakeland area. Minimize Property Damage with Tree Services When is the best time to do tree services to prepare your yard for hurricanes? Yesterday would have been ideal, but now will have to suffice. Waiting until a hurricane or severe storm is forcasted to hit your area is already too late, because that is when people will begin calling for tree services. Call now and save yourself the worry and the hassle. Tree Trimming & Removal One important preparation that needs to be done is tree trimming. Removing unhealthy or dead branches is imperative. Branches can fall or become projectiles during severe weather and can then damage yours or your neighbor’s property. Tree removal may also be necessary depending on the condition and placement of the trees on your property. Tree removal becomes a necessity for trees that are: Diseased Already dead Pose a threat of major damage to a home, fence, or vehicle Trees on your property not only run the risk of falling into structures on your property, they also run the risk of creating severe injuries or even fatalities. Consider a professional evaluation of the trees on your property and take the route of safety as a precaution. Protecting New Trees If you’ve recently installed trees on your property, take safety measures to ensure no damage is done to them during the storms. Newly planted or young trees should be properly staked into the ground with 2x4s. It is important to hire a professional to stake your trees to the ground because they know the proper depth to drive the stakes. If done improperly, both the tree and the 2×4 can become hazards during a powerful storm. Take Time to Check Your Entire Property for Potential Hazards You do not want to leave this until the last minute! There are too many other storm preparations that need to be done when a severe storm baring down the Lakeland area. Drainage Areas These areas should be checked and made sure that all debris is cleared. A blocked storm drain or drainage area can create worse flooding problems. If water backs up onto your property and creates loose soil, the root systems of nearby trees may not be able to keep the tree properly anchored. This leads to falling trees [...]
Lawn Maintenance Guide for New Residents in Lakeland, FL
Lakeland is a booming area with a lot of new construction in the area. From new homes and luxury apartment buildings being built, to the renovations of the Publix supermarket at Plantation Square in North Lakeland, the area is welcoming its share of fresh homeowners.However, many of these new homeowners are previous residents of northern states and are unfamiliar with the environment of Lakeland and the surrounding Central Florida areas. They are also inexperienced with the lawn maintenance needs of their grass in this climate. That is why we are providing this lawn maintenance guide for new residents.Common Types of Grass Found in Lakeland NeighborhoodsThe two most prevalent species of grass that you will find in Lakeland neighborhoods are Bahiagrass and St. Augustine. Both species thrive in warm, southern regions and grow best around coastal areas with constant sun and mild winter temperatures. They can also grow in a variety of soil types.St. Augustine grass requires a bit more care than Bahiagrass. But to care for either type of grass you need proper mowing, fertilization, and adequate watering for your lawn to flourish.Bahiagrass is more drought-tolerant, so it needs less water and fertilization. However, it can be destroyed by over-fertilization or over-watering, so working with a professional for your lawn care can be crucial for the survival of your Bahiagrass. This is also important advice from our lawn maintenance guide.New residents from northern states may not realize lawns in Lakeland, Florida must be installed using sod rather than growing from grass seeds. This is due to the sandy nature of the soil found in the area.Bahiagrass & St. Augustine Basic Lawn MaintenanceLawn maintenance is vital to caring for your grass, no matter which type your lawn has. Lawns with either Bahiagrass or St. Augustine should be mowed once per week during the growing season and every two weeks during the off-season.Mowing should be performed properly to promote healthy growth of the lawn. This includes alternating mowing patterns and following the golden rule of lawn maintenance: The one-third rule. Professionals will tell you that the one-third rule will maintain a healthy, thriving lawn by cutting only one-third of the blade height during a single mow session.Both mowing techniques ensure that your grass blades are gaining all the nutrients they need from water and photosynthesis, while also keeping the grass standing tall, strong, and hardy.Proper Lawn Maintenance is the Foundation of Fighting Lawn DiseaseLawn disease can take over your property in an instant and some of these diseases can prove extremely hard to get rid of or repair your lawn from. Some of the most common diseases found in the Lakeland, FL region include:Dollar SpotBrown PatchFairy RingRoot RotLeaf Spot FungusConditions that Promote Lawn DiseaseThere are a number of scenarios that can lead to lawn disease. This can be especially true for homeowners who are not familiar with the climate and the necessities for their lawn. Lawn disease can occur from:Underwatering or overwatering your lawnImproper fertilizingCutting the lawn too shortIn Central Florida, humidity is high, and rainfall is plentiful. One of the most common issues with lawn disease is [...]
Lawn Maintenance Secret Weapon to a Healthier, Greener Lawn
There is an important aspect of lawn maintenance that is underrated when it comes to a healthier, greener…using sharp mower blades.Sharp mower blades are essential to trimming the grass blades properly. This helps to prevent damage to your lawn.The Effect Dull Mower Blades Have On Your LawnAs a local Lakeland, FL lawn maintenance company, we practice proper mowing techniques that include having sharp mower blades. The weather in Central Florida can be tough on our lawns. Making sure your grass is cut properly is critical to your lawn’s health.Mowing your lawn with dull blades creates split ends, which hinder the growth of your grass, and can also lead to:Lawn discolorationLawn diseaseGrass being pulled up during mowingRagged-looking grassHow The Cut From Mower Blades Influences PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis is such an important part of growth when it comes to your grass. During the process, your lawn produces the food it needs with the help of proper sunlight and water.Mower blades that are dull leave ragged cut that prevents the grass from properly going through its routine photosynthesis.Having your lawn cut at the right height with sharp blades will cause it to flourish. Your lawn will go through photosynthesis more efficiently.When your lawn is more efficient at producing its nutrients through photosynthesis, it will be stronger and greener. Your lawn will also resist better against lawn disease, pests, and droughts.Ensuring A Successful Growing Season With Sharpened Mower BladesSpring is coming in fast and the mowing season in Lakeland, FL is just around the corner. This means that weekly lawn mowing is about to begin! Mowing your lawn weekly does a great deal for it and results in that vibrant, beautiful turf we all know and love.Mower blades should be sharpened on a regular basis to ensure your lawn’s growing season is successful. Those sharp blades will result in a clean, crisp cut to the grass which will protect it from damage.Mowing with sharp blades prevents having your grass torn from the soil.Get your lawn looking its best by calling us now!At Creative Edge Landscape & Lawn Care, LLC we are experts in Lakeland, FL lawn maintenance and we take proper care of our equipment all year long.We regularly sharpen the blades of all the company’s mowers to give you the finest lawn services available anywhere. Give us a call at (863) 880-1355 to bring our professional crew on the scene and get a healthier, greener lawn.
Prep Your Landscaping for Spring with These 3 Actions
Aside from lawn mowing, there are a few tasks to get your lawn ready for spring that will promote desirable and lush growth on your property. With springtime around the corner, residents across Lakeland, FL should begin considering what they need to do to prepare their lawn. We recommend three actions that will ensure strong, healthy lawns, landscape plants, and trees: Tree Pruning Lawn Fertilization Mulch Installation I. Tree Pruning Tree pruning needs to be done at the right time of the year to make sure your plants, trees, shrubs, and hedges are growing properly. Before the start of the growing season in spring is the prime time for pruning in the Lakeland, FL area. This landscape maintenance technique preserves the health of your trees by selectively removing dead or diseased branches. As a comparison, pruning is an essential part of keeping your shrubs and trees healthy while trimming will keep them looking aesthetically pleasing. With regards to tree pruning, the healthier your trees and landscape plants are, the less likely they are to cause damage during a strong storm or hurricane later in the year. Creative Edge Landscape & Lawn Care, LLC is a licensed and insured landscaping company that can get your lawn ready for spring. We ensure your trees, plants, and lawn get a healthy start to the growing season. II. Lawn Fertilization The best way to make sure your lawn has the proper nutrients it needs is to practice good lawn fertilization techniques. Fertilizer treatments are needed to help strengthen your grass and prevent other problems from occurring on your lawn. Furthermore, providing your lawn with proper nutrients helps the grass to be more efficient in photosynthesis. Photosynthesis, the process by which your lawn produces the food it needs to grow, is aided immensely by the nutrients provided from fertilizer. Lawn fertilizer provides three key nutrients to your lawn: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. These ingredients, when balanced properly, provide your lawn with what it needs to create stronger and deeper root systems. Fertilizing your lawn in the spring to prepare it for the growing season will bring your property many benefits, including: Better water absorption Insect and lawn disease resistance Ability to endure drought easier Strengthen your lawn to withstand foot traffic Weed prevention III. Mulch Installation Did you know fresh mulch should be installed on an annual basis in your landscaping beds, or that it should be installed at with a depth of 1-2 inches evenly? Some homeowners and business owners in Lakeland, FL are unaware of the impact fresh mulch has on their property’s aesthetics, or for the plants and flowers that live in the landscape beds. Fresh mulch offers a number of benefits for your landscaping, including: Temperature control for the underlying soil Protection from direct sunlight, which can damage the roots of your plants and flowers Moisture retention Helps to prevent the growth of weeds Adds color and vibrancy to your landscaping beds Mulch options are plentiful, and an array of colors and types can be chosen for your property. To maintain [...]
5 Reasons Why Tree Services Are Important In Lakeland, FL
Tree services such as tree removal and tree trimming are no easy tasks. In fact, the taller the tree, the more risks you run of causing serious injury to yourself or damage to your property by trying to handle it yourself. Both tree removal and tree trimming should be handled by a licensed and insured professional. Tree services are performed for more than aesthetics. Here are five reasons you should consider hiring professional tree services for your Lakeland, FL home or business. 1. Property Safety Trees are wonderful to have on your property until they become a liability. As trees age and get larger, they are more likely to drop branches. In addition, large branches are more likely to fall during strong winds and rainstorms, like what we can experience periodically in Lakeland, FL. Falling branches are a danger and a potential hazard for any part of your property or any person in the range of the potential falling branch, and can mean trouble for both homeowners and business owners. Routine services for your trees will enhance safety around your property. Trimming tree branches before they have a chance to fall is going to keep your property much safer. In some instances, trees with an unacceptable level of risk need to be removed. 2. Tree Diseases Dying or diseased trees can become hazards on your property. In addition, their structural integrity is compromised as the disease spreads, making it a hazard for dropping branches or completing falling. A tree coming down will create greater damage and injury to your property. Call a professional to determine if the diseased tree is unsalvageable. A decision may be made that the tree needs to come down. Determining the health of the tree is critical in figuring out how to properly care for your diseased tree. 3. Pest Infestation Unhealthy trees and plants attract pests. Proper pruning and tree trimming services will enable the tree to grow stronger and thicker and fend off against pest infestations. On the other hand, diseased or dead trees and left-over tree stumps can attract a variety of these pests, including beetles, termites, and ants. These pests can eventually find their way into your home. If you have dead, dying, or diseased trees and stumps on your property, it’s time to call a tree/stump removal company. 4. Property Protection Sometimes we cannot see the entire tree and the damage that may be lurking right under our feet. Large trees tend to have large root systems under the ground. These roots continue to grow as the tree grows, which can cause problems down the line. Structures on your property may become damaged if a tree grows uncontrollably. Roots have been known to cause significant damage to: Sidewalks Driveways House foundations Other concrete structures If you find a tree is within the proximity of damage on your property, contact an expert to inspect the tree to see if tree removal will be necessary. 5. Storm Preparation Lakeland, FL is no stranger to the threat of hurricanes. In the past, Hurricane [...]
Lawn Service Tips to Save Your Dying Lawn
One of the most common questions we receive from homeowners throughout Lakeland, FL at Creative Edge Landscape & Lawn Care, LLC is, “Can I save my dying lawn?”. That depends. The first task in saving a dying lawn is to get to the core of what is causing it to wither to begin with. Your lawn could be dying due to one of the following circumstances: Insects Fungal lawn disease Overwatering/Under-watering Drought conditions Insects That Harm Your Grass There are several insects that can be harming the grass on your property, but some of the most common are armyworms, grubs, and cutworms. Armyworms Armyworms are common fall pests that eat many types of grass. They are the larvae stage of a moth and it is possible for them to eat the grass blade all the way down to the dirt. While armyworms may rarely kill a lawn, they can cause serious damage to parts of your property and these pests need to be controlled. Grubs You’ll know grubs are on your property if you find yellowing and dying patches of grass around your lawn. These patches of dead grass frequently occur when grubs are present. You can easily check for grubs by gently tugging on your grass and pulling it up—if they have caused damage the grass will be easy to pull up. Cutworms Cutworms are small caterpillars that dig into the ground. During the night, they come out of the ground to feed on the blades and shoots of grass. Since they often feed in the same area, the damage is confined, but present. You’ll know you have cutworms if you see depressed spots or circles of dead grass in your yard. Lawn Service Tip: Take Pest Control Measures The easiest way to solve an insect issue with your lawn is to establish which pest is causing it so the appropriate pest control measures can be taken to care for your lawn. This includes the use of insecticides and also maintaining the proper height for your grass so that your lawn becomes less of a tempting target. Fungal Lawn Diseases Fairy Ring, Brown Patch, and Dollar Spot are some of the most common fungal lawn diseases that occur in the climate found in Lakeland and other Central Florida communitites. Brown Patch An aggressive fungus that spreads in patches of up to several feet is Brown Patch. It is mostly found during the fall. This fungus is frequently caused due to heavy, consistent rainfall. Fairy Ring Fairy Rings tend to appear repetitiously year after year in the same spot. This fungal disease spreads rapidly among the roots of your lawn and results in 3-foot to 20-foot rings of dead grass. Fairy Rings deplete the nitrogen in the grass and produce a substance that hardens. The result is that it keeps water from reaching the roots. Dollar Spot You’ll notice Dollar Spot on your lawn by its distinguishing patterns of dead circular patches. Dollar Spot kills down to the roots and spreads quickly into large patches. Dollar Spot is common during [...]
Best Lawn Care For Fall in South Lakeland, FL
Before long, October and November will arrive and usher in some of the cooler weather of Fall. If you live within Lakeland Highlands, Medulla, Eaton Park, and surrounding communities in the South Lakeland, Florida area you will start to notice a slow down in your lawn’s rate of growth. This will cause a change in your lawn care needs. Also, there’s a window of opportunity for some fall lawn care tasks to be performed before your grass goes dormant for the winter. Before going any further it should be explained that, for the purposes of this article, the term “lawn care” will be used holistically. We won’t use the term to refer to things such as fertilization, weed control, and pest control. In this article, we will talk about fall lawn care and lawn maintenance tasks that will fortify your grass before and during dormancy. The result will be a lush and green lawn in the next growing season. Changes in Your Lawn Mowing Routine For Fall During the growing season, which is typically from March or April until October for areas in Florida like Lakeland Highlands, Medulla, and Eaton Park mowing should take place weekly. However, when your grass slows its growth down starting around late October or early November, your mowing schedule should change to bi-weekly. By switching to a bi-weekly routine, you will avoid any undue stress to your lawn from mowing sessions that aren’t needed. That said, from a lawn care perspective, it is important to maintain your lawn at the optimum height for the species of grass you have. This will keep it healthy and help with crowding out weeds. How Fall Affects Your Lawn’s Irrigation Needs If you live around the Medulla, Eaton Park, Lakeland Highlands, or other sections of South Lakeland you may have realized how there is less rain in the fall than there is during the late spring and summer months. This of course means that you need to adjust your irrigation to suit the needs of your lawn for the fall. Generally speaking, you will need to water your lawn more frequently. A good indication within lawn care circles that your grass needs water is to look at the color of it. By paying attention to the color of your lawn, you can tell if it needs water. If you notice that it is changing into different shades of green, then it’s an indication that irrigation is needed. However, if your lawn stays a more consistent green and looks healthy, it is not in immediate need of watering. One other thing to keep in mind is that the timing of your irrigation may also need to change. During winter, there is a short period of time in Central Florida when the temperature might dip down to the mid to low 30s Fahrenheit at night. If you water your lawn in the evening or early morning you could cause harm to it. During this period it is best to water your lawn during the mid-day when temperatures are at their warmest. [...]
5 Tips That Will Always Keep Your Trees Healthy
A damaged tree is not only dangerous but looks ugly on your garden or compound. This is why you have to always make sure you have healthy trees around your home. You can either call a professional tree service provider (US!!) or do it yourself. So here is a look at the 5 tips to keep your trees healthy and looking good.TrimmingApart from just adding beauty, removing old or dead branches and growth will also give room for new branches to grow and make your tree look vibrant. If properly done, tree trimming makes your tree look greener, lusher and healthier. But make sure not to remove too much of the dead or unruly matter. This may stunt growth.Know when to maintainYou will notice that those neighbors who always have cleaned yards do it most of the time. Well, the secret is knowing when to maintain the trees in your yard. For instance, September and November are the most beneficial months to do a yearly check-up on your tree. At this time, trees stop growing because they near winter months.SpacingThis is one of the most crucial tree service tips for those who have too many. When you have many trees, some will tend to block the sunlight from others. Trees need to enjoy the sunlight to be healthy. In the case of mature trees, you should consider calling a tree removal professional.Water effectivelyMost people assume that mature trees will always thrive in existing soil and moisture conditions. However, this may not happen when there is an extended drought. So to always have healthy trees in your yard, you should water effectively so that they can be more resilient when the drought is extreme.Protect the barkA tree is only healthy because its back is still intact. This acts like the armor and damaging it makes it easy for bacterial or fungal infection. When attacked by infections, the tree will eventually start rotting from the inside. You can protect the back by diverting a stream of water from directly hitting the trunk, pruning out branches that rub against the bark or steering the mower and other lawn equipment away from the trunk.
7 Signs Your Lawn Needs Professional Landscaping Help
Has your lawn seen better days? Maybe your landscape needs some serious help? If so, you probably could benefit from hiring a professional landscaping service. They will give you a helping hand to get your lawn to its full potential. If this doesn’t convince you that your lawn needs help, here are 7 signs that might help change your mind. Seven Signs You Need a Landscaping Service Your grass is brown: If your beautiful green lawn changed to brown, chances are you are doing something wrong. Landscaping Expert can help bring that grass back to life. This is your best bet to get your green luscious lawn back. Your landscape is overgrown: If your shrubs and trees are overgrown, it’s time to do something about them. Grooming your Landscape will help improve its health and longevity. Your landscape is outdated: If it’s been years since you have changed your landscape design, you might want to rethink your yard’s look. The winter has not been kind: If your landscape is ravaged by the cold from the winter month’s, it’s time to hire a few landscaping experts. They can help bring it back from the brink. You hear complaints from your neighbors: When your neighbors start complaining about your lawn, it’s a sure sign that you need to do something fast. You have a very large lawn: If your lawn is more than a half-acre, maintaining it by yourself might be tiresome. Larger lawns can be a real hassle to take care of. You will need commercial sized equipment to help as well. You are overrun with pests: If you have pests such as rodents and insects invading your landscape, you will need some major help getting rid of them. Hire Landscaping Experts Today Now that you know your lawn needs some professional help, why not hire someone today? With spring just right around the corner, meeting your lawn care needs early is smart. This will allow you to enjoy your yard all season long!