Knowing the Dirt on Your Clay Soil

Flowers are blooming and wisps of summer are in the air. Like most people you probably have countless tasks to complete before the real heat of summer hits. Things like planting your vegetable garden can become quite the task with sticky wet clay soil. Below are some tips and tricks to help with the struggles that come with having clay soil.

Tips and Tricks

When it comes to soil most people in Northern Utah have clay soil. This soil is often considered hard to work with, has problems with drainage, and gets compacted easy. Clay soil has its cons, but it also has a lot of great properties like making plants stronger and storing lots of water. There are also things you can do to help your clay soil with some of the common problems it faces.

Clay soil is made of many tiny soil particles. This allows the soil to hold in moisture and nutrients better. It also gives the roots of plants more things to hold on too. This helps the plant survive extreme temperatures and conditions. Because the plant has a good grip on the soil it does not come out of the ground easily and the roots can reach greater depths in search for water that is stored in the particles. 

Because clay soil holds moisture it can cause problems when working with it. If the soil is wet when you till or try to dig in it, it is going to cause the soil to become compacted. Not only that but it sticks to everything and can create quite a mess. It also can hold on to more than just water and fertilizer. It can often hold salts that can be harmful to plants.

A few things you can do to help prevent some of the problems is incorporating compost into the soil. This will help the soil release extra water that is not being used. The bad thing is that you need to add compost consistently from year to year and it can take 5-10 years before you see better results. Water your lawn less frequently for a longer. This will allow the soil to dry out a little between watering's. Consider doing a core aeration to reduce compaction and help the lawn drain better. Doing different soil amendment service, like our Soil Enrichment service, can help with the soils structure.

Be Aware Of

1. You should have your water on. With the dry winter we had your lawn could use a good drink. Right now you should water 1-2 times a week for 45 minutes for rotary sprinklers and 20 minutes for pop up sprinklers.

2. Grub season is quickly approaching. With the warmer weather the beetle larvae are quickly become more active. Right now, is a perfect time to put down a grub preventative to stop the damage before it happens. Grub damage appears as browning patches in the lawn that are commonly thought to be watering problems. If the browning areas pull up easy like patches of carpet it is likely that you have a grub problem. Click the link to find out how we can help you fight grub.

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Spring has Sprung

Spring is here and with that comes so many wonderful things. Outside is waking up and new life is growing everywhere. One of the prettiest things that has started to grow is flowers. With so many beautiful flowers blooming everywhere, it would be nice if we knew how to take care of them. Below are some tips and tricks to consider when planting your own flowers. 

Tips and Tricks

It's time to start thinking about flower beds and flower pots. Annual plants are plants that live their entire life cycle in one year. You should start planting your annual flowers after the last spring freeze. This is typically late April to mid-May depending on where you're at.

After the first freeze, it is time to prepare the soil you are going to plant your flowers in. Whether you're planting in a pot or in the ground having the proper soil can make or break your flowers. You want your soil to be loose and not too wet. Add organic material such as grass clipping, leaves, and peat. Also add a high nitrogen slow-release fertilizer to make sure the flowers you plant have the nutrients they need. 

Now that your soil is ready for plants you need to choose the best plants for your area. If the area is shaded most of the day pick plants that prefer the shade. Make sure the plants you choose will thrive where you plan to put them. When picking plants choose ones that look healthy with lots of foliage. It is more important for the plant to have thicker foliage than a lot of flowers when buying them.

When planting your flowers, it is best to plant in the mornings or evenings when it is cool. This helps to reduce the amount of transplant shock. Try not to break up the roots of the plant when pulling them out of the container to plant them. You should plant them about as deep as the pot they came in. If you plant them deeper, it can encourage disease and if you plant them higher it can cause the plants to fall over. Keep the soil around the plant damp for about a week until the roots have become established. You should water your plants when the top inch of soil is dry once the plant is established.   

Be Aware Of

Sod Webworm Damage

This is the time of year you could start seeing webworm problems with your lawn. It is also the time to start applying preemergent to help prevent weeds from coming up in your yard. For more information on these problems and other common lawn problems this time or year follow this link to one of our previous blog posts.

  

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Wake Up Big Green Giants

Spring is quickly approaching and with that comes countless tasks to complete in your yard. Spring cleanup, tree care, and fertilizing are just a few. Don't get lost in the busyness of the season. There is also some fun holidays coming up like Easter. Follow this link for some fun DIY Easter décor ideas. Here are a few tips and tricks for your trees this spring.

Tips and Tricks

Spring is the perfect time to care for your trees. Your trees have been dormant for months and could us some care to get started for the spring. Here is a tree care checklist to make sure your trees are prepared for the rest of the year.

1. Clean up around your tree. You want to make sure there is no garbage or debris around your tree. It is also the perfect time to weed around your trees because the ground is still soft. Remove all holiday lights from the trees. Check your tree for any abnormalities or damage sustained over the winter. You want to clean around your trees to make the next steps easier.

Mulching Around Tree

2. Mulch around your tree. Mulching around your tree helps reduce the amount of weeds that grow around the tree. It also helps the tree retain more water. Your mulch should be 3 to 4 inches deep around the tree. The mulch should be 18 to 24 inches out from the tree.

3. Water your tree. You want to water your tree to prepare them for the upcoming dry season. For trees that are over three years old don't water them close to the truck because the roots have spread out from the trunk. For trees that are under three years old water them close to the trunk because the roots haven't had enough time to completely spread out. You will want to water your tree deeply and less frequently because the root are 18 to 20 inches below the surface.

Tree Pruning

4. Prune your tree. Early spring is the ideal time for pruning your tree. You want to prune before the tree comes completely out of dormancy. Pruning in the spring is also easier because you can see the tree better because it hasn't gotten it's leaves yet. For more information about tree pruning follow this link to one of our previous posts. 

5. Fertilize your tree. Trees store nutrients from the previous year but fertilizing in the spring will provide them an extra boost to start the year out strong. 

Tree care can be a little overwhelming. If you are unsure of the best way to perform any of these steps or if your tree has a specific problem that needs to be addressed contact your local arborist. 

Be Aware Of

Snow Mold

Your lawns should start becoming snow free. Snow mold is a possible problem you might have once the snow has melted. Snow mold is a lawn fungus. It commonly appears in shaded areas and under heavy snow coverage. The best way to get rid of it is to lightly rake the area and fluff up the grass. It will go away as it starts to dry out. For more information on snow mold follow this link.

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Happy Plants, Happy Life

It feels like we haven't seen green growing plants in years but it's only been months. House plants could be the cure and bring a little spring and summer to your home. Let's put our green thumbs to use while we wait for our beloved lawn and gardens to not be covered in snow. Here are some tips and tricks about keep your house plants happy and healthy. 

Tips and Tricks

Taking care of house plants can seem like a daunting task. You may think that you do not have enough light to sustain plants or you're forgetful when it comes to watering. The great thing about house plants is that they can be very forgiving, and most are very easy to care for. He are a few steps to consider when caring for house plants. 

1. Make sure your plants have the right amount of light. Some plants need high light and some need low light. Make sure to pick plants that will thrive with your light availability. 

2. Don't over water your plants. Most house plant only need to be watered once or twice a week at most. House plants tend to thrive when they are a little more dry.

3. Make sure the leaves of your plants stay clean. Dust and dirt can build up on the plant and block out the sun.

4. Make sure to remove leaves and flowers that have died out.

5. Choose a spot in the house that has good airflow and no drafts.

6. If the leaves start to brown on the tips it could be caused by low moisture. Misting your plants or using a humidifier can help with this problem.

7. Watch for problems with your plants. If you start seeing bugs on the plants, rinse the bugs off or consider using an insecticide. 

8. Apply fertilizers. You can use water soluble or granular fertilizers. Make sure to follow directions very carefully to avoid harming the plant.

9. If you notice roots coming out of the bottom of the planter or if it is drying out faster, it is time to repot your plant. Move up one pot size at a time. 

Remember that most house plants are actually tropical plants. Your goal is to make them feel like they are in their natural environment. If you are unsure of what kind of plants are best for your space, follow this link for a list a plant that thrive indoors.  

Be Aware Of

Even though it is winter your lawn still needs some care. Be careful of where you pile your snow and the amount of ice melts and salts you use to prevent damage to your spring lawn. For more information on how to care for you lawn this winter follow this link to our previous blog post about snow removal and ice melts.

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Bring on the Snow

The new year is here and with that comes exciting goals and plans for the upcoming year. Is one of your goals to have the best lawn in the neighborhood? Even if it is not one of your goals, here are some things to look out for this winter that could affect your spring lawn. 

Tips and Tricks

It is a common misconception that snow is bad for your lawn. People often wonder if the snow is killing their lawn or helping it. While lawn diseases like snow mold happen more often with snow coverage, your lawn actually has less risk of damage. Snow coverage helps insulate the lawn, protecting it from freezing temperatures and keeping it hydrated. Here are some common problems your lawn could face without snow coverage.

• Direct low temperature kill is damage that occurs when sudden or lasting temperatures are below 23℉. Because the grass plant is mostly water low temperatures cause freezing, damaging the grass. When water molecules freeze inside the grass plant they expand and explode causing damage. Damage is not always deadly to the plant but can be in some cases. 

• Crown hydration is damage that occurs in the later months of winter. It is caused by warmer days melting ice and snow with rapid freezing at night. The crown of the grass starts to take up as much water as it can as the ice and snow melt. This causes high levels of water in the grass plant which freeze when temperatures drop at night. 

• Ice damage happens when rains and poorly drained areas freeze. Damage is not usually critical unless freezing continues for 30-120 days. Your grass type will determine when freezing becomes critical. Kentucky Blue Grass tends to be hardier than Fine Fescue and Ryegrass. Freezing is damaging because the grass cannot take up the water that is needed and it traps high levels of carbon dioxide which become toxic to the plant. 

Often times, you will not know how much damage your lawn has sustained until spring when the lawn starts to come out of dormancy. If your lawn sustained light amounts of damage it will repair itself in the spring months. For cases of heavy damage consider aerating and seeding your lawn. This will help replace areas that have died out. 

Be Aware Of

Winter desiccation

Winter Desiccation Damage

happens when your lawn cannot supply enough water to keep it alive throughout the winter. When there is no snow coverage to protect and hydrate the lawn drying winds often deplete the grass of water. In severe cases the lawn can die. Winters with small amounts of snow put your lawn at a higher risk of water desiccation.  

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Do's and Don'ts this Winter

It's that time of year. The snow is falling, and our favorite holidays are right around the corner. It's been days or weeks since you last saw your lawn because of the snow, which makes it easy to forget about it. What you may not know is your lawn still needs your attention this time of year to be healthy next spring. Here are some tips and tricks on how to care for your lawn in the winter. 

Tips and Tricks

Clearing your sidewalks and driveways of snow is an important safety measure in the winter. However, be aware of where you are piling your snow for the winter. Placing all your snow in large stacks around your sidewalk and driveway can be damaging to your lawn. As the snow piles up it creates more and more pressure on the ground beneath it compacting your soil and grass. 

Compacted soil can cause your lawn to struggle getting oxygen, water, and fertilizer. Try spreading your snow our more evenly instead of all in one area. If you are unable to spread out your snow and the ground does become compacted, consider getting a core aeration in the spring to relieve compaction. Snow removal can have other damaging affect to your lawn. Click here to find out more about how to prevent damage to your lawn. 

Ice melt or rock salt is a commonly used product to clear and maintain walkways and roads. Products designed to melt ice typically contain salt which can be damaging to your lawn. As snow and ice melt it washes the ice melt to the edges of the lawn. In the spring as the ground heats up the salt is absorbed into the ground causing an excess amount of salt in the ground. The salt reduces the amount of water in the ground and grass blade. This can cause browning and burning to your grass.    

Common signs of too much salt are browning along the edges of walkways and driveways when the rest of the lawn is starting to green up. If you do notice browning edges you can hand water the areas with extra water to help flush the salt from the area. If you have flushed the area and things are still not greening up, consider reseeding the area.

The best way to reduce damage from ice melt and rock salt is to prevent it from happening. Shoveling snow before it has time to turn to ice will reduce the amount of ice melt you need to use. If you do end up needing to use some ice melt use it sparingly and follow directs on how much should be applied for your area. Also, use ice melts with low amounts or sodium. The less you use ice melt the higher the chances of not have damage to your spring lawn. 

Be Aware Of

1. 

   Snow Mold

   Snow mold is a common fungus that can set in during the winter. Shaded areas and areas you pile snow are common places for snow mold to develop. You usually do not know that you have snow mold until the spring when the snow melts. If you do notice patches of lawn with snow mold lightly rake the area and fluff up the lawn to help eradicate the snow mold. 

Looking for a healthy, green, and weed free lawn?

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Time to Trim the Tree

Winter is here and before thoughts of the holidays fill your head, remember your trees need some help this fall and winter. It is easy to forget that your trees need help to prepare for winter just like your lawn does. Here are some tips and tricks to help your trees.

Tips and Tricks

Tree pruning can be an intimidating task if you are not a trained professional. There are three reasons you should consider pruning your tree. 

Tree Pruning

• First, for the health of the tree. If the tree has diseased limbs and branches it is best to prune them out to keep the tree healthy.

• Second, for hazards caused by the tree. This could be things like the tree growing into power lines or unstable branches hanging over a house.

• Third, for the form of the tree. This is the process of removing specific branch to shape the tree and encourage it to grow in certain directions. 

Once you have decided that your tree needs to be pruned, make sure it is the correct pruning time for your tree. The best pruning time is late winter early spring. You should prune your tree once it is completely dormant. Remember that no more then 25-30% of the canopy should be removed per season, with the exception of dead material. Major pruning jobs may take a season or two to complete. Be aware that certain types of tree come out of dormancy after being pruned. Fall is not always the best time to prune your tree because it can delay dormancy. You should only consider pruning trees in the fall if the tree has a disease or a hazard. 

Make sure you have the right supplies for pruning your tree. Pruning shears and a pruning saw are the best tools for the job. Other things like anvil pruners are also acceptable. Bow saws tend to make pruning harder because the handle gets in the way. Never use a chain saw to prune your tree. 

Now that you know your tree needs to be pruned and you have all the supplies, you need to decide the best way to prune your tree. Remember that you do not want to leave any stumps or cut too deeply into the trunk or branch that the limb is connected to. For more information on how to prune you tree correctly follow this link. For help with pruning fruit tree, follow this link. Or contact a trained professional. 

Tree Fertilizing

Tree fertilizing is also an important thing to do for your trees. Forests are full of natural nutrients that the trees get from fall leaves, sticks, and other environmental factors. Trees throughout your yard typically do not have access to those kinds of things due to raking up leaves and things like that. When applying fertilizer for your tree make sure it is a slow release fertilizer. The fall fertilizer applied to your tree will help root growth and give it the nutrients it needs to recover from the summer months. For help with tree fertilizing click here.

Be Aware Of

1. Fall and winter is a great time to start thinking about fixing up your lawn mower. This time of year, when you are not using your mower, gives you time to sharpen your mower blade, balance your mower blade, change the oil, and any other repairs that have been put off. Maintaining your lawn mower will prevent the blades of grass from taring next season and ensure that everything is mowed to the proper height. Check out this link for help maintaining your lawn mower.  

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