![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IMG_1838-1024x768.jpg\")
Interview: Building a Landscaping Business Building a successful business is no small feat, especially in the landscaping industry. You will work hours on end. You will sweat. You will bleed. And you will find after all of that, it was worth every second. This article is the beginning of a series of interviews that we […]
\n","content":"Building a successful business is no small feat, especially in the landscaping industry. You will work hours on end. You will sweat. You will bleed. And you will find after all of that, it was worth every second.
\nThis article is the beginning of a series of interviews that we will be conducting for our readers to gain insight into the daunting world of the landscaping industry.
\nToday’s guest is Chris Sadberry, owner and operator of Big League Landscaping, servicing the North Dallas area. Once Chris’ career in the Minor League Baseball ended, he decided to build his own landscaping business. He’s done everything from tree trimming to mowing lawns and building patios.
\nLike many before me, my journey started by walking target neighborhoods. Most people in the landscaping industry who walk neighborhoods just pin flyers up on homeowners’ doors or mailboxes. After not having any luck with that, I decided to switch things up. I began knocking on doors to introduce myself and tell my story to potential customers. The results were clear: a friendly smile and a firm handshake go a long way when it comes to landing customers.
\nIt’s hard to describe the feeling when you sell your first type of any job. It’s an amazing experience to lock in the first customer.
\nWhen I first started out I bought some cheap business cards off of Vistaprint for around $40. I also had to pay a business registration fee of $25 for the county I wanted to work in. The actual business expenses were minuscule compared to the cost of equipment.
\nI knew it was finally time when I kept running into issues with clients because I would promise too many things to multiple customers and ended up being behind every time. I was failing miserably at the golden rule of sales: under-promise and over-deliver. In order to keep up with the number of new customers coming in, I was basically forced to hire someone.
\nReliability is the first thing that I was looking for in my first hire. I really needed a go-getter who wasn’t afraid to help build the business. Secondly, I needed someone trustworthy in case I needed to leave them to go grab materials or even give an estimate.
\nThe most challenging part is getting past the hump of breaking even. It’s hard when you are just breaking into an industry to charge what the established companies are charging. Majority of companies fail within the first 5 years because they struggle to pay their bills. You can overcome this by putting in hours and hours of walking around neighborhoods after work to keep new business coming in (and knocking on doors of course). You will hear a simple, “No,” the vast majority of the time, but you have to accept it and move on.
\nMy favorite project that we’ve done so far has been a large Flagstone patio that we did in Argyle, TX. We had great clients and really enjoyed providing our services to them.
\n
![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IMG_1839-1024x768.jpg\")
Photos courtesy of Big League Landscaping
\nMy favorite tool would be the shovel. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always enjoyed digging.
\nIn the beginning, there will be a lot of sacrifice from you to build your business off the ground. The end result is definitely worth the struggle in the beginning if you’re someone that wants to be in control of your own destiny.
\nFollow Chris and Big League Landscaping on their Facebook page to keep up with their latest projects.
\nHave more questions about lawn care or landscaping? Visit our Dallas lawn care page for more information.
\n","title":"Interview: Building a Landscaping Business in the DFW","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7777777777777777,"src":"/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/1789c/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/107df/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 320w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/293e9/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 500w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/f2cbb/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 800w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/1789c/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 960w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/4fb49/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 1920w","srcWebp":"/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/1dd6e/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/67b76/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 320w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/8df11/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 500w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/98a65/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 800w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/1dd6e/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 960w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/62477/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 1920w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Interview: Building a Landscaping Business in the DFW | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"c9c780c6-7743-557c-bb63-0e5e53f29266","slug":"a-monthly-lawn-care-checklist-for-houston-tx-homeowners","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/a-monthly-lawn-care-checklist-for-houston-tx-homeowners/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"July 6th, 2018","excerpt":"Keeping a beautiful lawn and garden is less about hiring the best professionals or purchasing the most expensive lawn care products and more about knowing the best time to do certain activities. For example, planting mums in the springtime is most likely going to result in a failure as mums are best planted in the […]
\n","content":"Keeping a beautiful lawn and garden is less about hiring the best professionals or purchasing the most expensive lawn care products and more about knowing the best time to do certain activities. For example, planting mums in the springtime is most likely going to result in a failure as mums are best planted in the fall before any threat of frost sets in. Similarly, watering your lawn during the middle of a scorching, summer day will cause much of the water being lost to evaporation and could often cause your lawn to suffer from water stress.
\nFurthermore, taking care of a lawn and garden will be substantially different in Minnesota than in Florida. While planting out your flower bed in Miami might be possible in early February, you would have a hard time breaking the frozen ground in Minneapolis at that same time of year. Knowing the specifics of your planting and heat zones where you live is important. However, the specific guidelines for the optimum times to do certain lawn and garden activities can vary widely even within certain plant hardiness zones.
\nFor Houston, Texas residents, the average high temperature of 62 degrees in January means that we lived in an extremely privileged part of the country when it comes to maintaining a beautiful lawn and garden year round. The heat and humidity of the summer months, however, can be a challenge for certain homeowners trying to keep their lawn and ornamental gardens healthy and vigorous during those summer heat waves when temperatures in the high 90s are a daily occurrence. Below, we offer a complete breakdown of the most essential summer garden and lawn care tasks for Houston homeowners.
\nWhile much of the country is finally enjoying the arrival of the warmer temperatures of spring, Houston residents have been enjoying average temperatures above 70 degrees since March. One of the most important activities for May is to prepare your lawn for the barrage of hot summer temperatures that are set to arrive. Broadcasting a slow-release fertilizer is a great idea to help strengthen the root systems while also increasing the resiliency of the plant to droughts that can be common in late summer and autumn. Slow release fertilizer formulas designed for lawns, such as 15-5-10 can be spread dry over the lawn. However, the fact that we average well over 5 inches of rain in May should mean that a couple of afternoon showers will help to activate the fertilizer so that it can be best used by the grass.
\nMay is also a good time to control chinch bugs that are reproducing around your home and probably causing damage to your lawn. While there are several pesticide options to control this common lawn pest, you can also use organic controls such as applying diatomaceous earth around your lawn or spraying your lawn with a biodegradable soap that will penetrate the exoskeleton of these bugs and cause them to die.
\nLastly, if you have a decent sized flower garden, it might be a good idea to apply a bit of chelated iron to the base of your flowering plants. The high temperatures of summer can cause flowering plants to suffer from iron deficiency, thus yellowing leaves and sometimes causing the plant to die. A bit of chelated iron will go a long way in helping to avoid this common problem.
\nJune is the wettest month in the Houston area with close to 6 inches of average rainfall. The abundance of rain and warm temperatures usually leads to abundant foliar growth in your ornamental shrubs. Early June, then, is a great time to get out the pruning shears. By pruning back your bushes and hedges early in the season, you can effectively stunt their growth and thus make it easier to keep them the size you want. Of course, subsequent pruning in later summer and autumn will also most likely be necessary.
\nThe early spring flowers that you planted in January and February will most likely be done flowering by June, thus giving you an excuse to replant other flowers. Perennial flowering plants are a great option if you have some extra space around your home. Pink Autumn sage offers yearly pink flowers that are incredibly aromatic and bloom almost year round. They are also very drought tolerant. Another option for perennial flowers is verbena. This plant can flower pink, purple or red, and is a great groundcover for areas around your home that will keep the weeds at bay.
\nLastly, if you have any overgrown trees around your home, pruning large tree limbs might be a good idea before hurricane season begins.
\nDuring July, the heat really picks up in the Houston area. To protect your lawn, it is a good idea to raise your lawnmower to 4 inches height. This will protect the grass against droughts and heat as extra moisture can be stored in the longer, individual blades.
\nIf your lawn has an automatic irrigation system, you will want to run it continuously during July, especially during dry spells. If you are irrigating fruit or ornamental trees in your yard, July is a month when you want to make sure that the root areas of your trees are being slow-soaked at least once a week. If you are using sprinklers, make sure to only run them at night as this will help limit the amount of water you use through minimizing evaporation.
\nAlso, in July you might spot fairy rings popping up around your yard and garden. While these strange looking creatures might cause alarm for some homeowners, they are simply a type of mushroom indicating healthy soil with an abundance of organic matter.
\nAugust is a great time to set out your hummingbird feeders around your garden. Migrating hummingbird species generally past through the Houston area this month and they are a delight for gardeners. You can attract them by simply boiling 4 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar to make a delectable nectar that they will love.
\nAlso, if you have cacti plants in your garden, you will want to let the roots completely dry out before replanting. Digging up fresh cacti roots will usually kill off the plants. Since August is usually the month when most fungal and bacterial infections of plants prosper, you might consider spraying your ornamental and edible plants with a seaweed spray. These sprays are full of essential plant nutrients and will boost their immune systems in order to help them avoid certain diseases.
\nThere are dozens of other activities that could (and should) be done around the garden and lawn throughout the summer. The fast growth of plants and grasses mean that you will most likely spend a fair amount of time mowing and pruning. For garden lovers, however, there is simply nothing better than being outside on a cool, summer evening, watching hummingbirds float through your flowers in full bloom.
\nHave more lawn care or gardening questions? Visit our Houston, TX lawn care page for more information.
\n","title":"A Monthly Lawn Care Checklist for Houston, TX Homeowners","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.499267935578331,"src":"/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/1789c/houston-tx-home.jpg","srcSet":"/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/107df/houston-tx-home.jpg 320w,\n/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/293e9/houston-tx-home.jpg 500w,\n/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/f2cbb/houston-tx-home.jpg 800w,\n/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/1789c/houston-tx-home.jpg 960w,\n/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/a2a79/houston-tx-home.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/1dd6e/houston-tx-home.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/67b76/houston-tx-home.webp 320w,\n/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/8df11/houston-tx-home.webp 500w,\n/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/98a65/houston-tx-home.webp 800w,\n/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/1dd6e/houston-tx-home.webp 960w,\n/static/98bda924c0b1a776ee9e9b67ec0b1749/7aa54/houston-tx-home.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"A Monthly Lawn Care Checklist for Houston, TX Homeowners | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"691e87fe-f65f-5615-bd12-7f4f709e3e1c","slug":"lawn-essentials-the-7-must-have-tools-for-the-diyers-of-the-twin-cities","path":"/lawn-care/mn/minneapolis/lawn-essentials-the-7-must-have-tools-for-the-diyers-of-the-twin-cities/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"9badf8d4-14ba-5471-aa78-425360d9330e","name":"Minneapolis","count":5,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mn/minneapolis/"},{"id":"559d4c6e-5b85-5b4a-86c3-1f1a5351df4b","name":"Minnesota","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mn/"}],"date":"July 6th, 2018","excerpt":"One of the benefits of living in Minnesota is that you get to fully experience each and every season. From Summer to Winter, we get the best, and the worst that mother nature has to offer. For those of us who are really into lawn care, that can be a bit problematic at times. But […]
\n","content":"One of the benefits of living in Minnesota is that you get to fully experience each and every season. From Summer to Winter, we get the best, and the worst that mother nature has to offer. For those of us who are really into lawn care, that can be a bit problematic at times. But all it really means is that you need a few more tools at your disposal to handle any situation that comes your way. Lawn care in the Twin Cities requires you to have a unique variety of items in your garage, not all of which would be found in the garage of residents in say, Florida or Texas.
\nYou might have heard of some of these tools, and others you may not have, but rest assured everything on this list will help you keep your lawn in perfect condition, year round. Let’s take a look at 10 tools that are absolutely essential for anyone in the Twin Cities looking to stay ahead of the game when it comes to lawn care.
\nThis one goes without saying, everybody needs a lawnmower. A good old-fashioned push mower in the range of $100 – $500 is all you need in most cases, but if your yard is somewhat large at all you can opt for a riding lawn mower. These cost quite a bit more, usually in the $1,000 – $10,000 range, but if you aren’t fond of walking every square inch of your lawn every time it needs a trim they can be pretty useful.
\nJust make sure to get a model with floating decks if you’re going to be mowing hills at all, this will allow you to get that beautiful, finished cut without having to come back around with a push mower.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/snow-removal-equipment-twin-cities-1024x682.jpg\")
Photo: rebelcheck.com
\nMinnesota winters are notoriously snowy, and you can count on getting snowed in like you can count on the sun to rise. When this happens, don’t be caught unprepared. Make sure you have some kind of snow removal tool you can count on after a blizzard.
\nWhether it’s a snow blower, a snow plow for your vehicle, or just a simple snow blade for your lawnmower, anything beats trying to shovel your way out of your driveway. Chances are your neighbor might need a hand as well, so it never hurts to have something that can get the job done quickly.
\nIf your lawn is all-natural, you want to have both of these tools lying around. A seeder will help you fertilize your entire lawn quickly, and a sprayer will help you douse those pesky weeds in herbicide to kill them before they spread.
\nA 3-gallon pressurized sprayer should do the trick for most lawns, but if you’re working with more than half an acre of land, you might want to go with a 4-gallon backpack sprayer. Both of these items should be around the $50 range, give or take a few bucks
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/lawn-trimmer-minneapolis-1024x768.jpg\")
Photo: toolcraze.net
\nAnother basic necessity for any lawn care enthusiast, the trimmer allows you to cut down grass in places where your lawn mower can’t reach. This will prevent you from trying to reach those places and ruining the blade on your mower. A good trimmer should cost no more than $400 on the high-end.
\nAn edger cuts the grass that grows over borders like driveway edges, curbs, and sidewalks. You can go with either a stick edger ($200) or a four-wheel edger ($400).
\nThis tool is used for blowing all the stray lawn clippings back into your own yard so you can dispose of them properly. A new model shouldn’t cost more than $500 at most.
\nIf you have hedges, a hedge trimmer is definitely a must-have item. The electric version will probably suit you best, but you might want to go with a cordless one if you don’t have any outdoor outlets or extension cords. You can typically find these for around 100 bucks at your local hardware store.
\nMaintaining your lawn is one thing, but actively caring for a garden or building any kind of project in your yard is another story. For these things, you’ll need a long list of special tools so you can handle anything your yard throws at you.
\nTaking care of a lawn in the Twin Cities is a special task that requires everything from a snow blower to a sledgehammer. Whether you just want to keep your existing yard in mint condition, or you want to make a few additions, the tools on this list are sure to cover every one of your bases. It might cost you anywhere from $5,000 – $10,000, but your equipment should last you a long time and keep you prepared for any lawn care situation you run into.
\nHave more questions about lawn care in Minneapolis or St. Paul? Visit our Minneapolis lawn care page for more tips and tricks.
\nTop photo: swardman.com
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\n","content":"So, fact: Summertime is hot in Texas. I don’t hear anyone arguing!
\nIf you are anything like me, summertime in Dallas always ends up claiming at least one of my plants, as it is annihilated by the heat. It’s a tragic loss, and it is one that doesn’t have to happen! Extreme heat doesn’t have to take another victim! There are numerous steps that can be done to protect your plants from the stress of the heat. It is important not only what you do to protect your plants, but when you do it.
\nBelow are some important steps to take during the summer, broken down by month, to keep your lawns lush and your flowers perky. For sake of this article, we will consider the summer months to be May-September, although we know around it can start earlier and last into “winter.”
\nTo keep it simple, I have narrowed it down to a list of 3 steps that I find to be useful for each month. (According to Live Science, research has found that the mind’s limit to remember is 3-4 things at one time) Several references were used, along with personal experience. If you would like to find a more comprehensive list, one good guide is an article published by the Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Inc.; it contains great advice for our local area.
\nThis list isn’t at all comprehensive, but it is a good start for us garden warriors as we try to fight the warm summer months.
\nStill have questions about lawn care and gardening in Dallas? Visit our Dallas lawn care page to read more articles like this one. Also, comments are highly encouraged!
\n","title":"Dallas Homeowners: Monthly Lawn & Garden Tips","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7777777777777777,"src":"/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/1789c/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/107df/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.jpg 320w,\n/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/293e9/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.jpg 500w,\n/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/f2cbb/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.jpg 800w,\n/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/1789c/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.jpg 960w,\n/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/4fb49/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.jpg 1920w","srcWebp":"/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/1dd6e/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/67b76/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.webp 320w,\n/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/8df11/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.webp 500w,\n/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/98a65/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.webp 800w,\n/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/1dd6e/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.webp 960w,\n/static/f068918da0321ad6b7a6bfcc68c49a4c/62477/summer-lawn-care-dallas-tx.webp 1920w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Dallas Homeowners: Monthly Lawn & Garden Tips | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"3fd329d4-09a2-537a-9b0e-e3e0f10a832a","slug":"a-monthly-lawn-care-guide-for-kansas-city-mo-residents","path":"/lawn-care/mo/kansas-city/a-monthly-lawn-care-guide-for-kansas-city-mo-residents/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"05d0f445-881a-5277-b62a-ce38f7c7af9f","name":"Kansas City","count":6,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/kansas-city/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"}],"date":"July 6th, 2018","excerpt":"If you have a green thumb or are just one for enjoying time spent caring for your yard, you will want to take a look at this month-by-month checklist for Kansas City, MO residents. It can be challenging when gardening and caring for your lawn during the sweltering heat of the summer months since Kansas […]
\n","content":"If you have a green thumb or are just one for enjoying time spent caring for your yard, you will want to take a look at this month-by-month checklist for Kansas City, MO residents. It can be challenging when gardening and caring for your lawn during the sweltering heat of the summer months since Kansas City is not exempt from the powerful rays of the sun. Hopefully, this garden and lawn care calendar can make it easier on you this summer.
\nThe month of May is an important one when it comes to gardening and landscaping in the Kansas City area. You should begin the month by applying fertilizer to the lawn. This only needs to be done if you water regularly throughout the summer. If you let the lawn die during the summer you don’t have to put down any fertilizer.
\nThere are quite a few weeds that sprout during the summer. That’s why you need to apply a broadleaf herbicide for your lawn. Make sure there’s no rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours as water will remove the herbicide. This means you must refrain from watering the lawn for that timeframe as well.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/watering-the-lawn-missouri-1024x682.jpg\")
Photo: lawndoctor.com
\nJune is when the temperatures really begin to climb in Kansas City, which means you will need to start watering. You can get away with an infrequent schedule at this point in the summer. Just make sure you don’t overwater the lawn or you will begin to see fungal growth.
\nIf the grass is thin you will want to increase your mowing height to one inch. The more rapid your lawn grows, the more often you need to cut it. Don’t let it grow too tall or you can risk the development of webworm. Consider mowing at heights of 2.5 to 3 inches in order to avoid scalping the turf.
\nYou need to keep up with mowing the lawn regularly into July. Just try to avoid stressful times of the day, especially when in the middle of a heat wave. You also don’t want to mow too often when in a drought.
\nIf weather conditions continue to be hot and humid you need to adjust how much water you give the lawn and when you give it. Water between the morning hours of 6-10 to avoid the occurrence of disease.
\nYou also need to only provide about one inch of water per week. Divide this into watering two to three time per week instead of daily.
\nIf you come across brown areas of grass you need to search for grubs. If you have anywhere from five to 10 grubs in a small space you can use an insecticide specifically for grubs towards the end of July.
\nAugust is the month in which you need to begin preparing your lawn for the fall season. Even though it will still be oppressively hot and humid this is an important prep period.
\nContinue your mowing, weeding, and insect control into August. If you are considering the complete renovation of your lawn you need to kill the vegetation present using a glyphosate spray in the middle of August.
\nShould you not be too sure about the fertility level of the lawn you can have it tested. If the lawn has been dormant for the summer you can begin watering it during the final week of August so that growth in the fall can begin.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/dethatching-1024x768.jpg\")
Photo: lawncaresg.com
\nSeptember is the best time of year when it comes to fertilizing your lawn. Apply only 1 to 1.5 pounds of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of lawn.
\nIf you are putting new sod down now is the time and you should do it as early in September as possible all while keeping the soil moist. It’s not required that you aerate the new sod but it can be done if needed.
\nTowards the end of the month, you can begin raking, dethatching, and killing any weed patches you find on the new sod.
\nThe end of the month is the best time for you to apply broadleaf herbicides to the lawn.
\nAs you can see, caring for your lawn and garden takes a lot of time and effort. For the best results, follow this monthly calendar in Kansas City, MO each year.
\nStill have questions about lawn care? Visit our lawn care page to read more articles like this one.
\nTop photo: trulia.com
\n","title":"A Monthly Lawn Care Guide for Kansas City, Mo Residents","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4803392444101773,"src":"/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/1789c/kansas-city-house.jpg","srcSet":"/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/107df/kansas-city-house.jpg 320w,\n/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/293e9/kansas-city-house.jpg 500w,\n/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/f2cbb/kansas-city-house.jpg 800w,\n/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/1789c/kansas-city-house.jpg 960w,\n/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/4fb49/kansas-city-house.jpg 1920w","srcWebp":"/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/1dd6e/kansas-city-house.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/67b76/kansas-city-house.webp 320w,\n/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/8df11/kansas-city-house.webp 500w,\n/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/98a65/kansas-city-house.webp 800w,\n/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/1dd6e/kansas-city-house.webp 960w,\n/static/93fcc15794bd97ffc41421981893e8f6/62477/kansas-city-house.webp 1920w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"A Monthly Lawn Care Guide for Kansas City, Mo Residents | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"ca3eaa6b-b4ce-5743-b3de-bc4b5e30d8a8","slug":"florida-homeowners-how-to-rid-your-lawn-of-mosquitos","path":"/lawn-care/fl/florida-homeowners-how-to-rid-your-lawn-of-mosquitos/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"July 5th, 2018","excerpt":"If you live in Florida, odds are you’ve heard at least one news story this summer that warned about the viruses linked to mosquitos. While these warnings may be redundant, the fact is that mosquitoes made a home in the humid, rainy state of Florida a very long time ago. Adding a copious amount of […]
\n","content":"If you live in Florida, odds are you’ve heard at least one news story this summer that warned about the viruses linked to mosquitos. While these warnings may be redundant, the fact is that mosquitoes made a home in the humid, rainy state of Florida a very long time ago.
\nAdding a copious amount of bug spray may help, but the best thing you can do is get proactive and make your lawn a nightmare for these pesky creatures. Mosquitos tend to only travel about half a mile from where they hatch, so if you can get them out of your lawn you can get them out of your life. At least your home life!
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/flooded-backyard-florida-1024x768.jpg\")
Photo: irrigationtech.com
\nA cheap and effective way to ward off mosquitoes is getting rid of their breeding grounds: that is standing water. Do not underestimate where these nuances can lay their eggs, they are not anything if not resourceful.
\nItems around the yard to be aware of:
\nIf you own a pool, which is understandably a must for some Floridian homeowners, keeping mosquitoes out of the pool comes down to pool maintenance. As long as the pool is up to date in its treatments, mosquitoes will not lay their eggs there. During extended times when the pool will not be in use, a pool cover will need to be secured tightly around the edges.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/lemongrass-florida-1024x731.jpg\")
Photo: extension.msstate.edu
\nA great way to keep your garden free of mosquitos is putting in plants that naturally repel mosquitos. One of the best ways to maximize these plants natural repelling oils is by cutting off some of the leaves and snipping pieces around your yard.
\nThe most effective plant repellent is lemongrass and any close relatives. Research is still underway for other plant repellents, but lemongrass is a proven strategy.
\nFemale mosquitoes are the sole gender to feed on blood. Male mosquitoes feed on nectar from flowers. Placing mosquito repellent plants around the garden can keep the mosquitoes from feeding on any of the plants.
\nAlong with sitting water, clogged gutters and cluttered flower pots are prime real estate for mosquito hatchlings. These areas tend to become very moist when not properly cleaned and eventually encapsulate sitting water. It is recommended that homeowners clean their gutters at least twice a year: once during late spring and once in late summer or early fall. If there are an abundance of trees on the property, that recommendation climbs to every three months.
\nRaking regularly during the fall season to the summer season is very important in getting rid of excess debris. Flower pots should also be tidied up, along with emptying the saucer underneath if there is one.
\nOverwatering plants or grass will lead to excess water alluring to mosquitoes. Experts recommend only watering a lawn twice a week at an overall inch during summer and spring in order to keep grass flourishing. Any plant that requires little water can also be a great addition to the yards disassociation of mosquitoes and its overall aesthetic.
\nIt is slightly un-American to not yearn after a perfect lush green lawn, but that can be troublesome in the fight against mosquitoes. However, a surefire way to get that extra moisture to a minimum is watering the lawn in the morning. Watering in the morning allows for the lawn to soak in the water before the sun is in full fledge, but it also allows time for the sun to evaporate excess water before sundown. Watering the lawn at night will cause an excess of moisture leading to mosquitoes and can even cause fungus or disease in your yard.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/lawn-mower-florida.jpg\")
Photo: pixabay.com
\nMosquitoes love the heat, but interestingly they are prone to overheating. They take cover in overgrown grass during the day and come out at night to hunt. Lawn experts recommend mowing the lawn once a week during the summer for overall lawn health as well as diverging critters from extended stays.
\nHave questions about lawn care? Visit our Florida lawn care page or share your thoughts in the comments below.
\nTop photo: nytimes.com
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