Monthly Archives: March 2018

Grass Types and the New England Climate

Grass, hydroseeding

If someone asks you what type of grass you have growing in your lawn and your answer is “green,” then you may want to do a little research to find out what type of grass you have and how to care for each type. Different types of grass grow best according to certain factors such as: climate, shade, soil moisture level and environment in your specific yard. Let’s take a look at grass types and how to care for each.

New England is known for its picturesque landscape and changing climates. Due to factors such as rocky soil, freezing cold winters, sweltering hot summers, and everything in between, choosing a grass seed that is appropriate and will grow well can be a challenge. Here are three types that may do well in your yard. Check out the characteristics and qualities to see if it may be right for your yard.

Perennial Ryegrass Characteristics

  • Has a medium-coarse texture
  • Fast growing usually within 5-7 days
  • Tends to not survive more than a few years without careful care and pest control techniques
  • Grows well in a wide variety of climates and is a popular choice for overseeding warm season grasses
  • Leaf undersides are shiny and smooth
  • Often blended with other grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass

Fescue Grass Characteristics

  • Comes in two types – tall and fine
  • Fine fescue is well suited for conditions of shade, low soil moisture, low fertility, and soils with unfavorable pH levels
  • With proper care, fine fescue can last for years without getting bare in spots
  • Often blended with other cool-season turf grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and sometime ryegrass
  • Germinates in roughly 14-18 days, and will fill in “bald spots” in the lawn as it grows

Kentucky Bluegrass Characteristics

  • Quick-growing, hearty seed that germinates within 18-21 days
  • Great for filling in bare patches during the cool months
  • Fairly resistant to disease and wear
  • Areas that are damaged or high traffic areas can fill in on its own
  • Grows best in full sunlight, but mixing it with a fine fescue helps increase shade tolerance

Call Pro-Tech Lawn Care if you need help deciding what type of grass seed your property would do best with. Call us at (603) 382-9644 or Toll Free: (800) 313-4733, or visit our website.

 

Signs of a Great Lawn Care Company

Lawn Care

Google the phrase “lawn care” and hundreds of pages will come up with names galore, some of them with years of experience and some who are novices. How do you find a great lawn care company that will be there when you call, provide exceptional care, and have experience with a wide array of lawn care issues? Pro-Tech Lawn Care is proud of our 40+ year reputation as a reliable, experienced, and local, family-owned business pest control business. Here are some suggestions when you are looking for a great lawn care company to manage your lawn care needs.

 

  • Ask Around – Word of mouth is one of our best methods of meeting and keeping new customers. Our loyal customers mention us to neighbors, friends, and family. So ask around your area to find out who the people you trust the most would recommend. Include in your search an examination of online reviews and social media sites to see what people are saying. Remember to look at how the company dealt with complaints as well as compliments.
  • Find Out About Services – A good lawn care company should have the ability to handle all sorts of issues that may face your lawn and garden including: tree disease, grass disease, tree and shrub problems, wildlife invasions, pests and stinging/biting insects. Treating and preventing these issues should be a part of the services offered. If the companies you are looking for can’t address and solve all of these issues then maybe you should continue looking.
  • Get to Know the Team – When searching for a great lawn care company, get to know the team by having them give a free estimate for any issue you may be having. During that time find out what training, licensing, certificates, and experience the team member has. This should give you a good idea of the scope of expertise.

 

Call Pro-Tech Lawn Care if you are looking for a team that will not only treat your lawn care issues but also help you prevent future issues with proper care. Call Pro-Tech Lawn Care at (603) 382-9644 or Toll Free: (800) 313-4733, or visit our website.

Think Ahead and Prevent Pests this Spring

Lawn and Tree Pests, Seasonal Yard Maintenance

Sure, the weather is still cold outside and the growing season is still a little ways off, but now is the perfect time to start thinking about pest prevention for your lawn and garden. Now is the time for planning so that grubs, fungus, tree diseases, and pests in general do not find a way to ruin your beautiful lawn/garden this year. Here are some suggestions of how you can think ahead and prevent pests this spring.

 

  • Drainage – Last year, did your lawn or garden have a drainage problem? Were there puddles in some areas and dry patches in others? Drainage problems can be caused by many things such as excess thatch, compaction and other reasons. The problem with poor drainage is that it makes your lawn vulnerable to pests who thrive in wet, moldy environments. Have a lawn care expert evaluate your lawn early this spring to see what can be done about your drainage issues.
  • Fertilization and Aeration Problems – Red Thread, probably one of the more common grass diseases, can be caused by nitrogen deficiency and lack of air circulation down to the roots. Do your grass a favor this year and get on a schedule for proper fertilization as well as start the season off right with proper ventilation through aeration for your lawn.
  • Proper Pest Treatments – Think ahead and plan pest control treatments so that grubs, mold, fairy rings, and any of the hundreds of other grass diseases don’t take hold of your lawn this year. Pro-Tech Lawn Care has excellent programs to keep your lawn healthy all growing season.
  • Wildlife Prevention – If you had a problem with critters getting into your garden, trash barrels, or digging up your property last year, plan ahead by building proper fencing for your garden, buy locking barrels, or talk to a pest expert who can evaluate what is attracting the wildlife to your yard.

 

Do you need help planning for this spring? Call Pro-Tech Lawn Care at (603) 382-9644 or Toll Free: (800) 313-4733, or visit our website.

Mower Prep

Lawn and Garden Tools, Lawn Care

The mowing season is almost here! The topic is enough to make every “green thumb” out there giddy with excitement. Yes, it is almost time to start caring for your lawn and garden again. Is the most important tool you have, your mower, ready to go? Here are a few things to check before revving up that engine and taking it out for the first mow of the season.

 

  • Spark Plug – Every year, without fail, you should change the spark plug. This can be something done during an annual tune up at a repair shop or done by the homeowner him/herself.
  • Blade Sharpening – Again, either during a check up at a shop or in your own garage, check the sharpness of the blade. Each year, blades should be sharpened so that it does not pull at the grass, but rather cut precisely.
  • Oil Change – Hopefully at the end of last season you drained the oil and disposed of it properly, but if that was not the case, do it now. Start each season with fresh oil and add more as needed.
  • Clean it! – While the blade is off during sharpening and the oil is being drained, now is a good time to clean the undercarriage completely. Make sure all the debris, dirt, and grass is cleaned out of every crevice to start the season off right.
  • Lubrication – The start of every season is also a good time to lubricate and check all the moving parts of your mower so that they stay in good working condition.

 

Is your mower ready for the spring season? Are you? If you need help keeping your lawn looking sharp and free of pests, call Pro-Tech Lawn Care at (603) 382-9644 or Toll Free: (800) 313-4733, or visit our website.

 

Do You Have the Right Tools for Spring Lawn Care

Lawn and Garden Tools, Lawn Care

As the calendar creeps slowly toward spring, many of us get excited about getting out there to care for our lawns and gardens. While it is still a little early to start with lawn care activities however, this is a great time to go through your tool checklist to confirm that everything is ready to go when the ground completely thaws and the first warm weekend comes when you can start your labor of love. Here is a quick checklist to help you get organized and make sure you have all the right tools before the growing season begins.

 

  • Wheelbarrow – Anyone who cares for their lawn knows that a wheelbarrow can be a lifesaver when it comes to transporting heavier items like rocks, mulch, and lawn cuttings. Be sure your wheelbarrow is cleaned out, the tire inflated and you will be good to go!
  • Rakes – There are a wide variety of rakes that you may need including: garden rakes, dethatching rakes, and leaf rakes. Make sure you have the type that you will need to dig out the dead grass, till the soil in the garden, and gather up the leaves after the long winter.
  • Pruning Shears – Bushes and shrubs will need to be pruned during the spring months to be sure that they are in good working order.
  • Spreaders – Depending upon the state of your lawn from last growing season you may need to spread fertilizer or possibly seeds to fill in bare patches. Check to see that the rotary is working well and that the bin has been cleaned out completely.
  • Edgers/Trimmers – Lawns that have gardens, walkways, and the perimeter neatly edged look neat and well groomed. Have yours conditioned or checked out before the cutting season begins.

 

Are your tools ready? Do you have the right tools? If you need more information about what tools are right for your lawn call Pro-Tech Lawn Care at (603) 382-9644 or Toll Free: (800) 313-4733, or visit our website.