TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Best Trees To Plant For Allergies
Spring time is arguably the nicest season of the year, if not for all of the thick layers of pollen coating our cars, our homes and taking over our sinuses! It would be so nice to be able to walk outside or roll your windows down and enjoy the weather without sneezing for the rest of the afternoon. Lets start with the basics.
What is pollen?
Pollen is a fine, powdery substance that contains microscopic grains from the male part of your trees, flowers or cones. This substance is meant to fertilize the female ovule. It is spread and transferred by the wind, insects and other animals.
Why is it necessary?
In order for trees and plants to continue their life cycle of growth and reproduction, pollen is necessary. Pollination is such a crucial component to the ecosystem because humans and animals are reliant on pollen for the reproduction of food. Without pollen, plants and trees will not bear fruit or seeds that we as a society rely on.
But maybe you are thinking of swapping out certain varieties to be able to enjoy your backyard without downing allergy medicine? We understand! Did you know there is such a thing as hypoallergenic tree species? What a life saver!
Here are a list of trees that are “dioecious” trees that will help to minimize your allergies next season:
Red Maple
Mulberry
Juniper
Boxelder
Cedar
Aspen
White Ash
If none of these varieties spark your interest here are a few lower pollinating species:
Tulip
Magnolia
Flowering Crapapple
Flowering plum
Crape Myrtle
Dogwood
If you are planning to plant a new specimen in your landscape and would like to gain some insight from a certified Arborist click the link below!
Call an Arborist
When Should I Lay Grass Seed In Georgia?
Planting grass seed as opposed to laying sod is a much more economical way to satisfy your landscaping dreams or improve/thicken up sparse areas in your existing lawn.
The most important thing to remember when planting grass seed is that timing is everything! Soil temperature and condition can make or break the outcome of your grass seeding project. The timing depends on the specific grass seed you plan to lay as well as what zone or region you reside in. In Georgia, Zone 8, you will most likely be planting warm season grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, Bahia or St. Augustine.
Each of these specific grass seeds should be planted at different times during the year, listed below:
Bahiagrass - warm-season, USDA zones 7 to 11, plant in spring/summer
Bentgrass - cool-season, USDA zones lower 4 to 6, plant in spring or fall (fall is best)
Bermudagrass - warm-season, USDA zones 7 to 10, plant March through August
Bluegrass - cool-season, USDA zones 2 to 6, plant February to May and September to November
Buffalograss - warm-season, USDA zones 5 to 8, plant in spring
Carpetgrass - warm-season, USDA zones coastal 8 to 9, plant in spring/summer
Centipedegrass - warm-season, USDA zones 7 to 10, plant in spring/summer
Fescue (tall) - cool-season, USDA zones 4 to 7, plant spring or fall (fall is best)
Fescue (creeping red) - cool-season, USDA zones 3 to 7, plant spring or fall (fall is best)
Ryegrass (annual) - cool-season, all USDA (seasonal), plant in fall
Ryegrass (perennial) - cool-season, USDA zones 3 to 6, plant in spring or fall (fall is best)
St. Augustinegrass - warm-season, USDA zones 8 to 10, plant in spring April to August (Available as sod, plugs or sprigs; not available as seed.)
Zoysiagrass - warm-season, USDA zones lower 5 to 10, plant in spring April to August.Most zoysiagrass varieties are available as sod; some are available as seed.)\
Should I plant grass seed in spring or fall?
Warm weather grasses will perform best when planted in spring and early summer. On the contrary, cool weather grasses should be planted in the fall.
However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when planting in each of these seasons.
Planting grass seed in spring will allow the seed to establish in the warm weather before any chances of freeze might arise in winter. Conditions in spring however, might bring too much heat and water, generating a breeding plaza for disease.
The main disadvantage of planting grass seed in the fall is that you won’t be able to enjoy it until the next spring/summer rolls around. However, you do have the advantage of beating the heat/drought that summer brings along with the lack of nearby weed competition.
If you are planning on seeding your lawn and have questions about how or when to seed, feel free to reach out to us using the link below! We have plant health care technicians on staff ready to assist you with your new grass seeding venture!
CALL A PLANT HEALTHCARE TECHNICIAN
Source:
https://blog.davey.com/2021/03/best-time-to-plant-new-grass-seed-pros-and-cons-for-each-season/
Weed Prevention Tips for Spring
There’s nothing like a lawn with no trace of weeds in sight. For most, weed prevention can be a daunting task but with the right information and products, you can easily achieve all of your lawn care goals.
The key to having a yard full of lush, weed free, green grass is to start with a pre-emergent.
What is a pre-emergent?
Pre-emergent is a herbicide that when applied correctly and at the right time can prevent *most* weeds from emerging in the spring and summer months. Pre-emergent spray starts with the root of the problem, the actual seed of the weeds BEFORE they form. However, they don’t kill the weed seeds, instead, they completely stop the growth process from happening all-together and before they are even germinated.
When should I spray pre-emergent in Georgia?
For this process to be effective, the herbicide must be applied to the soil at the right time and temperature, which is between 50-55 degrees. In Georgia this date ranges from beginning of January to March 20th. Information regarding the temperature of your soil can be found online from numerous resources.
Will pre-emergent herbicides damage my grass?
If you have just recently installed a new pallet of sod, its best to wait until this grass has a chance to settle in before tackling the weed problems that might arise. It is important to know which pre-emergent reacts with the specific type of grass you have in order to avoid any mishaps. For example, methylated seed oil should never be used on Bermuda grass. Be sure to consult with your local lawn care technician in regards to which pre-emergent is most highly recommended for your grass and soil type.
Should I use spray or granulated pre-emergent?
This question solely relies on preference. Either or will do the job as long as they are mixed and applied evenly and thoroughly to the grass. Pre-emergents are essentially strong barriers to prevent weeds from popping through. This is why it is important to make sure your application is very evenly distributed.
Still have questions? Contact us today for help with your lawn care problems using the link below!