The Spring Green blog is your go-to resource for up-to-date, expert content, created and curated by our in-house professionals. Here you can find seasonal tips, myths and misconceptions, and answers to all your common lawn care, pest control and tree care questions. Use the search function to quickly scan the entire blog archive for the topic of your choice.

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Star-of-Bethlehem: Flower Or A Weed?

Star-of-Bethlehem: Flower Or A Weed?

Now that the weather has warmed up and nature is coming alive again, it is not uncommon to see plants growing in your lawn that you have not seen before. I am not talking about dandelions or chickweed, but plants that sort of resemble onions or chives growing in bunches in your lawn or landscape beds. What you may be seeing are early spring bulbs that are blooming at this time of year. One of the more common “escaped” bulbs is called Star of Bethlehem. It is often confused with wild onion and wild garlic, but does not have the pungent odor common to those plants. Star

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Early Spring Start-Up Tips

Early Spring Start-Up Tips

Spring is just beginning for those in the northern states. Many gardeners are getting anxious to shake off the winter doldrums and start working on their lawns, landscape beds and gardens again. After being teased by Mother Nature in mid to late February with warm temperatures, the last month or so has been cold, snowy, wet and just down right miserable. During those few couple of warm days the grass began turning green, Tulips and Daffodils pushed through the soil and buds on the trees and shrubs were getting ready to open. One thing to keep in mind; it is

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Be Sure You Are Buying the Right Weed Control Product

Be Sure You Are Buying the Right Weed Control Product

I was at my favorite store the other day, the local hardware store, and they already had their gardening supplies on display. I always wander through those aisles to see what products are new on the market for the new year. I had to stop when I saw a new Round-Up product that I know is going to cause confusion to homeowners this spring. The new product is called Round-Up for Lawns and it is a lot different from the traditional Round-Up products that have been around for years. The difference between the two different types of RoundUp: <

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Are You Sure You Want To Plant Grass Seed This Spring?

Are You Sure You Want To Plant Grass Seed This Spring?

Spring is the time for lawn renewal, gardens and landscape beds. It is the time of year for visits to your local nursery or gardening store to gather new annual and perennial flowers, vegetables, shrubs and maybe even a tree or two. You also might just want to add some color back into your outdoor space after the boring and washed out colors of winter. It's only natural that many people want to revitalize their l

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Do You Have Plants That Attract Bees?

Do You Have Plants That Attract Bees?

Bees are a crucial part of our ecosystem. There is a symbiotic relationship between plants and pollinators that helps to sustain the reproductive processes of the plants and pollinators. Bees consume pollen and nectar as food and take pollen from one plant or flower and help to pollinate other plants and flowers. One would not survive without the other, which is why each is so important to the other. Some large corporations are taking matters into their own hands. General Mills has stepped up to help create more flowering plants for bees. They have removed the trademar

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Fairy Rings: Bringing Back the Magic

Fairy Rings: Bringing Back the Magic

Steeped in the lore and ancient tradition of wizardry, witchcraft and other things beyond us, is a poorly understood mythical mycological magic—and it might be growing right out your front door. Grab your kids and your best storytelling voice. Fairy rings, sometimes known as elf or pixie rings, are those circular rings in your lawn, sometimes bordered by mushrooms or greener grass. They can sometimes be in the shape of an arc, too. Let the Magic Begin . . . Get the kids outside and spin a tale of what thrives within the ring. The narrative is up to you: maybe stepp

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Where Do All The Weeds Come From?

Where Do All The Weeds Come From?

A typical lawn has to endure a large number of stresses from numerous sources, such as insects, diseases and weeds. It is said that a lawn is dynamic as there are always things happening. This is especially true with weeds. Weeds can germinate throughout the growing season – spring, summer and fall, but also throughout the winter in the southern parts of the United States. Therefore making it seem like it is an unending battle to keep weeds from taking over your lawn. 4 ways weeds spread: Blowing: For the most part, new wee

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4 Ways to Make Your Lawn Work for You This Year

4 Ways to Make Your Lawn Work for You This Year

“I’m tired, I’m thirsty, these weeds are bothering me, I don’t feel like growing in this spot—it’s too shady , hot, wet….” Do you ever feel like you’re a full time employee for your lawn? You work hard, you spend time and money to control the constant nagging of your turf, and sometimes there’s nothing to show for the service you give to your lawn. We’ve compiled a list to turn the turf in your favor. Stop working for your lawn; below are four ways to make your lawn work for you, so you can sit back and re

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Do You Actually Have to Add Lime to “Sweeten the Soil”?

Do You Actually Have to Add Lime to “Sweeten the Soil”?

Adding lime to a lawn or garden to “sweeten the soil” is one of the numerous sayings that people often espouse regarding their gardening efforts. There is a good deal of truth in this adage, but there is also some reservation that this is a good practice for every lawn. The best and only way to determine if your lawn truly needs lime is to have the soil pH tested by a reputable soil testing service. Most County Extension Services offer soil testing services for free or for a small fee. Do a search on line for soil testing services and you will find many options in

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5 Tips to Controlling Moss In Your Lawn

5 Tips to Controlling Moss In Your Lawn

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you are all too familiar with the annual battle to control moss in your lawn. The long periods of cool damp weather that the area is known for sets up the perfect climate for moss development. It is generally a problem in the spring, but it can persist and grow throughout the remainder of the year if environmental conditions are conductive for its growth. Moss can be a problem throughout the US, not just in Washington or Oregon. Here are 5 best practices that will reduce moss growth in your lawn: Eliminate shade One of the best w

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