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Where Do Mosquitoes Go In The Winter?
During a recent mid-February warm up, I actually saw several insects flying around, even though it had been in the low 20’s just a few days earlier. I even saw a moth circling an outdoor light in the evening. That got me wondering, where do mosquitoes spend the winter? They are cold-blooded, so the freezing temperatures are going to keep them in some form of hibernation. Mosquitoes are amazing creatures and most survive the winter in a different life stage, such as an egg, or will enter a period of inactivity called diapause. Some have the
If You Don’t Like the Weather, Wait a Minute...
If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute - is an old adage and one that can be used for many parts of the US, but it always seems to hold true when discussing weather in the Midwest. We enjoyed some unbelievably great weather during the third week of February. Temperatures across the Midwest soared into the 60’s and 70’s. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. The weather didn't just last for a day or two; it lasted well over a week, including the weekend. There is a skate board park not far fro
Tackle Urine Burn with Some Simple Steps
Ah, spring. The snow has melted, flowers are showing signs of life, and the grass is ready to go. But if you’re a dog owner, you may have seen them—those stubborn brown patches that are the last to green up, and may even struggle to thrive all season. Is it a disease? A pest? Nope—it might be urine burn. Is That Really a Thing? Really and truly. Dogs whose urine has a high pH or high nitrogen content can wreak havoc on your grass. This is especially true for female dogs: unlike male dogs, who
DIY vs. DIFM: The Homeowner's Ultimate Dilemma
Homeowners often face the dilemma of when to draw the line between doing it themselves and hiring a professional. Sometimes the consequences of DIY are unforeseen, until you’re looking at a dead lawn a week later. Other times DIY can save you money, and provide a great learning experience. On the other hand, hiring a professional for lawn care gives you more free time. Here we look at the pros and cons of each: What are the benefits to DIY lawn care? Doing projects yourself brings the satisfaction of the experience as you bask in your self-sufficiency. Sett
Is Spring Coming Early This Year?
If there is one thing I have learned over the last 39 years of being in lawn care is that weather predictions are just that, predictions , and you never know if it's going to rain, snow, get hot or cold until it's actually happening. I did a search on the possible forecasts for this winter and they range from one extreme to the other and all things in between. Is spring coming early this year? Maybe, maybe not, we will just have to wait and see. At this time of year, I travel across the US conducting training seminars so I get to experience a wide range
The Best Winter Flowering Options for You
For many parts of the country, February can be a trying time. The sky is gray, the ground is a sea of slush, and spring can’t come soon enough. But imagine being able to look out your window and see some bright pops of color—brilliant oranges, sunny yellows, resplendent purples and pinks. While it might not have the same power to shake off those winter blues as, say, a Netflix binge followed by ice cream-induced hibernation, every little bit helps. Depending on where you live, there are a number of winter flowering plants you can use to brighten up your winter (yes, even you Midwesterners). Where could your yard use some color infusion right now? Map out your winter flowering landscape with some of these suggestions, based on the Zone you live in:
The Weird, Fascinating Story behind the Grass at the “Big Game”
"The field is important to football the way a microphone is important to Adele. You don’t notice it if it works. It can ruin everything if it doesn’t." – Tommy Tomlinson, ESPN The Magazine This year, the Patriots and the Falcons will duke it out at NRG Stadium in Houston, a field that—gasp!—uses artificial turf. Doing anything on artificial turf sounds as strange to us as a vegan in a meatpacking plant, but despite our reservations we’ll be watching the whole thing. And trying not to pay too much attention to that green impostor underfoot. As an homage to the consid
The Lawn Care Season Has Kicked-Off in the South
During the spring, I travel across the US to conduct training seminars for our great Field Staff and Customer Service Professionals in many of the states where Spring-Green does business. I started off in Columbia, SC, working with teams from North and South Carolina along with a team from Alabama. All of these locations started their lawn care year or are getting ready to start within the next week. It may be early February, but if the weather is good, as it has been, these operations are getting a jump start on late winter weed control. This helps lessen
How to Build a Backyard Skating Rink without Damaging Your Lawn
Building a backyard rink in the winter is a great way to get your family outside and having fun on the ice. But when spring rolls around, will your lawn have paid the price? To prevent long term lawn damage, we’ve put together a few tips for building a lawn-friendly ice rink. There are two options when it comes to creating a rink: Pack down the snow Use a plastic liner Although most people resort to a plastic liner (a WHITE one is essential!), we think that the foot method, although a little more time-consuming, is much
Winter Weed Control On Warm-Season Grasses
This is a Bermuda grass lawn in Opelika, AL entering dormancy. Each year, as the temperatures drop, this is what happens to most warm-season grasses when exposed to freezing temperatures. They take on this almost camouflage-look. Except for parts of Florida, most warm-season grasses enter into a dormant state during the winter. They will turn brown and do not green up until next spring through early summer. Even though the grass turns brown, there are still broadleaf weeds and annual grasses that continue growing throughout the winter dormant period. Types of Winter Annua