Most homeowners have heard of armyworms, Zoysia patch, brown patch fungus, and chinch bugs.  But what about stinkhorns, dog vomit slime mold, and witches’ broom disease? These are just a few conditions we don’t normally experience in the southeast, but sometimes they do.  Keep reading to learn more about these and other anomalies we see in lawn care.   Stinkhorns Stinkhorns are a type of mushroom commonly found in areas with a temperate climate, but occasionally, we’ll see them in the south–or rather, smell them. They get their name from their unpleasant odor.  Stinkho ..read more

The holiday season is fast approaching.  Soon trees will be available at local farms and retail stores and to provide the best care, we have tips for your Christmas tree. Native-grown varieties commonly used as Christmas trees in the southeast include such varieties as Fraser firs, Leyland cypresses, Norway spruces, Eastern white pines, and red cedars.  Many people like the beauty, smell, and ambiance of a live tree. But a live tree requires more love and care than an artificial one.  With proper care, your real tree should last about five weeks.  So if you plan to go on th ..read more

Having a beautiful lawn is something most homeowners have some sense of pride in.  From weed control and fertilization to aeration and seeding, lawn care is an important part of landscape management.  But many homeowners forget about their trees and shrubs. Although ornamental trees and shrubs enhance the overall beauty of a landscape, professional care is often overlooked.  We have some tips and reasons why winter and fall tree and shrub care is vital for healthy plants. Why fertilize? Plants that grow in forests and woodlands get all their nutrients from undisturbed soil rich ..read more

As long as humans have raised plants for food, we’ve been fighting pests for crops. Sulfur compounds have been used for controlling pests since 350 B.C., and by the 1880s, the U.S was using horticulture oils as dormant sprays on fruit trees. Keep reading to learn more about horticulture sprays and winter tree and shrub care. What Are Horticultural Oils? Horticulture oils are plant, mineral, or petroleum-based oils mixed with water.  This mixture is sprayed on the plant, including the foliage and woody parts.  Oils are most effective against exposed eggs, immature stages, and soft-bod ..read more

Zoysia grass is a top choice for Atlanta and Birmingham lawns due to its beauty and fairly low maintenance. However, like most grass types, Zoysia lawns are susceptible to diseases at certain times of the year.  The most common fungus that attacks this warm-season lawn is Zoysia Patch, also known as Large Patch. What is Zoysia Patch? It’s a soilborne disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. This is the same fungus that causes Brown Patch in cool-season turfgrasses. It flourishes in cool, wet conditions and often occurs in late fall or early spring when the grass is going into and ..read more

You’ve probably heard, “Don’t neglect your shrubs in the winter.”  But what does that mean for homeowners in the southeast?  Although our winters are mild, the weather can still stress your shrubs.  Our winter shrub tips and proper care in the winter will give them a better chance of thriving in the spring.  While Mother Nature has her own plans, we have some recommendations–things you can do yourself–to reduce potential issues. But before we jump into the care tips let’s talk about the shrubs in your landscape.  Planting shrubs and other plants appropriate for your Pl ..read more

Have you ever noticed a thick web in your trees?  And we’re not talking about a large spider web.  If so, you may have fall webworms.  Fall webworms are a native moth that occurs throughout North America. They’re also now seen around the world, thanks to their accidental introduction to Europe during World War II. Keep reading to learn more about this pest. What are fall webworms? Not to be confused with tent worms or armyworms, fall webworms are not worms.  They are moths best known for making webbed nests around a tree’s branches during their worm-like larvae stage.  ..read more

As fall temperatures move in and your grass goes into dormancy, it’s time to sit back and relax, right?  Wrong!  Fall is one of the most important times to add pre-emergents to your lawn.  Our hot summers in the southeast are brutal.  Not only do we feel the heat and humidity; so does your lawn.  Proper professional care for your lawn can keep it healthy year-round.  Keep reading to learn why now is an important time to start your lawn care program.  How fall pre-emergents help Simply put, what you do now affects how your lawn looks in the spring.  Apply ..read more

Many homeowners use the fall season to make improvements and changes to their landscapes.  Changes can be small like planting a few trees or shrubs to large ones like building an outdoor kitchen.  We’ll focus on the trees and shrubs today.  (We don’t build outdoor kitchens, sorry.) It’s All About Timing There is a lot to consider when planting trees and shrubs but one of the most important is timing.  Fall is an ideal time to plant in the southeast because it’s after the summer heat and before the cold weather sets in. It’s the start of the dormant season for many plants.&n ..read more

Have you ever looked out on a cool fall morning on your leaf-covered lawn?  Although the colorful mix of yellow, brown, and orange leaves may resemble a beautiful painting, if the leaves stay on your grass for too long, there could be adverse effects. Leaves don’t present many dangers, but they encourage pests and fungal diseases. Keep reading to learn more about why it’s important to keep leaves off your lawn. Why Leaf Removal Is Important A thick layer of leaves can reduce the grass leaf blades’ proper absorption of water, sunlight, and fertilizers.  The leaves can “suffocate” the ..read more