During the hot summer months, it can get too hot or dry for cool-season grasses. When temperatures rise above 90 degrees, cool-season lawns can start to go dormant and turn brown until cooler weather and enough moisture reach the soil. During these hot summer months, we recommend watering 2–3 inches a week during the morning hours either by rainfall or irrigation.
During the cooler months, a healthy lawn needs 1–2 inches of water a week. Having too much moisture can bring diseases into the lawn. If your lawn receives more water than normal, let it dry out for a couple of days before resuming regular watering.
Having your grass cut at the right height — recommended at three inches — will cause less damage to your grass and prevent stress that could negatively impact your lawn. With proper height and alternating trimming patterns, your lawn will be healthier, which allows for shading, fights against weed growth, and protects the grass against insect damage.
A backflow prevention assembly is a mechanical device installed on your property after the water meter. It prevents water already in your property pipes from backflowing into the city water system, potentially contaminating the city's potable water. All customers with a land irrigation system connected to a public water supply must install either a Reduced Pressure Principle device (RP) or a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB).
Proper maintenance of your home's irrigation system can reduce water waste and improve plant life. Check the system at least twice seasonally — when first turned on and halfway through the season. Regular maintenance includes inspecting the controller, updating times or dates, checking all wire connections, replacing the backup battery, and turning on each zone to check for damage.
Overseeding and aeration provide the most optimal results when done in the fall. Overseeding gives your lawn healthier and thicker grass, improving curb appeal. Lawn aeration increases airflow to grassroots, which improves their depth and strength. Aeration and overseeding work hand in hand — aeration provides a good foundation for overseeding.
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Fertilizing your lawn is essential to ensure it has the proper nutrients for healthy growth. Fertilization provides a slow release of organic nutrients that help promote new leaf growth, cell wall development, and root growth. In northern areas like Western New York, it is recommended to apply fertilizer once per year in the springtime.
You do not need to be home for our fertilization program. Trained technicians will care for your lawn and leave you with an invoice. Be sure to check your invoice after each visit for any notes the technician may have left regarding the care of your lawn. Gates should be unlocked and pets kept inside.
For most applications, people and pets should remain off the lawn until the weed control has had time to dry — in most cases less than an hour. Once the weed control has dried, there is no danger of being on the lawn.
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When selling your home, the landscaping is often one of the first details prospective buyers notice — attractive, well-maintained lawns and plantings add curb appeal and a welcoming aesthetic. With a well-landscaped property, you can see up to 10% added home value, so take your landscape project seriously.
For plantings like trees, shrubs, and grass, fall is the best time because of warm days, cool evenings, and increased precipitation that assists new plant establishment. With fall plantings, you'll have six to eight months to get roots established before warmer months, weeds are less frequent, and soil temperature is still warm. For perennial and annual flowers, springtime is best.
Color theory refers to the aesthetic art of mixing colors and the visual effects of those combinations — to create a relaxing feel, make small spaces seem larger, attract attention to an area, or tie areas together. In landscaping, the color spectrum is divided into four groups:
Using color combinations, you match colors to complement each other — tertiary colors are often used as transitional colors.
Some types of trees that grow well in Rochester NY include the American Hornbeam, Hackberry, and a variety of lilac trees such as the Japanese Tree Lilac. Not all trees thrive in all regions — find out more at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones.
Cool-season grasses grow best in Rochester due to the colder temperatures. Cornell University recommends choosing from the following five grass types:
There are still some factors to consider that are unique to your property:
There are many different types and sizes of water features that can be added to your yard landscape, so the cost varies based on the type and size you choose. Some popular options that can upgrade your lawn include fountains, ponds, and waterfalls.
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In the Rochester NY area, there are several things you can do to prepare your lawn for the colder weather. Some of the best things you can do to prevent a dead lawn when spring arrives:
Staking your lawn helps to show snowplow operators where your lawn meets the road or sidewalk edge. Other items you should mark for snowplows include fire hydrants (3 ft all around and clear to the street), retaining walls, curbs, driveway stops, and patio edges. Place markers at any obstacle that a snowplow may hit or damage during the snow removal process.
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Trained technicians use a blend of insecticides designed to target both adult pests and their eggs. This insecticide is applied with a misting system throughout your landscaping, trees up to 20 feet in height, and across the entire lawn.
Mosquito control treatments provide protection for up to 21 days. A technician will visit your home every 3 weeks to ensure the mosquito barrier never has time to break down, so you can consistently enjoy your outdoor space all season long.
It is recommended that people and pets stay off treated areas for a minimum of 30 minutes after treatment to allow the products time to dry. Once dry, your property is safe for your family and pets.
For the most effective control for an event you are planning, it is suggested to have at least two applications — one two weeks before the event and another two days before.
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