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Q. When is the best time to prune my Roses?

A. For our area, around the first part of April.  Pruning earlier than this will induce too much growth that will not be cold hardy for the freezing night time temperatures.  I know it is hard but those of us with spring fever will have to be patient.

Q. Why didn't you mow today as scheduled?

A. Almost always it's because it rained heavily yesterday (or earlier in the week) or it was a holiday and the schedule shifted a day.

Q. How can I get rid of the thistle in my lawn?

A. Call a professional.  Seriously.  Thistle, morning glory (field bind weed), and white top (hoary cress) are three of the most difficult weeds to control in our area.  Due to the nature of their rooting system, pulling them is futile, very few over-the-counter products are strong enough to have an effect.  Even pros will need at least one growing season to have a lasting impact on these types of deep-rooted perennial weeds.

Q. It hasn’t been as cold the last couple of years?  Can I get away with not blowing out my sprinklers?

A. Around here, you need to have the lines cleared every year.  Imagine sprinkler blowouts as an insurance policy for your underground irrigation system.  Let's say the average six zone system costs $3500, and the average blowout costs $35.  So for a nominal 1% fee you insure that when you fire up your sprinklers next spring they work.

Q. Why should I aerate, and when is the best time?

A. Aeration is one of the best things you can do to help rejuvenate or sustain a healthy vigorous turf.  The benefits of aeration are many, such as: thatch reduction, water penetration, compaction alleviation, and more.  Our preference for timing on aeration would be in early September.  This allows the grass to recover from the process before it goes dormant.  At this time of year, there is less weed pressure overall.  Lastly, this process disrupts the soil profile, so it is also recommended to throw down some fertilizer at the same time.

Q. How long do I have to stay off area after it has been sprayed?

A. Most chemical spray products shoapprw on the label the EPA message for humans and pets to “stay off of sprayed surfaces until the sprays have dried.”  Weather can have a dramatic impact on that time frame -- e.g. a lawn that is fertilized in 90 degree weather may be dry in 15 minutes, whereas trees sprayed in late February with a 45 degree high may take most of the day.  Certain products have more stringent regulations, and some of our organic treatments are safe directly after the application.  Our technician will recommend the appropriate timeframe, but as a rule of thumb “Stay Off Till Dry.”