Archive for the ‘Monthly Tips’ Category

New on Sure Lawn

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

First, we’re having a sale on gutter cleaning now through the month of February 2012. Gutter clean-out is $100 for most single story homes and $200 for most two story homes.

Next, we are proud to announce that we have launched our landscape construction division this month. We now construct new landscapes, retaining
walls, ponds, fences, irrigation, and ground level decks. So be sure to call Sure Lawn for those needs.

I’ll start posting a recommended flower around the middle of each month. This month’s recommended flower is the primrose. You can expect to get vibrant colors and long lasting blossoming from this great flower and as a bonus they return each year with another bouquet display.

That’s it for now – have a great day!

Fertilize!

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Welcome to our blog and thank you for stopping by. Sure Lawn has been serving in the NW since 1999. We‘re dedicated to proving only the highest level of service, experience, and quality.  We’ll update our blog every week with plant knowledge, maintenance tips, and company happenings.

March 2010 has arrived, the year seems to be flying by already doesn’t it? Like we have skipped winter and we’re enjoying spring early. My wife always says it will snow on the daffodils and she’s right every year. This year I might win one if the weather keeps cooperating with me. Our daffodils are blooming and they will be done soon here in Oregon.

With all of this great weather many plants have had an early start. This means we need to make certain that plants don’t absorb the nutrients available before we have replenished them. To prolong blooming periods and maintain or improve overall health, plants need nourishment whether chemical or organic in nature. This is even more important in planting beds where bark is present. Bark, although beautiful and a great weeds barrier, also steals from the soil. Because the bark is not decomposed like mulch it will steal nutrients as it decomposes that would otherwise be available to your plants. We prefer organic fertilizers whenever or wherever possible. You can find these at your local nursery or Home Depot/Lowes.

Things to keep in mind for the health of your plants. Always keep an eye on plant color, foliage, and luster. When you see a loss of the plants natural color there may be a serious problem. For most plants turning yellow-brown is not a good sign. Sometimes its lack of fertilizer, too much or too little water, an invading insect, disease or even bark.

Quick things to determine the problem.

  1. Have you fertilized recently? If so move on.
  2. Is there surface water showing (too wet, possible drainage issue)? If not dig down 2” if still dry then you may need to be watering.
  3. Check for holes in the leaves, fine webbing underneath the leaves, fine sawdust on the bark or at the base with woody plants/trees, small spiders or aphids visible. You may need to have a professional spray for pests or visit your local nursery to identify the pest and learn about treating for it. There are many different pesticide applications available at Home Depot/Lowes.
  4. Check for disease in the form of black spots, mildew, rot, fungi, and peeling bark. Treatments may be necessary consult your local nursery.
  5. Check to make sure bark has not been piled up against the trunk. This can result in Crown rot if above the plant’s crown, slowly killing the plant. We’ve also seen the bark of the plant decay and peel off due to being covered.

Great tips for March:

  • Schedule your spring window cleaning and gutter cleaning.
  • Fertilize most plants mid Feb.-March with a balanced fertilizer such as 16-16-16.
  • Apply Lime on turf areas to help balance soil pH.
  • Remove dead rose and raspberry canes, tie this years raspberry canes
  • Divide dahlia and daylily tubers throughout march and prepare planting area
  • Remove 1-2 old trunks from bush type lilacs
  • Keep ahead of the weeds now so you don’t fight them all summer.

In addition to our landscape maintenance, flower displays, and window cleaning, we will be promoting our container herb, vegetable, and fruit farming. Over the past two years many of our clients and their friends have asked that we plant Herbs, Vegetables, and Fruits in small container gardens. Through much study, trial and error the result is a bountiful harvest of homegrown healthy foods. Over the coming months we plant to update our blog and our website with pictures of these modern day farmers and their crops.

From Every One at Sure Lawn, thank you for your Patronage!

We serve the greater areas of:

Salem, OR
Dallas, OR
Monmouth, OR
Independence, OR
Keizer, OR
McMinnville, OR

Redmond, WA
Woodinville, WA
Kirkland, WA
Bothell, WA
Everett, WA
Edmonds, WA
Mukilteo, WA
Monroe, WA
Snohomish, WA

A warm winter means keeping an eye out for pests

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Welcome to spring!  You would think so with the warmer than normal weather, blue sky and sunshine.  I find it difficult to keep in mind that we’re still in winter.  This past week we discovered fruit trees beginning to bloom unseasonably early.  Although a beautiful sight, an earlier than normal bloom often results in a loss of fruit as the possibility of damaging frost can still loom on the horizon.

<<<Danger>>> <<<Hazard Ahead>>> sounds like another construction crew hard at work, maybe a slide area, or “pests.”  Yes, lots of them.  With these warm temperatures, we’re paying special attention to any evidence of common culprits:  bugs, fungus, etc.  In years past, an early warming trend has often meant for our company a jump in various fungus, aphids, mites, and the like that attack some of our favorite plants.  We do our best to inform you when a situation may arise that needs professional attention.  With good maintenance practices and catching them early, some can be controlled without pesticides, while others will be referred to companies who specialize in pesticide controls.

This last week we welcomed “Chestnut Glen HOA” as our most recent Homeowners Association to retain our services.  We planted a great display of primroses around the community entrance and playground.  In addition, we began service at two new homes in the neighborhood.  We look forward to serving the Chestnut Glenn HOA and its community for years to come.

The Primrose “primula” is definitely a top contender for your early spring flower displays.  We love this flower because it boasts its very own vibrant display of blossoms for a long period of time.  After retreating into the ground post blossom, it reemerges next year with great vigor to impress once again.

Great tips for February:

  • Plant your primroses for a boost of vibrant spring color.
  • Schedule your spring window cleaning and gutter cleaning.
  • Treat walkways and driveways with zinc to help prevent moss and algae build up.
  • Apply Lime on turf areas to help balance soil pH.
  • Apply Ferrous Sulfate (iron) on turf areas to control moss.
  • Fertilize most plants mid February to March with a balanced fertilizer such as 16-16-16.
  • February is a great time to apply new bark or mulch as last year’s leaves are gone.

From everyone at Sure Lawn, thank you for stopping by and we look forward to your patronage!

Welcome to Our Sure Lawn Blog!

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Welcome to our blog and thank you for stopping by.  Sure Lawn has been serving the NorthWest since 1999. We are dedicated to providing only the highest level of Service, Experience, and Quality to our customers.  Starting this month, we will update our blog every week with Plant Knowledge, Maintenance Tips, and Company Happenings.

This year has been off to a brisk start with the strongest growth in Salem, Oregon, and Woodinville, Washington. Although we are excited about consistent growth, what we really enjoy are the life long family-like relationships that have been built over the past 11 years.

Great Tips for February:

  • Plant your primroses for a boost of vibrant Spring color.
  • Schedule your Spring window and gutter cleanings.
  • Treat walkways and driveways with zinc to help prevent moss/algae build up.
  • Apply Lime on turf areas to help balance the soil pH.
  • Apply Ferrous Sulfate (Iron) on turf areas to control moss.
  • Fertilize most plants mid February-March with a balanced fertilizer such as 16-16-16.
  • February is a great time to apply new bark or mulch as last years’ leaves are gone.

In addition to our Landscape Maintenance, Flower Displays, and Window Cleaning, we will be promoting our Herb, Vegetable, and Fruit Container Farming. Over the past two years, many of our clients and their friends have asked that we plant Herbs, Vegetables and Fruits in small container gardens. Through much study and trial and error, we have come up results showing a bountiful harvest of home-grown healthy foods. Over the coming months, we plan to update our blog and our website, (www.surelawn.com) with pictures of these modern-day farmers and their crops.

From everyone at Sure Lawn, thank you for stopping by and look forward to your patronage!

We serve the greater areas of:

Salem, OR
Dallas, OR
Monmouth, OR
Independence, OR
Keizer, OR
McMinnville, OR

Redmond, WA
Woodinville, WA
Kirkland, WA
Bothell, WA
Everett, WA
Edmonds, WA
Mukilteo, WA
Monroe, WA
Snohomish, WA

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