Thanks for stopping by our blog again this week.   Sure Lawn has been serving the Northwest since 1998, and we’re dedicated to providing only the highest level of service.

Tulips! Well, it’s the last week of February 2010 and daffodils are coming into bloom with tulips rising for the occasion just behind them.  For those of you who have never attended the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, you’re missing a great experience.  This year’s festival is scheduled to run April 1 through April 30.  Visit www.tulipfestival.org for information.  When planning to attend the festival, it’s always good to find out what stage the flowers are in; some years they open earlier and some years later.

Located near Mount Vernon, Washington, my family has attended the festival most years.  Plan on rising early and driving a lot; waiting until late in the day often results in traffic jams.  Arriving in Mount Vernon around 9:00 a.m. is recommended, then drive along the many tulip and daffodil fields for a vibrant display of beauty.  The attractions include display gardens by large local growers, and various art shows.  Some of our favorites are visiting the RoozenGarde, Tulip Town, and Art in the Pickle Barn.

Roozengarde is a large grower with spectacular gardens full of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.  They have a windmill where many take pictures, as well as food booths.  And don’t forget to rub the lucky giant brass frog.

Tulip Town has family festivities, including strolling among the tulip fields, rides, food and a barn full of flower arrangements by the locals.

Art in the Pickle Barn, although no longer always in a pickle barn, is a great show for local artists.  Sometimes my family will spend what seems like hours admiring the work of great artists.

Although we planted tulips and daffodils at most of our clients homes last fall, it’s not too late for you.  Tulips and daffodils are arriving in nurseries already started.  The downside is these are more expensive than just a bulb; on the upside they’re worth every penny.  Tulips and daffodils are both bulbous plants and will return each year sporting their brilliant colors.  I like to plant them together as when the daffodil loses its luster, the tulip takes up the slack with its vibrant display.  Call our office at Sure Lawn 1-800-405-6671 to schedule a free estimate.

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!

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

From inside, you can’t truly appreciate the beauty outside through dirty windows.  I’m always surprised when a window gets a good cleaning and suddenly is crystal clear and squeaky-clean.  I guess it’s one of those things that just builds up over time, a little dust here, bird games there, oily film, and algae film.  I laughed one day when asking John (Division Manager) what we use to clean windows.  He replied simply, ‘Joy soap.’  He then pointed out the commercials on TV and how the product brings out a squeaky-clean, crystal clear shine on glass dishes.  Windows are the same, said John.  Glass is glass, whether it’s on the table or the walls.  Having expected the use of a heavy industrial cleaner, I was pleasantly surprised.

We recommend cleaning windows 1-2 times per year for a residence, and offer discounted regular cleaning for your place of business.  To schedule a window-cleaning or to get a free quote, please call the Sure Lawn office at 1-800-405-6671.

Coral bark maple (Acer Palmatum Sango Kaku) is our plant of the week, and perhaps deserving of a decade.  During the summer, the Coral Bark has green leaves that resemble a Japanese maple (non-lace leaf) and reddish bark with small coral colored ridges.  As summer gives way to fall, this tree has an incredible palate of color changes  in the leaves.  These colors are green, gold, blood red, and every combination in-between.  As winter approaches, the now naked reddish bark of the tree begins an amazing transformation, becoming very red, vibrant pink, hints of bright yellow and many combinations of those.

We rarely hesitate to suggest using the Coral Bark as a centerpiece for your landscape.  You can enjoy the shade in the summer, colors of fall, and fiery bark for your landscape in winter.  Many clients accent their Coral Bark with spotlights from the ground showing off the tree’s color and structure at night.

This great tree does best in full sun to partial shade, growing naturally as large as 25′ tall by 20′ wide.  We have easily maintained them much smaller with limited seasonal pruning, as small as 5′ wide by 10′ tall.

And dont’ forget our

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!

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

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 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