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Landscaping for Success

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We’ve all seen pictures of amazing landscaping. Perfectly trimmed trees, amazing lawn, flowers in full bloom – not an item out place. What those pictures don’t show is the amount of thought and effort that went into creating the perfect landscape. Hard work isn’t enough when looking to achieve perfection; planning is essential. Below, we at VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saratoga Springs, Utah will discuss ways you can plan your landscape to create the beautiful results you desire.

Dealing with Difficult Areas

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, no matter how much love and attention you give an area of your landscape, it simply won’t cooperate. Whether the soil is poor or it doesn’t get enough sunlight, these areas can cause problems. Instead of fighting the area, forcing it too look like you envision, consider changing it to something more suitable.

Pathways

Pathways can beautify areas that are run down by pets or people. Rather than having a patchy trail in your grass, intentionally create a path out of stones, concrete, pavers, or gravel. Having a designated walking path can help your landscape look maintained rather than damaged. It will also save the rest of your lawn from unnecessary damage by giving guests a path they can use.

 Edging

Edging help tremendously to keep lawn where it belongs. Grass often spreads through its root system to places it doesn’t belong. Burying edging at least 4 inches deep with an inch above the soil can help keep grass from encroaching on your beds. This can then be covered with more attractive edging such as rocks, bricks, etc.

Also, edging, or trimming, around sidewalks, driveways, and property lines can sharpen your landscape’s appearance and help preserve the concrete or pavement. Over time, grass will try to grow over and around these areas. Trimming it will prevent this from happening.

Appropriate Plants

Among the most important aspects of having a flawless landscape is to choose appropriate plants. Failing to do this will immediately create problem areas. Accepting that some plants are more suited to certain conditions than others will reduce the time and effort put into your landscape. Whether shady or sunny, wet or dry, clay or sandy soil, these difficult conditions have plants suited to thrive there. Perhaps even replacing struggling portions of lawn with shrubs, flower beds, or rock gardens is the right move for simplifying and beautifying your landscape.

 

The most beautiful landscaping is that which embraces the climate and capitalizes on it. Utilizing these suggestions will not only prevent problems but it will increase the attractiveness of your landscape. No matter your trouble area and its cause, we want to help you fix it so you can be surrounded by a beauty without so much heartache.

Keeping Neighbor’s Weeds Out of Your Lawn

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Nothing is quite so rewarding as a beautifully groomed, lush, weed free lawn. And nothing is quite as frustrating as having that jeopardized by an unkempt neighboring plot of weeds or a neighbor who doesn’t care much about landscaping. Weeds spread easily through roots, through seeds blown on a breeze, through dark magic. It seems no matter how careful we are about our own lawn, weeds outside our area always try to creep in. Because this is frustrating and heartbreaking all at once, we at VIRIDIS Lawn Care would like to offer a little solace and advice on how to minimize or (fingers crossed) prevent this misfortune.

Uncared for lots, whether owned or not, can cause the biggest struggle. Sparse grass leaves plenty of spaces available for weeds to flourish. And once a weed patch is established, it begins domination. It’s obviously impossible for you control someone else’s land but there are some measures you can take on your own property to minimize the damage.

No Bare Patches

First and foremost, make sure your landscape is thickly covered. Your grass should be dense, your beds should be mulched, walkways should be maintained. Seeds need a way to get to soil to grow. If you’re defenses are up, there is a much greater chance of fighting off the stray seeds arriving in your plot.

Not to mention, this is good practice regardless. Mulch and thick grass will reduce water needs and stress to roots. The landscape will appear more professional and be more enjoyable also.

Border the Land

Building or installing any kind of border around your property will help keep weeds from entering.  Consider trenches, shrubs, fences, rock walls, or ground cover as viable options to try. Weeds struggle to grow through rocks or in shady areas. Privacy fence can help block weed seeds blown on a breeze. Some fencing options can even be buried several inches deep to hinder the growth of weeds through their roots. Trenching allows you to pull the weeds that creep into the trench and mow right up to its edge.

If the neighboring plot is owned, you may want to discuss this with your neighbor as it will affect their property as well. Besides, it could be a great way to (courteously) bring up the problem their weeds are causing.

Diligence

No matter what, never stop fighting. The day you get discouraged, the day you get overconfident, that is the day the weeds will win. Pulling or treating them when they are small will prevent them from getting a foothold on your property. Hiring a professional lawn care service such as VIRIDIS Lawn Care will save you a lot of effort and will yield better results.

Communication

Obviously, if the offending property is unowned, this becomes more difficult but if there is a neighbor or landlord to speak to about the problem, do so. But do so kindly! Yelling will only cause problems. And no one wants their neighbors hand sowing dandelion seeds in their lawn under the cover of darkness.

Approach them with respect and neighborliness. It’s possible they don’t realize the problems their weeds are causing you or perhaps they don’t know how to fix the problem. Offer suggestions and your help.

 

Following these tips will hopefully help you resolve or at least prevent a few of the issues you’re having with your neighboring weeds. And don’t hesitate to give us a call  at 801-367-9961 to come assist in the battle.

What to Look for in a Professional Lawn Care Service

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There are so many lawn care companies out there promising to help maintain your landscape. How can you tell a trustworthy and efficient company from an pretender? What are signs you should look for to know that you are getting the best service for your money?

These questions sometimes leave people feeling so overwhelmed that they try to care for their lawn by themselves instead of risking getting a dud and wasting their money, even if their lawn is in desperate need of some extra TLC. Below, we at VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saratoga Springs will give you a few hints and tips to help you weed out the under-performers and make sure you get the service you deserve.

Price

Price is often the main determining factor in choosing a lawn care company. And rightly so. Even if they are the best company out there, overcharging for their services won’t earn them many loyal customers. Make sure to research a few different companies to insure they have comparable rates for your area. But don’t sacrifice quality to save a few dollars.

If a company is priced significantly lower or higher than others, proceed cautiously. Always compare their rates with their customer reviews. There may be a reason for the price differences.

Customer Service

While you may not think of it, customer service might be the next most important thing to consider as you choose your lawn care company. Whatever else happens, hiring a company that is easy to work with and that tries to please its customers will make your experience better. If you don’t need some of their services or you feel the treatments are ineffective, they will try to work with you to come to a solution.  They may be willing to schedule different times for you. They will listen to what you want for your lawn and try to achieve that for you.

A company with poor customer service will always be a hassle to work with. The only way to end up with a good experience is luck. This type of company will likely be easy to spot through customer reviews. People often try to warn others off a future bad experience.

Services

Services are the most practical way to help choose between options. Different companies offer different services. Some may offer services that you don’t need or want. Others may lack some of the services you do need.

A few services offered by lawn care companies include:

  • Fertilizing
  • Mowing and Edging
  • Aeration
  • Dethatching
  • Pest Control
  • Weed Control
  • Tree and shrub trimming

Decide on the services that are important to you and find a company that will accommodate your needs. In some cases, you may need more than one company to fully meet your lawn care needs.

Effectiveness

No matter how nice the people are, how much they charge, if they offer every service you need – if they or their products are ineffective, find someone else! Not all companies are created equal. They use different products and/or machines. Some lawn service companies simply have superior products.

Other companies may have very effective products but less than effective employees. Find a company with a technician you are comfortable allowing in and around your home. They can’t work effectively if you feel like you need to monitor them every second they are trying to work.

 

While there are many factor to consider in looking for a lawn care company, finding a good fit isn’t impossible. Take the time to research to make sure you receive the quality of care you need. And if you get a dud, give us a call at 801-367-9961 and we’ll see if we can treat you better!

Utah Lawn Grass Varieties

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With different weathers and climates, different varieties of grass thrive. In Utah, our seasons range from extreme cold to extreme heat, sometimes faster than we would like! Below, we’ll discuss a few different categories of grass that thrive in different climates. This will help you find a grass type that will keep your lawn looking greener longer during the warmer seasons.

Grass divides into two main categories: cool season and warm season. Most lawns in central Utah are filled with cool season grasses because of our brisk winters.  Some of these include: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue and fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass.

Kentucky bluegrass is very popular because it withstands traffic extremely well. However, it doesn’t thrive in very shady areas. This is the most common variety of grass used in Utah lawns.

Tall fescue and fine fescue are good all-around grasses. They tolerate shade and heat better than other varieties of cool season grasses. Their  deep root system helps them withstand dry, drought conditions during the peak of summer.  Fine fescue struggles to withstand heavy traffic though it will grow well in even poor soils. Tall fescue grows in coarser clumps than other grass types which often looks less appealing.

Perennial ryegrass looks extremely professional in a lawn but requires more upkeep and maintenance. Because it needs more caire, it is often mixed with other grass types such as Kentucky bluegrass. It then adds diversity and a beautiful dark green color without causing excessive work and care.

Some central Utah lawns may even mix in a variety of warm season grass. This will offset the struggling cool season grasses during the heat of summer. Warm season grasses alone wouldn’t thrive during spring and fall weather but if you feel your lawn struggles to maintain its beauty during the hottest months, consider mixing in a little buffalograss, Bermuda grass, or Zoysiagrass. While they won’t grow well during much of the season, they may help to protect your cool season grasses as the temperature rises.

In order to keep your cool season grass lawn from dying (going dormant) during the summer months, water well and mow high. This will keep the roots happy so even if your lawn struggles a little, it will return to full beauty quickly when the temperature begins to fall.

The important part to remember is to choose a variety (or two or three!) that will work well with your soil type, shaded areas, and water allotment. Mixing grass types is a great way to insure you will have a more healthy looking beautiful lawn in more seasons and weathers. As one struggles, another can make up the deficit.

And as always, feel free to call VIRIDIS Lawn Care at (801) 367-9961 for help with your lawn’s care and maintenance.

Pest Control

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Lawn pests. The unwelcome summer guests that can crash your planned parties. After all the time and effort you go through to make your landscape beautiful, these small invaders can destroy it without even trying. Let us at VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saragtoga Springs help you protect your lawn from this devastation. We can prevent or cure infestations of common pests so that your time, money, and effort isn’t wasted.

With such a variety of pests that can damage your landscape, determining which is your nemesis can require a professional. Some pests feed on leaves and blades while others feed on roots. Some cause damage without eating but through tunneling or creating homes. Knowing the insect that is causing devastation is key to properly treating. Some pests need to be killed during specific phases of their development. Applying treatment during other phases could be completely ineffective.

There are some precautions you can take to reduce the appeal of your lawn as a breeding ground for bugs. Doing these things will also prove helpful for treating infestations.

Watering and mowing habits are the most influential of your normal tasks in preventing and removing pests. Mow grass 3 inches high and don’t allow it to become overgrown. Water deeply and infrequently. Don’t allow your lawn to dry out. Besides creating a perfect habitat for pests, ignoring these suggestions will weaken your lawn’s health.

Hiring a professional such as VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saratoga Springs to care for your lawn is the best decision you could make to protect your grass from damage.  We provide excellent service because we believe you should be able to enjoy your lawn throughout the warm summer months without having to worry about anything, especially invasions from unwanted guests, of the insect variety at least.

Give us a call today for a consultation at 801-367-9961 so you can rest easy knowing your landscape is in good hands.

Aeration – Essential for Healthy Lawns

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Lawns can easily become compacted through foot traffic, heavy snow falls, or extremely healthy grass roots. When this happens, grass has a more difficult time thriving. That’s why we at VIRIDIS of Utah offer aeration services.

Aeration is a fairly straightforward process. A machine called a core aerator removes plugs of thatch, dirt, and grass roots. Cutting these plugs from the lawn creates small holes throughout your grass area. This gives the roots room to spread and the soil a place to loosen. Lawn aeration also improves water, and air circulation to grass’ root system and makes it easier for the roots to absorb fertilizer and nutrients.

The plugs can be raked and removed from the lawn but allowing them to decompose into the lawn provides excellent fertilizer and nutrition. They will cause your lawn to look unattractive if left in place but only for a short time. The benefits of leaving them far outweigh their negative appearance. They are also much more long lasting.

Spring and fall are the most beneficial times for aeration. Summer and winter are both hard seasons on lawns and aerating following these periods helps rejuvenate your grass and prepares it to handle the next barrage. Grasses thrive in spring and fall conditions and this helps handle the shock to the root system that aeration can sometimes cause.

Most lawns will need aerated at least once. Very thick lawns, especially those started from sod, may need aerated multiple times. This is also true of lawns grown in very dense, clay type soil as it compacts more easily. Having a professional such as our VIRIDIS Lawn care technicians in Saratoga Springs, Utah can analyze and recommend a treatment plan will help you take the guesswork out of your lawn aeration needs. Read more about hiring a professional vs doing it yourself here.

Aerating your lawn is a simple step that can increase the health and beauty of your landscape. Call us today at 801-367-9961 for a consultation to see if your lawn can benefit from aeration.

 

 

Mower Maintenance

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Keeping your lawn mower in top shape will benefit your lawn’s appearance and health. It will also help make the chore of mowing a little easier. Below VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saratoga Springs, Utah has some ideas of how you can keep your mower in optimal condition. Read on to see what you can do to help your lawn look its best.

Owner’s Manual

The owner’s manual that comes with your mower will provide most, if not all, of the information you need to maintain your machine. All mowers have differences and your manual will insure you treat your mower right. Disregard any of the following information if your manual disagrees. But for most machines, the following tips will work well to keep your machine cutting and running smoothly. If you find yourself without a manual for whatever reason, implementing these tips should be effective.

Drain Fuel / Check Oil and Filters

Every fall, make sure to drain the gasoline tank. Old fuel can cause the mower to have difficulties starting the next spring. Always start with new gas each year.

You will probably also want to change the oil and the filters in the spring. Always at least check them. Debris could have gotten in the oil which would cause issues with the motor. Filters could be clogged and ineffective. Checking these things in the spring and throughout the year will help prevent costly repairs later.

Cleaning and Sharpening

Keep your machine clean. This will prevent clogging and caked on grass. Removing old grass will help the blade rotate more smoothly.

Also, sharpen your blades regularly. This tip will effect the appearance of your lawn more than anything else. Mower blades dull over time. This creates an uneven or jagged cut which will look terrible but can also cause harm to your lawn’s health.

 

All of these things can be done yourself or by getting a professional tune-up. Storing and maintaining your mower properly can help it last longer and cut better, resulting in a more beautiful, healthy lawn. Insuring your lawn mower is in peak condition can help insure your lawn is in peak condition.

Summertime Entertaining Preparation

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Warm weather is here along with reasons to celebrate. Graduations, Independence Day, family reunions, block parties, weddings, you name it! Parties are happening in backyards everywhere. Below, we at VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saratoga Springs, will help you know what you need to do to get your lawn ready for the celebrations so you can feel at ease (at least about your lawn).

Mowing

Perhaps the most obvious preparation for your party is to mow your lawn. But there are a few tips that can help your lawn endure the extra traffic. As always, mow your grass to about 3 inches high. Also, mow about 5 days before the party. This makes sure your lawn isn’t too short, which would result in damage. Also, mowing earlier will help prevent guests from green shoes and hemlines.

Watering

Another very important question you might have is: When should I water? This doesn’t have a completely straightforward answer because the weather and soil type, as well as your grass variety and health can vary greatly. But, as a generalization, water well in the weeks leading up to your party and then stop watering for a few days before the date arrives. Watering too close to your party could result in muddy areas, chair and table legs sinking, and extra soil compaction. Plan to shut water off for a minimum of two days before the event.

Pruning and Grooming

Pruning can be done well in advance or just prior to your event. It can be hired out to save you time and effort or if your are confident in your knowledge of your trees, shrubs, and flowers, you can tackle this job yourself. It is one of the best ways to improve the appearance of your landscape.

Grooming of your walkways and flowerbeds should be done the day of your party. Doing this earlier could be a waste. Wind could easily undo all of your effort. A simply sweeping or spraying will add the finishing touch to your landscape’s groomed appearance.

Fertilizer and Pesticides

These should not be applied too near the party. Doing so could cause harm to children or pets that may come in contact with the chemicals. Also, you won’t see any benefits of applying fertilizer for weeks. Pesticides should be applied a few days in advance to insure the pests are killed but the chemicals have a chance to dissipate.

 

These tips will help your landscape look its best for your entertaining. You will also feel prepared and confident when having guests over. And if you need some help, call us at VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saratoga Springs, Utah at 801-367-9961 to assist in your lawn care needs!

Lawn Care for Hot, Dry Conditions

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With the spike in temperature comes a spike in your lawn’s needs. They grow easily and happily during the spring months but as summer heat approaches, grass can stall and struggle. Below, we at VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saratoga Springs, Utah will teach you warning signs to look for and how to combat them to keep your lawn looking and feeling great during the time you want it most.

Symptoms

When your lawn starts fading from the deep green to a dull greyish, intervene! If you disregard this color change, the next step is a parched yellow or brown lawn, and that takes much longer to rehabilitate.

Near the time the color first starts fading, you may also notice the grass staying flattened after sitting or walking over it.  This loss of “springiness” is a good clue your lawn is starting to struggle. So what can you do to prevent and repair this?

Solutions

Obviously the best solution would be to increase water but sometimes water is either not available or under restrictions during drought seasons. In this case, using water wisely will help. Watering at night or in the very early morning is the best use of your limited access. Watering during the heat of the day, will waste water through evaporation. Bad idea all around. It will keep your lawn from getting the moisture it needs and also cost you more money.

Mowing habits also greatly contribute to your lawn’s health during hot, dry periods. Mow at least 3 inches high to help provide the soil and roots with shade and don’t remove clippings. They act as an easy, natural mulch to prevent drying and also to help provide nutrients.

Following these tips can help keep your lawn looking great, even during droughts and hot summer weather. Let us as VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Saratoga Springs, UT help you insure your lawn always looks its best!

Spring Lawn Care

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This time of year brings lots of things to do outdoors…including yard work. In fact, spring is a very important season in your lawn’s development. Doing the right things during this time of year can save you work and your lawn struggles later on. While it may not be on everyone’s list of “Favorite Things to Do,” we at VIRIDIS know the importance of giving your lawn a little early spring love.

Winter can be hard on a lawn. This is a time for the lawn to rest in its dormant phase but sometimes pests or disease decide to take up residence. They then become problematic with the warmth of spring. Allowing these to go untreated can spell disaster for your lawn, especially when it needs to regain its strength. Having a professional treat these problems can save time and money replanting or repairing damage later in the summer months when your would rather be enjoying your lawn.

Weeds usually get a jump start on grass in the spring. Pre-emergent treatment can prevent this problem. For those weeds that are already beginning to establish, the earlier you treat them, the easier they will be to eliminate. Well established weeds can be a big problem later in the year. They spread easily through roots and seeds. So don’t wait to call us at VIRIDIS Lawn Care for an assessment of your weed treatment needs.

Aeration and dethatching can also assist you in helping your lawn spring back to life. After the harsh weather of winter and the heavy snowfalls, giving those roots some wiggle room and ability to breathe can really help your lawn’s health and appearance.

Fertilizer might also be helpful for some lawn’s at this point in the year. Because of soil type, previous nutrition levels, and the winter weather, some grass might need a little pick-me-up to get growing with the warmer weather. Not all lawns will need fertilized. Some may not need fertilized until fall. It’s difficult to know when a lawn needs a little extra help. This is why consulting a professional lawn care service is a great idea.

So don’t wait. Procrastination will only lead to more work later. Call us at VIRIDIS Lawn Care today to set up your consultation!