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When Weeds Attack: How to Handle Perennial Nuisances

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station

Like many noble pursuits, cultivating a great-looking lawn takes hard work and patience. Unfortunately, the variable climate of Central Texas often gets in the way. Try as you might, you probably find it difficult to completely eradicate weeds and invasive plants from the managed areas of your property. It’s especially difficult to get rid of weeds that closely resemble your lawn’s planted grasses.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the toughest weeds in the Bryan-College Station area and offer some tips about dealing with them.

Annual Bluegrass

Annual bluegrass is a truly pernicious weed. Since it’s related to Kentucky bluegrass, a popular covering for golf courses and other high-traffic areas, it’s a rugged, hearty breed that closely resembles common lawn grasses. You can tell annual bluegrass from its “good” perennial cousin by its tendency to form thick, unruly clumps and the slight curvature of its blades. Annual bluegrass is also a bit … Read Full Post »

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Will Texas Oak Wilt Spread to Other Trees in My Yard?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

From high blood pressure and Type II diabetes to emphysema and elevated cholesterol, humans have to deal with many diseases that doctors call “silent killers.” You might be surprised to learn that common tree species face similar threats. While your white or red oaks won’t come down with diabetes anytime soon, they may face a “silent killer” of their own: Texas oak wilt. Learn more about how to prevent the spread of this tree-killing disease.

What Is Texas Oak Wilt?

Texas oak wilt is a fungal infection that resides in the vascular systems of healthy trees. Over time, it kills most if not all of the trees that it infects. However, its precise progression depends on the species of the infected tree and certain environmental conditions.

Recognizing the Signs

The fungus that causes Texas oak wilt can spend months in a dormant or semi-dormant state within the vascular systems of affected oaks. In red … Read Full Post »

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Selecting Trees for Your Lawn

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station

Planting, Trimming and Nurturing in a Tough Climate

We’re partial to the Bryan-College Station area, so we never hesitate to call attention to the attributes that make its lawns and landscapes so beautiful. At the same time, we recognize that the weather here can offer serious challenges for homeowners who want to keep their properties looking great all year long. From crushing droughts and searing summer temperatures to unexpected fall freezes and soaking spring thunderstorms, these four tree species are adept at handling the region’s variable climate.

Texas Ash

The Texas ash is a hardy tree that grows well in most soils and provides a brilliant color display in November or early December. While it prefers well-drained upland areas, it can tolerate slightly sandy soils as well. For maximum effect, plant young trees after the last frost and provide plenty of water. Although the Texas ash grows rapidly during its early life, its … Read Full Post »

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Turn Sad Trees into Happy Trees

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Famed television artist Bob Ross was fond of dotting his landscapes with dozens of “happy little trees.” You may not be a pro with a brush and canvas, but you can do the same with your own landscape. Strong, healthy trees provide immeasurable benefit to any home. Not only can they lower the immediate temperature, they provide a habitat for interesting wildlife and can bring up the resale value of the property. Here’s how you can take care of your happy little trees.

Let Them Breathe

Trees are often at their best when left to their own devices. After all, some of the most majestic trees on the planet grew without human intervention. That’s not to say you should take an entirely hands-off approach to landscaping, but it does mean that you can do more harm than good by fussing constantly with tree growth.

Be Cautious with Construction

Planning to dig up a driveway? … Read Full Post »

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Determining Soil Type

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

Your taste in landscaping might run to flowers, vegetables or lush green lawns, but if you don’t take time to identify your soil type, your gardening results could be less than optimal. Soil types in San Antonio will vary by location. Additions can improve it, but first you need to know just what you have.

Clay Soil

If your soil turns hard and cracks in dry weather, what you’ve got is clay. This type of soil drains poorly. When not sun baked into brick-like solidity, it can quickly morph into a pit of mud. Its dense composition can dry, drown or suffocate plant roots, but it does hold nutrients in place.

If you can’t identify this type of soil by sight alone, add some water to a handful and roll it between your hands. You’ll find that clay soil will retain its shape quite well.

Sandy Soil

In contrast to the clay variety, sandy soil … Read Full Post »

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Checklist for Cleaning Up Your Lawn Act

. Posted by in , , • San Antonio

You’ve cleaned up the last of the dead leaves, finished mowing the lawn, and trimmed dead flowers from your landscaping beds. Your home’s lawn maintenance is nearly done, but you still have a few last chores to complete.

Clean Your Gutters

Even though you cleaned up your yard, there are likely thousands of leaves trapped in your gutters, which will overflow during heavy rainfall. Besides making the ground around your home a muddy mess, sitting water can actually cause foundation damage, so you want to make sure that your gutters are completely clean before the temperature drops below freezing.

Trim Dead Branches

Dead branches can snap off and cause damage if it snows, so trim off any dead branches that you can easily reach with a ladder. Hire a tree trimming company if you can’t reach high branches. Large branches make great firewood logs, and you can use smaller branches as kindling.

Prepare Engines

Once all … Read Full Post »

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Help Your Landscape Spring into Warm Weather

. Posted by in • Austin

Like many people, you probably feel the urge to freshen up your home when spring rolls around again. Spring cleaning is well and good, but it shouldn’t be reserved strictly for inside the home. By taking a little time to prepare your landscape for the summer, you’ll have an easier time maintaining it throughout the long, hot season.

Have you ever noticed how some people’s yards seem to instantly look terrific after warm weather returns? They tend to be the ones who get out there right away to prepare their landscapes for the summer. Even if you’re conscientious about raking and otherwise getting your yard ready for the winter, there are things that should be done to help everything spring back to life more easily.

Clean Up the Yard

It’s amazing how much debris and litter can end up in a yard over the winter. This is the time to be fastidious about … Read Full Post »

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Curb Appeal: Regional Plants That’ll Make Your Landscape Pop

. Posted by in • Austin

When you’re dreaming up the ideal landscape, why should you choose plants native to the Austin area? Simply put, regional plants sing in a glorious harmony of colors that turn your business or residential property into an eye-catching dreamscape, and they do this with a minimal amount of water and work. In our particular climate and weather conditions, regional plants thrive where non-resident plants, even with constant attention and nurturing, struggle to survive.

If you’re stymied trying to decide on the regional plants to use in beautifying your landscape, the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Texas AgriLife Extension have substantial lists of native plants. We’ve assembled a list containing a few of our favorites for you.

Mistflower

In colorful landscaping schemes, mistflower graces your property with two Bs: blooms and butterflies. Clusters of fuzzy blooms top clumps of four-foot stems with leaves of one to three inches. The blooms, in both … Read Full Post »

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Keeping Shrubs Healthy and Happy

. Posted by in • Houston

Shrubs are attractive, versatile assets to any lawn. You can use them to decorate, enhance privacy, and add artistic flair. Maintaining shrubs requires care and attention throughout the year to ensure the foliage looks its best. Follow these tips to keep your shrubs healthy, happy, and beautiful.

Choose Appropriate Sizes

Cramming any plant too close to its neighbor leads to bigger messes and hassles. Before adding shrubs to your yard, decide on the style you want. Are you aiming for a dense privacy hedge, or would you prefer to line the front walk with stout accent bushes? Choose the shrubs that look best with the layout of your lawn for an eye-catching landscape design.

Water and Moisture Maintenance

Like all plants used in landscaping, your shrubs need optimal water to thrive. During the first couple of years after planting, give everything a good drink once a week, soaking the soil without leaving a puddle. … Read Full Post »

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Is Your Sprinkler System Driving Your Water Bill Up?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

There’s only one way to keep your lawn green during the summer. Without sprinkler systems, every lawn in the San Antonio region would turn brown, and there would be nothing but weeds and dust to mow. Your irrigation system uses water from the San Antonio Water System, and at current rates, you pay up to 0.6 cents per gallon.

That might not sound like a lot, but your sprinkler system uses about 12 gallons of water per minute, which works out to 2,160 gallons or $13 over three hours. A leak in the system will spike your water bill even higher.

Check Your Meter

To check for a leak, locate your water meter box outside—it’s most likely located near your road or sidewalk. Simply pop open the metal lid, and brush off any dirt or sand with a broom. Turn off all indoor and outdoor water faucets on your property, and take another … Read Full Post »

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