I have noticed several different types of grasses in my lawn, and believe that
it is crabgrass. Is there anything that Signature can do to fix this?
Contrary to television as and marketing companies, the Portland Metro area is
pretty much void of crab grass.
In our fifteen years of service, we have only seen one un-kept lawn with crab
grass.
Our problem is velvet grass, bent grass, and Poa annua (annual bluegrass). Velvet grass is a lime green wide-bladed grass while annual bluegrass is the
lime green grass with a seed head that seems to last forever.
These grasses come into your yard by wind, birds, and rain.
How to solve the problem – Unfortunately, there is nothing we can spray to stop these two grasses. The crab grass controls sold at stores will not work. If you wish to get rid of these grasses, spray a grass killer on the patches,
wait 10-15 days (until the grass browns), rake out the dead grass, add some
potting soil and re-seed the area with perennial ryegrass.
The best time to do this is in September. One, some of the circular patches are grasses throwing
up a seed stalk and are actually good grasses going through their reproductive
cycle and will blend back in by late June.
Two, the weather will be more consistent and the days will be shorter, creating
the perfect conditions for seed germination.
Do lawns need regular monthly feedings? Why do I need service in the winter months?
A good analogy might be the way we eat. After a large meal we feel tired and lethargic. A lawn gets run down after being fed with larger doses of fertilizer. It is much better to feed a lawn regularly with an amount of fertilizer needed
to keep an optimum performance without stressing the turf grass plants.
All of our customers benefit from their Signature Landscape fall programs. For several years now research has shown over and over, that a good feeding in
the fall and late fall, make a difference in the overall health of lawns, trees
and shrubs.
The earlier feedings begin the process of building roots while keeping good
color.
The late feeding continues the root building process. This feeding is done during cooler temperatures and does not allow for the top
growth, but builds fats and carbohydrates in the roots.
The payoff comes next spring when the soil temperature warms up. The grass and the plants have the nutrients necessary for a healthy landscape.
Is mowing included in the Signature Lawn Care program?
Although mowing is a service that we do offer, it is not included in the
Signature Lawn Care program.
If you would like a quote on mowing services, please contact your area manager
or call into the office.
What are crane flies and how can I prevent them from damaging my lawn?
The European Crane Fly is generally found in Oregon, Washington, and Canada. In their adult form, they resemble a large mosquito and are virtually harmless. The problem comes from the eggs the female lays in the lawn during the fall. Through the winter, the eggs develop into small larvae (they look like small
worms) and as the temperatures rise they begin to feed on the roots of the
grass and create mushy soil conditions.
Left untreated, the European Crane Fly can severely damage a lawn. Luckily, a deep frost in the winter tends to destroy a majority of the crane fly
larvae.
In the event that the larvae hatch, Signature Lawn Care customers will be
treated for the insect and the lawn will be fine.
However, it is not practical to treat every single lawn, as the problem is
generally fairly limited.
I have brown spots in my lawn and was wondering what I should to get rid of
them?
There are two symptoms that lead to brown spots: compaction and lack of
watering.
The predominant soil in the Portland area is clay. This soil has one problem for grass. Over time, the clay will compact. This compaction will prevent nutrients from getting to the roots of the grass. This causes the roots to become shallow and susceptible to warm weather stress. Warm weather and a lack of water compounds this problem and creates the
undesirable brown spots.
To help alleviate compaction, we suggest having your lawn aerated once per year.
This will help to break up the soil and allow water, air, and fertilizer to
reach the root base.
Along with the aeration, a good watering schedule should be maintained. If you are having trouble with setting a watering program, please ask your area
manager for some advice.
