With temperatures beginning to rise, it’s important to start preparing your Gainesville landscape for success in the months ahead. Does your curb appeal need some added color? Is your lawn ready for the warm weather and adjusted irrigation times?

We have compiled a few tips that will keep your lawn in great shape during the summer months.

1. Don’t Butcher the Grass
It’s tempting to lower your mower blades to cut the grass as short as possible. After all, you reason, it’s sort of like your hair—the shorter you cut it now, the longer you can go between trims. Grass doesn’t work like that, especially when it comes to St. Augustine and Zoysia grass.

Chopping the grass is more likely to leave it brown and dead. For the warm season, not only should you sharpen the blades, but you should also position them to never cut more than 1/3rd of the leaf blade off for an optimal lawn. Leaving the grass slightly taller won’t interfere with the groomed appearance of your lawn, but the blades remain long enough to bathe in the sunlight, which creates nutrient-rich roots and soil.

Learn more about caring for your specific Gainesville turfgrass here.

2. Trust your Smart Controller or Weather Sensor
Watering the lawn is a necessity in Florida, but our area is also humid, and we get a good amount of rainfall in summer. That eases a bit of the burden of irrigating, but it depends on the weather. A week of scorching weather can torch the yard if you aren’t watchful, which is why many summer lawn care tips focus on hydration and irrigation techniques.
As tempting as it is, we do not recommend “turning the sprinklers on manually when it’s dry,” because inevitably life happens. Once the lawn is stressed, you are already negatively impacting your curb appeal - and inviting pests and weeds in. A scheduled watering plan, that is paused automatically when rain is in the area, is the best way to ensure top-notch health in your summer landscape.

Learn more about Smart Irrigation Controllers here.

3. Put Away the Nitrogen
This summer lawn care tip doesn’t apply to garden beds and edible landscaping, but for your lawn - don’t fertilize your lawn with any nitrogen (first number of the N-P-K content on fertilizer) after June, per Alachua County regulations. This is why our lawn and ornamental health programs include slow-release nutrients applied at the end of spring that will feed the landscape through summer and fall.
You can still apply micronutrients and topdressings that will help feed your roots and soil to improve your landscape’s health through the summer, but avoid nitrogen if you don’t want on the County’s 'naughty list.'

Learn more about the Alachua County Fertilizer Restrictions here.

4. Prune back your azaleas
Most landscape professionals go by the July 4th rule, which is to make sure all Azaleas (Specifically larger varieties) are pruned back heavily and shaped by Independence Day. This will allow them to start budding in late Summer for next Spring’s bloom season. July to next Spring is an extended growing period - so starting from a tight shape is important to not looking overgrown and unkept.

Some homeowners prefer a manicured shaped Azalea at the expense of the blooms, so if that's you please ignore this tip and continue to shape after budding season - but most love the flowers and so this is an important task to get checked off.

Learn more about Azalea care here.

5. Plant some Summer Color
After your Hydrangeas, Irises, Agapanthus, Azaleas, and Camellias are done blooming - Summer color can be hard to go without. If your landscape needs a little color throughout the dog days of summer - consider adding these heat-loving plants into your design:

• Drift Roses
• Salvia (Perennial and Annual)
• Cardinal Firespike (late Summer)
• Golden Cassia
• Coreopsis
• Vitex Tree
• Coleus (Annual)

Find more Summer Color Landscape Inspiration here.

If we can be of help with any of your Gainesville Landscape needs - please don't hesitate to reach out to us give our team a call or text at (352) 378-5296. We're local and have been serving Gainesville for over 15 years. We look forward to working with you!

"Why does The Master's Lawn Care base its lawn health program on 6 visits?" We get this question a lot, pretty much anytime we enroll a new client into our Gainesville lawn care program.  Why 6 visits and more to the point, does a lawn need that much fertilizer to stay alive?

Truthfully, no.  Lawns don't need to be treated 6 times per year.  In fact, it was just a few years ago that we were offering a 5 application program (we visited homes roughly every two and half months). However, what I came to realize is that our clients don't want just a fertilization company.  What our clients want is a company who takes care of their lawn.  If you had the time or expertise to watch over your lawn, you wouldn't have called us in the first place and would be doing the work yourself. 

That is why we now visit 6 times a year.  If you're waiting too long for your lawn application company to come out, a lot of bad things can happen in the time between visits. 

A few examples would be:

• What starts as a few weeds can turn into a crop of weeds in that amount of time. 

• Chinch bugs or sod webworms can devastate your lawn. 

• A lawn disease / fungus can do irreparable damage to your lawn.

• And the list goes on.

That is why we believe that a 6 visit lawn program is best.  Our Gainesville lawn program is set up as 6 timed applications based on seasonal changes, which allows us to be in your lawn at the most critical times of the year for pests, disease, weeds, and lawn health. 

We are not just spreading fertilizer, even though that is one of the many things our program includes. Suprisingly, the fertilizer isn't the most important thing we do each application. The 5-point lawn and landscape health analysis is the most important piece of our program, and the adjustments that come from that inspection are what set our Gainesville Lawn Program apart from the rest. The 5 point inspection is made up of:

1. Lawn Health Evaluation - This analysis helps identify problems such as invasive weeds, lawn-damaging insects, and nutrient diffencies in  your lawn to make sure they are resolved before they damage your lawn. 
2. Soil Probe Test - This tests your soil for moisture retention ability, soil fertility, and composure to identify areas we can improve our lawn program in helping your lawn thrive. Soil health is the most often ignored part of a Florida lawn. Most housing subdivisions are built on "Archer Fill dirt" or Builder's Sand, which is one of the leading causes in struggling lawns.
3. Environmental Factor Investigation - Your environment plays a keys role in how your lawn grows. That's why we look at sun exposure, foot traffic, tree root density, and rain patterns to see what needs to be done to keep a healthy lawn.
4. Care Reccomendations - Knowing how to properly mow and water your lawn is a must to have a healthy lawn. Mowing heights differ between types of grasses and watering recommendations can change quickly based on the weather. Having a lawn health professional give recommendations to help you achieve a lawn you'll love is always a benefit to using our lawn health professionals.
5. Ornamental Health Checkup - Ornamentals are your shrubs, flowers, and trees that are used in your landscape to help keep your curb appeal top notch. If they are struggling pests, disease, or nutritient-diffencies, we will gladly inspect them at no charge. 

That's what our lawn treatment program does, and why we've been in business for over 15 years helping Gainesville lawns just like yours.  We strive to give you the lawn of your dreams without the worry or work so you can concentrate on more important things. 

So what happens during those 6 visits?

• Visit 1:  In late winter we apply a product which controls existing weeds. We also treat as necessary to control large patch fungus that pops up in many lawns as the cool weather visits Florida. We also use Potassium to develop the root system, which helps the turf have a quick green-up in spring.

• Visit 2: In early spring we apply a granular quick-release fertilizer mixed with a pre-emergent weed control which gives a good jump start for the spring growth of your lawn, while preventing certain broadleaf weeds and crabgrass seeds from starting to germinate. We also preventatively apply a lawn insect control product to fend off Chinch bugs before their active season begins.

• Visits 3: In late spring, we do spot treatments of post-emergent weed control as needed to keep the lawn weeds under control. Liquid iron is applied to help the lawn keep its color along with applying a slow-release fertilizer that continues to feed the lawn.

• Visit 4: In early summer, we apply a granular lawn food that slowly releases essential nutrients to help the turf grow deeper roots and prepare for the heat of summer. We also re-treat with preventative insect control products to continue working against Chinch bugs, as well as preventatively work against sod webworms. We continue to spot treat for weeds as necessary.

• Visit 5: In late summer, we apply another pre-emergent and broadleaf weed control for winter weeds. We also treat as necessary for any remaining lawn-
  damaging insects such as chinch bugs, webworms, and mole crickets. Liquid iron isadded in this visit too, to help maintain the lawns’ color through fall. 

• Visit 6: In late fall or early winter we apply a granular lawn food to help the turf focus on root development. This again helps the lawn to store nutrients, energy and to survive the winter. We spot treat any broadleaf weeds as necessary. We also again, treat as necessary to control and prevent any large patch fungus.
   

After we're done, the technician will create a report on what he's seen and insert it into our system so that we keep tailoring our program for your specific lawn, and we send the report to you via email with the list of what we've done and recommendations for you from our lawn evaluation.  

Our 6 visit program keeps most all of our customers 100% satisfied.  Rest assured though, if you have any problems during the course of the year, we are always available to help.  We offer complimentary service calls, even between visits, if you're on our lawn health program. All you have to do is call (352) 378-5296 or email info@themasterslawncare.com. 

The time has finally come to begin planning your fall Gainesville landscaping tasks with Fall just around the corner. It may not feel like it, but cooler days will be here in a month or so, and evening temperatures are already on a downward slope. Get ready for fall landscaping activities by planning for and scheduling tasks those hard-to-get-to tasks now.

Schedule the projects, purchase supplies, and plan what your priorities are -although the actual work won't begin just yet. You will be fertilizing your lawn, monitoring lawn pest and weed activity, and dialing in irrigation schedules. You may also choose to add some fall seasonal color or add new shrubs and trees.

Plan Cool-Season Annuals
Right now, your warm-season annuals are still looking good. Angelonia, torenia, vinca, zinnias, coleus, and caladium are blooming well. In our Gainesville, Florida lawns, these will continue thriving into mid-October. Depending on if you're using Fall color such as Mums or moving straight to Pansies and Petunias, you can delay purchasing and installing cool-season annuals until November. For Mums it would be an earlier timeline though.

If you like to grow flowers from seeds, however, now is the time to start thinking about it, especially if you plan to order supplies and seeds online. Setting up your seedling areas can be a project if you want to sow lots of seeds. This can also be a great project for kids to see as the plants grow.

Consider these Gainesville area cool-season annuals for your flower beds:

Snapdragons, Pansies, Violas, Mums, Petunias, Phlox, or Sweet Pea

Fall Gainesville Lawn Fertilizing
Be ready for the year's last round of nitrogen feeding in September or October. General garden fertilizer is suitable for most trees and shrubs (12-4-8 or 15-5-15 or 15-4-8) and your turf mix would vary depending upon your grass type - St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Centipede.

For tree and shrub fertilization (Ornamental fertilizer), spread it evenly on the ground under the tree out to the drip line (edge of the outer mimbs of the trees).

For lawns, look the turf fertilizer depends on your breed of turfgrass. St. Augustine and Bahia get their final feeding of the year in September; Zoysia and Bermuda will be later in the year, although continuing to feed other micro and macro nutrient s is important for root density and health through the winter. 

Add New Shrubs
Want to add new shrubs or flowers? Fall is the perfect time. If you wait until October when the days are cooler, the planting process doesn’t stress shrubs as much, and our winters aren't extreme so it gives new plants a long time to adjust and root before the next heat wave of summer.

Use September as the month of ground prep for new shrubs. Get rid of all weeds, either by hand-picking or spraying weed contorl. Remove plants that are failing. Dig up the soil and turn it over, adding enriching amendments such as cow manure (purchased in a bag at a nursery or garden center), grass clippings, wood chips, straw, and wood ash.

The ground will be ready for installing new shrubs in late September or October. Fall is also a good time to add new trees.

Keep a Watch for Pests
Until the days really cool down, pests remain active. On shrubs and plants, keep a watch for aphids, mites, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Crape Myrtle's will regularly struggle with black sooty mold from Aphids,

As for your Gainesville lawn pests, look for chinch bug damage (dry patches by concrete and curbs), moths fluttering in the lawn (which is the adult sod webworm), and their damage of chewed leaf blades. Leave the beneficial insects alone: lacewings, spiders, mantids, and ladybugs. These good bugs eat the destructive ones. You can also look for lawn fungus, leaf spot, and melting out this time of year as well.

Turn on Irrigation as Needed
Early September may still see afternoon showers. As the fall progresses and less rain falls, homeowners should be prepared to turn on irrigation systems more fequently. Fortunately, many systems are equipped with rain sensors or smart controllers to keep them from running too often. However, the grass still needs monitoring to ensure that it is receiving enough water. 

I hope this is helpful as you plan your Fall Landscape To-Do List. Let us know if we can help your Gainesville lawn or landscape in any way by calling/texting (352) 378-5296 or emailing us at info@themasterslawncare.com.

The nutrients in fertilizers come from many sources. Synthetic fertilizers are manufactured using mined resources, gasses from the air, and other non-organic minerals. The nutrients in a Premium Gainesville, Florida Organic Lawn Program used derived fertilizers that are obtained from living matter, natural by-products, waste, microbes, plants, and other organic materials. There are many benefits to using fertilizers derived from organic sources. Here is the difference between how synthetic fertilizer programs and Organic Fertilizer Programs feed your yard:

In our Organic-Based Lawn Care Program, we utilize a natural based fertility program that boosts organic material and Biochemistry within your soil to produce a healthier Gainesville lawn and landscape. We have partnered with RGS, the lawn care industry leader in natural based Organic fertility products. Utilizing their products, we truly can provide our customers with a fully customized fertility program that doesn't harm your soil, yard, our environment or our water.

The fertilizers and soil amendments used for each round are specifically blended to consider the current environmental conditions to optimize the following:

• Turf type nutrient needs (St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda all have different needs)
• The quickness of turf response and color.
• Utilization of materials based on the heat/rainfall/environment.
• Utilization of materials abased on soil pH.(which we test through UF's IFAS department to specifically tailor your program for your lawn care needs)
• Measured amounts of ALL nutrients.

The soil contains millions of beneficial microorganisms. Their job is to digest organic matter and recycle plant nutrients for use by your Gainesville lawn. These organisms depend on carbon and oxygen for their survival. Liquid Natural-based organic fertilizers and soil amendments provide for all of the needs of both the plants and the soil. The results are:

1. No risk of plant burn at application. If chemicals can burn your plant easily, you don't want them in your lawn!
2. Consistent color in the warm season.
3. Deep dense roots to push through droughts and use less water. (Although water still will be needed to create those healthy roots)
4. Healthy stress tolerant turfgrass that is tougher against chinch bugs and other lawn pest.
5. Better heat tolerance
6. Reduced thatch due to increased decomposition and compost
7. Reduced inputs of chemical controls due to stronger roots and healthier turf.

We utilize a 6 application Program, and we're one of the only companies that offer Gainesville, Florida Organic-Based Lawn Care Programs. We also provide lawn aeration, irrigation service, and sod installation services. Soil type, turfgrass variety, environmental conditions, watering, and mowing are just a few of the things that can profoundly impact the fertility and control needs of a lawn, and that's why we highly-recommend an Organic-Based Lawn Health Program. 

Soil is a Living Ecosystem

The key to a healthy lawn and garden is healthy soil—a living, breathing ecosystem. The primary components of soil are minerals (inorganic materials), organic materials, water, and air. The organic matter improves the soil’s capacity to hold water and nutrients, releasing them as needed by plants. It feeds the microorganisms, which in turn makes nutrients available to plants, as well as improves the soil structure. Water makes it possible for the plants to absorb those nutrients. But that’s only the start.

A healthy soil ecosystem is teeming with beneficial bacteria, fungi, and countless microorganisms, as well as the critters we can see, like earthworms and insects that create nutrients in the soil.

Nutrients Released Slowly

Fertilizers derived from organic sources feed the soil, which allows the nutrients to be released slowly, at a rate consistent with what plants need, when they need it. Plants receive a well-balanced diet, including a broad range of vital, naturally occurring trace minerals, and micronutrients. Nutrients released slowly stimulate consistent growth and root development and don’t need to be applied as often. Synthetic fertilizers release nutrients quickly, promoting rapid growth that is often excessive - this means you’re going to be cutting the lawn more often and taking the chance at having a case of chemical burn.

Fertilizer Derived From Organic Sources Won’t Burn Your Lawn

You’ve seen lawns striped with brown, dead grass. That’s chemical burn resulting from synthetic fertilizers. Fertilizers from organic sources generally won’t burn plants when used properly and don’t need to be watered-in, which can help conserve water. Nutrients in organically derived fertilizers are also less likely to leach into groundwater or contaminate waterways.

YOUR LAWN NEEDS TO BE FED AND PROTECTED

Your lawn is exposed to all of the elements - sunshine, wind, rain, insects, weeds, fungus, and disease - and in constant decline. To stop the decline, every lawn needs food (which is lawn fertilizer) and protection from chinch bugs, webworms, weeds and disease every once in a while. Somebody has to do it. Either you can be a weekend warrior - which includes going to your local home improvement store, buying fertilizers and insecticides, hoping you bought the right stuff at the right time and applied it at the right rate; or you can hire a Gainesville Lawn Pest Control Professional.

THE EXTRAS OF LAWN SPRAYING

Weekends off from lawn duty is certainly one perk of Gainesville lawn spraying, but is one Saturday off every 6-8 weeks worth it? In spite of our quite obvious bias, consider the following reasons when contemplating whether to hire a lawn spraying service:

Better Job - It is difficult for a homeowner to match the product quality, the application equipment, expertise, and consistency of a lawn spraying company. There is value in that lawn spraying companies can do it much better than the weekend warrior. Just like you job is to be the expert at what you do, our job is to know Gainesville lawn health programs better than anyone else.

Cost Less - The cost of lawn spraying is more than buying a bag of 10-10-10 from Lowe's, but there is the round trip to the store, the learning curve, the equipment, the storage, and the application - not to mention the "rinse and repeat" scenario required to get great results. Most people simply find that paying the extra for a lawn spraying service is far more cost effective in time and dollars.

Safety - Some people are chemo-phobic! They just prefer to have the messy work of fertilizers and spraying performed "by the experts". It is hard to put a value on "peace of mind" and many of my customers set that value above a few dollars saved at the Home Depot and prefer the "peace of mind" having an expert handle this chore! Even though everything we use is child and pet safe, everything you can buy at the store is not.

Pride - Some people (many who are my customers) prefer to have the greenest, best looking lawn in Gainesville! They put great value on putting their best foot forward - usually a 5,000 square foot lawn.

Insect Control - Others have realized that there is great value in having a lawn spraying company controlling insects on every square foot of their property - especially pet owners. To them there is great value in having everything from ants to fleas killed, edge to edge on their property. It protects your pets, children, and your lawn!

​Effcient - ​The right product at the right time provides better results faster and more reliable than the "buy and try" of many DIY'ers. Hard to put a price on a job done right the first time.

Delivery Service - Few people associate my service - lawn spraying - with that of a delivery service. But in reality what I do is to deliver the finest and best lawn care products in the industry to your front door and apply them accurately over your entire lawn with modern equipment on a regular schedule. That is the real value in the lawn spraying service!