ABC Blog
Choose a City

Tree Damaged by Storm? What to Do Next

. Posted by in • Austin
a thumbnail from the video in this blog

Key Takeaways

Storms can cause a range of damage to trees, from broken limbs and leaning trunks to bark loss and root instability. Assessing the damage and knowing when to call a certified arborist can help preserve the long-term health of your trees.

As a homeowner, any damage to your trees can feel stressful. However, tree damage caused by a storm creates complex questions that you may not be prepared to answer. What do you do next, and how do you help your tree without causing more damage?

This comprehensive guide to tree damage by a storm will help you understand what to check, what to avoid and how to know when it’s time to call in the professionals.

Expert Insight

This guidance comes from J Zambo, ABC’s … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Lawn Pest Identification & Control Guide

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
a thumbnail from the video in this blog

Key Takeaways

Texas lawns commonly face pests like chinch bugs, grubs, armyworms, fire ants and sod webworms. Look for irregular patches, chewed blades, soil mounds or lifted turf. Early detection and proper lawn care help, but often, professional help is needed.

Have pests taken over your Texas lawn? Thanks to the Lone Star State’s humid and warm climate, Texas lawns can be hotspots for lawn pests like grubs, chinch bugs, armyworms, fire ants and other insects that can cause significant damage. 

As a homeowner, it’s important to learn how to identify pest damage so you can control it as early as possible. This guide, developed by ABC’s certified lawn care professionals, covers how to identify, prevent and control the most common lawn pests across Texas landscapes. 

“Grubs feed on the roots of grass,” says J Zambo. “So when you go to pull on the dead areas, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How To Improve Soil Quality In Your Lawn

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
a thumbnail from the video in this blog

Key Takeaways

Healthy soil is the key to a strong, green lawn. When soil becomes compacted or loses nutrients, your grass struggles, no matter how much you water or fertilize. Improving your soil with compost, aeration and good lawn habits can help your lawn grow thicker and healthier.

As a homeowner, it can be frustrating when you spend your weekends on your lawn, only for it to be patchy, uneven or a brownish-green color. You may spend time fertilizing, watering and mowing your lawn, but your lawn isn’t improving. What many homeowners don’t realize is that the quality of your soil can have an impact on your lawn’s health. 

Over time, soil can lose nutrients and helpful microbes, become packed down and struggle to grow strong roots. When that happens, even the best fertilizer or watering schedule … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Texas Weeds: Identification And Control Tips

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a thumbnail from the video in this blog

Key Takeaways

Texas lawns face year-round weed pressure thanks to warm weather and unpredictable rain, making proper lawn care essential. Identifying weed types by region, as well as using the right prevention and control methods, helps keep your grass healthy and thriving.

As a Texas homeowner, do you get frustrated by how often you have to manage weeds in your lawn? While our weather is a positive for many residents, the warm weather and unpredictable rain in Texas make the Lone Star State a haven for weed growth. 

Weeds can affect the health of your lawn in a number of ways. For example, they compete with your plants for nutrients, making it harder for your plants to thrive. They can also degrade your lawn’s aesthetics and can attract pests.

This guide covers how to identify, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Long to Water Grass Seed

. Posted by in , , • San Antonio
a thumbnail from the video in this post

You’ve spread the grass seed, but now comes the real challenge: learning how to water your new lawn just right. With consistent watering and patience, most Texas lawns start sprouting within 10 to 14 days.

How do you know how long to water your grass seed so that it grows evenly and remains healthy?

Most homeowners don’t realize that how long you water your new grass seed matters just as much as how often you water it. After planting new grass seeds, the soil needs to remain moist to ensure successful germination and root development. 

Keep reading to learn how long you should water your grass seed, an ideal week-by-week water schedule, common watering mistakes to avoid and more. 

This guide draws on insights from ABC’s certified lawn experts, including J Zambo. J is the Lawn & Tree Division Manager at ABC Home & Commercial Services and has over 20 years of experience. He … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Pros and Cons of Artificial Turf

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a thumbnail for the video included in this post

Key Takeaways

Artificial turf offers a consistently green, low-maintenance lawn, but it comes with considerations like heat, upfront cost and proper installation. This guide walks you through the pros, cons and what to expect before making the switch.

Every homeowner wants a lush backyard where they can sit back and relax or watch their kids play. However, there are a lot of issues that can arise from a traditional lawn. For one, maintenance and caring for your lawn takes consistent time and energy. Even when caring for your lawn properly, you can still find yourself dealing with disease or insects. Also, water conservation has become increasingly important, and what was once a beautiful green patch of lawn may now be scratchy and brown. 

For all these reasons, you may have considered artificial turf. Artificial turf is great because it looks beautiful year-round, saves water and … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Long Do Oak Trees Live?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
oak trees

Here in Texas, we are lucky to have many species of beautiful oak trees. If you have one of these trees in your yard, you may be wondering, “How long do oak trees live?” You may also be wondering about what you can do to extend your oak’s life and keep it healthy.

According to J Zambo, some oak species can live thousands of years, but most live for hundreds of years. J also states that oak trees in urban settings likely won’t live as long. He says that the best way to extend the life of your oak trees is to develop a long-term relationship with an ISA Certified Arborist. A good arborist will not only develop a great pruning and maintenance program, but they will also have a thorough understanding of the trees in your yard and will be able to quickly diagnose any disease or pests.

J Zambo is … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Your Guide To Christmas Events In San Antonio

. Posted by in • San Antonio
San Antonio

Want to know the best way to celebrate the holiday season in San Antonio? You’re in luck, because San Antonio bursts at the seams with holiday spirit, and there are many Christmas events in San Antonio to enjoy.

Whether you want to hit up the River Walk, get some shopping done or find an activity the whole family will love, San Antonio is the place to be over the holidays.

Your Guide To Christmas Events In San Antonio

San Antonio is a lively city all year long, but it radiates fun and festivity during the holiday season.

Homemade Christmas at the Alamo

On Saturday, December 13, the Alamo is hosting a free Christmas event that will transport you back in time. Homemade Christmas showcases what it was like to celebrate the holidays as an early settler on the Texas frontier in the mid-1800s. 

The whole family can enjoy Christmas-themed crafts, storytelling, living history demonstrations, caroling, candymaking, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Where To See the Best Austin Christmas Lights

. Posted by in • Austin
the Austin trail of lights

There’s no shortage of fun things to do around Austin during the holidays. The city boasts an impressive number of Christmas light displays every year, along with other festive events, such as holiday markets, ice skating, Christmas meals and more.

Whether you want to go out for a night on the town or find an activity the whole family will love, there’s something for everyone. 

If you want to make the holiday season easier on yourself, leave your holiday light display to the pros. ABC can install your lights for you this year and bring your holiday dreams to life. 

Where To See the Best Austin Christmas Lights

Austin is a city full of personality, so it’s no surprise that it goes all out when it comes to holiday lights. There are numerous light displays, both free and paid, to enjoy this holiday season. 

Most of the events listed below begin in November and run … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Where to See Christmas Lights in Bryan, TX

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
Christmas lights

The holiday season will be here before you know it, and there are plenty of fun holiday events to enjoy in Bryan, Texas. Our city offers multiple ways to take in Christmas lights to help get you in a festive mood. Along with Christmas light displays, Bryan offers holiday parades, markets, strolls and art fairs.

Looking forward to decking out your home for the holidays? Let ABC do the heavy lifting for you. Our professional Christmas light installers can get the job done so you can enjoy the festive season with your family. 

Where to See Christmas Lights in Bryan

Looking for the best Christmas light displays in Bryan? You’re in luck, because the city is full of dazzling displays for all types of audiences. Whether you’re planning a group outing with your book club, a festive date or a family night out, you can find something fun to do in Bryan this … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed