Yard Fungus: Identification, Treatment and Prevention

January 19, 2026. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn • Bryan-College Station

Key Takeaways

Yard fungus is common in Texas and often signals underlying lawn stress rather than a surface-level issue. Identifying the disease early and addressing moisture, soil and maintenance problems is key to restoring and protecting your lawn.

Is yard fungus taking over your property? As a Texas homeowner, it’s important to understand how to identify, treat and prevent the most common types of lawn fungus.

Yard fungus is common in Texas for a couple of reasons. First, fungus thrives in heat, humidity, drought cycles and compacted soil. These are all elements that are abundant throughout the Lone Star State.

While yard fungus may seem like a small issue at first, it can point to larger underlying turf problems. Fungus is a common symptom of turf stress. These include poor drainage, overwatering, improper mowing, nutrient imbalance, compacted soil and other issues that impact the health and … Read Full Post »

Palm Tree Care: A Complete Guide for Healthy Palms in Texas

January 16, 2026. Posted by J Zambo in Tree Care & Trimming • Corpus Christi

Palm trees are staples of many Texas landscapes, but they require a different approach to care than traditional shade trees. While palms can thrive in the Lone Star State, challenges like extreme heat, high winds and storm exposure make proper maintenance very important.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to care for palm trees the right way in Texas, including how to water, fertilize and trim them.

This guide also includes expert insights from J Zambo. J is the Lawn & Tree Division Manager at ABC Home & Commercial Services and has over 20 years of experience. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor.

Palm Tree Care Basics: What Every Palm Needs

There are two crucial aspects of caring for palm trees:

sunlight requirements
soil requirements

When these environmental needs are met, palm trees can thrive in Texas.

Sunlight Requirements

Most palm trees thrive in … Read Full Post »

Tree Damaged by Storm? What to Do Next

January 7, 2026. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn • Austin

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 »

How Often Should You Water a New Tree?

December 19, 2025. Posted by J Zambo in Tree Care & Trimming • San Antonio

Planting a new tree is a great investment for your yard, but it requires careful maintenance. Many fail because of improper watering, so it’s important for homeowners to learn how often they should water their new trees.

This comprehensive guide includes a clear watering schedule for new trees, tips for adjusting to factors like the Texas heat, rainfall and soil types. It also includes signs that your tree is getting too much or too little water.

Finally, keep reading for expert insights from J Zambo. J is the Lawn & Tree Division Manager at ABC Home & Commercial Services and has over 20 years of experience. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor.

Why Proper Watering Is Critical for Newly Planted Trees

Unlike established trees with strong roots, newly planted trees have limited root systems. New trees rely entirely on the moisture in the surrounding soil to … Read Full Post »

Lawn Pest Identification & Control Guide

December 17, 2025. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn, Pest Control • Bryan-College Station

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 »

How To Improve Soil Quality In Your Lawn

December 15, 2025. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn • Corpus Christi

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 »

Texas Weeds: Identification And Control Tips

December 5, 2025. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn • San Antonio

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 »

How Long to Water Grass Seed

November 21, 2025. Posted by J Zambo in Landscaping, Lawn Care, Sprinkler Repair & Installation • San Antonio

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 »

Pros and Cons of Artificial Turf

November 14, 2025. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn • Bryan-College Station

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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 »

How Long Do Oak Trees Live?

October 13, 2025. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn, Tree Care & Trimming • Bryan-College Station

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 »