What’s Involved in Building an Outdoor Fire Place?

June 18, 2024. Posted by J Zambo in Landscaping • Austin

Adding an outdoor fireplace is one way to spruce up a backyard. It can completely change the ambiance and be a great place to bring your family and friends together. Not only will a fireplace light up the space and make it cozier, but it will also give your property a value boost. It can even give you added privacy, letting you enjoy your barbecues in peace.

If you want to level up your outdoor living space with a fireplace, let a professional help. A landscape specialist will prepare your space and a solid base for the fireplace, and then build the outdoor fireplace of your dreams. This professional has the tools and expertise needed for the job, so all you have to do is sit back and relax.

Steps to Building an Outdoor Fireplace

It might seem like outdoor fireplaces are built from stacked river rocks or ledger stones, but that’s all … Read Full Post »

Why Is Water Quality Important?

June 14, 2024. Posted by Tom Riggs in Plumbing, Water Quality • Corpus Christi

Why is water quality important? We all know our health depends on it, but we don’t realize that it’s also important for maintaining our homes. Poor water quality is the culprit behind various home issues, affecting sinks, tubs, wall tiles and other fixtures. If you want to avoid unnecessary stress and expenses, it pays to check and improve the water quality in your home.

If you don’t know the first thing about water quality, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll learn about the impact of poor water quality on our health and houses. We’ll also share tips on measuring water quality.

Effects of Poor Water Quality and How to Address Them

While hard water doesn’t pose health risks, its high levels of magnesium and calcium can significantly add to your mineral intake. It also has unwanted effects on your hair, skin, appliances and plumbing system. If you have hard water at home, here … Read Full Post »

Take-All Root Rot: Symptoms and Causes

June 13, 2024. Posted by Amberlee Warner in Lawn • Dallas-Fort Worth

For anyone who adores their yard, take-all root rot is one of the worst things to deal with. This disease puts all your time and hard work to waste, causing weak and dead patches in your yard.

If you’re worried about take-all root rot taking over your yard, here are the first signs to look out for. Remember that prevention is always better than treatment. If take-all root rot in your yard has gotten out of hand, don’t despair. A lawn service professional can restore it to its former glory. You can also schedule regular maintenance to ensure your yard is in tip-top shape.

Take-All Root Rot Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Root rot is a fungal disease that mostly affects warm-season grasses like bermuda, St. Augustine and zoysia grass.

Causes

This lawn condition is caused by a fungus that lives in soil. It is most commonly found in grass that looks diseased but can also … Read Full Post »

Best Season to Prune Trees

June 11, 2024. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn, Tree Care & Trimming • San Antonio

If you’re growing trees on your property, you’re probably eager to give them all the TLC they need to thrive. But before you head out to your garden and start pruning, knowing how to do this is important. Pruning trees is a misunderstood chore, leading homeowners to sometimes do more harm than good. Unfortunately, incorrect pruning can lead to poor or unnatural plant growth and low flower and fruit production.

If you want lush greenery in your garden, it helps to know the best season to prune trees. However, the timing depends on the type of tree and other factors.

Here’s an in-depth guide on when to schedule pruning and other helpful tips. For the best results, let a professional arborist take over. The arborist will give your trees the proper care they deserve. They can also tell you about the difference between tree pruning and trimming.

Best Season to Prune Trees: Factors … Read Full Post »

Best Time of Day to Fertilize Lawn

June 5, 2024. Posted by J Zambo in Fertilization, Lawn • Bryan-College Station

When it comes to maintaining a healthy lawn, watering is only one part of the equation. It’s also important to routinely fertilize your lawn to provide it with the nutrients it needs to grow. Proper fertilization techniques can keep your lawn looking green and lush all year long.

If you need help properly fertilizing your lawn, contact a local lawn care specialist. They can do the job for you, so you have one less thing to consider.

Best Time of Day to Fertilize Lawn

Fertilizing your lawn is crucial for maintaining lush, green grass. However, it’s important to fertilize your lawn correctly to avoid burning it. Fertilizer burn, which happens when your lawn has been over-fertilized, kills grass and damages your soil,.

One of the best ways to avoid fertilizer burn is to apply fertilizer at the right time of day. The best time of day to fertilize your lawn is in the morning.

When … Read Full Post »

Landscape Ideas for Front of the House

June 4, 2024. Posted by J Zambo in Landscaping, Lawn • Austin

Are you ready to turn the front of your house into your dream landscape? When it comes to landscape ideas for the front of the house, the options are endless. From flowers to hedges to vegetable gardens, you can achieve any look you want while boosting your home’s curb appeal at the same time.

The best way to achieve your dream front yard is to take your ideas to a landscaping specialist and let them bring them to life.

Landscape Ideas for Front of the House

A front yard allows homeowners to be creative and curate a beautiful landscape. You can wow your guests and turn your front yard into a space that you love to spend time in.

The following landscape ideas for the front of the house are appealing for several reasons. Some are simple to install and maintain, while others require more care. If you want to transform your front yard, … Read Full Post »

Best Grass for Shade in Texas

June 3, 2024. Posted by Amberlee Warner in Lawn • Dallas-Fort Worth

While having a shaded property is ideal in the sweltering heat of the summer, it’s not the best for growing grass. Home gardeners know how hard it is to grow luscious grass under trees and other shaded areas. But before you call it quits, knowing that some grass types have no problem thriving in the shade is helpful.

If you’re dealing with patchy or bare spots on the shaded parts of your lawn, try switching to these grass types. However, the best thing you can do for your lawn is to contact a professional. A lawn care specialist can make your grass look beautiful in the sun or shade.

Best Types of Grass That Do Well in the Shade

While Bermuda grass is a popular choice for lawns in Texas, it’s not the best choice for shaded areas. These types of grass are better suited for your property if it gets less sun.

Zoysia

Many … Read Full Post »

How To Prune Citrus Trees

May 28, 2024. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn, Tree Care & Trimming • San Antonio

Imagine waking up to a refreshing glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice every morning. With citrus trees in your garden, you can enjoy this. But to get the reward, you have to put some work into your citrus trees.

If you’re wondering how to prune citrus trees, here’s a guide to take you through the process. For busy homeowners who don’t have time for gardening work, a professional arborist can keep your citrus trees healthy and beautiful. The arborist has the tools and skills to prune, water and fertilize citrus trees.

How To Prune Citrus Trees: Methods, Timing and Equipment

Most deciduous trees need regular pruning to stay healthy. Pruning invigorates the trees and reconfigures their branches, making them less prone to breaking under heavy crops. It also helps them produce better-tasting fruits.

If you have experience with deciduous trees, like oak trees, you might think citrus trees require the same care. However, citrus … Read Full Post »

What You Need to Know about Take-All Root Rot

May 22, 2024. Posted by Amberlee Warner in Lawn • Tyler

For many homeowners, their lawn is their pride and joy, and they take pride in keeping it healthy and beautiful. But even with your undivided care and attention, your lawn can suffer from fungal diseases and develop unsightly brown patches. Take-all root rot is a turfgrass fungal disease that can leave your green lawn looking unsightly.

If you don’t know what take-all root rot looks like, here are the signs to look out for. If the symptoms are already widespread on your turf, it’s time to contact an expert. A lawn service professional has the tools and expertise to restore your turf to its former glory.

Appearance and Causes of Take-All Root Rot

Take-all root rot is a fungal disease that causes turfgrass to weaken, resulting in brown, irregular patches on your lawn. The fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis is the culprit behind this destructive disease. It lives in thatch, an undigested layer of leaves, … Read Full Post »

Types of Magnolia Trees

May 21, 2024. Posted by J Zambo in Tree Care & Trimming • Austin

Did you know that there are more than 200 species of magnolia trees? In Central Texas, four main types thrive in our warm weather and sunlight: southern magnolia trees, little gem magnolia trees, saucer magnolia trees and star magnolia trees.

Each type of magnolia tree produces stunning flowers that make them the focal point of any lawn or garden. However, they have different care and maintenance needs, so it’s helpful for homeowners to understand the difference between each type.

Southern Magnolia

The southern magnolia tree, pictured above, is beloved for its large, velvety, dark green leaves. It grows larger than other types of magnolia trees, and some can reach up to 80 feet tall. Because of its noble size and appearance, this tree is also known as the “Grand Dame” of the magnolia tree family.

Southern magnolia trees produce beautiful and fragrant white flowers that grow as large as 12 inches in diameter. With … Read Full Post »