ABC Blog

Best Grass for Shade in Texas

Zoysia grass

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

a citrus tree

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

take all root rot

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 »

Ground Moles: Identification Guide

a ground mole

Do you know how to identify moles? These pesky creatures live most of their lives underground, making a mole sighting rare for homeowners. However, it’s important for homeowners to understand mole behavior.

You can try several at-home remedies to deter moles from entering your yard. However, once the moles are there, you need to work with a pest control specialist to control them.

An expert will have the right tools and expertise to deal with the problem. They can also help you implement prevention methods to minimize the likelihood of moles coming back in the future.

Ground Moles: Identification Guide

Did you know that ground moles are mammals? These critters feed on grubs, worms and insects and can ingest 60 to 80% of their body weight daily.

Because they eat bugs, ground moles are incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem. However, that doesn’t mean that you want them living on your property.

Ground moles live in tunnels … Read Full Post »

Tree Pruning Versus Trimming

a pro trimming a tree

As a homeowner, you know that proper tree maintenance is important to having a beautiful and healthy property. However, do you know the different techniques required to maintain your trees?

Many homeowners confuse or interchange the concepts of tree pruning and trimming. However, they are two different things with different purposes and outcomes.

Working with an arborist is the best way to maintain your trees’ beauty and vitality. They have the right tools and knowledge to trim or prune your trees without damaging them.

Tree Pruning Versus Trimming

Do you know the difference between tree pruning and trimming your trees? While both tree maintenance methods are similar, they have different purposes.

Trimming primarily refers to an immediate need to be addressed and is usually only in reference to one specific or a few branches. Examples of trimming include removing a broken branch, trimming low hanging branches over a sidewalk and trimming back the end of … Read Full Post »

How To Spread Fertilizer

spreading fertilizer

Do you know how to spread fertilizer? This is something that is useful for a homeowner to know, but it’s also something a professional can do if you don’t want to spend your weekend spreading fertilizer.

Tips To Prepare for Fertilization

Proper lawn fertilization is important for maintaining a lush, beautiful lawn. However, many homeowners don’t know how to properly spread fertilizer. Once you learn the correct steps, you’ll find that spreading fertilizer doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task.

The first step is choosing the right fertilizer for your lawn’s needs. Factors to consider include the type of soil you have, the species of your grass, and any nutrient deficiencies or pH balances you need to address.

Additionally, some fertilizers are specifically formulated to control weeds or improve the health of your soil. If you aren’t sure what type of fertilizer or how much fertilizer you should use for your lawn, a lawn … Read Full Post »

What’s the Best Grass for Central Texas?

bermuda grass

Many central Texas homeowners find it difficult to know what type of grass is best for their lawn. While central Texas experiences mild temperatures for most of the year, the summers can reach sweltering levels of heat. It’s important to consider durable warm-season grasses that can withstand drought.

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass, pictured above, has a high heat tolerance, which is important when you factor in the warm summers in central Texas. It’s also a grass that can resist drought well.

As a warm-season grass, bermuda grass thrives with well-drained soil and full sun. It’s an excellent choice for high-trafficked areas of your lawn because it grows densely. Its fine texture also makes it a very attractive grass to create a luscious green landscape.

One thing homeowners need to keep in mind when it comes to bermuda grass is that it turns brown and goes dormant in the winter. However, with the right care … Read Full Post »

How To Make Grass Green

green grass

Want to learn how to make your grass green? Achieving the lawn of your dreams starts with proper planting and maintenance methods. There are several steps that homeowners can take to ensure a beautiful lawn, including fertilization, weed management, aerating, mowing and more.

How To Make Grass Green

All homeowners desire a luscious, beautiful yard, but not everyone understands how to keep their grass green. When not properly cared for, grass can turn brown or yellow, which reduces the curb appeal of your home.

Achieving healthy, green grass starts with proper care and maintenance, which includes fertilization, weed management, pest control, proper mowing and more.

Fertilization

Healthy grass growth cannot be achieved without proper fertilization techniques. In order for your grass to grow and stay green, it needs the right nutrients. Additionally, the nutrients must be dispersed in the right amounts over time. That’s why it’s important to know more about the different types of … Read Full Post »

Simple Landscaping Ideas

a garden bed

Adding landscaping to your home is a daunting task for many homeowners. Luckily, there are some easy landscaping ideas that go a long way in improving your home’s curb appeal without requiring too much manual labor.

One way to boost the visual appeal of your backyard is to add a garden pergola. Not only do they create wonderful seating areas, but they also provide shade for your plants.

Adding a backyard patio is another way to enhance your home and create your ideal outdoor living space. Keep reading for simple landscaping ideas to improve your home, and keep in mind that working with a professional landscape service is the best way to create your dream home.

Simple Landscaping Ideas to Improve Your Home

If you want to increase the curb appeal of your home, adding landscaping can go a long way. The following simple landscaping ideas are easy ways to improve your property to … Read Full Post »

Low Maintenance Modern Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

a front yard

While homeownership has its perks, it’s no walk in the park. It can feel like there are a million things to manage inside and outside the home. When times get busy, yard maintenance is often the first to fall through the cracks. If yours is starting to look unruly, maybe it’s time to update it with a low-maintenance look.

With low-maintenance landscaping, you can save yourself hours of yard work. Not only is it practical, but you will have a beautiful yard you can show off to your neighbors and guests. If you need extra help, contact a landscaping specialist.

Too Busy to Maintain a Yard? These Low-Maintenance Modern Front Yard Landscaping Ideas Can Help

As life gets busier, more homeowners turn to low-maintenance modern front yard landscaping. If you want to do the same, the ideas below can help transform your yard into a hassle-free oasis.

But before you get started, think about … Read Full Post »