Newsletter

Welcome to the ProGrass information center! My name is Steve Varga and each month I will be providing you with updated seasonal information on landscape care. Please check back regularly for current information that will help you have a better landscape and get the most out of your ProGrass services. Also be sure to check my care tip sheets and if you have any questions please click on my question and answer icon.

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Past Newsletters

April/May 2005

The past month has been a crazy one for weather. Weeks of dry, warm sunny weather and now record rainfall. At least we'll have plenty of water for the summer.

April is known for its showers. Alternating sun and rain is great for plant growth. Trees, shrubs and lawns are growing like crazy. One other type of plant that is growing and germinating like crazy now is the weed, continuing through May.

• If you spot-treat while the weeds are small, natural decomposition will break down the small, dead weed so you won't need to pull it.
• To reduce weed germination, apply weed preventive products to bark-dusted and gravel areas.

ProGrass offers low-cost programs designed to control and reduce weed growth before it becomes a problem. If things are already out of control, ProGrass offers cleanup services to help you.

• Planting them now gives them plenty of time to root into the soil and be ready for the hot summer months.
• When planting new plants, be sure to remove the burlap wrap and twine around the root ball. If the plant was in a pot, you will need to slice or break up the outer root web that grew along the pot sides. If these things are not done, the plant may never develop a proper root system.

Problems with soil drainage are everywhere. I think this is the most common complaint this time of year. Unfortunately, in many situations this problem can't be fixed. The first thing you must determine is if the wet spot is due to slow soil drainage, low areas or runoff from other locations.

• Slow soil drainage can't be fixed unless you want to spend an unreasonable amount of funds.
• However, low spots and runoff problems can be drained as long as the location has the capacity to run an exit line downhill to a collection area. You can't just drain it to your neighbor's yard and water doesn't go uphill.
• The best place to drain to is your home's own storm drains, using a connection to your home's pipeline along the foundation.

• Proper feeding of lawns, trees, shrubs and ground covers gives you great success. While there are many factors affecting plant growth, fertilization is among the most important.
• Top quality fertilizers and minerals should always be used. Don't cut costs. You may save two or three dollars but your plants will suffer.

Happy gardening!!