Tips to Reduce Allergens in Your Yard this Spring

Springtime for most folks means more time spent outdoors doing the fun things that you were unable to do during the cold winter months. It’s a time of excitement, new growth, and warm days to enjoy — but for some folks, spring season is allergy season. If your outdoor allergies have kept you inside for longer than you would like, you don’t have to keep suffering. Check out these great ways to reduce allergens in your yard this spring!

Common Springtime Outdoor Allergies

For allergy sufferers living in NWA, springtime can bring a multitude of allergens — more than any other season in fact. In this area, you have to watch out for common outdoor allergens including tree pollen, flower pollen, grass pollen and more!

• Tree pollen: Tree pollen is one of the most common outdoor allergy triggers in the NWA area. Not to mention, most trees pollinate in the springtime. The trees that are particularly allergenic include ash, elm, pine, and maple.
• Flower pollen: Although flowers release less pollen per individual than trees do, there are many more species of flowers to watch out for — some that can be present right in your garden! These include daisies, amaranth, goldenrod and sunflowers.
• Grass pollen: That’s right, even grasses release pollen that can aggravate your allergies. Some common culprits are fescue, bermuda, rye, june and orchard.

What Might be Causing Your Allergies at Home?

While there are many different allergens out and about in the springtime around NWA, your allergies may be hitting a little closer to home. While spring is pollen season, it is also animal season. If your allergies are particularly bad, be sure to check your home and yard for these common culprits:

• Pet dander
• Outdoor animal dander
• Pollinating indoor and outdoor plants
• Dust

Once you have identified what is causing your allergies this spring, you can set up a plan of attack to tackle them!

How to Reduce Common Allergy Triggers

• Choose your plants wisely. When you are planning out which plants to position in your garden and landscape, it is important to keep your allergies in mind when making your selections. Although trees might be a gorgeous addition to your landscape, if pollen makes you miserable in the springtime, choosing a different plant instead can help mitigate your suffering. Some great, allergy-friendly plant choices include the following:
  • Trees: Dogwood, Bradford Pear, Crepe Myrtle, Apple and Cherry
  • Flowers: Iris, lily, Pansy, Petunia, Rose, Tulip and Verbena
  • Grass: St. Augustine
• Limit your plant exposure indoors. Just can’t get enough of those gorgeous springtime flowers? If you must have beautiful flowers in your garden that trigger your allergies, make a point to leave them outside. Keeping cut flowers out of your home will help ensure that your allergies stay out, and that you can have some relief when you come into your home.
• Keep your home clean. In many cases, allergens hitch a ride into your home on your clothing or on your pets. Cut down on your allergen triggers by ensuring that you regularly clean your outdoor clothes and shoes, and bathe your pets regularly. This will help with not only pollen, but mold spores as well.
• Time your garden work wisely. Did you know that pollen counts are at their highest at mid-day and during the afternoon? In order to limit your exposure to pollen allergens in the spring seasons, keep your gardening hours situated in the morning or evening when the pollen counts are lower. Even better, garden after rain storms, when pollen is less likely to be present in the air.
• Keep your skin covered up. By keeping your skin protected while you are outdoors doing lawn work, you will protect it from contact with the allergens that are causing you grief. Although it may be warming up, wear long sleeves and long pants when you are doing outdoor garden work, and wear garden gloves when touching plants. Keeping covered up will help keep you from itching and scratching all season long.
• Give allergy medicines a try. If you are still experiencing allergy symptoms in the springtime, don’t be afraid to go to your doctor for help. Medical technology has come a long way, and offers many different remedies for allergy sufferers, whether prescription or over the counter. Talk to your doctor about your medical options and see if allergy medications may be able to bring you some relief for your seasonal outdoor allergies.
• Keep your lawn properly mowed. Yes, this easy lawn care technique can make a huge difference in your spring allergies. The pollen in grasses are produced in the tippy top of the plant, so keeping your lawn trimmed to a healthy height of about 2 inches will keep the grasses from releasing their pollen and aggravating your allergies!

If you don’t have time for allergen-reducing lawn maintenance, there is professional help! Give your friends at Pinnacle Lawns LLC a call today for information about professional lawn maintenance to help reduce your allergies this spring.

Learn more about our lawn care services!

 

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Lawn Care: Tips to Prevent and Treat Weeds this Spring

When weeds intrude on your lawn you feel like you’ll never be able to get rid of them. Weeds germinate quickly, so once you see one invade your lawn, you need to act fast. It’s best to not only get rid of them before they spread their seeds, but also prevent them from taking root in your soil in the first place. Spring is here, and it is the best time of the year for weed control. As professionals that control weeds for our customers all year-round, we put together a list of tips on how to prevent weeds from invading your lawn, and what to do if they take root.

Weed Prevention:

• Healthy grass. The best prevention method for weeds is to have a healthy lawn. Weeds popping up is typically an indication that your lawn needs more nutrients or there is a problem with the soil.
• Deep watering. Watering your lawn properly will help it fight off weeds. Water your lawn about once a week, and give it about an inch of water. This will help the roots of your grass grow deep into the soil, preventing weeds from taking root.
• Tall grass. Set your lawn mower to one of its highest settings. Tall grass is thick grass, and that shades weeds seeds, making it harder for them to sprout.
• Mulch. For areas of your lawn where you want to have flowers, or just don’t want grass to grow, lay down about 2 inches of mulch. Mulch will keep your soil cool, help plants thrive, and not let weed seeds take root and see light.
• Pre-emergent herbicides. These will stop weeds from taking root in your soil.

Weed Treatments:

• Pull them out! After it rains go outside and try to pull weeds out by the roots. It’ll be easier to do this when the soil is moist. Sometimes weeds can grow back if the root stays in the soil.
• Prune. If you can’t pull a weed out by its roots, cutting off the top is the next best thing. This way it won’t be able to germinate.
• Post-emergent herbicides. When your lawn is overcome with weeds you need a solution other than pulling them out. These herbicides absorb into the weed and attack its roots in order to kill it.
• Glyphosate. Found in products like Roundup, this is an herbicide that will kill any growing plant that it comes into contact with. That means you need to be very careful. Don’t spray it on windy days, and try to only use it for weeds that are isolated.

Professional, Hassle-Free Weed Control

Weed control can be a lot of work, but the rewards are worth the effort. Here at Pinnacle Lawns LLC, we take pride in helping our customers have the yards they’ve always dreamed of all year-round. Having a yard you enjoy is priceless. If you are having weed problems that you can’t seem to control, learn what you can do to control your weeds and how we might be able to stop them from ruining the look of your lawn. From all of us here at Pinnacle Lawns LLC, we hope you are able to enjoy the outdoors this spring!

Learn more about our weed control!

 

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Pinnacle Lawns Gardening Guide for Spring

As the winter months slowly give way to the promise of spring, it’s time to reconnect with your beautiful outdoor space. But that can be a challenge if you’re still dealing with snow on the ground. Even if you’re grappling with icy conditions, there’s a range of activities you can do to prepare for an exceptional season in your garden.

Plan Your Perfect Spring Garden

The first step of preparing your garden is thinking forward. Plan your garden ahead of time and enjoy a happy, healthy garden in late spring.

Map out sun exposure

In order to buy the right plants, chart the sun exposure in your garden throughout the day. By mapping sun exposure, you can determine which areas receive full sun, partial sun, or full shade. The National Gardener’s Association defines full sun areas as those receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight in the middle of the day. Partial sun or partially shaded areas receive direct sunlight early in the morning or evening. A fully shaded area receives no direct sunlight.

Each plant has different needs, so take advantage of every part of your garden by researching what amount of sunshine they need to thrive. Don’t forget to factor in that the days will only get longer as the season changes!

Check the compatibility of your seeds

Some seeds get along better than others, so make sure to practice companion planting for the best results. Companion planting is the choice to place two or more plants together so that each benefits in some way.

Plants can support each other in a number of different ways. Many improve the quality of the soil and attract pollinating insects, while others simply serve as increased shelter from sun and wind. If you’re worried about pests, remember that some plants and herbs serve as a natural protective shield for vulnerable veggies.

Keep in mind that certain plant combinations stunt the growth of surrounding fruit and vegetables. Often the best choice is to place combative plants on opposite ends of the garden, but aim for at least a 4-foot space between them.

To help you make these strategic decisions, consult a table, like this one from the Farmer’s Almanac, which highlights the plants that will flourish together.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Raising seeds indoors is an excellent way to ease spring fever, and it has quite a few benefits. By growing your own seedlings instead of buying transplants from a garden center, you typically save money and have access to a wider range of seed options.

When it comes to timing, aim to begin sowing seeds about six weeks before the last frost in your area. Some seeds are more finicky than others, so check guidelines that are specific to your area and your chosen seeds before beginning.

To sow seeds indoors, you’ll need clean, individual seed containers to prevent seedling roots from tangling. If you’re reusing containers from last season, sterilize them first to minimize the risk of damage from microorganisms. You’ll also need a soilless seed starting mixture made of moss and vermiculite, which will allow the flow of oxygen and encourage seed germination.

After setting the containers on a tray and adding the starting mix, water the mix and allow it to settle. Top off the containers with mix until they are filled just below the rim. Plant according to the seed packet directions, gently pressing the largest seeds into the soil.

Fit a clear, ventilated plastic dome over the tray and begin watering as instructed. Place the tray where it will receive a consistent source of bottom heat and be safe from hazards like cold drafts, curious pets or intense heat. Sprouting usually takes place when temperatures hover between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once seedlings start to form, remove the plastic cover and provide a source of bright light. If your house doesn’t offer a strong source of natural light, consider investing in a cool, fluorescent source of light for your seeds.

Assess your garden’s spring potential

If you’re eager to see spring blooms, it’s easy to get swept up in daydreams of warmer weather. But to ensure success, it’s important that the weather and soil temperatures in your area are warm enough for seedlings to thrive.

A handy tool that can help you decide when it’s the right time to start transplanting your seedlings is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. By checking which zone you live in on the map, you can determine how well your climate aligns with the needs of the bulbs, fruits, and vegetables you hope to grow. Typically, the zones with higher numbers found in the southern region of the country will have warmer soil sooner in the year when compared with the lower-numbered zones up north.

The optimal soil temperature will vary depending on the seed. However, the optimal range typically lies between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for many plants, so it may be some time before you can begin planting.

In the meantime, focus on indoor planning activities so you can jump start a gorgeous garden in the spring.

How Pinnacle Lawns, LLC can help

While you jump start your garden planning, don’t forget about your grass. To learn how Pinnacle Lawns LLC can prepare your lawn for the upcoming spring season, give us a call at(479) 659-4141 or visit our services page.

 

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DIY Easter Gift Idea

 

Candy and cards certainly aren’t a bad choice this Easter, but if you’re gifting for a gardener, consider giving them what they really want: cute plants.

Materials

• Plants
• Brown paper bags
• Spray paint
• White paint pen

Directions

1. Find a well-ventilated area and place newspaper or plastic down to cover the area you’ll be spray painting. (Otherwise, you’ll end up with a multi-colored carport like me!)
2. Spray paint the bags in whatever way your heart desires. We did some solid colors, while also experimenting with a gradient look. You can also use some of the extra bags to make stencils, which is how we created a heart on one of the designs.
3. Let the bags stand up and wait for the paint to dry. Once dry, flatten them and find a hard surface on which to write your punny messages of love. Make sure to follow the directions on the paint pen before you begin writing your message.
4. Once the message is dry, roll down or trim the tops of the bags to fit the height of your plant. Place the plant inside and ta-dah! Your gift is complete.

Some punny words of love

The options can go on forever, but here are some cute messages we liked:

• ALOE you VERA much
• You’re plantastic
• Life would succ without you
• Let’s grow old together
• Let love grow
• You’re unbeLEAFable
• Our love runs deep like these roots

If you make this, we want to see it! Tag us on Facebook using #pinnaclelawnseaster to share your final product.

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The advantages of a Self Propelled Lawn Mower

 

For all your Lawn Care needs, Contact Pinnacle Lawns, LLC. Our trained specialists will evaluate your lawn and recommend a program that is right for your particular property. No lawn to small, no property too big. Pinnacle Lawns, LLC services both residential and commercial properties.

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How Often Should I Fertilize my Lawn?

How Often Do You Need to Fertilize Your Lawn

To grow green and healthy, your lawn depends on high-quality fertilizer and regular feedings. When applied at the right times, a high-quality lawn fertilizer gives turf essential nutrients that help it grow thick and resist environmental stresses, weeds and pests.

How often you feed your lawn depends on grass type and your climate. For best results, follow these fertilizing guidelines:

Identify Your Grass

Grass type determines when to fertilize. There are many varieties, but only two main types—cool-season and warm-season grasses. In general, cool-season grasses grow in northern states and warm-season grasses grow in southern states.

In about a third of the country identified as transitional, both types of grasses are grown. This region ranges from coastal states in the east, such as Maryland and Delaware, to Southern California on the west coast.

Cool-Season Grasses

Cool-season grasses generally remain green year-round when grown in cool and transitional areas. Such grasses do best in climates that have cold winters and warm (but not hot) summers. According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, these grasses grow best in regions with temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and grow throughout the year, except for mid- and late-winter months.¹

Cool-season grasses include:

• Bentgrass
• Kentucky bluegrass
• Fine/tall fescue
• Perennial/annual ryegrass

When to Fertilize

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service recommends feeding cool-season grasses twice in the fall, in September and November, and then again in the spring, in May or April, after the first flush of growth.2

Warm-Season GrassesWarm-season grasses grow best in regions with temperatures 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. They brown or go dormant in winter, depending on your climate. Winter dormancy lasts three to five months.Warm-season grasses include:

• Bermuda
• Bahia
• Buffalo
• Zoysia
• St. Augustine
• Centipede

When to Fertilize

Feed warm-season grasses during active growth periods, but not during the hot midsummer months. Apply the fertilizer in three phases: first when when the grass starts to green in early spring, next in late spring, and once again in late summer.

Call Pinnacle Lawns, LLC today and schedule your

FREE Lawn Evaluation

(479) 659-4141

or email us here

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Avoid Becoming a Victim of Lawn Care Scams

 

By John Egan

 

Five consumers in the Topeka, Kansas, area recently yielded to high-pressure sales tactics from a local lawn care service and paid the price. Now, the lawn care service has been ordered to refund more than $78,000 to the five consumers, all of whom are elderly.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says T’s Lawn Service of Topeka engaged in “deceptive and unconscionable practices” through advertising and door-to-door solicitation of home improvement services, such as lawn care and tree trimming.

In a lawsuit, Schmidt accused T’s Lawn Service of failing to disclose the total cost of services before completing the transactions and committing other violations under the state’s consumer protection law. In February 2016, a Kansas judge agreed with Schmidt and demanded that T’s Lawn Service refund the money paid by the five consumers who were bilked.

 

Be Smart, Be Wary

 

The Kansas case offers a wake-up call for lawn care customers. While the majority of lawn care providers are upstanding and trustworthy, consumers must be on the lookout for scammers who want to take their money and offer little or nothing in return. The police department in Amarillo, Texas, warns that elderly people frequently are the targets of lawn care scammers.

 

“It’s important to take the same amount of care finding a business to perform work outside your home as you do when you’re preparing to remodel,” says Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota. “Always be sure you know who you’re dealing with.”

 

The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to be especially careful when dealing with lawn care providers who solicit door-to-door. Far too often, the bureau says, shoddy or incomplete work is performed, and then the lawn care provider vanishes.

 

Ask Around

Before and during lawn-mowing season, business cards and brochures for lawn care providers pop up in the mailboxes or on the doors of homes. But, the Better Business Bureau advises, a fancy business card or brochure is no guarantee that you’ll be happy with the provider’s work.

 

“A better predictor of your satisfaction is your friends’ and neighbors’ experiences with a company,” the bureau says. “Ask around. Find out what lawn services are used in your neighborhood and how happy they have made their clients. If you see them at work on your neighbors’ yards, watch carefully and note what sort of job they do.”

 

Ask Questions

If you are inclined to do business with a door-to-door solicitor, be sure to ask these four questions.

1. How long have you been in business?

If a business has been around for, say, 10 years, chances are it’s reliable. But a lawn care provider that says been around for just a month should raise suspicions, as the provider might be engaging in a fly-by-night scam.

2. Is your company a member of a professional lawn care group?

The National Association of Landscape Professionals recommends considering a lawn care company that’s licensed, accredited or certified by a national, state or local association. The association points out that some state laws require lawn care providers to be licensed, so inquire about that as well. Also find out whether the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

3. Are you insured?

At a minimum, a lawn care provider you do business with should carry general liability insurance in case something goes wrong on your property.

4. How does your lawn care contract work?

Before a lawn care business cuts one blade of grass and before you pay a single penny, you and the provider should have ironed out a written, signed contract or plan. Details should include a description of the work to be done, the timetable, the cost and the payment terms, the National Association of Landscape Professionals says.

 

Steer Clear of Trouble

“If you fail to do your homework, you could end up with a substandard job and unwanted charges on your credit card,” says Paulette Scarpetti, president of the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut. “If a lawn maintenance contractor doesn’t do the job properly, you can end up with problems that will cost more money to fix.”

John Egan is editor in chief at LawnStarter, which enables people to find, schedule, pay for and manage lawn care services.

Follow John Egan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JohnJEgan

We at Pinnacle Lawns, LLC take pride in our service, our lawn professionals and most importantly, we take pride in making sure that our customers are 100% satisfied.  Feel Free to ask around.

CALL TODAY to have one of our Lawn Care Specialists provide you with a free Lawn Analysis

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Lawn Care: 5 Tips for Preparing your Lawn for Spring

5 Tips for Preparing Your Lawn for Spring

Spring is one of the most important times to perform maintenance to your lawn. By following these 5 steps you can help prevent your beautiful lawn from being overtaken with weeds, stressed by drought, and heat.

Lawn Care and Mosquitoes

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What to Expect with Your Tree Care Service from Pinnacle Lawns, LLC

Homeowners oftentimes realize that part of having a yard they are proud of requires relying on a tree service that can help take care of their trees and shrubs as well. Your trees and shrubs are an important investment, and it can be a lot of work keeping trees and shrubs healthy.

Some homeowners are not familiar with the proper way to take care of these essential plants. The specialists at Pinnacle Lawns, LLC understand that tree services are just as vital to a healthy yard as proper lawn care, which is why they have specialized services specifically designed to give those trees and shrubs the proper care they need to thrive.

Pinnacle Lawns, LLC tree services: science-based expertise

The rigorous agronomic training that Pinnacle Lawns offers ensures that your Pinnacle Lawns Tree & Shrub Specialist understands the ins and outs of tree and shrub care on your property. That means knowing how your trees and shrubs cope with the climate in your area, what diseases or pests they are most prone to, and how to identify key issues that must be resolved to achieve the right balance. With the right knowledge of science-based solutions for your landscape, Pinnacle Lawns, LLC is prepared to tackle a variety of issues pertaining to your trees and shrubs, and they can tailor a unique plan of action that best suits your needs.

What happens after I sign up for a  tree & shrub service?

Once you sign up for service, your Tree & Shrub Evaluation will be scheduled. This includes a comprehensive look at your property’s trees and shrubs, from the type of trees you have to their current condition. Your specialist looks for insects, diseases, and problem areas to create a unique plan for your landscape. Pinnacle Lawns, LLC tree service nourishes root zones to ensure proper nutrition, plus they help prevent damage from pests, diseases, and winter conditions. Your specialist will also provide you with information on proper ways to water, prune, and care for your landscape to get the most out of your Pinnacle Lawns, LLC service. Common tips from our specialists include:

1. Take care not to use a weed eater or mower near the base of your shrubs and trees. Contact could damage them.
2. Transplant problems are often associated with recently planted (1 – 5 years old) ornamental trees and shrubs. Planting too high, too deep, too shallow or in the wrong place can negatively impact your landscape.
3. Keep mulch around your ornamentals at a 1 – 3 inch level. Too much mulch (greater than 3 inches) will increase the amount of moisture, decrease air and gas exchange, and cause shallow roots to develop.

A tailored plan is then designed to meet the unique needs of your trees and shrubs, and visits are scheduled for every four to six weeks.

The health of your landscape includes your trees and shrubs, so it’s important not to overlook them if you’re set on achieving a lawn you’ll love. Fortunately, you can count on Pinnacle Lawns, LLC to create a science-based plan for your property’s trees and shrubs. And with the Healthy Tree & Shrub Guarantee, Pinnacle Lawns, LLC will make any necessary adjustments to your services to ensure your satisfaction. For more information, visit Pinnacle Lawns, LLC or call (479) 659-4141 today.

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