Archive for the ‘Arizona Sod Landscaping’ Category

Can I Fertilize My Lawn in the Summer?

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

A common question asked among homeowners who have lawns is, “Can I fertilize my lawn in the summer?” The answer is yes you can and should fertilize your lawn in the summer. It’s important to keep your lawn fed throughout the year and that includes in the summer time.

Just like people need a balanced diet to be at their best, your lawn needs a balanced diet to grow green and strong.

So, how do you know which fertilizer to choose and how much fertilizer to give your lawn during the summer months?

The Fertilizer Balancing Act

Can I Fertilize My Lawn in the Summer? - Evergreen Turf, Arizona's Sod Farm
Your lawn needs nutrients to grow. Seems simple enough, right? Wrong.

Over-fertilizing can cause it to grow too quickly. If that happens, you may find yourself with an excessive thatch buildup, which will ultimately produce extra work for you, as you’ll need to remove the thatch in order to allow nutrients to reach the roots. On the other hand, if you don’t fertilize enough, you could wind up with a yellow patch of lawn that’s thin and slow to recover from everyday wear.

As a general rule, lawns should be fertilized monthly. If you have Palmetto St. Augustine grass, it does not require a lot of nitrogen. If you’re using Palmetto, it should be fed with a fertilizer that’s high in potassium and magnesium.

Related: Summer Health for Arizona Sod

Of course, if you’re not sure which fertilizer is best for your lawn, it’s always a good idea to talk to lawncare experts. An incorrect guess can be a costly decision if you wind up killing your grass or creating a problem of over-thatching.

If you’re lucky enough to have achieved a thick, dense, dark green lawn, you probably only need to fertilize every six to eight weeks. In this case, consider using a slow-release fertilizer. These products provide a constant stream of nutrients while reducing the likelihood of over-thatching and speedy growth that can result in the need to mow frequently.

Bermuda Grass Fertilization Tips

Bermuda grass lawns require regular feeding for healthy growth. If you’re in Arizona or another high desert region, we recommend fertilizing at least once per month during the summer. Use complete fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen but offers a medium amount of phosphorous. The following formulas usually work well for Bermuda grass:

  • 21-7-14
  • 16-8-4
  • 20-5-5

Once your lawn is 100% filled in, you can switch over to a slow-release or organic fertilizer to help slow the growth but maintain healthy vigor and color.

Evergreen Turf is Arizona’s one-stop shop for sod lawns. We offer an assortment of residential and commercial sod products, and our experienced staff can even install your lawn for you. Stop by our Chandler, Arizona location, and let us know what we can do to help you improve your lawn!

Best Fertilizer for Bermuda Grass in Arizona

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

Think all fertilizers are created equal? Think again! Fertilizers are comprised of different variations of chemical compounds, each of which has its own duty where lawncare is concerned. Choosing the right fertilizer depends on your answers to the following questions:

  • What kind of grass are you trying to grow?
  • Where do you live?
  • What time of year is it?

Read on to learn about the best fertilizer for Bermuda grass in Arizona.

best fertilizer for Bermuda grass in Arizona

What Does Fertilizer Do?

Fertilizer provides nutrients to the soil, which, in turn, help your grass grow and turn it that beautiful green color we’ve all come to know. Most soil doesn’t provide enough nutrients to support the healthy growth of grass. Fertilizer acts as a nutritional supplement, delivering essential ingredients that absorb into the ground so plants can more readily take on nutrients needed to sustain healthy development.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t understand the importance of fertilizer, which can be particularly impactful in Arizona’s high desert regions. In short, a lack of nutrients fosters yellowing lawns at best. At worst, malnourished lawns can present significant bald spots. Fertilizers help fill in the gaps and facilitate growth.

How Much Fertilizer Does Your Arizona Lawn Need?

Determining how much fertilizer you actually need is important. You don’t want to put too much fertilizer on the ground, as the organic elements can overwhelm your grass. On the other hand, you don’t want to fertilize too little because you’ll just be wasting time and money on resources that won’t do your lawn justice.

If you give your lawn too much—or too little—fertilizer, your efforts can have unintended negative consequences. Bermuda grass needs regular fertilizing for good growth and color during the growing season. As a good rule of thumb, apply fertilizer monthly during the summer to produce a lush and fruitful lawn.

If Evergreen Turf is installing your lawn, you won’t have to worry about the preliminary steps associated with outstanding yards. We fertilize every yard we install with 15-15-15 fertilizer right after we lay your sod, allowing optimal nutrition to make its way to your yard’s roots and setting the stage for a lush lawn long after we’re gone.

To expedite growth in the early phases, fertilize with balanced fertilizer two weeks after your lawn has been installed. Be sure to adhere to proper watering practices during this time, as water will help push the nutrients from the surface of the soil to the grass’s roots, which will help facilitate a healthy, lush lawn as your plants establish themselves.

On the other hand, you may notice your lawn is growing faster than you’d prefer. In this case, switch to a slow-release fertilizer such as 28-3-10 or 32-4-7, and reduce your fertilizing frequency to every eight weeks. Slow-release fertilizers allow your lawn to absorb vital nutrients over time, so they don’t get overloaded with minerals all at once, which can cause sudden growth that’s hard for some homeowners to keep up with.

What’s the Best Fertilizer for Bermuda Grass in Arizona?

For established lawns, a balanced fertilizer (preferably one with an analysis that’s high in nitrogen) is ideal. If this describes your situation, opt for a fertilizer with an analysis of 16-8-4 for best results. Alternatively, 21-7-14, 26-4-2, or 24-0-4 work well for established Arizona lawns.

If you’ve just installed your lawn—or plan to install a new lawn soon—that requires a different approach. For new lawns, the fertilizer of choice should be similar to a 6-20-20 analysis (6% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus, 20% potassium) or a 15-15-15 (15% nitrogen, 15% phosphorus, 15% potassium). For best results, apply the fertilizer right before—or immediately after—the sod is installed.

How Do You Know if Your Fertilizer Isn’t Working for You?

Your lawn will tell you readily if it’s not getting the balanced diet it needs to maintain a healthy lush look. An improperly nourished lawn will go one of two ways.

Under-Fertilized Lawns:

  • Thin
  • Yellow
  • Slow to recover from wear

Over-Fertilized Lawns:

  • Grow at excessive rates of speed
  • Produce excess thatch build up
  • Make a ton of extra work for you.

Chances are, if your lawn is “too healthy”, you’ll notice because you’ll suddenly find yourself spending a whole lot more time in your yard than you used to; and it’s usually for chores, not leisurely activities!

It’s important to note that you may be fertilizing and watering just the right amount, but if you’re not using a fertilizer with the proper analysis for your situation, the care you take in planning and executing your fertilizing schedule won’t matter much because the imbalance of nutrients will skew your results.

A beautiful lawn starts by picking a top-of-the-line product. At Evergreen Turf, outstanding lawns are what we do best! From helping you find the perfect fertilizer for your lawn to providing pest control and maintenance tips, our experts are here to guide you to greener grasses. Call or email us if you have lawn care questions only the pros can answer!

Winter Rye Grass Lawn Care in Arizona

Monday, February 5th, 2018

You may think grass is grass, but your lawn would likely disagree. Grass, just like people, has different personalities; depending on the type of lawn you’ve installed – and the time of year you’re caring for it – you may need to adjust your approach to achieve an optimal outcome.

Rye grass is a great choice for Arizona lawns in the winter

Rye grass is a great choice for Arizona lawns in the winter if you’re looking for a lawn that stays green all year long. Winter rye grass—when coupled with a summer grass, such as Bermuda—will take on new life when the temperatures drop to more moderate conditions during the chillier months.

Here are a few things you should know when it comes to caring for your rye grass lawn this winter season:

Arizona Winter Rye Grass 101

Unlike Bermuda grass and other breeds of blades, winter rye grass doesn’t just go dormant when it’s not in season; it can’t survive the summers. Because of this, it needs to be replanted each year. Ideally, winter rye grass is replanted each October, which allows it time to settle in and take roots before its summer grass counterpart goes into hiding. Typically, when it’s properly cared for, winter rye grass will stay thick, lush, and green well into May (or until temperatures regularly sustain 100 degrees in Arizona).

It’s really all about timing. If your plant your winter rye grass too early, the Arizona heat can bake the seedlings, rendering them useless. If you wait too long, the seeds won’t have enough time to germinate and grow healthy before your summer grass starts re-growing. Although the optimal time to plant your winter rye grass is in October, you should see positive results as long as the weather stays warm enough to keep the seedlings healthy.

There are two types of rye grass—perennial and annual—each of which has its own characteristics and benefits. Perennial rye grass tends to be more expensive, but it’s often favored because it

  • Germinates faster
  • Has a finer leaf texture
  • Produces a darker green color
  • Tends to be more resilient
  • Doesn’t produce as much grass stain

On the other side, annual rye grass tends to be a more affordable option that still provides beautiful winter lawns for Arizona residents.   Annual ryegrass is less favored because it uses more water, and grows much faster than perennial ryegrass – meaning more grass clippings to deal with!

Watering

For established lawns, the amount of watering depends on the weather conditions. For optimal results, follow this watering schedule:

  • November & December: Every 3 to 7 days
  • Remainder of the Season: Every 7 to 14 days

After a winter rain, you can shut your water off for one or two cycles. Be sure not to over-water your lawn, as too much water can prevent your seeds from germinating and growing.

Fertilizing

It’s important to choose the right fertilizer for your lawn. Too much or too little of an ingredient can throw off the balance of your blades, impeding their growth or causing them damage. Feed your rye grass monthly with an analysis such as 21-7-14 or 22-3-9 for best results.To facilitate a positive growth process, do not fertilize your lawn until you’ve mowed it for the first time. Be mindful that too much fertilization can cause rapid growth and a buildup of excess thatch, both of which can create more work for you. If you don’t fertilize enough, however, you’ll likely be left with a yellowish lawn that lacks the results you were looking for.

Mowing

Mowing is a strategy in and of itself. Heed these tips for the healthiest possible rye grass winter lawn:

  • Keep it mowed around 1/2″ to 2″
  • Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf
  • Do not mow until rye grass grows 2″ tall

A note of caution: Be careful not to scalp your winter lawn. Cutting the grass too short reduces its ability to photosynthesize properly. When this happens, the roots become susceptible to drought because they stay shallow and close to the surface, which can be devastating in our Arizona climate.

It’s important to maintain proper leaf lengths to stimulate deep root growth, which allows your lawn access to moisture that’s deeper beneath the earth’s surface. Because rye grass is not a spreading grass that comes from the likes of stolons or runners, a super short mowing strategy can cause your lawn to experience dead patches that overtake your front or backyard.

Your mowing frequency will depend on how quickly your grass is growing. Rye grass typically grows fairly quickly, so you may have to mow more frequently than you do with summer grass, but the end result will be a beautiful, luscious lawn. In other words, hello running barefoot through your yard all year long!

Procuring a proper lawn is a science. If you’re ready to get the green going all year long, your best bet is to reach out to lawn care specialists who understand Arizona’s unique climate.

Need sod in Arizona? Contact us today.

How to Prevent Disease and Insects in Your Lawn

Thursday, December 21st, 2017

Like people, no lawn is immune to disease and damage. That said, the better you take care of your body (or blades of grass), the more likely it is to live a long, healthy life. On the other hand, if you engage in harmful behaviors, the end result will usually reflect the unkempt lifestyle—even if the detrimental activities were accidental. Thankfully, Arizona, with its dry conditions, doesn’t really have much disease pressure, but there are some activities that can cause problems. Along the same lines, Arizona tends not to have too many issues with insects. On occasion, however, they do make an appearance.

The best way to keep insect infestations away is to use preventative insecticide in the spring when it starts to warm up.

The best way to prevent diseases and unwanted pests is to educate yourself about the possibilities so you can take steps to keep problems from occurring.

What Does Disease Look Like on Arizona Lawns?

Diseases are only caused by environmental stresses like overwatering and too much thatch—problems which can actually be correlated, depending on the situation. Thanks to Arizona’s specifically dry climate, we don’t have the diseases many other parts of the country have, but if you’re overwatering or over-fertilizing, you’re likely causing your lawn stress and inviting diseases.

St. Augustine is a common type of grass in Arizona because it’s quite heat tolerant, allowing it to thrive in the excessive summer heat and sun we see in this part of the country. Unlike many other types of grass, St. Augustine tends to do well on lawns that are well-shaded. Homeowners who have St. Augustine grass often face specific struggles, however. People commonly apply too much nitrogen to St. Augustine grass, which causes too much growth. Additionally, because this grass is often installed on lawns with shady areas, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to overwater in the summer, as shaded areas often require les water than those, which are directly exposed to full sunlight.

Generally speaking, if you water properly, dethatch regularly, and use the appropriate fertilizer for your type of lawn, you won’t have to worry much about diseases.

What Do You Need to Know About Preventing Insect Infestations in Arizona?

There aren’t too many issues with insects in Arizona, but there are times when they can become extremely problematic. Unfortunately, by the time they’re apparent enough for you to know there’s an issue, it’s already too late to stop it. Most of those problems start with insects that lay their eggs in the fall or spring. When the larvae hatch, you suddenly have a grub, moth, or ant problem that seems to come out of nowhere.

One major contributor to large colonies of unwanted pests is thatch. Thatch is the buildup of organic materials such as roots, stems, and leaves that accumulate at the surface of the soil. Regular dethatching is important for two reasons: it breaks up this barrier of matter that prevents moisture and nutrients from reaching the roots of the grass, and it keeps bugs from taking up residence within the matted material. If thatch gets too thick, it can easily become an ideal home for unwanted pests.

Preventative pesticides and regular dethatching should put you on a path to a pretty pest-free property.

The best way to keep insect infestations away is to use preventative insecticide in the spring when it starts to warm up. In Arizona, target April or May for this process since it tends to warm up earlier here than many other parts of the country.

Are you looking for advice from professional lawn care experts? Our Evergreen Turf team lives and breathes beautiful lawns! Check out our Sod Blog for plenty of helpful tips and tricks. Contact us at Evergreen Turf today if you need sod in Phoenix, Tucson or the surrounding areas of Arizona.

When & When NOT to Add Iron to Your Lawn to Keep It Green

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

If your lawn is suffering from a yellow or brown tint, there are several reasons you may not be seeing green. For the most part, yellow grass is caused from a lack of nutrients that would otherwise facilitate healthy growth. Chlorosis, for example, is a condition that occurs when the green chlorophyll in the grass leaf tissue is unable to develop. Iron and nitrogen are key nutrients that keep your lawn looking its finest, and if the roots are unable to absorb these valuable elements, you’ll almost assuredly find yourself with an unpleasant-looking lawn.

Yellow grass is a sign of lawn iron deficiency. The dark green is what your turf should look like with Iron.

To keep things looking green, iron additives are often a vital resource in our high-desert Arizona climate, but rest assured, there are do’s and don’ts to the application process. Here’s a brief run-down on how to determine if you have a lawn iron deficiency.

When Can You Add Iron to Your Lawn?

You can add iron to your lawn just about any time of year. If you’re applying iron spray to newly planted grass, the key is to do so when the temperatures have cooled. When it’s hot and the sun is intense, iron can burn new, young grass leaves. If you’re working with an established lawn, or anticipating application of iron during cooler months, you should be in good shape if you adhere to the instructions of the element itself.

How Can You Add Iron to Your Lawn?

If you have determined that you have a lawn iron deficiency, then it’s time to get to work fixing the problem. Iron comes in two easy-to-use forms: spray and granular.

Spray Iron

When it comes to adding iron to your lawn, foliar feeding works faster. This is a technique where you apply the iron directly to the blades of grass, and it goes straight into the system. It lasts three to four weeks. Spray-on Ironite is fast-acting and can be helpful if you’re trying to see results quickly. Just be careful not to over-apply it, as that can turn your lawn gray.

Granular Iron

The granular version of iron goes directly into the soil. Its molecular structure needs to be broken down to be efficient, which means it takes longer to be effective than spray iron. However, granular iron tends to last longer than its spray counterpart. When you use granular iron, you should expect a 60- to 90-day wait time as for efficacy if you’re using granular iron.

What to Watch for When It Comes to Adding Iron to Your Lawn

Anytime you apply iron, be aware that it can cause orange stains that can be difficult – if not impossible – to remove. Avoid applying the substance to cool decks, surfaces, sidewalks, and pool decks, as these places will almost assuredly suffer the orange stains when the chemicals go to work.

Mind the temperatures, and shoot for application of iron when external temperatures are between 40 and 80 degrees. In Arizona, our grasses don’t adhere to the rules of the rest of the country when it comes to timeline. Fall, winter, and spring usually offer the best opportunities to add iron to your lawn without damaging the grass’s roots and foundations because the temperatures are milder during the colder months.

Be careful not to overdose your lawn with iron. It’s important to follow the package instructions to ensure your sod lawn isn’t exposed to undue harm as you add nutrients. Grasses generally don’t require a lot of iron, but they do need some. If you’re uncertain as to the next step in your lawn-enhancing process, it might behoove you to seek the assistance of a soil test to determine whether your property is iron deficient or not. With that knowledge in hand, you can seek the most viable routes to help you make the most of your lawn and home landscape, one blade at a time.

Check out our lawn nutrition and fertilization page for more information on how to achieve a healthy lawn in Arizona.

At Evergreen Turf, green lawns are our business! If you’re struggling to get your grass green, consult with our team of lawncare experts. Reach out to us today to if you’re in need of fresh sod in Arizona.

Working With Arizona Soil For A Healthy Lawn

Friday, June 30th, 2017

Clay is common in Arizona and has high alkaline levels which cause iron deficiency in home lawns.

Clay Soil 101

If you’re trying to build a landscape of beautiful grass, you must first know the foundation that will support it. Clay is common in Arizona and not particularly easy to work with as high alkaline levels create an iron deficiency. Battling discoloration without knowing the cause will lead to continuous cycles of yellow grass and a lot of frustration that can be easily avoided. On top of that, the density of the soil leads to a soggy lawn during the monsoon season and rock hard dirt in the dry summer sun. This environment leads to stressed grass conducive to weeds and disease. To prepare the soil for optimal grass growth, implement the following practice:

  • Use compost, lawn clippings, and organic fertilizer as a top dressing. Over time, it will decompose and change the natural composition of the soil, improving upon the troublesome qualities of clay. Understand this is not a quick fix and can take multiple seasons—even years.

Five Tips for Fertilizing an Arizona Lawn

  1. Because Arizona soil tends to have a high pH and calcium level, there are certain nutrients that will always carry a deficiency. Iron and phosphorous will need to be supplemented through the application of organic or synthetic fertilizer.
  2. Try adding sulfur to stimulate the activation of amino acids. Spreading sulfur twice a year (using five pounds per one thousand square feet) can lower the pH level of your soil and foster faster, healthier growth.
  3. Know that yellowing is typically a lack of nitrogen or other nutrients. Balancing your soil with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer can turn things around quickly.
  4. Fertilizing doesn’t have to equate to hours of meticulous care. Offset nutrient deficiencies with a lawn spray—just make sure you test your soil and follow instructions to the letter as you would any other soil amendment.
  5. Try Ironite (the brand) to return your lawn to a healthy hue while controlling growth. It contains iron, sulfur, and other micronutrients needed for a strong bed of grass.

Still at a loss for how to work with your Arizona soil in a fool-proof way? The only substitute for hard work and experience is professional help! First, check out our frequently asked questions page for all the common questions we get from Arizona homeowners regarding their lawn.

Contact Evergreen Turf for Arizona sod installation quotes or for questions on various treatment options. Call 480.456.1199 for an estimate.

Best Time of Year to Aerate Bermuda Grass in Arizona

Monday, May 15th, 2017

When it comes to keeping a beautiful lawn, the timing and type of care you provide are often just as regional as the actual breed of grass you chose. The Midwest has different grass types than Arizona. As such, it’s important to be mindful of any tips and tricks you may find online if you’re trying to educate yourself about the aeration process.

In Arizona, it's best to wait until July 1st to aerate. You can do it earlier or later, but July tends to be optimal, as this is when we have long hot days with humidity.

As Arizona’s premier sod producer, our team at Evergreen Turf wanted to pass along some tips and tricks for aeration as they pertain to Arizona’s desert climate. Take a look!

Timing of Aeration

In Arizona, it’s best to wait until July 1st to aerate. You can do it earlier or later, but July tends to be optimal, as this is when we have long hot days with humidity. This combination of heat and moisture works well because it allows lawns to recover faster.

Type of Aerator

You’ll want to use a core aerator, rather than a spike aerator. A spike aerator will just further compress the soil. On the other hand, a core aerator brings the cores up to the surface, infiltrating the thatch. This method allows the biological elements in the thatch to break down better. Core aerators also allow for increased water penetration.

To Fertilize or Not to Fertilize?

If you’re going to fertilize, do so one week before you aerate. This will help your lawn recover more quickly. Additionally, the best time to apply gypsum is when you aerate your lawn.

Do you have more questions about Bermuda grass or any of the other types of Arizona sod? Our team at Evergreen Turf would love to help! Reach out to us at 480.456.1199 with your questions, or stop by and see us at 11407 E. Germann in Chandler, Arizona!

What Is The Best Low Maintenance Grass For Arizona

Friday, March 3rd, 2017

Arizona is known for its sunshine, but the Grand Canyon State’s extreme highs and dry heat can make for a troublesome lawn should you choose the wrong grass. Opt for a low-maintenance yard by choosing Midiron or Palmetto St. Augustine grass. Here’s why.

What Is The Best Low Maintenance Grass For Arizona

About Palmetto St. Augustine

Palmetto St. Augustine is by far the most popular turf grass in the United States for its rich color and fine texture. It has the ability to withstand extreme cold but also thrives under the sky high temperatures of the Arizona desert. In fact, it performs best in heat. What follows are the main characteristics of Palmetto St. Augustine.

Look and Feel

Color: Emerald/Green

Blade width: 8-9 mm

Function

Soil: Sand, Clay

Injury Recovery: Good

Insect Resistance: Average

Disease Resistance: Good

Maintenance

Mower: Standard

Blade height: 1.5 – 2.5 inches

Weed control: Good

About Midiron

Midiron is incredibly durable and drought-tolerant making it a popular choice among Arizona homeowners who don’t want to spend hours on weekly yard duties. It’s especially ideal for families as Midiron can withstand heavy foot traffic including that of the family pet or active child. It’s most commonly found on commercial properties but makes a great alternative to seed for residential lawns due to the following characteristics.

Look and Feel

Color: Green

Blade width: 3 mm

Function

Soil: Sand, Loam, Clay

Injury Recovery: Great

Insect Resistance: Great

Disease Resistance: Great

Maintenance

Mower: Rotary, Reel

Blade height: ¾ – 1.5 inch

Which Turf Grass is Better?

Because Midiron and Palmetto St. Augustine are both versatile and long lasting, the top pick for one’s lawn is mostly a matter of preference. Both grasses are soft to the touch for maximum comfort and resemblance to traditional grass types. There are few notable differences between the properties of these two low maintenance grasses.

  1. Midiron is not shade-tolerant meaning your Arizona lawn should not be hidden by large trees or covered patios. As the grass thrives under sunny conditions, desert landscaping is ideal. Think cacti and rock coverings around the lawn’s perimeter.
  2. Augustine prefers direct sunlight, but it will survive in shade just as well. Homeowners can expect slower growth in the cooler winter and spring seasons.
  3. Installing St. Augustine will necessitate more fertilizer than Midiron along with frequent mowing. Midiron typically needs fertilizer only one time per year—a blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
  4. Midiron will do well with a water soak every five days versus daily watering. St. Augustine does not need a lot of water either, though the maintenance schedule will vary slightly between the two.
  5. Midiron can withstand heavy wear while St. Augustine will require careful attention to extra foot traffic.

To determine which turf grass is right for you, check out our lawn selector tool.

How to Refresh Your Yard For Spring

Thursday, March 2nd, 2017

Here are some tips and ideas on how to refresh your yard for spring.

  1. Update your welcome mats with bright colors
  2. Create sod-covered coasters
  3. Paint your planters bright colors
  4. Repair bare spots in your lawn
  5. Garnish Your Outdoor Space with DIY Garland

arizona sod spring refresh tips

Update Your Welcome Mats with Bright Colors

Out with the old, drab, gray mats that have greeted one too many pairs of dirty shoes. It’s time to freshen up your pad, starting with the space that greets guests just before they enter your doors. Need some inspiration? Shoot for fruit-inspired floor features that will liven up your entryways. A watermelon welcome mat at the front door, and a lemon one at the back, will instantly bring a bright and vibrant vibe to your home.

Create Sod-Covered Coasters

What’s a springtime cocktail without a great coaster? We’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a special affinity to these sod-covered coasters. After all, our Evergreen Turf team works hard to procure beautiful sod lawns everyday, so when we find an item that allows us to enjoy the fruits of our labor by way of an after-work cocktail, there’s no getting around the happiness!

Fill a glass with fruit-infused water – or go for something a little stronger – as you sit on your patio and enjoy the welcoming post-winter Arizona weather.

Paint Your Planters Bright Colors

Ring in spring by saying, “Out with the drab, and in with the fab!”

Nobody said planters have to keep their boring, original colors. Pep up your plants, both inside and out, with neon paint. Appeal to the complementary colors on your flowers’ petals, or simply choose vibrant hues that work well for you. In any case, a brightened up planter will instantly set the springtime mood.

Repair Bare Spots in Your Lawn

Now that winter has begun to fade away, this is the perfect time to fix any trouble spots in your lawn and repair bare spots with new sod. Brown spots can easily become green again if you put the proper measures in place. First, try to understand what’s causing the barren spaces on your landscape. If pet urine or pests are the problem, seek measures to help eliminate ongoing brown patches. Otherwise, new sod won’t do much but mask the problem as a momentary fix.

If you’ve remedied the sources of your spotting, it’s time to lay down some new sod. Be sure to check out our Guide to Transitioning Your Arizona Sod Lawn in the Spring for helpful tips about fertilizing, watering, and maintaining your new sod.

Garnish Your Outdoor Space with DIY Garland

You can spruce up any space in your place with an easy-to-do DIY garland project. Simply gather the essential items, and set some time aside to work on your craft. If you have a garden, consider plucking some of your lovely flowers to incorporate into this piece. Alternatively, local florists – and even grocery stores – will be able to provide you with plenty of floral pickings.

Alas, not all spring cleaning is this much fun. To ensure a beautiful Arizona lawn all summer long, be sure to check out these 5 Lawn Care Tips for Spring brought to you by our Evergreen Turf team!

Winter Tips for Your Lawn

Thursday, January 26th, 2017

Although Arizona isn’t subjected to the freezing temperatures most of the rest of the country endures around this time of year, winter weather still has an impact on Southwestern lawns and landscaping. As chilly temperatures begin to settle in for the coming weeks, here are a few winter tips to help keep your lawn healthy and happy until spring rolls back around.

Winter Tips for Your Lawn

Bermuda Grass in the Winter

Because of its hardy and drought-resistant nature, Bermuda grass has long been a favorite of Arizona homeowners. While it’s beautiful when it’s growing healthy and strong, colder temperatures can cause alarm for people who aren’t experienced in dealing with this type of lawn. Rest assured, this tough species doesn’t require much from you to get through the winter.

Here are some helpful hints:

  • Sod With No Overseed – If you didn’t overseed your sod, it’s probably gone dormant by now. There’s nothing to do now but sit back, relax, and let your lawn rest until the thermometer starts to rise again.
  • Overseeded Sod – If you overseeded your sod, it’s probably experiencing a little shock. As the bermuda grass begins to go dormant beneath the surface, small, quarter-sized yellow spots may begin to appear. These markings are nothing to fear. In fact, they’re an indication that your lawn was healthy when temperatures were warmer.

The spots occur because you probably overseeded during the warm season (late September to early October) when the bermuda grass was still flourishing and out-growing the ryegrass overseed. As it enters dormancy, it leaves behind evidence of the places where it was out-doing the overseeding.

To help your overseeded lawn heal these spots, switch from granular fertilizers, which are typically slow to get a reaction when the temperature drops, to foliar (spray) fertilizers during the winter months.

Winter Foliar Fertilizer 101

Many people fail to alter their lawn care routines when winter falls in Arizona. Although our state generally enjoys a mild climate between November and March, the temperatures can still drop below optimal levels if you’re using granular fertilizers. Foliar fertilizers’ formulas often withstand winter better than their granular counterparts, allowing your overseeded sod to perform at its best.

  • Heating Elements. Some foliar fertilizers heat the plants up, helping to facilitate growth. Ferrous sulfate and endurant turf paint will both provide heat to your overseeding.
  • Organic Options. There are certain organic fertilizers that work well in the winter. Seaweed extracts, kelp, and compost teas will help boost your roots while feeding the organisms within the soil that help your lawn grow. Ask our team about the best organic options for your particular species of grass.

Winter Watering 101

Your fertilizer isn’t the only element you should alter when winter comes – it’s also important to pay attention to the way you water your lawn. You should dramatically cut back on your watering schedule during the cold season. Your winter ryegrass requires a lot less water than your summer sod. You only need about 20 minutes of watering two to three times a week to keep your ryegrass properly hydrated from December through mid-February.

If you didn’t overseed, shoot for a monthly watering unless a good rainfall hits, in which case, you can wait to water until your lawn shows signs of stress.

Looking for a little more assistance? Be sure to check out our Evergreen Turf Fall Over-Seeking/ Winter Lawn Care Tips, and reach out to us if we can be of further service!