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Aeration
Seeding
Deep Root Fertilization
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Below you will find useful tips
on a variety of topics. The menu on the left-hand side of this
page will quickly direct you to the information you desire.
Additionally, the following links may prove useful in your
information gathering:
Virginia
Tech Turf: Provides publications and information from the
turfgrass extension specialists at Virginia Tech
Turfweeds at Virginia Tech: Provides weed resources as well
as Weed ID, a web-based photo resource of over 200 common weeds.
As always, do not hesitate to
contact our offices if you require further information or
assistance.
Aeration
 Aeration has many benefits—it will help control thatch, improve soil structure, thicken underground roots and rhizomes, relieve compaction, and improve penetration of both water and fertilizers.
The aeration process removes small cores of soil and turf from your lawn. These cores are left on the lawn to break down and melt back into the soil after a mowing and/or rainfall. These cores are a source of organic matter for your lawn. Organic matter contributes to improved soil structure, a major factor in turfgrass growth and development.
Fall is an excellent time to aerate the lawn. Ideally, lawns
should be aerated annually.
More information on aeration can be
found
here!
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Disease Control
 Of all the problems and pests that can damage a lawn, fungus diseases are the most frustrating and difficult to control. There are literally hundreds of diseases that can and do infect
turfgrass.
The best control of a fungus is a healthy, properly fertilized lawn which is able to withstand the temporary damage done by a disease. Proper mowing and watering are also factors in disease prevention.
Fungicides, chemical controls of diseases, are too expensive and their results too erratic to make their use practical on home lawns.
Remember, most diseases are weather-related, and the damage is only temporary. A well-maintained lawn will eventually recover from disease damage when weather conditions change.
Since the chemical control of disease, on a preventive basis, is impossible and impractical as well as unwise, Green up makes no applications of fungicides, except in rare cases where we deem it necessary, and only then with a customer’s permission.
To learn more about Brown Patch
and Red Thread, click HERE!
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Dog
Spots
Dog urine can cause nitrogen burns in the lawn. With time, the
turf will recover from these burns. Repeated urination in one
area can kill turf due to excess nitrogen levels. Watering an
area after urination will help dilute nitrogen levels in that
area, reducing the probability of nitrogen burns appearing in
the turf.
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Insect Control
 It is not only impossible and impractical to try to control all the insects that may be present in your lawn and/or soil—it is also unwise.
Unwise because insecticides can not only eliminate turf damaging insects, but also beneficial insects and organisms, such as earthworms.
Green Up does control insect populations that grow so large that damage occurs to the lawn. While we do use insecticides, as necessary, it is Green Up policy to emphasize their prudent and judicious use. You have our word that we will take an extra measure of care to use insecticides responsibly.
Since insect problems can occur at almost any time, and it is neither practical nor environmentally sound to control them on a preventive basis, Green Up extends to all its customers subscribing to any of our treatment programs, a “No Quibble Insect Control Guarantee.” If you at any time have turf damaging insects strike your lawn, we will control them at no additional charge.
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Moles
Click
HERE
to read
Green Up's recommendations for moles.
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Moss
A combination of excessive shade, excessive
moisture, and low soil pH are the most common causes of moss growth. Green Up
performs annual tests of the customer's yard and will notify you
if your soil pH is low. Liming to correct low soil pH is offered
at an additional charge each January.
Excessive shade is the biggest factor for moss growth in almost
all cases, as most grass plants
require at least 3-4 hours of full sunlight or 6-8 hours of
filtered sunlight for growth. Tree pruning may alleviate this
problem in some instances. If moss repeatedly returns to an area
it may be more prudent to landscape the area with shade tolerant
plants, such as English ivy, pachysandra, or myrtle.
Moss can be physically
eradicated by raking with a stiff-tined rake. However, if the
reasons for moss growth are not corrected this may be only a
temporary solution.
More information on moss
available
here!
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Mowing
 Mowing is the most important thing you will ever do to your lawn. Proper mowing is beneficial to a lawn, while improper mowing can be harmful.
Proper mowing can be painless and lead to an improvement in turf quality. We recommend you follow these guidelines:
- Mow high—your height of cut should be at least 2 ½ inches.
- Mow frequently—every 7 to 10 days on average. Mow more often in the spring when cool season grasses grow most rapidly. Mow less often during the summer when hot, dry weather slows their growth.
- Use a sharp blade—a dull mower blade tears instead of cutting. Start each Spring with a sharp mower blade and sharpen once a month during periods of high use.
- Don’t bag your clippings—recycle them back into the lawn. Recent studies indicate that bagging clippings removes a portion of the nutrients applied to your lawn. By not bagging your clippings, you return these nutrients to the lawn. Additionally, clippings are a source of organic matter for the soil. Soil organic matter is a major factor in turfgrass growth and development.
A good rule of thumb: Mow often and mow high.
More information
on mowing available
here!
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Mushrooms
Mushrooms visible in the yard can roughly be compared to the
fruiting bodies of trees. They are the reproductive arm of the
subterranean mushroom mycelium; the mycelium is the widely
branching vegetative part of the mushroom plant. Control of
mushrooms is thus extremely difficult, as it would involve
treating an underground organism! Mushrooms are mostly observed
in the spring and fall months when adequate moisture is present.
Mushrooms are actually quite
beneficial to the health of landscapes. Mushrooms
decompose dead organic material, such as leaves, grass
clippings, and wood debris. They enrich the soil with nutrients
from these dead materials. Furthermore, mushrooms enjoy a
symbiotic affiliation with plants. Mushrooms facilitate plant
root uptake of water and nutrients while the plant provides
sugars and amino acids to the mushroom.
For more information on
mushrooms click
here!
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Seeding
 Fall is the time we recommend that you seed areas. The spring is a poor second to Fall when it comes to seeding. Many Spring seedings end in failure. The best time to seed in our area is from August 15th through October 15th.
More information on the grass seed we use here!
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Stink Bugs
Adults are approximately 17 millimeters long and have a
characteristic "shield" shaped back. They produce a pungent
odor. These insects often congregate on houses in the late Fall
and move indoors as the temperature drops. The best control for
these pests vacuum removal. Chemical controls have not been
proven effective.
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Watering
 To keep your lawn healthy and green in our area, it is sometimes necessary to water. By watering your lawn, you can assure good growth, color, and recuperation of your grass. If you do not water, expect the lawn to cease growing and turn brown.
Green Up recommends the following guidelines when watering:
- Lawns need 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per week—either by rainfall or irrigation—to remain green.
- By placing tin cans in the path of your sprinkler, you can measure how
long it takes to collect the necessary amount of water. Usually two to four hours are required per location; however this varies among different brands of sprinklers.
- Watering an area once per week is usually sufficient, but be sure to get 1 to 1 ½ inches of water on at that time. Avoid light, frequent
watering, which encourage a shallow root system.
- Water in the early morning, when less water will be lost to evaporation. Avoid watering at night when excess moisture can lead to disease buildup.
- Remember to mow high and use a sharp blade. During hot, dry weather, mow your grass only as necessary.
More information on watering available here!
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Watering Seeded Areas
 To ensure the success of the seeding and germination of grass seed, you must water properly. For grass seed to germinate, it must be kept constantly moist, so light, frequent
watering is best.
Green Up recommends the following guidelines to ensure the success of the seeding:
- Water the seeded areas twice per day
for a shorter period of time to keep ground damp. Once you see
germination, gradually reduce the frequency of watering while
increasing the duration.
- Protect any straw covered areas from foot traffic—dogs, children, etc.
- In the case of aeration and
overseeding, you may resume normal mowing practices after watering one time.
- When seedlings are tall enough to mow, mow high. The worst thing you can do for new seedlings is to mow short.
Mow at 4" if possible.
- Do not rake up any straw that may have been used as mulch. You will only pull up seedlings. Your mower will mulch the straw and it will decay.
- Keep new seedlings free of leaves and excess grass clippings, either by mowing or light raking.
Information on turf management
and watering during dry times available
here!
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Weed Control
 Weeds are a constant nuisance in any lawn. An Integral part of each Green Up maintenance program is the control of weeds—both grassy and broadleaf.
Green Up control methods take three forms:
- A pre-emergent control applied to the lawn in both Spring applications
to prevent weed seed from germinating.
- A post-emergent control applied to the lawn once in the Spring and once in the Fall to control weeds.
- A careful monitoring during all treatments for weeds and treating them as necessary and appropriate.
While Green Up does use herbicides to control weeds, it is Green Up policy to emphasize their prudent and judicious use. You have our word that we will take an extra measure of care to use herbicides responsibly.
Since weeds can become a problem at almost any time, Green Up extends to all its customers subscribing to any of our treatment programs a “No Quibble Weed Control Guarantee.” If you notice weeds at any time, please call us for a FREE weed control call back application
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Woolly Adelgid
Woolly adelgid females are 1/16th inch long, circular
insects. They
protect themselves with a fluffy, white wax when they lay eggs
and feed where hemlock needles attach to twigs.
Signs of
infestation include yellowing and premature drop of needles as
well as the presence of white, fluffy insects. Woolly adelgids
are easily controlled with horticultural oil applications.
More Information on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid available here!
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