It’s easy to complain about the snow. After all, it makes driving dangerous and can cause you to slip and fall when ice forms on the sidewalk. Shoveling the driveway is also a dreaded chore. Why not look on the bright side? Snow provides a unique way to have fun outside in the winter. You’re never too old to play in the snow, so whether you have children or not, take advantage of these five ways ...
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Blog Posts in 2015
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5 Ways to Have Fun in the Snow
December 29, 2015 -
Caring for Your Natural Holiday Decor
December 22, 2015 Holiday decorations come in many shapes and sizes. Many are plastic, glass or ceramic, but some consist of natural greenery. From your Christmas tree to evergreen wreaths, garlands and table centerpieces, follow these tips to care for your natural holiday decor and help it last all December long. Choose the Right Greenery The decorations you have in mind and where you live determine which greenery ...Continue Reading -
Living Sculptures: Whimsical, Fun and Easy Topiary Designs
December 12, 2015 December marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic film " Edward Scissorhands ." Tim Burton's dark comedy is about a scientist that builds an animated human being, the gentle Edward. The scientist dies before he can finish assembling Edward, though, leaving the young man with a freakish appearance accentuated by the scissor blades he has instead of hands. Edward is taken in by a loving saleswoman ...Continue Reading -
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let Us Know!
December 10, 2015 Snow may trigger pleasant feelings of cozy nights in front of a crackling fire, cradling a cup of hot chocolate and listening to holiday music. Unfortunately, all those cozy feelings shatter in the morning when it’s time to get up and go to work. Whether it’s the snow on your driveway or ice on the sidewalks in front of your business, snow and ice can be messy, and often hazardous to your health! ...Continue Reading -
It's Madness to Murder Crepe Myrtles
December 7, 2015 Crepe Myrtles are among the toughest, most adaptable, and showiest shrubs. A native of China and introduced to us in 1786 by Frenchman Andre Michaux, the "Lilac of the South" is the most popular flowering tree in the warmer, southern regions of North America. Crepe Myrtles are arguably one of the most beautifully branching flowering trees in the world, and would easily enhance the look of any ...Continue Reading -
Getting Organized for the Holidays
November 24, 2015 The holiday season is fast approaching, and while the very thought of all the additional cooking, cleaning, shopping, hosting, and general preparation required, sends chills of fear through some, others thrive on it. Your best chance of surviving the next few months is to keep on top of all those tasks, and knowing who, and when, to ask for help. Read on for some valuable tips on getting organized ...Continue Reading -
Holiday Spectacular: Syncing Lights and Tunes
November 18, 2015 A timeless tradition during the Christmas season is traveling near and far to see beautiful light displays. Whether it’s your neighbor’s home or a light show at the zoo, seeing Christmas lights is always something to enjoy with friends and family. Strings of lights are proudly displayed on trees, bordering windows, and twisted around awnings and front porches. However, as of 10 years ago, ...Continue Reading -
Light Up the Holidays Safely and Efficiently
November 17, 2015 If you’re among the two-thirds of Americans who decorate their homes with electric lights for the holidays, it’s important to light up your home efficiently so you can be festive without draining your wallet. Even more importantly, you need to install lights safely so the best intentions don’t turn into a trip to the emergency room. Here’s what you need to know. Lighting Up the Holidays ...Continue Reading -
Planning Your Landscape Lighting
November 13, 2015 Landscape lighting is fast becoming an integral part of the landscaping industry, as more and more people realize the benefits to their homes and businesses. In addition to added curb appeal, lighting can add warmth and security to any garden, walkway, or entrance. Whether you're looking to enhance an existing system or start from scratch, planning your landscape lighting will help you achieve a ...Continue Reading -
Illuminate Your Landscape with Lighting
November 5, 2015 Do you feel like your home or business is left in the dark at night? Whether you’re hoping to increase safety or improve the aesthetics of your building, landscape lighting is the perfect answer to help shed light on your home or business. Check out these tips from The Grounds Guys on the benefits you can expect from landscape lighting and some of the options you have in landscape lighting: ...Continue Reading -
Pumpkin Decorating 101: From Traditional to Whimsical
October 29, 2015 It’s that time of year when the leaves are changing colors and floating to the ground, the grass is beginning to fade to brown, and the scents of wood burning and pumpkin pies cooling are wafting up your nostrils. For many, there’s no better time than this time of year. Speaking of pumpkin pies, have you selected your perfectly sized, shaped and shade of color pumpkins to decorate your home or put ...Continue Reading -
5 Ways to Effectively Use Your Compost
October 20, 2015 By Maggie Saint John Did you know that compost is one of the best materials available to enrich your soil and help you grow healthier plants? Applying finished compost packed with nutrients can help plants resist disease and fight off insects as well as ensure the vitality and growth of plants in the future. What are ways to effectively use your finished compost? Review these five ways to use ...Continue Reading -
Put Your Fallen Leaves to Work for You
October 15, 2015 When temperatures begin to dip, you know what’s coming: smells of pumpkins, caramel lattes and bright red, yellow and orange fall leaves. While the season is beautiful, autumn brings with it the never-ending battle of your rake versus falling foliage! Here are ways to make your fall leaves work for you. Natural Fertilizer: Do you love to garden? Does your company welcome guests with gorgeous ...Continue Reading -
Fall Allergies: The Culprits and Your Survival
October 14, 2015 As different plants and microorganisms come out to play this fall, heightened allergy symptoms are common. What’s causing you to sneeze and your eyes to itch? Is there any way to get through the fall without using up the world’s supply of tissues and eye drops? Learn about fall allergy culprits and your keys to survival. Culprits of Fall Allergies Ragweed: When it comes to making your eyes water ...Continue Reading -
Grow Your Own Fall Vegetables
October 9, 2015 For many people, fall marks the end of the growing season. However, cool temperatures this time of year are ideal for growing fast-maturing cool-season vegetables such as lettuce and spinach. Enjoy a few homegrown late-season salads, even a few weeks past the first frost, by knowing what to plant and how to take care of your fall vegetable garden. Time it Right It’s vital to know when to plant ...Continue Reading -
Fall Color: What to Plant
October 1, 2015 As the sunny, warm, brightly colored flowers of summer begin to fade, instead of lamenting about the days past, look ahead to the colors of fall! Now is a great time to uncover new blooms that flourish in the cooler, milder days of fall. If you’re looking to add gorgeous fall colors to your property, here are some examples of beauties to plant right now! Some are annuals that will only last for ...Continue Reading -
Health Benefits of Power Washing
September 29, 2015 Are you looking for a way to create a healthier, more beautiful outdoor environment for your home or business? You could spend time and effort scrubbing surfaces by hand – or you could hire a professional to power wash everything from the roof to the siding to the driveway in one fell swoop. Which sounds like the better choice to you? What is Power Washing? Also known as pressure washing, power ...Continue Reading -
Re-Staining a Deck? Power Washing Is First Step
September 24, 2015 If you spend a lot of time outside, your deck is the likely gathering place for friends and family. Has your deck seen better days? Do you hope to revitalize it without spending money on a new deck? The key is to power wash the deck before re-staining it. Why Power Washing is a Good First Step Before you even think about adding a fresh coat of stain, you need to remove the existing finish. ...Continue Reading -
The Ins and Outs of Parking Lot Maintenance
September 22, 2015 It’s amazing how much something as simple as a parking lot can make a huge difference in the curb appeal of your business or housing complex. Parking lots can deteriorate in the following ways if not maintained properly: Cracks allow weeds to start growing. Potholes annoy your customers. Pitting looks ugly and ends up tracking asphalt everywhere. Faded lines make it difficult for your patrons to ...Continue Reading -
Leave the Power Washing to the Pros
September 18, 2015 If keeping your property clean is important to you, power washing is a solution that might interest you. Power washing, also known as pressure washing, is a method of cleaning outdoor surfaces with a high-pressure jet of water. The water comes out of a handheld nozzle attached to a hose, which is subsequently attached to a water source. The prevalence of power washing has increased over the years ...Continue Reading -
Bring Back Your Lawn: Seed, Aerate and Dethatch
September 15, 2015 Now that the summer is winding down, and the scorching summer sun is wreaking less and less havoc on our landscapes, we can once again concentrate on bringing our lawns back to their former pre-summer luster. How is the best way to do that? With seeding, aeration and dethatching. The experts at The Grounds Guys explain why these processes are so important to the enhancing the beauty of your ...Continue Reading -
The Power of Power Washing
September 10, 2015 Are grit and grime making your home or business look less inviting, or frankly, dirty and drab? Time and weather are not friends with your outdoor areas. Over time, grit and grime build up on your exterior surfaces. However, the professionals at The Grounds Guys have great news! You can brighten and clean the façade of your home or business in a snap with professional power washing. If you want to ...Continue Reading -
7 Tips for Choosing Aquatic Flowers & Plants
September 8, 2015 Did you know that taking your pond from ordinary to extraordinary can be as simple as selecting the perfect aquatic plants? Colorful flowers or green plants can give your pond that extra bit of spark to catch onlookers’ eyes and improve your curb appeal dramatically. Below are some tips to consider when choosing plants that work best for enhancing your pond: Fake or Real? – This is answered by ...Continue Reading -
Populating Your Pond with Fish
August 25, 2015 Adding fish to your backyard pond is a great way to enhance its beauty and lower the mosquito population. Here’s what you need to know about preparing your pond, choosing fish and caring for them. Preparing Your Pond for Fish To help ensure your fish live long, happy lives, prepare the pond with these tips: Plant several types of plants that grow above and below the water. This shades the pond, ...Continue Reading -
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Outdoor Water Features
August 20, 2015 If you’re in the process of reinventing your outdoor space, you might be considering the addition of a water feature. There’s no denying that fountains, ponds, pools and waterfalls make your outdoor living space more beautiful, but what other benefits do they provide? Is it possible you could improve your mental health and wellbeing by installing an outdoor water feature? You’ll be pleased to ...Continue Reading -
Examine the Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools
August 19, 2015 As any pool owner will tell you, chlorine is hazardous to store and handle. If it weren’t for backyard swimming pools, there would be no reason to keep this dangerous chemical anywhere near your house. Perhaps this is one reason you’re considering a saltwater pool. Once reserved for luxury hotels, these systems are now available for backyard pool owners to enjoy right on their property. Learn the ...Continue Reading -
You’ve Been Soaped! Now What?
August 13, 2015 Soaping. It’s a prank as old as toilet papering someone’s house, but it can be even more destructive. It’s when a prankster dumps laundry detergent, shampoo or dish soap into a fountain so the churning water produces suds. Soaping may sound like harmless fun – a way to turn a public water feature into a giant bubble bath for a day – but the vandalism can result in expensive cleanup and have a ...Continue Reading -
Keeping Your Fountain or Pond Clean and Clear
August 10, 2015 In the heat of the summer, there is nothing more refreshing than going for a swim in your pool or listening to the tranquil sounds of your outdoor fountain. But before you can dive into your pool’s cool blue water or relax and enjoy the serenity of your fountain, you have to perform the regular maintenance that prolongs their crystal-clear perfection. It’s no fun swimming in or sitting by a murky, ...Continue Reading -
Keeping Landscapes Beautiful During Drought
August 4, 2015 Prolonged drought can wreak havoc on your landscape. The average property owner spends 60 percent of their water bill on outdoor irrigation, and during times of drought, imposed water restrictions can leave you watching your precious, beautiful lawn dry up, turn brown and die. Instead of watching your lawn waste away, have you ever thought about synthetic turf? Many home and business owners are ...Continue Reading -
Beat the Heat with Energy Efficient Landscaping
July 30, 2015 Keeping your home cool without breaking the bank is the ultimate goal for many homeowners who are feeling the heat not only from the summer but the growing bills. If this is you, we have great news! Cooling Things Off from the Outside While most of you may know about the countless ways to be more energy efficient inside your home, have you ever thought about what you can do to keep things cool ...Continue Reading -
Caring for Your Pet in the Summer Heat
July 29, 2015 Summertime is a time when many people like to enjoy the outdoors and soak up some of the summer sun. It’s also a time when you need to ask yourself these questions: Do you wear sunscreen? Are you drinking plenty of water? Are you conscious of the amount of time exposed to the sun? Then, as you take precautions to protect yourself and your family, you should also remember to take precautions to ...Continue Reading -
Watering: It’s All About the Timing
July 23, 2015 As you find ways to cool off this summer, have you ever looked out across the lawn and wondered what the blades of grass are thinking? Probably not, because they don’t actually think! But for grins, one blade may be saying to the other blade, “I sure could use a splash of water on my roots right now!” and the other one is yelling out: “Splash a little of water our way!” Summer is in full force in ...Continue Reading -
Grass Diseases: The Fungus Among Us
July 21, 2015 It’s a typical morning and you decide to enjoy your cup of coffee out on the patio. After all, you put in a lot of work getting your lawn to look its absolute best and you’d like to enjoy the fruits of your labor, right? But what is that over there? That discolored spot in your grass? Sorry, my friend, but there’s a really good chance that spot is caused by grass fungus. The good news is that you ...Continue Reading -
The Dos and Don’ts of Proper Drainage
July 16, 2015 Have recent summer rains left your yards a swampy mess? It could be that your home does not have proper drainage. Here are some helpful dos and don’ts to safeguarding your home from landscape flooding and water damage. Dos Do install trench and channel drains. Drains contain and direct water so it doesn’t pool in inconvenient locations. Do allow drainage runoff to channel back into the earth, ...Continue Reading -
Is Your Backyard A Breeding Ground for Bugs?
July 14, 2015 As you sit out under the stars on those warm summer nights, the last thing you want to do is swat at mosquitoes and shoo away bugs. In addition to being a nuisance, bugs can carry diseases harmful to humans, animals and plants. To keep bugs at bay this summer, check for the warning signs inviting to bugs, and take steps to ensure your backyard isn’t a breeding ground for irritating insects. ...Continue Reading -
Bring on the Sparkle with Power Washing
July 9, 2015 Over time, especially the hot and dry days of summer, your home or office may have dust, cobwebs, pollen, smoke, ash and more built up on it making it dull and dirty. To get rid of this dirt and grime, the experts at The Grounds Guys say residential and commercial property owners should power wash every two years, or as needed. When it comes to power washing, here are some of the basics to ...Continue Reading -
Irrigation: Different Techniques and Benefits
July 6, 2015 If you walk down the lawn care aisle at your local hardware store, you will see a wide assortment of tools designed to help keep your lawn green. Everything from special hoses to timed sprinklers that walk around your lawn like an animal to spray nozzles that have turn dials with countless water stream options can be found. Yes, it is definitely easy to feel overwhelmed… but you don’t have to! The ...Continue Reading -
Get Creative with Lawn Mowing Patterns
June 30, 2015 Did you know that mowing your lawn is often considered an art? It’s true! With a few surprisingly simple mowing tricks, property owners can turn their lawns into unique masterpieces that are the talk of the town. Since the warmer weather warrant that lawns need mowing more frequently, it’s the perfect time to experiment with some new and creative mowing patterns, or let the professionals at The ...Continue Reading -
The Ins and Outs of Building a Retaining Wall
June 23, 2015 Let’s face it, not every yard is perfect. Nature is uneven, unpredictable and uncontrollable. Sometimes there is a hill where you want it to be flat, and sometimes it’s flat, where you might prefer a hill. Take control by building a retaining wall in your yard. Retaining walls hold many different purposes: Turn a hill into a multi-level landscape Level a yard that was previously on a hill Create a ...Continue Reading -
Recognizing Lawn Diseases and What to Do
June 18, 2015 If the curb appeal of your home or business is declining because your turf grass is looking a bit puny, you may have to put on your plant detective hat and go to work. To identify lawn diseases, you need to take a systematic approach to diagnose the problem before you can properly treat your grass. The Grounds Guys® can help walk you through a little green detective work so you can restore your ...Continue Reading -
Grass Clippings: What to Do with Them
June 16, 2015 When you leave grass clippings in the yard, does that make you a lazy groundskeeper? No! It makes you a pro at grasscycling and the king/queen of innovative nutrition for your lawn. The experts at The Grounds Guys have a few tips on how you can be the next “Grasscycling Guru,” protect your lawn, and help the environment all at the same time. All you have to do is leave the grass clippings where ...Continue Reading -
What Is Overseeding and Slit Seeding?
June 10, 2015 If your lawn looks like a patchwork quilt with some bare spots disrupting its uniform look, you may not need to tear everything out and start over by completely re-seeding it. There’s a simpler fix to restore your yard to its lush beauty -- overseeding. It’s the same lawn seeding technique used by landscapers to sow cool-season grass seeds on top of warm-season turfgrasses to achieve a green lawn ...Continue Reading -
Warm or Cool Weather: Finding a Grass That Fits
June 4, 2015 With over 10,000 species of grass in the world, it seems a little intimidating trying to decipher which grass is your perfect fit. Different climates, soil, and personal needs add a little more to the confusion to the question: What grass will grow best in my yard? If you look at a map of the U.S. provided by Lowe’s Home Improvement and divide it into three rows, you start to break down the types ...Continue Reading -
Seed vs. Sod: Which One to Choose?
June 2, 2015 A perfect lawn doesn't just happen. The glimmer of hope for a lush carpet of grass may begin before you even mow it for the first time. Choosing lawn type goes beyond selecting which turf grass is suitable to the growing zone and climate where you live. The Grounds Guys® can help you make another important decision -- whether to seed or sod your lawn. Seeding vs. Sodding -- What's the difference? ...Continue Reading -
Does Your Lawn or Garden Need Lime?
May 28, 2015 Liming is important for many lawns, but it’s not necessarily needed in every application. It’s also possible to generate negative affects if you apply too much lime. Use these helpful lawn tips to help you determine if your grass or garden needs lime and how much to apply when the time comes. Why do Lawns Need Lime? The purpose of applying lime is to increase the soil’s pH level. A measure of the ...Continue Reading -
Creating Outdoor Living Spaces on a Budget
May 26, 2015 If your back yard is currently just wasted space, why not revitalize it in time for summer? Outdoor living is a way to reconnect with nature and utilize your property to the fullest. But what about staying on budget? With these frugal ideas, you can create a beautiful, budget-minded back yard getaway. Utilize Salvaged Flooring Products Slate slabs nestled among pea gravel make for beautiful ...Continue Reading -
Soil Analysis: Testing Soil for Optimal Growth
May 21, 2015 Just like vitamins and other supplements can help keep you in optimal health, they also benefit your lawn and garden. But you wouldn't take nutrients that you don't need; you'd have the doctor run tests to determine exactly what was best for you. With that example in mind, think of The Grounds Guys® as your on-call "green doctor." We can help with garden and lawn tips that are based on soil ...Continue Reading -
Conserve Water with Xeriscaping Techniques
May 19, 2015 In recent years, people have been urged to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. So the ubiquitous water bottle now seems to be permanently attached to our hands, our work desks and even in our vehicles! But what about the plants in your landscape -- don't they need to stay hydrated, too? If you buy bottled water for drinking, you know how that expense adds up over time. And if you have lots ...Continue Reading -
The Benefits of Landscaping
May 14, 2015 While most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, most of us are still undeniably drawn outside to soak in the sights and sounds of nature. There’s just something about the sunshine, green grass, pretty flowers, sweet fragrances, and animals that make the outdoors relaxing and rejuvenating. Do you have a nice outdoor space to retreat to at your home or business? If not, it’s something ...Continue Reading -
Boost Curb Appeal with Water Features
May 7, 2015 Water features not only enhance your existing curb appeal , they also create tranquil places of respite for you and your visitors. The Grounds Guys® have some surprising ideas for you to add a water feature to your landscape regardless of budget or property size constraints. These artistic water features will command attention and boost your curb appeal: Pondless Waterfalls Also called ...Continue Reading -
The Grounds Guys Selected Among Top 100 Franchises for 2015
May 5, 2015 The Grounds Guys, along with seven other Dwyer Group franchise businesses, was selected as one of the World Franchising Network’s Top 100 Franchises for 2015. The Grounds Guys is proud to announce that it was selected as one of the Top 100 Franchises for 2015 by the World Franchising Network. Franchises selected for the Top 100 have received the highest ratings in a number of areas, including ...Continue Reading -
How Much Water Do Your Trees Need?
April 30, 2015 As towering fixtures in our landscapes, trees are often ignored when it comes to their water needs. Watering trees typically takes a back seat to watering flower beds, but its importance shouldn't be overlooked. Trees are large plants, and they need sufficient water to maintain healthy growth. The Grounds Guys® have seen many tree problems that are a result of drought stress. Unfortunately, ...Continue Reading -
Dos and Don'ts of Tree Planting
April 21, 2015 There’s nothing like a lush, green canopy to provide shade, invite wildlife and boost your spirits. But before you can enjoy the fruits of your labor, you must ensure the trees you plant today will remain part of your landscape for years to come. Follow these do’s and don’ts of tree planting for the best results. Dos Do choose trees for specific purposes. You may be looking for shade, a sound ...Continue Reading -
Exploring the Shapes and Sizes of Trees
April 15, 2015 A comprehensive home or business design includes not only the structural architecture and interior design but also the landscape architecture. Trees form the backbone of a well-designed landscape and paint three-dimensional works of art onto a living canvas. Regardless of the size and shape of your property, there's a tree that's a perfect fit. Let the professionals at The Grounds Guys take you on ...Continue Reading -
Creative Ways to Reuse Tree Stumps & Branches
April 9, 2015 Spring is finally here and that means it’s time to spring-clean your house and yard to make them as beautiful and fresh as possible. For some of you, spring-cleaning projects may have included pruning or cutting down trees. If you find yourself with some old tree branches, stumps or logs, find creative ways to repurpose them and use them to jazz up your landscaping! Here are a few ideas on ...Continue Reading -
Understanding Types of Trees
April 7, 2015 Caring for the trees in your yard -- or selecting trees for your landscape -- begins with understanding different tree types. Some trees offer shade in the summer and let sunlight in during the winter; other trees have brilliant fall color; and many tree types provide food and shelter that beckon birds to your yard. The Grounds Guys® can give you some pointers to help you handpick trees for your ...Continue Reading -
Spring Gardens: A Canvas of Color
April 4, 2015 Watercolor painting is a great way for people to relax and express their creativity. It is also a way to show appreciation for the beauty around them. Most of us can remember when we gazed on a pretty watercolor of a sunset, flowers, or other scene, and sighed in appreciation. The mix of colors was breathtaking. Well, just like a watercolor artist who creates a colorful painting, gardeners and ...Continue Reading -
10 Friendliest Country Musicians
April 3, 2015 The 49th Annual Academy of County Music Awards will be held Sunday, April 6 on CBS. The Grounds Guys®, coming from a Culture of Care, looked into the country music culture and the Culture of Care they bring to their industry. Many country musicians take on charity work as a way of giving back to their communities and loyal fans. The Grounds Guys highlighted some country music stars and the ...Continue Reading -
Trees: Putting the Right Tree in the Right Spot
April 2, 2015 All of us can relate to hard work. But have you ever stopped to think about how hard trees work every day? Trees are truly one of nature’s true workhorses. They not only work hard to enhance the health and beauty of your property, but they can also help cool homes or office buildings in the summer and fend off strong winds that threaten to damage your property. And they provide you with a nice, ...Continue Reading -
Be Creative with Flower Bed Design
March 24, 2015 Don't settle for a ho-hum flower bed design this year. Whether you are a home or business owner, cookie-cutter landscape designs strip neighborhood and commercial yards of individual personality and creativity. So resolve to liven things up in your home or business garden this spring with some splashes of creativity that set your landscape apart from the rest. The Grounds Guys® know that you are ...Continue Reading -
Tips to Get Your Yard in Tip-Top Shape for SPRING
March 19, 2015 Spring has sprung, which means summer is just around the corner. It’s almost time to fire up the grill, jump in the pool, and kick back outside with family and friends. But, before you can do this, you have to roll up your sleeves and get the backyard cleaned up and ready to go. To help you do this, here are some tips and tools to help you have your backyard in tip-top shape this S.P.R.I.N.G.: S- ...Continue Reading -
Boost Curb Appeal with Edging & Trimming
March 17, 2015 A perfectly manicured landscape needs attention to two little details that can transform a ho-hum yard into a real attention-getter: edging and trimming. If you overlook these tasks, your yard will lack the finesse that distinguishes a sharply defined landscape from one with a blurry curb appeal. Take it from the landscape professionals at The Grounds Guys® -- lawn trimming and edging is just what ...Continue Reading -
Uncover Your Home's Beauty with Power Washing
March 10, 2015 Lurking beneath your home's ugly-duckling facade may be a beautiful swan. But years of dirt and grime may have built up on your home's exterior, causing it to look dingy and dated. The barrier preventing your home from unleashing its hidden beauty may simply be its need for a power washing. If done correctly, this type of exterior cleaning, also known as pressure washing, can strip years off your ...Continue Reading -
The Ins & Outs of Irrigation
March 3, 2015 Your plants may be unwittingly perched on a tightrope when you water them. If you water them too much, you tip the balance one way and risk drowning their roots -- literally. But if you tip the balance in the other direction by under watering them, they "crash" -- a botanical term for severe wilting because they lack water. (Crashing isn't exactly a comfortable thought for human tightrope walkers, ...Continue Reading -
The Basics of Pruning Trees & Shrubs
February 26, 2015 Don't shy away from pruning trees and shrubs because you don't have the knowledge or the confidence to make the first cut. Armed with the right tools and techniques, you'll be able to improve your plants' health, keep them tidy and help them produce flowers and fruit. The Grounds Guys® can help equip you with the basics so you're pruning like a pro in no time. Unless you're using a creative ...Continue Reading -
How to Prune Tomato Plants Effectively
February 24, 2015 Pruning tomato plants is a pretty easy task. Proper pruning helps the foliage get adequate sunlight and grow large, healthy fruit more efficiently. It can also protect the plants against pests and diseases. Not all tomato plants need to be pruned. Determinate plants, also called “bush” plants, should not be pruned because they grow all of their fruit around the same time. Pruning also will not ...Continue Reading -
Tools & Techniques for Successful Pruning
February 19, 2015 The Grounds Guys® can help you pack a one-two pruning punch by sharing our professional insider's knowledge of tools and techniques. Properly pruned, the trees and shrubs in your yard will boost your home's curb appeal by forming a healthy framework that showcases your home as well as other landscape plants. But if you don't prune your plants properly, you may do more harm than good by increasing ...Continue Reading -
Pruning Rose Bushes: Easy as 1, 2, 3
February 17, 2015 Roses are known for many things. They are a simple way to show someone you love them by sending a dozen or two on holidays or anytime you want to say you care. Roses are also a great backdrop for special family photos or framed artwork to decorate the walls of a home. And who can forget the distinct scent that rose buds offer to any home or landscape! But probably the number-one way roses impact ...Continue Reading -
Unleash Your Creativity with Ornamental Pruning
February 12, 2015 A little nip here and a little tuck there can transform your shrubs into botanical garden wannabes. If you have an artistic eye and a creative touch, you can elevate utilitarian pruning to ornamental masterpieces. Whether your preference is for a formal look or you want a whimsical touch, your garden can be a custom-designed reflection of your personality that greets your guests before you open ...Continue Reading -
Handling Fertilizers with Care
February 10, 2015 Everyone can benefit from a little extra “push” to be and look his or her best. Lawns are no different. When property owners feed their lawns with the right amount and type of fertilizers, they push their lawn and plants to grow and thrive. Fertilizing your lawn and plants is a great way for you to feed soil, provide extra nutrients, enhance the texture of blades of grass or leaves of plants, and ...Continue Reading -
Exploring the Benefits of Pruning
February 4, 2015 Just like your hair can grow and grow and become a wild mess on top of your head, plants are much the same. The branches, limbs, or vines can grow and grow until they spread out of control. But no worries! The experts at The Grounds Guys have the skills and know-how to tame those wild branches with strategic pruning methods. As the old saying goes, sometimes, you've got to be cruel to be kind! ...Continue Reading -
The Basics of Building A Compost Pile
January 27, 2015 One of the most valuable additions to your garden is virtually free to produce. But it comes from some surprising sources -- items that are typically thrown away. Compost is the ultimate recyclable, turning kitchen and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. By learning the how-to fundamentals, you can boost your garden's health, no matter if you grow vegetables or ornamentals. The Grounds ...Continue Reading -
Animal Control: Protect Your Yard from Wildlife
January 22, 2015 A beautiful yard that beckons birds and butterflies may also have an invisible "Welcome to the Diner" sign that invites nuisance wildlife to feast on your backyard buffet of plants. Flowers and even foliage plants, such as hostas, are irresistible to cute critters that become anything but cute after you survey the damage they cause. At first glance, some of these visitors may appear harmless, but ...Continue Reading -
Giving a Little TLC to Indoor Plants
January 19, 2015 Everyone loves a little tender loving care (TLC). And plants are no exception! Just like taking care of your loved ones, vehicles, homes and other items, houseplants require some undivided attention every now and then to keep them performing at their optimal level. And who doesn’t appreciate a thriving green or blooming plant in the home or office? Indoor plants offer people many benefits, ...Continue Reading -
Pest Control: Take Action Before It Gets Out of Hand
January 13, 2015 Managing lawn and garden pests fulfills the adage that it's easier to prevent a problem than treat a problem. But unless you have a crystal ball, it's impossible to foresee all pest problems. So the second-best strategy for pest control is to take swift action as soon as you see early signs of damage. Otherwise, the uncontrolled pests may broaden their attack from the initially targeted plants to ...Continue Reading -
Types of Fertilizers to Use in the Winter
January 8, 2015 Like hibernating bears, most plants settle down for a long winter's nap. Their metabolism slows as they enter dormant states, while some plants -- such as deciduous trees and shrubs -- shut down almost completely after their leaves drop in autumn. But deciduous plants are able to survive winter dormancy on the stored food reserves they manufactured the previous growing season. And although ...Continue Reading -
Fertilizer: Fortifying Plants with a Balanced Diet
January 7, 2015 Eat your vegetables. Make healthy food choices. Don’t forget to take your vitamins! We’ve all been told these things at some point, whether by our parent, our doctor, or our friends. But did you know that just like people, plants also have certain food groups that they need to ingest to keep them nourished and healthy? It’s a fact! Plants need a healthy diet of food groups that includes carbon, ...Continue Reading -
Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers
January 2, 2015 A visit down the fertilizer aisle in your garden center can leave you scratching your head in confusion. With so many numbers to consider -- different formulations, ratios, grades and application rates -- you may decide you need a degree in math to figure things out. Then, as you consider the different nutrients listed on the package -- elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron -- you ...Continue Reading