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Growing a New Lawn with Sprigs – Part 2

Lawn Care Service Tampa FL | SouthernGreenUSA.comOnce you have purchased your sprigs, you should get to work planting them as soon as possible. Read on as we continue our series on building a landscape through the sprigging process.

The most efficient way to plant sprigs is to cut shallow furrows in your landscape using a plow or the edge of a hoe. In these furrows, you should place the sprigs about 6 to 12 inches apart on the row. While placing the sprigs, cover part of them with soil and firm the furrow by either stepping on it or rolling it. The closer you can put the sprigs together, the faster your lawn will grow. Additionally, you should never place rows more than 6 to 8 inches apart.

Once your sprigs are firmly in the ground, they should be kept continually moist until the plants have taken root. You can water the areas lightly once or twice a day to allow the roots to grow properly. Overwatering the sprigs will prevent them from taking root. After the first few weeks, you can irrigate the sprigs less frequently until irrigation happens only once or twice a week.

Is your landscape established? Call the team at Southern Green for maintenance services. You can hire us as your lawn care service in Tampa, FL, or request assistance in Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, or St. Petersburg.

Growing a New Lawn with Sprigs – Part 1

South Florida Lawn Care | SouthernGreenUSA.comWhether you call them runners, stolons, rhizomes, or just sprigs – sprigging is one of the many ways you can build a new landscape. The team at Southern Green has years of experience working with a wide variety of grasses and we want to give you the knowledge you’ll need to build the perfect lawn.

You may be asking yourself – What is a sprig and how can I use it to build a new landscape? One of the cheapest ways to build a lawn, sprigging is a great way to build a Florida lawn on a budget. A sprig is a stem of grass that has at least one node attached to it. There is no soil on a sprig and it has the potential to grow into a full grass plant. A standard sprig should have anywhere from two to four nodes on it. These sprigs will eventually start developing roots which grow into larger grass plants that cover your lawn. You can grow a variety of grasses through the sprigging process, including St. Augustinegrass, centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, and bermudagrass.

For more information about building and maintaining your landscape in Florida, you can trust the team at Southern Green. We provide excellent South Florida lawn care in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and surrounding areas, as well as Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando.

Picking the Right Shrubs for Your Landscape

Lawn Care Tampa | SouthernGreenUSA.comCreating a beautiful lawn doesn’t mean just growing grass – it also means adding shrubs and ornamental plants to your landscape. Here are some great options for Florida homeowners:

  • African Iris – This is a low-maintenance plant that is known for producing pale yellow flowers in spring. You can select this shrub when you are seeking a selection that has a high dry season tolerance, is resistant to pests, and looks natural within your landscape. Many professionals like this option for borders.
  • Crown of Thorn – A small, cactus-like plant, the crown of thorn is generally selected for people who want to keep animals and people out of their landscape. It has thorns on the stem of the plant, as well as little red flowers that bloom all year long.
  • Aloe – Many Florida homeowners love planting aloe in their yards. This plant does very well in dry conditions and is useful beyond appearance.  The aloe plant has a green leaf that can be used to help soothe burns- especially those Florida sunburns. When you start work on your landscape, a good aloe plant is a wise choice and can also help you recover when you’re finished.

Once you have planted your shrubs, you can have the specialists at Southern Green provide you with ornamental tree and shrub care services. Our business offers lawn care in Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, and South Florida.

Using Seeds to Start a Lawn – Part 3

Lawn Care St Petersburg FL | SouthernGreenUSA.comNow that your seeds are spread, it’s time to put them in the ground. You can lightly cover them by working them into the soil with a rake. If possible, you should topdress the area with a quarter inch of soil. Once the seeds have been worked into the ground, with good contact between the seeds and the soil, we recommend mulching the area with weed-free grass, hay, or straw.  It’s best to cover at least 50% of the ground in an effort to protect the soil and new seeds. The mulch will help to keep moisture in the ground, keep the seeds from washing away, and prevent the soil from getting too hot.

Once this process is complete, you want to make sure that your seeds are kept moist through proper watering techniques. You should water the grass with a small amount of water at least two to three times a day for two weeks to germinate the seeds, but be careful not to overdo it.  Overwatering can put your new seeds at risk for disease.  As you notice the seeds and root systems developing, you can decrease the watering. Eventually, your landscape will be nice and green!

After growing your lawn, invest in your landscape with help from Southern Green. Our team provides lawn care in St. Petersburg, FL, in addition to Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, and Orlando.

Using Seeds to Start a Lawn – Part 2

Lawn Service Jacksonville FL | SouthernGreenUSA.comHave you picked out the right seed for your landscape? If the answer is yes, then you are ready to start planting! The Southern Green team is here to help you get started.

Before you plant your seeds, you need to make sure the ground is ready. Your lawn should be moist and leveled before your put the seed down to ensure that your ground will accept the seed and it will grow properly. You will also need to rake the ground with a heavy garden rake, as this will create furrows when your seeds are planted.

There are many different ways to seed a lawn, including planting by hand and using mechanical equipment. If you have a larger landscape, you’ll want to consider investing in a seed spreader to make certain you are evenly distributing seed over the area. For the best results, you’ll want to apply half the seeds in one direction, and then apply the other half at a right angle from the first seeding.

Contact the team at Southern Green today when you need help with your new lawn. You can contact us for lawn service in Jacksonville, FL, as well as Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and many other South Florida locations.

Using Seeds to Start a Lawn – Part 1

Starting a lawn can be daunting! Whether you are planting a new lawn in your brand-new home or are just starting from scratch, seeding may be your best choice, as it is the easiest and most economical choice.

The best time to plant depends on your location. If you are located in North Florida, you should plan to seed your lawn from April to July. Individuals trying to grow in South Florida can seed all year long. The key to seeding with warm season grass in Florida is to start during the spring and summer, as this allows a full growing season before any possible cold weather starts.

While you are planning, you should consider what kind of grass you want to grow. If you do not have a lot of money to spend, you may need to consider the amount of seeds you need for your landscape. Bahiagrass needs as much as 10 pounds of scarified seed for a 1,000 square foot landscape, while you only need a quarter pound of centipedegrass seed for the same space. Take a look at the current prices at your hardware store or plant nursery.

Do you need assistance with your new landscape? The specialists at Southern Green can help. We are known for providing unparalleled lawn care in Jacksonville, FL, as well as Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida!

Lawn Irrigation and Shade

Lawn Care Tampa | SouthernGreenUSA.comWhen it comes to growing a green, lush lawn, everyone remembers to water it, but creating a balanced irrigation plan is often overlooked.  All sections of your lawn are not created equal, so don’t forget to keep those shaded areas in mind.  Whether you are growing a new lawn or just putting in trees or shrubbery, map out those shady spots before starting your irrigation regiment.

When grass is growing in spots near the home or under trees, it will not need as much water as the grass that is growing in the sun. Once your grass has been planted, keep an eye on these areas to make certain that the grass grows properly. Irrigation heads that are in shady areas should be removed, as it’s best to hand-water these spots. When these parts of your lawn get too much water, it can destroy the roots. If you find growing grass in these areas to be frustrating and difficult, you may want to consider investing in an alternative ground covering option, such as mulch.

When it comes to lawn care services, Southern Green offers a wide array of services to make your landscape look wonderful! We perform lawn care in Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando, as well as many other cities throughout South Florida. Contact us today to learn more about the many services we provide.

Enhancing Landscape Wear Tolerance

Lawn Care St Petersburg FL | SouthernGreenUSA.comIs your lawn ready for the summer? Whether you are planning on throwing a big barbeque in your backyard or just ready to have your kids out of the house, here are some things you can do to enhance your lawn wear tolerance:

  • Fertilization – One of the most imperative ways to improve wear tolerance on your lawn is to keep up with proper fertilization practices. Potassium fertilization is very important, as it will allow the grass to survive injuries and retain the carbohydrates it needs to regrow. You should keep an eye on high-traffic areas and make sure that potassium is applied regularly.
  • Watering – When you properly water your lawn, you are giving the leaf tissue an opportunity to absorb injury and bounce back with ease. Having deep roots through infrequent but long irrigation makes your grass strong and resilient. In addition to giving your grass the ability to recover quickly, proper watering will also prepare it for drought situations.
  • High Mowing Heights – Mowing your lawn at higher heights is also vital to building your lawn wear tolerance. When the grass is higher, it increases the amount of shoot tissue to avoid the injury and also allows the roots to grow deeper, resulting in greater stress resistance.

Improve your landscape today when you come to Southern Green. Our business is known for offering dependable lawn care in St. Petersburg, FL, as well as many other locations throughout Florida.

Doing Your Research on Organic Lawn Care Products – Part 2

Orlando Lawn Care | SouthernGreenUSA.comCaring for your landscape with organic products starts with deep research. We have put together some more questions you should take into consideration before making the investment in organic lawn care products:

  • What Problems Do People Have with Application? – Many times, people tend to shy away from organic fertilizers and pest control products because they have issues with strong odors or ingredients that, while organic, can be toxic to grass and other plants. While doing your research, you should try to look for any information regarding smell or toxicity. If these issues don’t bother you, then you may decide to start using the product!
  • Is the Price Worth the Investment? – Before making the investment, you should check that the amount of money you are spending is worth it. Many organic products have great results but the price outweighs the benefits. Additionally, you may find that you have to spend more to achieve a result that you could have realized by hand. For example, you could pull weeds manually and clean up the problem areas instead of spending a lot of money on a weed removal product.

From lawn pest control and fertilization services to aeration and shrub care, the specialists at Southern Green are here to assist you with your lawn. We offer Orlando lawn care services, in addition to Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa services.

Doing Your Research on Organic Lawn Care Products – Part 1

Lawn Care Jacksonville FL | SouthernGreenUSA.comGoing organic when caring for your landscape is a great idea! Going organic means you won’t have to worry about harmful chemicals being used on the lawn and it can actually improve the quality of your soil. Before you make the investment, it’s important to learn how to choose the right organic products for your landscape.  Ask yourself these questions:

  • Is Independent Research Available? – Just because a company has claimed on their packaging that the product has worked in testing, it does not mean that an impartial, independent review has been done. Before making the purchase, you should get the product information together and spend some time looking up independent research about the product online.
  • Are the Researched Results Accurate? – When you read the independent research, you should make sure that the information actually corroborates the advertised results. You should also review to see if the results work in a variety of conditions. Just because the product works in the North, it does not mean it will work in Florida climates. For example, if you purchase an organic pest control product that features an insect predator, you should verify that the predator naturally exists in Florida.

When you need someone dependable to provide you with exceptional lawn care services, rest assured the team at Southern Green is ready assist you. We offer lawn care in Jacksonville, FL, as well as Tampa, Orlando, and many South Florida cities.