March-2009
Turf:
PREVENT CRABGRASS NOW! March and April is the only time to get your pre-emergent down before crabgrass rears its ugly head later in the spring. Pre-emergent is a selective herbicide that is used to prevent the germination of grassy weeds such as crabgrass and foxtail. Pre-emergent works by creating a chemical barrier over the soil. Crabgrass or foxtail seedlings attempting to breach the barrier take up the chemical and are not allowed to germinate. Pre-emergent is not permanent; most lasting in the soil for approximately 6-8 weeks. However, there are some products such as Barricade that last much longer, in many cases up to 6 months. It has even been proven effective for this particular product to be applied in the fall before the next growing season.
Crabgrass germination is dependant upon the weather in any given spring; but May 1st is a good approximate date for seed germination. Therefore, pre-emergent applications should be timed between February 15th- April 1st. These dates are dependent on the types of product that is being used. The label should always be referenced before settling on an application date.
**Don't forget- Pre-emergent is not picky...it will also forbid grass seed from germinating. Reference the label for seeding windows after application.
Turf application round 1 is currently being applied by your Aspen Turf manager's. If you plan on seeding this spring, please let your turf manager know so he can lay out your treatment plan accordingly. If you're interested in having an "Aspen lawn", please call us today for information on our turf maintenance program.
Design & Build:
SPRING HAS SPRUNG! It's time to get started on those landscape projects you've been thinking about all winter. Spring flowering trees & shrubs, walls, patios, outdoor kitchens...we can do it all. Our AWESOME landscape designers have had their creative juices flowing all winter long and are chomping at the bit for the opportunity to transform your "outdoor living room", into an "outdoor paradise." We can't wait to get creative with you very soon. Call the office to schedule your FREE design consultation.
SPRING RAINS.....are coming to a lawn near you! We offer all types of drainage solutions to help keep you afloat this spring. We've all heard the horror stories about flooded, molded basements...We can ensure this isn't your story; call us today for a site drainage analysis.
Aspen lights up the night with our low voltage outdoor lighting options. Lighting up your most important investment isn't only safe & practical; it also creates an ambiance & inviting appeal making your home the perfect place for entertaining your guests this spring.
SPRUCE UP FOR SPRING! Our spring mulch schedule is filling up fast, call us if you'd like to be added to our list. Our house mulch this season is "MOCHA BROWN".
Mowing:
WE LOVE SPRING CLEANING! The first day of spring is March 20th. In celebration of this welcome day; we've start preparing lawns for the season ahead. Spring lawn cleanups should begin around the 15th of the month. We'll clean up left-over leaves, sticks, and debris before weekly mowing gets back in gear during April. Please call us promptly if you'd like to be added to this list; as there is limited time and space available to get these cleanings completed.
Arborist's Corner:
Anybody heard of the Emerald ash borer? If you haven't heard of this very troublesome pest; you will so in the very near future. This insect has become a huge concern among the green industry because of it's quick, fatal knockdown of nearly 30 million ash trees in the USA. Even more alarming, this incredible # of fatalities was reached in only eight states. These states include: Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and the latest being Missouri in July 2008. This means that the borer is less than 200 miles away and possibly moving this way.... The emerald ash borer is a small (1/8 inch long), metallic green beetle that is native to Asia. The larvae of the beetle tunnel into bark of Ash trees causing starvation and eventual death. Emerging beetles leave an approx. 1/8 inch D-shape hole in the tree when exiting. The insects are primarily spread by firewood.
If you have Ash trees that you're concerned about, please call us today for more information. You can also visit- http://www.emeraldashborer.info/ for detailed information. Additionally, the Kansas Forest Service has developed a kit that provides helpful information on identifying the insect. For information on obtaining one of these kits, please visit www.kansasforests.org.
We can help! Preventative treatments are the ONLY method available to save your ashes. Once infested, treatment is not an option. Please call us today to learn how we can help protect your Ash trees.
Irrigation:
FREE SYSTEM START-UP & WINTERIZATION! ($150.00 value) when your friend or family has us install an irrigation system.
Have you heard? We offer Irrigation maintenance programs that take the worry out of adjusting your sprinklers throughout the year. As part of these programs, we'll start your system up in the spring, come twice to make adjustments and repairs, & winterize it in the fall. The best part is it's not much more than the scheduled start-up/shut-down price. You only pay for the visit & the parts used to make repairs...the labor is FREE! We offer this program at a discounted rate so we can ensure your irrigation system is working to its full capabilities & not costing you brown grass, dead plants, & a massive water bill.
SILVER PROGRAM- Includes startup, winterization, and 2 system checks
GOLD PROGRAM- All of the above, plus an in-depth system calibration (see irrigation page at: http://www.aspenlawn.com/irrigation for details on calibration)
Landscape Maintenance:
Dormant prune today!
February kicks off the spring season for getting out in the garden. At this time our crews are busy dormant pruning roses, dogwoods, burning bushes, viburnums and more. This is a good time to cut back plants to condense the size and remove all the dead wood that is hard to get to after the plant fully leafs out. With only the branches showing on all the plants, it is easier to make pruning decisions on which limbs to cut back. For roses, dormant pruning allows the plant to produce better quality blooms and more of them. It also allows shrub roses to have all the past seasons excess growth trimmed off to a more shapely plant, that is ready for the new season. It is important to remember to have all the pruning completed before buds set so the growing and blooming processes are not disrupted.
Did you know?:
50% OFF ANNUAL PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM! (Savings of up to $250.00 off) Your friends at Aspen Lawn and Landscape are pleased to announce the launch of two new businesses, Aspen Home Cleaning and Aspen Pest Management. We are excited and optimistic that these new services will bring the same quality and excellence to our customers that our lawn services have provided for over 25 years. Please give us a call to hear more about our Home cleaning and pest management options, or to get an "no obligation" on-site interview.
"Working together for a cure!" Aspen Home Cleaning is working together with the ABCF (American Breast Cancer Foundation) by donating 5% of all sales to the foundation.
ASPEN IS GOING PAPERLESS! Aspen has found a new way to accommodate the busy lives of our customers! We've found that email is an easier way communicate with our customer base. We're now offering email service to all of our customers. Signing up for this application allows us to communicate with you about all of your services. You will receive service notices, questions and concerns that Aspen may have for you. Aspen will also from time to time send out special offers and discounts. If you're interested in signing up for our email list or have any questions you can call the office Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, or simply just send an email to office@aspenlawn.com.
Did you know? you can enroll in our automatic payment system and not worry about the hassle of paying bills? You are now able to register your credit card with us and have an automatic debit at the beginning of each month’s balance. You will still receive a paper copy to be able to review your charges each month & keep for your records. Please call the office for more details.