Giroud Rebuilds Drought Stressed Lawn

Scorching heat and minimal rainfall through the summer months have left many PA lawns in horrible condition. As grass turned brown and thinned, patches of bare dirt became the perfect breeding ground for opportunistic weeds and crabgrass to invade and take over many lawns.
If more than 50-60% of your lawn is covered with weeds, crab grass or other undesirable vegetation, the best solution is to start from scratch with a complete renovation. Mike Taraborrelli, Giroud Lawn Care Manager, shows how to evaluate the condition of your lawn and the steps Giroud uses in a renovation to create a healthy, thick, green lawn.

Lawns Damaged by Dry, Hot Summer

The damage is glaringly apparent on area lawns. The dry, hot summer has taken its toll and many lawns are exhibiting brittle, brown grass, insect and disease problems.

Turf expert, Nancy Bosold, Penn State Cooperative Extension, sums up the situation, "As great as last year was for grass-growing, this year has been horrendous. Renovations will be important." She recommends:

• Soil test if you haven't done it in the last three years.
• Before reseeding, dethatch, mow low and remove dead material and clippings
• Choose the right grasses for the site, topdress and if site is compacted, use a core aerator
• Optimum seeding dates are now through mid-October.

"You can do the above steps yourself if your lawn damage is minimal," advises Mike Taraborrelli, Giroud Lawn Care Manager. "More extensive renovations may require professional help." To see Ms. Bosold's full article go to: Bosold-Penn State Coop Ext Lawn Report

Cleaning-Up Wild Growth

This Fall, many landscapes are looking more like jungles. Homeowners are experiencing an explosion of growth in their trees and shrubs thanks to heavy rainfall over the past several months. Giroud demonstrates how a Brushcutter machine and crew can clean up your overgrown landscape. Video includes before and after images as well as a video clip of the Brushcutter in action.

Do It Yourself: Raking Leaves and Composting

It’s more than aesthetics, raking leaves is important for your lawn. Leaves left on your grass over the winter will smother your lawn. Come Spring, you’ll find bare spots that will open the door for crabgrass and weeds.

Take special care when removing leaves from recently seeded lawns. Use a blower to protect tender seedlings. If you don’t have a blower, please use a light touch to gently remove leaves from newly seeded areas.

If you are industrious and interested in composting the leaves you rake up, be prepared for a time consuming but very worthwhile process. You'll need a composting bin in which you regularly mix or "turn over" the pile of leaves. You can make your own bin using discarded pallets that will allow air flow. Leaves in the homemade version will need to be turned with a pitchfork. You can also buy a compost tumbler with a hand crank to frequently turn the leaves. To speed up the composting, shred the leaves with a mulching mower before putting them in the bin. Learn more about composting.

Why Trees and Lawns Need Fertilizer

Fertilizing your trees and lawn has never been more important. Heavy rains through the growing season have washed away key nutrients from your soil. Giroud Arborist, Robert Poley explains why your trees and lawn need fertilizer while Rodney Stahl, Jr., PA Certified Applicator, demonstrates how Giroud does fertilizer treatments. Injecting Giroud's time release fertilizer now will provide steady doses of nutrients through the winter and into the growing season.

Want a Beautiful Lawn Next Spring…Start Now!

Beautiful lawns begin in the Fall. Take the following steps now for a healthy, thick, green lawn in 2010:

1. Soil Test:Comprehensive Soil Analysis (CSA): Now is the best time to identify soil problems. Giroud takes soil samples from around your lawn for testing by a nationally recognized Agronomic Lab. Based on the test results, your Giroud Technician custom blends your Fall fertilizer treatments and determines if other actions are required.
2. Lawn Treatments (including Fertilization): Our special fall formula or CSA Custom Blend helps your lawn establish strong root systems and prepare for winter stress and spring growth. If you don’t already have our Annual Lawn Program, ask about our Fall Treatment package.
3. Core Aeration: Every lawn can benefit from aeration. Aeration breaks through dense patches of thatch and fractures compacted soil. It stimulates healthy growth, gives your lawn’s roots immediate access to fertilizer, lime and other amendments and accelerates seed germination and growth. It is a must for any lawn that is being seeded.

Heavy Rains Wash Nutrients From Soil

Heavy rains have diluted your soil's nutrients. Your trees and lawn depend on the soil to provide these vital elements to get through winter and emerge strong and healthy in the Spring. As we move into Fall, Giroud recommends injecting your trees with custom blend fertilizer which will provide the right combination of nutrients in a slow release formula that lasts for 12 months. Your lawn also needs fertilizer now. Giroud offers a special fall blend that helps your lawn establish strong root systems and prepare for winter stress and spring growth. Schedule your fall fertilizing treatments now!

Giroud Lawn Soil Testing and Aeration

A soil test and aeration are the first steps to building a healthy, green lawn. Giroud Arborist, Mike Taraborrelli, explains how a soil test reveals problems that impact your lawn's health and beauty. The next step is aeration which can benefit every lawn by fracturing the soil and allowing your lawn's roots to get air, water and nutrients.

Giroud Evaluates Lawn Health

Learn how Giroud evaluates lawn health. ISA Certified Arborist, Mike Taraborrelli, explains the steps to develop a lawn care program that produces a healthy, thick, green lawn.

Organic vs. Traditional Lawn Care

Which approach is right for you?

1. Traditional: This approach produces the greenest lawn with the fewest weeds at the lowest price. Giroud minimizes chemical usage by monitoring the lawn throughout the growing season and only treating specific problems.


2. Organic: Giroud’s program is 100% organic.No herbicides, fungicides, or synthetic pesticides are utilized. Instead, Giroud relies on non-chemical strategies to address any problems.


3. Hybrid: If you prefer organic but your lawn is thin or weed infested, you can jump start with our traditional program to make your lawn thick and healthy. Then, shift to our 100% organic program to keep it green and chemical free.

Do It Yourself: Weed Control

Before you plant, take time to minimize weeds.

1. Apply a pre-emergent weed and grass control: Last year’s weeds left their seeds in your shrub and flower beds. Apply Preen or ask Giroud to manage your beds for you with a professional grade treatment.
2. Use Organic Alternative: Great for vegetable gardens and organic gardeners, spread newspapers on the bare soil before you mulch. The newspaper keeps weeds down and eventually decomposes to become organic matter.


3. Add Mulch: Spread a thin layer of mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.


4. Control Perennial Weeds: Apply a post-emergent spray like Round-up. Or, ask Giroud to take control as needed with professional grade treatments in your gardens, patios, walks and driveways.

How to get a healthy, green lawn

Sign up for Giroud Lawn Care Today!

Now the trust, integrity and quality that you count on for your trees is available for your lawn.

Beginning this Spring, Giroud is offering a lawn care program to keep your lawn green and healthy. Giroud Lawn Care includes:

• Free evaluation
  
• Fertilizer Treatments
• Insect and Disease Control
• Weed Control
• Seeding
• Aeration

Choose Giroud and Save $25! Call our office today at 215-682-7704 to schedule a free evaluation and ask how to save $25 on our Annual Lawn Care Program.