Dear Homeowner,

You probably know that the Green Meadows landscape team has decades of expertise in residential landscape design, construction and preservation. What you may not know, however, is that we're also expert installers of water features and waterscapes. Whether accenting a small courtyard or creating a focal point for your property, ponds, fountains and waterfalls offer homeowners a significant return on their investment. In addition to bolstering landscape value, water features put residents in touch with nature and improve their quality of outdoor living.  

Waterscapes are conveniently adapted to suit the size and scope of your home's exterior, making them a desirable improvement project for townhomes, patio homes and large residences. To create serenity, peace and sanctuary in your backyard, the Green Meadows team designs, constructs and maintains a variety of formal and natural water features. Common options include natural ponds/pools, fish ponds, rock waterfalls, natural fountains, water gardens, wall fountains and rain curtains. When properly installed and maintained, the benefits of water features are indisputable-and you'll enjoy the results for years to come.  

1. Your Own Little Ecosystem: Water provides an ideal habitat for Japanese Koi, frogs, butterflies and dragonflies. These living things add beauty and balance to your total outdoor experience.
2. Instant Stress Reduction: The sound of flowing water is proven to lower the heart rate and reduce anxiety and stress. Melt away the tension from a challenging workday by sitting quietly near your pond, pool or manmade fountain.
3. Artful Décor: Running water is a unique way to create artistic interest in your garden, courtyard or outdoor living room. Your fountain, pond or waterfall reflects your personal style, and will quickly become the talk of your property during parties and entertaining.
4. Noise Filtration: Homeowners who live near a road or busy urban area find that water features effectively drown out cars, loud voices and barking dogs. Your yard will be a peaceful respite from the outside world when you invest in a high-quality waterscape from Green Meadows Landscape Contractors.

Tackling Summer  

Turfgrass Disease

You've fertilized, watered and mowed-and it's time to enjoy the fruits of your spring labor. Despite your best maintenance efforts, however, your summer turfgrass could be at risk for a number of fungal diseases. These diseases begin as a mere eyesore, but can quickly become a large-scale problem if left untreated.

There are several contributing factors to lawn disease. They include:

• Environmental conditions and weather: Fungus loves heat and humidity. Here in NY and NJ, lawn disease thrives during a cycle of hot, humid days and excessive rain. Low light areas are particularly susceptible to fungus growth, as well.
• Lawn health: An unhealthy lawn is less able to defend itself against disease. To keep your lawn healthy, combine regular mowing with proper thatch control, feeding and watering strategies. Don't have the time to manage your turf? The experts at Green Meadows Landscape Contractors offer seasonal maintenance programs that guarantee turfgrass success!
• Spreading pathogens: Fungal disease requires the presence of particular pathogens. Once a fungus begins, it can spread quickly via shoes, lawnmower wheels, wind, and rain droplets. While every lawn contains disease organisms, it is possible to keep them at bay with proper lawn care and aggressive fungal treatment.

Wondering if your turfgrass has a fungus problem? Here are three common diseases to watch for this time of year:

1. Leaf Spot: Leaf spot is caused by the helminthosporium family of fungi. Leaf spot begins with small, brown lesions on the grass blades (similar to cigarette burns)-and progresses to cause a widespread dried-out look. As summer temperatures climb, leaf spot's "melting-out" phase begins. This phase includes large, dead areas and long-term damage to grass roots.   
2. Red Thread: Red thread fungus is particularly common with heat and humidity, attacking a range of turfgrass blades and sheathes with small, pink-red splotches. Though the pink eventually fades to tan, grass blades and splotch perimeters may continue to look "pinkish"-giving your lawn a strange, discolored look. If humidity is particularly high, you'll notice fuzzy, coral-colored fungal growth that forms a thread-like material as it dries up.
3. Summer Patch: As the name implies, summer patch fungus causes dried-out, circular patches that may spread to as large as several feet wide. As the disease becomes active, the patch perimeter is orange-bronze in color, with the interior taking on a yellowish-brown, matted look. Since summer patch attacks turfgrass roots, it can cause severe damage to your lawn over time. Proper mitigation is essential, and overseeding may be required.      

If you've noticed these fungal symptoms on your property, or your grass just "doesn't look right," don't delay! Contact the Green Meadows team for a no-obligation consultation. The faster you treat lawn disease, the less chance it has of laying claim to your yard. Green Meadows horticulturists and landscape specialists are experts at diagnosing and treating grass fungus-so you can enjoy your summer lawn again!

Richard Goldstein, CLT

Green Meadows Landscaping, Inc.