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SEPTEMBER 2013 NEWSLETTER
 
FALL IS ON OUR DOOR STEP...

The official first day of Fall is September 22, 2013 at 4:44 PM!  It is referred to as the "autumnal equinox", and when we start winding down to have shorter daylight hours, balancing out with 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.  A lot of us not only feel the season change in temperatures and daylight, but also realize a change in our state of mind.  It usually triggers us to begin our preparation for the winter season ahead.  The change in season however, is a good time for our lawns to flourish and recover from the summer stress.  Although we had a brief return of Indian Summer last week, surely the crisp mornings and dry, warm days are here for a little while. Lawns are recovering nicely from the tough summer of 2013, as expected!  Now is the time to think about lawn seeding repairs or replacement of your lawn and landscapes! 

      Also, with the change of season, we face other challenges with our lawns...

 

GRUBS...

  This season, due to the high populations of beetles, which are the adult of the white grub, there will be the high possibility that grubs will be a problem throughout the month of September and October.  The young grubs feed heavily on the turf's upper root system, and can cause severe damage and even total loss of the lawn.

 Some obvious signs of grub activity are: weak appearance to lawn; loose turf due to separation of grass plant and roots; tilled or disturbed turf due to birds, raccoons or skunks feeding on the grubs.  If your are able to peel back your turf without resistance, you should be able to see the grubs on the soil surface.  Keep in mind that a grub or two discovered while digging usually won't be a problem.  It is the high populations of grubs that can destroy your lawn in a very short period of time. Usually 6 to 8 grubs or more within a square foot area is cause for concern.  The evidence of moles is NOT cause for alarm indicating that you have a grub problem.  Their primary food source are earth worms, which are beneficial to aeration of our soils.  In addition, moles begin to be more active at this time of year due to lighter use of lawns and mowing frequency.  The association of moles indicating a grub problem is not always accurate.  Most lawn owners, at the first sign of mole activity, apply a grub control not knowing if in fact they have a grub problem or not.  If in doubt, call us to evaluate your lawn. Moles, however, can also cause quite a bit of damage burrowing throughout your lawn.  We also offer mole control programs to help control these pests. 

 

White Grub


 
grub damage

Grub Damage- loose turf


 
grub & bird damage
Bird damage from feeding on grubs
 

  

 

  
 
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN THE EARLY FALL...

 

AERATION...  

  Fall is the time to aerate your lawn.  Aeration will allow lawns to rapidly recover from the summer damage, enhance root development, as well  as allow beneficial water, air and nutrients down into the soil and root zone.  Annual aeration will also control thatch and promote an overall strong an healthy turf!  Schedule this important service now!

 

LIME...  Lime is a critical component to the success of your lawn fertilizer program.  By adjusting the pH in the soil, fertilizer is readily used by the turf for optimum health and color.  Lime should be applied annually.

 

WEEDS...  Fall is the perfect time to control broadleaf weeds in your lawn.  The mild days and overall cooler temperatures are perfect conditions to apply weed controls.  Eliminating weeds now will allow room for your lawn to spread and thicken in the weed infested areas, therefore minimizing the weed population next season.

 

CRABGRASS...   Crabgrass does not need to be treated at this time.  The cooler temperatures will cause the crabgrass to fade, and allow the good turf grass to fill in.  Crabgrass is an annual, and will die off at first frost.  Putting any control down now for crabgrass would be a waste.  However, crabgrass prevention next spring will be important.  Our technicians carefully record this type of information in your file so we can efficiently apply the correct blend of materials next season.

 

LAWN FERTILIZER PROGRAMS...   Now is the perfect time to start a lawn fertilizer program.  Fall is the BEST season to provide your lawn with nutrients to establish a thick, healthy stand of grass, and a deep root system.  If you are not getting the service or results from your current lawn company, we can help.  We can prescribe the perfect program for your lawn!

 

CONTINUE WATERING...

Don't discontinue watering just yet.  September is a great "recovery" month for your lawn.  Continue watering for the remainder of the month.  However, make a "seasonal" adjustment.  Although the air temperature is cooler, the sun and wind will still dry the soil and stress the turf.  You should adjust your watering schedule NOW.  Typically watering length of time should be between 30 to 40 minutes per section, however, change the frequency to every three to four days.  Early morning watering is best for established lawns.

 

NEW SEEDING WATERING RECOMMENDATIONS...

Watering newly seeded or overseeded lawns is critical for the germination and success of the seeding.  We recommend two to three very light waterings per day, during the day time, in order to keep the seed bed moist  (approx. 10 minutes or so per section).  Be sure not to over water.  Over watering will cause the seed to rot.  You will need to monitor almost daily to be sure you are not over or under watering.  The obvious would be puddles or sponge like feeling to the soil, which would be too much watering, and dry, dusty conditions too little.  Watering should be as weather dictates.  Decrease watering frequency as the days get shorter.  As the seed germinates and the seedlings begin to grow, increase the length of watering time to water deeper and allow the roots to penetrate deeply into the soil.  Mow the newly seeded areas when the grass height reaches 3" or so.  Frequent mowing will encourage the turf to thicken.  Be patient!  Establishing your lawn takes time.  The lawn will develop, thicken and grow with the proper watering, nutrients and care, just like a new born baby.

 

MOWING...
Keep mower blade(s) sharp, mow regularly, gradually lower to 2 3/4" to 2 1/2"  in September and October.  Do not allow the lawn to grow too long between mowings.  It is advised to mow regularly so as not to remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one time.  Be sure NOT to lower mower height drastically.  It is recommended, when lowering blades that you mow, then drop cutting height and re-mow.  This method will help prevent shocking the lawn.  Also be sure to clean your engine's air filter regularly as well as checking the oil level.  Dust can dramatically affect your mower's engine air flow, making it hard to start and reducing the its life.  Grease mower fittings at least every month.
 

 

overseeder  
EARLY FALL OVER SEEDING...
     As mentioned, fall is the best time for lawns to recover and re-seed to fill in bare or thin areas, or to replace your entire lawn.  The process is quite cost effective by using high tech equipment such as "slice seeders", which incorporate the seed directly through the existing lawn into the soil.  This process is fairly easy and cost effective, and virtually eliminates the need to till, strip or install costly topsoil. However, there are certain circumstances when other methods would be required. The overseeding process will cut and create a covering of dead thatch on the surface, which will gradually disappear after mowing begins.  We recommend not removing all of this thatch material after seeding because it will also remove some of the grass seed dropped within it. Our recommendation is to mow and maintain as usual.  This light layer of thatch/dead grass will be mulched and/or picked up during routine mowing later.  However, heavy accumulations of the thatch should be removed after the over seeding.  
   Call us today for an on site evaluation and special fall pricing!  September and October is the best time for seeding and lawn installations.
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!!
LAWN SPRINKLER WINTERIZATION REMINDER...
If you have not returned your 2013 Service Renewal ordering your sprinkler system winterization, CALL us TODAY to be sure this service is scheduled for you.  If you have already returned your Renewal, you will automatically be scheduled.  The service is scheduled to begin by mid-October and run through the end of November.  We will mail you a notification postcard early in October as a reminder to shut your controller and water off so we can provide this very important service for you. 
 
INSTALL A SPRINKLER SYSTEM NOW AND SAVE $$$
It is not too late to consider installing an automatic lawn sprinkler this fall.  Actually, now is a great time!  Our suppliers are eager to unload inventory during September, October and November, and pricing has never been better.  If you have a system installed this fall, you will be guaranteed to be ready for next season's watering, which will not only save you valuable time and energy, but conserve water and provide efficient watering for your lawn and landscape.  If you install a system this fall you will still receive a full two (2) year guarantee on the entire system. You will also receive, at no additional cost, winterization of your system for two years.  Call today!
 
  
LANDLOW VOLTAGE LIGHTINGSCAPE ACCENT LIGHTING
Professionally designed landscape lighting will add beauty and security to your home and landscape.  We offer top quality fixtures and transformers by "VISTA" and "UNIQUE", using state of the art, energy saving LED bulbs!  Don't compare professionally designed and installed lighting systems with solar or department store brands.  Manufacturer  "lifetime" guarantees on these high quality lighting systems far exceed any other! 
 
 CALL US TODAY FOR A CONSULTATION, DESIGN AND PRICE QUOTE.
  
 
SEPTEMBER'S RECIPE(S)...  

It's football time, and what is football without the snacks?  Here are a few great recipes your gang can enjoy on game day. 

TACO DIP:

2-8oz pkgs of cream cheese(softened)
12ozs sour cream
� red onion
1 packet dry taco seasoning mix 

 

Mix all ingredients together.  Place dip in refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.  Spread mixture in the bottom of a serving dish with at least 2" sides. Top mixture with shredded lettuce, black olives, tomatoes, scallions and shredded cheese.  Serve with your favorite nacho chips.  Enjoy!

 

 BAKED COCONUT SHRIMP:

� cup apricot preserves
1 Tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
� cup Gold Medal� all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 egg
1 Tablespoon lime juice
1 cup shredded coconut
1lb uncooked peeled de-veined medium shrimp (31 to 35), thawed if frozen
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

 

    In 1-quart saucepan, mix apricot preserves, 1 tablespoon lime juice and the mustard. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, just until preserves are melted. Refrigerate while making shrimp.
Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 425�F. Spray rack in broiler pan with cooking spray.
In shallow bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, salt and red pepper. In another shallow bowl, beat egg and 1 tablespoon lime juice. In third shallow bowl, place coconut.
Coat each shrimp with flour mixture, then dip each side into egg mixture and coat well with coconut. Place on rack in broiler pan. Drizzle with butter.
Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until shrimp are pink and firm and coating is beginning to brown. Serve with preserves mixture.

 


PARMESAN ONION CANAPES:
1 cup(s) parmesan
1 cup(s) mayonnaise
1 small onion
1 package(s) cocktail ryes

Directions
Preheat oven to 375. Chop onion. Add parmesan and mayonnaise.
Arrange cocktail ryes on baking sheets. Bake until crisp, not browned, about 5 minutes.
Heat broiler. Top each toast with cheese onion mixture. broil until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes.

 

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES WITH US!  EMAIL THEM TO: donna@ghlandscaping.com

  
G&H LANDSCAPING'S MANAGEMENT TEAM, AT YOUR SERVICE
  
Gary L. Courchesne, Owner, Mgr.
Landscape/Hardscape/Lighting, Design and Installation
413-532-4888 Ext. 113
  
Bill Golaski, General Mgr.
Lawn Sprinklers and Mowing & Maintenance
413-532-4888 Ext. 115
  
Chris Courchesne, Mgr.
Lawn Care/Fertilizer Programs/Shrub Care Programs/Lawn Installations
413-532-4888 Ext. 114
  
Julie Godin, Office Mgr.
Office
413-532-4888 Ext. 110
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