Skip to main content

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Early Spring Pre-Emergent Weed Control

The Key to a Weed-Free Lawn: Early Spring Pre-Emergent Weed Control As the first signs of spring begin to appear, homeowners across the country start dreaming of lush, green lawns. However, achieving that picture-perfect yard requires more than just hope and sunshine. At Lawn Doctor, we know that the secret to a beautiful lawn lies in proactive care, and one of the most crucial steps is early spring pre-emergent weed control. Let's explore why this treatment is so important and how it sets the stage for a successful lawn care season. What is Pre-Emergent Weed Control? Pre-emergent weed control is a preventative measure that targets weed seeds before they have a chance to germinate and grow. Unlike post-emergent treatments that kill existing weeds, pre-emergent herbicides create a barrier in the soil that stops weed seeds from developing into mature plants. The Importance of Timing When it comes to pre-emergent weed control, timing is everything. Early spring application is crucial ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Heat tracking in lawns

We have recently noticed a few instances of a somewhat rare phenomenon in the lawn care industry that we would like to point out in an effort to better communicate to both our customers and those interested in lawn care.  Along with the previously posted summer stress issues for the lawn in this blog, we wanted to bring up a more recent issue which is very rare but is currently a potential for lawns across the Antioch, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Gurnee, Lake Forest and Waukegan area.  This recent phenomenon is referred to by some in the industry as heat tracking. Heat tracking occurs when pressure is applied to the lawn from foot traffic, lawn mowers, fertilizer spreaders or anything else that can compress the leaf tissue down to the ground below.  When  this pressure is applied at the exact time frame (usually early afternoon at the peak heat of the day) that the turf is at its wilting point or entering dormancy stage it breaks the leaf tissue at the base o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Crabgrass in the lawn

Immature crabgrass growing  in late spring on golf course in Gurnee Late July and August brings hot and dry sunny days which are perfect for the development and growth of ugly crabgrass.  Crabgrass is an annual weed (or undesirable grass) that is native to the Antioch-Gurnee-Waukegan-Lake Forest area and grows every year from seed left behind or blown onto the lawn during the previous summer.  The germination of the seed begins in late spring as soil temperatures reach about 55 degrees.  This is usually around mid-April.  Crabgrass is best controlled through a pre-emergent application of herbicide (dithiopyr or pendimethalin) in early spring before the soil temperatures get to 55.  These products generally stay active in the soil for about 60 days giving the lawn a good defense against annual weeds when applied early in the season.  Unfortunately they also prevent desirable bluegrass and rye grass to germinate so be careful in scheduling seeding ...
Post a Comment
Read more