When it comes to achieving a lush and vibrant lawn in Northern, IL and Southeastern, WI, having the right tools can make all the difference. At Lawn Doctor, we're proud to introduce the Patented Turf Tamer Power Seeder – a cutting-edge solution that can transform your lawn into a green oasis. In this blog post, we'll explore the remarkable benefits of this innovative technology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaN7UxqhCoE The Power of the Turf Tamer Power Seeder The Turf Tamer Power Seeder is a game-changer in the world of lawn care. It's a patented piece of equipment designed to address common lawn issues and promote healthier grass growth. Here's why it's making waves in Antioch: 1. Precision Seeding: Unlike traditional seeding methods, which can be hit-or-miss, the Turf Tamer Power Seeder delivers precision seeding. It places seeds at the optimal depth and spacing for maximum germination, resulting in a denser, more even lawn. 2. Improved Soil Contact: ...

                                                                                  gray snow mold on lawn Every winter causes some extent of snow cover to the lawns in the local Antioch, Illinois area.  Snow cover generally melts away after a week or two allowing oxygen and some sunlight to return to the lawn before the next storm throughout winter.  However, this winter we have had an extended snow cover that is setting up for some potentially damaging effects to the lawn come Spring when the snow will eventually melt.   Snow cover can be a positive for lawns as it helps insulate grass from exposure to sub-freezing temperatures and wind which can lead to desiccation and severe root damage.   It can also be very beneficial in eliminating damaging insect pop...

The summer lawn season of 2018 has literally left many tracks across the lawns in Northern Lake County.    As we had numerous rain days and service delays in June, July started off with a bang.  We then witnessed and are still investigating a heat tracking event that occurred July 13.   Beautiful Lake Villa lawn watered in summer   The difference between watering regularly adn not watering- notice the heat stress on right Warmer temperatures hit around the holiday week and have continued along with minimal rain for the rest of the month.  This has left a lot of lawns turning brown form heat and moisture (lack of) stress.  Once again this year the heat tracking phenomenon has hit the area hard.  On Friday July 13 many instances of heat tracking occurred across the area.  As I have posted heat tracking in previous year’s blogs, this year the damage was even worse.  Since the event took place on Friday July 13, most of the...

2017 Lawn care season Every lawn season is unique and contains a new set of challenges each year.  Some seasons are hot and dry presenting insect issues while others are wet and cool and more prone to disease development.  2017 was no different in its own set of unique conditions it brought to the lawns across northenr Illinois including Antioch, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Gurnee and the surrounding areas.  A warm start to the summer was flipped over to a cooler and very wet (including many flooded areas) mid-summer followed by a dry and warmer early fall.  While these conditions are fall within averages for the most part the timing and scheduling of them was quite unique.  With all challenges in mind, Lawn Doctor of Antioch maintained and provided a very consistent return of results with our lawn program this season. Early summer is normally the beginning of heat and drought stress to the lawn.  The 2017 season was very different however, with la...

                                   Many homeowners ask throughout the season each year, "what is the best thing I can do for my lawn?"  My answer is always "to aerate and over seed in the fall with desirable grass types- bluegrass, ryegrass and turf-type tall fescue.  In addition to regular fertilization and weed control".  However, this question is rarely asked now in the fall, which is the perfect time to implement the answer.  Now is the time to repair the lawn from any and all thins spots or damaged areas form the stresses of summer heat, insects, grubs, diseases or general compaction from heavy traffic. Lawn suffering from summer stress Same lawn several weeks after early fall aeration and over-seeding Lawns across the Gurnee, Antioch, Lake Villa and Waukegan area are enjoying the cool temperatures and sunny days of mid-fall.   Lawns love this type...

I have noted on my calender the date of August 20 for the last several years for a reason.  This seems to be the day (ok, week) that the first signs of change are going to be happening in the lawn.  This year is proving to be no different.  The days begin to become obviously shorter, the sun becomes significantly less intense and night time air temperatures become noticeably lower.  All of this results in heavy morning dews and lower soil temperatures which leads to a greening up lawn.  If we are lucky enough to get a thunderstorm or two, which happened again this week this year, the lawn greens up even faster and goes right in to growth mode and begins repairing itself from summer heat and drough stress. There are two main reasons why the lawn suffers and turns brown during the month of July and early August.  High soil temperatures from direct radiant heat, higher daytime and nighttime air temperatures, and lower precipitation rates leave ...

  Summer stress affecting a lawn in Antioch August 2013 Every summer brings stress to the lawns in Antioch, Gurnee, Waukegan and Lake Forest.  This stress comes from heat, dry soil and compaction from foot traffic.  The result is usually a weaker thinner lawn in Mid- August than earlier in the year in May with cooler temperatures and adequate rainfall.  Late summer and early fall is the perfect time of the year to repair your lawn with over seeding.  This time of the year brings cooler air temperatures at night and warm soil conditions perfect for grass seed germination.  This combination also produces heavy morning dews to help irrigate the seed for germination. Over seeded lawn results fall 2013 Depending on your grass type, your lawn may need over seeding to help repair or an ideal organic nutrient mix to induce rhizome production. Bluegrasses and some tall fescues can thicken up naturally with the help of fertilizers by producing new rhiz...

Today is officially the first day of spring 2014.  Every year this day brings unique conditions to the Midwest.   In recent years we have experienced anything from 80 degree sunny days to below freezing temperatures and winter storms and everything in between.  So, I guess it is normal that this year falls in between there somewhere.  However, this is not quite the hopeful first day of spring we have all been hoping for after this past harsh and everlasting winter.  This year spring is revealing damaged turf from a severely harsh winter and more than 90 days of snow cover on most turf areas around the area.  As the snow is melting away it revealing damaged turf below.   We are seeing turf that is severely damaged from snow molds, voles, and compaction due to the heavy blanket of wet snows.  The following services from Lawn Doctor of Antioch-Gurnee-Waukegan-Lake Forest will greatly help the lawns recover from the extensive winter damage. ...

Some Successful Lawn Makeovers from 2013                                                                                                     Antioch lawn 5/13                                                                                                                                                  Same   Antioch lawn 10/13 The 2013 lawn season has brought ma...

Fall is also a great time of the year for repairing your lawn from summer stress through aerations, over-seeding and compost additions.  Fall brings cooler temperatures, less radiant heat and generally more precipitation to the lawns in the Midwest.  This is the perfect recipe for root and rhizome growth in your highly maintained lawns.  By combining mother nature's best efforts for root growth with a few simple lawn services you can greatly enhance your lawn's ability to thrive before winter dormancy. Aerations open up the soil by pulling small 3/8" x 2" plugs from the lawn and depositing them on top.  This allows oxygen, seed, water and composts or soil conditioners to have direct access to the rootzone of the turf.  This encourages root and rhizome growth and development by opening up more space in the previously compacted soil profile.  Compacted clay-based soils bind tightly together from summer heat and traffic resulting in a concrete-like soil stru...

Along with the first day of fall we are seeing some much needed improvements in the weather conditions.  The weather has finally cooled down and some rain has fallen on Northern Illinois. This is excellent timing for the early fall fertilizer that is starting to get spread.   Fall is the best time of year for fertilizing turf because the grass is responding well to the cooler temperatures and increased moisture levels.  Grass plants are producing more leaf and root tissues to repair itself from the summer stress and to produce food for itself through photosynthesis.  The turf is actively growing roots and rhizomes beneath the soil surface so that it can absorb more nutrients and expand during the ideal soil conditions.  Therefore fertilizer is required more now by the grass plant than any other time of the year.  Fertilizing now through the end of the growing season will assist in greening up leaf tissue, expanding roots and rhizomes and producing more top ...