WOW!  What a Season to Remember       The 2012 growing season has finally come to a slow and casual stop.  Unlike many years prior to 2012, this season has been one of the longest on record with the number of soil temperature days above normal.  An early warm up in mid-March started the season several weeks early and now the fall has taken a few extra weeks to wind down.  This extended season has brought us many challenges from some of the most severe evergreen damage this spring, to one of the hottest and driest summers causing insect and drought damage and finishing with an extended dry fall.       With the wild weather and all the challenges I'm glad to wind down and take look at all the beautiful lawns we have successfully maintained through the season.  As you prepare your landscapes for the holidays please take notice of your lawn and compare it to some of the neighbors who don't benefit from t...

      As we prepare for the winter months there are a few important things to think about concerning tree care.  One of the most important considerations for the harsh winters that we face in the Midwest is winter damage on the evergreen trees.  Evergreens are a beautiful addition to many landscapes across the area and nothing is more frustrating than losing an old evergreen tree from winter damage.  Winter damage is basically caused by one primary cause, dehydration.       Dehydration caused by the drying out of evergreen needles during the winter months causes the needles to turn brown, die and fall.  Although a minor amount of needle drop is common late fall, too much can cause fatal results to many trees.  The dehydration is caused by lack of available moisture uptake by the shallow roots from the frozen ground, dry air and wind.  This winter will cause more winte...

As this summer comes to an end and the leaves begin to pile up, your sprinkler system is in need of a winterization blowout.  A blowout consists of blowing high pressure air throughout all of the sprinkler lines to insure no water is left behind which can freeze and cause significant damage to expensive sprinkler parts.  Did I mention that your local Lawn Doctor can provide this service at a much lower price than an irrigation contractor?  Yes, we can.  Contact us today 847-395-0940 to sign up for your sprinkler system blowout.