Pine Needles: What’s the big deal?

As a landscaper I often get asked questions similar to this:  I am selling my house, what can I do to make it pop?  Or, it's winter, the property looks dormant, what can we do to dress it up?  My answer is always the same, PINE NEEDLES.

Why pine needles?

1. Bang for the buck. In most cases pine needles can be installed less expensively than other types of mulch.
   
2. It is a renewable resource.  The same trees produce the needles year after year. They fall seasonably like leaves do. No trees are cut down or removed.
   
3. Benefits to the soil. The pine needles decompose and therefore are a benefit to the plants, adding nutrients back to the soil.
   
4. Moisture control. Pine needles allow water to penetrate, but at the same time help hold soil in place and reduce erosion. They also hold moisture in the soil for the benefit of plants.
   
5. Insulation. Pine needles are a great insulation for plants.
   

While the above are just a few of the reason I mostly recommend pine needles, probably the biggest is the appearance. In a wintertime landscape, pine needles completely change the perception of the property. If you use a Quality long leaf needle, the impact will be tremendous.

And there it is… That's the key when installing pine needles. Quality. There are a lot of different places to purchase pine needles and the prices do vary. Other variables are bale size, weight, and cleanliness. We use some very simple rules when we purchase. We know our vendors. We have learned over time who has quality needles and who doesn't. We stick with the vendors who provide quality products. We include in our relationships with the vendors right of refusal. We inspect the needles when they arrive. If we do not like the quality, bale size, bale weight, or cleanliness of the bales (lack of leaves, sticks and other debris), we send them back.  We buy large quantities (by the tractor trailer load) insuring we are a good customer to our vendors.  

So we are your contractor. Why should you choose us over someone else who is also installing pine needles? There are a few things to keep in mind concerning pine needles installation.

• Concrete edges. For pine needles to remain in place around driveways, walkways, patios etc, they need to be "stabbed" along the edge of the concrete. We take a straight hoe, and literally push the needles down in along the side of the concrete, lodging them between the soil and the hard surface.
  
• Pine needles need to be rolled around beds to insure they hold in place. We train our employees to do this with a back pack blower insuring the needles are tucked tightly.
  
• At some point after the installation, pine needles will begin to relax and want to move around at the edges. Here is a key ingredient. On our contracted properties, maintaining the edges of the needle beds continually is included in our installation price. We will periodically re-stab or re-roll the needles insuring they maintain a crisp edge for as long as possible.
  

One other fact I will mention when discussing pine needles… As I mentioned above, pine needles fall seasonably like leaves. Now is the season when fallen pine needles are fresh and at their peak. They are longer, have better color, and are harvested cleaner with less debris. The longer they lay on the ground, or are bundled and sit in storage, the more quality you lose. It will take more to cover the same area and the color will not be as keen. (The heavy drop is in the fall no matter when they are purchased.) So now is the time to order to get the most from your needles.

Some things to keep in mind as you consider mulching your beds this year. Here's to having our properties look their best!

The AA Tex Lawn Team

 

The Importance of Winter Stops (or what does a landscaper do in the winter?)

What a weather year it has been. First we started with snow and ice events. Then we progressed into the spring rains. Almost immediately, the temperature changed into 80+ days of 90 degree weather. Now here we are in early December and as I write this it is 9am and 19 degrees with a single digit wind chill. Rare temperatures for the Charlotte region.

As the seasons ebb and flow, the landscaper's roll changes. In the spring, we work on pre-emergent weed control, fertilization, trimming and mowing. As the summer progresses, the mowing and trimming continues as needed depending on what the conditions are and what Mother Nature brings us. Going into fall we begin to prepare the turf areas for next year by spraying any crabgrass that has broken through, aeration, seeding, fertilization and disposing of leaves. That brings us to winter.  

While we are less visible in the cold months, landscapers are still out there. Our stops at the property change focus as the grass growth slows and the mowing becomes less necessary. We begin a process we refer to as Winter Stops. With the wind, rains and human presence on the properties, things we normally take care of in conjunction with mowing, now become the focus. We will visit the properties on average every 10 days. We will remove any trash, limbs, and debris that are present. We are also blowing the concrete areas and any other areas that may need it. With the unpredictability of weather, it is possible that mowing could be necessary, although this is usually an exception. We will make sure edges stay crisp and keep the turf looking good.

If you have contracted with us to plant and maintain your flower beds, one of our winter focuses is to keep the winter weeds out. Checking weeds in the flower beds is very important as chickweed loves those areas and left unchecked, will take them over and choke the flowers out. We also check pansies for fungus that can develop under certain conditions. Although we apply a liquid fertilizer, insecticide and fungicide after planting, we still keep an eye out for disease. If left unchecked, a fungus can kill the flowers.

As we get closer to spring, we work on items like crape myrtle pruning (horticulturally correct, of course), trimming monkey grass and items like pompass grass. We begin the spraying of winter weeds in the turf to eliminate competition to allow the turf to have full benefit of the fertilizer we will put down in the spring.  The last thing I would mention, while not part of winter stops, particularly, is that we do most of our pine needle installations over the winter months. That is when we get our best pine needles as they fall seasonally. Pine Needles are an important step in having the property looking neat and clean as the spring green up begins.

Our main goal in the winter is to keep the properties in check. You would be amazed how fast things can accumulate and become unsightly without consistent management. These visits, while not as visible, make sure that that doesn't happen. So as much as we'd like to be vacationing on some warm, tropical island, we're still happy to be able to keep your property looking its best during the winter.

Keep Warm!

The AA Tex Lawn Team

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas…

The holiday season is upon us. Although a white Christmas is not the norm for the Charlotte area of North Carolina, you never know what Mother Nature will bring. On average, Charlotte gets 5-6 inches of snow annually (however in 2004, the city saw 14.5 inches!) People from the northern states may not see this as a lot, but winter weather can wreak havoc on streets and parking lots in the south, where winter weather is usually unexpected. Now is the time to start preparing for the inevitability of the snow or ice storm. 
  It is important to have a plan for snow removal and ice control before the next event is on the evening news. AA Tex Lawn has been removing snow and ice in the Charlotte metro area for about 9 years. Effective snow and ice removal requires carefully prepared routes and schedules to keep streets and parking lots free and clear for those who have to face the elements. Now is the time of year that we review with last year's clients to make sure we are both on the same page as far as how much ice melt will be needed, which areas are involved, etc. With the unexpectedness of each winter event, we require the green light well in advance so that we have time to train our staff on the routes and procedures.

When the temperatures drop and the white stuff starts to "stick" our 10 snow plow trucks and other assorted tractors and loaders have a route in place to make sure our clients are safe. Then, after our established routes are complete, we are often able to help with last minute storm needs. Our goal is to keep the pavement clear so that fire and medics can reach those in need.

We would all like to enjoy a "snow day" at home with a cup of hot chocolate. Since that is not always a possibility, make sure the roadways in your business or community are available to those who need them by having a snow contract in place.

Happy sledding!
The AA Tex Lawn Team

Add Color to Your Landscape during Winter

Winter color pansies…

What a wonderful break from the grays and browns of winter. Pansies are available in a multitude of colors to brighten your landscape through the colder months. To get the most out of pansy displays, we at AA Tex Lawn take many steps that we feel help our flower beds to be their best.

1. When we prepare the beds we make sure that the soil is loose, but not too loose. Since pansies grow during the season that irrigation is typically off, loose soil helps them to retain the correct amount of moisture.
2. We also use an organic fertilizer which helps to give the plants a steady, slow feed. This encourages the plant to grow and build strength during those warm days we have here in the south.
3. We water a systemic pesticide into the beds. The plants will absorb this through the roots and take it up into the leaves and stems. The pesticide will control the aphids that show up when we have unseasonal warm spells.
4.  We also use a fungicide and liquid fertilizer in our tank mix.
5. We try and fertilize about every 10 days for the first month to 6 weeks. Our goal is to get as much growth as possible before the very cold weather sets in.

If you start with the right base, you will get the most out of your winter gardens. Here's hoping we all see the bright spots during the winter's cold!

Thank you!

The AA Tex Lawn team

Is Your Fescue Lawn Ready for Winter?

Most of us have seen pre-winter checklists for your home or auto. These are the things we need to do to make sure we don't have any unexpected surprises during the colder, potentially icy months. Did you know that fescue lawns also need attention before the cold sets in? Fescue is a cool season grass. One of the reasons it is a popular turf choice is because it maintains its green color throughout the winter. A little maintenance now will help fescue to achieve its optimal look though-out winter and into spring.

Now is the most important application of fertilizer for fescue lawns. With the cooler temperatures you can apply larger amounts of nitrogen to enhance the root system and help improve cold tolerance. A larger root system allows the plant to absorb more water and nutrients and help the plants to mature prior to next year's heat. That will increase the plants survival during periods of stress either from drought or heat.

When selecting a Winter Fertilizer you want to look for a higher first number, which indicates the amount of nitrogen. Some examples are 32-5-7 or 24-2-8. The 32-5-7 in a 50lb bag would cover 16,000 square feet at 1lb of nitrogen per 1,000 and a 50lb bag of 24-2-8 would cover 12,000 square feet at 1lb of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. You want to make sure that you put down at least 1lb of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet for ideal results.

By applying a winter application of fertilizer you will notice a greener lawn longer and also you will receive a faster green up in the spring without excessive growth. If you have a contract with us, AA Tex Lawn will take care of this fertilizer application for you, If not, make sure to add it to your winter checklist.

Thanks,

The AA Tex Lawn Team

Here Comes the Parade…

Is there anything better than a parade? The decorated floats, the marching bands, the singing groups, the horses… the excitement of the kids seeing Santa for the first time of the year! What a kickoff to the holiday season! AA Tex Lawn is very excited to have the opportunity to participate in two parades this year. We will be pulling the Union County Neighborhood Leaders Forum float for the Union County Christmas Parade and also for the Indian Trail Christmas Parade. AA Tex Lawn in a proud sponsor of the UCNLF, an organization whose goal is to share, inform, educate, and communicate with HOAs and other neighborhood leaders so that they may build and maintain thriving communities.

The annual Union County Christmas Parade is this Sunday, November 21^st, beginning at 2pm. The parade will proceed along a two mile route, running through historic downtown Monroe, down Sunset, Hayne, Franklin, Church, Jefferson, Main, Lancaster, and Washington streets. The parade is sponsored this year by Union Smart Start, a non-profit organization aimed at giving the children of Union County a brighter future. For more information, see their website at http://www.unionsmartstart.org/.

The 6^th annual Indian Trail Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, November 28^th at 2pm in downtown Indian Trail. It is sponsored by the Union West Rotary Club. The Grand Marshal this year will be James Boyd Crump, a distinguished veteran of World War II.
Join us for the fun and look for the UCNLF float, pulled by our truck. Hope to see you there!
The AA Tex Lawn Team

Protecting the City of Trees – Canker Worms

Fall is a beautiful time of the year in the Charlotte area. Being a city of trees benefits us with an array of color, the sound of crisp leaves under foot, and of course the exercise of removing those leaves. There is also another character that loves fall in a city of trees, and that is the fall canker worm. Anyone who has lived in the area for any time has probably heard of this character. So why do they love it here? Our trees fit their lifestyle. They mate in December. The female will then crawl up our oaks and lay her eggs on the branches. In the spring as our trees start to form the beautiful canopy we so love, the eggs will hatch and the small green caterpillars will begin to feed on the leaves. They literally can defoliate a very large tree. Typically, this in itself will not kill the tree, but will weaken it and set it up for other issues such as disease and insect problems, which over time can kill the tree. So what do we do?

 Fall Canker Worm

The best solution individual properties can incorporate is banding of the affected trees. As you ride around in November and December you will begin to notice bands of assorted types around the trunks of the willow oaks, and other trees that are touching the willow oaks. What does this band do? Quite simply it catches the female as she climbs the tree and prevents her from making it up to lay her eggs. The bands will have some type of sticky substance that the canker worm will stick to, stopping it in its tracks. They will also have some type of soft foam behind them to keep the worm from sneaking around it. This method is very effective if installed correctly. All the willow oaks need to be banded. Trees touching the willow oaks also need to be banded as the worms can move from tree to tree.

Tree Banding

While this is a very simplified explanation, the idea is to stop the cankerworms from climbing. Over the next few weeks we will be sending out proposals to install this banding on properties that have willow oaks. If you receive one of these proposals please let us know as soon as possible if you would like this service. Timing is everything.

As for me, last year I did not band the 5 large willow oaks that I have in my yard. I saw the beginning of an infestation in the spring. You better believe I will be banding them this year. I love living in a city of trees.

Leaves and Your Lawn…

It is that time of year again when Fall is upon us and the leaves are changing and falling. Although Autumn brings splendor to our views, the falling leaves can be the turf owner's worst nightmare. When leaves stay on your turf for extended periods of time, they begin to rot into the lawn. This can prevent sunlight from reaching the grass and encourages disease. If not removed, leaves can make bald spots in the turf.

As a landscaper, we have to balance cost effectiveness for our clients with the necessity of keeping the leaves off the turf for extended periods of time. Here is how we, at AA Tex Lawn deal with the fallen leaves. In our service agreements we include 3 to 6 leaf vacuums annually. This is when we take a vacuum truck and physically remove the leaves from the property. From a cost effectiveness standpoint, we do not remove leaves every week. What we try to do is alternate weeks. One week we mow and hide leaves in natural areas and the next week we blow them into piles and vacuum them up and haul away. By doing this, we provide our clients the best balance by keeping expenses low while protecting the turfgrass from harm.

The types of trees dictate when they let go of their leaves and how long the leaf season will last on your property. You will see the Maples let go first and the Oaks last. The variety of trees on your property will dictate when and how we send the vacuum truck. Rest assured we do have a plan and at the end of the season we will do a final clean up of your property. As I said, leaf removal is a balancing act and can be a lot of work, but it's well worth the beauty, functionality, and vitality of a tree shaded landscape.

Happy Autumn!

The AA Tex Lawn Team

AA Tex Lawn Launches New Website

As you can see we have redesigned our website. It now better reflects our commitment to you the customer you can see that we are Nature Inspired. Service Driven.
Since 1980, AA Tex Lawn has been a family owned and operated landscaping company serving the Charlotte-Metro area.  We started this company almost 30 years ago with a truck and two $25 push mowers.  These days, you might even have seen one of our trucks around Charlotte.  Over the years, we've grown a quality team who share the vision of serving others.  Our goal has been and will always be building lasting relationships with our clients.
Please take the time to learn more about us!

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