Professional Horticultural Care Services in El Paso, TX

A: Due to the intense high temperatures in our climate, summertime watering is extremely important. With temperatures regularly above 100 degrees, it is important to make sure that your system is applying an adequate amount of water for your yard. Generally speaking, in the conditions stated above, it is necessary to water Bermuda grass a minimum of 3 inches per week. To check if your system is able to produce these conditions, you must perform a water audit. The easiest way to do this is to get small cups or saucers and place them throughout your yard. Then, let your system water its full cycle, and measure the water in the cups to establish the average distribution of water for 1 cycle. If you average 1 inch per 30-minute cycle, then you know you need to water 3 times per week to keep your lawn healthy.

A: It is best to water turf when the temperature is cool. During the summertime, early mornings or late afternoon is best. This is to reduce the amount of evaporation due to high temperatures. In the wintertime, it is best to water around 10 am on sunny days.

A: Fertilization timing is dependant on the type of grass you have. Here in El Paso, the most common turf types are Bermuda and Fescue. For Fescue lawns, you can begin fertilizing in February; Bermuda can be fertilized in April when nighttime temperatures reach 60 degrees. Check out our Lawn Program for all your turf needs.

A: During the growing season, oleanders grow rapidly and push out a lot of new growth. Aphids are attracted by this new growth. The sticky stuff in question is what is commonly referred to as "Honey Dew." Honeydew is a sugar-rich sticky liquid, secreted by aphids as they feed on the plant. When their mouthpart penetrates the phloem, the sugary, high-pressure liquid is forced out of the gut's terminal opening often landing on the leaves. This causes the leaves to appear shiny or glossy. Aphid infestation can be treated through the use of contact insecticides applied to the foliage of the affected plant. Call us for a free estimate.

A: Yellow spots within the turf zones are caused by a few things. The most common cause is uneven or inadequate watering. Make sure that your turf is receiving at least 3 inches of even coverage of water. The second most common reason is dog urine. Urine has ammonia in it, which in high concentration can kill grass. However, ammonia can also be beneficial as it has nitrogen in it. If the urine is diluted it will not leave spots. After you notice your dog, cat, or other pet urinating in the turf, water it down with your garden hose, this will eliminate the spotting problem over time. The third most common reason for spotting would be a turf fungus. Turf which is stressed is susceptible to disease. Most frequently, lack of water is the cause of stress. When turf turns off-color (blue to grey), soak the area with water immediately. The turf will usually recover; if not, a fungicide application will halt the spread of the disease for 20 days. Fungicide applications start at $45.00 and go up depending on square footage of the affected area. Yellow spots can also be caused by irregular or uneven mowing. Refer to the mowing height section for more information.

A: We follow standard guidelines for mowing height. For common Bermuda, 1.5-2 inches is recommended. For tiff Bermuda, 1-1.5 inches mowed with a reel mower is best. Fescue should be mowed at 2.5-3 inches. Never cut more than 1/3 of new growth. Never scalp cool season turf, such as Fescue. People often make the mistake of mowing their turf too low. When turf is cut too short, it often looks burned and is at risk of a turf fungus. Mowing frequency is also important; turf should be mowed regularly at the same height to avoid burning it. Not less than once every 10 days, however, every 5-7 days is best.