When Can You Start Mowing Your Lawn?

Spring has sprung in many parts of the country and if you’ve already tuned up your lawnmower or bought a new one, you’re probably anxious to get out and start mowing your grass. But before you do that, it’s good to know when is the right time to start mowing your lawn in the spring. It’s not quite as simple as “when the grass starts growing.”

So, When Can You Start Mowing Your Lawn?

While the answer depends on where you live and what type of lawn you have, the general indicator will be how tall your grass is. Here in California, we have already started with our mowing chores while people in the North East may not be quite there yet. I recommend that you wait until it’s warm enough to mow regularly. If temperatures are expected to drop below 40 degrees, you wait a bit longer.

The Ideal Height to Cut Grass?

According to Pennington‘s full list, the recommended grass blade height is about three inches. However, there are exceptions, and is dependent upon what type of grass species you have. Typically you should keep your grass about three inches long, and mowing it down to  1-1/4 inches to 1-1/2 inches with the last cut of the season.

You should never cut the grass too short before the end of the season because the sun will dry out the soil and create dead patches. This can damage the soil and the lawnmower itself. 

What Are Ideal Mowing Conditions?

Try to avoid cutting wet grass. Instead, wait until the lawn has dried out some. Mowing wet grass is bad for several reasons. Wet grass can clog the mower, causing it to overheat, and stick to the mower’s underside, which is difficult to clean. Also, wet grass tends to leave clumps of wet clippings that could smother the grass beneath. And then there is the danger of you slipping on the wet grass while you mow.  Early evening is the optimal mowing time since it allows the grass the most shade to heal.

What if It Gets Cold Again?

Spring weather can be fickle. It’s hard to predict when cold weather actually is behind us. Temperatures should be consistently above 40 degrees F before you start your mowing chore again. However, do not mow again if temperatures drop and there is frost. Mowing frosted or frozen grass can damage your lawn, possibly killing it.

When to Fertilize and Water Your Lawn

If you fertilize twice a year, Spring is the time to apply just enough lawn fertilizer to help green up the grass. A third application can be added in mid to late spring, combined with your weed preventer. If you only fertilize once a year, for most regions the best time is around Labor Day.

Obviously, watering your lawn properly is crucial for a lush look and feel. How much water and how often depends on the region, grass type, the soil composition, and other factors. Generally, grass should be watered early in the morning. Watering during the hottest times of the day allows too much water to evaporate, limiting hydration. And watering at night encourages the growth of harmful fungi.

When to Outsource

For some mowing their own lawn and tending to their gardens is a joyful hobby. They have no problem doing this regularly on the weekends or their time off. But not everyone is excited about the fact that they have to trade in their precious time mowing the lawn. Given that their lawns may not be mowed weekly and ultimately show signs of neglect. A healthy, lush lawn is the result of regular care. If that is you, perhaps outsourcing the lawn mowing chore is for you. When you consider the value of your time vs the cost of such a service, most likely you will agree that it is worth it. If you live in Benicia, Vallejo, or American Canyon one such service provider is Shamrock Landscape Company. Look them up and give them a call to schedule your lawn maintenance service.

What You Should Know About Lawnmowers

A lawnmower is a mechanized machine using one or more spinning blades to cut a hard grass surface at a predetermined rate. The rate of cutting grass is controlled by the style of the mower's blades, usually by a master cylinder, usually fixed in the center of a rotary wheel, or by a bolt or screw on each of the wheels. This type of mowers has a series of cutting paths, which are pre-set and are used for cutting different types of turf, such as ryegrass, bluegrass, tall fescue, and Bermuda grass. The most common grass types cut by this type of machine are Bermuda, Ryegrasses, Fescue, Tall Fescue, and Rimble. Each lawn mower has its own set of cutting blades, which vary in size and design.

Lawnmowers are powered either by electricity or gasoline. Many lawns don't require the use of electricity for cutting grass, and for those mowers that do, an electric cutting unit must be attached to the mower itself. All electric mowers, however, must be plugged into an electrical outlet, and a separate cord must be used for the cordless models. In addition, there are some mowers which need to be plugged into a battery. Most lawn mowers come with an emergency starter in case of a power failure. In addition, most have an automatic cut-off feature, which allows the user to turn the engine off when not mowing.

It is important to learn how to properly use a lawnmower before committing to one for the first time. Each lawn mower has its own set of cutting blades. There are also differences in the number of blades on different models. The number of blades and how quickly they can be switched on and off affect the efficiency of your lawn mowing.

Some of the more basic lawnmowers have between one and eight blades. The smaller lawn tractors have fewer blades than the larger lawn tractors. For this reason, mulching lawnmowers may be more efficient than the zero-turn lawnmowers. Mulching lawnmowers are best used in thick, lush green areas where there are not many grass clippings. These lawnmowers also help to conserve gas mileage.

There are two types of cutting widths available on most lawnmower models. The first type is the cutting width or the width of the blade itself. Most lawnmower blades are between twenty-five and twenty-eight inches in cutting width. The second type is the cutting height, which is the distance between the ground and the center of the blade. This height varies by model, so you should read the owner's manual to find out what the recommended cutting height is for your model. Some mowers will indicate the cutting width and the cutting height on the box but not all will do so.

Most lawn mowers come with an option for a grass-catching compartment. This compartment stores cut grass clippings and other debris. You may also choose to buy a reel mower that allows you to mulch in reverse, which is similar to a Husqvarna cut lawnmower.

Some lawn mowers have a self-retracting cutting lever. If your mower has a self-retracting cutting lever, you need to look for one with a safety switch. Older models that self-retracting have a safety switch on the side of each lever, as well as a metal clip that protects the base of each lever. The clip is designed to prevent the lever from coming off if it becomes stuck on the ground while the motor is operating. Many people mistakenly think that they can prevent the mower from coming to a stop by pushing the lever up and down - this action is actually forbidden since the movement of a spring could disable the safety switch, causing the mower to come to a stop without warning.

Lawnmowers that have a deck cover have two cutting surfaces. The deck is attached to the cutting surface by a series of deck bolts. Older decks may use screws instead of deck bolts, so be sure to read the owner's manual or consult a lawn care professional before buying a new deck. Many newer decks come with a self-contained rubber deck protector to protect the deck against cracking due to wetness, grit, and water damage.

Well now that you have a better idea of what a lawnmower is and how it functions you might want to think about the pros and cons of buying one and having to find a storage place for it or just simply outsource cutting the lawn to a lawn mowing service in Vallejo such as Shamrock Landscape Company. Lawn mowing services are generally not expensive and if you find one that is reliable and knowledgeable in what makes a lawn look great all year round, outsourcing this chore is definitely the way to go. 

A Look at Hiring a Lawn Mowing Service

A lawn mowing service is not only for a person who is just getting into lawn care. It is also a great service to have in place if you are looking to get more out of your lawn care. There are a few different things that a lawn mowing service will be able to do for you that you may not have even thought about. This article is going to discuss some of these things that you should consider if you are going to hire one of these services. By the time you are done reading this article, you will know about a few different lawn care services that you can use for your lawn.

The first thing that you should look into when hiring a lawn care provider is whether or not they offer a weekly and bi-weekly service or even an on-demand service. Most of the time, a lawn mowing service will be able to provide you with a monthly rate that covers not only the materials that they will use to trim and edge your lawn but also the labor that they will do on your lawn for each visit. The monthly rate can save you money, so make sure that you check into this. It will also help you determine whether or not you want to pay your lawn care provider per visit. If you pay them by the hour, you can cut down on costs even more.

Some lawn mowing services that you might encounter are going to offer you bi-weekly services. Bi-weekly services are great because you can get a good amount of work done in a short amount of time. The problem with bi-weekly lawn mowing services is that you will not always know how much work has been done until it is time for the next week. Some bi-weekly lawn mowing services are only good for getting the lawn cutting job done once a month. If you are someone who likes to get lawn work done as fast as possible, then this might be the perfect option for you. However, if you are going to be able to see the entire lawn before the season starts, then you may want to go with a monthly service.

No matter which lawn mowing service you decide to use, you need to make sure that you know what your lawn is like. You should take a look at pictures of your lawn and be able to tell what kind of landscape you have. There are a lot of lawn mowing companies that advertise that they have the best lawn mowing service, but there are also some that are dishonest. With any lawn mowing service, you need to make sure that you know what you will be getting and know whether or not it is good enough for your lawn.

Another thing to consider is how reliable the service is. While it can depend on the area where you live, it is always good to shop around in order to get the best price possible. One of the best ways to shop around is to ask friends and neighbors for recommendations or go online and read reviews. Once you have done your research you will be able to make an informed decision regarding which lawn mowing company you are going to hire.

One add-on service that is often offered by many lawn mowing service providers is a seasonal bed maintenance service. Seasonal bed maintenance involves things like clearing away any fallen leaves and branches from your lawn. The process of removing these leaves and branches is one that requires some work, but it is a very necessary process for keeping your lawn free from leaves and debris that can otherwise build up over time. There are a few different types of services that a seasonal bed maintenance service may offer, and one of them is to do this for you every year.

Another add-on service that you can find with most lawnmowing service providers is a trimming service. The reason that a tree or bush trimming service is offered is that they will have a lot more experience at tree and bush trimming than you do. These trimming services can also do these tasks better than most homeowners because they have the right tools at their disposal and they are trained to do them better. If you are interested in getting help keeping your trees and bushes healthy and shapely you will want to look into what some of these services might offer to you.

No matter which lawn mowing service you decide to hire, it is always best to hire a company that will give you all the information that you need to know. You should be able to get an idea of how much they will cost and whether or not they have any special offers for hiring their services at certain times of the week or certain days of the week. Lawn owners are often faced with a lot of extra work and lawn mowing service companies know this is why they strive to provide the best service possible for their customers.

7 Flowers That Attract Bees to Your Garden

We have all heard about the dwindling honeybee population and the impact this will have on our food supply. So, today, let's talk about bees and how to attract them into our garden. Here are the 7 most colorful flowers that attract bees to your garden:

 

1) Butterfly Bush

The butterfly bush, with its large bright flowers that are full of nectar, attracts butterflies as well as bees. This low-maintenance bush flowers late summer to early fall. The blossoms are great cut flowers for your vase. You can choose from several color varieties.

2) Lavender

You may already have Lavender in your garden and if you do, you will have noticed what a bee magnet Lavender is. This fragrant beauty has both nectar and pollen for the bees. Additionally, it blooms during the mid-summer gap when bees tend to be the hungriest due to diminished blooms they can feed on. But you get to enjoy some Lavender too by cutting some and putting them in a vase and still have plenty left for the honey-bees. 

3) Black-Eyed Susan

 

 

Rudbeckia aka Black-Eyed Susan is a North American native and another honey-bee favorite. Bees can't help but be attracted to the bright yellow, brown-centered beauties and their nectar. This is a hardy perennial that comes back year after year blessing you with its cheerful beauty.

 

4) Echinacea aka Coneflower

Echinacea is one of the biggest bee attractors in addition to a beautiful flower in your garden. Drawn to the flower for its color, bees forage on both the nectar and the pollen that the plant produces. Coneflowers bloom for a long period from mid-summer to fall, providing many months of nectar for the bees.

5) Salvia

Did you know that Salvias are available in both annual and perennial varieties? Either one of which will attract bees due to the vibrant color. With many different types, it's easy to find one that works best for your garden. These flowering plants come in an array of colors, blooming in purple, red, and blue, so chances are you will find one that fits your color scheme in your yard.

6) Grape Hyacinth

 

This is one of the most fragrant blooms in the early spring garden. So, it’s no wonder that bees come buzzing to these beautiful bulbs. Earning its name from its tight clusters of flowers that resemble grapes, this plant shouldn't be confused with Hyacinths which is a completely different flower. Full of sweet nectar and pollen, bees love grape Hyacinth's tiny blue blossoms. 

7) Chives

One of the first flowers of the spring season, Chives will provide some of the first nectar for bees coming out of their winter dormancy. Chives are a good choice for gardeners because this perennial powerhouse is easy to grow in almost any region and climate. Plus, this flavorful herb is great for cooking. Blend some with your cream cheese or with a dab of butter to top your baked potato and you’ll be hooked, just like the bees. 

Of course, there are many more plants known to attract honey bees.  We just listed the 7 that we like the best.

Although Shamrock Landscape Company is not planting flowers in your garden, they are a well-known and respected mowing company serving Benicia, Vallejo, and American Canyon. Give them a call if you -rather plant than mow at (707) 647-2000 or visit their website  - if you would like more information.

Gardening 101: The Best Tips For A Thriving Organic Garden

Like the idea of organic gardening? So do we. How one takes care of their organic garden can say a lot about them as a person. An activity that focuses on working in the dirt and relying on nature and time is what makes organic gardening enjoyable. That can sound intimidating to a new organic gardener, which is why they should read the list of tips below.

The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It's important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time so that your plants can adjust. On the first day, put them out in sunlight for about an hour or so. After a week, leave your plants outside for twice as long. The plants should be prepared to move outside permanently at the end of this week.

Slide your fingernails against a bar of soap to prevent dirt from getting under your nails. The dirt doesn't necessarily hurt you, but you will save time and effort when cleaning your hands later. Instead of having to dig underneath your nails, you can just use a nailbrush to quickly remove the soap residue.

When you are pruning a tree, make sure that your tools are sharp. Cutting with a dull tool can tear the bark of the tree, causing unnecessary damage to the tree. Not only that, cutting with a dull tool causes you to spend extra energy on cutting. A sharp tool will give you a cleaner cut with the least amount of effort.

For a healthy, weed-free lawn, cut your grass at the highest point recommended for the blend of grass you're growing. Cutting your grass too short won't mean you have to mow less often. Instead, it allows weeds to take hold and causes water to evaporate. Longer grass can better protect itself against weeds, drought, and pests.

Are fresh mint leaves something you love but cannot stand how quickly they grow all over your garden? Rein in their growth by planting the mint in a large pot or garden container instead. The container can be planted in the ground, and it will still prevent the plant from dominating the garden.

Make sure the hole you dig for a tree or shrub is at least three times wider than the root ball of the young tree. Planting a seedling in a small hole will result in slower growth and failure to thrive.

There are many common household items that can be used to good effect in the garden. Try using duct tape to remove aphids from the leaves of infested plants. Wrap the tape around your hand, sticky side out, and press it to the leaves to remove the aphids. A lint roller can be used for this task as well.

Organic gardening really is a time and labor-intensive activity, but that does not mean it is only for serious organic gardeners. This relaxing activity can be enjoyed by anyone with any kind of gardening skills. These tips were constructed to help those of all skill sets find out how to grow their own organic plants.

When it comes to mowing and maintaining lawns it is best to consider a reliable service near you. That way you have time to take care of all your garden chores and tend to your plants and still enjoy a freshly mowed lawn every week. You can call Shamrock Landscape Company at (707) 647-2000 if you live in or near Benicia, Vallejo, or American Canyon. We have provided the best mowing services since 1977 and guarantee your happiness with our service.

The Proven Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is a great hobby to have, especially now in Covid times. If gardening isn't your thing perhaps this article might make you reconsider.  

Here are six proven health benefits of gardening originally posted on Philstar.com

1. It improves brain health

Since it requires the use of your cognitive functions, research shows that gardening is effective in keeping your mind sharp. Not only does it help improve your memory, but also tending to your plants for even a few hours a day will lower your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

2. It keeps you active, and in shape

In the book, “Fitness the Dynamic Gardening Way,” author Jeff Restuccio explained to WebMD that you can turn your gardening into a structured exercise routine. So, if you miss hitting the gym due to the pandemic, growing vegetables in your backyard is a perfect alternative to your workouts since three hours of gardening equates to an hour of a gym session. Plus, you don’t need to pay for a membership fee. It’s a win-win for your body and your wallet!

3. It provides a healthier diet

By growing your own food, you will find yourself more in control of what you put in your body. Freshly picked fruits, vegetables, and herbs have more nutrients than what you would normally buy from the store. On top of that, sustainably cultivating your plants will make for richer and more delicious produce, thus making it easy to incorporate more greens into your diet.

4. It relieves stress

The relaxing nature of gardening activities is in itself a stress reliever. Studies further proved that taking care of plants daily can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Not only that—exposure to sunlight makes your body produce Vitamin D, and in turn, Vitamin D produces serotonin, which is a brain chemical that makes you happy!

5. It aids sleep

Doing physical activities such as gardening will not only tire you out at the end of the day. Owing to the light therapy given off by the sun, you will also have adequate melatonin to help you sleep well at night, realigning your sleep patterns for an energy-filled morning the next day.

Your indoor plants are also a huge factor for a good night’s sleep. Plants with air-cleaning properties can clear out air particles and remove harmful chemicals, leaving you with excellent air quality while asleep.

6. It strengthens immunity

Being exposed to a sufficient amount of “the sunshine vitamin” also keeps your bones, teeth, and muscles healthy, not to mention it boosts your immune system. The dirt in your garden is home to good bacteria called, Mycobacterium vaccae, a “friendly” soil bacteria that also helps in strengthening your immunity.

Taking part in gardening activities does benefit our overall health – from physical to mental. And what better way to begin your journey in horticulture than to use recyclable materials to help with the efforts on environmental sustainability.

Happy gardening from your friends at Shamrock Landscape Co.

9 Plants You Don't Want in Your Garden

Do you have some plants in your garden you wished you hadn't planted? You are not alone. Most  gardeners I know of are plagued by a plant that took over and are now wondering how to get rid of them PERMANENTLY. In my case, it is Periwinkle and Crocosmia as we speak.

If you are like many weekend gardeners you are always on the lookout for free plants that you happily plant in your garden regardless of what the consequences might be. Read on what plants not to put into your garden even if you are looking to fill a space and even if they are free. 

These are plants that I or my friends have had first-hand experience with. Some are very aggressive spreaders, some are invasive and some just take up a lot of space without adding beauty to the garden.

However, a little disclaimer is in order. What is considered aggressive, invasive, or a vigorous spreader in zone 4b for instance may not necessarily be so in your gardening zone. 

The terms aggressive and invasive are somewhat intertwined. The Department of Natural Resources - ( DNR) websites for your State may have their own definition of what invasive plants and aggressive plants mean. Per the Oxford Dictionary invasive means: “tending to spread prolifically and undesirably or harmfully” and aggressive means: "a plant that spreads faster than preferred, or into an area of your garden where it’s not wanted" (as paraphrased from the Chicago Botanic Garden website). 

Plants grow differently in different soils and different climates at different rates. This post is written based on my own observations and experiences.

9 Plants Not to Have In Your Garden

Let me start with my 3 most "hated"...

Periwinkle aka Vinca minor (common names lesser periwinkle or dwarf periwinkle) 

is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family. This is a groundcover that spreads rapidly and is VERY invasive and hard to get rid of.  This plant has literally choked a couple of my bushes to death. In addition, during the hot summer month, you will end up looking at burned leaves, making this plant quite unattractive.

Crocosmia  (montbretia)

This one seemed like a good idea because this plant is quite pretty. Crocosmia blooms are produced on slender stems of 2 feet (0.5 m.) or more in length. The flowers appear in May or June and the plant will keep producing all summer.  Crocosmia plants grow from corms, which are closely related to bulbs. In addition to seed pods (which are quite nice in flower arrangements), they will also produce runners underground which form new corms, and before you know it, they have taken over a large space in your yard. Do not plant unless you can let it roam freely.

Morning Glory Vine -  ( Ipomoea purpurea) 

I saw this description at the Hudson Valley Seed Company and since it mirrors my sentiments exactly, I am repeating it here: "The morning glory is like a good marriage. Its vines are strong and grow steadily but require a framework of support to reach their maximum potential. Its profuse blooms require frequent, immediate appreciation, as they last but a single morning before fading. And at its core is a seed that can adapt to any circumstance, self-sowing readily and thriving even in difficult soils. In fact, like the best marriages, morning glories flower most when faced with distress: drought and low-nutrient soils lead to blooms in profusion."  My vine has made its way up high into the adjacent Birch and Pine trees and invaded the entire upslope and even the neighbor's yard. So, unless you are a big fan of seeing blue or purple blossoms everywhere, I suggest you pass on this one.

Other Plants to Think Twice Before Planting

Snow-on-the-Mountain (aegopodium podagraria) – a/k/a Bishop’s Weed or Gout Weed 

I never thought that I would say this, but I ended up regretting planting this one. When someone gifted me this one I was excited about getting this pretty ground cover with its variegated leaves. Ground cover indeed! In no time did it cover everything in its path.  Snow-on-the-Mountain is so invasive and it spreads by underground runners. It took me years to completely eradicating it from my shade garden. Do not let this beauty fool you.

Royal Standard Hosta 

You probably did not expect this one on my list. In my opinion, royal standard hostas (the very common plain green hostas) just aren’t all that pretty and they are huge slug attractors.  And, they are definitely the most prolific hosta out there. 

Lambs Ear (stachys byzantina) 

The foliage on Lamb’s Ear is pretty and it adds a cool texture element to a flower bed. But once it starts flowering, it gets ratty looking. In addition, the flowers are not attractive, and it just takes up too much real estate in the flower garden. On the positive side, Lambs Ear is a known bee magnet, but there are tons of other prettier flowers that are bee magnets too.

Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) 

Don't fall for this beauty, despite their lovely flowers and sweet smell. Great choice if you love to pick bouquets for your home but, they bloom for such a short time and are naughty spreaders. No matter what, they don't stay where you put them.  Don’t be swayed by this picture or their fragrance – stay strong!

Obedient Plant 

I was quite smitten when I first saw this plant.  It's so pretty. But it did not take long for me to fall out of love because like the Crocosmia it spreads via underground rhizomes making it anything but obedient.  It’s called “obedient” because you can actually bend the stems to face the direction you want them to face. I know of no other plant you can do this with.  But in spite of this, pass on this one.

Common Orange Ditch Lilies (hemerocallis vulva) 

I think these are my least favorite of the lilies because they are prolific spreaders. Plus, ditch lilies take up a lot of space and there are so many other beautiful, cultivar and hybrid daylilies that you could use instead. Plus, you constantly have to remove the dead leaves and flower pods just to keep them decent looking. I would rate them as invasive because they crowed out other plants. 

There are many other perennials that some would call invasive or aggressive, including: bee balm, lamium, ajuga, cherry bell campanula (and a few other varieties) and agastache. I did not include them in my list because they are not a problem to weed them out and I like them well enough, so for me,  they are worth the effort. 

So how on earth is a novice gardener, or even a seasoned gardener like me, supposed to avoid ending up with perennials that will take over your garden. My best advice is just to read up and ask questions. Now, if I see a plant that I don’t have and I’m curious about, I will ask the seller or giver these questions:

• Is this plant a vigorous spreader or aggressive? If so, is it easy to weed out?
• Does this plant spread by underground runners?
• Is this plant invasive?

If there isn’t anyone available to answer my questions, I will do a Google search on the plant name and quickly read up on it.

I hope this blog post was useful and informative.