Lawn Care Blog

Our lawn technicians attended the Maryland Turf Grass Council Conference in early January.  Held at the University of Maryland in College Park, the conference is a fundraiser for turf grass research at the University.  Hillside Lawn Service attendees experienced a variety of seminars and trade show booths showcasing the latest lawn and turf technologies.  

The general session opened with a discussion of the 2011 Fertilizer Act, moderated by Dr. Gary Felton of the University’s Department of Environmental Science and Technology.  Our professional lawn care specialists attended Lawn Care and Lawn Turf Sessions that highlighted nitrogen fertility, organic weed control, green lawn projects, water conservation with irrigation, and white grub behavior and disease management, among other topics.  Ornamental Care presentations educated our staff on healthy trees, the Emerald Ash Borer and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, and pest control for ornamental trees.  The conference also covered golf course turf and athletic field turf technologies.

"Attending the conference allows us to stay current on industry trends and improvements and stay compliant with the MDA. The end result is a better product for everyone involved. Simply put: It's better for business, it's better for the customer and it's better for the environment," says Rob Rosolowski, one of our lawn and tree specialists.

You can be sure that all of our technicians will apply their newly acquired knowledge to the customers of our Harford County lawn service, giving them the latest in ornamental and professional lawn care in Maryland.  

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If you’re thinking of investing in your lawn this spring, one of the items you might consider is a lawn irrigation system or automatic sprinkler system.  Expensive?  Yes.  An investment?  Yes.  But if you regularly water your lawn, a system can be both convenient and conservative.  

Convenience comes with not having to move the sprinkler, roll out the hose, move the hose, forget about the sprinkler, and have saturated grass in one area.  Conservation comes with the well-thought-out plan for sprinklers placed strategically throughout your yard and put on a timer.  They will eliminate over-watering, water run-off and wasting water because you forgot to turn off the hose.  The lawn will be healthier and less likely to harbor weeds and pests.  Pesticides and fertilizers can be applied and watered as needed.  The system will also result in a beautiful, green lawn throughout the season, because it will be convenient and conservative.  Remember that this lush lawn will require more mowing and lawn care maintenance from your lawn care specialist.  

Your irrigation or sprinkler system should simulate natural weather patterns, according to about.com.  Water should go deep in the soil; shallow and frequent watering leads to a weak plant, but deeper watering helps develop strong root systems.  Drought and extreme heat have less effect on healthy grass.
 
Finally, if you are considering a system, consider having it professionally installed by a professional lawn care company in Maryland, like Hillside Lawn Service.

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Remember the Charles Schulz Peanuts comic strip with Lucy behind her wood-plank stand giving out advice?  The sign read, “Psychiatric Help - 5 cents.”  So for a nickel, one could get a psychiatric analysis.  You can get a lawn analysis for free from professional lawn care specialists at Hillside Lawn Service.  While Lucy’s analysis probably included a review of her customer’s problem and a few questions before she gave her advice, Hillside Lawn Service’s analysis will be comprehensive and complete.  Our expert lawn technician will make an appointment to talk with you about your goals for your yard and landscaping.  He will view your lawn from all angles and assess the soil health, grass growth, weed growth and fertilizer needs.  He’ll note the types of trees, bushes and flower gardens throughout the yard, as well as their proximity to your home and walkways.
 
Within two days, you’ll have a personalized lawn analysis plan, including solutions for a greener, healthier lawn.  We are among the best Harford County lawn care companies whose technicians are trained on care and landscaping.  They attend various annual seminars to stay up-to-date on technology and new techniques for lawn maintenance.  These technicians are the ones who will be treating your lawn and evaluating its progress.  Contact us to get your personal lawn analysis – free!

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Even though its early February, the unseasonably warm weather has kept us busy promoting the business and delivering free estimates for lawn care.  Springtime seems to be on everyone's mind.  If you've ever considered getting a free estimate, but were afraid that we might be a marketing company disguised as a lawncare business, don't be.  Hillside prides itself on delivering good service at a reasonable price for customer satisfaction.  We're into service agreements and not yearly contracts.  All programs come with free service calls, and being a customer starts the moment you call in to request an estimate.  At Hillside, we know your time is valuable and appreciate the opportunity to earn your business! 

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Continuing our discussion of limestone, Hillside Lawn Service is beginning its lime applications as part of its professional lawn care in Maryland. We use pelletized limestone, because it can be applied thoroughly and evenly to lawns, helping to neutralize acidic soils. Pelletized lime can be applied either by using a spreader or by hand, and it has the advantage of not producing dust, keeping walkways and flower beds free of lime debris. Additionally, it is the most abundant type and more cost-effective than burnt or hydrated lime. While burnt lime and hydrated lime can be harmful to human skin, pelletized lime is easier to handle.
 
Not only does lime counteract the acidic soil and offer nutrients, it also reduces the toxicity of elements like aluminum, manganese and iron in the soil. It regulates zinc, copper and phosphorus. Lime also improves the activity of bacteria, enriching the soil’s composition.  
 
Winter in Harford County and Cecil County, Maryland is the ideal time for lime applications, due to the alternate freezing and thawing. This helps lime to be absorbed into the soil more easily. Early spring rains also allow it to penetrate the soil. So, if you’re considering an ongoing lawn treatment package this year, start now with lime application and get your lawn ready for spring.

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