Prime's Clippings March 2017

Record Warm Temperatures, Hard Freezes

Another interesting winter brought us damaging freezes coupled with record high temperatures and overall dry conditions along with a flooding rain event in January. We finally have some more normal spring-like weather in the long term forecast, but the likelihood of a March freeze still holds true for another 20 days. Let’s try to be a little patient on tomatoes and begonias!

The recent rain was sorely needed, but weeds are now exploding onto the scene. Pre-emergent applications from the fall were pretty effective this year. We are applying broadleaf control for plants like dandelion and henbit now and spot spraying for certain grassy weeds like wild rye. Remember though that most of these plants have begun flowering already and it takes at least 2 weeks and 2 applications to knock these weeds down.

Our crews are busy wrapping up the spring cut-back of roses, perennials, and grasses, and it is already time to fire up the mowers and get your lawn cut down a few notches.

So here is our annual reminder:

If you are not on a year-round contract, please let us know when you are ready for mowing. If you did not place your service on hold over winter, we will start mowing the first two weeks of March.

We don’t want you to wonder where we are, but we also don’t want to start before you’re ready.

We will be evaluating freeze damage on a case by case basis throughout March and April. Some shrubs will recover, some will not. We recommend mowing down Asian jasmine and liriope groundcovers now, especially if they were burned. Call us if you have freeze damaged shrubs to evaluate.

This is also the time for fire ant control that is guaranteed all season, and dormant oil and systemic pesticide applications for the crape myrtle scale that is devastating crapes.

Ready or not, spring is on the way!

'Tis The Season For Fireants

Fire ants may be the most annoying pest of all. They do millions of dollars in damage each year to electrical equipment and agriculture, and swarm out when disturbed to inflict painful bites on children, pets, and any unsuspecting gardener. Fire ants can migrate miles when swarming and tunnel up to 20 feet deep! Permanent eradication is not possible.

We offer two fire ant programs. One is the Texas Two Step program recommended by Texas A&M. We broadcast a bait product throughout your property and use a contact insecticide on visible mounds. This will need to be done 3-4 times a year. Baits offer the lowest environmental impact and least cost, but are slower acting and we cannot guarantee control.

We also offer a season-long product that we apply over the entire property. It will eliminate existing colonies and create a barrier to prevent new swarms from moving in. When done in March—April we guarantee control for 8 months!

Prices start at just $20 each for the Texas Two Step treatments when done with your regular lawn applications and $155 one time for the guaranteed annual service.

= OUCH!

Pond Clean-Outs Are Starting

String algae is the bane of pond owners. As much as we love our beautiful water features, we equally despise string algae. 

Since aquatic plants have not come out of dormancy and cool water temperatures reduce the bacteria colonies in your filters and gravel, conditions are optimal for the growth of string algae. 

Algae is a natural, healthy organism in any natural water feature, but it can bloom suddenly in a matter of days and become unsightly. 

We start our annual clean outs this month, changing the water, washing down the gravel and removing the sludge, cleaning the filters, trimming and thinning out water plants, and changing the water to get your pond started on the right foot for spring. 

Give Spencer a call to book your spot for your spring clean out!

Thank You For Your Business

Spring is upon us in full force. 

We want to thank all our clients who started on their spring projects with us a month or two ago when we had a little more free time, and we appreciate the patience of all of you who are now calling in for landscape projects and having to wait a few days for your estimates. 

We will do our best to get to whatever you need as quickly as we can. We look forward to working with you this coming season. 

And remember, email is a great way to communicate with us: contactus@primelandscapeservices.com

March Chores:

· Mow 1-2 notches lower

· Mulch beds

· Make last major pruning changes to overgrown shrubs

· Prune low limbs on trees

· Prune dormant perennials and fountain grasses

· Plant and transplant trees and shrubs

· Apply pre-emergent and broadleaf herbicides

· Change water and clean water gardens and koi ponds