When should I first start fertilizing my grass?
Usually May, or after frost danger is over with, generally speaking. top
When should I fertilize and prune my azaleas?
You can prune and fertilize azaleas once they have stopped blooming. Put a fertilize specifically for azaleas out once a month through August. top
When should I shut down my irrigation system for the winter?
Generally around October unless we have an unusually hot, dry November. top
When should I startup my irrigation system in the spring?
Unless we have a very dry April, you could wait untill May to start your system. During the early part of the summer you probably will not need to run your zones as long. As July and August approaches which usually means hot and dry, you may need to adjust your watering times up. During late September and throughout October, you can ease up on the length of time generally speaking. top
When should I cut firewood?
Cut firewood in the dead of winter for next winter's burning. That way you get two valuable heat'ns, one when your out there cuttin in the woods and another when your burning it in your fireplace. top
When do I apply pre-emerge to my lawn?
The best times to apply pre-emerge is in the fall during the month of October and no later than mid November for control of weeds that will pop up in winter, and during the later half of January through February for control of weeds that will pop up in late spring and summer. top
What is the latest that I can apply winterizer to my lawn?
You want to put winterizer out from mid August through September so that the grass will have time to take up the nutrients before going dormant for the winter. top
When is the best time to plant trees and shrubs?
Planting of trees and shrubs can be done anytime throughout the year; however, the best time is in the fall (October, November,December) because the plant is going into a dormant state thus there is less risk of shock. Also you have winter rains to take care of the watering and you do get some root growth throughout the winter. top
When do I apply lime to my lawn?
Fall is the best time to apply lime because lime works its way slowly into the soil therefore you will reap the results the following spring and summer. Before bothering with this, get a soil test to determine whether or not you need lime. You can get this done by contacting the MSU Extension Service. top
What is rejuvenative pruning?
This is done when you have shrubs that have become overgrown. You can do this with broadleaf evergreen and deciduous shrubs. These shrubs can be cut back to nothing but stems if necessary. The only recommended time to do this is in late winter/early spring just before spring growth begins. Junipers cannot be done in this manner, they can only be cut back one-third at a time. top
Should I use a UV sterilizer in my water feature?
No, because not only will it kill the unwanted algea, it will also kill the beneficial microorganisms. top
What plant hardiness zone are we in?
Here in the Jackson, MS area we are in zone 8 which means the average annual minimum temperatures are between 10 to 20 degrees. top
What is our (man,woman, and child) purpose and the real meaning of life man?
Well, I have pondered what my purpose is and it mainly started when I graduated from college and found out that things do not always work the way you think. I am still discovering the answer but I think I'm on the right track. I read a book about ten or so years ago called "What Color is Your Parachute" by a man whose last name is Bolles. It is a career finding help type book and stuff. At the end after all the good stuff he touched on something that really stands to be true and really better stuff. Our purpose is to praise and honor our Creator, do good by the people we come in contact with, and do everything we can to leave the world in a better place than the way we found it. Until lately I had forgotten about that. Think about it. That really is what our purpose must be. It sure makes more sense that to try to figure out what to do for a living. May have been more than you asked for; but, there it is. top
How often should I clean my biological filter in my water feature?
Only clean the biofall one time per year. The biofall is home to a lot of the beneficial bacteria that feed on the algea. top
How often should I add bacteria to my water feature?
About two times per month (every other week). You want to maintain steady and high levels of bacteria colonization in order to keep nutrient levels in check and prevent booms in algea growth. top
Do I have to do a thorough cleanout to my water feature after every winter?
In warmer climates such as ours in the South, it may not always be necessary to do a complete cleanout. It is good to clean the filter mats and lava rock. Also change out about 20% of the water. top
When is the earliest that I can put out lawn grass seed such as centipede and bermuda in order to get germination?
You should wait until May 1 so that day and night time temperatures are high enough to promote germination. top
What is the difference in warm-season and cool-season turfgrasses?
Warm-season grasses grow best at temperatures 80 degrees and above. Cool-season grasses grow best at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees. top
When should I plant bulbs?
Plant spring flowering bulbs such as tulips around late November through mid December in zone 8. Plant summer flowering bulbs after danger of frost has past in the spring. top
Do I have to cut my crapemyrtle trees back every year around February?
No. top
When should I cut back my ornamental grasses such as pampas grass and miscanthus?
Cut these grasses back in February before the new shoots start coming up. top
Should I always stake trees when I plant them?
Try to pack them in good as you backfill the soil so that it may not be necessary to stake. The tree will grow stronger without the help of a stake. Stakes take away from the look of the tree also. However, sometimes a tree may be so large or in a very windy location in which staking is warrented. top
Is it really necessary to have a rain sensor on my irrigation system?
In my opinion, yes. It is not an expensive item and it will save on your water bill. After a rain the device will not allow your system to come on. As conditions dry out, the device also dries thus allowing your system to resume watering as soon as it is needed. Rain sensors come standard on all systems that we install. top
How often should I clean the filter in my skimmer on my water feature?
The filter should be checked about once a month. If it gets really dirty it will not allow enough water to get to the pump underneath which is not good for the pump. The little fish-net basket should be checked about once a week for any leaves and stuff that may have come into the skimmer compartment. top
Is it necessary to have a backflow preventer on my irrigation system and what is a backflow preventer?
The backflow preventer is a device which prevents water from going through irrigation pipes back into the public water system if and when there is pressure loss in the public water system. Any chemicals used in the yard could contaminate the public water supply. Depending on which city you live in it may or may not be required; however, I recommend having a backflow preventer simply to protect the water supply. Also the city may decide at a later time to require these devices. These devices come standard on irrigation systems that we install. If you are pumping your irrigation system water from a lake it is of course not necessary to have a backflow preventer. top
How much p.s.i. (pressure per square inch) do I need in order to have an irrigation system that will work properly?
You need to have somewhere around 60 p.s.i. or above. Much below that, by the time you get through the backflow, fittings, and pipe your running pretty low to make gear drive rotors work properly. Pop-up spray heads however work their best at 30 p.s.i. You can get by with 50 p.s.i. but then you really have to pick gear drives that will handle the low pressure. top
I have Centipedegrass, how do I need to fertilize it?
You need to use a fertilizer that has a combination of quick and slow release nitrogen along with micronutrients. It needs to be 15-0-15 which is 15% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 15% potassium. You only need to fertilize this type of grass once a year around May. top
I have a sprinkler head on one of my zones that seems to leak water from out of the top of the head after the system has turned off. Do I have a leak?
If this head happens to be in a lower spot in your landscape, that is it is the lowest head on that particular zone, water will drain out after the system has shut off simply because it is much lower than all other heads on that zone. You most likely do not have a leak. However, it wastes water because every time the zone comes on again water has to fill all the lateral lines again since it has drained out through the lowest head. The way to prevent this is to have a check valve installed on the lower heads where you have seepage. Not a major operation. top
Is is necessary to use primer when glueing together pipe for and irrigation system?
Many may disagree but I think it is absolutely necessary because it cleans the pipe and fittings from trash and residue that may have collected and also facilitates the chemical bonding process between the two pieces of pipe. top
I have Meyer Zoysiagrass and have been told it is best to use a reel mower rather than a rotary mower, what makes the difference?
Zoysiagrass is a very strong grass which needs to be mowed with a very sharp blade. A reel mower like you see used on golf course greens has a lift and cut technique which cuts the grass more evenly verses a rotary mower which swishes around so to speak cutting some of the grass while beating down some of the grass. top
When should I prune my Encore azaleas being as they bloom more than just in the spring?
You should go ahead and prune Encore azaleas after the spring bloom along with normal azaleas. top
What is the difference in low voltage lighting verses line voltage lighting?
Low voltage lighting utilizes a transformer which plugs into and electrical outlet that breaks down the voltage from 110 volts down to 12 volts which then goes out to the light fixtures. Line voltage is direct from the electrical source which is 110 volts to the 110 volt fixtures which involves a licensed electrican and is more expensive to install and operate. top
