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Virginia Weeds 101: The Most Common Types Found on Lawns

Virginia Weeds 101: The Most Common Types Found on Lawns

Here in Virginia, there are several common types of weeds that can pop up on lawns. Some of the most prevalent include chickweed, dandelion, henbit, crabgrass, and wild violet. Each has its own unique characteristics, growth patterns, and appearance. While some are more invasive than others, all of these weeds can be a nuisance for property owners. Fortunately, there are effective ways to control them so they don't continue to steal resources from your grass or drag down the curb appeal of your lawn.


Chickweed is an annual weed with small, oval leaves and white flowers.

A bundle of chickweeds in Bristow, VA, with white flowers.

Chickweed is one of the most common types of weeds found here in Virginia. This annual plant typically grows low to the ground and forms dense patches across your turf. It has small, oval-shaped leaves that are lighter green and have pointed tips. This weed also produces tiny white flowers, which bloom during the spring and early summer seasons. Chickweed thrives in moist environments and tends to grow in shaded areas where sunlight doesn't reach it.


Dandelions are perennials known for their bright yellow flowers.

Dandelions in Bristow, VA, spread across a lawn.

Dandelions are a perennial weed that commonly plagues lawns here in Virginia. These plants feature bright yellow flowers that transform into fluffy seed heads as they mature. The leaves of this weed are broad and toothed, growing opposite each other along the stem. Dandelions thrive in full sun and tend to flourish in nutrient-rich soils. They spread through wind-borne seeds and...

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Should You Use Liquid or Granular Fertilizer Treatments for Your Lawn?

Should You Use Liquid or Granular Fertilizer Treatments for Your Lawn?

If you're a property owner in Virginia and are looking to give your lawn the boost it needs, there are two types of fertilizer treatments that you can choose from: liquid or granular. While both provide nutrients that help strengthen the grass and promote healthy growth, granular fertilizers tend to be better because they consist of granules that release those nutrients slowly over time rather than all at once, as liquids do.

Thanks to granular fertilizer's slow-release mechanism, your turf will receive ongoing nutritional support, and by forgoing liquid fertilizer, you have less of a chance of accidentally causing fertilizer burn. As for when you should apply them, you’ll want to start in early spring and continue throughout the growing season.


What is the difference between liquid and granular lawn fertilizer?

When choosing between liquid and granular fertilizer treatments for your lawn, it’s important to understand the differences between them so that you can make an informed decision. Granular fertilizers consist of small pellets that are spread across your entire turf area. These granules are watered in to activate, gradually breaking down and releasing their nutrients into the soil as they do. On the other hand, liquid fertilizers are in a soluble form and sprayed onto your lawn, which works much faster by providing your grass with an immediate nutrient supply.

The three main nutrients found in most fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorus, ...
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Make Sure Your Lawn Is Ready for Overseeding - How to Prepare

Make Sure Your Lawn Is Ready for Overseeding - How to Prepare

Overseeding is a great way to fill in any bare or patchy areas on your lawn and increase its overall density. However, if you're planning on scheduling it this fall in Virginia, there are some things that you should do beforehand to ensure the best results possible. First, you want to mow your grass shorter than usual to give the seeds good contact with the soil. Second, you will want to remove any debris from your lawn, like leaves, sticks, and twigs, so it won’t block the seeds from reaching the soil and accessing vital resources. Lastly, you should aerate your turf before overseeding it because the holes created during the process provide the perfect spot for the new seeds to fall into, improving seed-to-soil contact and ensuring they can access the nutrients and resources they need to grow into healthy, green grass!


Mow Your Grass Shorter Than Usual Before Overseeding

If you want to get the most out of your overseeding service, then you should prepare your lawn by mowing it shorter than usual. Doing this will prevent the seeds from getting caught on tall grass blades and not reaching the ground. After all, shorter grass will give them better contact with the soil and allow more sunlight to reach the ground, creating ideal conditions for germination.

Tall fescue seeds are ideal for overseeding your lawn in Virginia, as this type thrives in our climate and will grow into durable, resilient grass!

Remove Any Debris From Your Lawn Before ...

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Issues That Come With Sloped Yards Can Be Fixed With a Retaining Wall

Issues That Come With Sloped Yards Can Be Fixed With a Retaining Wall

Issues with a sloped yard in Virginia can be remedied by installing a retaining wall. A retaining wall is an excellent solution for sloped properties because it mitigates erosion by holding soil in place, preventing it from shifting and running off. It also turns sloped land into flat, usable space, maximizing your outdoor area so you can add other features and elements. Additionally, a well-designed retaining wall can help manage and control water flow to prevent pooling and flooding. Finally, you can enhance its aesthetic appeal by adding a raised planter bed, where you can incorporate colorful flowers or greenery that will make your property stand out.


A retaining wall remedies erosion issues caused by a sloped yard.

A retaining wall in a backyard on a patio in Bristow, VA.

Erosion usually occurs at a faster rate on sloped properties, which means you'll need a reliable solution to combat it. If your property has a slope that leads to erosion problems, a retaining wall is the best way to remedy this issue. Retaining walls are built to hold back soil that would otherwise shift and move due to natural forces, such as wind, rain, and gravity. By doing this, they keep the topsoil intact and reduce the risk of runoff and nutrient loss.

Some common materials that retaining walls can be built from include concrete pavers and flagstone.

Retaining Walls Turn Sloped Land Into Flat, Usable Space

Another advantage of retaining walls is that they turn sloped land into flat, usable space. When you have a lot of uneven terrain ...

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Grub Infestations: How to Tell if Your Lawn Has One

Grub Infestations: How to Tell if Your Lawn Has One

Grubs are the larvae of various beetles and can be a big problem for your lawn in Virginia. If you suspect that grubs have infested your turf, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. One way to tell if your lawn has a grub problem is when it feels spongy when you walk on it and lifts up like a carpet. Another sign is when you notice irregular patches of brown grass across your lawn. An increased animal presence on your lawn could also indicate a grub infestation because animals such as raccoons and birds feed on them. If you think your lawn is infested with grubs, contact professionals immediately so they can apply curative treatments to eliminate them!


Your lawn feeling spongy when you walk on it and lifting like a carpet is a sign of a grub infestation.

One of the most noticeable indicators of a grub infestation is when your lawn feels spongy when you walk on it. This happens because grubs feed on the roots of your grass, weakening its tether to the soil. As a result, it will no longer anchor itself down, making it feel soft and spongy underfoot. When you lift up a section of your lawn, it should feel firmly rooted into the ground. However, if it lifts up like a carpet, it's likely not anchored anymore, which means the roots have been damaged or destroyed by these pests. To check whether this is indeed what happened, gently tug at an affected area. If the grass comes up easily, it's a clear indication that the roots have been compromised.

If left...
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5 Critical Lawn/Landscape Tasks You Must Do During the Spring

5 Critical Lawn/Landscape Tasks You Must Do During the Spring

Once the growing season begins in northern Virginia and plants and grass start to come out of winter dormancy, it's time to start maintaining your lawn and landscaping with mowing, lawn care, and much more.

Learn about five tasks that are critical for your lawn and landscaping in spring in areas such as Bristow, Manassas, Haymarket, and surrounding communities in Virginia.


1. Clean up your landscape beds by pulling weeds, trimming plants, and more.

Landscape bed with dark mulch and weed control in Haymarket, VA.

One of the most important steps is to prepare your landscaping for the spring. By removing debris that accumulated over the winter, your plants will be able to breathe. It is also important to trim and prune your plants at this time to shape them and get rid of any overgrowth, but note that flowering shrubs will need to be pruned after they have bloomed. It's also key to pull any weeds and spray for them.


2. Schedule lawn mowing services to cut your lawn every other week.

Routine lawn mowing should be done everyother week. By scheduling these services, you'll know that your grass will be well taken care of throughout the growing season. This keeps your grass blades at the proper height for maximum photosynthesis and ensures it will be in top condition.


3. Apply the first round of pre-emergent weed control and fertilizer treatments.

Home lawn in Bristow, VA with weed control treatment.

Start off your lawn care for the year by applying the first round of pre-emergent weed control and fertilizer treatments. These will...

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What Times of the Year Your Yard Needs Lawn Care Treatments

What Times of the Year Your Yard Needs Lawn Care Treatments

As a property owner, you may be under the impression that your lawn only requires fertilization in the midst of summer. The opposite is actually true: your lawn can benefit from year-round lawn care treatments.

Our lawn care company offers comprehensive fertilization services for residential and commercial lawns in Manassas, Haymarket, and Bristow, VA. We have created a 9-step lawn care program to help your lawn look its best no matter the season.

You must space your fertilization and weed control schedule out properly. You don't want to overload your grass with fertilizer at some points during the year and completely neglect it at other times. Check out what times of the year your lawn needs lawn care treatments and how our team can help.


Your lawn requires weed control treatment in the spring to control crabgrass.

In Virginia, crabgrass is one of the most prevalent weeds in the spring. In early spring, our professional weed control company applies a pre-emergent crabgrass control treatment to curb its growth as much as possible.

As the soil temperature begins to heat up later in the spring, we will apply a post-emergent crabgrass control treatment. This is meant to kill off any crabgrass that may take root in your lawn, as this pesky weed thrives very well in warm soil conditions. We also apply a fertilization treatment in spring, both early and late in the season.


In the summer, we introduce insect, grub, and nutsedge...

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