Hi There!
Summer is heating up, and that means lots of outdoor activities! It also means that there are a few warm-weather garden pests to be aware of (apparently the bugs like summertime, too) as well as specific garden care and maintenance to stay on top of — and we’ve got tips for those as well as help for anything you’d rather not do yourself!
And remember that Flag Day is Monday, June 14th, so be sure to have your American flag out to show your pride and love for our country. Plus, it just makes your landscape look even nicer, doesn’t it?
Need help? Contact us today!
Tom Grosh
Founder / Owner
Grosh’s Lawn Service
Lawncare Corner
With outdoor gatherings becoming safer and safer, you’ll want to be sure your lawn is in good shape for some long overdue cookouts and small parties. Imagine playing with the kids or the dog on nice, soft, healthy grass mowed at just the right height — all you have to do is enjoy it! Give us a ring to get into our schedule, and we’ll get everything mowed, edged, and neatened up for you.
And while we’re there, we’ll let you know if we spot anything that needs to be addressed or taken care of. We’ve got your back!
Landscape Spotlight
Landscape Bed Maintenance
| We don’t like being the bearer of bad news, but if you let your weeds go to seed it can create up to 7 years of weed issues for you! The good news is that we can help you with that — there’s nothing we like more than clearing those weeds out of your garden beds and making everything beautiful again. |
Summer Shrub Trimming
| Let’s keep those shrubs looking good this summer! While they made not need as much attention as they do at other times of the year, summer is a great time to maintain their shape and keep them tidy. Our team is trained to know which shrubs to trim and prune at different times of the year, so let’s get that appointment scheduled now. |
Plant Watering
If it gets to be mid-summer and we haven’t had any rain in a while, it may be necessary to start watering your trees, flowers, and shrubs. And once you have your garden beds properly watered, you’ll want to be sure to conserve the moisture in the soil by mulching adequately.
If you’ve got questions about how to water or need Tom or his crew to come check out your landscape or refresh your mulch, make an appointment today — proper watering is one of the best ways to protect your plants and keep them healthy and thriving!
Bug Alert
Brood X Cicadas Are Here
You’ve probably noticed the large numbers of cicadas flying around since late May. These periodical cicadas emerge every 17 years along the east coast, and — you guessed it! — 2021 is the year. As soil temps near 64 degrees, these insects will come up from the ground, shed their skin and then hang out in trees to begin mating.
Brood X cicadas’ lifespan is just 4—6 weeks, so we should expect them to die off in late June and early July if the weather is warm and dry. They will not damage your flowers or vegetables, because they nest in trees. Your mature trees will likely fare just fine, but if you’re worried about your younger trees or saplings, follow these tips:
- Cover with landscape netting
- Wrap the trunks (as well as where the branches meet the trunk) with cheesecloth or foil tape
- Avoid using pesticides, essential oils, or bleach. All of these are ineffective and could potentially harm your trees or soil!
Bust the Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles can really do a number on our roses, crape myrtles, and cherry and plum trees here in Washington County, Maryland. The adults feed on the leaves and flowers, while the larvae (commonly called grubs) feed on grass roots, so it’s safe to say that this is one bug you definitely do not want in your landscape!
If you’re seeing any of the following signs, be sure to let us know; we’ll get you into our schedule as soon as possible to take care of it.
- Chewed upon leaves
- Leaves with all foliage removed except for the stem and veins (“skeleton” leaves)
- Dead or brown spots in the grass
Just Say No to Mosquitoes
Did you know mosquitoes can reproduce in any amount of water within 24-48 hours? That’s why you don’t want to have any standing water around your outdoor living space. Be on the lookout for mosquitoes in unused pottery or containers, dog dishes, or kids’ plastic pools, then remove the water and turn these items over when they’re not in use. We don’t want to do anything to invite these unwelcome guests into our outdoor spaces!
You can also try these 6 plants that help repel mosquitoes — plant them in containers and arrange them so they’re close to your patio or deck. Beautiful and functional!
- Citronella
- Marigolds
- Lavender
- Catnip
- Lemon Balm
- Basil
Bag Those Bagworms
Be on the lookout for bagworms, which become active right around the July 4th holiday. Our evergreen trees and shrubs attract these pesky and damaging insects, and if left untreated, they can sustain considerable damage.
Now, the challenge is that because bagworms create a silken case covered with leaves made from the host plant, the “bags” can look different from plant to plant. This can be a bit confusing if you’ve never dealt with it or seen it before, but we know what to look for. If you spot these bad guys or see something suspicious on your trees or shrubs, just give us a call at (301) 842-0062!
We’d Love to Hear from You
We love to hear from our clients, so send us an email with any questions, concerns, and of course, to leave us a review! And as always, we would like to thank you for the trust you have put in Grosh’s Lawn Service to care for your lawn and landscaping. We truly appreciate your business!
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