It’s Not Too Late to Light Up Your Holiday Season

Christmas Décor by All American Turf Beauty offers top three tips for holiday lighting

Even though Christmas is just a few short weeks away, the decorating pros at Christmas Decor by All American Turf Beauty assure homeowners that it’s not too late to decorate.

The key, according Jim O’Loughlin of Christmas Decor, is not to be distracted by the endless décor possibilities, but to create a plan that is focused and designed for maximum impact with minimum stress. O’Loughlin offers the following tips for achieving a professional result from your holiday decorating efforts:

1. Less is more when it comes to holiday lighting.

Don’t crowd your lawn with too many colors and themes. Whether your preference is colored lights, white lights, or a combination of both, avoid the “Clark Griswold” approach and don’t try to blanket your property and landscaping with countless strings of bulbs. With holiday lighting, as with year-round outdoor lighting and landscaping, a simple, classic approach is more attractive, safer, and more cost-effective, too.

2. Focus on a central landscape feature

Take a good look at your home and yard and identify the features that really stand out. These might include a huge evergreen that would look amazing covered in lights or a front entrance just waiting to be draped with twinkling garland and flanked by festive greenery. Circle driveways, porches and patios can all pop, as well, with a hint of colored lighting on structures and greenery.

3. Spread the wealth

After you have identified the decorating focal point for your holiday lighting design, look for ways to enhance other areas of your yard and home. Simply stringing lights along pathways, landscape plants, windows and rooflines can result in an overall lighting design that looks warm and welcoming.

For homeowners with a vision for their holiday lighting but no time to implement it, and for homeowners who don’t know where to begin, it’s not too late to call in the holiday décor specialists from Christmas Décor By All American Turf Beauty. We offer an affordable, full-service decorating solution, working with home and business owners in the  area to design, install, take down and store top-quality, high impact outdoor lighting, décor and special effects that light up the holidays.

Appointments are still available, but time is running out to have the professionals from Christmas Decor decorate your home or business this holiday season. To schedule a consultation or installation, please contact your Local All American Turf Beauty office or call 1-800-365-8873

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Keeping Up with Holiday Decorating Trends

Christmas Decor professionals deliver innovation and convenience with the latest in holiday decorating effects and accessories

Each new holiday season brings innovative and inspiring ideas for enhancing your home or business with holiday décor, according to Jim O’Loughlin of Christmas Décor by All American Turf Beauty. Unfortunately, keeping up with the latest decorating trends can be a frustrating and costly endeavor for individual property owners, and investing in expensive ornaments, lighting effects, and holiday paraphernalia can lock a property owner into using the same decorating scheme year after year.

“One of the prime benefits of using Christmas Décor is knowing that your outdoor décor will always reflect the latest trends in festive lighting color schemes, effects, and accessories,” said O’Loughlin. “Even if you choose classic, clear lights as basis for your outdoor display, our designers can keep your décor fresh and on-trend each year by incorporating pops of color in lights on trees or landscape shrubs, or enhancing  lighted wreaths and greenery with winterberry or pine cone ‘picks’ and colorful ornaments. Subtle changes can deliver a big impact.”

Homeowners who want to create a great holiday environment to welcome family or business owners who want an eye-catching display to draw in passersby to browse and shop can turn to Christmas Décor by All American Turf Beauty to create a festive lighting and decorating plan that fits their budget and their style. The key, says O’Loughlin, is to schedule your holiday display now. The optimum window for holiday display installations is a small one – beginning in October and wrapping up in early December – and the demand for these services is growing as more and more property owners turn the annual chore and stress of planning, installing, storing, refurbishing and replacing their holiday decorations over to the professionals.

To ensure the widest selection of the latest in festive lighting and decorating options, O’Loughlin encourages home and business owners to schedule their holiday design consultations and installations now, while prime early dates are still available. “We run a first come first serve installation calendar, so it’s important to schedule the decorating early to insure it gets installed in the time frame you like and not be delayed by early snowfall or other inclement weather. Property owners who wait may find that their decorations wouldn’t be installed until after Thanksgiving and into December”

The Christmas Decor Franchise Network has been decorating homes and businesses since 1986. Operating in more than 350 markets in 48 states and Canada, the Christmas Decor Franchise Network focuses primarily on exterior decorating services, offering customized lighting displays, garlands, wreaths, and bows.

For more information on having Christmas Décor by All American Turf Beauty decorate your home or business, or to schedule an appointment for a consultation or installation, please contact us at 1-800-365-8873 You can also learn more at www.christmasdecor.net.

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Want to “Go Green” This Season With Your Outdoor Decorations?

LED lights deliver a brilliant holiday display, use less energy, and cost less to operate, making them a bright idea for eco-friendly decorating

Home and business owners looking to literally “keep the green” in their holiday decorating choices can now work with professional holiday decorators that offer versatile LED lighting options. These “light emitting diode” bulbs have less impact on the environment because they require much less electricity to provide that holiday glow, according to Jim O’Loughlin of Christmas Décor by All American Turf Beauty.

In fact, versatile LED lights are an excellent choice for holiday displays for a number of reasons, says O’Loughlin. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED Christmas lights use 70 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, which makes them more eco-friendly; they emit much less heat than incandescent bulbs, making them safer; and they burn more brightly, making them the perfect choice for brilliant outdoor displays.

We believe that LEDs offer substantial benefits in flexibility, durability, cost savings, and convenience,” said O’Loughlin. “Many of our clients do choose LED lighting to support an environmentally conscious lifestyle, but the versatility and beauty of LEDs really adds to our service package for all clients. It’s a lighting option that continues to grow in popularity for our holiday decorating installations.”

Clients who work with Christmas Décor By All American Turf Beauty can count on an end-to-end outdoor decorating service that includes planning, installation, maintenance, take down, repair and storage. Each year’s display looks fresh and new, incorporating the latest trends in greenery and proprietary holiday decorative items selected during an annual, personal design consultation.

Iowa home and business owners who are interested in a turn-key solution to their holiday decorating chores need to act soon, says O’Loughlin. “Our décor specialists are already gearing up for early installations, so it’s important to reserve a time on our décor calendar soon for the widest selection of product and date options. Then just sit back and ‘flip the switch’ when you’re ready to start the holiday season.”

 

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Career Opportunities at All American Turf Beauty!

One of the things Kevin Johnson, President of All American Turf Beauty, is most proud of is the number of his employees who have made the choice to have a career providing lawn care. “We have a long list of fellow workers who have 10+ years of working at our company,” says Johnson. There seems to be a common characteristic work trait for this longevity. “Most of our long time employees enjoy working outdoors, display a great customer service attitude, and most importantly genuinely enjoy working with their clients” according to Mr. Johnson.

Although All American Turf Beauty started out as a family business, in 1995, the company switched to being an Employee Owned Company. Employees now own over 50% of the company states Johnson. “Our long term employees have become part owners of a successful business” notes Johnson, which he believes helps cement his employee’s   choice of having a rewarding career at All American Turf Beauty.

Competitive pay is afforded to employees as well. “Our pay system rewards employees who provide superior service and results for our customers” – which is attractive to performance driven individuals, according to Johnson.

Johnson feels that his company provides an excellent employment opportunity for individuals who enjoy working outdoors, working in a family environment, seeing the results of their efforts, and are looking for an opportunity to become an owner of a growing company. “It really is great opportunity” states Johnson, and more importantly “We are always looking for good people who are looking for a long term career.”

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Get Your Glow On with a Professional Holiday Decorator

Décor specialists deliver end-to-end, stress-free holiday lighting displays for home and business owners

The fast-approaching holiday decorating season can create a whole new set of demands on a home or business owner’s time and resources. For many, these demands include planning, testing, and installing outdoor lighting displays.  Jim O’Loughlin of Christmas Décor by All American Turf Beauty reminds Iowa residents that they don’t need to tackle the chore of decorating their homes or businesses on their own each year. Holiday lighting professionals provide start-to-finish, flip-the-switch services that feature the latest in lighting and design innovation to create holiday elegance, whimsy or tradition, geared to the property owner’s taste and budget.

“It can really take the joy out of the holiday season to spend frustrating hours checking and installing strings of lights, only to have half of the lights remain stubbornly dark when you flip the switch to turn them on,” says O’Loughlin. “Quality holiday decorating, especially lighting, takes time, physical ability, design skills and knowledge of electrical limitations – things that many property owners simply do not have. Our customers know that the easiest way to achieve a great-looking finished product is to hire a professional.”

Christmas Décor by All American Turf Beauty makes it their business to provide a stress free holiday experience by eliminating concerns about installation and electrical safety as well as handling the purchasing, planning and storing of decorations year over year. With schedules filling up quickly, O’Loughlin encourages interested Iowa residents to plan now to lock in their preferred lighting design and installation scheduling.

“We can’t promise to remove all the stress from your holiday season,” says O’Loughlin. “But a professional holiday decorator can sure save time and go a long way toward limiting frustration, helping you keep the focus on fun, family, and friends.”

Christmas Décor by All American Turf Beauty is a member of the Christmas Decor Franchise Network, which has been decorating homes and businesses since 1986.  Christmas Decor Franchise Network focuses primarily on exterior decorating services, offering customized lighting displays, garlands, wreaths, and bows.  Installation, maintenance, removal, and storage of all decorations are included in the full-service package that Christmas Decor clients receive.

For more information on having Christmas Decor decorate your home or business, or to schedule an appointment for a consultation or installation, please call your local office or 1-800-365-8873

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It’s a Great Idea to Book Early for Professional Christmas Decorating Services

While Christmas may not be the first holiday that comes to mind as schools start up and vacationers head home, Jim O’Loughlin with Christmas Decor by All American Turf Beauty, a member of the Christmas Décor franchise network, encourages homeowners to make their Christmas holiday home decorating plans early, while prime dates and options are still available.

“It’s never too early to reserve your spot on our holiday decorating calendar,” says O’Loughlin. “Each year, our available slots fill up earlier as both residential and commercial customers turn – and return – to our professional designers to create holiday magic for their home or business.”

Professional decor companies are attractive to both residential and business clients because we offer complete outdoor holiday decorating packages. Christmas Décor for example, include design, custom installation, proactive maintenance, and convenient removal and storage in their service package. Demand for the service begins to grow after Halloween, so early booking is the key to being able to flip the switch on a holiday display earlier, rather than later.

“Home and business owners begin to understand the value of our services after they spend hours working in the cold on the perfect holiday light display, climb down off the ladder, and see that their results are not what they expected or planned,” says O’Loughlin. “Our professional designers and installers will create the holiday look you have in mind; maintain a ‘just-decorated’ look throughout the season’ and then remove, inspect, and store the decorations until the next season. It’s a small investment that pays off big in quality, convenience, and peace-of-mind.”

For more information on having Christmas Decor by All American Turf Beauty decorate your home or business, or to schedule an appointment for a consultation or installation, please contact your local All American Turf Beauty office.You can also learn more at www.christmasdecor.net.

 

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Preparing your irrigation system for winter!

As we draw closer to another winter, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your lawn sprinkler system prior to freezing temperatures. According to Matt Leonard, Irrigation Specialist at All American Turf Beauty, proper winterization of your irrigation system can prevent broken pipes and sprinkler heads. “Freezing water expands within the piping and sprinkler components and can cause extensive and very expensive damage to a homeowner’s system” says Leonard. Fortunately, it can be prevented by using compressed air to remove water from the piping and components – a process known as winterization.

Leonard compares the winterization process to having preventative maintenance done on your car. “A little prevention – in this case using compressed air to forcibly eject water from the piping and irrigation components – can prevent a bigger problem caused by water remaining in the pipes and freezing” notes Leonard.

There also appear to be a right way to winterizing the system as well. Some contractors may rush to perform the service and use a very high volume and high amount of air pressure to speed up the job. This too can cause problems according to Leonard. “We prefer to use an air compressor that can generate a sustained pressure of around 50 psi – which your sprinkler system is used to running at, and what all major Irrigation Manufacturers suggest as the proper amount of air flow and pressure to prevent damage. I take the extra amount of time needed to do the job correctly and prevent damage from both freezing water and excessive air pressure.”

The other advantage of winterization, says Leonard, is it gives him another “hands on” or “visual” opportunity to assess how well the irrigation system is performing for his customers. Often times a minor problem can be corrected during the winterization process. If a major problem is encountered, the customer can be made aware of the problem and given a solution – which helps prepare the customer for repairs needed next spring. This is rare, but Leonard likes to work with his customers and prevent surprises when possible.

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Fall is the best time for weed control

Fall is the best time of the year to control perennial broadleaf weeds according to Kevin Johnson, President of All American Turf Beauty, Inc. “Our successful experience with fall weed control has long been supported by Iowa State University extension research,” says Johnson. “University research has consistently led them to proclaim that Fall is the best time of the year to control perennial type weeds due to the natural growth cycle exhibited by weeds – something we have witnessed and experienced in our 40 years of service” according to Johnson.

Although it is possible to achieve weed control throughout the course of the year, the easiest time of the year to control weeds occurs in the fall time period. In fall, perennial broadleaf weeds are transporting food (carbohydrates) from their foliage to their roots in preparation for winter. Broadleaf herbicides applied in fall will be absorbed by the broadleaf weed’s foliage and transported to the roots along with the carbohydrates, resulting in the destruction of the broadleaf weeds. According to extension personnel and Johnson, difficult to control weeds that have not been successfully controlled earlier in the year often times can be controlled with a Fall application of broadleaf weed control.

“If you have been struggling with controlling certain types of perennial weeds, (ie – gound ivy or violets) a Fall broadleaf weed control application gives you the best chance of controlling these type of weeds – although it might not be 100% says Johnson and the extension experts. The best news is that you have all Fall to make these applications.
“I have often been asked ‘When is it too late to make an application of broadleaf weed control?’” says Johnson. His personal experience has shown that you can achieve great weed control with applications of broadleaf weed control up to the point in time that the ground freezes. According to Johnson, “You might not notice the results this Fall, but come next spring the weeds fail to appear and have been successfully controlled.”

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Fall is the best time to improve your lawn

Fall is the best time to Fertilize

The key to managing a healthy lawn is to have a strong root system backed up by a large carbohydrate (food) reserve stored in the roots and crown of the plant. This allows the grass to recover from long winter dormancy and to with stand stress incurred by summer drought, disease, insects and other environmental problems.

• Cool air temperatures in the fall reduce the amount of foliage the plant produces; thus reducing the amount of energy it takes to support the top growth. Even though air temperatures are cool – ground temperatures remain ideal and allow root growth to flourish.
• This set of circumstance make fall the optimum time to fertilize as all added nutrients are going to be used for root growth and food storage through photosynthesis. Aggressively fertilizing in the fall will produce a thicker, healthier lawn, and will provide an earlier green up in the spring.

Fall is the best time to Aerate

It is well documented that Lawn core aeration is one of the keys to a healthy lawn. Aeration breaks up the compaction allowing fertilizer, water, and oxygen to penetrate the root zone. It also propagates the turf by severing the roots and crowns of the plant.

For the same reasons fall is the best time to fertilize, fall is the best time to aerate. Breaking up the compaction and allowing room for roots to grow at a time of the season when root growth is flourishing serves to accelerate the process, and leads to a much thicker healthier lawn.

Fall is the best time to seed

Bare spots, thin areas or complete renovations are best seeded in the fall. Warm fall days coupled by cool fall evening combine for the optimum temperatures for new seedlings to grow. Fall is the time we also experience periodic rain fall and often a heavy dew in the morning that helps ease the watering requirements.

New seedlings have very little weed competition in the fall. Annual weeds such as crabgrass and foxtail germinate in the spring and have exhausted their life cycle by early fall allowing new grass seedlings to develop and not be crowded out by aggressively growing weeds. The long fall growing season allows seedlings to benefit from the same root production and photosynthesis that mature plants do allowing them to survive the stress of the cold winter and putting them in a heathy position to mature in the spring.

Fall is the best time to spray weed control

The best weed control for Dandelions and other broadleaf weeds occurs when the plants are actively growing and nutrients are being stored in the root system. Just like with the grass plant with the onset of cooler temperatures this happens in the fall. When spraying broad leaf weed control at this time the weed plant will rapidly translocate the herbicide to the root system to provide for a complete kill of the plant. When sprayed late in the fall the plant may not be visibly dying, but will not survive the winter and will not be present in the lawn following spring.

 

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Is it best to Seed or Sod when renovating or establishing a lawn?

Any homeowner with a lawn dreams of a thick green carpet of healthy grass, the kind that invites barefooted fun on a warm summer afternoon. It is possible to live the dream but it requires an investment of time and effort or outsourced help from trained experts. A big component of the desired blanket of green surrounding your home is the installation of seed and/or sod for even if your lawn is in magazine-centerfold-shape now, without proper TLC, your grass will begin to thin and develop bare spots which in turn will make it vulnerable to invasive weeds.

By fall, some lawns can use some sprucing up. Sometimes trouble spots caused by disease , drought or insect damage can be re-established, but sometimes yard damage has gotten so extreme that complete renovation is necessary. In such cases, there are essentially two repair options: seeding or sodding. Seeding means establishing a new area of grass from scratch. Laying sod is done by installing a mature grassy roll of carpet, creating an instant lawn. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses, so the best option will depend on your situation.

New construction often requires a new lawn to be established you will have options as well depending on the situation.

Seeding requires some patience in that the grass will need time to develop, whereas sod provides mature grass immediately. When seeding, timing is somewhat limited because new grass seed will be particularly vulnerable to weather and weeds; seeding is best done in the fall, distanced from ever-present spring weeds and summer’s heat. Sod can be laid from spring through fall, so there is not a timing constraint, although sodding in hot weather increases the risk of drought damage to the new sod. Areas subject to erosion can be difficult to seed effectively in that seed can be swept away by runoff before it has the chance to establish itself. With sod, soil is protected while the sod takes root.

A quick glance at this overview of seeding and sodding may make sod seem like the clear choice; however, there is no clear winner when it comes to fixing your lawn. Seeding has several advantages as well.

• Sod is grown much like a farm crop in large, open fields. Because of this, grass grown as sod is used to plentiful sunlight and does not do well in the shade. If your property has many trees or is otherwise shady, this may be an issue.
• Along these same lines, sod offers less variety in the types of grass available. With seed, there are many options.
• Though it may take a while for root systems to develop from seed, once well established, they are typically in it for the long haul. Since sod is transplanted, you run the risk that it will not properly take hold in its new environment.
• Finally, seeding is drastically less expensive than laying sod–always a pertinent factor in any lawn renovation decision.

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Lawn Core Aeration Is The Secret to a Beautiful Lawn

All professional turf grass managers including lawn care specialist, golf course superintendents, and sports turf managers agree that core aeration is an essential part of any lawn maintenance services.

Lawn Core Aeration is the process of removing thousands of soil plugs about the size of your thumb throughout the lawn. The more plugs removed the better the job of aeration. Plugs are left on the lawn to break down and top dress the turf.

The process opens up the soil allowing water, air, and fertilizer to penetrate the root zone. While removing the plugs grass roots, stolons, and crowns of the plant are severed thus propagating the grass plant and thickening up the turf.

Relieve thatch accumulation

Most home lawns are subject to thatch accumulation. Left unmanaged, it impedes water, fertilizer and pesticide effectiveness. Core aeration combines soil with the thatch debris, so soil organisms are better able to break down the thatch and reduce its accumulation.

A healthy root system is the key to a beautiful lawn

Lawn core aeration can help make your lawn healthier and reduce its maintenance requirements through these means:

• Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
• Enhanced soil water uptake.
• Improved fertilizer uptake and use.
• Reduced water runoff and puddling.
• Stronger turf grass roots.
• Reduce soil compaction.
• Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.
• Reduce thatch accumulation

Excellent time to seed

Seeding following aeration is very advantageous because of the excellent seed bed provided.
This is a perfect time to:

• Repair turf that has been damaged by insects, disease or drought
• Thicken up thin stand of grass
• Add additional disease resistant, drought tolerant strains of Kentucky Bluegrass to your lawn for the best protection against these problems while adding better color to your turf.

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3 Ways to Accentuate Your Front Door with Outdoor Lighting

The front door is the first impression for guests when they walk in your home and the ultimate “welcome” sign for visitors.

Your front door is the main attraction for the entryway to your house, which is why it should be tasteful and well-lit. Not only should it match the overall style of your home but also be an added feature within your overall landscape lighting design. Here are three ways to highlight your front door: 

1. Lighting the Way

Accentuating the path leading to your front steps will add direction and volume to your front yard. This can also add a layer of safety and security to your home for guests walking up at night. Path lights are the perfect subtle addition to highlight a brick pathway or staircase leading to the front of your home. Path lights, which come in a variety of styles offered by Nite Time Decor, will serve you well for illuminating your walkway while adding a unique layer to your outdoor lighting scheme.

2. A Glowing Front Porch

For homeowners with a front porch, it’s best to highlight this useful and cozy feature with warm, overhead lighting. The advantage with overhead lighting is the variety of fixtures available to best accent your home. For a softer look, you can choose ceiling hidden ceiling lights that add a simple glow to your porch. If you’re taking a more decorative approach, choose lighting fixtures that blend in with the overall style of your home. Whether it’s southern-style country or urban and hip, be sure to add an overhead lighting accessory to add brightness and value to your porch.

3. The Door Itself

Your front door should be well-lit to add an inviting ambiance to your home. There are several ways to execute this technique, but one of the best is by using wall sconces. Sconces usually direct light up or downward and illuminate a specific space or unique detail in a home. These lights can be as decorative and creative or soft and subtle as you’d like. Both types will add a hint of beauty and warmth to your front door.

Nite Time Decor offers several products to accentuate your front door or other parts of your outdoor landscape lighting. To check out different lighting styles or get in touch with a contractor, visit us at www.nitetimedecor.com.

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Make Your Neighborhood Eco-Friendly with LED Lighting

As you’re probably aware of by now, LED lighting is better for the environment than outdated bulbs like incandescent. “Many individuals have begun to replace their home’s interior lighting with LED bulbs as LED sales have been steadily increasing, which is a great start, but more can be done! Homeowners should consider retrofitting their home’s outdoor lighting systems by replacing their incandescent or halogen bulbs with LEDs” Says Jim O’Loughlin Nite time Décor By All American Turf Beauty.

Not only will you be making a statement by switching your home’s exterior lighting to LED bulbs, but you’ll also be helping the environment and saving money in the process. Show your community that you care about the environment by switching your home’s outdoor lighting from incandescent or halogen bulbs to LEDs.

Just How Energy Efficient Are LED Lights?

Among all consumer light bulbs, LED lights are by far the most energy-efficiency, durable and longest-lasting on the market. LED lights use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs, according to ENERGY STAR.

What Will It Cost Me?

When first introduced to the market, LED bulbs were significantly more expensive for homeowners to adopt into their outdoor lighting than utilizing other bulbs. Initially Led bulbs may cost more than other bulbs, but because they last longer and use less energy, adopters will see a return on their investment rather quickly.

As LED technology has evolved, the price point for bulbs has gone down and now there is a wide range of prices for LED bulbs varying based on size and wattage available to consumers.

How Do LED’s Benefit the Environment?

Because of the way in which LED lights produce light, these bulbs draw much less energy and electricity than other bulbs. Outdoor lighting is typically left on for long periods of time, and if a home is using less eco-friendly technology then this can have a negative impact on the environment. LED lights also have a safer manufacturing process than other bulbs. In CFLs, mercury is used in the process. Mercury is a dangerous environment and can have harmful effects on the environment and animals, Most people don’t dispose of these bulbs correctly, which has a negative impact on the environment. LED lighting doesn’t utilize mercury, so opting for LED bulbs cut down on this hazard.

Is LED Lighting Better For My Yard?

Homeowners who opt for LED landscape lighting may actually have healthier lawns. In the illumination process, CFL and incandescent bulbs create a lot of heat. This heat can disrupt growth of plants in your garden, bushes, trees or grass. Conversely, LED bulbs don’t produce ample amounts of heat in the process, so opting for these bulbs can decrease your lawn’s risk of being affected by the heat produced from landscape lighting.

Be a Trend Setter!

It only takes one trend setter in a community to make a change. Be the trendsetter in your neighborhood by installing LED lighting, and soon enough you’ll see your neighbors following suit – creating a better environment one house at a time.

For homeowners who are looking to better their communities by installing eco-friendly outdoor lighting, there are a variety of landscape lighting products on the market to choose from. However, not all LED products and outdoor lighting fixtures are created equal. Homeowners should choose a contractor to take care of their home installation that utilizes a superior product line. Nite Time Decor provides a high-quality and durable line of outdoor lighting fixtures that utilize LED lighting to highly trained and professional contractors across the country.

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Don’t bag your clippings! Grasscycling is Lawn Care’s Biggest Bargain

Grasscycling is a popular trend in home lawn care that refers to leaving grass clippings to sit on top of grass as a natural fertilizer after mowing your lawn. It doesn’t require special equipment. You can use a regular mower – gas, electric or reel – or you can purchase a specialized mulching or recycling mower.

4 Reasons To Grasscycle

“All American Turf Beauty has always recommended that our customers leave the clippings on the lawn as often as possible” Says Jim O’Loughlin General Manager All American Turf Beauty.

It saves time. Grasscycling reduces mowing time by 40 percent – eliminating time handling and bagging clippings.

It saves money. When you let clippings lie, you no longer spend money on disposal – for bags or curbside yard waste programs.

It saves fertilizer. Clippings can cover up to 25 percent of your lawn’s fertilizer needs. One hundred pounds of clippings can produce 3–4 pounds of nitrogen, one-half to 1 pound of phosphorus, and 2–3 pounds of potassium (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the main components of lawn fertilizer). If 100 pounds sounds like a lot, consider that a half-acre lawn in a temperate region like Iowa produces more than 3 tons of grass clippings annually.

It saves space in landfills. Those 3 tons of clippings, mentioned above, wind up in landfills in some communities. Grasscyling returns clippings to lawns.

How To Grasscycle

• Use any mower. When using a non-mulching mower, remove the grass catcher and insert a safety plug. Many mowers have an adapter or retrofit kit that converts the mower into a mulching mower. Consider purchasing a mulching blade, which chops grass into smaller pieces.
• Remove only one-third of grass blade length at each mowing. This is healthier for the turf and creates small grass pieces that readily decompose. If grass gets too high due to weather or vacation, cut once and then mow over clippings to chop and scatter them.
• Keep your mower blade sharp. Dull blades tear grass, creating jagged edges that turn brown. Keep an extra, sharpened blade on hand so you can switch blades as needed and not miss a mowing.
• Always mow when grass is dry.
• When it’s time for a new mower, consider purchasing a mulching or recycling mower.

Grasscycling Myths

Two common misconceptions surround Grasscycling: that it causes thatch and spreads lawn diseases. These ideas are false.

• Thatch is caused by the parts of grass plants that are decay-resistant: things like roots, stems and rhizomes. Grass clippings are roughly 75–80 percent water and decompose quickly.
• The spread of lawn disease occurs when conditions are conducive for the disease organism and the lawn is susceptible due to poor health. Most diseases develop when lawns are improperly watered and fertilized.

When Not To Grasscycle

When something prevents mowing and grass grows excessively long, don’t Grasscycle. Instead gather and recycle clippings by:

• Composting grass cuttings.
• Using as mulch around perennials or vegetables.
• Sprinkling over dirt garden paths.
• Mixing into soil in new planting areas.
• Don’t recycle clippings when the lawn has been treated with pre-emergent herbicides. “Mulching the grass clippings and returning them to turf is one of the keys to a beautiful lawn” says O’Loughlin

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ABCs of Lawn and Turf Benefits

Healthy turf means healthy lives

“Frequently, those little green factories at our feet are taken for granted”. Says Jim O’Loughlin General manager All American Turf Beauty. It’s easy to overlook the many reasons why a healthy lawn or a dense athletic turf is an essential part of our lives. It’s as easy as A,B,C….

Aesthetically pleasing — The value of turfed areas have been recognized for their beauty since China’s emperors maintained mowed-grass areas (157-87 BC). Today, lawns are an integral part of home landscaping and public parks.

Business improvement — Businesses and manufacturing complexes that have well-maintained grassy areas create a favorable impression to the general public, employees, and customers. Lawns increase the value of the property by up to 15 percent.

Climate control — Turf grasses appreciably cool temperatures, thus working as exterior “air conditioners.”

Dust filter — Dust and smoke particles from the atmosphere are trapped by turf, keeping our air cleaner and fresher.

Erosion control — Grasses greatly control erosion by intercepting both raindrops before they disturb the soil and slow-flowing water so that larger soil particles are captured from the collected water.

Fire retardation — Buffer areas of well-maintained grassy lawns around buildings are good insurance against fire.

Golf courses — Millions of people play golf for exercise, relaxation, and business transactions. In the U.S., more than 14 million golfers enjoy the highly groomed grass found on golf courses.

Health promoter — Turf grasses cushion, clean air, generate oxygen, and create serene, beautiful landscapes.

Injury reducer — A soft, resilient turf grass surface buffers and absorbs some of the impact from injuries due to sports and games.

Junk prevention — Garbage is less likely to be thrown on an area where there is a well-maintained lawn.

Knowledge base — The care of turf grasses and other plants is considered so therapeutic it is used in a variety of rehabilitation programs, including those for the ill, elderly, handicapped, and the incarcerated.

Landscape of America — Lawns are estimated to occupy an area of between 25 million to 30 million acres in the U.S. (equivalent to the size of the six New England states) and is increasing along with the population.

Market value — Monetary value is associated with a well-manicured lawn. As a result sales prices of homes may increase up to 20 percent.

Noise reducer — Grassy areas reduce excessive sound, something especially appreciated in urban areas. Grassy slopes beside lowered expressways decrease noise 8–10 decibels.

Oxygen factory — The oxygen generated by turf grasses has a major impact on making our environment habitable. A 50-foot by 50-foot lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe for one year.

Pollutant blocker — Turf grasses absorb such pollutants as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which renders the air unfit to breathe. Turf grass thatch also acts as a barrier that deters chemicals from entering the soil profile.

Quiet inducing — Grassy areas, whether as aspects of parks, golf courses, memorials, or homes, affect mood and create feelings of serenity, thoughtfulness, happiness, or sadness, depending on our personal associations.

Runoff control — A highly maintained lawn greatly reduces runoff of water and pollutants. Dense turf grass cleans the water, which helps maintain a high-quality environment.

Safety net — Grassy playing surfaces are safer than dirt, Astroturf, or concrete because they provide sure footing and cushioning sod that adds to the quality of sports.

Traffic cop — Lawn barriers attractively and clearly direct both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in areas of heavy movement, whether on campuses, roads, or neighborhoods.

Urban relief — Urban area lawns offer a little taste of the countryside, providing a much-needed link with nature and reducing stress.

Vitalizer — Young and old alike enjoy games and come alive on grassy areas. No other surface material feels as soothing on bare feet or is as good for playing games and even turning somersaults.

Water filter — A dense turf enhances groundwater in two ways. First, turf grasses increase water infiltration. They also clean the water as it passes through the grass so that underground water supplies are replenished for our use.

Xeriscaping environments — Creating beauty in low-water areas is gaining popularity in appropriate regions. Ornamental grasses and small grassy areas are key parts of this practice.

Yearly sign — The cycle of the seasons produce changes in the color of lawns. Most turf becomes a duller green or even brown in the winter months, but is among the first areas to green up in the spring. This spring greening lifts the human spirit like little else, and is an event to look forward to.

Zoned improvement — Areas that are stabilized by turf grasses enhance safety on roads and airfields by reducing flooding, mud, and visibility — impairing dust.

 

For professional help in maintaining your turf area call one of the local All American Turf Beauty offices located throughout Iowa. One of our specialist will be glad to meet with you, analyze your lawn and recommend a program that fits the need of your lawns and budget.

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How to Accentuate Your Home’s Architecture Utilizing Outdoor Lighting

When looking at the architecture of houses, there are dozens of styles of homes on the market. Whether you have a Cape, an Art Deco, a Craftsman, a Colonial or any other style of house.chances are that you’ll have at least one unique architectural element that deserves some attention. Why not make your home’s unique architecture stand out even more during the night hours with beautiful outdoor lighting? “There are several outdoor lighting techniques that work best for homeowners who are looking to highlight their home’s architectural elements”. Says Jim O’Loughlin General manager for Nite Time Décor by All American Turf Beauty

Choosing What to Highlight

When looking at your home’s exterior, it can be overwhelming to try and decide what aspects to accentuate with outdoor lighting in the nighttime. That’s why it’s important to consult with a professional to get a plan that’s right for you. First, survey your home and pick your favorite features. Does your home have beautiful brick work? Are you looking to highlight your front door? Or maybe your home has architectural shaped windows. No matter what your favorite features are, placing outdoor lighting to emphasize these features can increase your home’s curb appeal dramatically and make your home stand out as the sleekest on the block.

Deciphering Outdoor Lighting Techniques

Now that you’ve decided what features to highlight, it’s time to decide what lighting styles you should use. Depending on what you’re accentuating, you’ll need to use different lighting techniques and a variation of products. Some common lighting techniques to highlight your home’s architecture and front yard include:

• Wash Lighting: This style of lighting is perfect for homeowners who are looking to highlight a home’s brick walls. This style of lighting creates interesting highlights and shadows by aiming a wide beam of light away onto the wall of a home.
• Spotlighting: If you’re looking to accentuate a certain focal point, then doing so with spot lights is a great idea. Utilizing this type of front yard lighting can help you highlight specific areas of your home’s architecture while leaving other areas in the dark, creating a dramatic effect.
• Greenspace Lighting: So there’s nothing special about your home? That doesn’t mean your home needs to stay in the dark! Consider opting for greenspace lighting to highlight your home’s pathways, gardens, trees or other elements that may not be built into your house, but built into your lawn instead.

Home owners don’t need to choose just one outdoor lighting technique to use to highlight their home’s exterior. Combining techniques can help to create a beautiful, ambient effect that will make your home look elegant when the sun goes down.

Picking a Product Line

Choosing outdoor lighting products to do the job is perhaps one of the most important steps in the process. Many home owners look to install outdoor lighting themselves and buy their products from a local home improvement store to save money, however in the long-run this could be more costly. Buying cheaper products may seem like a good idea now, but they oftentimes are less durable and corrode or rust faster than higher-quality products, which will leave you needing to climb up and down ladders probably more than you’d like to fix lighting issues.

“Instead of opting for a DIY outdoor lighting installation, it’s wise to seek out an outdoor lighting professional who uses high-quality outdoor lighting products in his or her installations.” says O’Loughlin
For example, you can’t find Nite Time Decor’s product line in home improvement stores. Nite Time Decor only makes its exclusive product line available to outdoor lighting contractors so they can optimally install these durable and immaculate-looking products. These outdoor lighting products are long-lasting, are specially designed to seamlessly blend in with a home’s exterior and can stand up to a variety of harsh climates. Choosing a line of premium products may be slightly more but will save home owners money in the long run in terms of maintenance and upkeep costs.

Nite time Décor By All American Turf Beauty provides lighting services throughout the state of Iowa. Professional lighting consultations and estimates are free of charge. Call today-

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Professional Tips For April 2016 National Lawn Care Month

Myths vs. Reality: Get Your Lawn Off To The Right Start With Tips From The Pros Tips for National Lawn Care Month in April

After another chilly winter, springtime is when many people will roll up their sleeves and spend time in their yards. After tuning up the mower and sharpening the blades, most homeowners seek out the best ways to care for their lawns. But common lawn care myths and questions abound.

“We want to celebrate National Lawn Care Month by dispelling common myths about lawn care and giving people the best tips on successfully taking care of their lawns” says Jim O’Loughlin, All American Turf Beauty, Inc.

Myth #1: You can water your lawn and landscape any time of day.

Reality: Water is a valuable resource; make every drop of irrigation count! Watering the lawn in the early mornings or evenings after sunset minimizes evaporation, it’s the best time for water to penetrate deep into the soil.

Myth #2: It’s ok to cut the grass very short.

Reality:  Most landscape professionals advise to never cut more than one-third of the grass leaf at a time. Mowing at a finished cut height of 3 to 3.5 inches tall throughout the summer is generally recommended. The lawn will need less water, will be more resistant to weeds and will have a deeper, greener color. Use a sharp mower blade to prevent tearing grass blades. A crisp and clean cut will help prevent a “brown tip” appearance.

Myth #3: It’s best to water your lawn every day.

Reality: Watering your lawn every three days is better than daily watering. Deep, rather than shallow lawn watering, is recommended to nurture roots.  One inch of water to 12 inches of soil is the preferred ratio for watering actively growing grass.

Myth #4: If you want to replace your lawn, you should do it in the spring, when plants get ready to bloom.

Reality: The best time to sow seed is in the late summer and early fall when the temperatures are more consistent and highly competitive weeds, like crabgrass, are at the end of their life cycle.

Myth #5: Early spring is the best time to fertilize the lawn.

Reality: Since different species of grass prefer nutrients at different times of the year, be sure to use the correct fertilizer, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.  A slow release fertilizer allows for more even and consistent feeding over a longer period of time than a quick release fertilizer.  And remember to use fertilizers responsibly by cleaning up any that lands on streets, sidewalks or driveways where they can be washed away into lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Myth #6: A garden hose is more cost-efficient than installing an irrigation system.

Reality: Many landscape professionals recommend installing an irrigation system with smart controllers which have sensors that water when needed. Smart irrigation can offer a cost savings of 15 to 20 percent on water bills. Converting irrigation spray nozzles from sprinklers to rotating nozzles will spread heavy droplets of water at a slower pace, which makes them more targeted and effective.

Myth #7: You have to irrigate to have a healthy and beautiful lawn.

Reality: Grasses are built to endure long periods of drought by entering a state of dormancy. When temperatures and moisture levels are at their extreme, the growing point of the grass plant, the crown, will shut off the grass blades, turning them brown.

In almost all instances, once the heat and drought stresses have gone, the crowns will begin to send up new shoots.  There’s nothing wrong with irrigating to avoid dormancy, but “embracing the brown” for a couple of weeks in the summer is just fine too.

Hope this post have given you ideas and insights on how to take care of your lawn the right way. In case you’re looking for a local lawn care provider in Iowa, feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment with our provider near you.

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