7 Snow Removal Tips That’ll Blow Your Mind

With the mercury slowly dipping, you’re looking at a dazzling-crystal white blanket covering everything from your backyard to your mailbox, to your car along the driveway. No matter how beautiful it looks, it needs to be removed. Let’s face it, Ice and snow removal is an unavoidable part of winter and at some point, you gotta do it.  

But snow removal can be laborious and not to mention injurious if not done properly. Here are 7 snow removal tips to make this winter’s most dreaded chore a bit easier.  

 1. Make Snow Rolls  

 If you think snow removal is boring and tedious, think again! Try this vlogger’s life hack. Who knew snow removal can be fun?  

So now that you know about this easiest tip for cleaning snow from your driveway, don’t break your back shoveling away all that white stuff. Have fun with your kids, try and roll them into giant snowballs—and off your property.  

If you’re considering this snow removal technique, just keep in mind that not every snowfall lends itself to this technique. You’ll need wet, dense, sticky snow to keep this ball rolling. Thus, if your snow is light powdery or dry, stick to your usual snow shovel. 

2. Don’t Overdo With Ice Melt 

One of the most easy snow removal tips is to stay on top of snow removal. No, we don’t mean literally dancing on the snow, just keep an eye on the weather and apply ice melt before any snow starts hitting the ground.  

 This preventative snow removal tip is your secret weapon in keeping black ice at bay. 

Having said that, when deciding to use these snow removal safety tips, keep your plants and pets in mind. Salt can cause damage to your trees along with other landscaping and not to mention even harm wildlife if you’re not careful.  

3. Combat Park Your Cars Before A Storm 

Always combat park your car in your parking spot before a storm. All combat parking is backing into your spot. This is a super helpful car snow removal tip because the next day you don’t have to back out, you could go straight out.  

And this helps a lot because when the snow-plower guy comes around he’s gonna be pushing all that snow up against the driveway creating a big pile of snow. It’s a lot easier for your car to go through that and forward than if you’re going to reverse.  

Also, if the kids come around and they’re not backing out you can see them even with all the snow and it’s a lot safer to leave. So, back in your car combat parking and you’re good to go. 

Another super simple car snow removal tip is to make sure your car has enough wiper fluid. It’ll help remove any snow or ice that you have on your windshield. Although it seems common sense many people forget to fill in their wiper fluid until they run out.  

4. Use Newspaper To Dry Your Boots 

 When you’re coming in after being in the snow, you’d want to dry out those shoes. The best snow removal tip here is to use old newspapers.  

Put a few sheets on the floor, put your boots on them. If the inside of your boots is wet, roll up some newspaper and put them inside the boots. It’ll absorb the moisture, drying your boots faster. 

 

 Sometimes it gets difficult to prevent your high winter boots from losing their shape. The best way to deal with this is to cut a pool noodle and use them to keep your boots in shape. It’ll keep them looking great when you’re not wearing them. 

5. Keep A Clear Path, Mark the Clearing Areas With Snow Stakes 

 Snow and ice removal will be much simpler if you mark the outside edges of areas you wish to clear. Snow stakes are an excellent tip for snow plowing as they can help street cleaners avoid burying your walkways or driveway. 

Also, if you’re working with a snowblower, the stakes would help you avoid tearing up the lawn or the surrounding area unintentionally. As a result, you’ll work more efficiently.  

Another handy driveway snow removal tip is to start removing snow creating a wider path from your walkway or the place people enter your home from. Because with more snow falling, and existing snowbanks melting and refreezing, the paths tend to narrow as the season goes on. So, if you keep your path wide from the beginning, any narrowing that occurs won’t obscure it. 

6. Posture & Techniques Matter; Hold the Shovel Close 

 When we talk about snow and ice removal tips and tricks, we can’t emphasize enough the proper posture and techniques.  

We all know Snow shoveling is an all-too-common cause of winter injury. But it doesn’t have to be that way, most of the injuries occur simply because the shoveler failed to practice proper form while shoveling. To prevent injury, keep your shovel close to your body while shoveling.  

The best snow removal technique is to keep your hands farther down on the shovel’s handle. So, the weight you lift will feel lighter. The proper form is to face the snow and keep your hips and shoulders square. Bend with your knees and lift with your legs rather than straining your back.  

These snow removal safety tips will not only prevent overreaching but also save you from undue strain to your arms, shoulders, and back. 

7. Take It Easy, Make A Schedule  

 One of the most trivial snow removal techniques people often overlook is that when the snow is wet it can get really heavy. To finish the job fast you’d try to lift too much and, in the process, injure your back. Take it easy, best to take your time.  

Push don’t lift. Sounds like something a high school coach may say but if you push the snow to the side rather than lift it, you’re likely to exert less energy thereby putting less stress on your body. 

Don’t wait till it stops snowing. Begin clearing the snow as soon as it starts to fall. Set a schedule, depending on how long the snowfall is predicted to continue. Do it, and your future self will thank you! 

Want more snow removal tips? You’ll be surprised that many items around the housework are good for getting rid of snow and ice, which is especially useful if you’re looking for some environment-friendly alternatives to remove snow from our properties. But if you’re dealing with a severe snowstorm, you might want to hire a reliable company for snow removal service. 

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5 Things To Consider Before Choosing a Professional Snow Removal Company

When snow and ice hit, they can destroy your property. You’re not likely to be aware of just how much snow and ice can affect your property until the ground is covered with it. The snow can be a bit of a challenge to get out of your driveway or parking lot. It can also be a bit dangerous.

This is where a professional snow removal company comes in. With a top snow removal company, you don’t have to stress about clearing snow yourself.

 

But how do I choose the right snow and ice removal company? You would like to have time to figure out a plan, research now to save time later. Here are 5 Things To Consider Before Choosing a Professional Snow Removal Company.

1. Make A Detailed List Of The Services Provided

When choosing a snow removal company, your first concern should be how quickly they’ll be able to get to you after it snows. What’s the company’s turnaround time?

Another risk factor to consider is snow on your roof can be dangerous but can also lead to structural failure. It can put both people and your roof at risk. Companies that remove snow from rooftops can accurately measure your roof stability and determine how much snow and ice your roof can withstand.

2. Here Are Some Questions To Ask A Snow Removal Company To Get A Proper Idea Of Their Services:

• How long has the snow removal company been in business?
• Do you clear entrances, sidewalks, and parking lots of snow and ice?
• What type of preventative snow and ice control measures do you take?
• Will you remove all the snow from the property, and where does it go?
• Does your snow removal company offer an add-on option, or is it a stand-alone service?
• What kind of equipment do you use?
• Is there planning that takes place before and after a storm?
• How much does your snow removal company charge and how is it calculated?
• Can this lawn and snow removal company provide comparable references?
• Does your residential/commercial snow removal company have the necessary equipment and employees to manage the site?

If a snow removal company can’t answer these questions, consider it a red flag, and look elsewhere. Don’t go for any cheap snow removal company, consider their answers, pricing points, and liability. After that, you should easily be able to choose the right commercial landscaping, and snow removal company for the job.

3. Insurance & Liability

The snow removal crew should have proper training on how to work in treacherous weather. Even though it’s an integral part of the business, it’s always better to enquire about it in those initial discussions. You would want to make sure the snow removal company is properly insured in the case of an accident.

If the company is simply hooking up a plow to their truck, chances are they’re not correctly insured. Hiring someone who is not properly insured puts your property at risk. Snow Plowing liability insurance is expensive. Make sure that your snow removal company carries liability insurance in case there’s any damage to your property.

Therefore, before you sign the contract, insist that they provide you with proof of insurance, which should include workers’ compensation as well as liability coverage.

4. Safety First; Check Their Equipment

If you want to protect your business from any losses, you should hire a local snow removal company that is fully insured and licensed. Having a company that is insured and licensed will give you peace of mind because you do not have to worry about any losses occurring.

The combination of snow, wet conditions, low visibility, and sleet is a recipe for potential disaster especially if the job is being performed in the evening or in an extremely foggy condition.

Having said that, as long as the hired crew takes all the necessary safety precautions; you have nothing to worry about. Make sure that the ice and snow removal company you have chosen is always prepared for any emergencies that arise on site.

Another essential factor that you need to take into consideration before finalizing a snow removal company is to make sure they’ve got the latest high-tech snow removal equipment.

A good snow removal company has the best equipment and is fully capable of delivering the best results for you.

5. Hire A Snow and Ice Removal Company You Can Trust

Don’t let your property become a slip-and-fall accident zone. You need a top snow removal company that can meet your property goals. Find a lawn care, and snow removal company that focuses on safety, quality work, and quick turnaround times.

All American Turf Beauty has a dedicated team of experts that is ready to provide snow removal services to your residence or commercial property in Iowa. Our team is constantly monitoring the weather service and is ready to act, based on their reports. Moreover, our experts closely monitored the snow removal needs of your property throughout the winter season, to prevent any complications.

Give us a call at 555-996-2261, or schedule a consultation online, so we can discuss the best plan of action for your property.

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Don’t Repeat These Winter Lawn Care Mistakes!

Many homeowners tend to avoid taking care of their lawn in the chilly winter months. But know that the right winter lawn care can be a game-changer for your lawn when spring arrives. Providing proper care to your lawn in the winter not only helps it thrive through the winter but also makes it healthy, lush, and green come spring. For proper winter lawn maintenance, it’s important to avoid some common lawn care mistakes homeowners make during the winter. 

Winter Lawn Care Mistakes to Avoid  

1.Not Raking your Lawn Regularly 

Homeowners often don’t rake their lawn when winter sets in, which is not a good thing to do. Allowing the accumulation of leaves in the lawn can pave the way for mold and fungi growth. Besides affecting the way your plants and lawn grow at spring’s beginning, mold and fungi can dig their way into the soil too. This can lead to further damage. So, ensure that you rake your lawn regularly throughout the year in order to have a healthy lawn and landscaping.  

 

2. Trimming your Grass Too Short 

Grass grows constantly on the lawns. However, grass growth slows down during the winter, especially when the temperature reaches below 40 degrees. Due to this, lawn care experts recommend homeowners to not trim their lawn grass too short in the winter months for proper winter grass care. Ensure that you adjust your mower’s blades accordingly.  

3. Not Watering Plants 

A widespread misunderstanding regarding winter lawn care is that homeowners don’t need to water their plants during the winter due to the shedding leaves or the rainfall. Well, the truth is that your plants and shrubs still need water during winter.  

Not watering your plants can lead to them becoming dehydrated. So, make sure you are providing your plants with the necessary amount of water in the winter months. A lawn care company in Iowa can help you determine the amount of water your plants need in winter.  

 

4. Not Using the Right Fertilizer  

The fertilizer you use should not only fulfil the needs of your grass and plants, but also be compatible with the outside temperature. Read the label carefully when shopping for fertilizer to use in the winter. It would help to ask for recommendations from a professional lawn care company on the right fertilizer for your winter lawn and plants. 

5. Neglecting Pest Problems 

Take action promptly if you find pests in your lawn, trees, or plants. Do not neglect pest issues. Noticing and resolving pest problems before the arrival of winter can help prevent substantial damage to your plants. By fixing pest issues, you will also prevent pest damage from spreading into your home and surroundings. So, act at the earliest even at the slightest signs of pests. For effective pest control, seek the help of a reliable pest control company in Iowa. 

 

Stay on Top of your Winter Yard Care Needs with AATB! 

Besides being an informed homeowner and avoiding the above-mentioned winter lawn care mistakes, consider seeking the assistance of a trusted lawn care company to ensure that your lawn stays in its best form during the harsh, chilly winter.  

All American Turf Beauty, a leading lawn care company in Iowa, can provide your lawn with the right winter care so that it can efficiently withstand the adversities winter brings, and emerge lush and verdant on the other side of winter. We’ll be happy to guide you on taking care of grass in winter and tell you about our winter lawn care services. Request a consultation today! 

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Holiday Decorating Safety Ways: Tips from Outdoor Lighting Professionals

The holiday season is not too far, with schools back in session and stores loaded with Halloween decorations. Holiday lighting is an integral element of the festive season. Nevertheless, safety is paramount when it comes to christmas light decorating, and holiday lighting safety ways should be prioritized by home and business owners.  

Jim O’Loughlin of Christmas Décor by All American turf Beauty outlines that now is the time to start planning your outdoor holiday lighting display. “Our time slots for both design and installation appointments are filling up,” says O’Loughlin. “More and more people now realize that turning outdoor holiday decorating chores over to the professionals makes sense in terms of convenience, budget, and perhaps most importantly, safety.” 

“Safety is a real concern when you are decorating the outside of your home or business,” says O’Loughlin. “The installation process itself poses risks of falling and electrical shock. And inappropriate or poorly installed outdoor lighting can contribute to devastating fires or electrical hazards that could cause serious personal injury and property damage.” 

 

Even if do-it-yourself holiday lighting decoration will do, O’Loughlin suggests home and business owners in Iowa to keep in mind the following Christmas lighting safety tips. 

Holiday Lighting Safety Ways to Remember 

Get Ready 

• Consider going for LED bulbs for your holiday lighting decoration. LED bulbs burn cooler, being safer and more energy efficient. Additionally, they have durable epoxy lenses, not glass lenses.  
• Buy lights having the approval of a trusted testing lab, and purchase from reputed retailers. 

• Check to ensure that all extension cords and lights are designed for outdoor use.  

Get Set 

• If you have previously bought lights, inspect them, and replace the damaged or worn strands.  
• Make sure that your plan does not need you to connect more than three light strands per outlet. 
• Confirm that all the outlets you will use are protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). 

Get Glowing 

• Use a fiberglass or wooden ladder to install your lights. 
• Keep yourself as well as your equipment at least 10 feet away from power lines. 
• Fasten your outdoor lighting to walls or trees firmly using hangers, not tacks or nails that could cause damage to wiring, to keep them secure in windy, winter weather conditions.  

Applying these Christmas lighting safety ways can keep people, products, and places safe and secure, helping you enjoy the festive season with more peace of mind. That said, availing Christmas light installation services from a professional holiday lighting company can increase safety and lead to beautiful lighting displays.  

 

“It takes experience and knowledge to install an outdoor lighting display that is both beautiful and safe,” says O’Loughlin. “When ‘Do-It-Yourself’ becomes ‘Been There, Done That,’ it may be time to bring in the outdoor lighting professionals from Christmas Decor by All American Turf Beauty. It’s the safer way to go, and our full-service approach includes design, installation, maintenance, removal, and storage of all decorations. The convenience we offer, and the results we deliver, will light up your holidays.” 

Christmas Décor is a leading holiday lighting and decorating company in North America. The company has been decorating businesses and homes across the country since 1986, with its primary focus on exterior Christmas lighting services. The franchisees of Christmas Décor offer customized holiday lighting displays, wreaths, garlands, and bows.  

 

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Late Summer Lawn Care: When to Aerate Lawn and Overseed in Iowa?

Aeration and overseeding are essential elements of lawn care; nevertheless, they need to be performed in the right way and at the right time to get the desired results.

Lawn aeration alleviates soil compaction, prevents thatch buildup, and improves the movement of water and nutrients in the soil. It leads to better growing conditions for grass and results in a more vibrant and healthy lawn.

Overseeding, on the other hand, is an excellent way to improve lawns in poor condition. A lawn may be in poor condition due to insects, diseases, heat, poor management, or other factors. Lawns containing more than 50 percent of desirable turf can be improved through overseeding.

This post discusses when to aerate your lawn, when to overseed lawns in Iowa, and more.

Lawn Aeration in Iowa: When to Aerate Lawns and More

In Iowa, April and September are the best times for aerating Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season grasses. Although the overall results of core aeration are beneficial, it leads to some damage initially. Aerating lawns in April or September facilitates quick recovery of the grass in the favorable growing conditions of spring and early fall.

What is the Right Way for Lawn Aeration?

Lawns should be aerated with a core aerator, which has hollow tubes or tines of metal that remove soil plugs. Spike-type devices, which simply punch holes in the ground, should be avoided.

Lawns should be aerated when the soil is moist, not when the soil is wet or dry. In case of dry soil, the tines or tubes will be unable to penetrate deeply, and if the soil is wet, the tines or tubes may get plugged with soil.

To get the right results, seek the core aeration services of a reputed lawn care company in Iowa.

How Often to Aerate a Lawn

The degree of use of your lawn and the soil type largely determine how frequently you should aerate your lawn. Lawns that get heavy foot traffic and have heavy, clay soils need to be aerated twice per year. On the other hand, lawns subject to little foot traffic and that have well-drained soil should be aerated once per year.

Overseeding Lawns in Iowa: When to Overseed Lawns and More

The best time for overseeding lawns in Iowa is late summer, i.e., late August to mid-September.

Overseeding is the process of sowing grass seeds in an existing lawn.

Preparing the Site

Preparing the site properly is important for successful overseeding. Identify and fix the problems, if possible, that are leading to the lawn’s poor condition. If the issues are not fixed, overseeding may only serve as a temporary solution.

Mow your lawn grass at a height of one and a half to two inches to lessen the competition from the established grass.

Effective overseeding also needs proper seed-to-soil contact. Broadcasting or simply throwing grass seeds over the lawn leads to poor germination of seeds because much of the grass seed is lying on the soil surface or thatch layer. To ensure proper seed-to-soil contact, it is helpful to use slit seeders, vertical mowers, core aerators, and rakes.

Overseeding Small Areas

Small areas in the lawn can be prepared by raking the thin spots gently. While raking, the soil surface should be broken without pulling out the existing grass. After raking, the grass seeds should be sown by hand. The seeds can then be worked into the soil by raking the region gently once again.

Overseeding Large Areas

Large areas can be prepared for overseeding with the help of a core aerator. Grass seeds should be applied over large areas, after aerating the area, using a drop seeder.

If you are not a pro at lawn care cores and looking for excellent results, hire the overseeding services of a professional lawn care company in Iowa.

Get your Late Summer Lawn Care Needs Covered with AATB!

Now that you know when to aerate lawn and overseed in Iowa, schedule your lawn care for late summer, which is the time for several other important lawn care chores too. Trust All American Turf Beauty to expertly shoulder all your late summer lawn care responsibilities so that your lawn thrives in the spring next year and year-round.

Let our lawn care specialists recommend the best time to aerate and overseed your lawn as well as determine the right treatments for your lawn and implement them successfully. Request a consultation with one of our lawn care professionals today!

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Revealing the Secrets of Late Summer Lawn Care

The later part of summer is a wonderful time for assessing your lawn and figuring out what steps you can take to keep your grass healthy and gear it up for the cooler temperatures of fall. In this post, we have listed some tips for late summer lawn care that can help your lawn get the care it needs in the late summer as well as thrive year-round.

Your List of Handy Late Summer Lawn Care Tips

1. Water in the Early Morning

Early mornings are the coolest time of the day in the summertime. Watering during the early morning will let your turf soak up every drop of water and help it stay hydrated throughout the day without being affected by wind or evaporation. A timing between 4 to 10 am will work best.

Also, keep your grass higher than before while cutting, as it will offer more shade to the soil so that it can stay cool for longer.

2. Have a Sharp Mower Blade

Ensure that your mower blade is sharp. You may not have checked your mower’s blade all summer. However, it is important to check it now as a clean cut helps to retain water and keep your grass healthy.

Looking at your mower’s blade can help you know if it is dull. Alternatively, observe the edges of the grass after a fresh cut – if they are ragged, you need a sharper blade, and if they have a clean cut, your blade is sharp enough.

3. Control Weeds

When you find weeds appearing on your lawn, remove them by pulling them out. Although a single weed would not cause much damage, when weeds produce seed, even a single weed can create an infestation.

Besides pulling weeds out, spraying weed killer can also prove to be effective in keeping weeds away, but you need to be careful of where you spray as well as the type of spray. Seek the help of lawn care pros to completely conquer weeds.

4. Aerate Your Lawn

This is another noteworthy point among the summer lawn care tips. Lawn aeration lets increased moisture and oxygen reach the grassroots that leads to healthy roots. And healthy roots result in healthy turf and a healthy lawn.

5. Overseed Your Lawn with Better Grass Varieties

Fall and late summer are the ideal times for reviving lawns with new, better turf varieties. The competition from weeds is low during these times. The temperatures gradually drop and the new grass seedlings will become mature before winter. The next spring, the new turf will crowd out weeds.

6. Irrigate Properly

It is crucial to keep the new grass seed moist after you have planted it so that it can absorb moisture and develop its first root. If the seed dries out in the early stage of germination, there are chances that the seedling will fail. Keeping the surface of the soil moist can allow the seedling to develop roots and mature.

During warm, windy, and sunny days, you may need to water your lawn multiple times to keep your soil surface hydrated.

7. Do a Soil Test and Apply Fertilizer

If your lawn soil does not have a proper pH (acidity level) or lacks nutrients, the lawn health will suffer. Getting your soil tested can help you find out deficiencies, if any, that can be rectified. A lawn care expert in Iowa can guide you on applying the necessary fertilizer to promote healthy, green grass in the late summer and year-round.

Get Your Late Summer Lawn Care Needs Covered with AATB!

Rely on the experts in lawn care to provide your lawn with the right late summer lawn treatment in Iowa. All American Turf Beauty offers customized lawn care in summer based on your lawn and lawn needs. Request a consultation with one of our lawn care professionals today to know more about our summer lawn care services!

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Summer Lawn Tips: Your List of Dos and Don’ts

The warm weather brings delightful barbeques and poolside parties, which means frequent use of your backyard and lawn. So, you will want to keep your backyard and lawn in their best condition amid the heat and humidity. With some summer lawn care tips, you can keep your lawn and garden healthy and green through the summer.

When it comes to lawn maintenance during summer, doing certain caretaking and not doing certain things can create the difference between a beautiful, vibrant lawn and a dull and drab one. In this post, we will discuss some dos and don’ts for summer lawn care.

Summer lawn Tips: The DOS

1. DO – mow daily and maintain a proper mowing schedule

Mowing at regular intervals is a vital element of proper lawn care. Based on desired height and growth rates of grass, summer lawn mowing can vary from once a week to several times. Having the highest setting for cutting grass and continuously lowering it as summer progresses, can effectively prevent a spotted and brown lawn.

Grass needs to have a certain height to beat various lawn hazards. Therefore, it is important to, avoid cutting grass too short as it will damage grass’ natural ability to flourish. Opt for the high side of your mower’s blade settings.

2. DO – fertilize your lawn properly

The nutrient needs of grass vary by their type and they must be fulfilled to ensure a healthy and thick lawn. Fertilizing is one of the most important summer lawn maintenance chores. However, misapplication of fertilizer or over-fertilizing can negatively affect your lawn, because fertilizer contains nitrogen that can burn grass, especially during hot temperatures. To protect your lawn from any damage, use a slow-release fertilizer that has a lower amount of nitrogen as well as follow the application directions carefully.

To successfully fertilize your lawn this summer, seek the help of lawn care professionals. The summer lawn care experts at All American Turf Beauty can perform effective summer lawn fertilization that nourishes your lawn the right way.

3. DO – watch out for weeds and ensure lawn hydration

Not adequately watering the lawn is the most common mistake people make in their summer lawncare routine. When it comes to watering, avoid the hottest times of day and after sunset. Once the sun goes down, watering will lead to moist grass overnight which will further promote fungal growth.

A good idea is to set up sprinklers to facilitate automatic watering of your lawn. Homeowners should ensure that the sprinkler locations are such that they cover all the necessary areas and do not interfere with the driveway or sidewalk.

Additionally, prevent the growth of weeds in your lawn. Dandelions – loved by children – but troublesome and invasive for your lawn. To save time and prevent trouble, consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide in your lawn and garden beds.

If you are dealing with an annoying weed problem, our weed control experts in Iowa can help your lawn go weed-free.

4. DO – consult a summer lawn care professional

A summer lawn care specialist can determine what would work for your lawn and what would not. Seek the help of the professionals for the right summer lawn treatment. At All American Turf Beauty, our summer lawn care professionals can not only help your lawn stay healthy and green through the summer months but also create the perfect outdoor ambiance for you to thoroughly enjoy during the sunny weather!

Summer Lawn Tips: The DON’TS

1. DON’T – let pests invade your lawn and home

Various pests intrude lawns and affect your landscaping, like chinch bugs, sod webworms, grubs, and many more. These critters not only cause annoying infestations but also lead to brown patches on the grass, damaging your lawn. Our weed control professionals can successfully treat pest infestations and make your lawn and home pest resistant.

2. DON’T – water your lawn during the day’s hottest part

In the summertime, it is ineffective to water your lawn during certain times of the day as the water will be evaporated before it can reach the grassroots. Early morning is the best time to water your lawn, as temperatures are lower at this time and the grass can reap the benefits of the hydration.

During the day’s hotter times, many plants become dormant, which means they cannot consume water adequately or efficiently.

Summing Up

The above summer lawn tips can help you perfect your summer lawn care game. And if you are looking for some extraordinary results, we are a call away! All American Turf Beauty is backed by long years of experience that helps us transform average lawns into beautiful, verdant ones.

Our summer lawn care program is designed to help Iowa lawns get the much-needed care and nurturing. Request a consultation with one of our summer lawn care professionals today!

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Upgrade Your Holiday Light Installation with Permanent Lighting

It will not be long before the holiday season knocks at the door and you find yourself busy making plans. So, it is not too early to start thinking about this holiday season. This year, upgrade your holiday light installation by embracing permanent outdoor lighting.

Lighting is indeed an integral part of the holiday decorations. Putting up and taking down lighting every year is a tiring task. Permanent outdoor lighting frees you from the chore of repeatedly installing and uninstalling lights. These lights involve just a one-time, permanent installation, and you can use them not just for the holiday season but for other events, occasions, and celebrations as well.

What is best? You can control the permanent outdoor lighting from anywhere with a smartphone, tablet, or web browser. You can illuminate both residential and commercial properties with them.

At All American Turf Beauty (AATB), we offer best-in-class permanent outdoor lighting in Iowa that comes with many valuable advantages. Here is why you should consider switching to permanent outdoor holiday lighting this holiday season.

Residential Permanent Holiday Lighting

Why Switch to Permanent Lighting for Holiday Light Installation

1. Pays for Itself within Two Years

Our permanent outdoor Christmas lights produce reduced energy bills that give quickly give you a return on your investment. Moreover, the lighting needs little-to-no maintenance, leading to considerable maintenance savings.

2. Longevity of 50,000 hours

Good longevity helps to decrease the carbon footprint. The lighting consumes minimal electricity that reduces energy usage. Our permanent outdoor holiday lighting has low-voltage, long-lasting lights that are sustainable and reliable.

3. 87% Savings on Power Usage

Our permanent outdoor Christmas lights involve low-voltage LED lights that consume only 12 percent of the energy consumed by standard string lights. The energy costs are reduced owing to high-quality and efficient lighting. For 200 feet of lighting, our permanent lights consume only 60 watts of electricity.

4. Cloud-Based Control System

We have a smart cloud-based control system for our permanent lighting that allows you to illuminate your property and control the lights any time, from anywhere, using your smartphone, tablet, or web browser. With our permanent lighting for your holiday light installation, operating the lights is extremely easy and convenient.

5. Variety of Options for Residential and Commercial Properties

AATB offers a range of permanent outdoor lighting products for residential as well as commercial properties. You can choose the option that best matches your home or business.

6. Professional Christmas Light Installation Services

We also offer excellent and affordable permanent holiday light installation services. Our lighting installation professionals are experts in their job, friendly, courteous, and can install lighting in a timely and hassle-free manner.

7. Warranties

The following warranties we offer with our permanent lighting makes us an attractive choice as a reliable permanent outdoor lighting service provider:

• 5-year Controller Transformer Warranty
• 10-Year Limited Product Warranty
• 5-year LED Light Strip Warranty

Commercial Permanent Holiday Lighting

Take Your Holiday Light Installation to the Next Level this Holiday Season!

This holiday season, switch to the smarter way of lighting up your home or business by embracing permanent outdoor lighting. Once installed, you can use this lighting not only for the holidays but other festivities too.

Be an early bird in installing outdoor lighting to enjoy the holidays with peace of mind. We will be happy to tell you more about our Permanent lighting products and services. Request a consultation today!

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Summer Lawn Care: How to Prepare Your Lawn for Summer

Taking lawn care measures in the spring and fall is the key to a lush green summer lawn. Starting your summer lawn care early can help make your lawn resilient and resistant to the adverse effects of heavy foot traffic, pests, weeds, and the sun. If you’re in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, or any other Iowa location, these tips are for you!

Listed below are tips to prepare your lawn for the hotter months.

Lawn Care Tips to Prepare Your Lawn for Summertime

1. Aerate Your Lawn

It is essential to aerate your lawn before summer because it lets oxygen, water, and nutrients reach the roots of your grass more efficiently. This facilitates a healthy root system for your grass that results in a lush and healthy lawn. A lawn care expert can help you determine the best times to aerate your lawn as well as the frequency of aeration required by your lawn.

 

2. Fertilize Your Lawn

Fertilizers add to the nutrients found in the soil of your lawn and support a thick and lush grass growth. We suggest you fertilize your lawn six times a year. Reduce fertilization around one month before the hottest days of summer begin. Always fertilize your lawn based on the grass type you have.

If your lawn has cool-season grass, fertilize at the onset of fall and during the early spring. When fertilizing in the fall, apply fertilizer having high concentrations of nitrogen to make sure that the grass survives. Consult a lawn care professional to know about the other appropriate times of fertilizing your cool-season grass lawn.

3. Mow the Grass

Lawns should be mowed about once a week. Mow your grass to maintain a height of around 2.5 to 3 inches. By mowing on a regular basis, you can make sure that your grass is growing at a healthy rate.

During the hottest months of summer, grass should be allowed to grow a bit longer to retain moisture in the soil and provide shade to the grass roots. Ensure that you do not cut more than around one-third of the grass blade at a time because this can lead to structural damage to grasses that can inhibit growth.

Also, examine your lawn mower before you start it for the first time after the winter hibernation. Sharpen the dull blades, inflate the tires, and keep adequate oil in the motor.

4. Conduct a Soil Test

If you do not have a lush lawn and fertilizer does not make any difference, consider getting a soil test done. A soil test can help you know your soil’s pH level. For healthy grass growth, your soil needs to have proper pH level that is between 6 and 7. A reliable lawn care company can conduct a soil test for your lawn and suggest the measures to be taken for your soil to have healthy turf growth.

Kickstart Your Summer Lawn Care with AATB!

It would not be long before the summer heat sets in. If you are thinking about how to prepare your lawn for summer, All American Turf Beauty (AATB) can help you out.

We specialize in summer lawn treatment and summer lawn weed control. Our lawn care professionals in Ames can help you keep your lawn green in summer. Plan your summertime lawn care with AATB by your side!

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Don’t Waste Time! Here’s Your Garden and Lawn Care Checklist for March

March is a busy time for garden and lawn care. With the arrival of spring now, you would want to keep your garden and lawn in their best form so that you can make the most of them in the bright spring weather. If you are wondering how to spruce up your lawn and garden in March, here is a garden and lawn care checklist to help you.

Gardening Checklist for March for Your Flower Garden

1. Loosen the winter mulches from your perennial plants carefully. Clean up your flower beds by removing dead foliage and weeds.
2. Start pulling back mulch from your rose bushes gradually.
3. In case your soil is alkaline, consider applying sulfur to the soil around plants that are acid-loving such as dogwoods, hollies, rhododendrons, and azaleas. You can use a granular formulation at half pound per 100 square feet.
4. As the new growth starts, cut all the ornamental grasses short. To do this, you can tie up the ornamental grasses and cut off a few inches using a serrated knife.
5. Keep a check on the growth of Garlic Mustard. For smaller areas, it is best to pull out the weed with your hands from March to May.
6. For pussy willow catkins, cut them back once their prime is over, to encourage large catkins and long branches for the next year.
7. Before growth begins, finish pruning the ornamental trees and non-spring flowering shrubs. Also, prune the spring bloomers immediately after they have finished flowering.
8. Check out weeds by monitoring your garden during times of nice weather. It is easier to remove small, newly-emerged weeds. If you can keep a check on weeds through June, you can manage the remaining season much better.
9. Eliminate winter debris from garden and lawn beds as part of your spring gardening checklist. If you find any broken branches, remove them immediately.
10. Thin out the old and overgrown bushes in your garden.
11. Replace unwanted bushes.
12. Spring clean your flower bed. Eliminate dead plant material from last year and debris that have accumulated over the winter.
13. Apply fertilizer to woody plants 4 to 6 weeks before they start new growth, but only if you find signs of a need for fertilization, like inability to completely flower or fruit, poor leaf color, or stunted growth.

Lawn Care Checklist for March

1. March is a good time for appropriate weed control applications to control lawn weeds like crabgrass and foxtail.
2. If there is no snow and your soil has a low organic matter, apply compost in a thin layer as a top dressing to your lawn. Fill up the low spots as well as reseed the low bare spots.
3. Near the end of March, mow your lawn low so that old growth can be removed before new growth starts. Set the height of your lawnmower according to the grass type in your lawn.
4. Sharpen the blade of your lawnmower if you have not done it at the season’s end.
5. Perform lawn aeration as part of your spring lawn care checklist – your lawn can considerably benefit from annual aeration.
6. Test your soil to see if it is acidic and you need to add lime if it is. Lime needs to be added every two years for acidic soil. Conducting a soil test will also help you determine how much lime you need to apply. You can also get to know the liming requirements of your soil by consulting a professional lawn care provider.
7. Consult a professional lawn care services company as part of your lawn maintenance checklist to provide your lawn with the care it needs in the spring.

Summing Up

Follow this garden and lawn care checklist for March to lay the foundation for a beautiful garden and vibrant lawn in the spring. However, to truly enhance the health and beauty of your lawn, rely on a professional lawn care company.

All American Turf Beauty can help you get a lush and green lawn in the spring by taking the right steps and following the right practices now. We will be glad to help you get a healthy and happy spring lawn with our superior garden maintenance schedule and lawn repair services. Request a consultation today for expert spring lawn care services!

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Spring Pest Control Tips to Make Your Living Space Pest Resistant

Spring means fresh flower blooms, chirping birds, and bright sunny weather. Spring is an amazing time to enjoy, but it also comes with unwanted pest problems. As spring is around the corner, now is the time to plan spring pest control to make your home pest and insect-resistant.

Some of the common springtime pests are bees and wasps, mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, and more. Here we offer some tips for spring pest control to keep pests and insects away from your home.

Spring Pest Control Tips to Follow

1. Implement Year-Round Maintenance by Hiring Professional Pest Control Service

Prevention of pests is always easier and cheaper than resolving a pest problem. So, even if you don’t have a pest problem now, you can take steps to prevent it. Sign up for year-round maintenance by hiring the services of a professional pest and insect control company. All American Turf Beauty offers expert year-round Perimeter Insect Control service in Ames and many other areas of Iowa.

2. Maintain Cleanliness

Spring is the best time of the year for clearing out any clutter and dirt gathered over the winter months. Dirt build-up and clutter can result in major pest problems. Excessive junk offers more hiding areas for pests and unkempt spaces are apt places for different insects. So, maintain cleanliness in your home to keep pests and insects at bay.

 

3. Control Moisture

The arrival of spring often involves a lot of moisture – from overflow, runoff, snow, and rain. Water draws pests because they are looking for drinking water or because they flourish in a damp environment.

Blocked gutters, leaky pipes, and pooling water can attract various pests and insects. Although you cannot control rain and snow, make sure that you maintain the plumbing and keep gutters clean.

4. Pay Attention to Food and Waste

Pests look for the essentials following the winter thaw – water, food, and shelter. One of the important pest control tips for spring is paying attention to how you store the potential food source of pests and insects, as this can help a lot in keeping them at a distance from your home. Store food, including pet food, in air-tight containers and keep all trash bins sealed. Ensure that you clean spills and dishes quickly and your outdoor garbage can is closed.

5. Maintain Your Yard

Pay heed to your yard as the temperature begins to rise. There can be potential pest hazards behind the mud, melted snow, dead leaves, and debris, left by the fall and winter months.

Potential spring pests can be housed by any thick overgrowth or damp wood. Also, any standing or stagnant water in clogged gutters or from puddles can act as suitable places for mosquito breeding. Ensure proper maintenance of your yard and property to prevent any future pest problems.

 

6. Inspect the Exterior

The freezing weather in winter is harsh, with the temperature change and winter storms likely to result in some major repair works for the exterior of your home. Your property’s new weaknesses can be exploited by pests and insects searching for a comfortable place.

Pests and insects can enter your home through broken window panes, cracks in stone, or open slots beneath doors. The home-invading pests can also get entry through loose siding or roof damage. So, carry out annual wear-and-tear maintenance to keep pests and insects away.

7. Inspect the Interiors

After inspecting the exterior of your property, inspect the interiors. Spring cleaning should not be limited to washing curtains, check any decorations brought in during the holidays too.

Basements are chief spots as well as places where home utilities are stored. Damp basements attract insects like spiders and silverfish. Make sure to prevent the entry of pests in these areas.

Make Your Home Pest Resistant with AATB

To leave peacefully in your home, seek the spring pest control services of a reliable company. All American Turf Beauty (AATB) has vast experience in offering the best quality professional pest control services.

Our Perimeter Insect Control service in Ames and other regions in Iowa involves the application of pesticide outside your home that makes your home interior resistant to a wide range of pests and insects. Our service includes perimeter mosquito control, ant perimeter treatment, and perimeter bug control. Request a consultation for pest control today!

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Spring Lawn Watering Guide: Best Time to Water Grass and More

For a lush and beautiful lawn, a number of things need to be done right, watering being one of them. There are several questions homeowners have when it comes to lawn watering in the spring, such as the best time to water grass, the amount of water to use, and more. In this post, we have offered some insights on watering your lawn during the spring.

How much Water should you Use?

The amount of water to be used in spring depends on the area you live in and your grass type. The water requirements of cool-season grasses, like Ryegrass and Bluegrass, are higher than that of warm-season grasses, like Centipede Grass or Bermuda Grass.

“A rule of thumb to follow: supply your lawn with one inch of water per week, depending on the weather.”

This applies to both warm-season and cool-season grasses. In the mid of a hot, dry, summer, the water requirements of lawns with cool-season grass may be more than that of lawns with warm-season grass.

Providing careful lawn care can help your lawn become more water-efficient. You can do this by watering your lawn deeply, but infrequently. If your lawn gets a little bit of water every day, the grasses will form shallow roots and there will be no need for the roots to grow deeper in search of more water. So before watering again, allow your lawn to dry out a bit. This will let the roots grow down deeper within the soil searching for more water.

When is the Best Time to Water Grass?

“The best time to water grass in a day is in the early morning.”

Watering your lawn midday, when it is relatively hotter, will not scorch your lawn. Although it may not be the best time to water, it is much better than watering your lawn at night or during early evening. Watering at night or in early evening can increase disease development.

Water consistently or let the lawn go dormant. It is possible for most grasses to survive with as little water as one inch per month. Some warm-season grasses are able to survive the whole summer without any water. The lawn may not look great, but it will still survive.

How Long should you Water your Lawn?

It is best to water your lawn until the soil has been soaked to 6 inches of depth. To gauge how much time it will take to soak the soil, check the soil every 15 minutes when you are watering. You can test how deep the water has reached using a screwdriver. Note the time when the soil is soaked to at least 6 inches of depth. This is how long you need to water your lawn every time.

In case you are short on time and want to know if watering can be skipped for the day, check if you can stick the screwdriver easily 6 inches deep in the soil. If you can’t, your lawn needs water.

Start your Spring Lawn Care Right with AATB!

Spring is the time to take care of your lawn. The lawn care professionals at All American Turf Beauty can revive your lawn after winter and prepare it for spring. Our spring lawn care experts in Iowa can also offer you expert lawn maintenance and lawn watering tips for spring. Count on us for a lush and vibrant lawn. Request a consultation today!

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6 Spring Lawn Preparation Steps: How to Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring?

Soon, winter will come to an end and spring will arrive with its bright and beautiful weather. Now is a wonderful time to start planning your spring projects, among which your lawn is indeed an important one.

In the winter months, your grass, trees, and shrubs mostly lie dormant beneath a blanket of snow and ice, which can leave them weak and hungry. As the winter subsides, you would want to revive your lawn so that it becomes lush and healthy in the spring. If you are wondering how to get your lawn ready for spring, here are some spring lawn preparation steps to follow.

Steps for Spring Lawn Preparation

1. Clean Your Lawn

The first among spring lawn care steps to gear up your lawn for spring is cleaning up the twigs, leaves, and other debris gathered on your lawn over the winter months. Rakes are useful in lawn clean up but using air blowers is even easier. Any debris present in your lawn can get stuck in the mower and hinder the proper reach of fertilizers to your lawn.

2. Apply Fertilizer, Weed Killer, and Pre-Emergent

In early spring, go for a combination of fertilizer and pre-emergent. The fertilizer will feed your grass and the pre-emergent – a herbicide – will prevent crabgrass. Depending upon the pre-emergent used, it may be necessary to apply the two products again – in addition to a broadleaf weed killer – after six to eight weeks.

Most lawn care companies and several available lawn care blends provide a combination of weed killer and pre-emergent in one application that can reduce the time needed to apply them as well as the cost. Consult with your lawn care professional to achieve the best results for your lawn.

3. Mow Early and Often

A common mistake made by homeowners is mowing once a week only in the spring. If the grass grows too high and is then cut, the roots get stunted and so they are unable to reproduce properly. So, the right approach is mowing often enough to prevent from mowing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade surface at a time. This often requires mowing more than once a week over the first six weeks of spring, based on the weather. This will ensure a fuller and thicker lawn.

4. Aerate Your Lawn

Aeration can resolve the problem of compacted soil and is essential for a truly healthy lawn. The frequency of aerating your lawn depends on how your lawn is used and the type of soil.

The right time for aerating warm-season grasses is late spring to early summer. For cool-season grasses, the best time for lawn aeration is fall. However, if you didn’t aerate your lawn last fall, you can carry out the job in early spring.

5. Water Your Lawn

The lawn irrigation needs in the spring differ by region. For arid desert and mountain areas, lawn watering should be continued like it’s done in the winter. The irrigation frequency should be increased as temperatures rise, as spring winds form in the Southwest,and if there is a scarcity of spring rainfall in mountain areas.

In the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and North areas, spring rains usually provide enough moisture to awaken lawns. So, don’t get tempted to water your lawn in order to green up your grass. Allow the grass to green up naturally. Perform irrigation only if there is a lack of rains and there are signs of dehydration in the grass.

6. Overseed Your Lawn

Overseed to fill the thin or bare spots in your lawn. For warm-season grasses, the best time for overseeding is late spring. For cool-season grasses, the ideal time to overseed lawns is fall. However, in colder regions, you can get satisfactory results by spot-seeding small areas in the spring.

Perform an application of a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer when you overseed. Use a quick-release nitrogen feed after five weeks from overseeding.

Start Planning your Spring Lawn Care Schedule Now!

It is always good to have a solid spring lawn care plan ready in advance. AATB, a leading lawn care services provider in Iowa, will be happy to guide you in spring lawn preparation. Our spring lawn care experts are equipped with vast experience and have a proven track record of creating lush and healthy spring lawns.

If you are thinking about how to prepare lawn for spring, rely on us for professional spring lawn care services. Request a consultation with our spring lawn care company today!

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