Spring Lawn

5 Quick Tips to Get Your Yard Ready for Spring

Spring Lawn

Is your yard ready for spring? Here are some quick tips to make sure your lawn is looking its best this spring.

Clean up your yard – Chances are over winter your bushes and hedges have started looking a bit untidy. Now is the time to get them trimmed back before they start to grow. Remove fallen sticks and branches and clean up any remaining leaves so that the fresh green grass can grow nicely in your yard.

Apply fresh mulch or pine straw – Mulching has many great benefits for your flower beds: a generous application helps block weeds from growing through the mulch barrier, it helps the soil retain moisture during any dry times during the spring and summer, and it also adds important nutrients to the soil. Besides these practical benefits, mulching gives your yard a nice finished look.

Check your sprinkler system – Now is the time to make sure that your sprinkler system is working properly. Turn it on and make sure that there are no leaks in the water lines. If you see any water pooling or bubbling in the grass you may have a break. Check the sprinkler heads and nozzles. Sometimes they get buried or blocked in the grass and ground. It’s also a good time to replace the batteries in your controller.

Overseed, fertilize, aerate, or apply a pre-emergent based upon your specific lawn – If you have any bare spots in your yard or want to make your current grass thicker or greener, overseeding is a good idea. Another way to green up your grass is by applying a fertilizer in the early spring just when the grass begins to grow. Aeration is when little plugs of dirt are removed from the soil. This has many benefits including reduced water runoff, thatch breakdown, and keeps your grass from getting as stressed during hot and dry times during the summer. A pre-emergent help weeds from sprouting and growing in your yard. Knowing what treatment or combination of treatments is best for your yard can be a bit tricky. Give Nichols Lawn Services a call and one of our lawn care technicians will recommend what’s best for your yard and it get it taken care of for you.

Plant some fresh flowers – Flowers are an instant and inexpensive way to make your yard look like spring. You can really use your creativity by choosing different colors, heights, and textures. Just make sure to pay attention what amount of sunshine or shade the flower prefers and place them in your yard accordingly.

Nichols Lawn Services can help you with any or all of these items. Give us a call at 864-236-4071 or send us a message at NicholsLawnServices.com and we’d be happy to help you get your lawn looking top notch for spring.

4 New Years Resolutions for Your Yard – 2019

It’s that time of the year! We love to make New Year’s Resolutions. Whether it’s going on a diet, spending more time with family, traveling, or something completely different, chances are you’ve at least thought about something you want to change for 2019! What about making one (or a few) resolutions for your lawn this coming year. Here are some ideas:

Focus on landscaping – Who doesn’t want the nicest looking yard on the block? That can be easier than you think. Landscaping is one of those things that gets ignored because it seems difficult and costly. Roll up your sleeves and do it yourself, or let us know if you’d like Nichols Lawn Services to give you a quote to fix some of your problem areas. Now is the time to get the ball rolling. Check out some ideas online or ask your lawn care technician what they would recommend. Resolve to make your yard look the best yet in 2019.



Plan on spending some time quality time outdoors this year – Endeavor to make your yard a place that’s peaceful and welcoming. Focus on creating your own little backyard retreat. There’s few things more enjoyable than relaxing in a beautiful yard!







Resolve to spend more time with family and friends and less time doing lawn maintenance – this is where Nichols Lawn Services can really help. Give us a call or send us a message and let us take over all your lawn care needs this year. Time is something that we can never get back. Spend it wisely with those that matter the most to you.





Try something new – have you always wanted to have a little vegetable garden in your back yard or try your hand at creating some pretty flower beds? Write down ideas of things you’ve always wanted to do in your yard, but never seem to get done and make it a priority to accomplish at least one of those things this year.

Fall Outdoor Check-List – Lawn Aeration

Once you’ve taken care of your gutter cleaning and are on top of leaf clean-up, consider having your lawn aerated in the fall. Here is some information about lawn aeration to consider.

 

What is lawn aeration?

Aerating your lawn includes poking small holes in the soil so that water, air, and nutrients are able to penetrate deep into the soil. The most effective method of aeration takes small plugs of soil out of the ground.

What types of lawns need aeration?

Lawns that get lots of traffic.
Lawns of newly constructed homes – the construction traffic often packs the soil and some of the topsoil ends up being removed.
Lawns that were established by sod.
Lawns that feels spongy or dry out easily.

What are the benefits of aerating your lawn?

A few of the benefits of lawn aeration is that water is able to soak into the soil instead of puddling or running off your lawn. Fertilizer and air can also reach the grass roots causing the grass to grow better. Because it helps eliminate thatch build-up, your lawn will look better. Good soil aeration will help your grass during hot and dry times during the year.

How often should my lawn be aerated?

Typically once or twice a year is sufficient. We can help you choose the best time to have this done as well as the frequency based upon your specific lawn.

 

If you have any questions about fall leaf removal or would like to have Nichols Lawn Services handle your fall clean-up, contact us today!

Fall Outdoor Check-List: Leaves

Who doesn’t like looking at the beautiful contrast of fall leaves? The red, orange, and yellows make our ordinary commutes to work much more pleasurable. However, as those crisp leaves begin to fall, it creates a problem in our yards. What are we supposed to do with all of those leaves? If you do clean them up, then the wind blows and more fall to the ground. Here are some ideas for leaf clean-up.

 

Bagging – Bagging leaves while you mow is a great way to remove them from your yard. If you don’t have a bagger for your mower, or don’t have a good way to get rid of the leaves, consider hiring a lawn care company to take care of it for you. They will remove the leaves, unless you request differently, making things simple for you.

 

Mowing – mowing over the leaves will shred them into small pieces adding important nutrients to your yard. The leaf bits will disappear during the winter, but if you have too many leaves it can damage your grass and chopped leaves in your yard can be unsightly.

 

Raking – Have a leaf raking party! It’s great exercise, and if you have kids or grand kids it’s a good family activity to do together. Raking works the best if you have a small yard. Trying to keep up with raking leaves in a big yard can be almost impossible. Of course, if your health or schedule don’t allow you to rake leaves, hire a lawn care company to take care of it for you. You don’t want to have the yard on the block that all the neighbors dislike because they know your collection of leaves will blow into their yard.

 

Tarps – Laying large tarps under your big trees can help keep you on top of the falling leaves. As the leaves fall, the tarps will catch the leaves and it is easier to grab the corners of the tarp to move the leaves than it is to rake and put them into bags. It is important to note that you don’t want to leave the tarp in one spot for more than a day or two as it will damage the grass underneath.

 

If you have any questions about fall leaf removal or would like to have Nichols Lawn Services handle your fall clean-up, contact us today!

Lawn Care Diseases – Powdery Mildew

Everyone wants a great looking lawn, and we know it’s not fun to talk about lawn diseases, it is important to address if you want the best looking lawn on the block. Here is a common lawn condition and what to do to fix it.

  • Characteristics: Powdery Mildew loves shade and high humidity. It usually infects bluegrass.
  • Symptoms: The infected lawn will have a white powdery substance on the grass leaves.
  • Treatment: Typically pruning trees and shrubs around the diseased area will allow more sunlight to reach the infected area. In some cases, a fungicide can be used, or you can spray a baking soda/water solution on the affected area.

Speak to your lawn care technician if you feel like your lawn has this problem. We will be able to help you figure out the best treatment for your lawn.

Lawn Care Diseases – Brown Patch

We all want a nice looking lawn, and although it’s not fun to talk about lawn diseases, it is an important thing to address if you want the best looking lawn on the block. Here is a common lawn condition and what to do to fix it.

Brown Patch

Characteristics: This disease looks just like the name suggests. It is a small brown spot that continues to grow in size. Brown Patch is a soil-born fungus that spreads easily in areas with high humidity. It can affect almost any type of turf grass.
Symptoms: The lawn will start having circular brown spots that increase in size with a ring of yellow or wilted grass around the outside. It spreads the fastest when the temperature is over 85 degrees during the day and over 70 degrees at night.
Treatment: Fertilizing regularly with plenty of nitrogen can help keep brown spots from developing as will making sure you aerate your lawn annually. Some fungicides can be used if the problem persists.

Speak to your lawn care technician if you feel like your lawn has this problem. We will be able to help you figure out the best treatment for your lawn.

Four Reasons to Hire Someone Else to Take Care of Your Lawn

Have you always thought it would be nice to have someone else cut your grass, but feel like it is a waste of money? Here are 4 reasons why it might actually make sense to hire someone else to care for your lawn and yard:

  • You have more time to spend with your family doing the things you enjoy – Chances are you can think of several things you’d rather be doing than mowing your grass on a hot, humid weekend afternoon. For those that work long hours during the week, family time can be hard to come by and maintaining your lawn is just something else that needs to be done during your well-deserved time off. Why not let someone else take care of your lawn? It will free you up to do more enjoyable things with those who matter the most to you.
  • You do not have to invest in expensive equipment – A basic, low-end riding mower for a small yard costs approximately $1500. Add in a trimmer for $100 and a blower for $150 and you’ll be paying a minimum of $1750 for start-up costs. Don’t forget yearly costs for gas, repairs, and maintenance (oil changes, blade sharpening, etc.). Labor and parts for repairs can be added expenses. Plus, you have to have a secure place to store your equipment. You may not be saving as much as you think you are by doing it yourself.
  • You can be safer – Your safety probably is not the first thing you think of when mowing your grass, but did you know over 80,000 people go to the ER each year for lawn care related accidents? Chances are, you won’t have a serious accident mowing your grass, but if you are getting older, all that moving and twisting required when doing your own lawn care is not only tiring, but can leave your back and body hurting.
  • You will have a better looking lawn – You probably are not a lawn care expert, but your lawn care technician is, and he can make sure that your lawn displays its best. Your lawn care professional will be able to spot potential problems and get them taken care of immediately – usually before you would even notice the problem.

Do any or all of these reasons sound appealing? If so, call us at 864-236-4071 or message us for a no-pressure quote. You may be surprised how affordable lawn care services really are!

5 Things to Consider Before You Hire a Lawn Care Company

Are you thinking about hiring someone to maintain your lawn? Do the amount of lawn care companies available seem a bit overwhelming? Here are some things to consider to make a more informed and better decision.

  1. Do they have insurance? If your lawn care company isn’t insured and there is any type of accident (think something as simple as a rock being thrown from the mower and hitting your neighbor’s car) your home owners’ insurance could be liable, and that could cost you! A professional lawn company will put a high priority on making sure they are fully covered – not only for their protection, but yours too.
  2. Do they have good reviews? Finding reviews online can be done in just a few minutes. Facebook and Google are great resources to see what others have to say about the lawn care company you are considering. Ask a neighbor that has used the company what they think. Also, make sure to check out 2-3 companies and ask for a quote from each. You typically have several options to choose from when it comes to lawn care. Making a good decision means you will have more time to spend outside enjoying your beautiful lawn.
  3. What do their routine services entail? Before you hire a lawn company, you want to make sure that they meet your expectations of what services will completed on a weekly basis. For example, if you are anticipating your lawn getting fertilized, aerated, and sprayed for weeds as part of your weekly service fee, but the company you are potentially hiring considers those items add-on services, you are bound to be disappointed. Ask questions to avoid confusion later. Package deals aren’t necessarily cheaper either so it is good to get multiple quotes and compare prices.
  4. How much experience do they have? If you’re paying for someone else to take care of your lawn you want to make sure it looks nice. A company that has a developed portfolio and experience will almost certainly do a good job on your lawn. You have heard the phrase, “practice makes perfect.” A company that has installed multiple retaining walls, cleaned out gutters hundreds of times, and built many stone walkways will almost always do a better job than a company that has done those things infrequently or not at all.
  5. How quickly do they respond to questions/complaints? Asking for quotes from 2-3 companies can give you a glimpse of how quickly a lawn care company will respond. Due to keeping their current customers satisfied, they may not be able to run out immediately when you request a quote, but they should respond within a few business days and in a professional manner. Ask them what their procedure is for dealing with customer questions? What if you have a complaint? How will they handle it? An experienced lawn care company will be able to give you a clear explanation of their process.

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    For more information and to see how we can help, please call us at 864-236-4071 or send us a message

Mulch in Greenville SC

5 Reasons You Should Be Mulching

Mulching can be a great way to give your yard a polished look that increases curb appeal, but did you know that there are several other benefits to using mulch?

  1. Helps with weed control – Who doesn’t like less weeds around their plants, flowers, and trees? Mulch acts as a barrier to prevent weeds from growing. Any weed seeds that land on the mulched area have a difficult time establishing themselves in the soil. Weed seeds already in the soil have a difficult time sprouting because the sunlight can’t penetrate below the mulch.
  2. Helps control pests – Organic mulches like cocoa bean shells are offensive to some types of insects. Cedar bark can repel certain pests because the oil in the bark is a natural insect repellent.
  3. Helps plants and trees through weather extremes – Mulch acts as a barrier during hot and cool weather and keeps the soil temperature more consistent. It also helps the soil retain moisture during dry times and prevents soil erosion during wet periods.
  4. Helps keep your plants cleaner – Since the soil is covered, this reduces the amount of dirt rain splashes on your plants keeping them looking nice.
  5. Helps maintain soil nutrients – Organic mulch actually adds nutrients to the soil when it begins to decompose. Both non-organic and organic mulches help keep the soil from eroding, and since there is less eroding, the soil will not lose as many important nutrients.

Lawn Aeration in Taylors SC

What is lawn aeration?

Aerating your lawn includes poking small holes in the soil so that water, air, and nutrients are able to penetrate deep into the soil. The most effective method of aeration takes small plugs of soil out of the ground.

What types of lawns need aeration?

  • Lawns that get lots of traffic.
  • Lawns of newly constructed homes – the construction traffic often packs the soil and some of the topsoil ends up being removed.
  • Lawns that were established by sod.
  • Lawns that feels spongy or dry out easily.

What are the benefits of aerating your lawn?

A few of the benefits of lawn aeration is that water is able to soak into the soil instead of puddling or running off your lawn. Fertilizer and air can also reach the grass roots causing the grass to grow better. Because it helps eliminate thatch build-up, your lawn will look better. Good soil aeration will help your grass during hot and dry times during the year.

When is the best time to aerate your lawn?

The best time to aerate your lawn is during the spring or fall for cool season grasses and late spring for warm season grasses.

How often should my lawn be aerated?

Typically once or twice a year is sufficient. We can help you choose the best time to have this done as well as the frequency based upon your specific lawn.