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Acceptable Ways To Fertilize Trees And Shrubs:

  • Liquid Fertilizer Injection: This is done by dissolving fertilizer in water and then injecting it into the soil around the root zone of the tree. Suburban Landscaping has specially equipped trucks that inject fertilizer solution deep into the trees root system under pressure from a large tank. This technique not only provides fertilizer, but as a secondary benefit the injection leaves a hole in the soil that provides a channel for air and water to penetrate the soil.
  • Topical Application: Granular or diluted liquid fertilizer is spread across the soils surface. Nutrients are washed down into the root zone and absorbed by the plant.
  • Tree Trunk Injection: This method bypasses the root system and puts nutrients directly under the bark of the tree where the fertilizer is dispersed through the sap system. Trunk injection is usually done to correct specific nutrient deficiencies like iron chlorosis. Trunk injections should only performed by trained professionals.

 Application Rates:

All shade, ornamental, and conifer trees should be fertilized one time during the season at the appropriate time, based upon current seasons climatic and growing conditions.  An application of 18-31-14 w/micros is our standard application, applied at the following rate:

 

Small Trees, 4” or less:       4 pounds per inch of trunk diameter.
Large Trees, 4” or more:     5 pounds per inch of trunk diameter.
Pyramidal Evergreens:        1 Tablespoon per foot of height.
Spruce & Fir:                     ¼ pound per inch of trunk diameter
Pine:                                 ¼ pound per inch of trunk diameter

This rate may vary according to visual inspection or any test results of soil analysis indicating need for change.  Placement of fertilizer should be at the drip line of all trees.  Depth of injection shall be between 15” and 20”.  Malus species are more sensitive to commercial fertilizers than most trees, hence, the dosage shall be reduced by one half.

Deep Root Watering:


Deep root watering during the hot summer months for some trees would be a recommended course of action.  Some forms of trees are more susceptible to “leaf scorch” than others and will need closer attention. This service would be billed as time and material.

Managing Thatch In Your Lawn

 Dethatching / Power Raking

ThatchDe-thatching, or often called power raking, your lawn is the mechanical removal of excess thatch from your lawn. Unlike aerating, de-thatching is not a routine or annual service that your lawn requires. Most lawns have a consistently normal amount of thatch, between 1/2 and 3/4 inch, and with the help of certain bacteria, additional thatch accumulation will slowly break down over time so the height stays at that normal level. De-thatching is only called for when the thatch layer exceeds the recommended amount and the excess needs to be removed and disposed. If thatch accumulates to a thicker level, it can be a problem by preventing water to penetrate into the soil, causing grass roots to actually grow up into thatch seeking water and preventing fertilizer from reaching the root system. The biggest benefit of having a thatch layer in a healthy lawn is the thatch will decay naturally, slowly providing nutrients to the lawn.

What is thatch?

Thatch is the naturally occurring, tightly interwoven layer of living and dead roots, stems, stolons, and rhizomes between the green blades of grass and the soil surface. A common misconception is that grass clippings are thatch or can cause thatch, which is not correct. A thin layer of thatch can be beneficial to the lawn because it helps to limit weed seed germination, reduce water evaporation, and protects the lawn from frost damage. A little thatch can also improve the wear tolerance of a lawn, however, thick thatch layers can limit or prevent water, air, and nutrients from penetrating the soil, causing reduced root growth and increased potential for drought stress. Too much thatch can also aid in fungal growth and insect infestations.

In an unhealthy lawn with too much thatch, the soil may be compacted, making it harder for bacteria to reach the surface to break thatch down, which is essential in maintaining a normal thatch layer. When the thatch layer is too deep, the lawn will begin to suffer and thin. Lawns with heavy thatch tend to have a shallower root system, making a beautiful grass harder to grow or maintain.

One easy solution to excess thatch is to aerate the lawn, which removes many two inch plugs from the lawn, which include thatch from the thatch layer as well. The holes left from aerating allow bacteria to be drawn up to the surface so it can do it's job of breaking down the thatch layer. Lawn aeration isn't always the answer for thatch build up, but if the thatch layer is just slightly more than 1/2 inch, lawn aeration could correct the problem.

Don't get carried away with de-thatching, having no thatch layer isn't the goal either. Having no thatch can make the lawn more susceptible to drought and heat stress. Thatch not only provides nutrients, it also helps shade and protect the crowns of the grass plants and helps conserve moisture.

When To Dethatchdethatching

The following are some signs to look for that indicate excessive thatch and the need for de-thatching.

  • The grass is green on top but brown underneath
  • If the grass feels "spongy" to walk on
  • It looks dead and scalped when you mow
  • The lawn is thinning and off-color


De-thatching is best done in early spring or early fall. This allows the lawn plenty of time to recover before winter, but also avoids the stressful times of summer drought and heat. If dethatching is being combined with over-seeding we recommend doing it in early spring to allow the new seedlings plenty of time to get established before the summer drought and heat. Late summer/early fall also remains the optimum time for any over-seeding because you avoid the summer heat and drought and the new seedlings do not have to compete with the spring germinating weeds.

Tips for preventing thatch build up

The following tips may help you avoid a labor-intensive or costly de-thatching of your lawn

  • Infrequent but thorough watering
  • Avoid frequent and shallow irrigation on established lawns.
  • avoid excessive amounts of nitrogen.
  • Keep the mowing height at 2.5" to 3" all season long
  • Bag clippings ONLY if mowing creates excessively long clippings

What Does De-thatching Cost?

De-thatching a lawn is a time consuming process with most of the work being the thatch clean up that is left on the lawn after the machines make their passes. The cost of de-thatching varys depending upon the size of your lawn and amount of thatch to be removed. The minimum price for de-thatching is $150, but for a more accurate price, please request an estimate for this service or call our office.

 

 Fall Shrub Trimming

September is the time to start trimning your shrubs and hedges before the colder weather starts.

Multi-Family Landscape Maintenance

commercial mowing townhomes

One of Suburban Landscapings most applauded expertise comes in our award winning multi-family landscape maintenance. Multi Family properties are slightly different from other large commercial or residential type properties, mainly because there are more owners with different needs and ideas, and they usually have a common ground that all families living in the association share. Another major difference is the controlling body of the property, usually a Board of Directors or Landscape Committee. These groups are made up of volunteer residents from the property and they are the deciding factor in how the property will look.  Often these groups are guided by a Property manager, who may or may not be on site.

Multi family properties would include:

  • Condominiums
  • Townhomes
  • Home Owners Associations (HOA)
  • Apartment Complexes
  • Land Owners Associations 

Our customized programs and payment plans are tailored to the horticultural and budget needs of these unique types of properties. Our specialized crews are equipped with the proper type of equipment and trained in the techniques necessary to maintain all aspects of multi-family properties. 

Our managers are also trained in providing the highest quality service to these properties. From working with management companies and Board members, to customized by-laws and village regulations. Comprising the largest section of our customer list, multi-family properties gain an exceptional advantage having the expertise of Suburban Landscaping maintain their lawn & landscape.

Board Meetings

Suburban Landscapings managers attend many Board of Directors meetings per month. Often Boards request our presence at their meetings to discuss new plantings, drainage solutions, state of the property, and for future planing and budgeting. We are always happy to work with the Board of any property in any way that is needed.  

WalkthroughsCommercial Mowing Large Properties

Our managers are on our Multi-Family properties every week. Whether checking crew production, quality control, or measuring for a requested estimate from the Board. We also conduct routine inspections of the property for disease and insect infestations as well as for drainage and shrub/tree care. We always welcome Board members to join us on our walkthroughs to see the state of their property first hand. Often, we walk through our properties with the Property Manager, discussing concerns or new plans for the property.

Property Managers

Since 1984, we have worked with most of the major property management companies in the Chicago Southland. We view property managers as our ally in our efforts to improve the conditions of our Multi-Family properties and as valuable assets in accomplishing that goal. Usually as the conduit between residents and contractors, property managers often aid in our efforts by notifying us of special events residents may have, or in other projects or construction that may be occurring. These details help greatly in our scheduling and performance while on the property.

Service

Landscaping is usually the biggest annual cost of most Multi-Family associations. Between landscape maintenance, enhancements, and snow plowing, landscaping usually accounts for more than 50% of most association budgets. Keeping this in mind, we try and earn your trust and provide the results you look for in everything we do. Some of the major things we do are condensed below.

Snow Plowing: Multi-family properties don't shut down for the night and they don't take weekends off. When snowfall occurs, there is no down-time that they don't need service. At Suburban Landscaping we recognize these facts and know what these types of properties need. Having decades of experience in Multi-Family snowplowing, we will be there for your association when you need us.

Lawn Maintenance: As the biggest part of our service, lawn maintenance has become our forte. Experts in Multi-Family lawn maintenance, we know exactly how to provide the professional service, premier quality, and knowledgeable advise you expect from your landscape service provider. With our trained crews and on-site supervision, we monitor your landscape so you don't have to.

Enhancements: Most associations budget annually for repairs and enhancements to their property. From shrub replacements to tree care, and from drainage issues to mulching beds, every enhancement makes a difference to the residents at a Multi-Family association. We are please to help in establishing, advising, and estimating for your budget and the projects you need to accomplish with it. Whether planning for this years enhancements or next years, we are able to help prioritize and analyse your horticultural needs.

Testimonials

Davis Quint
2016-03-12, 03:07
I'm very happy with your company and the landscaping. nice work
Pat Henaghan
2015-09-04, 15:28
Planting of river birch trees has solved my flooding problem in my backyard! Thank you so much for the suggestion. Prior to planting the river … read more
Mr. & Mrs. David Kowalski
2015-06-27, 09:54
Hi Al, just wanted to let everyone know how happy we are with Suburban Landscaping and your service. I know my mom just signed up with you as well … read more