Landscaping Questions and Answers in Plainfield, IL

Transform your existing landscape design to create your dream home.  This can be made possible with K & R Landscaping, your all-around partner for transformative landscaping, lawn care, and tree care services in Plainfield, IL.

 

Below are some tips to keep your outdoor area looking good year round.

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Aeration opens up the soil, allowing air and water penetration into the root zone of the grass. This process loosens compacted soil and improves root development; thereby, helping develop a stronger more stress resistant plant with improved thickness in the lawn.

The general rule is after they flower in the spring (June-July) and in the fall (October-November).

Light pruning can be done at any time, but the best time to prune is immediately after blooming. Severe pruning or shaping is done best in late winter or early spring. Young shrubs can be pinched back to help maintain shape. Do not cut back more than 1/3 of the plant. Always prune any dead or diseased branching from the shrub immediately. Be sure to sterilize your pruners afterwards with rubbing alcohol or bleach.

The best time to water is early in the morning between 5:00am and 9:00am as there is less evaporation.  This will allow the lawn to dry out naturally.  Avoid watering in the evening hours as this encourages disease.

Annual weeds that grow from seed can be prevented with an application of a pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed germination. There is also a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent many perennial type broadleaf weeds. After the weeds appear, you can apply a post-emergent herbicide or pull the weeds by hand.

To get green grass at home, cut it no shorter than 3 inches, and frequently enough so that no more than a third of the total height is cut each time. Leaving the grass at this length will be less stressful on the lawn and help it retain its moisture. Also, leave clippings on the lawn, as it recycles nutrients back into the soil.

Grubs are the larvae of Japanese beetles. They can cause damage to the roots of your lawn primarily in the early fall. Although they can be found in the soils while spring planting, damage rarely occurs. All turf will have some grub population in the fall, generally below 10 grubs per square foot and this will not cause damage. When populations rise above this level, turf may come loose like freshly-laid sod. When this happens, an application of grub killer will be needed, along with additional watering (1 hour per day for 2-3 weeks) for complete recovery. For lawns with chronic history of grub damage, a preventative (Merit) may be recommended.

Many dog owners get frustrated by the spots their pets leave on the lawn by going to the bathroom there, but there aren’t many ways to avoid this other than training your dog to only go in one particular area of the lawn. The problem is that the high quantity of salt in the animal’s urine essentially burns the turf. If this problem really bothers you, veterinarians offer some medicines that reduce the amount of salt in animal’s urine and will at least minimize the problem.

The best time to seed is usually from mid-August to mid-October.  Avoid seeding in the spring and summer, instead add sod to any bare or damaged areas.

Regular overseeding will help keep turf thick and push out weeds. This should be done in the fall (early-mid September to mid-October) after the ground has been aerated and compost has been applied. Light, frequent irrigation will be needed until the grass germinates.

Make sure your lawn gets 2-3” of water per week. You will usually need at least 20 minutes per zone per day. This will ensure continuous growth.

There are many reasons for brown spots. A proper diagnosis by a professional is very important. It could be anything from a dog urine burn to a disease or insect problem.

Yes. Any company that applies pesticides must be licensed by the state in which they apply the pesticides.

At this time, we only take cash or check.

Yes. All our projects come with a warranty.

After each service, we will mail you an invoice. At this time, we only except cash or check. Payments are due within 30 days.

Talk to Us

K & R Landscaping understands you time is valuable.  We make sure to respond to your inquiries as soon as possible.

For prompt assistance call us at (815) 436 5000.  We are looking forward to working with you.

K & R Landscaping serves Plainfield, IL, and the surrounding areas, including: Naperville, Aurora, and Shorewood.