Massey Blog

Mulches provide a multitude of benefits to your landscape, including prevention of water loss, suppression of weeds, and insulation of soil and beautification of your landscape. 

Follow these tips when using mulch:

• Use mulches made from recycled materials. This keeps unrecycleable materials out of our waterways and landfills.
• Apply mulch that's at least 2-3 inches deep after settling. This maximizes the suppression of weeds and the prevention of water loss.
• Do not pile mulch against a tree. Trees need a clear space for air to reach the trunk.
• Do not pile mulch against your house. Mulch helps retain moisture, a vital source of sustenance for termites.

For more landscape tips, visit our GreenUP Landscape Tips area.

Proper mowing and watering dramatically impact the health of your lawn. The following tips will help ensure your lawn looks its best:

• Mow frequently. Don’t remove more than 1/3rd  of the leaf blade height in any single mowing. Mow at least once per week during the growing season. 
• Mow high. During the heat of the summer, you should mow your lawn at the highest recommended cutting height to help grass retain water.
• Water deeply and infrequently.  Our Florida sands dry out quickly so set your sprinkler system to run twice per week to deliver ¾ inch of water per zone.  Clay soils may not need to be watered as frequently.  Check your local extension service for reccomendations or contact us for a free inspection. 

Look for signs indicating your lawn is too dry:

• A dull bluish-gray coloring to your grass
• Foot tracks that seem to remain in the grass
• Leaf blades that are folded in half or wilted.

The key to a healthy landscape during dry periods is a balance of proper irrigation and proper maintenance. Either too little or too much irrigation can lead to an increase in weed, pest and diseases. For help keeping your landscape healthy and green all year long, contact Massey Services GreenUP for a free, detailed inspection.

Despite drought conditions, one of the more common problems homeowners have is over-watering their landscape. Usually, causes are related to improper irrigation, such as incorrect or broken heads, clogged lines and improperly timed zones. Over-watering causes a multitude of problems, from encouraging the growth of certain weeds, like dollarweed, to the development of fungal problems to the run-off of valuable top soil.

Over-watering also contributes to the mounting water shortage.  There are several state, county and city government agencies that have placed strict regulations on watering.  Please be sure to check with your local water management district to determine if there are any restrictions in your area or you could be facing fines and add to the increasing shortage.

Having your sprinkler system optimized and regularly maintained will ensure that your landscape gets the right amount of water it needs and that we’re all doing the best we can to conserve our water. Contact Massey GreenUP for your free irrigation inspection. We can fix any problems, plus provide regular expert maintenance.

Fertilization is a valuable tool for growing a healthy and sustainable landscape – when it’s done correctly.  

In fact, research shows that a thick, healthy lawn is one of nature's best water filters.  A properly fertilized lawn thoroughly filters out potential ground water pollutants and ensures that our precious resource is protected.  Unhealthy lawns that never receive the proper amount of fertilization are thin and weedy and do not do as good a job at filtering out pollution as a properly and well maintained lawn.

Here are some basic best management practices that will help maximize your results while minimizing the impact on our environment:

• Apply the correct amount.  Do not over fertilize!  Over fertilization can lead to additional pest problems.
• Sweep off all hard surfaces after you fertilize to keep the nutrients from getting washed down the storm sewer.
• Recycle your grass clippings.  Throw the grass clippings back on the lawn not into the landfill.  Read and follow all label instructions and safety precautions.

For tables providing fertilization guidelines for the various turfgrasses in each of the regions of Florida – north, central and south, see IFAS Publication SL-21 from the University of Florida IFAS Extension Web site.

Take the stress and worry out of maintaining your landscape – contact Massey GreenUP Landscape Services for a free, detailed inspection and written analysis.

There are two pesky insects that you might start seeing this time of year around your shrubs, flowers and fruit trees – whiteflies and aphids. Both are tiny, soft-bodied insects that feed off of your plants by sucking the juice out of them. They also both appear in large numbers.

In addition to wilting and stunting plants, these pests also secrete a sticky, sugary substance called "honeydew" that may cause the growth of a sooty black fungus on leaves. The key to reducing aphid and whitefly infestations is early detection. That kind of prevention is the foundation of our GreenUP program. Contact Massey Services today for your free, detailed landscape inspection.

There are a lot of plants that bloom during the springtime months, including weeds. And the sooner you can get a jump on the weeds, the better chance you have to keep them from taking over your lawn. Here are a few tips you can use to help control the weeds in your lawn:

Know your grass and soil. Soil problems such as poor drainage or improper pH can slow the growth of healthy turf grass and can potentially create an ideal environment for weeds to effectively out-compete your lawn. These conditions can lead to thinning turf, which allows more sunlight and moisture to create the right environment for weeds to germinate. Having the right grass type in the right location in your landscape is also important to maintaining a thick lawn. You can learn more about the right grass type for your lawn in our GreenUP Landscape Tips area.

Mow your lawn properly. Proper mowing dramatically impacts the health of your lawn. Be sure to mow frequently during the growing season – at least once per week. Don’t remove more than 1/3rd of the leaf blade height in any single mowing. Also, don't remove grass clippings because they return vital nutrients to the lawn. 

Water your lawn properly. Water conservation has always been a critical issue for us. When you irrigate, water deeply but infrequently. Set your irrigation system to run twice per week (check your local ordinances for the allowable schedule) to deliver 1.5 inches of water per zone per week in the absence of supplemental rainfall. Be sure to adjust watering frequency and amounts on a regular basis in conjunction with the weather patterns. You can find more information in our GreenUP Irrigation Maintenance area.

Control pests. By reducing the number of insects and diseases that are active in your property, you can reduce the number of thin turf areas where grass weeds can develop.

Keeping your landscape pristine, lush and healthy is an ongoing chore. Learn how Massey GreenUP Landscape Services can make your landscape greener and healthier – and your landscape chores a little lighter. Contact Massey GreenUP today for a free inspection and consultation.