florida lawns
Hurricane Cut, Carrot topping, Pencil necking, Pineapple top… These are all common terms when palm trees are over-pruned. This is NOT a good method of pruning for two basic reasons:
- Lower palm fronds store important nutrients, such as potassium.
- A thicker “neck” or “base” of a palm tree is more protected from high winds.
Remove only the dead or yellow palm fronds to keep palms thriving. Once exception would be if the palm fronds were touching the house. This provides a bridge for insects/rodents, and pruning would be necessary.
Some people think Electric equipment means less power… Some people think of a small electric push mower… Some people think we need a 300ft extension cord… BUT this is not the case. The mowers we use are powerful, large, battery operated machines. They are Mean Green Mowers. 
Chinch bugs are a major problem for St. Augustine lawns. They live in the roots/thatch and suck the juices out of the grass. Since they like hot, dry, sandy soil areas… here are some tips to help protect your lawns.
- Don’t apply a quick-release fertilizer. This creates a flush of growth that attracts chinch bugs. Slow-release fertilizer is the way to go.
- Water the lawn deep and infrequent to encourage a deep root system. Water only when needed.
- Mow at 4 inches or higher to encourage deep roots.
- Mow with sharp blades so you don’t damage the leaf blades and stress the grass.
- Trees or shaded areas can help protect grass. Chinch bugs love sun.
Chinch bugs can usually be identified by spreading the grass blades and root system open. They are about 1-6mm long. Here are 3 stages of what chinch bugs can look like, along with a picture of a damaged area.
