In spring, the 'major bulbs' of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are popular and prominent in gardens everywhere. However, there is a group of much smaller 'minor bulbs' that are worthy of attention as they are reliable and are deer and rabbit resistant. Though diminutive at only 3-6" in height, when planted in abundance, the [...]
The combination of hot, humid weather and hot dry spells has created the perfect conditions for two prominent lawn problems this summer. Our maintenance crews have reported sightings of both brown patch and sod webworm. In this article, we discuss their symptoms, causes and treatment. Brown Patch Brown patch on tall fescue. Irregular patches [...]
If you've noticed brown, dying patches in a sunny area of your lawn, or patches of lawn that appear to have been torn up, it's possible you have a grub infestation. Grubs are insect larvae that feed on the roots of sunny, well-watered lawns during the spring and fall months. They do considerable damage to the root system [...]
Japanese Beetles have descended on the Chicago area. Half-inch to three-quarters of an inch long, with an iridecent green head and copper colored wing covers, they are here in greater numbers than usual due to our mild winter and the hot, dry summer. They eat many different kinds of plants, most notably lindens, crabapples, cherries, birch, roses and [...]
Our clients reside in a charming Dutch colonial on a fifty by sixty-six foot city lot in Evanston. The only location for a living space was in a small, narrow fenced area (35’ x 16’) on the south side. Our clients wanted to make this space usable and increase its privacy from the street and adjacent neighbors. They replaced [...]
Trying to figure out why you have brown, dying patches in your lawn? It’s possible that you have a white grub infestation. White grubs are insect larvae that feed on the roots of sunny, well-watered lawns during the spring and fall months. They do considerable damage to the root system, causing large, brown areas of dead grass. Untreated [...]
July is Japanese Beetle Hunting Time Start looking for Japanese beetles in your flower garden. These destructive pests are becoming very numerous in the North Shore. Not only will they eat all sorts of flowers during July and August but, their grubs will live in the lawn and, by eating grass roots, cause [...]