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03 Mar

Posted at 14:56h in Landscaping

Our pets are always an important factor in every decision we make. When it comes to treating your lawn, it’s important to remember that your pet will be spending time on that lawn. The last thing we want is for your pet to have a reaction to your lawn treatment.

We get that!

The good news is that all of our lawn care treatments at StreamLine Designs are pet-friendly. You can take care of your lawn while also taking care of your pet’s health. We mindfully select all of our treatment options with the intention of being effective and safe.

Check out these details for some added comfort on the subject.

Lawn Care and Pet Safety

The first thing that you should know is not every single lawn care treatment out there is safe. While we offer safe practices, this may not be the case across the board. It is important to know and understand that there are harmful products out there.

In addition, even the safest of products have to be used correctly. This takes some expertise and knowledge of knowing how to properly apply the products. Many times, a professional is trained for this.

If someone were to haphazardly apply a product, no amount of a safe product can prevent potential harm. It is important to confirm that not only safe product is being used but also that the user know the best practice for the application.

Letting the Dogs Out

When your lawn has been treated, it’s not a bad idea to take some safety precautions. It’s never a good idea to let the dogs out immediately after application. This gives them a higher exposure to the product.

The pet coming out immediately after application could also reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. You should plan to give the treatment time to do its work and dry in the treated area.

The typical rule of thumb is to keep the dogs inside or put away for at least 2 hours after the application has been completed.

Pet Protocol

When you hire a company to come in and do a lawn treatment, it’s a good idea to be proactive. Make sure that your professional is aware of your pets. If you know the time that treatment is going to happen, you can let your pets outside shortly before and then put them away.

We are unable to treat a lawn when the pets are out and about.

While most companies do try to be sure gates are closed when they finish, it’s a good idea to double-check this before letting your pets back out.

StreamLine Designs Pet Safety

We make every effort to use safe products when we are treating a lawn. Our products are high-quality selections that are EPA-approved. Our technicians are trained in proper treatment practices and will apply your treatment safely.

When it comes to keeping your pets safe, that is important to use as well. Our treatment approach is designed to give you the best results and we take safety into consideration as well.

03 Mar

Posted at 14:53h in Landscaping

We often take great care to make our yards look awesome. Sometimes we do that for ourselves and other times we do that for others who might see them. Maybe it’s even a little bit of both. Unfortunately, we go to all of this effort but then the cold weather strikes and it does more harm than good.

Shrubs are not a plant that you can just bring inside for the winter. This means that they often are exposed to winter weather that can leave behind damage to shrubs.

Let’s take a quick look at how to recognize winter damage and what you can do about it.

What Causes Winter Damage to Shrubs?

There is more than one way that winter can wreak havoc on your shrubs. In fact, you can have a mild winter and still experience damage from the cold. This happens in warm climates that see little to no freezing temperatures just as much as hearty winters in other locations.

These are the main types of winter damage.

●     Desiccation

●     Frost

●     Sunscald

Desiccation is primarily caused by your shrub becoming dehydrated. Whether the shrub needs water or has lost water, it’s lacking moisture. Things like wind, dry air, and ice can quickly pull the moisture out of the shrub. The signs include dry brown leaves as well as the growth that appears shriveled.

Frost is more likely to damage growth. This might be leaves or new growth. The frost can be harsh on delicate parts of the shrub, leaving it to turn black or brown and even crisp.

Sunscald comes from sunlight exposure. It’s not the same as the summertime sun. The winter sun is brighter and strong on the shrub. This can lead to white damage on the shrub. However, it might also cause withering and brown spots.

Shrubs will be more susceptible to damage when they don’t get the chance to become dormant. However, winter simply works a number on them.

Winter Care

Winter is the time for your plants to be dormant. You can water your shrub on occasion to help it retain some moisture but you won’t want to do this a lot.

The best thing to do when you notice winter damage to shrubs is to simply let it be through the winter. Pruning shrubs in the winter might actually expose them to more harm and cause additional damage.

Simply let the plant experience the winter and plan to have some pruning done in the spring. While your shrub might look a little sad now, they typically recover well with proper spring care.

StreamLine Designs Shrub Care

When winter is over and you’re ready to have your shrubs cared for, we can help. We will be happy to prune your winter-damaged shrub when spring comes. In some cases, your shrub may need some additional care. Our experts can help get the shrub back to a healthy condition.

Don’t be alarmed by a little bit of winter damage. Shrubs typically recover well. Give it some time and let’s see how the spring goes.

03 Mar

Posted at 14:47h in Landscaping

If you’ve dedicated a lot of time and resources into making your lawn look amazing, it can be incredibly disturbing when the grass starts coming up in clumps. Clearly, something isn’t right if you are experiencing this issue.

There are several things here to consider and it’s good to be worried.

Check out this guide to troubleshoot what could be the problem and learn some solutions for handling this issue when it happens.

What is the Cause?

Grass that looks unhealthy or is simply pulling up in clumps most likely is experiencing an issue. This could be a sign that something is affecting the health of your grass.

Take a look at these possible causes. We can help you identify the cause and come up with a solution.

Grubs

Lawn grubs are nasty little buggers and one of the most common issues if you notice grass coming up in clumps. The grubs work their way into the dirt and the roots, causing your grass to become loose, for lack of better words.

Grubs like to feast on grass roots. Of course, if the roots of your grass are being eaten, it doesn’t have a solid foundation to hold it in the ground.

Moles are a nuisance but if you notice moles in the lawn, you might want to check for grubs as they often are found where grubs are present.

Lawn Disease

Lawns are prone to disease. Sometimes no matter how careful you are, the lawn is susceptible. One of the most common diseases for lawns is fungal. This can be more challenging to pinpoint.

Signs might include dying or dead grass as well as clumps of grass coming up. Lawn disease can be present with turf as well. If you suspect lawn disease or simply don’t know what the cause is, we recommend having your lawn inspected by a professional and then treated properly.

Too Much Water

Grass can get too much water. If it is oversaturated, it causes a drowning effect with the grass. Drowning the grass can kill it and could likely cause clumps of grass to come up. You think you’re simply caring for the lawn but too much water is no good.

Soil

Finally, the health of your soil also makes a difference. The problem might not be your grass at all but rather the soil the grass is in. Grass relies on the soil for the appropriate nutrients to survive. If the soil cannot provide that, the grass will not thrive.

This is where fertilization and other types of soil care can be beneficial.

Finding a Solution with StreamLine Designs

In most cases, there are treatment options for a lawn that is coming up in clumps. Our skilled technicians can inspect the area and pinpoint the cause of your problems. We can provide the appropriate solution to get your grass and your lawn healthy again.

The solution might be different depending on the underlying issue. The good news is that each of these potential causes we listed have solutions that we can help with.

02 Feb

Posted at 16:03h in Landscaping

Winterizer fertilizers are a great choice for cold winter months, as it gives your plants a healthy dose of potassium, among other nutrients. Winterizer fertilizer is perfect for the winter because it’s a slow-release fertilizer that is designed to provide enough nutrients to keep your plants healthy and thriving in the cold.

The formula usually contains nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. These nutrients will feed your plants in a manner that they can use even in cooler temperatures.

Why Use Winterizer Fertilizer?

Nitrogen is essential to plant growth and for healthy leaf development. Phosphorous aids in root development. Potassium helps with plant metabolism and disease resistance. Calcium improves soil structure and enhances the uptake of other nutrients. And sulfur is important for the overall health of the plant due to its role in chlorophyll formation.

Moreover, winterizer formulas are designed to be low-nitrogen fertilizers, meaning that they provide just enough nutrients for adequate plant growth during the winter months when nitrogen levels drop down from an average of 5% to around 2%.

Nitrogen is responsible for vegetative growth and green leaves, but not much else comes from it other than color, which requires little energy from the plant. In contrast, phosphorus helps with root development and blooming, while potassium helps with fruit development and flowering.

All three of these macronutrients are necessary at different times of the year, so if you’re looking for low-nitrogen fertilizing options during wintertime then you’ve found one here.

Proper Use of Winterizer Fertilizer

Winterizer fertilizer is an excellent product for winterizing your garden. There are a few things you need to know about using this product, though. You can’t just sprinkle it on the ground in your garden and hope it works.

When you purchase winterizer fertilizer, you’ll find that there are specific instructions for how to use it correctly. If you’re not sure what these instructions are for your particular brand of fertilizer, then contact a professional for assistance, or do some research online.

You want to make sure that when applying the fertilizer, you have a light layer over the entire area where you plan to grow plants next spring. This will help ensure that everything is evenly covered with the fertilizing agent, which will promote healthy growth in your plants when they start growing again in the springtime.

One other thing to remember is that winterizer fertilizer should be applied before it snows so that the snow doesn’t cover up the fertilizing agent.

Winterizer fertilizer is a great option for your garden because it is specifically designed to nourish plants during the cold winter months. This type of fertilizer helps plants maintain their health and grow strong for spring and summer.

Not only that, but it can also help your plants survive through the harsh winter months ahead. The only downside is that it’s not available at all stores and can be a little pricey. As such, you may need to do some research and order it online to make sure your plants get the nutrients and protection they need.

02 Feb

Posted at 16:00h in Landscaping

Cold winters are the bane of plants. When temperatures drop below freezing, plants lose water through leaves and needles, which causes them to die. To keep your trees healthy again next summer, you need to know how to protect them.

Fortunately, there are many different tips you can implement right now. So try these tips for protecting your trees and shrubs from winter frost.

Tree Wraps

Tree wrapping is a highly-effective method that assists the trunks in maintaining warmth. You can use any number of materials to achieve this, from thick towels to cardboard. The goal is to wrap the trunk of your trees in the material.

You want to continue wrapping the trunk until your wrapping touches the first branches. And to ensure that your wrapping stays securely in place, use heavy-duty tape to tie everything together. You can also use a felt material or various kinds of insulation to help keep your trees warm and combat the effects of frost.

Take Your Potted Plant Indoors

If you live in an area where it experiences frost, bringing potted plants inside is the best way to protect them. But it’s not just during the winter months when you have to worry about your plants. There are other seasons that can be difficult for your plants, like early spring.

When you bring them inside before the frost, be sure to do so around dusk. Hanging baskets are an ideal place to transfer your potted plants. Ideally, you want your plant to be in an environment with a temperature range of 45°F to 75°F.

You also want an environment that has bright light but not too much sun exposure during the day so that they don’t dry out too quickly. These are all things that can be accommodated indoors.

Water in the Afternoon

In the wintertime, frost can damage your plants and trees. In order to avoid this, water your plants in the afternoon so that they have plenty of time to soak up water before nightfall.

To help keep your plants alive through winter, you can also create a ‘halo’ around your plant by planting taller plants around it. This, combined with a stringent watering cycle, can help your plants fight the effects of frost.

Keep in mind that when you water your plants, you want to make sure that the water penetrates about a foot or more deep. This will ensure that the water reaches the roots of the plants.

Don’t Forget to Mulch

Mulching gardens with leaves or compost and covering them with a row cover will also work to protect against cold winds and frost. The mulch acts as natural insulation to help keep your trees and shrubs safe from winter weather.

Apply a Cloche

This bell-shaped protective cover will give your shrubs the protection they need to stay safe and healthy. Often made from glass or plastic, cloches are ideal for your smaller plants, allowing them to stay warm in the cold winter months.

02 Feb

Posted at 15:57h in Landscaping

Brown spots in your lawn can be unsightly. But it could also be a sign of other problems. When you see brown spots, they are often caused by dead areas of grass, which can be caused by too much sun, lack of water, or other environmental factors.

While no one wants these spots in their yard, there is good news. You can take steps to treat brown spots and restore your yard to its natural luster.

What Are Brown Spots?

If you have a Zoysia lawn, there is a specific type of brown spot known as Zoysia patch. These brown spots are a common nuisance on Zoysia lawns that can sometimes be difficult to manage. But there are some home remedies that can help get rid of brown spots for good. But first, it’s important to identify the cause behind brown spots.

In the case of Zoysia patch, you’re dealing with a fungus known as Rhizoctonia solani. This fungus sets out to destroy leaf sheaths. Affected grass will first look like it’s wilting but will soon turn brown and unsightly.

Humidity and heat can play a role in the development of Zoysia patch, as well as inadequate air circulation and poor drainage in the soil.

How to Combat Brown Spots

Brown spots on your lawn are a common sight in the fall and spring seasons. These spots are created by various factors, including weeds, insects, disease, or poor soil conditions. Regardless of the cause or type of brown spots you have, prevention is the key to combatting your problem.

Maintain a Healthy Soil Level

One way to prevent brown spots in your lawn is to maintain healthy soil. Ensure there is enough air and water in the soil so that roots can grow properly. This will prevent the grass from turning brown due to poor air or water flow.

To ensure that your soil is healthy, avoid damaging the grass with heavy machinery, over-fertilizing, or over-cutting. Always remember that mowing your grass at an appropriate height is important for maintaining healthy soil.

Keep the Turf Healthy

It all begins with proper watering. If your turf is dry, it will be more susceptible to brown spots. To keep your lawn healthy, water at least once a week, or more depending on the climate in which you live. Brown spots are less likely when the turf receives enough water.

Reduce the Sun’s Impact

One of the best ways to reduce brown spots on your lawn is by reducing the sun’s impact. This can be done by either planting trees or using a tree-pruning agent. By not allowing the sun to beat down on your lawn, you will prevent it from turning brown.

If you are unable to remedy your brown spot problem, you may need to turn to fungicides. It’s likely that there is a fungus present if other preventative methods aren’t working. If you aren’t familiar with the application of fungicides, you should contact a professional to do it for you.

02 Feb

Posted at 15:52h in Landscaping

Aeration is one of the keys to keeping your plants healthy. Plants need oxygen to grow and thrive. Oxygen moves through the soil and roots and is absorbed by plant cells for growth. Aeration can help improve the amount of oxygen that gets into the soil, improving the overall health of your plants.

Oxygen-rich soil leads to healthier, happier plants. Your plants will also be less susceptible to disease, as well as insect infestations when they are getting enough aeration. To learn more about the benefits of aeration and what you can do to implement it into your garden, we invite you to keep reading to learn more.

Why Choose Aeration?

When plants are exposed to an environment without enough oxygen, they can suffer. For example, plants may display yellowing leaves or tall grass. Here are some of the benefits of aeration for your plants:

  • Increased resistance to insects and pests
  • Decreased susceptibility to disease
  • Improved root system
  • Reduced thatch
  • More oxygen
  • Stronger turf

As you can see, aeration is essential for plant health. If you want to keep your plants happy and healthy, consider adding aeration into your garden regimen. It’s completely worth it to maintain good soil quality by providing your plants with what they need: plenty of oxygen.

Different Ways to Achieve Aeration

There are many ways you can aerate your soil to get the oxygen into it that your plants need. Composting is a great way to get air into the soil because of the air pockets created by decomposing organic matter. If you don’t want to compost, there are other ways to aerate your lawn or garden.

One of these ways is with an aerator, which will create air pockets in the soil so that oxygen can be absorbed more easily by plant roots. You can also till or dig up some of the topsoil and then replace it when done—this too will create air pockets in the soil. 

There are also chemical aerators that are available at most nurseries or garden centers, but please do not use these if you have a septic system on your property.

How to Identify if Your Plants Need More Air

One of the best ways to identify if your plants need more air is to simply check their leaves. Plant leaves can give a lot of clues as to what they may need, and it’s important that you know how to read those clues. Signs that the plant needs more air include yellowing, dryness, and wilting.

It’s also important to check for insects on your plants. If there are a lot of ants or other pests on your plants, chances are there is not enough oxygen in the soil.

Another way you can tell if your plants need more air is by burrowing into the ground with a shovel. If you hit dirt instead of roots after five to six inches, it’s time to aerate. By taking action now, you can ensure the health of your plants.

30 Dec

Posted at 14:11h in Landscaping

Contrary to what one may believe, lawn care and maintenance is an important responsibility year-round. While it may not seem like proper maintenance is necessary during the winter and early spring, failing to keep up on it can cause your lawn to die out and become a bigger issue when late spring rolls around.

In the DFW area, grass doesn’t stop growing entirely. Continuing with a regular mowing schedule, managing weeds, and setting your sprinklers accordingly is important to keep your grass alive. These tasks can seem like a lot, especially if you have a busy schedule already. Because of that, hiring out the work will benefit both you and your lawn in the long run.

In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of proper lawn maintenance during the late winter and early spring. By the end, you should have a good idea of what you need to do to ensure your lawn looks healthy and beautiful when the warm season rolls around.

Winter Lawn Mowing

For your last major mow of the season, it’s best to create a close cut and bag your grass clippings. Doing this will remove any build-up and dislodge things like acorns, leaves, and other natural materials from the ground. Throughout the winter, you’ll want to mow on a bi-weekly basis to keep the cut close to the ground.

Once you reach mid-spring, you’ll have a lawn that is far easier to upkeep than you would if you didn’t spend the time keeping your grass close-cut and loose of natural materials.

Winter Weed Management

Your grass won’t stop growing completely in the winter and that means weeds aren’t going to stop growing either. With any weed, it’s best to get rid of the issue before it even starts. As any person knows, weeds are notorious for getting out of hand very quickly.

Whether you choose to use chemicals, natural alternatives, or pull them yourself. All problems with weeds should be taken care of as soon as possible.

Adjust Your Sprinkler System as Necessary

Winters are generally pretty mild in the DFW area, so you’re still going to want to ensure your lawn is getting the right amount of water. Many sprinkler systems come equipped with a winter setting that allows you to change the timing from a summer schedule of three times per week to a winter schedule of once weekly.

There are also usually rain and freeze sensors for you to reference. These sensors will tell you if the water has reached the point of freezing or if the ground has enough moisture from natural elements.

Hire Out Your Lawn Care

To make law maintenance easier, it may be helpful to hire out the maintenance responsibilities your lawn needs. At StreamLine Designs, we offer services that cover everything mentioned in this article. We’ll also work with you to come up with a landscape maintenance plan that fits your unique needs.

Our crew offers service year-round, so you don’t have to worry about any point where you’d need to perform these tasks on your own. From mowing and weed management to sprinkler system installation and upkeep, we’ve got you covered. 

30 Dec

Posted at 14:10h in Landscaping, Uncategorized

Hosting outdoor barbeques and dinner parties is a great way to bring together friends and family while also taking advantage of the great outdoors. Dining in the open air makes guests feel more open and provides plenty of space for everyone to mingle.

Rather than going in and out of the house to bring out food and beverages, creating an outdoor kitchen allows you to stay with your guests and enjoy your party to the fullest. But how can you make an outdoor kitchen ideal for entertaining? Let’s go over five great ideas for entertaining with an outdoor kitchen.

1. Patio Dining

No outdoor kitchen is complete without an area for your guests to sit and eat. Creating a patio with multiple tables and chairs is the perfect way to accommodate parties of all sizes. To elevate it to the next level, match your patio dining style to the style of your outdoor kitchen. Working with a modern kitchen set-up? Consider getting some cool modern furniture to complement the look of your cook space.

2. Add Exterior Mood Lighting

Evening dinner parties and get-togethers that will last into the night will need good lighting. Not only is lighting important for your guests to see where they’re going in the dark, but the right lighting will keep guests calm and relaxed. Good lighting also ensures great photo opportunities, even after sundown!

When deciding on lighting for your outdoor space, string lights or other overhead lighting is ideal. These lights will also burn at a cooler temperature, so the lights won’t be as harsh on the eyes.

3. Dining in Comfort With Entertainment

Planning to host the next Superbowl party? Installing a TV and good sound system outside is the perfect way to add a new touch to your outdoor kitchen. You may even choose to install shelves or cabinets and electrical hookups to bring your gaming systems outdoors. The opportunities here are endless!

Depending on the time of year and area you live in, you may also choose to install some sort of heating system in your outdoor kitchen. This way, your guests are comfortable even if the temperatures are chilly.

4. Add a Beverage Station and a Wet Bar

Sure outdoor kitchens can get by with a stove or grill and some counter space, but adding a beverage station or wet bar will elevate it to the next level. Guests can help themselves to a margarita bar or another cocktail station without having to go inside to get a new drink. It’s a win-win for everyone!

5. Install an Outdoor Fireplace

An outdoor fireplace is a perfect way to utilize your outdoor kitchen throughout the entire year. Regardless of the outside temperatures, a fireplace is a great way to keep both you and your guests comfortable as you enjoy a meal outside. An outdoor fireplace also provides a cozy atmosphere for you to snuggle up to when you want to enjoy the outdoors and be bundled up in a blanket at the same time.

30 Dec

Posted at 14:10h in Landscaping

A well-landscaped property has the potential to boost your mental health and create a welcoming vibe for your guests. Starting a new landscaping project is an exciting process, but starting at the right time is key to preventing unwanted stress. So when exactly is the best time to start a landscaping project?

If you ask us, we say the earlier the better! Shooting to get your landscaping project finished by late winter/early spring means you can spend your entire summer ogling at the beauty of a job well done. Rather than stressing about an unsightly mess, you and your guests can admire the finished product.

Let’s go over the benefits of starting your landscaping project early and how to go about doing so when the days are still chilly.

The Benefits of Starting Early

Depending on the size of your desired project, the process can take weeks or even months. However, if you start the process of planning and hiring contractors early, you can decrease the timeline and save a lot of stress in the process.

Although DFW nights can fall below freezing, daytime temperatures give you a leg up as winters are generally mild in the area. Because of this, work can be done year-round here. You don’t need to worry about harsh winter storms messing up your project timeline unless we experience an unusual weather pattern.

With that said, winter tends to be a slower season in general for landscapers which means you are far more likely to get on our books for the timeline you desire if you hire during late winter. All in all, if your goal is to enjoy your home to the fullest during the summer, getting your landscaping projects finished and out of the way early is your best bet.

What Can You Do in Winter?

Although winter may not seem like the time to start summer landscaping projects, it’s actually on the contrary. Late winter is the best time to begin the planning and hiring process. When it comes to planning out your project, doing so early means that when it’s time to meet with your contractors, you have a clear plan for them to follow.

A clear plan also means your contractors can give you an accurate timeline for when they expect to finish the project. Accurate timelines are important when it comes to hiring the best possible contractor for the job. 

In general, it’s best to hire your contractors during late winter as spring-fall is the busy season. Reaching out early is also recommended as landscaping has seen far more interest lately due to the pandemic and everyone spending more time in their home.

What Can We Do?

StreamLine Designs can help you with all of your landscaping needs. Whether you need help with the design process or you have something in mind already and need help with the heavy lifting, we offer a variety of services to make your project a success.