A successful fescue lawn depends on a deep root system.   This begins with addressing any drainage or soil quality issues your yard may face.  Regrading may be necessary to correct slow drainage and standing water. For poor soils, adding compost or improved native soil is an investment that will pay off forever. 
    Getting fescue seeds to germinate is the easy part of establishment; getting the plant to survive its first summer drought is the challenge. The deep root system is the difference maker. 

Lawn Seedbed Restoration

    It is important to provide your fescue seed the best environment to attain the best results. As with any plant a well tilled bed with rich organic material will yield healthier growth. Click here and see a Lawn Seedbed Restoration step by step.
    This is not a one size fits all process. Every yard must be assessed for the best results and for it's individual needs and circumstances. Check out the following links to see two different jobs.

A Major Overhaul

A Less Evasive Process
 
 
 

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Annual Aerating and Overseeding

    Proper root development depends on loose soil, especially when it comes to turf grass.  Thorough aeration of compacted soils is the only way to loosen soils without disturbing existing turf plants.  Fertilizers and pH correcting lime also reach root zones easier when soils are loosened.  It could take years to
correct the pH of compacted soil.  We depend on our aeration efforts to give us the results we deliver.  Fescue plants have a life span of 3-5 years so introducing a new generation each fall is sound practice.  Annual care in the form of heavy aeration and light overseeding will help keep your fescue lawn healthy and vigorous. 
    Some seeders employ a method known as slit seeding.  Slit seeding is a process by which 1/2" grooves are cut into the soil and the seeds are left to germinate in compacted clay.  This does not inhibit the germination process but it does prevent the establishment of a deep root system, decreasing the chances of survival and weakening the foundation of your yard.

Use these links to more information on this topic:

Killing Burmudagrass 

Killing Yellow & Purple Nutsedge 

Watering Fescue
 
 
 
 

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Flower Garden, Rock Garden or Lush Green Grass?

   Many factors come into play when determining a landscape design that is right for you.  Some situations make lawn areas impossible or impractical. Specialized Landscape Services will be glad to offer alternative suggestions that will work with your environment.

Use these links to more information on this topic:

Installation of a natural walk way
 
 
 
 

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Lawn Care

  Specialized Landscape Services offers a Basic Service Program which includes 5 annual visits to fertilize, control weeds, collect soil samples to determine PH and evaluate overall performance.  We will also make recommendations on how to increase the vitality of your lawn. 

Basic Service Includes:

     Early Spring: Slow-release balanced fertilizer, pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control 

     Late Spring: Slow-release balanced fertilizer, pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control 

     Mid-Summer: Insect inspection and post-emergent weed control, soil sample taken to check pH level, lawn evaluation, aerating and overseeding recommendations 

     Early Fall: Slow-release balanced fertilizer or seed starter fertilizer and post-emergent weed control 

     Late Fall: Quick-release nitrogen fertilizer 

Additional Lawn Care Services: 

     Brown Patch Control: This service controls ugly brown patch disease.  This is recommended beginning in late spring until mid-summer while brown patch is a threat. 

     Lime: Proper amount necessary is determined by the annual soil test provided with the lawn care program. 

     Grubworm Control: Late summer service to control grubs after they hatch and are actively feeding on grass roots near the soil surface. 
 

Use these links to more information on this topic: 

Watering Fescue

Killing Burmudagrass 

Killing Yellow & Purple Nutsedge 

Top-Dressing tr. verb  1. To apply manure on the top of, prior to being plowed into the existing soil 2. the act of one who topdresses soil, as with fertilizer, a road as with crushed stone, or a fescue lawn with rich organic matter to be aerated into the soil, etc.; also material so applied 3. a process performed by Specialized Landscape Services to improve soil conditions in existing fescue lawns.    

. . . however there is more to know about this valuable service. . . 

       The idea of improving soil conditions simply sells itself.  Especially in regions where soils are poor and are prone to compaction.  The process incorporates organic matter into the root zone so that soils can’t return to high levels of compaction again.

       We use finely ground pine bark, approximately one fourth of an inch of it spread evenly over your lawn.  Much more than a fourth of an inch could cause problems for existing turf, so even coverage is critical.  Cultivation by means of core aeration brings existing soil to the surface while organic matter falls in its place.  Follow that with our secret homemade tool that mixes the clay cores and organic material across the turf surface.  Rain and irrigation finish the process.

       The process is simple yet labor intensive, a slow process that yields immediate results, an investment that will improve over time and never go away making it an investment value rarely ever realized.

       This service is most commonly performed in tandem with fall seeding. Among the many benefits are improved water infiltration, deeper root system, compaction relief, and healthier turf.

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Dethatching 

    Removing excessive thatch caused by mulching or side discharge mowers is a cultural practice that will help control lawn diseases such as brown patch and help oxygen reach the soil level.    This service is commonly performed prior to aerating and seeding and is only necessary for extreme situations in fescue
lawns. Weeds and moss can also be removed while dethatching to improve seeding conditions. 

Years of grass clippings accumulate and cut off air and water from the soil. First we will employ the use of a dethatching machine over the entire lawn.
 

Then all of the dead plant material will be raked up and removed.
 
 

As you can see, the soil is exposed between the growth of living fescue. This would be a great time to reseed.
 
 

It may not look like much now, but within a week this lawn will green up nicely.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Tree and Shrub Care 

    This service provides a maintenance level of fertilizer applied at the correct time of year.  Most landscape plants only need one application a year during their dormant period.  Other shrubs considered to be heavier feeders receive a second application in mid-spring. 
    Insect control is very important to maintaining landscape plantings.  Damage caused by insects cannot be reversed making insect control a must to preserve the health and beauty of your landscape.  Plant varieties and suspect pests determine the timing and frequency of applications. 
    Commonly, three to four preventative/curative applications during the active season are sufficient. Persistent pests, namely Whitefly, Scale and the Japanese Beetle, require follow-up measures.  Early in the spring, a dormant oil application will cut down on over-wintering insect eggs, thus reducing pest pressures. Visit our Backyard Beasties page to find out more about the insects that may be causing damage to your trees and shrubs.
     There are some Really Cool Services shown here pertaining to Tree and Shrub Care. Follow this link and learn about MICRO-INJECTION TREE TECHNOLOGY.

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Weed Control in Shrub Beds and Other Non-Turf Areas 

    Weeds are a nuisance that compromise the beauty of landscape plantings and create hundreds of seeds to regenerate themselves.  A combination of mulching, sound cultural practices and control products will manage weed problems. 
    Pre-emergent control products will kill weeds before you even see them.  Since weed seed germination pressure is at a peak twice a year, a well timed pre-emergent application will greatly reduce the amount of annual weeds. 

Common Weed Control Strategy

• Two pre-emergent applications, one in February/March and another in August/September  

• Post emergent sprays as needed  

• Proper mulching  

• Hand weeding in areas where control products can't be used 

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Landscape Design and Installation

  Design begins with a photo essay of the existing surroundings.  Images to represent proposed trees, shrubs, flowers, patios and walkways will be imposed on the pictures to give a visual idea of the finished landscape.  We take the same painstaking steps during installation of plants as we do with establishing a healthy lawn.  Generous amounts of soil amendments are used to improve the environment in which the plants will grow. Specialized Landscape Services uses only top quality plant material for installation and warranties plants for one full year.

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Irrigation System Installation 

    When a homeowner watches their turf and landscape plants suffer during annual droughts, the idea of installing an automatic irrigation system sells itself. 
    Precise watering depends on careful design of the irrigation system.  Factors and issues pile up and so can the confusion level
of the average consumer.  When water is being wasted with every irrigation cycle, the homeowner's ultimate luxury can become a nightmare. Careful selection of a competent installer has never been more important.  This is not a time to shop for the best price! 
    Fewer sprinkler heads and zones can reduce the price of installation but it also sacrifices the efficiency of a system.  Watering shrubs and turf areas at the same time rarely works since their water requirements vary.  Every landscape presents unique challenges requiring careful thought to individual design.  A consultation with our irrigation specialists will address the specific requirements for your irrigation system. 

Common Irrigation System Installation by Specialized Landscape Services: 

     Precise System Design 

• Back flow Prevention Device (to protect the water source from unlikely contamination)  

• Check out Rainbird "The world's leader in Irrigation" to find out more about the Rainbird ESP Controller, by far the most user friendly controller, with the most control options.    

• Hunter Rotor Style Sprinkler Heads (the most reliable rotors on the market)  

• Rain Sensor (adjustable to rainfall and dry out periods)  

• Drip stations for shrub beds (to optimize water usage while avoiding watering foliage and home foundations)  

See photos of an Irrigation System Installation
 
 

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Drainage Control 

  Those of us in the heart of Carolina know how erosion and standing water can wreak havoc on turf and landscape plantings. They can also cause problems for home foundations, basements and other structures that rely on dryness and valuable backfill.

    Poor grading, downspout pipes and paved areas such as driveways can create drainage problems and become the most common causes of excessive water.  There is a solution to all drainage problems and corrective measures vary with individual scenarios.  Building codes and inspections keep most drainage issues easy and inexpensive to correct.  Call Specialized Landscape Services for a consultation and estimate to control your drainage issues before they cause extensive and expensive damage to your property.

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Really Cool Services

• Micro Injection for large trees: This service controls insects and diseases from within. No need  to spray the tree. It can also eliminate the seed balls of sweet gum trees. Check out the benefits of this service at the following sites. http://www.treetech.net/ and  http://www.mauget.com/ 

• Deep Soil Compaction Relief: Annual aeration of your lawn does a great job of relieving the compaction of the first five inches of soil. Most of the time this is appropriate to grow fescue grass, but since fescue grass roots grow deeper than five inches soil compaction relief is needed beyond what common aerating equipment can provide. We have a solution to this problem that can be performed without doing damage to existing turf plants. We can loosen  soil up to 18” deep and add organic matter. Chances are slim that you will need to perform this process again. 

This picture shows the importance of loosened soil. The greener grass is where a sewage pipe is buried. The lawn receives no irrigation aside from rain fall.
 

This picture shows local dry spots due to deep soil compaction.
 

Click on pictures to get a better view.
 

• Soil Improvement for Existing Lawns: Poor soils lacking in organic matter can make maintaining good turf  difficult and frustrating. By adding organic matter to your soil and aerating it in you can improve the performance of your soil. The benefits are:  

• Reduce normal re-compaction of your soil due to traffic. 

• Increase water infiltration reducing the amount of needed irrigation. 

• Encourage a deeper, healthier root system of turf grass plants. 

• Since a limited amount of organic matter can be applied at any one time, poorer soils may need more than one application for best results. 

Specialized Landscape Services highly recommends the services of:

Quality Lawn Service ~ contract or occasional mowing and maintenance ~ Patrick Duncan 419-2426

Custom Interior Paint ~ Will Rives 614-4113

Pressure Washing, Deck Sealing ~ Brad McKnight 929-2989

Stump Grinding & Tree Work ~ Ed Childress 619-0659

Exterior Paint & Carpentry Repair ~ Ceiling texture ~ Lee Meyer 932-6238

Collins Mountain Grading ~ Michael Resnik ~ mikeresnik@bellsouth.net

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