Choose RRR Lawn & landscape for a custom vegetable garden which is raised above the ground

Raised-bed gardening is a great way to grow vegetables -- especially if the garden soil is poor or compacted or has poor drainage. And there's no bending over to pull weeds or harvest vegetables.

Raised beds take very little space, and can be built right over a concrete patio. Drainage in a raised bed is superior to that in an in-ground garden bed. A 12"-deep bed provides ample room for most vegetable roots.

Green Alternatives to Grass (Landscaping with Pets Series)

But installing a tougher type of grass will solve only one lawn-care problem encountered in landscaping with dogs: namely, wear and tear on grass. It will do nothing to solve the problem of "dog spots." Dog spots are the unsightly yellow spots on grass caused by the nitrogen and salts in dog urine.
But there is a type of "green carpet" that solves the problem of dog spots: clover. Clover lawns have many advantages over grass lawns. If you're landscaping with dogs, you'll especially appreciate the fact that clover doesn't stain the way grass does after being subjected to canine urine.

Grand Rapids Fall Lawn Care Tip of the Day

Did the summer do a number on your lawn?  Now is the time to get it back in line!

Check out this great article we found from MSU turfgrass expert Kevin Frank.  View the article on MLive.

Widespread Drought Continues Across Southwest Lower Michigan

Here is the official report from Weather.Gov on the status of the ongoing drought in Grand Rapids:

DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI
1117 AM EDT THU AUG 2 2012

...WIDESPREAD DROUGHT CONTINUES ACROSS SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN...

SYNOPSIS...
RECENT RAINFALL HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH TO MITIGATE THE ONGOING DROUGHT.
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE REMAINDER OF AUGUST INDICATES ABOVE NORMAL
TEMPERATURES AND AN EQUAL CHANCE OF BELOW OR ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL.

THE DROUGHT INTENSITY ACROSS THE REGION VARIES...AS DEFINED BY THE
UNITED STATES DROUGHT MONITOR INDEX:

ACROSS SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN...D1 TO D2 OR MODERATE TO SEVERE
DROUGHT CONDITIONS EXIST. NEAR THE INDIANA BORDER...D3 OR EXTREME
DROUGHT CONDITIONS EXIST.

POSSIBLE IMPACTS FROM A MODERATE DROUGHT /D1/ ARE SOME
DAMAGE TO CROPS...PASTURES... STREAMS...RESERVOIRS...OR WELLS
LOW...SOME WATER SHORTAGES DEVELOPING OR IMMINENT...VOLUNTARY
WATER-USE RESTRICTIONS REQUESTED.

POSSIBLE IMPACTS FROM A SEVERE DROUGHT /D2/ ARE CROP OR
PASTURE LOSSES LIKELY... WATER SHORTAGES COMMON...AND WATER
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED.

SUMMARY OF IMPACTS...
MANY CREEKS AND STREAMS ARE RUNNING MUCH BELOW NORMAL FLOW.
LARGE STEM RIVER FLOWS ARE IN THE SINGLE PERCENTILE OF NORMAL
FLOW...WITH SOME NEARING RECORD LOW FLOWS.

THE SHALLOW WATER LEVELS HAVE LED TO WARMER THAN NORMAL STREAMWATER
TEMPERATURES...AND THIS IS CAUSING INCREASED CONCERN FOR
UNFAVORABLE AQUATIC HABITAT FOR MUSSELS...FISH AND OTHER MACRO
INVERTEBRATES.

AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS ARE CONTINUALLY BEING ASSESSED...HOWEVER
ECONOMIC LOSSES ARE ALREADY BEING REPORTED FOR THIS GROWING SEASON.

SOIL MOISTURE CONDITIONS...
SOIL MOISTURE SUPPLIES ARE BELOW NORMAL ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA.

GROUNDWATER CONDITIONS...
AT THE END OF JULY...THE MID MICHIGAN HEALTH  DEPARTMENT REPORTED
THAT 40 RESIDENTIAL WELLS HAVE GONE DRY IN GRATIOT COUNTY.

RIVER AND STREAMFLOW CONDITIONS...
ALL RIVERS ACROSS SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN ARE EXPERIENCING BELOW
NORMAL FLOWS. THERE HAS BEEN A GRADUAL BUT STEADY FALL IN RIVER AND
STREAM LEVELS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND THIS TREND IS
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH SEPTEMBER WHEN AVERAGE FLOW MINIMUMS
OCCUR.

AGRICULTURE IMPACTS...
AGRICULTURAL LOSS ESTIMATES WILL CONTINUE TO MOUNT.  CROP YIELD
ESTIMATES WILL LIKELY DIMINISH AND LIVESTOCK STRESS AND LOSSES WILL
INCREASE.

FIRE DANGER HAZARDS...
FIRE DANGER CAN BE DETERMINED THROUGH BOTH THE 10 HOUR AND 100 HOUR
FUEL MOISTURES...OR THE KEETCH BYRAM DROUGHT INDEX /KBDI/.
THE KBDI IS A DROUGHT INDEX THAT IS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO
FIRE POTENTIAL.

BELOW ARE THE CATEGORIES AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH.

         ...KEETCH-BYRAM DROUGHT INDEX /KBDI/...
KBDI VALUE              DESCRIPTION OF FIRE POTENTIAL
  0 TO 200      LOW - WET WITH LITTLE DANGER OF FIRE INITIATION
201 TO 400      MODERATE - DRYING OCCURRING WITH SOME FIRE
401 TO 600      HIGH - GROUND COVER DRY AND WILL BURN READILY
601 TO 800      EXTREME - DEAD AND LIVE FUELS WILL BURN READILY

KBDI AND DEAD FUEL MOISTURE DATA CAN BE FOUND AT THE WILDLAND
FIRE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM /WFAS/AT
HTTP://WWW.FS.FED.US/LAND/WFAS/WFAS10.HTML

CLIMATE SUMMARY...
RAINFALL AMOUNTS VARY OVER THE REGION AND FOR THE MOST PART HAVE BEEN
SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW NORMAL FOR THE PAST MONTH AND BELOW NORMAL SINCE
JUNE.

ANNUAL RAINFALL THROUGH AUGUST 2ND AT 10 AM
LOCATION         RAINFALL SINCE 1/1/12    DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
GRAND RAPIDS     18.88 INCHES             -2.48 INCHES
LANSING          14.86 INCHES             -3.20 INCHES
MUSKEGON         18.66 INCHES             +1.27 INCHES
KALAMAZOO        15.07 INCHES             -4.83 INCHES
BATTLE CREEK     11.45 INCHES             -6.84 INCHES
HOLLAND          16.71 INCHES             -3.13 INCHES
JACKSON          14.65 INCHES             -3.03 INCHES

SUMMER RAINFALL THROUGH AUGUST 2ND AT 10 AM
LOCATION         RAINFALL SINCE 1/1/12    DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
GRAND RAPIDS     4.73 INCHES             -3.05 INCHES
LANSING          3.64 INCHES             -2.85 INCHES
MUSKEGON         5.78 INCHES             +0.66 INCHES
KALAMAZOO        3.38 INCHES             -4.08 INCHES
BATTLE CREEK     2.11 INCHES             -4.70 INCHES
HOLLAND          3.63 INCHES             -3.62 INCHES
JACKSON          4.36 INCHES             -2.72 INCHES

PRECIPITATION/TEMPERATURE OUTLOOKS...
THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL SATURDAY NIGHT.
THE LATEST 6 TO 10 DAY OUTLOOK FROM THE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER
INDICATES THE CHANCE FOR ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION...HOWEVER
CONDITIONS DO NOT LOOK FAVORABLE FOR LARGE SCALE DROUGHT BREAKING
RAINFALL FROM AUGUST 2ND THROUGH AUGUST 9TH.

HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK...
ALL RIVERS ACROSS SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN ARE EXPERIENCING
BELOW NORMAL FLOWS. THERE HAS BEEN A GRADUAL BUT STEADY FALL IN RIVER
AND STREAM LEVELS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND THIS TREND IS
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH SEPTEMBER WHEN AVERAGE FLOW MINIMUMS
OCCUR.  WITH THE LACK OF SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL EXPECTED...RIVERS AND
STREAMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THEIR SLOW FALL THROUGH AUGUST.
LAKE LEVELS ACROSS THE REGION ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO FALL AS
WELL. THIS MAY CREATE PROBLEMS FOR BOATERS AND SWIMMERS. CAUTION
SHOULD BE EXERCISED AS MORE HAZARDOUS OBJECTS THAT HAD BEEN COVERED
BY WATER MAY NOW BE EXPOSED OR NEARLY EXPOSED.

NEXT ISSUANCE DATE...

THIS PRODUCT WILL BE UPDATED ON AUGUST 9TH 2012 OR WHEN
DROUGHT CONDITIONS CHANGE.

&&

RELATED WEB SITES...

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CURRENT DROUGHT CONDITIONS MAY BE FOUND AT
THE FOLLOWING WEB ADDRESSES /USE LOWER CASE LETTERS/:

U.S. DROUGHT PORTAL...HTTP://WWW.DROUGHT.GOV
U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR...HTTP://WWW.DROUGHT.UNL.EDU/DM/MONITOR.HTML
U.S. DROUGHT ASSESSMENT...
HTTP://WWW.CPC.NCEP.NOAA.GOV/PRODUCTS/EXPERT_ASSESSMENT/DROUGHT_ASSESSMENT.SHTML
U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR FOR MICHIGAN...
HTTP://WWW.DROUGHT.UNL.EDU/DM/DM_STATE.HTM?MI,MW
NWS RIVER INFORMATION...HTTP://WATER.WEATHER.GOV/AHPS/
RIVER FORECAST CENTERS...HTTP://WATER.WEATHER.GOV/AHPS/RFC/RFC.PHP
U.S. WATER MONITOR...HTTP://WATERMONITOR.GOV/
NATIONAL PRECIPITATION GRAPHIC SUITE...
HTTP://WATER.WEATHER.GOV/PRECIP/
STATE USDA CROP PROGRESS REPORTS...HTTP://WWW.NASS.USDA.GOV/MI
CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER...HTTP://WWW.CPC.NCEP.NOAA.GOV/
MIDWESTERN CLIMATE CENTER...
HTTP://MCC.SWS.UIUC.EDU/CLIWATCH/WATCH.HTM
USGS GROUNDWATER INFORMATION...HTTP://WATER.USGS.GOV/OGW/
USGS WATERWATCH...HTTP://WATERWATCH.USGS.GOV/NEW/

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...

THE DROUGHT MONITOR IS A MULTI-AGENCY EFFORT INVOLVING NOAA/S
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND NATIONAL CLIMATIC DATA CENTER
/NCDC/...THE USDA...STATE AND REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTERS AND
THE NATIONAL DROUGHT MITIGATION CENTER.

INFORMATION FOR THIS STATEMENT HAS BEEN GATHERED FROM NWS AND
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION /FAA/ OBSERVATION SITES...
STATE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICES...UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE /USDA/ AND UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY/USGS/.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS...

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS DROUGHT
INFORMATION STATEMENT PLEASE CONTACT...
WILLIAM MARINO
WILLIAM.MARINO@NOAA.GOV
616-949-0643
CLIMATE/DROUGHT FOCAL POINT
NWS - GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN

$$

WALTON

(Full Report Available at http://water.weather.gov/ahps/water/textprods/view.php?wfo=grr&prod=DGT )

Solutions to Problems with the Drought and Intense Heat

High heat and a lack of rainfall is double trouble as it relates to the health of your lawn.  Brown grass results in weeks or even days after prolonged high temperatures and an absence of rainfall.  So, what is a homeowner to do?

At this time of year, the best action is preventative.  First, ensuring your mower is adjusted to the proper cutting height of 3-3.5” and not mowing during the heat of the day is just as important.  Applying slow release fertilizer, lime, or mulched clippings to enhance organic matter is very beneficial.  And over seeding with a drought tolerant turf as well.  In terms of precipitation, unless you have an irrigation system or a very shaded lawn.

On a serious note, it’s not the browning of your lawn that is most concerning, but what might eat it while it is brown.  It is much more difficult to notice an attack by hungry pests as the lawn may already be discolored.  Now is the time to monitor for chinch bug, grub, or sod web worm activity.  If you can’t monitor yourself, hire a professional licensed lawn care company.

In terms of watering, anything is helpful but don’t expect that magical green you may see in the spring or fall.  Providing an inch or more of water may not even be allowed if there is a ban like many towns have in place here in MI.  And since most grass needs about an inch of water per week, anything will help to keep the dormant turf alive as it remains in a hibernation state.  High heat will brown out and cause all kinds of blotches and spots in a treated or non-treated lawn setting.  Frankly, it is just too hot for cool season grass when the mercury rises above 85 or 90 degrees.  High heat can cause white blotches on the leaf blade and create drought stress appearing as dull blue or purple sections.  Additional stress may result in a tan or light brown lawn as the plant shuts down to preserve itself.  Remember, grass blades are 99% water, so no water = no grass to grow!

By the way, now is not the time to apply liquid fertilizer or herbicides. The result can be a disaster resulting in what I call “corner to corner grey or brown turf”.  A trained eye can easily spot this kind of chemical induced stress.  Also, high soluble fertilizers place undue stress on a lawn that may already be on the edge. Mowing during the heat of the day is like lying on your driveway at noon (hot and unpleasant).  Any remaining moisture is quickly lost from the fresh cuts as the lawn literally wilts. Massive browning can result in a very short period of time (sometimes hours).  Stressed turf is highly susceptible to mower tracks from the weight of a tractor as well.  This is also true when lawn care companies that use perma-greens and other powered equipment to apply fertilizer, lime, or herbicides.  A light touch using smaller spreaders should be used to prevent this type of damage.

In short, high summer heat is not “the norm” MI However, follow these simple steps to insure a healthy summer lawn:

   1. Watch out for insect damage
   2. Water if you can, and what you can
   3. Don’t mow if you don’t have to (especially from 11am to 3pm). And cut high 3” to 3.5”.  Don’t feel obligated to mow when not mowing is really the best course of action.

Take a vacation and have some fun- but make sure you take care of your investment!


Want help preserving your lawn in the drought?  Call us for more details at 616-893-5765!

Landscape Design Services in Grand Rapids

When it's time for a change you can count on RRR for all your Landscaping dreams, design, and installation. From a renovation to that landscape you have always wanted, RRR is the right choice for quality.

Keep your lanscape looking neat and healthy with our Landscape Management Services. Count on RRR to keep your beds in order, ornamentals pruned, dormant trees pruned, and everything looking good. We take pride in our attention to detail and the quality look to our work.

Picking Flowers for Your Grand Rapids Landscaping

Selecting the right flower layout for your Grand Rapids landscape can be a tricky task.  You need to consider functionality, price, and appearance. 

Some tropical flowers may look amazing and add some great pop to your landscaping, however you may need to take extra care and precautions for them.

Annuals or Perennials?  Are you going to manage your landscaping or are you going to have a professional landscaping company care for it?  Keep these factors in mind when selecting the flowers that match best for your needs.

Want our opinion? Call us at 616-893-5765 for a free landscaping estimate!

Don't Be Afraid of Your Local Landscape Company!

Hey Grand Rapids, it appears that many people are afraid to call a landscape company to come in and help them out.  Some are afraid because they fear that the cost will be outside of their budget, others worry that the job might just be too small for the pros.  Put your worries aside!

Before

At RRR Lawn & Landscape we put customer satisfaction as our number one priority.  From entire landscape makeovers to minor projects that are destine to spruce up the appearance of your landscaping, we would like to eliminate any fears or worries you have about calling a professional landscaping company.  We offer free, no hassle estimates so you don't have to worry about committing to something unless you are ready!

 After

Call RRR Lawn & Landscape today to see what we can do for you!  616-893-5765 or www.rrrlawn.com

Preparing for Summer - Grand Rapids Landscpaing Tip of the Day

Usually, I advise home sellers to use brightly-colored flowers like yellow and red to catch buyer's attention. However, if you live where the sun is making everything extra hot, make your home feel cooler with abundant white flowers. If you have gorgeous flowers in multi-color, don't rip them out. Just add a lot of white to tone down the exuberant warm colors. A few flats of white alyssum go a long way and this hardy plant holds up in extreme heat.

10 Tips For a Healthy West Michigan Lawn

We are looking forward to seeing some nice green lawns around Grand Rapids this year!  Here are 10 tips for a healthy West Michigan lawn!

1. Apply pre-emergent weed control over entire lawn
2. Apply post-emergent weed control as needed
3. Fertilize lightly
4. Inspect for insects and diseases (this is the time of year they begin to be active) check early for signs of damage
5. Look for abnormalities in the lawn
6. Treat as necessary
7. Consult an expert
8. Routine Maintenance
9. Mow, trim, and adge lawn areas as needed
10. Water when needed. Both drought and over watering can create serious problems

Grand Rapids Spring Lawn Care Specials from RRR Lawn & Landscape

Are you located in or around the Grand Rapids, MI area and are looking for a great price on some above par landscaping?  You've found the right place!  Visit www.rrrlawn.com to check out some of our great spring specials!

What is your favorite beach town in West Michigan?

Hey West Michigan!  We are curious to find out what your favorite beach town is.  Please fill out my survey in the LinkedIn Group Grand Rapids Great Outdoors!

Grand Rapids Landscaping Tip of the Day from RRR Lawn

One of the most important parts of your home landscape is the area near the foundation of your home. The plantings around the foundation tie the home to the surrounding yard. These foundation plantings and beds are also used hide necessary but unappealing equipment such as air conditioners or power meters, and to soften the harsh areas of the exterior of your home.


Want a free landscape design estimate?  Visit www.rrrlawn.com to sign up for an appointment! 

Spring Lawn Care Specials from RRR Lawn & Landscape

Bundle 3 Services or More & Receive a $75 Credit! | Have 10 Yards or More of Mulch Installed, Get a $50 Credit! | With Any Mulch Installation, Receive a FREE Irrigation Start up!  View the entire promotion at: http://rrrlawn.com/email/rrrspring2012.html

Live Weather Update: Grand Rapids, MI

How's it looking out there today in Grand Rapids?  Well take a look HERE to find out!

Visit our website at www.rrrlawn.com to get some great spring landscaping deals in West Michigan!

When do you aerate your lawn? - RRR Lawn & Landscape Tip of the Day!

 

 

When a lawn becomes compacted, you need to use an aerator to loosen the soil and allow the grass to grow more easily once more. RRR Lawn & Landscape Recommends Fall time for core aeration.

Grand Rapids, MI Weather Forecast from RRR Lawn & Landscape

Hey Grand Rapids, I hope you have been having a great weekend!  Looks like we are in for a little different weather next week.  Take a look at the forecast at http://www.weather.com/weather/today/Grand+Rapids+MI+49546

Want to enjoy the nice weather without spending all that time in your yard?  Contact RRR Lawn & Landscape for all of your lawn care needs! 

Raking in the spring? - RRR Lawn & Landscape Tip of the Day!

Raking your lawn is probably how you finished working in the yard late last fall. In the spring it is a good idea to begin everything with that same rake. Give your yard a thorough, deep raking before you begin to mow or treat the grass.

Weed Control - Grand Rapids Lawn Care Tip of the Day from RRR Lawn

 

Weed control: Apply a pre-emergent weed killer on lawns to prevent grassy weeds from germinating. Spring broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clovers and plantains, are best prevented by maintaining a proper mowing height and fertilization. After a mild winter, annual weeds that germinate in the fall, like henbit and chickweed, will be more visible and require higher levels of broadleaf weed control through herbicides.

Grand Rapids Lawn Care Tip of the Day from RRR Lawn: Mowing

Mowing: Contrary to popular belief, setting your mower at a very low height can actually increase weeds by exposing the soil surface to sunlight and removing stored nutrients in leaf blades. Cool weather grasses, such as bluegrass, ryegrass and fescues, should maintain a height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches.

Tired of mowing the lawn every week?  Have RRR Lawn & Landscape take care of it for you!  Visit www.rrrlawn.com for more information!