Ottawa News

Designing For Drought – Tips and Tricks for a Lush Lawn | Nutri-Lawn Ottawa

Friday, 19 August 2011 17:29

Designing for Drought – Tips and Tricks for a Lush Lawn

Have the dog days of summer left your lawn looking worse for wear? Hot, humid Ottawa summers can wreak havoc on even the most well maintained properties, especially those with non-native landscaping elements. If you're tired of the devastation that drought causes to your lawn, now is the perfect time to reinvigorate your landscaping and prepare for next year.

Everything You Need To Know About Ottawa Lawn Seed | Nutri-Lawn Ottawa

Friday, 12 August 2011 02:14

Everything You Need to Know About Ottawa Lawn Seed

What kind of grass is growing in your yard? It's a simple question, but just how many people really know the answer? From turf grasses to fescues, seed blends to low maintenance options, there are literally dozens of different lawn seed varieties. The trick is knowing which type will flourish in your Ottawa lawn. From the city to the valley, let's take a closer look at your lawn.

Water-Saving Tips For Your Ottawa Lawn and Garden

Friday, 05 August 2011 12:59

Water-Saving Tips For Your Ottawa Lawn and Garden

Did you know that in the summer months municipal water use doubles here in Ottawa? From swimming pools and car washes, to lawn and garden maintenance, August is a wet and wild month in the city. Unfortunately, this increased demand for water places stress on municipal water systems and increases costs for tax payers and water users. In fact, it isn't uncommon for some municipalities to declare water restrictions during periods of extreme heat. When water becomes a hot commodity in your neighbourhood, don't despair. The following water-saving tips from the lawn sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa will help your property cope with drought-like conditions.

Techniques to Tackle Common Lawn Diseases

Monday, 11 July 2011 23:41

Techniques to Tackle Common Lawn Diseases

Common lawn diseases are difficult to diagnose. In most cases, the only sign of distress is when the grass is already dead. If your lawn is already exhibiting patches of dead or yellowing grass, don't despair. The expert lawn care and inground sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa can help you tackle these problematic patches and prevent the spread of disease. The following diseases are the ones most commonly found on local lawns:

1) Snow Moulds

Snow moulds are caused by several species of fungi, most of which grow at temperatures near freezing. Symptoms of this common lawn disease are most prevalent in the spring, or whenever the first major snow melt occurs. Signs of snow mould include circular or irregular straw-coloured patches that are topped by fluffy grey or pink mould spores. The residential sprinkler installers at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa usually notice damage in areas where snow persists longer in the spring (the areas next to driveways are often the first to show signs of distress).

Getting a Handle on Hairy Chinch Bugs

Monday, 11 July 2011 23:11

Getting a Handle on Hairy Chinch Bugs

Ottawa business owners have enough to worry about without adding lawn pests to the list. Unfortunately, Ottawa often falls prey to an awful infestation of hairy chinch bugs during the summer months, and commercial properties aren't exempt from the attack. Protect your lawn from these vicious little bugs early with pesticide treatments from the lawn care and commercial sprinkler system experts at Nutri-Lawn.

How to Tell if Your Lawn is in a Hairy Situation

Hairy chinch bugs are extremely small (about 5 millimetres in length) with six reddish legs. A fully grown hairy chinch bug has a black body and white wings. Immature hairy chinch bugs are bright red with distinct white bands across their backs. If you happen to inspect a hairy chinch bug up close, be careful! Hairy chinch bugs have piercing mouthparts that they use to feed on the sap of grass plants.

Watering Tips for Your Ottawa Lawn

Thursday, 30 June 2011 17:53

Watering Tips for Your Ottawa Lawn

Proper watering is an essential part of your lawn care maintenance routine. Whether you own a small commercial lot or a rolling residential estate, a well-rounded irrigation schedule will help improve your lawn's health, appearance, and resistance to disease. Let the residential and commercial sprinkler system installers from Nutri-Lawn show you how to properly use your inground irrigation system in order to ensure that your Ottawa lawn flourishes this summer.

Tip #1 – Water As Needed
Remember what your mother told you – everything in moderation. The same can be said for your Ottawa irrigation schedule. Too much water can lead to a variety of lawn diseases. How can you tell if your lawn is being over-saturated by your commercial or residential sprinkler system? Symptoms include the yellowing of grass shoots, the pooling of water, and root rot. While it may seem counterintuitive, grass can also wilt if it is exposed to too much continual moisture.

What is the Ontario Pesticide Ban?

Thursday, 16 June 2011 01:17

What is the Ontario Pesticide Ban?

Did you know that Ontario effectively banned the use of lawn and garden pesticides back in April of 2009? This ban, which included more than 250 popular pesticide treatments, has greatly limited the way Ottawa lawn care companies can treat and protect lawns against harmful pests and persistent weed growth. Luckily, the talented lawn care crew at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa have developed a number of techniques and environmentally-friendly pesticide alternatives that can help ensure the health and vitality of your lawn this summer.

About the Pesticide Ban
The Ontario-wide pesticide ban came into effect on Earth Day in April of 2009. The ban, which is now law across all of the province, banned the sale of pesticides "for cosmetic purposes on lawns, gardens, parks, and school yards, and includes many herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides." This ban also prohibited the types of lawn care products that automatic lawn sprinkler system installers could provide to their customers. There are no exceptions to this pesticide ban. If you have used chemicals on your lawn, vegetable garden, patio, driveway or ornamental gardens in the past, you are no longer permitted to do so and can be fined if these chemicals are found in your possession.

How to Handle Summer Lawn Stress | Nutri-Lawn Ottawa

Monday, 13 June 2011 18:25

How to Handle Summer Lawn Stress

Summer hasn't officially arrived in Ottawa just yet, but don't you worry – the hot and humid afternoon's will be here soon enough. Is your lawn ready to deal with the stress of summer weather? Excessive heat and lack of rain calls for regular watering from your inground sprinkler system, while unexpected thunderstorms can create disease conditions due to excessive moisture. Balancing Mother Nature's mid-June mood swings can be frustrating, but don't throw in the towel just yet. Ensure your Ottawa lawn is ready for another summer scorcher with professional lawn care maintenance from the experts at Nutri-Lawn.

How Your Grass Naturally Copes With Heat
Did you know that your lawn goes semidormant during periods of extreme heat and drought? During the summer, grass utilizes energy that's stored in its root system in order to sustain life and survive sweltering days. Unfortunately, the more energy the plant draws from the roots, the weaker they become, making the plant more susceptible to disease and insect damage. The best way to protect your lawn from the effects of summer stress is to ensure it's properly fed and maintained during the spring growing season. Proper fertility and a higher mower cut setting will help promote the growth of an extensive root system, as well as improve your lawn's ability to combat pests and problems.