Proper lawn maintenance begins with fall cleanup

     In the spring and summer, I often get the inquiry where there is a problem with the lawn like dead spots, washout, or bad growth.  The turf is declining, there are bare spots or dead areas and the customer wants an answer.  A common misconception is that, at that point in the year, there is a "silver bullet" of a remedy that can immediately turn the condition of the lawn around; a treatment or a quick seeding that will give them the lush, green lawn that they desire.  The truth of the matter is that proper lawn maintenance should include a thorough fall cleanup routine that perhaps includes some treatments. 

     There are several different attacks happening on your lawn in the fall.  Sticks, pine cones, gumballs, acorns, leaves and pine straw are a few of the major culprits.  These items must be removed in order to optimize your lawn's potential.  Fall cleanup can be done with a blower or a rake of course, but a blower is the best way to get all the debris out off the nooks and crannies in the quickest way possible.  My favorite leaf blowers are an even tie: I like the Echo PB651-T, which you can't get anymore and I like the Stihl BR600 magnum, which is a quieter model that is available at your local lawn and garden supply store.

     One thing I see people doing is running the riding mower over a yard full of debris.  The intent here (and the misconception in most cases) is that this "mulching" of the leaves is good for the lawn, somehow easier to do than rake, and perhaps even more environmentally friendly.  In my many years of experience with lawn care, it is in my opinion that I state that I believe that this method is faulty.  It seems to me that mulch mowing the debris creates a thin layer of lawn suppressing garbage as opposed to a more chunky layer of grass killing garbage.  Heavy riding mowers exacerbate the problem because the heaviness and the wide tires push the debris into the soil.  Pushing acorns, sticks and pine cones into the turf is a sure way to kill that spot in the season to come (grass will not grow on top of a pine cone).  Although using the riding mower and getting those yard guy juices flowing seems like a great idea, in my opinion you'd be much better off buying a quality backpack blower, blowing the leaves into a pile, raking that onto a $9 tarp and dragging it to the street or a natural area.

     There are also various treatments that you might consider in the Fall.  Lime, for instance, might be a good pick if your pH is off, if you see moss, or if you have onions...and often times, in yards that have a lot of washout or pine trees, lime application is a good choice for this time of year.  One lawn treatment service that I consider to be a basic need is pre-emergent.  Pre-emergent granules can be a critical part of the annual treatment regime in that they "prevent" winter weeds from emerging.  This often overlooked treatment also has post emergent properties to a lesser extent and a slight amount of seasonal fertilizer.     

     In summary, if you have an abundance of leaves, pinecones, or the like in your yard, do your lawn a favor in the spring to come and do the leaf removal with a backpack blower.  The job will be done much faster, much easier, and more thorough than other methods like raking.  Take the time to manually pick up the heavier debris like sticks and pinecones.  Carefully gather acorns with a rake or take the time to blow acorns into a pile so you can collect them and remove them.  Spend some time working on your yard in the fall and your lawn will be on its way to being more lush and beautiful for your enjoyment in the spring to come!

Lawn and Sprinkler System Winterization

The road to a beautiful yard that is free from weeds, appealing to the eye and functioning properly takes more than the occasional mowing during the cutting season.  Fall is here and its time to do some final housekeeping in regards to your lawn, the sprinkler system, and the yard in general. 

At this time of year, as prescribed in the Busy Bee Lawn Care Annual Grass Fertilization Service and Weed Control Program, you might want to consider applying a granular pre-emergent to your lawn and flower beds.  A preemergent application in the fall is a step you can take to minimize the amount of winter weeds you would have otherwise.  Its often those few weeds among your dormant grass that are not only unsightly, but also costly...if you didn't have these few weeds, you could probably put your mower away completely for the entire winter or if you pay for lawn mowing service, you can give your wallet a break for a few months.  You should also cut down on watering, which contributes to weed growth in the winter when the base lawn is not able to crowd out the unwanted weeds.

Speaking of watering, late fall is the best time to winterize your (Rain Bird, Toro, Hunter, Orbit, etc) sprinkler system.  This procedure should be carefully done by a professional sprinkler repair service.  The purpose of sprinkler system winterization is to prevent the plastic pvc pipes, fittings, and valves from freezing in the winter by evacuating the water from the system.  A hard freeze, which has become more prevalent here in Columbia and Lexington South Carolina can severely damage your irrigation which can be costly and time consuming (not to mention detrimental to a well watered lawn if left unrepaired for a length of time).

Another general item that should be included in your fall yard routine is leaf cleanup or "fall cleanup".  The task at hand is to remove as much pine straw, cones, sticks, gumballs, and leaves as you can.  Mulching these items and hoping that they turn into good topsoil has been proven through my many years of experience to be a bad plan.  Most of the time where people have either left the leaves and debris on the turf for too long or, with the best of intentions, "mulched" the debris there are bare spots, disease, fungus and mold where the debris was left.  Although some people advocate mulching debris in the fall (especially leaves), I have found it to be bad for the lawn.  In my opinion, the best protocol is to blow the leaves into a pile, tarp them and drag them to your dumping spot; removing the debris from the lawn altogether.  If your mower sucks up the debris well enough in "bag" mode without leaving too many chopped up pieces behind, then that's a fine tact as well.

In regards to a comprehensive lawn care routine, several preventative steps can be taken to maximize beauty and even save you money in the long run.  Taking care to remove leaves and debris from among your lawn can save you from having to buy new sod in the spring.  Proper irrigation winterization and backflow control valve testing can save you the expense and headache of a leaking system.  A proper application of pre-emergent in the fall can save you from having to mow through the winter.  So happy gardening, and if you don't have the time to do these things on your own, we're standing by to help as usual at Busy Bee Lawn Care, Columbia - (803)331-5323

Could The Columbia, S.C. “Famously hot” Slogan be Hurting the Local Economy?

Could The Columbia, S.C. “Famously hot” Slogan be Hurting the Local Economy?
By: Mr. Ashley Brooks, Busy Bee Lawn Care & Sprinkler Repair

Columbia has been described as oppressively hot, stifling, sweltering, muggy, sultry, and just plain hot.  Yes, Columbia South Carolina is the armpit of the South; it’s quite difficult to be productive outside as it is…so why did the powers that be vote for the current “Famously Hot” slogan?  This moniker is not only stifling to the economy  as an end result, but along the way it is making for bad morale, management problems; it offends would be vacationers…why would anyone want to stay here if the negative impression that they already have of Columbia is verified with this slogan?  We’re still trying to live down the whole “armpit of The South” thing!  I believe that dealing with the heat is a mindset and that if we do not think about it, have to think about it or be perpetually reminded of it we can be more productive and make it through the day without it being such a bain to our existence.  As a blue collar business owner here in The Midlands, among The Midlands’ hundreds of companies who make their living out in the “non air conditioned” world, I for one vote we change this slogan to help our economy and to improve morale overall.

Complaining about the heat (as I, having been sucked into the media spin of it all myself, have caught myself doing, albeit jokingly, and just recently discovered the inherent problems therein) creates several problems and translates into a loss of revenue from the top down.  I think we all can grasp the idea that if, in the minds of our peers and co-workers, the heat condition is perpetually portrayed in such a negative way, then production is going to decrease, revenue is going to continue to decrease, and we’re going to end up as a purely consumerist society where no one actually produces anything tangible be it labor with an outcome,  a valuable product or a worthwhile service.  Production verifiably decreases either outwardly, psychologically, or from peer to peer and ultimately take away motivation and drive.  That throttling back of production of our extremely crucial blue collar industry (which is the backbone of Columbia’s economy) in this, our only productive 8 months out of the year (the other 4 plus are spent either preparing for a holiday, enjoying the holiday, or flat doing nothing productive at all), will trickle down negatively throughout our entire economy from the guy who mows your yard to the guy who sells you an insurance policy; everyone is affected.  If the blue collar workers are no longer inclined to “just do it” or “acclimate” to the condition because the media has stifled their enthusiasm and appreciation of gainful employment, then their purchasing power will decrease as a result of lack of income or future income increases, the seller of the goods that they purchase will suffer due to the reduction of revenue, the building owner who rents the seller’s store to him would suffer, the tax system that we are born into and will die paying towards that supports our infrastructure will suffer, and on and on.  Do slogan voters understand that perception can affect the economy? 

We’re not getting any hotter, it’s the same as it has always been.  Hurricanes are not getting more prevalent, El Nino is here one year and gone the next (it’s a cycle, we know this!), and the polar bears in Alaska are not dying as a result of anything short of God’s Will and the natural progression of the environment.

Tangent?  Who cares!  Its my blog get over it =)

For information sake, maybe it would help the cause somehow to mention that there exist several ways of dealing with the heat that those who are native to our fine City may or may not be familiar with.  One way to beat the heat is by wearing a wide brimmed hat.  Ironically, a company named Columbia Sportswear, makes such a hat which not only keeps the blazing sun from frying your ears and crown, but also seemingly brings the temperature down and shades your eyes.  This hat alone buys you 20% more up time in the heat and glare (20% more up time for you means 20% more up time for your employer and 20% more uptime with the economy down from there).  Some people may not consider such a garment to be the most “hip” thing in the world to wear but hey, we’re talking about survival here, not a fashion show.  Another vulnerable body part that has to be protected lest you develop melanoma in your golden years is your forearms.  Under Armor, Nike, etc make a long sleeve, lycra/spandex shirt that will cover your arms and shoulders to the equivalent of over 100 spf I’m sure, wick away moisture from you or retain moisture if you like (wet it with a hose!) to cool you, while not weighing but a couple of ounces and not weighing you down like cotton.  The shirt buys you another significant percentage of up time.  And finally, the 2 golden rules that we all hear which are so true: Hydrate and take a breather, either of which equate to a happier, healthier, more productive day for everybody.

So why would anyone want to come to Columbia with that sort of slogan hanging over our heads?  We work so hard to tout our Vista Nightlife, good times at Lake Murray, the great residential developments like Lake Carolina, Forest Acres, Lexington…but we have this slogan that reminds the world how oppressively hot we are?  If the word “hot” in the slogan was perceived as “trendy” then that would be a slightly different matter but it isn’t…hot is hot, as in temperature and its having an effect on our pocketbooks where travelers and vacationers are concerned.  Think it is not affecting our coastal neighbors?  Think again…Myrtle Beach isn’t exactly flourishing right now.

So being that it is not my nature to present a problem without some sort of solution, I have some suggestions for a new slogan that the powers that be should consider.  How about “The heart of those Smiling Faces Beautiful Places” or “A Great Place to work and Raise a Family”?  If our target market is Vista Goers how about let’s call a spade a spade and just say “The Vista from here is Great!”? 

So tomorrow, like every day, the media will persist with their proclamation of “record highs” and, while in their air conditioning, joke about the oppressive condition of it all and we’ll all, ever so subliminally remember those statements and wonder why we’re having increasingly miserable summers.  When did these “records” begin anyway?  Did they start this temperature record keeping perhaps as far back as the late 1800’s?  Maybe?  Folks 100 or 200 years of “records” is not even a drop in the bucket where the timeline of humanity is concerned.  We’re not heading into a hellish 120 degree every single day summer, we’re not on the brink of Armageddon, we’re not getting away from the fact that The Summers in Columbia are The Summers in Columbia, and we as human know-it-alls don’t know jack about meteorology or where this is all going in the grand scheme of things.  What we do know is that we have a negative slogan that needs to be changed.  It’s just my 2 cents…don’t hate the pot stirrer here…maybe something productive will come out of my rant for the betterment of the community.  In the meantime, I’m going to keep on smiling, keep my head down, and try my best every day to be one of the driving forces of our economy even if it’s in a relatively small way.

Sprinkler Main Line Repair Costs

Sprinkler Main Line Repair Costs can vary from situation to situation, but Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair Service, Columbia S.C. can service all your lawn sprinkler repair and maintenance needs.  One repair that needs immediate attention is a broken sprinkler line which is leaking water.  

First off, you’ll know you have a break in the sprinkler line if you’re experiencing a loss of water pressure, puddles and geysers in your yard, dead spots, or overly watered areas in the turf.  A break in the sprinkler line is probably not located in the precise spot where you’ll see water coming up through the ground.  So please leave digging to the professionals at Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair.

When you call Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair, a service tech will come out to assess the situation, explain to you what sprinkler line repairs are needed, and give you an estimate of the repair costs.  First the tech will have to dig and locate where the line break has occurred. Then the tech will likely have to dig the lawn around the area of the break to determine how much damage there is, what parts will be needed,  and approximately how long it will take to make the repair.  From here, the tech can calculate an estimate for you.  A quick, rough, online repair estimate can be obtained by emailing us at BusyBeeLawnCare@gmail.com, but a more accurate estimate will be given at the time of the service call. 

If your lawn sprinkler line breaks, and you find yourself in need of prompt, professional sprinkler repairs, call Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair at (803) 331-5323.  You can trust that your sprinkler repairs will be done right the first time because we know how important your lawn is to you!

Design Your Own Lawn Sprinkler System

     If you have made the choice to design your own lawn sprinkler system , you will need to make sure you have a good layout or design.  Your design should include a drawing of your lot, sprinkler head position locations, and a yard divided into zones. 

     If a survey of your property is available, that would be of great help.  Confirm its measurements by using a long tape measure.  Mark all major boundaries and any objects in the yard, including trees, shrubbery, walkways, walls, etc…Also show where windows are located to prevent sprayed water from entering them, especially those on lower levels.

     Make note of or mark the wettest and driest areas, as well as the shady and sunny spots.  When deciding which sides should have sprinklers alone the edge, keep in mind that not all edges need sprinklers because this could cause watering over your property line.  Use either triangular or square spacing when determining how many rows of sprinklers are needed.  Details for this step can be found by doing some research online.

     Now you will need to divide the yard into zones.  Detailed and more specific instructions for this step can be found online by simply researching how to divide a yard into zones for a sprinkler system.  If you’re not comfortable with tackling this step on your own, you can consult a plumber or sprinkler installation company.

     Your layout should be as detailed and accurate as possible when you design your own lawn sprinkler system.  A sprinkler system company or plumber can help you along the way if need be.  Once you have your design, and have checked over it, you are ready to begin the installation process!

Sprinkler System Zone Wont Shut Off

     Before you call a sprinkler system service company for a zone that will not shut off, troubleshoot the problem first.  This can be a frustrating issue when you see the zone or zones watering long after they should have shut off.  It could be something a simple as a programming error, but you could also find that a mechanical error like a stuck valve or wire malfunction is occurring.

     The first thing you can do is shut off the entire system at the control panel OR at the main backflow control valve OR at the system emergency shutoff valve which we can install for you.  Whether your controller’s setting says “OFF”, “RAIN”, or “RAIN OFF”, by switching to that setting, you will shut the system off electrically.  If the water stops running, the issue was in programming, and re-programming the water schedule could fix the problem.

     If water still continues to run, then this is an indication that the issue is mechanical in nature.  At this point, you will need to go to the water source to shut the system off.  The easiest way to locate the main water cut off is to find the backflow control valve, which is usually near the street with a green lid just at ground level.

     Now that you’ve concluded that the problem is mechanical, it is best to call an irrigation specialist who can find the problem and promptly repair it.  You do not want the system to continue running because this could only worsen the issue, as large amounts of water would be wasted, your lawn could literally drown, or it can create a hazard much like a burst water main pipe.

     Troubleshooting a sprinkler system zone that just doesn’t want to shut off is quite easy.  And although the problem itself could seem enormous, you can save yourself an emergency service call by troubleshooting the control panel first.  If you find that the issue is a mechanical one, shut off the main water source and call a sprinkler service company.

Backflow Control Valves

You can prevent contaminants from entering your water supply via your lawn sprinkler system by using backflow prevention devices or backflow control valves.  The installation of these devices is required by law in some areas.  Even if they are not a legal requirement, installing them is just good practice.
     The on/off valves alone are not sufficient for preventing backflow.  Over time, they can break or leak, allowing chemicals from the irrigation water to flow back into your water supply.  These chemicals can include pesticides, fertilizers, and/or animal waste.

     There are several types of backflow control valves.  Double check valve assemblies (DCVA) are the most common, and are used for inline underground sprinkler systems.  They are not approved for the prevention of backflow from irrigation systems containing hazardous substances.  They are acceptable for sprinkler systems that aren’t injected with chemicals.  Pressure valve breaker assemblies (PVBA) are the least expensive type of backflow control valve.  They are easy to install, repair, and maintain. PVBA’s do not protect water lines, only the assembly itself.  Commercial properties will use devices called reduced pressure zone assemblies.  They have the highest level of protection, and are also the most expensive.  If you have less than 6 control valves, atmospheric breakers are your best backflow prevention option.  They are inexpensive, and each control valve will need an AVB installed.

     You may also want to purchase accessories for your backflow control valves.  Filter attachments are available to filter sediment from the system.  Device enclosures are good for preventing theft and for heat insulation as a winterizing measure.  You can also find test kits and repair kits that are portable and come complete with all the needed fittings and gauges.

     Backflow control valves are a simple, inexpensive way to keep your family’s water supply safe from toxic or potentially hazardous chemicals.  The importance of these backflow control valves cannot be stressed enough, which is why some areas require them by law.  If you need one installed on your lawn sprinkler system or have one that needs repair or maintenance, give us a shout!

Sprinkler System Parts and Definitions

So your sprinkler system is broken, leaking, or has been struck by lightening ay?  One of the challenges with this issue is that when someone calls in for sprinkler repair, they don't have a good way of defining what parts may be broken.  If you need a good resource for Sprinkler System Parts and Definitions, its as easy as a visit to our website!   We have defined everything from zone valves to backflow control valves; control panels, tasks such as "trenching" and wiring, and all of those crafty words that the professional irrigation services use. 

Sprinkler System Company Services

When you’re researching lawn sprinkler systems, you may ask yourself what services does a sprinkler system company offer? Often, lawn and garden companies will hire their employees to install, repair, and maintain lawn irrigation systems. Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair is one such company. Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair works with both residential and commercial clients in the Lexington, Columbia, and Chapin areas.


Our crew can install your new sprinkler system after examining your land quality, lawn type, and landscaping. Once the installation process has begun, the crew will periodically check water pressure in each zone. When finished, the crew will ask you to inspect the sprinkler system to ensure it’s working properly.

Our sprinkler system company can also make any necessary repairs to your existing system. This can include pvc pipe repair, spray pattern adjustments, moving or replacing spray heads, adding lawn irrigation zones, removing trapped air in pipes, fixing leaks, etc…Also available is our Emergency Sprinkler related Plumbing Service where water main leaks are concerned.

Once you have a sprinkler system installed, or if you have an existing system, it’s very important that routine and proper maintenance of the system is performed. Tune-ups and regular maintenance will not only improve water coverage of your yard, it will also prevent costly repairs caused by ignored or prolonged issues. Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair can provide seasonal adjustments to the irrigation controllers, and perform an irrigation audit to seek ways of saving water.

As you can see, Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair can service your sprinkler system from installation to repairs and maintenance. Whether you are in Lexington, Columbia, West Columbia, or Chapin, you can count on the Busy Bee crew to service all your lawn sprinkler system needs. Call us at (803) 331-5323 or email to BusyBeeLawnCare@gmail.com!

How to Select the Best Rotator Head Types for Your Sprinkler System

Once you’ve learned the basics of how sprinkler systems work, and have learned the difference between spray heads and rotator heads, you can begin your search for the best rotator head types for your lawn sprinkler system. Since rotator heads cover larger areas of the lawn, you’ll need to compare rotator head types in order to choose those that will work best for your individual situation.

Rotator heads are typically spaced 18-55 ft. apart, and require a lot of water pressure to operate. The rule of thumb regarding the selection of rotator heads is: “the water pressure at the rotor head (in PSI) must exceed the distance (in feet) between the heads.” And if you’re going to space your sprinkler heads more than 45 ft apart, hire a professional sprinkler repair service or designer with the specialized knowledge that’s needed for the design project.

Gear-drive rotator heads have interchangeable nozzles with a radius reduction screw. Simply put, but turning the screw clockwise, the stream of water is distorted, which results in a reduction of the water stream radius. Do not adjust the radius based on watching the stream alone. The lawn surrounding the sprinkler will be a better indication of what adjustments need to be made.

If you’re worried about the esthetics of your landscaping, as well as the safety of rotator heads protruding from your yard, pop-up heads are a better choice than shrub style. They are installed below ground, and are only visible during watering periods. Because they are underground, they aren’t a tripping hazard.

The majority of rotator heads on the market have the same basic features, and therefore meet the minimum quality requirements. When shopping for rotator heads, check the radius listed on the packaging. The spacing of these heads according to the radius is very important, and should be followed according to recommendations.

Lawn Service Means More Than Just Mowing

Lawn fertilization services range from the simple application of fertilizer in the summer to the extravagant, managing all aspects of the grass from the growth rate to the depth of color.  Most people only think about their yard in the pretty, warm months- fertilizing when the grass is growing or in the beginning stages of spring greening.  Coincidentally, it is those homeowners who have the most challenges with their lawns as they have not done the preventative steps in the "off season" that would fend off the weed infestations, lack of growth, bug infestations and erosion.  These items can prove costly, especially if you have to pay a landscaper to replace sod or build a retaining wall.  A comprehensive lawn service will address all of these issues including proper mowing maintenance, lime applications, pre emergent applications, weed and feed in April, a summer fertilization and possible grubworm and chinchbug prevention applications.

Proper maintenance and prevention of turf problems begins with proper mowing frequency, deck height, and bagging practice.  Most lawns should be "mulched" sometimes as well as baged other times depending upon the level of thatch.  One should not mow "no matter what" during dry spells, even if a sprinkler system is artificially irrigating (because our water supplies alter the chemical state of water).  Mowing height is extremely important; mowing high sometimes and low other times depending upon the type of turf (St. Augustine is mowed much higher than centipede or bermuda).

Soil testing early in the year can yield some valuable results as well.  Often times, the soil in lawns in Columbia, Lexington and Irmo South Carolina call for an application of Lime now and then.  Lime takes a while to work and should be applied in the Fall.  Do you have moss growing in bald spots in the grass or lawn onions?  If so, you may need to amend the soil with lime and or perform a core aeration. 

Pre emergent applications such as Prodiamine or Dimension are critical components in a fully comprehensive fertilization program.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!  Take the time to remove yourselves from the winding down of October, get out in the cold of winter in late February/March, and apply preemergent to prevent those winter and early spring weeds that would "emerge" from seed...stop the seed from germinating.

Weed and feed is another, often granular, application that is easily applied with a spreader.  It contains 2 components: a nutrition component with a timely mix of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium plus a weed killing component that further attacks those pesky weeds that made it past the pre emergent application phase.  Also, by the time you add weed and feed, summer temperatures are on the horizon, which will, by virtue of the heat and light will kill out many weeds and rye grasses.

During the intense, high growth summer season, a timely, properly quantified application of fertilizer is critical.  The needs of your lawn at this time are at its peak and the timeframe to make the plant grow thick in order to crowd out weeds is at its most opportune point.  Spreading fertilizer should be done with a broadcast spreader, on 1/2 setting, crossing the lawn in one direction, then re-crossing the lawn in the other direction to increase chances of even coverage.

Grubworms, chinchbugs, and cutworms can completely obliterate your lawn in as little as a few days.  Grubworms feed on roots, cutworms feed on new growth.  All of these insects can be killed or prevented with a simple treatment.

If your lawn service is not at least advising you of these issues throughout the year, you may be doing yourself a disservice.  Although many maintenance companies can come in "cheaper" in the short run, their oversights always prove costly in the long run.  Mowing in a horticulturally sound way, lime applications, preventative weed treatment applications, weed and feed like scotts or lesco brand, a fertilization at the proper time and pest control are all items that a professional landscaping maintenance company will stay on top of for you - after all, you're paying them to make life easier for you not harder!

Sprinkler System Installation Columbia S.C.

If you need a lawn Irrigation Sprinkler System Installation in Columbia S.C, Lexington, Irmo, West Columbia, Chapin, or Cayce, let Busy Bee Lawn Care come give you an estimate!  We have professionally trained, experienced rain bird sprinkler and irrigation techs.  Lawns need consistant irrigation and sprinkler systems give you that control that you need for healthy lawn and flower beds (drip irrigation).  It can save you money in the long run too because your grass will live healthier and have a much longer life span.  Sprinkler system installation also gives a boost to your home's value.

Given the drought situations and problems with people losing their lawns due to low natural irrigation in the last few years, we saw a need in the community for sprinkler systems.  Its the control and consistancy that these systems offer that helps with the situation.  If left to the homeowner, who more and more often has little time if any to devote to their lawn's watering needs, the lawn often suffers, dries out, and requires replacement. 

If you have a toro, rain bird, hunter, nelson or orbit sprinkler system installed, you will also enjoy less water consumption over hand watering because, again, it is timed and exacting.  Hand watering is often uneven or the water is left on for too long (which can also drown the roots). 

Real Estate in the Greater Columbia, South Carolina Area can also benefit from sprinkler system installation.  Given a quality, well maintained lawn with this critical component, houses have that added value that very well may be the selling point on any given piece of real estate. 

For this and more tips on anything "yard" related, keep coming back to the Busy Bee Blog or visit http://www.busybeelawncare.com/ for the Finest in Landscape Maintenance, lawn Care, and Sprinkler Installation.

Lawn Service Columbia South Carolina

Here's a new Lawn Service, Columbia South Carolina Video by Ashley Brooks of Busy Bee Lawn Care. Make sure to visit our website (and exchange links with us if you have a similar website!) at www.BusyBeeLawnCare.com , follow our daily lawn mowing and gardening related posts at http://twitter.com/busybeelawncare , Friend us on Facebook, or call (803)331-5323 and let us take care of your yard, your landscaping, shrub maintenance, fall cleanup, fertilization programs, tree removal (by referral), sprinkler repair, and more. We are South Carolina Natives.

Lawn Fertilization Treatment Service

If you are in Lexington, Irmo, Greater Columbia, S.C., West Columbia or Cayce, you might want to consider hiring a Lawn Service that properly implements a Lawn Fertilization Treatment Service throughout the year.  At very least, you should have either prodiamine or dimension pre emergent applied, a fertilization or two, a weed and feed, and possibly an application of lime.

Pre Emergent is due within the next few weeks (its February 3rd now).  What an application of granular pre emergent does is it prevents the weed seeds from emerging in the early spring.  The key to weed control is, in part, prevention.  Both the Prodiamine and the Dimension products have a post emergent element to them as well, which will weaken the weeds in your winter lawn that have already sprouted.  This year, in particular, the Greater Columbia, S.C. Area had a significant amount of snow, which was plowed up onto the curb.  Notice all the green weeds popping up at the edge of your grass where it meets the street?  This can be controlled!

To maintain a healthy lawn, your lawn service should keep you informed of these and other issues like when to fertilize and with what NPK Mix, what the soil condition is like, is it necessary to apply a "winterizer", mowing frequency and height, etc.

So this year, before you opt for the lowest cost "mow and go" service you can find, please consider that not all lawn services are alike!

Call Busy Bee Lawn Care, Columbia at:
(803)331-5323 or
Email BusyBeeLawnCare@gmail.com