The common Dandelion is a broadleaf perennial weed. It harbors a massive tap-root, up to ten inches long. This root anchors the plant deep into the earth, making it nearly impossible to remove entirely when pulling by hand. Any fraction of the taproot left in ground regenerates. We see Dandelions coming ...Read More...

As the weather turns in favor of fall we drift to memories of nights around a firepit and look forward to  the beauty of the turning leaves. We also look forward to the jack-o-lanterns adorning your neighbor's  porches and the cooler nights. Broadleaf weeds also enjoy the cooler nights. They germinate ...Read More...

Bagworm Treatment As the calendar turns June and July, one pest to be on the lookout for is bagworms. Bagworms hatch out in late May or early June each year, slowly feeding and building a bag around themselves for protection. You may not have noticed them yet but they are certainly out there. They ...Read More...

ROTHWELL LANDSCAPE: Bagworms will munch on just about anything green.  However, they are most damaging to evergreens because once an evergreen is completely defoliated it will not leaf out again, whereas a deciduous shrub/tree will.  It is very stressful to a deciduous tree/shrub to have to leaf out ...Read More...

Fall is often a time for a little slow down. The summer has ended and the kids are back in school. Football games have started and the weather actually is allowing for some nice time outdoors. However, the landscape doesn't have to take a back seat in the fall. Below are a couple of tasks to do this ...Read More...

Gee, it sure seems like Mother Nature and Old Man Winter are the neighborhood bullies at times.  But then again maybe it’s their way of making sure we don’t become creatures of habit---potatoes planted on St. Patrick’s Day, Crabgrass preventer applied before April 15th, first ...Read More...

It’s time to blow the dust off your lawn mower. Get it out from the back corner of the garage.  Make sure you service them properly.  Dump out the old stale fuel and put in fresh fuel.  Take the blades off and sharpen them.  Change the oil, oil filter, spark plugs, air filter ...Read More...

This time of year a lot of people want to run inside and hibernate until the tulips and daffodils start flowering in the spring; and I can’t blame them. The sun comes up late and goes down early, the temperatures drop below freezing, and those Kansas winds seem to have more bite than bark. However, ...Read More...

As I had mentioned a few weeks ago, fall is a great time to trim back some shrubs.   But, what about those Junipers and that “Ogre” of a shrub I had mentioned earlier.    Junipers take very well to being trimmed during the dormant season.  While some prefer ...Read More...

            It’s getting to be that time of the year when all the leaves are starting to fall.  Even though big piles of leaves can provide entertainment for children, it may be necessary to clean them up.  If enough leaves fall ...Read More...

Whew!  Finally made it through this last “bite” of summer.  Time to enjoy that evening beer outside in your favorite spot (or if you’re a morning person like me, that morning cup of coffee).  Oh No!  Sammy the shrub and Vinnie the vine have confiscated your spot ...Read More...

Whew! You made it! We are on the downhill side of the year. The family has made it through the family vacation with all of its members still alive(which is a feat in and of itself). The footballs are going to be flying through the smoke of BBQ’s in backyards and tailgates throughout the country. ...Read More...

With all the moisture we have been receiving as of late there have been a lot of consequences. Some of those consequences are positive such as my beautiful looking lawn without a drop from my hoses, the amazing growth that I am seeing from my Frontier Elm, and the overall stress reduction for my plants ...Read More...

We may have had a cooler and wet spring this year, but the last couple weeks has really brought us back to the reality of Kansas weather in which we can go from cool jacket weather to sweltering humid heat in less than a week.   This gives us Kansans quite a challenge, both for ourselves and our ...Read More...

There are a lot of important factors that go into mowing your lawn.  The importance of proper mowing can sometimes get overlooked.  This can lead to unnecessary stress to your lawn.  It seems pretty simple to just mow the lawn, when in fact there is a lot that goes into the process.  ...Read More...

What is a backflow device and why do I need one for my sprinkler system? A backflow is a device used to protect the water supply from contamination due to backflow.  There are many different backflow devices and applications ranging from a vacuum breaker on a garden hose to a reduced pressure ...Read More...

Ode to the Dandelion Oh Dandelion, so short and sweet, With Golden hair and rooted feet. You come out in the spring sunlight Your shining face it is so bright. In April each year, you don’t hesitate, Like a litter of bunnies, you proliferate. Like a yellow wave you always come, Your ...Read More...

The Knock Out Rose has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years and for good reason! The shrub doesn’t require much care and still puts on one of the best shows in the landscape having a blooming cycle of every 5-6 weeks throughout the year to the first hard frost. This particular shrub ...Read More...

It may seem like Jack Frost is trying to hang on to your landscape with his long, icy tentacles but don’t let the chill fool you. Spring is right around the corner and with it, a menace that homeowners fight every year, crabgrass. Crabgrass is one of the most invasive weeds that we encounter ...Read More...