Right now, in the Johnson County area, the grass is growing…and fast! Follow these guidelines for a healthy lawn after each mow, and all year round:

Cut Often – At least every 7 days. Waiting too long between cuttings puts stress on the grass plant, leading to discoloration and disease.

Cut High – 3+ inches. University studies have shown that the higher the cut, the deeper the root system, which makes for a healthier lawn that is better able to withstand summer heat and drought stress.

Cut Sharp – A dull mower blade shreds the grass, leaving a dull haze and opening the leaf tissue to disease. In addition, a sharp blade makes it easier to mow and is easier on your lawn.

Custom Lawn can also handle any of your lawn mowing needs. Whether your home is in Overland Park, Lenexa, or Leawood, we can make sure you are covered all year. We cover the entire Johnson County area, so call us today!

Sprinkler Service

Your lawn will need watering before you know it, so now is the time to prepare. It’s time to turn on and inspect your sprinkler system to make sure it’s ready when you really need it. It’s also a good time to test your backflow device. Plan ahead and call Custom Lawn  to schedule an appointment with our Nationally Certified Irrigation Technician today.

Tree and Shrub Inspection

Now is a good time to check your pine trees and shrubs too. Mugho and Scotch pines should be inspected for pine sawfly larvae now. These voracious pest can devour the old needle growth of an entire tree in just days!

For more tips on yard health and to learn how we can help, call Custom Lawn & Landscape today at (913) 782-8315, or visit or website at www.customlawn.com.

Turf helps improve the environment in way that almost nothing else can: absorbing CO2 (Carbon), producing Oxygen, absorbing dust and soot, preventing erosion, filtering and returning surface water to ground water supplies. A well maintained Lawn & Landscape can add up to $30,000 (15%) to the value of your $200,000 home.

Whether your home is in Overland Park, Lenexa or Leawood, Custom Lawn serves the entire Johnson County area.

• Do you use Smart-Irrigation Technology, such as an automatic rain sensor and shut-off?

• Is your irrigation system calibrated to supplement natural rainfall (around 1.5 inches of water per week when needed)?

• Is your landscape planted with trees, shrubs and flowers that are resistant to insect and disease problems?

• Are your grass clippings mulched and left on the lawn, or do you just toss them?

• Have you tested the pH levels in your lawn, shrubs and gardens?

• Is your lawn fertilized at the right time, with the right amount?

• Is your lawn mowed weekly, or more often with blades set high (over 3 inches)?

• Are your trees and shrubs maintained with good pruning practices, reducing ice/wind storm damage?

• Are your plants checked often for problems (using Integrated Pest Management)?

If you’re not sure about the condition of your lawn, and you want to be prepared for the upcoming spring season, don’t hesitate! Call Custom Lawn & Landscape today at (913) 782-8315. We cover the entire Johnson County area, from Overland Park to Leawood to Lenexa. We can help you make your lawn look its best now…and all year-round!

Landscape plans should always take into account how the plantings will appear in winter. Using a variety of shapes and textures will add a multi-seasonal interest that you’ll enjoy more and more as the seasons pass.
Evergreens of all sorts really come into their own as the flashier plants lose their foliage. Few can compare with the majesty of a mature spruce or the grace of a white pine. Use evergreens as a backdrop against which to accent other species. Though they offer a certain constancy in their colors and shapes, there is still a vast selection. From 6-inch high creeping junipers to 40-foot arborvitae; from shades of green through silvery blues to the deep violets—evergreens offer variety.

Brightly-colored berries are another great addition to any “off season” garden. Hollies may be the best known berry producers with their deep glossy leaves and bright red fruit so favored for decorations during holidays, but also consider barberries, pyracantha, and cotoneaster, all of which are popular broadleaf evergreens which produce berries. When deciduous trees and shrubs have lost their leaves, and their “skeletons” are visible, it’s amazing to see the differences in construction between plants that looked so similar only a few months ago. Weeping varieties–willows, cherries, and mulberries–give a graceful impression of still life waterfalls when leafless, and corkscrew willows show clearly how they came by their name. The impressive beech holds just enough of its bright yellow leaves through most of the winter to draw attention to its intricate branch structure and smooth silver bark.
This is the season when trees can show off the unique character and texture of their bark. All the beeches, plus birches, shagbark hickory, sweet gum, sycamores, poplar, and Chinese elm have interesting bark. From silvery smooth to dark and rough, the texture of tree bark adds variety to the garden.

Some of the spring flowering trees have already set their flower buds for next year adding an additional feature to the outline of the landscape. White dogwoods have unusually large buds that are visible even from a distance.
Colors this time of year are usually more muted than in spring or midsummer, but they can be just as beautiful. Heathers and heaths are low-growing evergreens that provide shades of pink, lavender, orange, red or rust in both the flowers and foliage. Rock gardens that were full of bright green succulents in the summer put on a new look of tawny browns and deep purples. Red-twig dogwood is a shrub which makes good on its name by displaying its thickly growing red branches after losing its leaves. Ornamental grasses offer a wide variety of color too. Tall, reedy varieties will dry to a golden tan and work well as a complement to the deep green of evergreens. Ornamental blue fescue keeps its cool silver blue color all winter. Lavender cotton is another perennial that maintains a silver appearance throughout the year. The varieties and choices are tremendous for creating a landscape that enhances both the appearance and value of your property all year long. So next time you look into additional planting, be sure to ask, “How will it look in winter?”

Custom Lawn has a landscape designer available to answer any questions. From Overland Park to Lenexa to Shawnee, we cover the entire Johnson County area from our Olathe location.

The Root Systems of Grasses & Plants still grow in November & December.
Cut your grass and remove leaves every other week or so, especially with newly seeded lawns. The advantages of fall fertilization will be most evident if the plant receives adequate moisture to utilize the nutrients applied.  It would be wise to ensure that your lawn gets at least one good soaking per week during November & December: this goes double for newly seeded lawns. Natural rainfall may help supplement this need.

Missed Seeding this Fall?  New Concept!
Consider Dormant Seeding in December!  Potentially there are dramatic cost savings that can be realized with Dormant Seeding compared to early fall seeding.  Dormant seeding is a second choice for most lawns compared to early fall seeding; however the practice can be very useful if properly applied.  Dormant seeding is a low cost alternative that  has a decent chance of success but since we must rely on mother nature, we must take into consideration that there are no guarantees!  Call for more information.

Based in Olathe, Custom Lawn can handle seeding and lawn care needs for the entire Johnson County area. Whether you are in Overland Park, Lenexa, or anywhere in between, we have experienced technicians who are well educated for the climates and conditions of our area.

Lawn Improvements to Consider

If your lawn has been thinned by heat, drought or disease, you’re not alone. Consider improving your lawn with Dormant Seeding in December. There are new varieties of drought and disease-resistant grasses that are genetically superior. These better varieties will take advantage of the winter’s freezes and thaws to fill in your thin or bare areas and improve the quality of your lawn. Call for details!

Periodic core aeration reduces soil compaction and helps slow thatch build-up. This process creates growth pockets for new roots and opens the way for water and fertilizer to get into the root zone of your lawn. Our experienced technician will be glad to inspect your lawn and recommend what is really needed…no more, no less. Contact us now for a FREE Inspection and Discounts on early orders.

Fall is for Planting – Plan for Fall Now!

Our Landscape Designer, Jamie, would love to meet with you to discuss your landscaping needs and develop ideas and solutions to improve the exterior appearance of your home. Landscaping not only involves adding and changing trees, shrubs and beds, but also walls, terraces and walkways. Beautifully landscaped homes do not happen by chance, but rather through careful analysis and planning. Let us develop a landscape plan for you that is not only visually pleasing but manageable as well.

For more information and to learn how Custom Lawn & Landscape can help, give us a call today at (913) 782-8315. Or, visit our website at www.customlawn.com. We serve Overland Park, Lenexa, and all of the Johnson County area from our Olathe location.

• Planning and design – deciding which plants to keep or add based on your planned landscape’s functions.

• Soil analysis – to determine if soil amendments are necessary for healthy plant growth.

• Practical turf areas – selecting turf according to its use, location and care requirements.

• Appropriate plant selection – ensuring that all plants will grow well in your region.

• Efficient irrigation – making sure that most of the water you apply gets to your plants’ root systems.

• Use of mulch – helps soil to retain moisture and keeps soil temperatures more even.

• Appropriate maintenance – determined by the kinds of plants you select.

Make an appointment today for a FREE consultation with our Landscape Designer. We’ll be happy to help you with ideas and solutions for low-maintenance, water-efficient landscaping. From Lenexa to Shawnee, we serve all of Johnson County, KS.

June bug beetles lay their eggs in lawns during the months of June and July, and no lawn is immune. Once the larvae (grubs) hatch, they go to work feeding on the lawn’s root system. As feeding continues and the grubs grow larger, they can do major damage.

The best way to check for grubs is to peel back a small area of your turf. If you discover more than 6 to 8 grubs per square foot, you definitely have a problem. Other clues that you may have a grub problem include:

• Turf beginning to wilt and turn brown.

• Grass feels soft and spongy.

• Dead turf that can be rolled up easily (like a loose carpet).

If you suspect a grub problem on your lawn, give us a call right away. We’ll be happy to perform an inspection and recommend the appropriate control measures.

For more information and to learn how Custom Lawn & Landscape can help, give us a call today at (913) 782-8315. We serve Overland Park, Leawood, and all of Johnson County from our Olathe location.

Simple Steps for Brown Patch Control

Watering: This disease is favored by long periods of leaf wetness. Do not irrigate in the evening, since this leads to a long, wet period overnight that extends into the dew period in the morning. Irrigation between midnight and 5:00 a.m. is best, and from noon to 4:00 p.m. is second best (or anytime when nighttime temperatures stay below 70 degrees F).

Maintain Soil Moisture: Supplement natural rainfall with watering to maintain adequate soil moisture – enough to accumulate 1″+ in a cup every week, and enough so that a screwdriver will easily penetrate 6″ into the ground everywhere.

Mowing: Brown Patch disease is easily spread by mowing, foot traffic, etc., especially in areas with poor drainage and air movement. Stay off of damp grass, and set blades on the high side (3″ to 4″).

Fungicides: There are several new fungicides available. However, they are expensive, work best as a preventive and are only effective for about a month. If you have had a problem and want the nicest lawn possible, you may want to consider this route.

Other Issues to Be Aware Of

Aphids, spider mites and bagworms are also back again, and like a bad horror movie rerun, they feed on our trees and shrubs every summer. Most damage is easily prevented with a good Tree & Shrub Maintenance Program. White grubs (June bug larvae) will soon start feeding on the roots of lawns too! Heavy insect populations can cause serious damage, so keep an eye out. Every lawn will have a few of these pests. Finding a few grubs in your flower beds or garden is nothing to be alarmed about, but when populations start building up to six grubs per square foot, you may want to get serious. Call us to check or prevent damage. The typical time frame for damage activity is July through September.

Some trees are being hit by the Anthracnose foliar disease, causing irregular brown patches on leaves. In some cases, heavy leaf drop occurs. The good news: This disease is usually not life threatening, and trees will recover. However, it’s important to water deeply once a week during dry periods. Consider Custom Lawn’s Deep-Root Fertilization and Protective Fungicide Applications if leaf drop is severe.

Custom Lawn serves Leawood, KS and all of Johnson County. We are a hometown company based in Olathe. Give us a call and we’ll be glad to check your lawn and landscaping for any issues.

Problem: Dothistroma Needle Blight on Pines.

Symptoms: Look for interior needles that are gone from the bottom of the tree and lower limbs that tend to be bare. The needles will have scattered spotting and a half needle scorch. The outer needle will be brown and the inner needle will be green in different locations. Look for dark fruiting bodies on affected needles.

Problem: Bagworms, mostly on evergreens.

Symptoms: Look for last year’s bags and damage. Bagworms are easy to control when newly hatched in mid June but become increasingly difficult to control and more damaging as they mature.

Problem: Abnormal growths on leaves, twigs, and branches of trees.

Symptoms: Galls form as a response to a chemical that a number of wasps, mites, and flies inject into plants. This is a problem that is difficult to prevent, not usually harmful and best ignored.

Problem: Powdery Mildew on Lawns.

Symptoms: It looks like someone has cleaned up after using white paint by hosing it off out in your lawn. Usually found in shady areas with poor air circulation. It may damage the leaf blades but rarely causes lasting harm to the entire plant or lawn. Tall Fescue is less susceptible to this disease.