David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com All your hard work in creating a beautiful, lush lawn, can quickly go to waste in times of excessive heat and dryness. If you keep just a few simple things in mind, however, you can help ensure your grass holds up when conditions get tough. 1. Don’t walk on dry grass .  Well-watered blades of grass will bounce back when you walk on them. Dry grass, however, will stay tamped down when trodden upon. So when you're in a dry stretch, try to avoid walking on your lawn. Keep in mind, too much foot traffic is also a problem when the grass is wet as it can cause the soil to become compacted, which prevents air from getting to grass roots. 2. Check your mower blade .  If your lawn mower blade is dull, it will shred the grass, causing it to lose moisture. Shredded tips will also turn an unsightly brown. Make sure your blade is sharp so you can get a clean cut, and keep it at one of the highest settings to maintain taller grass. Tall grass means ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Brooke Chaplan One of the first things that people notice about a home is its front lawn, which adds to a property's curb appeal. A well-kept yard with tasteful design elements can attract buyers if your home is on the market or make it more enjoyable for you and your family. Here are some ideas to consider if you're not sure how to make the most of your home's outdoor areas: Trim Trees and Shrubs A well-kept lawn should boast neatly-trimmed and pruned trees. Uneven branches or dead limbs should be removed with a tree lopper or pruning shears, which can also be used to clean up dying leaves, stems and blooms. Trees with fungus or other botanical diseases should be inspected for possible treatment or trimming. If your lawn has the same type of trees in uneven sizes, you may also be able to trim them for a more consistent appearance. Eliminate Weeds Many kinds of weeds are hardy and seem to grow in any kind of ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Zoe Eisenberg Whether you're looking to get your first lawnmower, or replace an old model, if you're in the market for a new lawn mower, there are many considerations to make. Below are a few: Walk or ride? Do you want a less-expensive push-mower, or a pricier but easier-to-use riding mower? Consider the size of your space. If you have a ½ acre or less, a riding mower may be wasted and a push-mower may be the best bet.  Consider your grass . If you have a lush span of lawn, a smaller, simple mower will likely be able to handle it. If your yard is full of weeds or craggy grass, a larger mower will be better. How will you manage clippings? If you don't mind a lawn covered in clipped grass post-mow, a traditional push mower is your fast friend. However, if you don’t want grass clippings hanging around, choose a mulching mower, which grinds clipped grass into fragments that are then easily absorbed by microorganis...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com (Family Features)--Weeds are opportunists that take advantage of bleak growing conditions to set root. If you've ever seen a weed growing out of a crack in your driveway or other paving, you know that weeds, by nature, can adapt to almost any spot. As you work to get your yard in shape for spring, keep an eye on the following areas that often offer ideal conditions for weeds to grow and reproduce. 1. Pathways . Paths made from loose materials, such as bark mulch, decomposed granite or stones, can act as seeding beds, offering a natural spot for weeds to grow. 2. Underneath shrubs . Areas under shrubs can be hard to reach, shady and moist - a perfect place for weeds. 3. Unpaved drives and parking areas . Whether grassy, muddy or filled with gravel, these areas often roll out the welcome mat for weeds. 4. Cracks and crevices . Cracks between paving stones, bricks or slabs of concrete provide natural entry points for weeds. ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By John Voket Almost 15 years ago, before everyone was talking about global warming, Mowgreen.us founder Dan Delventhal started a carbon-emission-free lawn care movement with a single push mower. Since then, he's supplementing his old-school push mower using the latest battery powered and 100-percent renewable energy solar charged landscaping equipment. Over the past couple of years, Delventhal says he and his MowGreen.US minions have seen huge improvements in gas-free lawn maintenance equipment. This is good news, because the average lawn maintained by gasoline machines creates 5 tons of carbon pollution per year - the equivalent of an extra car on the road per home. Christian Rogers at yardmasterz.com recently created a 'Buyers Guide' to help consumers plug-into the emission-free options in electric mowers - and recommends consumers consider these factors: Battery Voltage & Run Time. Cordless mower battery...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Planning to host a summer soiree this year? You better start prepping your yard now. "Spring preparation is the secret to effortless summer gatherings," says HGTV star Chip Wade. "Take steps to get your yard in shape now, so you're ready this summer whenever friends and family get together." Wade looks for practical "do it once and you're done" solutions for homeowners upgrading outdoor spaces. Chip's tips include: Low Voltage Lighting . At night, landscape lights can turn even nondescript yards into appealing spaces, while making walkways safer. Yet many don't realize how easy it is to wire safe, low voltage lighting. According to Wade, simply plug a transformer box into an outdoor outlet to convert household current to shock-free low voltage. Then wire your fixtures into the box. One Application Lawn Care. Most homeowners want a lush, green, weed-free lawn but don't want to ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 By Katie Kuchta Waking up your lawn can be challenging, and there is added pressure if you want to put a home on the market. Early spring is one of the best times of the year to make your home look great. This busy season coincides with an uptick in activity in the real estate market, making it that much more critical for you to get your lawn back in great shape. Here are a few helpful tips for reviving your lawn after the beating it likely took this winter: Feed It Well Spring is the most critical time to give your lawn a boost. Winter drags on in many areas of the country, which can deplete a yard come spring. If you find yourself in this situation, try applying a quick-release fertilizer to prepare your lawn for spring. This fertilizer will get to the roots and green up your yard in a few days. However, be cautious when applying a quick-release fertilizer, as putting too much in one spot can kill your grass. Other fertilizer options include...

David Deem 714-997-3486 By John Voket At the recent Northeast Organic Farming Association OrganiConn conference, great information was abundant in regards to helping home and property owners reap the benefits of lush lawns, marvelous mulch, bountiful blooms, and generous gardens. Switching to organic fertilizers, it appears, is becoming quite a thing. And luckily, there are loads of qualified resources and advice on how to switch - or simply start fertilizing the way your property was intended to be. Oregon State University Extension's Ross Penhallegon explains that organic fertilizers usually contain plant nutrients in low concentrations. Since many of these nutrients have to be converted into inorganic forms before plants can use them, they typically release more slowly, especially during cold weather when soil microbes are not as active. But advantages of organic fertilizers don’t make a crust on the soil as inorganic fertilizers sometimes do, and they improve wat...