Raise Height of Mower Blades to Reduce Heat Stress

Sugarloaf Park Entry Island redesign

Consider the Lawns

Based on the scalding temperatures that metro-Atlanta has been experiencing,  the Crabapple LandscapEXPERTS Team has adjusted mower heights to reduce the stress of hot, dry temperatures on the lawns of the properties we manage.

State-of-the-Art New Mowers!

Choosing the Turf that's Best

New Turf Tracers

Fescue looks great during the cool season but struggles each summer, and although Zoysia, Bermuda and Centipede lawns luxuriate in the heat, even they can experience heat stress  when temperatures climb above 100 degrees F. this summer. To keep the turf in pristine condition, we raise the heights of the blades our new, state-of-the-art Turf Tracer lawnmowers, thus allowing the leaves of grass to grow taller during the summer. 

This strategy has several great consequences! 

• Taller grass plants in turn produce larger root systems that lead to increased drought-resistance, as the roots can find water in a greater root run.  
• Taller grass blades can shade the soil, conserving moisture already in the ground. 
• Weed development is slowed due to more fierce competition by vigorously growing turf grass.

Need professional lawn maintenance but don’t think it is affordable? Or think you may not have the right type of grass for the lawns on properties you manage? Contact CrabappleLandscapEXPERTS at 770-740-9739 for a consultation and learn more. We have been satisfying and delighting customers for twenty years! 

Crabapple is a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional Company

We cut grass like we mean business (because we do!). 
You may not always need landscape maintenance, but when you do, call Crabapple LandscapExperts, celebrating 20 years of customer satisfaction in the metro-Atlanta area. The LandscapEXPERTS Team has earned the right to be recognized as a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional. The (GCLP) program is a voluntary testing program through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service that certifies companies and people in the landscape profession who have mastered a thorough knowledge and understanding of job skills required to be successful in the industry.

The test is a big deal and consists of four written components and eight hands-on components. Applicants are provided a 400+ page printed study manual and access to a internet study site developed by the University of Georgia.

Savvy property managers and Homeowners Association Reps  wishing to locate a certified landscape professional company  will find Crabapple LandscapExperts on the UGA website and we are proud to be listed here. 

The GCLP program  is endorsed by the Georgia Green Industry Association and by the Georgia Urban Ag Council, formed in 2011 by a merger of The Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association (MALTA), the Georgia Turfgrass Association (GTA) and the Georgia Sod Producers Association (GSPA). Rest assured, your landscape is in experienced, knowledgeable hands with your LandscapEXPERTS team at Crabapple. 

Water Diet: 5 Waterwise LandscapExpert Tips

Crabapple LandscapExperts know that waterwise landscaping will save one of our precious resources. Let us help the properties you manage to gain water independence.

Retain water in the plan and design of the landscape. Include storm runoff and sprinkler system flow. This attention to detail saves you a lot on watering bills and time, plus it helps conserve the community’s water resources.

Consider a Rain Garden. This is a shallow swale or depression planted with adaptable plants that normally looks like a garden. When it rains, the rain garden collects runoff and excess water, and allows it to drain off slowly and to evaporate.

Schedule watering of ornamentals during the day and only when needed. When there is no rain, about an inch of irrigation per week keeps the plants and soil in good shape. Crabapple pays special attention to irreplaceable trees.

Limit fertilizer, pesticide and weed-killer applications. Crabapple’s Georgia- certified crew practices responsible application of chemicals to decrease phosphorous run off and supply exactly what lawns and ornamentals need, conserving the property budget as well.

Call your Crabapple LandscapExpertsRep to schedule a Water Diet for the properties you manage. 

Top 10 Landscape Design Uses for Ornamental Grasses

CrabappleLandscapExperts know there are many benefits of using ornamental grasses in landscape design. Grasses are low maintenance and they provide year-round interest. Grasses are fast-growing and drought-tolerant. They attract wildlife and gently move in the wind.

There are grassesfor any type of landscape situation, from drought tolerance, shade resistance, or beautiful ornamental inflorescence.  

(left) Exceedingly fine and delicate Mexican Feather Grass

Top 10 uses for ornamental grasses in the landscape: 

1. Add texture –light and filmy contrast to large leaf perennials and geometric shrubbery  
2. Soften hardscaping- mobile waving of grass in contrast to solid buildings dramatic effect of mass planting
3. Dress up decks, pools and patios- formal repetition in containers or casual groupings
4. Edging- short tufty grasses loike blue fescue, grassy substitutes like Liriope, sedge or carex
5. Fill containers colorfully- formally repeated containers or casual groupings 
6. Fall and winter interest- tough stalks last through several seasons and bleach in sun
7. Attract wildlife- with grass seeds and grains
8. Groundcover – turf grasses, mondo grass and Liriope
9. Create a garden accent- specimen plant in a perennial border
10. Add privacy- tall grasses like switch grass, reed grass, miscanthus, pampas grass can provide a quick-growing screen 

 Beautiful pink flowering spikes of native Muhly Grass (left)

(right)  Zebra Miscanthus has striking transversely-striped foliage

photos courtesy Wiki Commons.