Our must read 2017 spring lawn & garden newsletter!

There is something magical about the warmth of the spring season that inspires us to get out there in the great outdoors, and make plans to rejuvenate our landscape, gardens, and lawn areas!

And without a doubt, springtime is the pinnacle of the "gardening frenzy" for many of us! This is the time of year when we all want to have the outside of our home complete with beautiful flowers, a lush lawn, and manicured landscapes!

We understand that beautiful lawns and landscapes don't just happen! Of course, a certain level of year-round maintenance and care is required to ensure that your lawn or landscape not only looks its best in spring, but also as healthy and problem free as possible on a year around basis!

Our staff at Freedom Lawns is honored that you have chosen us to care for your lawn and landscape plants, and we sincerely appreciate your confidence in us. We are eager to work with you this coming year to help your lawn reach its fullest potential!

We wish you and your family a springtime filled with sunny days, great fun, and good health! Enjoy your 2017 edition of our Spring Green Pages newsletter, and we look forward to seeing you the next time around!

Your Freedom Lawns Professionals

Container gardening has a long history dating back to the Roman and Greek empire where magnificent container gardens were created in the courtyards of their villas. Whether you own a small villa on a postage stamp size lot, a castle on a grand piece of real estate, or something in between, container gardening will offer you a myriad of gardening benefits.

As our baby boomer generation of gardeners grow older, container gardening offers the disabled and elderly the ability to continue enjoying their passion for gardening in a more comfortable and convenient situation. Containers can be placed in areas that are perhaps more accessible, thus allowing for easier watering and feeding maintenance.

Container gardening will also allow you to "customize" and control your soil type and location or micro-environments. These factors will enable you to grow certain flowers and plants that would normally not be able to adapt to areas of your property.

You can also experiment by placing just one container plant in a specific area to gauge how well it will perform in that location. If after several weeks, it seems to be happy and healthy, you might consider installing this plant in more areas.

You can also plant several different types of plants in one container. This will not only improve the aesthetic appeal, but will also enable your plants to co-exist in a symbiotic relationship. For example, Marigolds, Rosemary, and Oregano planted with other plants will repel certain insects, thus reducing the need for insecticide treatments. If arranged properly, these plants with natural pest control qualities will also enhance the interest and beauty of your containers.

Another advantage of container gardening is that if your container plant should develop an insect infestation that warrants a treatment, you can easily move and treat that particular container only with the appropriate product, without having to spray other plants! This is important in reducing the use of all pesticides into our environment.

The mobility factor is definitely one of the greatest benefits that planting in containers will offer. As the summer progresses, you might find that our summer sun can become too intense for certain plants in a particular section of your landscape. If these plants are planted in pots, you can easily move them to a location that will offer some afternoon relief in the form of shade.

Plants that are sensitive to excess water or wet feet can also be moved indoors temporarily during periods of heavy rain. Planting tropical plants for summer is very popular with gardeners. Wonderful summer annuals such as Tropical Hibiscus, Mandevilla, Bougainvillea, Orchids, and citrus plants will typically not survive our winters if left outside. By planting them in containers and bringing them inside for the winter, you can extend their life expectancy and enjoy their beauty year after year. Investing in a garden dolly will help you transport larger containers indoors for winter and move them outdoors again the next spring!

Not only will the magnificent plants and flowers that you have growing in your containers and pots create that "Monet" look and improve your overall landscape, but the planters and containers will also contribute color, beauty, and an added dimen

sion to your gardens. The various shapes, textures, colors, and geometric patterns of pots and containers that are available today, will add or complete that certain look or theme that you desire in your gardens. Whether you are into cute and whimsical garden creatures, bright colors, or traditional, formal, and Englis h garden designs, there are many types of containers from which to choose.

Keep in mind that mixing too many different hardscape styles or textures in one area could cre ate a jumbled up, or tacky look to your landscape. Try to stay with pots that carry out similar hues, materials, or styles to create and maintain that certain theme and overall impression you desire. A bright, colorful pot can add that extra punch to what mi ght otherwise be a boring area. A white pot will blend in with many different flowers and leaf colors, and will even stand out more at night. Glazed pots are a favorite in Japanese gardens or where bright colors are needed.

When selecting container pots for your garden, porch, patio, or balcony, size does matter! Remember that the larger the container, the more soil it can hold. This means that less watering will typically be required. Generally, plants growing in pots will require more frequent watering than those grown in the earth. Also, a nice size container will enable most plants to form a larger, more extensive root system. This will often lead to a larger, healthier, happier, more robust plant.

Larger pots will naturally be heavier and more difficult to transport or rearrange.

Grouping pots of various sizes will give the illusion of a lush garden. Several pots cascading or along the sides of steps will add a three-dimensional look to the staircase and soften the ends of the steps.

Another factor to consider is the material that your pot is made of. Fiberglass and resin pots will certainly be lighter than Terra Cotta or cement. Terra Cotta pots tend to keep your plants warmer than plastic.

This could be a benefit for some plants during the winter months, but could keep them too toasty during the hot, dry months as they do absorb much more heat.

Always check the bottom of your container before you plant to make sure that there are sufficient holes for drainage. Many plants that die while growing in container pots do so because of poor drainage. This will eventually result in root rot.

Whether your goal is to grow a small manageable vegetable garden, add some eye-popping color to your landscapes, or transition your gardens from high maintenance to simplicity, container gardening can offer many wonderful gardening options for everyone.

Did you know you can change the color of a flower! This is a great activity for you & your kids to try!

Materials Needed:

24 hours
White flowers, like white Carnations or Queen Anne's Lace.
Food coloring
Water
Vase

Instructions:

Fill vase 1/4 full of water.
Add a fair amount of food coloring (10 to 20 drops) or more if your vases are large.
Put a flower in each vase and let it sit for a day. Just like you would for any cut flower, trim the stem at an angle before placing it in the vase.
Check back every few hours to see how it's working.

What Happened:

Most plants "drink" water from the ground through their roots. The water travels up the stem of the plant into the leaves and flowers. The plant uses the water to make food.

When a flower is cut, it no longer has it's roots. But the stem of the flower still "drinks" up the water and provides it to the leaves and flowers.

Note: Red and blue food coloring work the fastest!

AZALEA LACE BUG


	Azalea Lace Bug

The Azalea Lace Bug is a sneaky little critter that tends to live and feed underneath the leaf of an Azalea plant. There are at least 17 different species of Lace Bugs known to damage ornamental trees and shrubs in the United States.

The Lace Bug is very small around 1/10-inch-long and cream colored. The Lace Bug has transparent wings with small black dots. Due to its small size and transparency, the Lace Bug must be viewed through a hand lens to be seen in most cases.

Lace Bugs damage Azaleas by piercing the underside of the leaf. This causes a bleached or "silvery " look to the topside of the leaf. If not controlled, Lace Bugs can cause considerable damage to the leaves and eventually weaken the Azalea. There can be two generations of Lace Bugs each year. Two treatments may be necessary in the spring and early summer for control. The leaves that are already damaged by the Lace Bug will eventually fall off and die. The idea is to control the Lace Bugs and prevent further damage to new or unaffected growth.

If you suspect Lace Bug activity on your Azaleas and would like us to help, please call our office.

A terrific light and tasty, low calorie treat! Our Mozzarella dish can be served as an appetizer or side dish! Slice the tomatoes thinner and put them on flat bread with a little extra olive oil on top for a great lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients:

4 medium-large, ripe tomatoes
Good quality olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, plus whole leaves for garnish
4 large cloves of crushed garlic
8 very thin slices of mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450˚.
Pour a little olive oil into a glass or enameled baking dish.
Cut tomatoes in half and roll cut part in olive oil; then turn over and arrange in dish, cut side up. Sprinkle each tomato with chopped fresh basil, crushed garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and a thin cheese slice. Drizzle again with olive oil.
Roast for 20 minutes, until tender and lightly browned. Garnish with whole basil leaves.
Serve with friends and enjoy!

PER SERVING: 86 cal, 5g fat (2g mono, 0g poly, 3g sat), 18mg chol, 7g protein, 2g carb, 0g fiber, 177mg sodium

THE "HOLE" TRUTH

Most turf grass experts and university professors agree, that core aeration on home lawns is one of the single most beneficial cultural practices that can be performed on turfgrass. The good health and appearance of a lawn, is directly related to the health of the root system. Core aeration allows a lawn to breath by reducing soil compaction. This creates a better environment for a stronger root system for your grasses.

A lawn that has an extensive, healthy, active root system will better be able to utilize water and nutrients, and be more tolerant to environmental stresses of heat, cold, and drought!

Additionally, we have found that lawns that are aerated tend to have less disease issues. Many lawn diseases can be attributed to poor soil drainage. Core Aeration improves drainage, reduces thatch, and produces a greener, healthier, more vibrant lawn!

Is your lawn scheduled for core aeration this year? If not, please call our office to schedule this special service and see the difference!

We Honor Long Time Employees


	Kevin Holland, Maxine Johnson, Tim Cole

Hampstead, NC - Freedom Lawns USA, recently honored three longtime employees who work out of our home office in Hampstead, NC. Maxine Johnson is celebrating her 15th year with Freedom Lawns. Maxine is the company's Office Manager and according to president Mark Tamn, "Maxine keeps everyone at Freedom Lawns in line, including me!"

Tim Cole is the Operations Manager for Freedom Lawns and has also been with the organization for 15 years. Tim started his lawn care career as an Assistant Turfgrass Specialist. He was quickly promoted as an Area Supervisor, and in 2012, was once again promoted to Operations Manager, assisting with the day to day company operations!

Kevin Holland works in the company's franchise support division, and has been with Freedom Lawns and Freedom Franchises for over 10 years. Kevin provides computer and website technical support to franchise owners. He was awarded a plaque for his 10 years of excellent service.

Company Vice President Lynn Tamn noted that "Each of these employees has demonstrated an amazing work ethic, dedication, and loyalty to our business and to their careers over the years at Freedom Lawns! We appreciate their work and the good work of all our employees at Freedom Lawns "

Freedom Lawns was founded in 1999 as an organic based lawn care company with emphasis on providing a greener alternative to the approach of conventional lawn care methods. The company utilizes their own line of organic lawn care products, and offers franchise partnerships throughout the United States. They currently operate 11 franchise locations from Frederick, Maryland through Atlanta, Georgia.

The Fastest Growing Tree In The World!

Growing at an astonishing rate of up to 10 feet each year, the Empress tree is among

the fastest growing trees in the world ! The tree will produce some beautiful, fragrant purple or lavender flowers in the early spring, that will last for many weeks. Flower production tends to increase and be more prolific in warmer climates. The Empress tree will generally perform well from gardening zones 7- 11 ( Maryland- Florida).

With a maximum height reaching 40-50 feet at maturity, the Empress produces a dense canopy thus is a great choice for those seeking a good choice for shade.


Mature Royal Empress Tree

The empress tree prefers dry soils, and can sometimes have problems if they are growing in wet soils. Be sure not to plant in a low-lying area with soils that tend to hold a lot of moisture. Also, because this tree gets rather large, be sure you have a nice, sunny open space for it to thrive. (don't plant next to your house).

So, if you're looking for an attractive, low maintenance, extremely fast growing shade tree, you may want to checkout the Royal Empress tree!

THE KEY TO GOOD HEALTH FOR YOU AND YOUR LAWN!

The health benefits of Potassium for human health are numerous and widely known throughout the medical field. Just a few benefits of potassium include relief from stroke, lower blood pressure, helps with heart and kidney disorders, enhances muscle strength, aids in electrolysis functions, and improves the nervous system. However, did you know that potassium is also a key nutrient in overall health and performance of turf grass and plants in general? Potassium plays an important role in plant hardiness and tolerance to heat and cold, diseases, helps with the utilization of other nutrients, aids in root development, and more!

ALL POTASSIUM TYPES ARE NOT THE SAME!

Did you know that our Freedom Lawns organic fertilizers are the only lawn fertilizers that contain the most expensive and healthiest form of potassium for your lawn? Most fertilizer sold in stores or applied by lawn care companies contain a less expensive potassium source - Murate of Potash! Our Freedom Lawns fertilizers consist of natural, organic Sulfate of Potash. Our Potash has a low burn potential and low salt concentrate which means less stress on your grasses. It also contains less Chloride, which in higher amounts can hinder lawn quality. Our potassium also contains sulfur which is beneficial!

Our Freedom Lawns organic based fertilizerS although expensive, are formulated to be of the highest quality and result oriented available! We believe that our clients deserve only the best!

1. Moth balls will repel moles! Moles will not eat moth balls (they are carnivores), nor will the smell of moth balls discourage moles from tunneling through your lawn!
2. Placing chewing gum in a mole tunnel will get ride of a mole? Moles don't care for the taste of Juicy Fruit, Trident, or Dentyne- they eat insects!
3. Grass Clippings will create thatch buildup in your lawn! Grass clippings are 90% water and nutrients. The clippings will decompose in time. Thatch buildup is comprised of roots and stems of grasses that are more fibrous, do not readily degrade into the soil, and buildup over time.
4. The majority of water pollution is the result of folks littering? The greatest threat to water quality is from bacteria caused by animal waste/runoff! (pet waste, animal waste, human waste etc.) It is estimated that 83 million of American's pets produce enough waste to fill 5000 football fields, 10 feet high with waste each year. All pet owners should remember the scoop, bag it, trash it rule.
5. Drought tolerant plants need no water! Although some plants have lower water requirements than others, all living things need some degree of water to maintain good health and life!
6. Disease resistant tomato's will never get a disease! Although some varieties of tomato plants and other plants are hybridized to be harder and more resistant to certain diseases, it is still possible for these plants to be infected by diseases. In some cases, the disease may be less severe.
7. Beer makes good plant fertilizer! There is absolutely no nutrient value for plants in even the best of beers! The alcohol in beer can actually weaken some plants! So, sit back and have a cold one on us, but don't waste a good beer on your plants!
8. When your plant is wilting, it means that it needs more water! Although wilting could be a sign that your plant needs more moisture, a plant can wilt from a variety of other factors. Always check the moisture level in the soil with your fingers first before giving your plant more water!

Just like us, birds have their "treat dejour" too!

Here is a list of treats for some common birds in your area to enjoy!

	Chickadees - Bread & Sunflower seeds.
	Bluejays - Sunflower seeds, cracked corn, peanuts, lard mix, & seed mix.
	Robin & Bluebirds - Apples, grapes, meal-worms, berries, & raisins.
	Gold Finch - Nyger (thistle), millet, fruit, peanuts, & suet.
	Woodpeckers - Sunflower seeds, corn, peanut butter, cornbread, & orange halves.
	Orioles - Oranges, apples, grape jelly, & soft raisins.
	Red Winged Blackbird - Cracked corn, bread, millet, & suet.
	Cardinals - Millet, apple, peanuts, corn, & sunflower seeds.
	Mockingbirds - Apples, fruit, bread, & sunflower seeds.
	Tanagers - Suet, fruit, meal-worms, & bread.
	Quall - Cracked corn, millet, & berries.
	Warbles - Suet, fruit, bread, & nuts!

Hampstead, NC - With multiple operational locations along the Southeastern United States, Freedom Lawns believes that consumers are very much aware of the benefits in hiring companies that perform lawn and landscape practices in a more sustainable fashion and consider this when making their buying decisions. In order to achieve the goal of becoming a truly sustainable business, Freedom Lawns joined the Green Business Bureau, which is a national membership organization that uses an online assessment to certify green businesses. Having been a member since 2010 and reaching Platinum level status with the Green Business Bureau has helped the company demonstrate to the public their steadfast dedication to preserving the integrity of ecosystems and other environmental treasures.

The premise of the Freedom Lawns service is to provide a healthier, more vibrant, beautiful lawn and landscape for their residential and commercial clients, while utilizing a unique approach that is safer for children, pets, and the local environment. Freedom Lawns has also developed their own proprietary line of organic-based lawn and plant care materials. These products are used in conjunction with natural products for the control of different lawn and landscape pests. Additionally, all Freedom Lawns locations work closely with their clients in the education of proper cultural garden practices. In return, the company hopes this will help to minimize the impact of pesticide usage.

Freedom Lawns has won numerous awards for environmental stewardship and service, including the Pelican Award issued by the Coastal Federation and Best Business Service Award from the Business Journal publication and UNCW Cameron School of Business.

For more information on Freedom Lawns, please visit:

http://www.freedomlawnsnc.com/

For more information on the GBB program, please visit: http://www.gbb.org

The Freedom Lawns Autopay Program!

Quick, Simple & Easy to Use!

Save yourself the hassle of writing checks or calling us with a credit card for your services performed! Simply contact our office with your credit card information, and we will charge your account for the service provided. We will gladly send you a receipt upon request!

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding our hassle free Autopay service!

Click Here

Planting- Keep in mind that roses will require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for peak performance. Early spring is a great time to establish a new planting in your landscape. When planting your new rose bush, dig a hole that is twice as deep and twice as wide as the root ball or container. Work the soil at the bottom of the hole with a shovel so that the soil is loose and not compacted.

Remove your rose from the container. Use your hand to gently loosen the root mass at the bottom of the plant. If the rose has been in the container for a long period, you might find that the plant roots are tightly compressed or root bound. In this case, use a knife or shovel to loosen the root system as this will help in the establishment of your plant.

Add a small amount of some good soil, composted manure, or other organic matter to the bottom of the hole. Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root-ball is just slightly raised above the soils surface, and back-fill with good soil mixed with composted manure.

Water your rose bush around the base and tamp down so that there are no air pockets around the plant. Check the soil moisture of your rose closely for the first few weeks and keep the soil around your new plant damp.

Fertilizing your roses - It is generally not advisable to fertilize your new rose bush during the first year. This is the period when the roots of your plants need to establish and spread within the soil. Some fertilizer that are extremely soluble and have a high salt content may hinder your rose from establishing.

When fertilizing the following years, your rose should be fertilized in the spring , summer, after the chance of freezing temperatures have passed, and in the fall.

In the spring or summer months, use a slow release, granular fertilizer that has some organic properties. In the fall, use a high potassium, low nitrogen fertilizer which will benefit the roots and improve plant hardiness. Your Freedom Lawns plant specialists can assist you with this.

Pruning your roses - The ideal time to prune your roses is in the early spring. Never prune in the fall or winter months as warm spells can stimulate new growth. This new growth can be damaged by colder temperatures. Your rose bush should have no more than 3-4 larger canes. Use loppers to prune off any excess canes and smaller, sharp, hand pruners for finer pruning. Cut your rose bush back by two thirds each spring as this will promote better density and blooms. Deadhead your roses periodically throughout the growing season to encourage flower production.

Proper mowing is critical in maintaining a healthy, vibrant lawn! Here are a few tips to ensure that your mower is up to the task this summer!

1. Check the spark plugs - A good spark plug is important to ensure that your mower runs smooth, starts up easy, is fuel efficient, and can handle even the thickest lawn areas. Remove the plug, spray with a brake cleaner, and use a wire brush to remove dirt and corrosion. If your mower was hard to start or stalled out on you last year, you may want to replace the spark plug.

2. Change the oil - Lawn mower oil should be changed each spring or after around 50 hours of use. Be sure to check your owner's manual to determine which oil is best for your mower.

3. Replace the air filter - A dirty, clogged up air filter will cause your mower to run less efficiently and could result in excess engine wear. Change your air filter each spring.

4. Sharpen the blades - We suggest sharpening your blade a few times each year, depending upon your grass type and mowing frequency. A sharp blade will result in a nice clean cut. In return, your grass will not only be healthier, but will look much better. A dull mower blade will shred the grass blade, thus causing a whitish cast across your lawn. A dull blade will also weaken your grass, and make it more susceptible to disease and environmental stress.

5. Clean the mower deck - We suggest cleaning the deck after each mowing. A dirty deck may cause corrosion, impede your cut, and can even spread certain fungus diseases