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why is my grass turning brown

Why Is Your Grass Turning Brown Despite Watering?

Written by Santa Rita Landscaping on . Posted in Blog, Grass.

A common concern we at Santa Rita Landscaping hear from local property owners is that they regularly face lawn problems, even with watering. If you find yourself asking, “Why is my grass turning brown?” while you watch sprinklers spraying the surface, you’re in the right place. Learn why healthy grass turns brown in this informative guide. 

Water Isn’t Soaking the Soil

Is your grass turning brown despite irrigation? It’s possible that you’re not watering it properly. To maintain a hydrated, healthy lawn, implement longer watering sessions once or twice a week. 

Lush, green lawns stem from the soil receiving ample water rather than a light mist hitting blades of grass. Plan irrigation sessions accordingly, especially during droughts or extremely hot, sunny periods. 

The Soil’s pH Balance Is Off

One of the most common reasons for lawn discoloration is the soil’s acidity. Grass thrives when the soil it grows in has a pH between six and seven. Several factors can affect the soil’s pH and affect your vegetation, including:

  • Excessive rainfall
  • Breakdown of organic matter
  • Fertilizer use

Stop wondering, “Why is my grass turning brown?” and contact a lawn care expert for answers. They can test your soil to confirm a pH imbalance and recommend solutions. 

Be patient when it comes to balancing your grass’s pH level. With the right treatment, the ugly brown color will slowly fade to reveal a vibrant green hue. 

Pests Feast on Roots and Kill Patches of Grass

Critters known as white grubs can burrow themselves in soil and begin eating grass roots. As they munch on the roots, the blades will soon turn brown in affected areas of the lawn. 

No amount of water or fertilizer can reverse the discoloration caused by white grubs. However, you can deploy pesticides to eliminate the infestation and plant new seeds to promote future growth. 

Improper Mowing Techniques Stress the Grass Blades

One of the most overlooked causes of brown grass, with regular watering, is a harmful mowing technique. Consistent watering may help the blades grow tall, but if you aren’t careful about how you cut them, you could end up stressing the vegetation. As a natural stress response, some patches might turn brown as a result. 

Sharp mower blades make precise cuts, creating a well-manicured lawn. Make sure your grass doesn’t grow too high before cutting it. Adjust the blades so you’re only cutting a third of the grass’s length each time. 

Have a qualified landscaper tackle this project for peace of mind. Experts know how to properly mow lawns without stressing the grass. Professionals will keep your property’s exterior lush, green, and beautiful. 

Preserve Your Property’s Landscaping With Help From Our Experts

After reading this guide, you no longer have to wonder, “Why is my grass turning brown despite watering?” Santa Rita Landscaping can help revive the lawn on your commercial property with high-quality grass fertilizer, watering tips, and other landscaping solutions. Reach out to our team today at 520-623-0421 (Tucson location) or 602-686-0292 (Phoenix location) to learn more.

tree pruning vs trimming

The Difference Between Tree Pruning and Tree Trimming

Written by Santa Rita Landscaping on . Posted in Blog, Landscaping.

Many homeowners use “tree pruning” and “tree trimming” interchangeably, but did you know these techniques aren’t quite the same thing? It’s important to know the difference to ensure that you get the results you want from your tree care company.

Below, learn the difference between tree pruning vs. trimming, then call our team for professional tree service in Tucson, AZ.

What’s the Difference Between Pruning and Trimming?

How does tree pruning compare to trimming? The short answer is that trimming is akin to giving your tree a haircut, while pruning is like giving your tree an entirely new hairstyle. Essentially, trimming is for minor touch-ups and pruning is best for more drastic enhancements.

Here’s how these techniques differ in more detail.

What Is Tree Trimming?

Does your tree look a bit rangy and raggedy? Maybe it’s too bushy or the ends of the branches are growing at weird angles. If you don’t like how your tree looks, tree trimming is the perfect technique for you.

Arborists primarily perform trimming for aesthetic reasons, just like you might get a trim at the barber to freshen up your look. Tree companies can use trimming to shape your tree, control its growth habit, and make it look more manicured. As an added benefit, regular pruning helps prevent harmful insects from making their home in your tree.

Wondering when to trim trees? Arborists recommend trimming in late winter or early spring to avoid harming tender new growth.

What Is Tree Pruning?

If you’re looking to get more drastic results for your tree, consider pruning. What is pruning, and what’s the difference between tree pruning vs. trimming? 

This technique entails removing weak, dead, or diseased branches to improve your tree’s overall health. Pruning can involve shaping your tree to improve its structure or removing branches from a crowded canopy.

Arborists know how to prune trees using a variety of techniques, including:

  • Canopy raising: This technique involves removing the lower branches to gradually raise your tree’s canopy.
  • Canopy thinning: Canopy thinning entails removing crowded branches in the center of the tree’s canopy to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration. The technique can also strengthen your tree against strong winds and destructive storms.
  • Canopy cleaning: Canopy cleaning removes dead, weak, and diseased branches so they don’t impact the tree’s health.

Like tree trimming, experts recommend pruning your tree from late winter through early spring. However, a skilled tree company can perform pruning any time of year if necessary.

Need Reliable Tree Care in Tucson? Call Our Expert Arborists

Now that you’ve learned the difference between tree pruning vs. trimming, which service do you need? Both trimming and pruning offer benefits for your tree, from improving its beauty to keeping it healthy and strong.

If you can’t decide between pruning or trimming, call the certified arborists at Santa Rita Landscaping LLC. We’re experts at pruning roses, trees, hedges, and more. To schedule your tree service in Tucson, contact us at (520) 623-0421 today.

tree branches hanging over roof

What To Do If Tree Branches Are Hanging Over Your Roof

Written by Santa Rita Landscaping on . Posted in Blog, Trees & Plants.

Having mature trees on your property can provide significant curb appeal. However, they do require scheduling regular tree service in Tucson, AZ, to keep your home and garden safe. 

Tree branches hanging over roofs are a prime example. It’s important to take care of this overhang before the tree causes damage to the gutter or roof, but that’s not the only risk. Learn more below from the tree professionals at Santa Rita Landscaping.

Trimming Trees Protects Your Roof

The roof and gutter damage might be your first thought here because that’s what tree branches hanging over roofs tend to make contact with on windy days or during storms. It’s important to have an inspection done before cutting any tree limbs, though. 

Haphazard removals could be detrimental to the tree’s health and risk your safety. Areas that have dead, damaged, or cracked limbs near the roof and damaged branches higher in the tree canopy are especially dangerous. If they crack and fall, they could damage healthy areas underneath, causing even more branches to hit the roof.

The best option to deal with overhanging branches is to let licensed professionals trim them for you. Professionals like Santa Rita Landscaping have the equipment needed to reach the upper areas of the tree and take down large limbs with the greatest risk of falling. Proper tree-trimming techniques safely remove the hazard while maintaining the tree’s health.

Other Damage That Overhanging Limbs Can Cause

Are there tree branches hanging over roof edges at home? If a heavy branch crashes down, it could pull shingles loose or penetrate the roof deck. It might even end up inside the building, so don’t ignore it! 

Quick branch removal services could help your property avoid these other issues as well:

Moisture and Mold

Tree leaves touching a roof might hold moisture in place longer than usual. This excess dampness invites mold and mildew to form on the shingles, eventually leading to structural damage. Dampness draws insects and other pests to the area, too.

Blocked Flow of Rainwater

Branches touching the shingles and gutter may prevent rain from running down the roof and reaching the gutters. This is even more of a problem as the tree’s pollen, seeds, and leaves come off the overhanging tree and end up blocking the channels.

Scraping the Building

During windy days, overhanging branches might move back and forth violently. If they’re touching your home siding or roof, they can scratch paint, pull siding loose, and damage shingles. Trimming these limbs is cheaper than constantly repairing the house!

Count On Santa Rita Landscaping To Keep Your Trees Healthy and Trimmed

Ignoring an overgrown tree isn’t a wise move, especially if it hangs over your home, garage, or outbuildings. With tree branches hanging over roofs, falling debris is more likely to damage your property or injure someone. Call in the professionals as soon as possible!

At Santa Rita Landscaping, we take care of your mature, native trees and everything else in the yard with careful trimming and removal work. Call our office today at (520) 623-0421 for help in Tucson, AZ!

Four Plants That Turn Red in the Fall

Written by csDevTeam on . Posted in Blog.

Planting colorful trees, shrubs, and plants around your property is a fantastic way to enhance its visual appeal and make a terrific impression on guests. Few colors catch the eye more than red, especially during the vibrant fall season. Adding various shades of red to your yard can do wonders for its appearance while giving it a distinct look that will leave onlookers awestruck.

That said, many Tucson homeowners don’t know what plants and trees have red fall foliage. Fortunately, our experts at Santa Rita Landscaping created a short guide featuring a few plants that turn red in the fall in Tucson, Arizona.

Santa Rita Landscaping is Tucson, Arizona’s premier professional landscaping service. If you want expert landscape design in Tucson, AZ, call our landscaping professionals.

Four Plants With Red Fall Foliage

Red is a popular fall color that matches the season’s festive spirit. Deep red leaves and plants can help your exterior property look its best while giving it some character. Below are four beautiful plants that turn red in the fall in Tucson, Arizona.

1. Viburnum

Viburnum shrubs are heat-hearty plants perfect for Arizona’s hot weather. They thrive in both full sun and partial shade and typically grow between 3 and 8 feet tall. Viburnum shrubs come in multiple varieties, including:

  • Arrowwood
  • Guelder-rose
  • Viburnum davidii
  • Nannyberry

2. Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea shrubs have purplish-red foliage that maintains its color throughout fall and well into winter. Like viburnum shrubs, oakleaf hydrangeas grow in full sun and partial shade and reach up to 15 to 20 feet tall. Although these shrubs prefer well-draining moist soil, they can tolerate clay-based dirt, making them ideal for Tucson’s clay-heavy terrain.

3. Fireglow Upright Red Japanese Maple

Fireglow upright red Japanese maple trees have vibrant red leaves that will enhance any Tucson property with stunning fall colors. They are relatively compact and grow 12 to 15 feet on average. They grow in partial shade and full sun while favoring well-draining, moist soil.

4. Coral Bark Japanese Maple

The coral bark Japanese maple is a relatively large tree that reaches 15 to 25 feet tall. It enjoys morning sun and afternoon shade and prefers sandy soil over clay. 

What makes this tree so unique is its color-changing foliage. It features yellowish-green leaves during early fall that change to a rosey red once winter temperatures arrive. It’s a gorgeous tree that will help you unlock your exterior property’s true visual potential.

Contact Santa Rita Landscaping for Outstanding Landscaping Services in Tucson, Arizona

If you want to add enchanting red plants, shrubs, and trees to your property but don’t want to deal with the hassle, contact Santa Rita Landscaping. Our team will plant breathtaking plants that turn red in the fall while providing outstanding customer service every step of the way. Whether you want to add low-maintenance landscaping plants to your property or need professional tree care, our professionals can help.

Give our Santa Rita Landscaping team a call at (520) 623-0421 and schedule your appointment today!

How to Landscape Around an Above-Ground Pool

Written by csDevTeam on . Posted in Blog, Landscaping.

Are you excited to finally have a gorgeous above-ground pool in your backyard and want to create the perfect warm weather relaxation retreat? In this short guide, we’ll explain how to landscape around an above-ground pool to maximize the function and style of your space.

Santa Rita Landscaping provides custom residential landscape design in Tucson, AZ, and can craft a perfect outdoor pool area you’ll love. Consider these outstanding landscaping ideas for above-ground pools, then reach out to our team for a consultation.

Create a Beautiful Border

Bordering is a popular above-ground pool idea because it’s one of the easiest ways to make the area appear neat, tidy, and beautiful. While some people border their pool with mulch, trees, and plants, it’s important to give your pool equipment and walls enough room.

Natural stone and rocks look stunning, and you don’t typically have to worry about them moving around. When you have mulch and plants, it can sometimes kick up into the grass or pool area. 

Consider Walkways and Paths

Walkways look fantastic, and they designate a clear way to travel to and from your pool area. It’s much better to walk across stone and keep the space orderly than to drop dirt and grass into the water. Place patio stones with plants and mulch on either side for a gorgeous appearance. Patio pavers and concrete, in particular, are favored choices for pathways. 

Plan for Flowers and Plants

You’ll find plenty of design ideas for how to landscape around an above-ground pool, but you should consider your location first. The ideal trees and plants for a cooler area differs greatly depending on where you live.

Consider what upkeep you’re willing to perform regularly. If you’d prefer minimal maintenance, why not artfully place planters around the borders of your pool? You’ll still get the greenery you want without the worry of root collision. Maybe you’ll add a stunning water feature as the focal point and enjoy the calming sounds.

You can also add alternating colors of flowers, like red and yellow for a cheery design. Keep in mind that you must trim your trees and bushes periodically, so consider how much maintenance you’re willing to do. We can help you find easy-to-care-for greenery and beautiful plants. 

Add Lighting or a Deck

Although it is not necessary, lighting can add the perfect touch to your backyard spot. Lights that shine upwards to your pool wall set the mood and add an inviting ambiance. Solar lights are inexpensive and can help achieve your desired look. 

Learn More About Landscaping in AZ

Now that you know how to landscape around an above-ground pool, the world is your oyster! Get creative and make the beautiful at-home vacation area that you, your friends, and your family can all enjoy. You can also spice up your yard with the perfect soil for raised garden beds.

Santa Rita Landscaping can help you achieve your dream outdoor space in Tucson and Phoenix, AZ. Give us a call today at (520) 623-0421 (Tucson) or (602) 686-0292 (Phoenix)!