Volume 4
Summer 2010
FREEDOM LAWNS AWARDED GREEN BUSINESS CERTIFICATION
We are proud to inform you that Freedom Lawns has recently been certified as a green business by the Green Business Bureau. To achieve the green business designation, a company must first be accessed to determine what operational changes may be necessary to comply with green certification guidelines.
All companies must demonstrate sound environmental initiatives in over 250 work related areas based on Leeds requirements and EPA standards. Freedom Lawns is now in the process of working toward the platinum green certification designation. This is the highest green certification level that a business can achieve.
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Franchise Owner Spotlight
We are proud to introduce Joe Grady and Kathleen Smith. Joe and Kathleen are the owners of Freedom Lawns of Charleston and service Charleston, SC and surrounding areas.
Freedom Lawns of Charleston, South Carolina is owned and operated by Joe Grady and Kathleen Smith. Joe and Kathleen are a terrific brother and sister team. A few of the valuable qualities that have made the Freedom Lawns office in Charleston a success is that Joe and Kathleen both have great “people" skills, a strong work ethic and a sincere desire to work with their clients to produce the best looking lawns in the region!
Joe has been interested in horticulture and agronomy for most of his life and is excited to make a career and a business doing what he really enjoys…. working with lawns and plants!
Joe is married to his lovely wife Caroline (recently graduated with honors from law school!) Joe and his wife also have a future Freedom Lawns Turf grass specialist, a two and a half year old son named Joseph Raymond Grady. When Joe’s not out in the field working on maintaining great looking lawns and plants, he enjoys golfing, watching sports (about anything involving competition), and of course, time with the family.
Kathleen Smith manages the administrative part of the Freedom Lawns business and with her brother Joe, share in the marketing and other aspects of a growing business. Kathleen grew up in Charleston and has always loved playing and working outdoors. Kathleen and her husband Lee have two beautiful girls, Kayle & Chloe. Kathleen spent much of her daughter’s pre school years being a wonderful stay home mom. Once the girls were in school, Kathleen was able to fulfill her long time goal- of entrepreneurship!
In her own words, Kathleen said “I wasn’t looking for some dime a dozen type business. I wanted a unique business opportunity that would not only be gratifying for me, but would also provide a service that is beneficial to the Charleston community! When I found Freedom Lawns organic based lawn care, I knew this was the business that would redefine lawn care in the Charleston market”.
It is a pleasure to work with Joe and Kathleen and we are proud that they are a part of the Freedom Lawns family.
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Did you know……
Did you know that your Freedom Lawns service is scientifically formulated?? That’s right! Think of our yearly program as a diet plan for your lawn. Each step or treatment within our program is agronomically designed based on your lawn type, soil type, climatic and environmental factors.
If one or more steps are deleted from the overall program, the end result will likely not be attained! One of the more commonly asked questions we receive from a potential Freedom Lawns client is “Do we have to take all of the recommended regular treatments?” The answer is- Absolutely! Lawns are comprised of thousands of grass plants. As is the case with all plants, they have specific requirements on a regular basis throughout the year. Additionally, when a lawn begins to improve and look better, it will always require on going maintenance to keep it looking nice or it will surely begin to decline. By seeing your lawn on a regular basis, we can monitor results and look for existing or potential problems.
As part of our “green philosophy”, we strive to treat each lawn individually. Our goal is to make sure that your lawn reaches its fullest potential while recommending only what your lawn actually requires to reduce problems and improve.
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What’s that growing on my lawn?
Slime mold
We get several calls each summer for a fungus disease called slime mold. This disease will occur during drier periods, high humidity, and overcast conditions. The film on the grass blade is generally grayish –blue, but can come in a variety of fashionable colors such as orange, yellow, and red! This is generally considered a very minor disease that will dissipate within 7-10 days or after a few mowings. If the slime mold looks unsightly, the coating on the blades will easily wipe off with a broom. Under very extreme situations, a fungicide may be required to rectify this disease.
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We can help you with those unwanted guests in  your home with our Freedom Lawns Perimeter Pest Control services.
Our safer products applied around your landscape beds and foundation, will give them the message that they are in the "NO BUG ZONE" Call our office today to see how inexpensive Freedom Lawns Perimeter Pest Control can be!
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Click to print your copy!
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Freedom Lawns Fabulous Tiramisu
- ¾ c. milk
- 1 pkg. (sm) instant chocolate pudding
- ½ c. sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 10-12 ladyfingers separated
- Confectioner’s sugar (optional)
- Cocoa Powder (optional)
Mix milk and pudding according to package directions. Let stand 5 minutes. Fold in softened sour cream or yogurt. Chill. Spread flat side of half the ladyfinger with filling; top with remaining ladyfinger half. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Sprinkle tops with confectioner’s sugar, cocoa powder or crushed ladyfingers. Enjoy!
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Is there a subject or something special that you would like to see included in the next edition of Freedom Lawns Green Pages?
Send your suggestions to:
freedomlawns@bellsouth.net
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FUN WITH HYDRANGEAS
Changing the color of your Hydrangea flowers from pink to blue or from blue to pink can be fun and rewarding. Typically, an acid or lower soil pH ( acid ) will encourage more “ blueness “, while a higher pH which is more alkaline will induce pink or more red into the Hydrangea flower.
There is some research that shows aluminum content of the soil may influence the amount of blue color as much or more then the soil pH. To obtain a  blue Hydrangea, there must be enough aluminum in the soil. To increase the degree of blue or to change a pink flower to blue, use a soluble aluminum sulfate Use .5 ounces (1 tablespoon) per gallon of water, and apply 6-8 weeks before bloom time. Water your plants before applying this solution and be sure not to apply more of the aluminum sulfate than is suggested. Excess application may cause damage to the roots of your Hydrangea. To keep the color of your Hydrangea blue or to improve the vibrancy of the color, you may have to repeat this process each year.
To change the color from blue to pink, you must reduce the amount of aluminum in the soil. This can be done by raising the soils pH. The ideal soil pH to  produce pink flowers would be 6.0-6.2. Increasing the soils pH too high, may result in yellowing of the leaves (iron chlorosis). I suggest that you purchase an inexpensive soil tester from a local garden center and monitor the soil pH around your Hydrangea. If your flowers are naturally blue, the pH is likely more acidic. Apply around a quarter cup of dolomitiic lime around the base of your plants, and continue to check the pH until it is in the 6.0-6.2 range. Add more lime as needed. __________________________________________
HOW MUCH WATER DOES MY LAWN NEED?
One of the questions most often asked by our clients is “How often should I be watering my lawn?“
Believe it or not the correct answer to this question can change on a weekly basis depending upon recent rainfall, climatic conditions such as day and evening temperatures, wind velocity, soil types, sun versus shade, mowing habits, turf type, your own irrigation capabilities, lawn disease issues, and so on.
Here are some common sense guidelines that you can use to determine when to water your lawn and how much water your lawn will need.
Generally speaking, most lawns will require 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week during the growing season. The growing season is generally from the middle of April thru early November. The water your lawn will need can be from good old mother natures rainfall (this is by far the most beneficial form of irrigation), watering done by you, or a combination of both! The ideal situation is to water your lawn as needed according to the needs of your turf grass and rainfall amounts. Your lawn will require more water from May- August because this is when the acceleration of growth occurs on our warm season grasses. This is also the period when we tend to experience much warmer day and evening air temperatures. If we are not getting ample rainfall during this period, watering every other day in the early morning hours for 20- 25 minutes for each area is suggested. Remember that you will want to reduce irrigation during late summer, fall, and spring when the days are shorter, the nights are cooler and your lawn is not growing at full speed! All irrigation should be turned off on lawn areas once the grass goes into dormancy. Your lawn will receive enough moisture from natural rainfall during the winter to keep it alive and well. Adding to Mother Nature’s rainfall during the winter will only enhance the probability of disease, winter damage, and a nice healthy crop of winter weeds!
If you ever have any questions regarding irrigation, mowing or other cultural practices that are germane in producing a quality lawn, please consult your Freedom Lawns office. We are always willing to work with you toward the common goal… to help your lawn reach its greatest potential!
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THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER!
Enjoy your Freedom Lawn! Here are some fun lawn games that your entire family will enjoy!
BAG TOSS - The bag toss game is sometimes called Corn Toss, Bean Bag Toss or Soft Horseshoes. Bag toss is similar to horseshoes except that you use wooden boxes, bag toss platforms and corn bags, instead of horseshoes and metal stakes. A bag toss platform is an angled rectangular wooden or plastic box with a hole. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags (4 per player) at the platform until someone scores 21 points.
A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points, one on the platform scores 1 point and a bag on the ground scores 0 points. You’re ready to play with just two platforms and 8 bags. American Bag Toss Association (ABA) sanctioned bags are 6” x 6” square and made of soft duck canvas material and filled with pliable high quality feed corn. Unofficial bags could also be made from dry beans, rice or popcorn seeds.
BAGGO – The Baggo Bean Bag Toss game is very similar to Bag Toss. The main differences between these outdoor lawn games show up only in the “official” rules and platform components. If you aren’t worried about the EXACT game measurements, materials and lingo, it won’t matter which game you play.
WASHERS – Work as singles, doubles or teams to toss washers into a box approximately 25 feet away that has a center hole or “pit.” While official washer boxes are available commercially, you can easily make your own by securing a small cup in the middle of a shoe box without a lid. (Use a brad, super glue, tape or whatever means you have available to secure the cup – just be sure that the cup is sturdy enough so that it won’t tip over when hit with washers.) Each person or team gets 3 washers, approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter. (Paint or decorate each set of washers so you can tell them apart.) Take turns tossing the washers. A washer that lands in the pit is worth 3 points. A washer that lands in the box is worth 1 point. Play until someone reaches exactly 21 (or passes whatever number determined at the beginning).
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LAWN AND GARDEN BRAIN TEASER~!
So how is your lawn and garden IQ? Here are 10 lawn and garden questions to help you determine your level of lawn and horticulture expertise. Each question is worth 10 points.
90%-100% Dr. Green Thumbs
80%-90% Gardening Guru
70%-80% Landscape Expert
60%-70% Landscape Grunt
60% or less Armchair Gardener
Click here to see the answers!
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