Freedom Lawns Famous Quote of the Month:

Pruning of trees and shrubs is generally performed for three reasons:  Aesthetic appeal- pruning of certain shrubs and trees will help to maintain a certain shape, size or look. Pruning a tree or shrub into an unnatural shape or size may weaken the plant and make it more prone to insects, diseases or environmental stresses. Safety- Dead or weak limbs and branches can break at any time causing serious damage to property and people. Limbs that are growing on or over houses, fences, vehicles, etc. should be pruned back to reduce the possibility of damage during a storm. Health of the tree or shrub- Pruning out dead, decayed, or cross branches will help reduce insect and disease damage. Thinning the crown of a tree improves light and airflow which can be beneficial. Thinning and reducing the canary of larger trees may prevent storm damage and will improve light thus benefiting the grass growing around that area.

Basic Pruning Tips In most cases, the winter dormancy period is the ideal time to prune most shrubs and trees. Mid to late winter right before the trees or shrubs begin to come out of dormancy are the preferred times to prune. To avoid oak tree wilt, avoid pruning oaks form April- October. The worst time to prune shrubs and trees is in the early fall before dormancy. Pruning in the fall may accelerate new tender growth making it more susceptible to winter damage. Pruning deciduous trees in the winter after the leaves have fallen will also enable you to better see and evaluate all of the branches to determine which ones should be removed.  When pruning branches, do not cut too close into the trunk or leave a stub. Always make your cut on an angle even with the trunk so that it will heal faster. Remove branches that are crossed or rubbing together. Trees and shrubs that bloom on new growth such as Crepe Myrtle, Spirea, Hydrangea, and shrubs gown primarily for their foliage should be pruned in early spring before growth begins.  Trees and shrubs that bloom early such as Azaleas, Cherry, Forsythia, Lilac, Flowering Plum, Red Buds,etc. should be pruned soon after they finish blooming. Major pruning of larger trees should be performed by a board certified arborist for best results.

Let us take the guess work out of calculating the amount of mulch or pine straw you will need and save you money! First, you will have to know the size of the area that you are mulching or installing fresh pine. This can be done by applying some basic math. Measure each landscape area to be mulched by measuring the length x the width. After you’ve measured all the areas, add up the totals to give you the Sq. Ft, or amount of area to cover. You can make some minor adjustments to account for landscape plants in the beds. Now that you have the sq. ft, you can calculate how much pine straw and mulch you will need.  Pine Straw 1 bale of pine straw will cover approximately 50 sq. ft of area. If you have 500 sq., ft. of landscape bed, 10 bales should work for you. Mulch One cubic yard will cover: 162 sq. ft @ 2 inches deep 108 sq. ft @ 3 inches deep 81 sq. ft @ 4 inches deep Divide the depth of mulch into the area that you would like to cover. Example.- you want 3 inches of mulch and the areas is 700 sq ft.  700 divided by 108 = 6.48 cubic yards of mulch required. It's that easy! Typically, 3-4 inches is the recommended depth for mulch. Keep the mulch away from the base of landscape plants. Too much mulch around your plants may impede air circulation and proper drainage. Excessive mulch may also promote diseases and decay on your trees and plants

For the dressing: 3 tbs white balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tbs honey 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning 1/8 tsp garlic powder Salt & Pepper to taste For the salad: 2 tbs chopped almonds 10oz bag baby spinach 1/2 lb strawberries (washed, hulled and sliced) 1 cup raspberries (washed and dried) 1 cup blueberries (washed and dried) 1 avocado (sliced) To make the dressing whisk all ingredients together and set aside.To make the salad, gently toss all salad ingredients together in a large bowl and serve immediately! Feel free to add grilled chicken or a form of protein to kick it up a notch!

Eggplants and potatoes are part of the same family. Watermelon is actually a vegetable and so is rhubarb. Tomatoes are fruits and the most popular fruit in the world at that. Broccoli and cauliflower are the only veggies that are also flowers.  Deer can jump eight feet. They might require a running start to reach such heights, but a tiny fence often isn't enough to keep these garden nibblers away.  There are more microorganisms in one teaspoon of soil than there are people on the earth The largest cantaloupe ever recorded was grown in North Carolina weighing a whopping 65.9 Lbs.!! The Crabapple is the only apple native to North America.

We all love our trees! They provide us with shade cooling temperatures in the summer, aesthetic value, provide oxygen, and help clean our air. On the other hand, we all enjoy a nice thick lush, weed free lawn. A nice lawn is fun to play on, adds aesthetic value and beauty to the landscape, prevent erosion, and offers a plethora of environmental value. Truth be told, in most cases, the two do not really cohabit well in a typical home lawn situations! Larger trees that produce shade will starve most turfgrass varieties of the 5-6 hours of full sunlight required for maximum performance and growth. Trees will also tend to produce roots both surface and subsurface, which will interfere with the root activity of most grass types. After all, you can’t grow grass on a block of wood! Trees and lawn may also compete for necessary moisture and nutrients within the soil. Additionally, the leaves from deciduous trees can smother grass growing around the canopy during leaf drop in the fall, if the leaves aren’t removed. Having a lawn area near trees may not be healthy for the tree either! Trying to trim grasses around the base of a tree with a string trimmer or lawn mower, can damage the bark and cause cankers or areas of entry for insects and diseases!  How can trees and lawns live together in harmony? Keep in mind that the micro environment around your home is constantly changing. Trees never get smaller, so when that nice lawn you had initially begins to get thin and sparse near tree or large shrub areas, it may be time to modify your landscape in order to compensate for the maturity and present size of your trees. Look for turf types and turf cultivars that may be more tolerant of some shade. In the northern regions, many of the fine or red Fescues will perform fairly well in shade. Some of the newer varieties of Bluegrass and Fescues are also marketed to be more “shade tolerant." In the south, St. Augustine grass is considered the go to grass for a semi shaded condition. Some of the newer improved Zoysia and Bermuda grass varieties are also being touted as “ more shade resistant “ Even these grass types will likely require a reasonable amount of light in order to maintain good overall density and quality.  A few other important cultural practices that will help include: Proper pruning of your trees- cut lower limbs, decayed limbs, bring in the canopy, and anything you can do to increase sunlight. Create tree rings around the base of your plants where it is not conducive for lawn establishment. In extremely shaded conditions, forget about grass and look at alternative ground covers such as mulches, rock, slate walkways, ground covers and other ornamental plants. BOTTOM LINE - YOU CAN’T BEAT MOTHER NATURE, LETS WORK WITH THE ENVIRONMENT THAT YOU HAVE!

A few of the Freedom Lawns owners were honored during our recent annual franchise meeting. Their commitment and hard work is recognized and much appreciated!

Wesley Durant Freedom Lawns of Georgetown, SC

Kathleen Smith Freedom Lawns of Charleston, SC

Mark & Kara Josselyn Freedom Lawns of N. Myrtle,SC

Dane Hitchcock Freedom Lawns of Brunswick, NC

Andy & Penny Dixon Freedom Lawns of Pitt County. NC

Jason Conley Freedom Lawns of Jacksonville, NC

Freedom Lawns uses 70% less pesticides than traditional lawn care firms by practicing a sound integrated pest management philosophy! We use the safest products available that will get the result we both want. Freedom Lawns services over 9,000 acres of turf-grass annually. Freedom Lawns is one of the only lawn care firms in the country that has formulated and actually uses their own brand of organic based fertilizers specific for your lawn type. Freedom Lawns has received numerous awards for customer service and responsible environmental stewardship over the years. 50% of new Freedom Lawns customers are referred by existing clients Freedom Lawns Has been included in Lawn and Landscape Magazines Top 25 lawn care companies nationwide. Freedom Lawns appreciates your patronage and truly cares about your complete satisfaction!

If there is a good time to update your home it's the start of a new decade. After years of the same old decorations now would be a great time to freshen up your home with a new top coat of paint or even just a new piece of wall art. According to Good Housekeeping, here are some of the top home decor trends that will be seen throughout homes in 2020. Vintage Accents: Incorporate one or two antique pieces around your home. Navy Blue: The 2020 Pantone Color of the year is Classic Blue, a navy shade. It is a very versatile and sophisticated shade. High-Contrast Decor: Think black and white. Try incorporating black and white photos into your home or even if you've thought about redoing the kitchen try black and white! Non-White Kitchens: In 2020, expect to see kitchens that go beyond all white as it was a trend in the 2010's. This year you will see more natural wood incorporated. Color-Pop Cabinets: This is the year to try daring colors on the kitchen cabinets like a dark red, navy, bright yellow, green or black. Canopy Bed: Modern frames with acrylic, metal and sleep upholstered frames are making a comeback. Kitchen Art: While you're out collecting art for the rest of your house be sure to grab some for the kitchen! Cozy Fabrics: For everyone who likes to cuddle up, comfy fabrics will be everywhere this year!

Do your part to help save the pollinators this spring! This house will provide them with a safe place to feed and reproduce. A Mason Bee is named from their habit of making compartments of mud in their nests, which they make in hollow reeds or holes in wood made by other bugs. Instead of hives, like the traditional honey bee, they will lay their eggs in hollow twigs.In North America, there are about 140 different mason bee species — with about 200 species worldwide! They are great little pollinators and like a very particular type of cavity for nesting. This is a great way to give them a place to feed! Items you will need: 1 empty can or bottle, washed Spray paint in desired color (optional) Rolls of scrap paper, hollow bamboo stalks or hollow reeds for the inside Nail and hammer to make hole in can Twine or string to hang the mason bee house Instructions: Cut your paper or bamboo stalks to whatever length is needed to fit inside the can/bottle With a hammer and nail make a hole in the bottom of the can to thread twine through Paint the can if desired Thread the twine through the hole and knot the end Add the hollow structures inside the can and pack them as tightly as possible. Be sure that the hollow structures fit all the way inside of the can. Trim any stragglers! Hang your mason bee house wherever you see fit for them to hang out! 

Flowering plants are nature’s aphrodisiac for alluring birds, butterflies and other wildlife into our gardens. As human beings, we tend to be drawn to the beauty and tranquility of colors and shapes of flowering plants. In nature, however, birds and butterflies are also drawn to the fragrance, nectar and texture of certain flowers. For example, tubular type flowers such Bougainvilleas, Mandevill e , Fuchsias, and Brugmansia (angel trumpets), are very appealing to hummingbirds and butterflies. The Tubular florets hold the sweet nectar at just the right angle for birds and butterflies to enjoy the flavor of some delicious nectar. Some flowers that are in the process or have gone to seed in late summer or fall, will also be a hearty entrée for a hungry feathered friend.   Butterflies and wild birds will be attracted to sweet smelling flowers with flat heads that provide a good landing area and perch such as lantana, petunias and daises. The growth habit and height of some plants will attract birds that tend to hang out in the same general type areas. For example, the seeds of tall Sunflowers in the fall are a convenient food source for birds that are perched in tall trees. Although some birds may be attracted more to one color than the other, most birds are actually more interested in the tasty seeds that may develop on the plant later in the growing season. Planting flowers that produce seed and creating an enjoyable environment for birds such as a bird bath, will encourage bird activity into your landscapes. To make your landscape more inviting for birds, you might want to introduce some variety of flowers such as Purple Coneflowers, Coreopsis, Snapdragons, Viburnum, Larkspur, and Zinnias.

BRING IN THE HUMMERS Everyone loves to watch the antics of hummingbirds and there is nothing more enjoyable than creating a natural habitat to lure those hummers into your garden for some enjoyable entertainment! Hummingbirds are creatures of habit so you must train them early on to visit your garden in the early spring well before most of the flowers are in bloom. One way to attract some happy hummers early, is to tie bright red or orange ribbons in several areas of your yard and get the hummingbird feeders out in late February or March. Hummingbirds have virtually no sense of smell, however, they are attracted to bright colors and nectar producing plants. There are many perennial flowers that will not only perk up your garden year after year, but are also sure to lure the little hummers into your garden. A few of these plants include Foxgloves, Four O’clock, Buddleia (Butterfly Bushes), Cardinal Flower, Canna Lilies, Honey Suckle, Lantana, Salvia (Red), Trumpet Vine and Perennial Hibiscus. Annuals such as Shrimp plants, Fuchsia, Petunia, and Impatiens will encourage hummingbirds to hang out with you throughout the summer months. You can either plant them in containers or strategically place the pots in areas of your garden that are in a great location for viewing, or just plant them the ground. Many of these same flowers that attract hummingbirds will also be a magnet for butterflies. TRY SOME NEW INCREDIBLE PLANTS IN 2020 One of my gardening passions includes the experimentation with different plant species and particularly, some of the newer plant varieties that are developed each year. When you go to your favorite garden center this spring, you will find some new and exciting flowering plant varieties to choose from. Most of the newly developed plants will provide great color and interest, as well as other fine qualities such as improved resistance to insects and disease, drought tolerance and even a longer blooming period. Here are a few newer flowering plant varieties that will add great color, birds, and butterflies into your garden oasis:

A new variety of Buddleia (butterfly bush) called Flutterby will produce brilliant peach colored blooms from early summer through frost. This new variety of butterfly bush will require full sun and would be a great choice for attracting hummers and a variety of butterfly. Would you like a brilliant red miniature rose that is cold tolerant and offers superior resistance to black spot disease? Try the new “Boogie Woogie variety. Boogie Woogie is an ideal little plant for those sunny garden areas and is an excellent choice as a border plant. This plant is also a wonderful container selection for a sunny patio or porch area. Are you into roses, but just don’t like dealing with those nasty thorns? Check out a new and very unique variety called “Kew Gardens” rose. This medium size plant produces clusters of small, white flowers with a light yellow center that actually resembles a hydrangea as much as a rose! This David Austin variety will reach about 5 feet at maturity, making it a great background or specimen rose for your garden. Not into roses? Try a new Heuchera (Coral Bell) variety called “Cherry Cola" this great little border perennial flower with reddish brown foliage and cherry red flowers will entice hummingbirds into your garden year after year. Are you looking for a shade lowing plant that will flower in late winter? Try the new Hellebores variety called “Cinnamon Snow." Unlike other Hellebores varieties, the pink and white flowers will produce longer blooming, outward facing flowers that will turn to burgundy with age. The Hellebores are ideal for perking up those boring shaded areas of your garden! Everyone loves Coneflowers (Echinacea) and a new variety called “ Snowcone " with its bright white petals is sure to brighten up boring areas of your landscape. Another very colorful variety of Coneflower that should be released this year is called “Secret Desire." The large multi-color flower of pink and orange is sure to attract attention. Coneflowers will attract many species of butterflies and are also very popular with the Goldfinch, Cardinals, and Blue Jays! Why not add a little motion and excitement to your landscape this year summer? Try some new, colorful flowering plants and “ let the show begin!

With Spring quickly approaching, many people are starting to think about what it is they can do to get their lawn ready for warmer weather. One of the most important things a person can do to keep their lawn in good condition during the spring months is to keep the grass cut and watered. Below are the Top 5 best rated lawn mowers for 2020 according to Best of Machinery.

1. GreenWorks 25142: This is a great mower if you are looking for an alternative to a gas mower. It has a “16 cutting width, the 25142 offers great balance and cutting ability as well as maneuverability. 16” cutting deck lightweight and easy to operate Rear discharge and mulching capabilities 10 amp motor capable of easily cutting even the toughest grass  5-position, one-handed height adjustment lets you pick the perfect cutting height for your grass

2. Husqvarna YTA18542 Tractor Mower: This is the best riding mower on the market according to Best of Machinery. It’s sturdy, rugged, and delivers quality results. It even takes up less storage than regular ride along mowers. Powerful 18.5 hp engine Easy to use and handles well Very well-built and highly durable Deck-mounted height cutting adjustment Wide selection of accessories makes it highly versatile

3.Sun Joe MJ401E Electric Lawn Mower: Is said to be one of the best deals on the market today as it is compact and lightweight. This lawn mower is ideal for smaller lawns. The rugged all-terrain wheels allow you to maneuver in tight spaces much easier. It also includes a 10.6 hard-top rear bag that makes disposing of clippings a breeze. Powerful 12 amp motor Extremely lightweight Low noise, easy maintenance Adjustable cutting feature lets you choose from 3 cutting heights

4.   Great States 415-16 Reel Mower: This mower is great for those that have a small lawn and are looking for a healthier alternative. No gas, oil, fumes, or noise Lightweight and compact, it’s easy to guide and store Comfortable grip ensures you won’t be fatigued and offers more stability and control Adjustable cutting feature lets you choose from 3 cutting heights Steel alloy reel, unbreakable steel side plate, and heat-treated blades provide increased performance and durability

5.   Black + Decker MTC220 Edger/Mower: This tool is a all-in-one lawn mower, string trimmer and edger. It is ideal for smaller yards up to 1,200 sq feet as well as yards with inclines and places that might be hard to reach. The cutting deck can be adjusted to offer two different types of cutting heights. With a quick pedal release you can quickly insert or remover the trimmer/edger allowing for easy transition. At 14.4 lbs and a 12” cut width, it’s easy to operate and store Incredibly versatile with mowing, trimming, and edging capabilities Sturdy mowing cover and 2 adjustable cutting height settings Quick-charge battery is ready to go in 40 minutes

Even if you’ve never heard of artillery fungus, also known as shotgun fungus (genus: Sphaerobolus stellatus), you may have seen it, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. It appears as sticky, tiny black or brown spots on your house, decks, plants or paint surface of your automobile. It looks like bug droppings and is often misdiagnosed in the detail industry as tree sap, but are actually scaly spores. Without getting too technical, these spores come from a fungus which establishes colonies in and on organic materials such as rotting wood, wood-based mulch and animal manure when temperatures are between 50- and 68-degrees Fahrenheit during the spring and fall seasons Artillery fungus spores grow inside tiny cups that burst when they’re exposed to bright light. The spores emit an incredibly sticky liquid that rivals Super Glue, enabling them to glob on to anything they hit up to 20 feet away including your car. Because they are light-sensitive, you’re most likely to find them on reflective surface of white or silver colored vehicles. Artillery fungus isn’t corrosive or an allergen but causes millions of dollars of cosmetic damage to paint surfaces and is an annoying eyesore that’s almost impossible to remove. The longer it remains bonded to the paint surface of an automobile the harder it sticks. Even if you pry off the dark little bumps, a brown stain often remains. If you don’t catch the little bumps and destroy them, they can survive for up to 12 years and re-infest the ground wherever they fall. Rubbing and scraping the black spots from the paint surface of an automobile with strong chemical cleaners is a time-consuming chore that can scratch and damage the paint. In fact, many Car Detailers have been known to speed up the process by blowing them off the paint surface by closely aiming the pressure washer directly at them. This type of pressure can fracture the clear coat, not to mention that entire pieces of clear coat can be ripped from the surface of the vehicle. Removing the fungus safely is possible with hot soapy water and scrubbing gently on each spot with a micro-fiber towel making sure to properly dispose of the spores. Once you’re rid of the spores, the best way to avoid a re-appearance is to stay clear of wood mulch. If you use it in your yard, don’t have it near the house or driveway, turn it and break it up regularly to aerate it and dry it out, and completely replace it every year. If that sounds like too much work, use stones for landscaping instead.

On December 13 th , 2019, Freedom Lawns Franchise Owners gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wilmington, North Carolina to celebrate milestones in 2019 as well as to learn ways they can improve their business in 2020. Guests included RPM Media President Jim Chapin who presented marketing ideas to the franchise owners as well as Adam Tartaglia from Limelight Media in Raleigh who touched on direct mail marketing. Other guests included economic professor Dr. Jones from the Cameron School of Business at the University of Wilmington. Dr. Jones delivered an excellent presentation on the economic forecast for 2020. Turfware Equipment Company was also present, and they did a live demo of their spreading equipment. The surprise of the meeting was having James “Bonecrusher” Smith, former Heavyweight Champion of the World, tell the franchise owners his personal development story. Our IT Manager, Kevin Holland, and Marketing Coordinator, Anna Thompson presented as well with their individual topics on a new website layout and social media marketing importance. Owner and Founder Mark A. Tamn presented to the group as well on new products for 2020. The meeting also included a nice breakfast spread as well as lunch that everyone got to enjoy together. As a company, we always look forward to these events, as it is time for us to spend with one another on a more personal level allowing us to get to know one another a little better. We look forward to more company meetings in the future!

Have you met Henry? He is Freedom Lawns' newest mascot addition! You will be seeing him on future emails, social media and other materials.

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