http://www.lakejemfarms.com/This is the Lake Jem Farms BlogCopyright (c) 2012 Sat, 19 May 2012 06:55:26 ESTSat, 19 May 2012 06:55:26 EST5 As summer kicks into high gear, you want to spend more time outside. Therefore, you want your yard to be in tip-top shape so you can enjoy it - whether for an afternoon BBQ or for your children to run around and play games. Sod can be a great option to create a lush and quick option to get your yard ready for the outdoor season. There are some advantages and disadvantages to using sod instead of just seeding your yard. In general, sodding the yard is more expensive than seeding, but in the long run you’ll need less fertilizers and other sprays. If you plan on sodding your yard yourself, it is harder work physically than seeding....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/advantages-of-sod-over-seeding-your-yard.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/advantages-of-sod-over-seeding-your-yard.htmlFri, 18 May 2012 12:00:00 ESTMany people assume the best place to pick up sod for their lawn is one of the big box stores, without doing any of the research. Big box stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot lure people in with their promise of savings by buying in bulk, and people think that these companies can offer better prices to them because they have so much buying power in the market. But that is not always the case. Take the time to compare the prices – for example, you would find that Lake Jem’s costs for not only pallets of sod but also delivery are much cheaper than what you would find at these large chains. There are other advantages as well....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/advantages-of-small-business-over-big-box-stores.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/advantages-of-small-business-over-big-box-stores.htmlThu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST Did you know you can help the “going green” movement by simply adding turf grass to your lawn? Studies show that turf grass can make a big impact on the environment, from urban to open areas. In smaller communities or urban areas, turf grass sod can do numerous things, including reducing energy consumption, mitigating the heat island effect commonly found in cities, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, all of which contribute to efforts to reduce global warming. In larger lawns and other open areas, turf grass provides a beautiful, uniform, and safe setting for fun and games. Not only that, but it also releases oxygen and can cool the air....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/go-green-this-spring.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/go-green-this-spring.htmlWed, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:00 ESTIf you have decided to add Empire grass to your lawn, you have to make sure you understand the proper watering, mowing, and fertilizing techniques to keep your lawn fresh and green throughout the year.  No matter what the season, water is needed whenever slight wilting is visible; usually one inch of water a week is sufficient during drought conditions to keep the grass looking healthy.  You have to make sure not to overwater, though, as this can encourage the grass to experience excessive growth, disease, root rot, and also suffocate the turf.  We recommend installing an automatic water system with a shut off device for when it rains....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/empire-turf-winter-care-maintenance.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/empire-turf-winter-care-maintenance.htmlWed, 28 Mar 2012 12:00:00 ESTIf you are shopping around for new turf grass for your lawn, you might have heard of Empire Zoysia.  But why is it a good option?  Some have nicknamed the Empire Zoysia the "EZ Grass, can it certainly lives up to that moniker, as there are many advantages to adding this grass to your property."       First of all, it is easy to keep in good condition.  It tolerates extreme wear, making it perfect not only for your yard, but also for other high traffic commercial areas, including golf courses, roadsides, amenity areas and more.  It also requires less mowing than other turf grasses, making it an ideal choice for slopes or other hard to maintain areas....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/empire-zoysia-turf-grass-the-grass-of-the-future.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/empire-zoysia-turf-grass-the-grass-of-the-future.htmlTue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 ESTGo Green this Spring with Turf Grass    Did you know you can help the “going green” movement by simply adding turf grass to your lawn? Studies show that turf grass can make a big impact on the environment, from urban to open areas. In smaller communities or urban areas, turf grass sod can do numerous things, including reducing energy consumption, mitigating the heat island effect commonly found in cities, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, all of which contribute to efforts to reduce global warming. In larger lawns and other open areas, turf grass provides a beautiful, uniform, and safe setting for fun and games....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/go-green-this-spring-with-turf-grass.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/go-green-this-spring-with-turf-grass.htmlFri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:00 ESTWow time is flying by!  It is time once again, at least in the south, to start looking to your lawn.  Spring is just around the corner so getting a jump start on it can help give you a greener healthier lawn! Weeds!  The bane of all lawn owners’ existence!  This year get a jump on them by applying either an organic or synthetic herbicide.  Remember, herbicides work by preventing weeds from germinating but doesn’t destroy weeds already up and growing. Even if you can’t see weeds right now, seed and young sprouts are just waiting for the perfect time to break through the soil....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/early-spring-lawn-care-get-a-jump-start.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/early-spring-lawn-care-get-a-jump-start.htmlThu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:00 ESTWe all work hard on our lawns - mowing, watering, weeding, fertilizing and yet one day you look out over your yard and something is wrong!  There is a brown spot in your yard and the next time you look there is another.  What is eating your lawn? In Florida the more we work to get our yard green the more we invite pests in for a smorgasbord!  Yes these bugs lie in wait until all our hard work has paid off so they can feast on the fruits of our labor.   Pests, like chinch bugs, can seriously damage St. Augustine an other turf types by sucking the juices from the plants causing discoloration and serious damage to the internal structure of the grass....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/what-is-eating-my-lawn.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/what-is-eating-my-lawn.htmlWed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:00 ESTOk – you have had your new sod laid, it has taken root and it is time to mow.  Simple right?  Not necessarily.   Each type of grass needs to have the mower set at a specific height in order to ensure it stays healthy.  In the Florida heat, cutting your lawn grass too short can damage and even kill it.   The following is a guide for grass types on when to mow and where to set your mower: Common Bermuda and Zoysia, set your mower at 1 ¼“ and mow when the grass is 1 ¾ inch tall. Hybrid Bermuda grass, set your mower to ¾”  and mow when the grass is 1 ¼ inch tall. St....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/set-your-mower-height-for-your-specific-grass-type.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/set-your-mower-height-for-your-specific-grass-type.htmlTue, 14 Jun 2011 12:00:00 ESTWith the housing marketing still struggling to recover homeowners need to do everything they can to make their home attractive to potential buyers.  One of the most important things is your landscaping!  You know what they say about first impressions.  If a buyer pulls up in front of your house and the first thing they see is a dead or dying lawn you have lost the first round of the “war”.  Even if the inside of your home is exactly what they are looking for, they are already approaching your home with reservations from their first impression....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/curb-appeal-adding-value-to-your-home.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/curb-appeal-adding-value-to-your-home.htmlThu, 12 May 2011 12:00:00 ESTMost of us spend a lot of time and money getting our lawns to look perfect only to wake up one morning and see weeds or large brown spots where insects have been dining!  Fighting Mother Nature can sometimes feel like an uphill battle however technology has developed things to help in the “War on Weeds and Bugs”. To rid your lawn of weeds there are two broad categories of herbicides: pre-emergent and post-emergent.  Pre-emergent herbicides can be used to stop weeds from sprouting and are manufactured under a variety of brand names.  Post-emergent herbicides kill plants that have already sprouted.  These too are manufactured under a wide range of brand names....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/herbicides-and-pesticides-what-to-use.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/herbicides-and-pesticides-what-to-use.htmlFri, 15 Apr 2011 12:00:00 ESTAll turfgrass is not created equal.  You want your grass to not only look green, but also be able to withstand high humidity, high heat, and sometimes short drought periods that are common to Florida.  With these extreme weather conditions to worry about, you need to know which types of turfgrass will survive best in your lawn. St. Augustine and Bermudagrass are often the most popular turfgrass types. St. Augustine grass is native to Florida, and comes in many variations, including Palmetto, Bitterblue, Seville, and Floratam. Palmetto grass is known to be tolerant of almost all the elements that can be thrown its way on a lawn, from frost to heat to drought....

]]> http://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/florida-turfgrass-which-type-is-best-for-your-lawn.htmlhttp://www.lakejemfarms.com/blog/posts/florida-turfgrass-which-type-is-best-for-your-lawn.htmlFri, 04 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST