March...My Favorite Time of the Year

What can I say.  March.  What a great time of year!  Most people think of the dreary, cold and wet days of March.  I think of the moment I look at the newspaper and I notice the avg daily temperature rising.  It is one of my favorite moments of the year.  Next week we are expecting to see temps in the 50's!

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To me March means a lot of things.  It means trout fishing is open again here in WI (my favorite thing to do), it means that our lawn care season is really starting to gear up and it means the NCAA basketball tournament is fast approaching.  These three things mysteriously become fresh and seem to show a new birth every season just as mother nature does this time of year.  Every season brings a new excitement that one seems to forget or lose sight of during some of our long winter days.

Over the next few weeks the lawns will start to come out of dormancy and our spring rush will begin.  I will hold that precious brook trout that still has its 'dancing' colors from last fall's spawn.  Last second buzzer beaters will fill the air with electricity and create those 'magic moments' we love to reminisce for years to come.

Yes...March is here, my favorite time of year.



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How to Choose a Lawn Care Company

I thought it would be a good time to re-post this for those making lawn care decisions right now.

I was asked by someone how one goes about choosing a lawn care company.
My head started really spinning as this is very important for homeowners that are flooded with all sorts of options that all state they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Here are a few ideas that are important to verify with companies you are choosing from:

• Fertilizer--verify if the company uses a slow release, granular fertilizer for all of their fertilizer applications, only a couple of applications, or not at all.  
• Note, even if companies state they are using slow release fertilizers, they are not all equal.  For example, Weed Man Lawn Care uses only a 65% slow release fertilizer.  This lasts 7-10 weeks per application vs some that state they use a slow release fertilizer but don't mention that it is only say 15% and only lasts 3-5 weeks.
• Environmental Care--it is important to ensure that the company is doing their part to minimize the environmental footprint and enhance your turf quality
• Using slow release fertilizer all but eliminates any movement in the soil
• It also will help thicken the turf and reduce runoff compared to a malnourished lawn
• Using weed control to spot treat weeds only, if possible (using combo products for "weed and feed" usually over apply weed control that is not necessary)
• Make sure the company clears off all driveway and sidewalks of fertilizer
• Customer Service--make sure the companies you consider give free service calls within a 48 hour window
• There will be times when weeds pop between visits and you might want your company to re-apply and it should be free of charge
• Make sure they have a willingness to meet with you if necessary to address any concerns
• check into the background of the owners of the company to see how they are qualified to run the business
• At Weed Man, the owners have degrees in Soil Science and Agronomy and one is an ex-golf course superintendent
• Many companies over promise and under deliver.  Be leery if companies promise control of things like quack grass or tall fescue

I hope these tips help you make educated decision with your lawn care needs this season.
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Spring Marketing Begins

It is that time of year again where Weed Man Lawn Care gears up with high school and college students to go door to door and spread the word of Weed Man Lawn Care.  Please expect to see a Weed Man employee sometime this spring.  We look forward to delivering the best lawn care in the industry again this season.

With the mild winter you should be thinking spring!  Your lawn is currently a bit confused here in the upper Midwest as some areas have been fully exposed to the sun and some areas are still under snow cover.
You should expect to see some confusing results as spring blossoms and some areas have been exposed to winter for some time, while other areas have had complete snow cover for for some time.  I would expect to see some severe snow mold issues in some areas and some other areas to jump right into spring.

If you would like more information about lawn care this spring or you have questions about issues on your lawn don't hesitate to contact me directly on my Google+ page here or snoop around our site at madison.weedmanusa.com

We will see you real soon.

First fly consideration for 30" small stream trout

I just tied this 4" fly for the first consideration of flies for the 30" brown a buddy and I will be seeking in a small stream in the Driftless on opening day. 
Lots of weight and a sharp hook.  I chose this bugger style to represent a multitude of food sources for a large fish. 

What are your thoughts for an enormous fish in small water, during the generally very cold water conditions of early March?

Snow...finally, and what it means to me

Picture by Len Harris

We have finally received a respectable snow event. This will be very important as a water event to help replenish our aquifers that charge our spring creeks here in the upper Midwest. We have been very dry (and ridiculously warm) and 4-7" will be a great way to help.

picture by algoreen

As for lawn care (my profession), snow in the upper midwest can be helpful as well. It can help insulate the ground and protect the turf against brutally cold temps as well as winds that will stress the turf while in dormancy. Snow does for turf exactly what a nice insulated seat would do for you fishing on the ice.

    

So, for both your local spring creeks as well as your lawn, enjoy the snow. Stay safe, but the snow is vital in more ways than one.