2020 looks like it will finish with all the flair for which it has become famous. Covid here, Covid there, Covid news everywhere but in your lawn.

Nature continues to be a refuge from our reality, so we want to acknowledge in this newsletter that we are thankful you invite us into your sacred garden space. This is a special privilege! Thank you!

This month we want to talk about moss in your lawn. Yes, it is normal in November. Let’s answer the question about why there is value in lawn applications in November and December—basically root building and weed control for those pesky annuals that don’t germinate till late fall. Then, we will close with news about your coming contract for 2021.

Mossy Lawns Are Wonderful Lawns

Moss in your lawn this time of year can be frustrating, but it is just nature being normal. Moss can be caused by low soil pH, compaction, and/or lack of air flow. However, it’s our experience that the soil is pretty resilient, and if a location favors moss, it will win.

When our lawns contain structures like houses, plants like trees, and are limited in size, we cannot move enough things to improve the site to where moss is not the predominate plant. Very few lawns reveal that moss when the grass is growing, so we don’t notice it. We have to get on our bellies to find it, and if it’s that hard, it’s just not a problem.

One way to look at it is this: If you didn’t have moss creating green right now, your landscape would have no color at all.

‘Tis the Season for Treatments

We just love treating lawns at the end of the season at least once, but often we can get two or three sprays in at that time. It is the only time that violet and ground ivy controls work and the annual cress is everywhere. We can also do a lot to stimulate the grass, which grows from the roots not the tops, without getting yelled at for extra mowing.

It’s probably only a weirdo like me who really loves to see the red leaves of Japanese maples randomly scattered over emerald green grass, but I have the photos to prove the behavior and they are among my most treasured.  Thank you, Mother Nature, for something to get excited about besides the news.

The New Year Brings New Tidings

Your contracts will be coming this week, and we believe they will reveal lots of new exciting changes.

Yes, I will be spraying lawns in 2021, making it 44 years. There will also be four brand-new businesses being created, as well our support given to one we helped get off the ground this season. We have been working closely with them over the last 14 months, and I think things will improve for you next year.

Impermanence really is the only permanence after all, and it’s time for new approaches and new opportunities for Diane and me and all our valuable employees.

In the Thanksgiving spirit, our number one thanks goes to our employees, as they have been our face to you for so long. Our second thanks goes to you, our clients, for trusting us with your properties over the last 43 years. Morgantown has treated us excellently, and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It has been a great honor.

We look forward to seeing you next year in your lawn!

Thank you!