In 2024 we were allowed to see some of nature’s blessing and some of her curses.  Having been allowed the luxury of 46 year’s experience running a lawn care business, there have been many numerous weather events that have impacted Morgantown’s lawns and landscapes over that time. For me, two lessons were learned that will live on as examples for future lawn care jobs and clients.

Lesson 1

90 percent of the boxwood damage continues to recover without aid and treatment. They simply succumbed to the Christmas 10 below introduction to winter without an opportunity to become accustomed to cold weather gradually.

Lesson 2

When we have a drought of this substantial size and length, lawns will be brown and trees will lose their leaves early. This is the most substantial drought of my memory and for the next 5 to 7 years we will see its effects on our trees and shrubs. The lesson learned is that almost every plant in the Morgantown environment will recover.  Grass probably at this point will not recover till spring. Creeping bent grass, which is the native, preferred grass over much of Star City and Suncrest is only now starting to come back and still needs a few good rains to accomplish its recovery. If the dead spots remaining in your lawn look like exposed roots, mimicking a rolling river, that’s creeping bent, don’t rake or seed these areas as the green part of the grass comes clear at the end of each of their roots. The best medicine turned out to be Tincher of Time.
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It seems as if the yellow jackets were everywhere this year. I was stung, most lawn care workers were stung, repetitively, because they are attracted to the noise of equipment and movement. Killing bees is a job best left to the professionals and allow me to introduce you to a trusted BNI friend and business associate Lindsie Linaburg who expertly represents Terminix in the Morgantown and surrounding area. Check out this video please:

As the video says for any home pest problems let me introduce you directly to Lindsie, and remember I’m known for my golden referrals from my BNI fellow associates who are being tested, vetted, and daily held accountable to the BNI standards as an organization. BNI members are the best of the best.

We are so blessed to be living here in Morgantown. While our weather has been difficult, we only must look a little south of us to see our blessings. Dry weather has meant beautiful sunny days, blue skies - more brilliant than any I can remember, and night skies full of delight. Many of our local businesses have worked hard to collect and haul supplies to those south that have had their worlds destroyed by storms this summer and we must support and commend their work.

While our drought has been hard, remember, compared to others, we continue to be very blessed. Speaking of blessings, I’m about ready to fire up the spray truck and head out into a beautiful day. Hopefully I will see you today in your lawn. Thank you for reading.