We have some of the most beautiful lawns and landscaping of the South here in Georgia, but if your lawn isn’t properly cared for, you might start to notice thatch taking over your once-green and vibrant yard. Here at Alternative Environments in Villa Rica, Georgia, we specialize in keeping your yard free of thatch and other issues that can arise due to our exemplary growing climate.

What is Thatch?

Thatch is a layer of roots, debris, dead plant material, and weeds that collects between the roots and blades of your grass. If not prevented or properly removed, thatch can spread like crazy causing your yard to lose its luster and potentially even kill your grass.

Why is Thatch a Problem?

Thatch grows over healthy, green grass and can compromise the root system of your lawn. It won’t stop with your grass, either. If left untreated, thatch can take over concrete, pavers, and patios, making your nice walkways and outdoor sitting areas look overgrown and unappealing. Thatch also creates a perfect environment for pests like fire ants.

How Can You Deal with Thatch?

Because thatch is a system of roots, it can be difficult to get rid of completely on your own. You can pull it out but you risk pulling your lawn up with it only to have the thatch grow back a month later. The best way to reclaim your lawn from a thatch problem is to call a professional lawn care service. Our pros here at Alternative Environment can deal with the biggest thatch problems as well as invasive pest problems in your yard.

Give us a call today if you’re dealing with thatch in your yard and we’ll schedule a free estimate for your Villa Rica lawn!

We’re deep into winter by now, and eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring. While you wait, there are some steps you can take to care for your grass now, ensuring a healthy, flourishing lawn in the spring.

• • Keep it Tidy! Removing leaves and debris is important, especially if you’ve got a lot of moisture. Leaves, pine needles, and the like will easily mold or mildew. A rake is your best friend in this situation, because raking also helps to keep your grass from matting, improves airflow, and helps prevent disease.
  • Check the Soil. If your turf gets a lot of foot traffic, it can easily get compacted. Look for moss, which can be a sign your soil is compacted. If you notice compaction, contact AELMI to schedule core aeration to make sure your soil is getting enough air. Winter or early spring is the best time to aerate your warm-season grasses (this includes Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, and St. Augustine grasses).
  • Check the Soil Again. While you’re at it, check your soil’s pH. It’s best if it’s a neutral pH. If your grass is acidic, don’t panic–AELMI can help you solve this issue with a specialized application of fertilizer and lime.
  • Check your Gear. Have your lawn mower cleaned and serviced, check on the state of your tools, collect anything you “loaned” to neighbors last year, and get ready for all the yard work you’ll enjoy come spring!

A little bit of extra work now, and some help from AELMI, will ensure your lawn is healthy, beautiful, and ready for your enjoyment in the spring.

When you’re making your plans for improvement in the new year, don’t neglect your home! Not only is it one of the largest investments you’ll ever make, it’s also so important for your family and your peace of mind. Keep your living space beautiful and comfortable with these new year’s resolutions for homeowners: 

• Be Proactive. Allocate your budget for home services and projects now. Not only will planning ahead ease your stress, it will also help you avoid unexpected expenses down the road.
  • If you prepay for a year of lawn services with Alternative Environments, you will receive 10% off your total bill! This is a great way to ensure you stay on schedule and never miss a treatment. You’ll get the best results possible and save money at the same time!  
• Keep it Clean. Set and stick to a daily, weekly and monthly cleaning schedule. Get the whole family in on this by assigning chores based on ability. Even little kids can help with picking up toys or putting folded clothes away in drawers.
• Declutter. Streamline your belongings for a fresh start. Look at clothes, books, movies, gardening equipment, old lawn furniture, toys, baby gear, and anything in the attic, closets, and garage. You’ll be surprised how much easier it is to keep your house clean when there isn’t so much stuff in it!

With a little extra planning now, 2018 can be the best year ever for homeowners. Don’t forget to contact AEMLI for all your lawn care needs!

Are you on social media? What a silly question–almost everyone is on social media nowadays. Even the Pope has a Twitter account. When you think of companies to follow on Facebook or Twitter, your first thought may not be lawn care services, but it should be! What will you find if you “like” Alternative Environments on social media? 

• Lawncare reminders! A lot of lawn care is seasonal. Following us on Facebook or Twitter is like having a personal assistant to remind you when to schedule core aeration, which pests to look out for when, at-home remedies to supplement our professional services, and more.
• Behind the scenes content! You’ll find pictures and fun stories about our biggest asset–our professional, knowledgeable staff. At Alternative Environments, our people know how to have fun while doing their jobs well, and we can’t wait to share it all with you.
• General tips and advice for homeowners. We’ve been doing this a long time, and we know what we’re talking about. Get privy to that wealth of knowledge to make things easier for you!
• Get first notice about specials and discounts, new blog posts, beautiful landscape design ideas, reviews, and more! You can even contact us through Facebook, though of course, our contact page is always an option as well.

Our content isn’t always the same from platform to platform, so don’t be afraid to follow us in more than one place. You can find Alternative Environments on Facebook. If Twitter is more your style, you can find us @aelmilandscape!

The first thing people see when they visit your business isn’t your building, your signage, or even your employees. It’s your landscaping. How does yours shape up? Alternative Environments isn’t just a source for commercial landscaping in the Villa Rica, GA area–we’re the best source! Good commercial landscaping does so much more than keep the lawn mowed. When you work with Alternative Environments, we present your business in the best possible light, make a great first impression to your customers, increase your curb appeal and foot traffic, and create a beautiful, comfortable environment for you and your staff. We work with your budget and constraints to create a cost-effective plan. We can even do multi-year contracts. Plus, we work hard to make sure you’re satisfied–check out our reviews if you don’t believe us. When you work with us, our process has several steps. First, we walk your site, take measurements, make notes, and take stock of your current landscaping conditions. You’ll receive a bid from us that’s broken into two or three sections depending on what items are on your property. We always sit down with you to present our bid, discuss it with you, and answer any questions that you may have. Once you’ve accepted, we connect you with your contract, and then we handle everything else while you reap the benefits! Fall is a great time to make a commercial landscaping plan. Call or email Alternative Environments today and let’s start working to make your business really bloom!