Water is easily one of the earth’s most important commodities, and our consumption keeps rising while reservoirs are sucked dry. This means that water conservation should be on everyone’s to-do list. But don’t worry, there’s an easy way to conserve water at home. Start collecting rain water!

Rain barrels have been used for a long time and they’re starting to make a comeback in cities like Atlanta. At Simply Green, we couldn’t be happier to see it, either. Follow this quick guide to make your own water barrel system at home.

Making a Rain Water Collection System

To start, you’ll need a rain barrel. This can be an old wooden cask, a 55-gallon drum, or any large barrel. There are quite a few places right here in Atlanta that sell rain barrels. You’ll also need a half inch spigot with metal and rubber washers.

The first thing you want to do is place your barrel on a level, raised platform. Position your barrel on top of the platform and under a downspout. The height of the platform is up to you, just make sure there’s enough clearance for a water pail to fit under the spigot.

Next, drill a half-inch hole an inch from the bottom of your barrel. Connect your spigot and tighten up the washers so water can’t leak out. Then you’ll need to add your filter to stop debris from falling into your barrel. You can also add a screen onto your gutters as an extra filter.

Sit Back and Wait for the Rain!

That’s about it! Now you’re ready to water your veggies and flowers. This simple addition, along with Simply Green’s Hydretain program, can save you buckets on your water bill and reduce your water consumption immensely. So, go ahead and give it a shot. And feel free to give us a call for more information!

The summer sun is no joke! Now that we’re in the peak summer months, the heat can do a real number on your landscaping in Atlanta, GA. Heat stress is a very real thing and can turn your verdant, green yard into a crispy brown wasteland in no time if not properly cared for. At Simply Green, we’ve come up with a few tips to keep your plants healthy and green no matter how hot it gets this summer.

Water Correctly

We all know plants need water to thrive and stay alive. But did you know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to water your plants, especially in the summer months when temperatures consistently reach the mid-90s or higher?

Watering your plants early in the morning before the temperatures start to climb is the way to go. It allows your plants to get the hydration they need to protect themselves. By mid-morning, it’s probably too late as a lot of water evaporates and plants are less able to consume the fluids once the heat sets in.

Add Mulch

Providing a thick bed of mulch at the base of your plants can help in a whole bunch of ways. First, it’ll help the soil retain moisture, keeping your plants cooler and better hydrated. Second, a lot of mulches will reflect light which also keeps the soil temperature down. And the best part is that you can use all kinds of stuff as mulch. Your grass clippings, old leaves, and other yard scraps can be made into a fantastic mulch – and it free!

Shade, Shade, Shade!

Some plants thrive in hot, direct summer sunlight. But most will need some form of shade. Consider how much shade is provided when you’re planting in the spring. Also, consider adding shade cloth if your flowers and small plants will be in direct light for more than 6-8 hours a day during the summer.

Want more advice on keeping your plants healthy and out of the heat this summer? Give us a call at Simply Green. We serve the entire Atlanta Metro area and are always happy to help our customers keep their yards look great.

Spring is finally here! It’s no surprise that May is National BBQ Month–we’re all excited to finally escape the tyranny of the indoors and spend time in our yards. And, of course, Memorial Day is May 28th! Before you start inviting friends over, let Simply Green Lawn Care help you beautify your outdoor space.

You wouldn’t have friends over without cleaning the bathroom first, would you? Whether you’re hosting a bbq, or just enjoying simpler time outside with your family, you’ll want to make sure your lawn is in good shape as well. Simply Green will take care of unsightly weeds and dangerous fire ants. We can also care for your trees and shrubs, which need extra tending as they wake up from their winter slumber. And of course you wouldn’t neglect your floors inside, so we’ll care for your grass outside! We offer aeration, fertilization, seeding, and more services when appropriate.

Don’t forget about pest control. The last thing any Georgia resident wants to see is those huge fire ant mounds in their yard. Simply Green Lawn Care offers a comprehensive, year-round fire ant control system to keep you, your family, your friends, and your pets safe from these pests.

Spring is already underway and summer is right around the corner, and that means spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t hesitate! Contact Simply Green today to schedule all the services you need to make your yard a beautiful and welcoming place to spend time for the spring, summer, and fall.

April means so many things, not least of which is the return of spring weather–hopefully for good this time! In keeping with the spirit of spring, April is National Lawn Care Month and a perfect time to get a head start on caring for your lawn with appropriate services from Simply Green!

• Fertilization. Plants are ready to grow! The right type of fertilizer will help them produce vibrant, healthy growth, and the experts at Simply Green know what the right types are.
• Weed Control. This is especially important if you neglected your yard a little bit in the fall and winter. Spring produces an explosion of plant growth, and that means weeds as well as plants you actually want! If left unchecked, weeds can choke out beneficial plants.
• Core Aeration. Your warm-season grasses like bahiagrass, bermudagrass and zoysiagrass will need to be aerated right now so they will be ready to accept water, oxygen, and nutrients. Cool season grasses had this treatment in the fall.

Residential landscaping isn’t just good for your home’s aesthetics. A healthy, beautiful lawn increases the time your family will spend outside and increases your quality of life. Residential lawns act to cool the environment (grass is up to 40 degrees cooler than asphalt, and 20 degrees cooler than bare dirt), cleanse the air, and can even prevent dangerous runoff into water sources if properly managed.

Contact Simply Green Lawn Care to schedule the services your lawn needs to be healthy and beautiful this spring, summer, and beyond!

Spring is finally here! This is one of our favorite times of year at Simply Green Lawn Care, and we are so excited to get outdoors and celebrate. Why are we so excited that winter is finally over?

3. The flowers are blooming! Atlanta is sometimes called a “city in a forest” because of all the greenery, and it’s hard to deny that it’s absolutely beautiful in the spring. Whether wisteria draped over an awning, hydrangea bushes carefully cultivated in a yard, or wildflowers on the side of the road, we love all kinds of flowers. The pollen isn’t even as bad this year as it has been in the past (or at least it isn’t yet).

2. Birds and animals are coming back! Ducks and geese are returning to residential lakes and ponds, cardinals and brown thrashers are nesting in trees, and birdsong fills the air. Did you know that North Georgia, and even metro Atlanta, is a great place to go birdwatching?

And finally…

1. The sun is shining! The days are getting longer and the weather is warming up, but isn’t too hot yet. Since we work mostly outdoors, this is definitely our favorite part of the spring.

If you’re also excited about spring, don’t delay! It will be over before you know it. Call Simply Green Lawn Care–we have all the services you need to keep your lawn in great shape. Let us know how we can help you enjoy your outdoor space and the benefits of this beautiful season.