Weed Control in Chicago, IL
In 1883, Mark Twain said "It is hopeless for the occasional visitor to keep up with Chicago. She outgrows his prophecies faster than he can make them." The city of Chicago was just 46 years old when Mark Twain would write these words, but she was a booming hub of trade and commerce, a city where people of multiple races and ethnicities would come to chase after the illustrious American dream.
Historically Speaking
The city's first resident to officially call Chicago home was a Haitian free black man by the name of Jean Baptiste Point de Sable who was a trader. He is said to have come here from Haiti in the late 1770s. Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837. Chicago is a resilient city that has risen and fallen and risen again, not unlike a Phoenix. Chicago was burned almost entirely down in The Great Fire of 1871. The city was trying to keep pace with the rest of the country and development by raising their streets to create a sewer system and then raised all of the buildings as well. The buildings, as well as the sidewalks, were made of wood, though and almost everything burned. The Chicago Fire Department Training Academy is on the site where the fire began.
The Sites to See
If you are new to the Chicagoland area, there are many sites that you should put on your list to see. With its locale on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago, Illinois is one of the biggest cities in our country, and if you live here you know it's one of the greatest places to live. The Gold Coast District is located lakeside and is a favorite spot for the hiker and the biker. Our skyline boasts many skyscrapers like the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center, both must-see locations for lovers of architecture. If you're a naturalist, the Field Museum is one of the country's first natural history museums. If you're into art, the Art Institute of Chicago is the place for you. The Tribune Tower is another place where lovers of art find themselves in awe. Are you a person who loves the outdoors? Chicago has one of the country's most beautiful parks, Millenial Park. Many pictures have been taken in front of the Cloudgate Sculpture. Then there's Wrigley Field. Even folks who aren't baseball fans make sure to visit the home of the Chicago Cubs for a picture in front of the stadium, at the very least. If you love to shop, you may already know about North Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile. Ours is a city full of life, art, vitality, and beauty. You need only to take the time to get out and see the sites.
Chicago's Climate
The climate in Chicago is mostly a continental climate. The winters are frigid, the summers are humid and hot, and there are frequent shifts in temperature, overcast conditions, direction and strength of wind, and humidity. One day there may be a high of 62 degrees, and then the next day it may be a blistering 90. Most Chicagoans consider the best seasons to be spring and fall, with pleasantly mild conditions most of the season. The lake has a lot of influence on the weather in Chicago. It can create more humid conditions in the summer, making the heat indices skyrocket. In the winter, the lake effect snow kicks in and causes a considerable amount of snow. There are four climate influencers in Chicago: the sun, the weather systems, urban areas, and Lake Michigan. The climate can have a massive influence on how your lawn grows or doesn't, and what weeds pop up during the growth process.
Common Lawn Types and Weeds
The ten most common weeds that pop up in Chicago lawns (in no particular order) are Bindweed, Buckthorn, Canada Thistle, Crabgrass, Creeping Charlie, Dandelion, Garlic Mustard, Nightshade, Poison Ivy, and Yellow Nutsedge. The lawns in Chicago and the cities surrounding us are normally made up of a mixture of cool-season grasses. The most common types of grass found are Kentucky Blue-Grass, Fine Fescue, and Rye Grass.
The Science of a Lush Lawn
There is a science to achieving and maintaining a lush and healthy lawn. Foremost, you should mow high. The higher you mow, the deeper the roots of the grass will grow. If you keep your grass at 3 1/2 inches or higher the grass you grow will choke out some of the weeds that are growing. You don't want to let your lawn grow too long, though. If you mow more than a third of the height of the grass in one mow, you will shock the grass and stunt its growth. You should also be sure to keep your blade on your mower sharp. Sharp blades can help your lawn stay alive by preventing disease issues. All of this combined with core aerating in the spring and fall should produce a green and lush lawn. If you don't control your weeds though, your lawn is not going to be an accurate picture of all the work put in. Bringing in a professional lawn maintenance service to perform lawn maintenance and weed control can become very appealing when all the steps to a healthy lawn are considered.
No Snow? Weed Control
Herbicides are going to be most effective in killing off weeds if they are applied during the time that the weeds are growing. When the air is chilled in the fall, the weeds are going to grow at a creeping rate, but they are still prone to the effects of an herbicide application. The effects of herbicides are slowed when the weather is cold. Therefore it is more conducive to apply them in warmer weather. There are pre-emergent herbicides that are formulated to control the germination of most weeds, especially Crabgrass. It is also important to remember that post-emergent herbicide applications, regular fertilization, and core aeration should all be a part of your lawn care program.
Work Hard. Play Hard
If your lawn is a chore for you and not a hobby, call Lawn Love. Let us cover your entire lawn care program from pre-emergent herbicide applications, to mowing, aerating, to post-emergent herbicides. You deserve to do something you enjoy in Chicago. You work hard here. We invite you to play hard too and let us do your lawn work for you.
