De-Icing Risk Management

February 2nd, 2012

 

Even with the lack of snow we have experienced here in Minneapolis this season, there are still some things we need to be aware of especially with the frequent rising and falling of temperatures and that is the accumulation of ice on sidewalks, steps, and parking lots.

Whether you are a homeowner or a business owner, it is your responsibility to keep those areas safe for those who want to enter your business, walk down the sidewalk in front of your house, or deliver your mail.  Anytime we have melting during the day and sub-freezing temps and night, it can create potential hazards in the morning.  These dangerous conditions can be dealt with using de-icing materials, mostly in the form of salt.  Parkway Lawn Service has many customers that we apply de-icing materials to on a regular basis to their homes and businesses which reduces liability and creates conditions that are safe for their families and customers.

We also have completed ‘Voluntary Environmental Certification – Snow and Ice Control Best Practices’ that was sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.  One of our customers who has been sued in the past over someone slipping and injuring themselves in their parking lot said it best when they said “It’s cheap insurance,” describing the de-icing service that we do frequently for them.  Whether you are doing it yourself or would like Parkway Lawn Service to do the service for you, keep in mind the danger for your families, customers, and others this winter when icy conditions are present.

Winter Pruning of Shrubs and Small Trees

January 26th, 2012

Winter is a great time to trim certain types of shrubs and trees, especially if you want to trim them back significantly.  Pruning while the plant is dormant is important for most types.  If you trim too early in the fall while the plant is still ‘hardening off’ it may possibly damage the plant.  Trimming too late in the winter could leave fresh wounds exposed and the plant will not have enough time to seal themselves before Spring and new growth starts.  Generally February and March are the best months to do this in Minnesota.  Another advantage of dormant pruning is the branch structure is very easy to see due to the fact you do not have any leaves blocking your view.

Parkway Lawn Service has an experienced trimming crew that will determine proper timing and techniques for specific plants.  Contact us to set up a consultation today.  If you would prefer to tackle the project yourself, here is a great article from the University of Minnesota if you would like to learn more:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/dg0628.html

Richfield Minnesota City Information

January 11th, 2012

City of Richfield, MN

If you want to find out information on the city of Richfield, MN visit the PDFf document below. Their website is complete with contacts for each department and lots of bonus info such as City Council members, a Richfield parks map, annual city events, city codes, schools and community resources.

Check out the Welcome To Richfield guide - this is a good guide to take a look at if you live in the city of Richfield

Bloomington Minnesota City Census and Information

January 4th, 2012

City of Bloomington, MN

The City of Bloomington has a large website containing the calendar of events, Bloomington City Code, City Facilities, park listings, statistics, list of road closures, zoning ordinance, landscaping and screening standards.

Also online is the Bloomington Census for 2010 that lists the population of Bloomington, MN at 82,893. Click here for more census info on the Bloomington, MN City site.

Happy New Year!

December 28th, 2011

All of us here at Parkway Lawn would like to thank all of you for a very good year.

We hope you all had a great 2011 and we wish you an even better 2012!

Happy Hoildays!

December 23rd, 2011

At this joyous time of year we’d like to share our heartfelt good wishes to each and every one of you.

Here are two links we would like to share with you.

One is called “One of the best Christmas Light displays EVER!”  http://www.flixxy.com/best-christmas-lights-display.htm

The other is NORAD’s  Santa tracking station  http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html

Happy Holidays!

Emerald Ash Borer Identified in Minneapolis and St. Paul

December 21st, 2011

The emerald ash borer was identified in St Paul, Minneapolis, and in the neighborhoods of Shoreview, and Falcon Heights this summer.

Do you have ash trees on your property? Are they affected by emerald ash borer? If you do not know what an emerald ash borer looks like, visit the University of Minnesota’s emerald ash borers identification page. It has pictures of the larvae, what their “D” shaped holes look like and what the adult looks like.

If you are not sure if you have ash trees and want to learn how to identify them follow this link.  You can also learn the signs and symptoms of emerald ash borer on that page.

Garbage Cans in Minnesota Winters

December 14th, 2011

This is Minnesota, and as anyone who’s experienced the joy of a Minnesota winter knows, every winter can present its own set of challenges. Snow removal can also help with your trash removal. When the snow gets deep your garbage cans may freeze to the ground. Local trash pickup in the Twin Cities can be challenging as the snow banks start to build. Once you let ice and snow start to build up around your trash cans and they freeze it is hard to pry the trash can free. Keep the area around your trash cans free of ice and snow and it will be easier to maneuver your trash cans on trash day.

Parkway Lawn Service can provide dependable snow removal to keep your driveway and walkways free of snow and ice. Call us for a free estimate at 612-869-5878

Top 10 Noxious Weed List in Minnesota

December 7th, 2011

A noxious weed, according to Minnesota law, is an annual, biennial, or perennial which is deemed by the Commissioner of Agriculture to be injurious to public health, public roads, environment, crops, livestock, and other property. In Minnesota, there are ten weeds on the primary noxious weeds list. They are:

  • Field Bindweed
  • Hemp
  • Poison Ivy
  • Purple Loosestrife
  • Leafy Spurge
  • Perennial Sowthistle
  • Bull Thistle
  • Canada Thistle
  • Musk Thistle
  • Plumeless Thistle

Most of these weeds are found in fields, waste areas, and along roadsides but occasionally they are found in our lawns. Along with the top 10 primary noxious weeds there are 49 secondary weeds that can be adopted by any county in Minnesota to be placed on the individual county list to be enforced. Enforcement of the noxious weed law is carried out by inspectors in townships and cities in Minnesota. According to the law the noxious weeds on this list must be controlled by all public and private land use in Minnesota.

October and November are the best times to deal with weeds when they are at their weakest point as they die back from frost and approach dormancy. Give us a call if we can help get rid of a weed problem you have in your lawn 612-869-5878

Snow Plowing Richfield, Bloomington and Edina

November 30th, 2011

Wouldn’t you like to have someone else to take care of all that snow for you? The crew at Parkway is armed and trained with winter equipment to take care of snow and ice. Once the snow falls we will be out shoveling walkways and plowing driveways and parking lots.

Parkway Lawn Service is currently accepting new snow removal customers in Richfield, Bloomington and Edina, MN.  Visit our main website to learn more about winter services and get the coupon for anyone signing up for new service.