BrightView’s company vision is simple: our team members create and maintain the best landscapes on Earth.

That vision was on full display recently as team members in California worked with Homes For Our Troops – a nonprofit organization which builds and donates specially-adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. BrightView donated much of our labor and materials to complete a home for Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Field to make his world a little brighter.

After serving with the Marines for 22 years, including tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Field retired in 2013. Two years later, he started experiencing mobility issues before being diagnosed with ALS in 2017.

BrightView Design Group was engaged early in the project to provide the landscape and irrigation design on the 2-acre property, with the county’s oversight. With the approved design, the local team in Sacramento provided all rough grade, drainage, irrigation, planting, and sod for almost 18,000 square feet of landscaping. The landscape was designed and installed in accordance with the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance in California and will also require little maintenance for Field, given the materials selected. 

"It was awesome to be a part of this project," said Tom Donnelly, President of BrightView Landscape Development. "It is BrightView's complete honor and pleasure to serve heroes like David who served our country so selflessly."

The team worked every Saturday for a month to complete the project and was aided by community support that included volunteer hours and generous donations from our local vendors.

“It was great working with the BrightView team on David’s home, from design to completion,” said Chris Mitchell, Director of Development for Homes For Our Troops.

BrightView’s commitment to veterans can also be seen through our employee resource group called BrightView Recognizing and Acknowledging Veteran Opportunities, or BRAVO. This idea was proposed by a group of veteran BrightView leaders and celebrates military service and the recruitment of veterans for every BrightView line of business, as well as helping establish BrightView as a veteran-friendly organization both within the company and in the community.

Click here to learn more about BRAVO.

A BrightView team member in Sarasota, Fla. is being hailed as a hero after helping to save a women who was found lifeless in her car.

Located on Lido Key Beach, L’Elegance is a gated community of 100 units that boasts expansive views of the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, and the City of Sarasota’s downtown skyline. BrightView proudly maintains this resort style facility.

While picking up fallen areca palm fronds from the community’s Har-tru tennis courts, BrightView’s John Pfolsgrof, noticed a car running with a woman slumped over the center console. Pfolsgrof attempted to wake the unconscious resident by loudly knocking on the car window. Getting no response, Pfolsgrof knew that he only had minutes to get help. He alerted a nearby security guard and asked him to call for assistance. After a few agonizing moments, the property manager was able to wake the woman, who slowly became stable.

“John’s act of bravery is extremely commendable and I am proud to have this hero on our team,” said Brad Perez, BrightView Senior Account Manager. “The community at L’Elegance on Lido Beach has personally reached out to us to extend their deepest gratitude for stepping up in this scary situation.”

The woman is now on the mend and Pfolsgrof is being praised by L’Elegance on Lido Key for saving her life.

“Not everyone would get involved in a situation like this, but John took the time to care for someone in need,” said Kathi S. Jones, Argus Property Management, L’Elegance on Lido Beach Manager. “We value John and all our BrightView team members.”

You might be thinking that brown patch in your lawn might just need more water. Or, perhaps it’s not getting enough sun. Actually, it’s none of the above. Folks, there is a fungus among us. The culprit in question: brown patch fungus.

Brown patch fungus, also known as large patch disease, is a declining turf condition caused by a single species of fungus, Rhizoctonia, and often occurs in mid-to-late summer when the weather is hot and humid — making conditions perfect for the fungus to thrive.

How to Spot the Fungus

The funny thing about brown patch is that it doesn’t start out brown at all. In fact, the first signs of trouble are when a circular or oblong pattern of light-yellow discoloration appears in your grass. Eventually, the affected area will turn from orange to tan. It will continue to spread outward, sometimes leaving small green patches at the center. The discoloration is caused when the fungus infects each leaf, causing them to rot.

Brown patch fungus can affect all cool-season grasses, but it is especially harmful to ryegrass and tall fescue. Brown patch also affects a variety of warm-season grasses, including St. Augustine grass, Bermuda, and zoysiagrass. ​

One of the most frustrating aspects of brown patch is that once you spot it, the damage is already done and the fungus is thriving. The trick to successfully eradicating brown patch is understanding the fungus lives beyond where the eye can see, in your soil. When the conditions are right, the fungus strikes, making preventive measures all the more important.

How to Prevent Brown Patch

The fungus thrives on conditions that leave your lawn damp for 48 hours or more, making mid-late summer prime time for it to thrive with damage rearing its ugly head in the fall. Not to mention excessive irrigation, rainfall, and humidity all exacerbate the problem.  For this reason, water management is key to preventing brown patch. Irrigation should only be used to supplement rainfall. Rain sensors and smart controllers solve for this and ensure you’re not overwatering.

One of the toughest parts about treating brown patch is that it’s likely to reoccur in lawns that have previously struggled with the fungus. If your lawn tends to be affected by brown patch annually, your landscape partner will probably prescribe a prophylactic fungicide application in the fall, with follow-up applications at regular intervals as the weather continues to cool.

Even if your lawn has been spared, you should still remain vigilant. Brown patch can remain dormant in soil for years until favorable conditions are achieved. In fact, some properties that struggle with brown patch might notice signs of infection subside when the weather warms, only to return later in the year when conditions become favorable once more.

Keep it Under Control

The good news is that your turf can recover from brown patch. The bad news? You may have to wait until the active growing season to see an improvement in appearance. While a fungicide application can help prevent spread to other areas, spots that have rotted will need to regrow.

Meanwhile, steps should be taken to ensure you’re not transferring the fungus to healthy parts of your lawn. Affected areas should not be mowed, as that could cause diseased clippings to deposit elsewhere, spreading the infection. You should also avoid walking over the area so your shoes don’t transport the spores. Finally, it’s important to not apply fertilizer during an outbreak. Sure, you’ll feed your lawn, but you’ll also feed the fungus, too.

Because brown or yellow spots can be the result of a number of causes, it’s important to have your lawn assessed by an experienced landscape professional. If brown patch is confirmed, proper treatment is critical. Self-diagnosis and treatment could make the problem worse. Our teams are experienced in treating brown patch, and can help make the process stress-free. Request a free quote or give us a call at 844.235.7778">844.235.7778.

Fertilizer is excellent for improving the quality of your landscape. Yet, when it ends up in the water supply, it’s not so great for water quality. As a result, many Florida counties have implemented fertilizer bans, which prohibit the application of any fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus between June 1 and September 30, or when the National Weather Service predicts heavy rain to occur within 24 hours. Here, we’ll breakdown what you need to know to remain in compliance and keep your landscape healthy.

The Basics of Fertilizer Bans

Fertilizer ordinances began as a way to lessen runoff and improve water quality during Florida’s rainy season. In some counties, properties within close proximity to a waterbody are already prohibited from using fertilizer at any time of the year. For properties farther inland, however, there is still the risk of runoff washing into watersheds, where it will funnel into rivers, lakes, or oceans. The concern is that summertime’s heavy afternoon rains may exacerbate the effect.

The restrictions aren’t totally black and white, though. Many ordinances include two notable exemptions, one of which is golf courses; the other is property owners who can demonstrate a phosphorous deficiency in their landscape.

Why Soil Testing is Important

So how do you prove a phosphorous deficiency? With soil testing, of course! Routine soil testing delivers a wealth of knowledge about the health of your soil. In addition to providing a window into available nutrients, you’ll also learn about the pH of your soil and its organic matter content (which is important for maintaining appropriate soil moisture and drainage).

If your landscape partner suspects a phosphorous deficiency, soil testing will confirm it and produce the documentation required for local authorities. While regular soil testing is important for every landscape, if your property falls within an area that’s subject to a fertilizer ban it’s all the more crucial to ensure you catch a deficiency early on.

How We Can Keep Waterways Clean

There are many small things we can all do that will go a long way towards keeping our waterways clean; one of which is paying attention to what flows into your storm drains. At BrightView, we take care to remove grass clippings and leaves so they don’t become runoff. We also offer options for clients interested in recycling their clippings as mulch or compost for their lawn. And most importantly, we’re careful to apply only the recommended amount of fertilizer, and always avoid impervious surfaces or water bodies. These are all tips you can also apply at home to maximize your impact.

One of the best ways to reduce or eliminate the need for fertilizer is to stick with native vegetation in your landscape. These plants are already well suited to grow in the Florida soil, which not only helps save the environment, but can also save you money in reduced fertilizer costs.

To explore your options—for native plants, or other environmentally responsible landscape strategies—enlist the help of your landscape partner. We’re proud to offer a number of sustainable practices that maintain the health of your landscape and our environment. Request a free quote or give our team a call at 844.235.7778">844.235.7778.

When it comes to broadleaf weeds, they’re among the toughest to control. So how do you beat them? It’s simple: know thy enemy. Read on for the knowledge you need to gain the upper hand.

How to Identify Broadleaves

Just as the name suggests, broadleaves often have large leaves, each featuring veins in a net-like pattern. Most broadleaves have fibrous roots, which you may have noticed when trying to remove one. Once mature, many broadleaves grow flowers, though that certainly doesn’t make them any more desirable. In contrast, grassy weeds have narrow leaves and may at first look like desirable grass. When grassy weeds germinate, a single leaf emerges; whereas in broadleaves, 2 seed leaves emerge. Unfortunately, broadleaves love warm season lawns, like St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and bermudagrass, where they’ll stick out like a sore thumb.

Some examples of common broadleaves include:

• Beggarweed
• Chickweed
• Clovers
• Dandelion
• Florida pusley
• Henbit
• Lespedeza
• Matchweed
• Plantain

Take Back Your Landscape

The tricky thing about fighting broadleaves is there isn’t one herbicide that works well for all. That’s why it’s important to understand the lifecycle of the particular weed you’re dealing with. Broadleaves can be annuals, biennials, and perennials, and each group requires a different approach. But fear not, your landscape partner will be able to determine the type of broadleaf and prescribe the appropriate formulas and application schedule, so you don’t have to become an amateur horticulturalist.

You may hear your landscape partner discuss the use of a preemergent or postemergent. Both are herbicides that work at different stages of the weed’s lifecycle:

Preemergent herbicides are applied before weed seeds are able to germinate. Preemergent herbicides work well for controlling certain types of annual broadleaves, but have a very narrow window for application in order to be effective—generally around February or March, before daytime temperatures reach 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit for four or more consecutive days.

Postemergent herbicides are applied to weeds that have already emerged. Even with postemergent herbicides, timing is important. It’s best to catch the weed while it’s still young, as mature weeds will require a larger volume of herbicide, which could cause harm to your turf and surrounding landscape.

Ideally, postemergent application is best during spring or fall, when the temperature is moderate, between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature exceeds 85 degrees Farenheit, there’s a greater chance the application could damage your turf.

It’s also important to note that postemergent herbicides don’t provide instant gratification. It may be several days before the herbicide reaches its full effectiveness. In the meantime, you’ll need to avoid mowing or cutting the weeds, which could blunt the herbicide’s effect.

Don't Let Your Defenses Down

Identifying the type of broadleaf weeds affecting your landscape is only half the battle. The other half is maintaining good cultural practices year-round. Lush, dense turf is one of the best defenses against broadleaf weeds because it shades the soil, preventing weed seeds from germinating. Achieving this requires regular fertilization, mowing to an appropriate height at regular intervals, pest control, and a water management program that ensures you’re not over or underwatering. Sticking to the regimen will pay off in lower weed control costs, and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve won the upper hand against those pesky broadleaves.

Get Rid of Broadleaf Weeds Once and For All

Struggling to keep broadleaf weeds under control? Don't let them take over — BrightView's expert team can help you fight back. Request a free analysis or give our team a call at 844.235.7778">844.235.7778.

Weeds are like the landscape equivalent of party crashers. You didn't invite them, so why do they keep showing up? We'll let you in on a little secret that will help keep them out of your landscape and end the frustration for good. It's called integrated weed management.

What’s Integrated Weed Management?

Integrated weed management is a coordinated strategy for stopping weeds, especially before they begin. Instead of yanking weeds endlessly, or spraying broad-spectrum herbicides and hoping for the best, integrated weed management is the "work smarter, not harder" approach.

Integrated weed management is a multifaceted technique based on developing a strategy that combines mechanical removal with appropriate herbicides and an understanding of plant biology to maximize results.

There's no single formula that works for every property. The right solution may rely on some of the aforementioned elements more than others, and that's where a knowledgeable landscape partner can help. By leveraging their horticultural and regional expertise, they can fine-tune a plan for your property. Let's take a look at what that might include.

Physical Management

As mentioned above, physical management is primarily mechanical removal of weeds, meaning hand weeding, or tilling the soil. Physical management is a time-consuming process, so it's best for removing small weeds that have not yet seeded, or those that appear among your flower beds or other ornamentals.

Chemical Management

When applied at the right time, herbicides can be highly effective in controlling weeds. Your integrated weed management program might call for pre-emergent herbicides, post-emergent herbicides, selective herbicides, non-selective herbicides, or any combination of the four. Here's how they differ:

• Pre-emergent herbicides stop weeds from emerging, by killing germinating seeds. The best time to apply Pre-emergent is in the fall and spring.
• Post-emergent herbicides are for weeds that are actively growing.
• Selective herbicides are targeted to kill specific types of weeds, without affecting surrounding plant material.
• Non-selective herbicides kill all plant material in the area to which it is applied. It's used in areas where a broad swath needs to be cleared. For example, a non-selective herbicide will clear lawns overrun with weeds to create a blank slate for replacement.

Cultural Management

Cultural management employs non-chemical methods to interrupt the weed's lifecycle. In cultural management, there's a strong emphasis on prevention. One such example is the use of cloth weed barriers to line flower beds, making it difficult for weeds to germinate. Another example is regular mulching, which is particularly effective in preventing annual weeds when maintained at a depth of 1 to 3 inches.

In some cases, it may also be possible to introduce a competing species that makes it difficult for weeds to grow by commandeering moisture and nutrients. This method is a longer-term strategy, though the result can be worth the patience. The planting of Wildflowers is useful for this purpose, which yields an eye-catching outcome. Once mature, they essentially crowd out the weeds.

Integrated weed management is key to maintaining curb appeal and property values. More than just part of keeping your landscape healthy, integrated weed management is also a better way to keep our environment healthy. By taking a multi-pronged approach, you're able to reduce the occurrence of weeds over time, thereby lessening dependence on chemical methods. Most importantly, you'll finally be able to throw out those party crashers for good.

If you’re welcoming spring with open arms, you’re not the only one; the southern chinch bug is, too. These tiny insects can pack a mighty punch to your lawn, quickly transforming it from lush to languishing. It’s likely you’ve even seen a chinch bug infested lawn before, but didn’t know it. That’s because the chinch bug’s damage closely mimics that of drought.

Here’s how to make sure the chinch bug doesn’t fly under the radar at your property.

What You Can’t See Can Hurt You

Chinch bugs have a distinctive appearance, which would be great if it were easy to see them. Measuring approximately 1/5” long, chinch bugs have black bodies and white wings marked by a black triangle. Some can fly, while others have wings too short to allow it. But most importantly, all have piercing mouthparts that allow the chinch bug to not only suck sap from your grass, but also inject a toxin in the process.

These warm-weather-loving bugs are inactive in the winter, and begin reproduction come spring. One female can lay hundreds of eggs, which hatch in just a couple weeks. Like all babies, the nymphs have voracious appetites, accelerating damage to your lawn. Chinch bugs are especially fond of St. Augustine, but have also been known to nosh on zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, bahiagrass, and bermudagrass. The thicker the turf, the more attractive they find it.

How to Spot the Chinch Bug’s Calling Card

Look for wilting grass blades, yellow-brown spots, and dried areas that have died. Areas along sidewalks and curbs, or portions of the turf that have poor irrigation coverage are where you’re mostly likely to see chinch bug damage first. If you suspect chinch bugs have taken up residence in your lawn, you might be able to spot them with a magnifying glass.

Alternatively, grab a metal cylinder or tube (such as a tin can with ends removed), and submerge it a few inches into the soil. Fill the cylinder with water and let it sit for 10 minutes. If chinch bugs are present, you’ll see them floating in the water. You might also see their nymphs, which are red or pink in color with a white stripe across the mid-section.

Get Rid of Chinch Bugs (and Keep Them Away)

The first step in preventing a chinch bug infestation is ensuring uniform irrigation coverage. Drought stressed lawns typically show damage soonest. Raise irrigation heads so they can spray the turf canopy without interference. It may also be necessary to add irrigation heads in areas with insufficient coverage.

Next, consider applying preventative applications of a systemic insecticide during May and June. This treatment will provide 3-4 months of control and help prevent damage from occurring. If an active chinch bug population is found, immediate treatment with an insecticide will reduce damage.

Most importantly, don’t fail to act. Without treatment, infestations can result in significant turf loss and the need to install sod in damaged areas. And, let’s face it—that would put a real damper on your spring (not to mention your budget). But, with good irrigation management and preventative treatment, you won’t have to worry about the chinch bug sucking the life out of your lawn.

Schedule Your Chinch Bug Damage Analysis 

Suspect you have chinch bug damage? If left untreated, damage will continue to spread. BrightView's expert team can get your turf back on the right track, request a free analysis or give our team a call at 844.235.7778">844.235.7778.