Inland Lawn Maintenance Inc

09/04/2026

🕵️ Lawn Detective: What’s Wrong With This Lawn?

A. Not enough water
B. Lawn disease
C. Insect damage
D. Too much fertilizer

🤔 What's your guess? Find out the answer below

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🔎 THE ANSWER: C — INSECT DAMAGE

In this case, the culprit is chinch bugs.

Chinch bugs are tiny insects that feed on grass by piercing the plant and sucking out its juices. They can also inject substances that interfere with the plant's ability to move water, which can leave sections of turf looking stressed, yellow, or straw-colored.

And here's what makes them tricky...

💧 Watering may not fix the problem.

If your irrigation is running properly but the affected areas continue to expand or worsen, it's worth considering whether insects are involved.

🐞 Signs to watch for:

• Irregular yellow, brown, or straw-colored patches
• Damage that continues to spread despite adequate watering
• Areas of turf that appear thin or stressed
• Damage that becomes more noticeable during hot, dry weather
• Chinch bugs or their tiny nymphs hiding near the base of the grass

🌱 Why are they worse during hot weather?

Chinch bugs thrive when conditions are warm and dry. Stressed turf also has a harder time recovering from feeding damage, which can make the problem look even worse.

💡 The Lawn Detective's takeaway:

Don't automatically assume brown grass needs more water.

Sometimes the irrigation is doing its job—but something else is damaging the grass.

That's why identifying the cause is just as important as treating the symptom.

08/31/2026

🌱 A little fall prep goes a long way!

Now is the time to get your lawn and irrigation system ready for the seasons ahead.

✅ Aeration helps relieve soil compaction, improve root growth, and give your lawn a stronger start next spring.

💧 Sprinkler blowouts help protect your irrigation system from freeze damage and costly repairs over the winter.

Our fall schedule is filling up, so don’t wait until the last minute! Give Inland Lawn Maintenance a call to get your services scheduled.

📞 Book your aeration and sprinkler blowout today!

08/31/2026

🌿 Know Your W**ds - Purslane

Purslane is a warm-season w**d that thrives in the very conditions that can stress our lawns—heat, sun, drought, and compacted soil. Its thick, fleshy leaves allow it to store water, making this little plant surprisingly difficult to discourage once it gets established.

Purslane is actually edible and surprisingly nutritious, containing omega-3 fatty acids along with vitamins and minerals.

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08/30/2026

💧 Don't forget about your irrigation system.

October will be here before we know it! If you have an irrigation system, now is the time to schedule your sprinkler blowout rather than waiting for the first freeze.

We'd much rather help you get on the schedule early than have you scrambling when freezing temperatures are in the forecast. 🍂

A little preparation now can make a big difference next spring.

**dControl

08/30/2026

🕵️ Lawn Detective: What’s Wrong With This Lawn?

Take a good look at the photo before you read any further. 👀

We've given you a few clues and four possible answers:

A. Not enough water
B. Lawn disease
C. Insect damage
D. Mowing problem

🤔 What's your guess? Drop your answer in the comments before you keep reading!

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🔎 THE ANSWER: D — MOWING TOO SHORT

This lawn is a great example of what can happen when grass is cut too short, especially during hot, dry weather.

Grass needs enough leaf tissue to produce the energy it needs to grow. When we remove too much of the grass blade, we can put the lawn under additional stress.

🌱 Why does mowing too short cause problems?

• More sunlight reaches the soil, increasing evaporation.
• A stressed, thin lawn gives w**ds more opportunity to move in.
• Shorter grass is less able to handle heat and drought stress.
• A weakened lawn can also be more susceptible to pests and disease.

Try not to remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time, and maintain the mowing height appropriate for your particular turf.

And remember—higher isn't always better either! The ideal mowing height depends on the type of grass, time of year, and growing conditions. The goal isn't simply to cut the grass. It's to maintain enough healthy leaf tissue to help the lawn thrive.

08/28/2026

🐞 FRIEND OR FOE? — Hover Flies

Have you ever seen a little black-and-yellow insect hovering around your flowers and thought, "Is that a bee or a wasp?" 👀

It might actually be a Hover Fly—and that's good news for your landscape!

🟢 FRIEND!

Hover flies are harmless to people and pets, and they're valuable members of a healthy landscape.

🌸 Adults help pollinate flowers while feeding on nectar and pollen.

🐛 Their larvae are even more impressive! Many species feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests that can damage your plants.

🔎 Here's the tricky part:
Hover flies have evolved to look like bees and wasps as a form of protection. But unlike those insects, hover flies have only one pair of wings.

🌿 Bug Bonus Fact:
Some hover flies can remain almost perfectly stationary in the air while flying—hence their name!

So the next time you see one hovering around your flowers, don't be so quick to swat it away. You may have one of nature's little pest-control helpers working in your yard. 🐞🌸

08/24/2026

🌿 Know Your W**ds - Spotted Spurge

Spotted spurge loves hot, dry conditions and compacted soil, and it can spread quickly once it gets established. It's especially common in thin or stressed areas of turf and along sidewalks and driveways.

🔎 What to look for:
• Low-growing, spreading stems
• Small oval leaves with a distinctive dark spot
• Tiny yellow-green flowers
• Reddish stems

🌱 W**d Fact: Spotted spurge may be small, but it can produce thousands of seeds, allowing it to spread quickly when conditions are right.

The good news? A thick, healthy lawn is one of the best defenses against w**ds. Proper watering, fertilization, aeration, and timely w**d control can all help keep your lawn competitive.

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08/21/2026

Is moss bad for my lawn?

Moss isn't usually the problem...

It's a symptom.

Moss often appears where grass struggles because of:
🌳 Too much shade
💧 Poor drainage
🪨 Soil compaction
🍃 Lack of nutrients
✂️ Mowing too short

Removing moss without fixing the underlying issue usually means it'll return.

🌱 Expert Tip
A healthy, dense lawn is your best defense against moss.

08/18/2026

We are currently hiring a full-time Landscape Crew Member to support our mowing crews servicing residential and commercial properties. The ideal candidate has hands-on commercial mowing experience, operates equipment safely and efficiently, and takes pride in producing high-quality results on every job site.

Apply at https://inlandlawn.com/explore-careers-at-inland-lawn-maintenance/

Inland Lawn Maintenance is a trusted name in professional landscaping services. We take pride in delivering high-quality work through teamwork, reliability, and excellent customer service. As we continue to grow, we are seeking experienced, hard-working individuals to join our mowing division. Posit...

08/17/2026

Why are mushrooms suddenly appearing?

Mushrooms are actually a sign that fungi are breaking down organic material beneath your lawn.

They're usually caused by:
🍂 Buried roots
🌳 Decaying wood
💧 Excess moisture
🌱 Healthy soil biology

Most mushrooms disappear on their own as conditions dry out.

🌱 Expert Tip
The mushrooms themselves usually aren't harming your lawn—they're simply a sign of what's happening below the surface.