What Happens to My Sprinkler Program When the Power Goes Out?
The short answer: If your controller has a working backup battery, your programs will be preserved and the clock will keep running. When power returns, everything continues normally. If the backup battery is dead or missing, your clock will reset (usually to 12:00 AM), and you may lose some or all programming depending on the […]
Is Lawn Care Safe for Pets? What Oklahoma Pet Owners Need to Know
Professional lawn care products, when applied correctly and allowed to dry completely, are generally safe for pets. Most treatments dry within 1-2 hours depending on weather conditions. Once dry, your pets can resume normal outdoor activity. Complete Lawn Care uses EPA-registered products specifically designed for residential lawns where families and pets live, and we always […]
When to Overseed Your Oklahoma Lawn: Timing Guide for Bermuda and Fescue
The best time to overseed in Oklahoma depends entirely on your grass type. For fescue lawns, overseed in fall (September through mid-October) when soil is warm but air is cooling. For Bermuda lawns, overseeding is usually unnecessary because Bermuda spreads aggressively on its own through runners. If your Bermuda isn’t filling in, the problem is […]
Should I Use Organic or Synthetic Fertilizer on My Lawn?
Both organic and synthetic fertilizers can produce healthy lawns, and the best choice depends on your priorities. Synthetic fertilizers deliver nutrients quickly and cost less upfront, while organic fertilizers improve soil health over time and are gentler on the environment. Many professional lawn care companies, including Complete Lawn Care, use a combination approach, selecting products […]
What Is the 1/3 Rule in Mowing? The Most Important Mowing Principle
The 1/3 rule states that you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade height in a single mowing. If your target mowing height is 3 inches, you should mow before the grass reaches 4.5 inches. This rule exists because cutting more than 1/3 of the blade shocks the grass, stunts root growth, […]
Why Is Oklahoma Turf More Prone to Disease? Understanding Our Unique Lawn Challenges
The short answer: Oklahoma’s combination of extreme heat, high humidity, dramatic temperature swings, heavy clay soil, and location in the “transition zone” creates a perfect storm for turf disease. Our summers deliver exactly what fungal pathogens love: nighttime temperatures above 70°F paired with afternoon humidity and frequent thunderstorms that leave grass wet going into warm […]
Why It’s Not Too Cold for Pre-Emergent in Tulsa: Understanding Winter and Early Spring Applications
The short answer: Pre-emergent doesn’t need warm weather to work. It needs to be in the soil before weed seeds germinate. In Tulsa, crabgrass seeds start germinating when soil temperature reaches 55 degrees at 4 inches deep, which typically happens in late February or early March. That’s often when air temperatures still feel cold. If […]
What Is No Mow May? Should Oklahoma Homeowners Participate?
No Mow May is a conservation movement encouraging homeowners to skip mowing in May to support early-season pollinators like bees and butterflies. While the concept has good intentions, it originated in the UK and doesn’t translate well to Oklahoma lawns. Our warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia) are just coming out of dormancy in May and actually […]
Is It Illegal to Mow Your Lawn at 7am? Mowing Time Etiquette in Oklahoma
In most Tulsa-area cities, mowing at 7am is legal but may violate noise ordinances in some municipalities. Tulsa’s noise ordinance restricts “unreasonable” noise before 7am and after 10pm, so 7am mowing is technically permitted but borderline. The more important question is neighborly etiquette: most people consider mowing acceptable between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and […]
What Is the Most Expensive Part of Landscaping?
Hardscaping (patios, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and similar structures) is typically the most expensive part of landscaping, often accounting for 50-70% of a major landscape project’s budget. Labor costs rank second, particularly for skilled work like masonry or irrigation installation. Plants and softscaping, despite being the most visible elements, usually represent a smaller portion of […]