Early spring (late March to April) is ideal for starting a lawn care program in Mt. Lebanon. This timing allows us to apply pre-emergent weed control before crabgrass germinates and begin fertilization as grass breaks dormancy. For more details, visit our Pittsburgh Lawn & Landscape Guide which has a month-by-month breakdown of services.

A comprehensive lawn care and maintenance plan starts at $2,500 per season and includes fertilization, weed control, and proactive pest management. Individual services are also available: lawn mowing starts at $52 per visit, lawn aeration and overseeding starts at $125, and seasonal leaf removal starts at $250. Final pricing depends on your property size and specific needs, which we determine during your complimentary Lawn & Landscape Analysis. We typically recommend a complete lawn and landscape maintenance package so that your entire outdoor living area is being professionally monitored and maintained.

Most comprehensive lawn care programs include 5-7 applications throughout the growing season, spaced according to grass growth patterns and treatment requirements. Additional services like lawn mowing occur weekly or bi-weekly during the growing season. For more details, visit our Pittsburgh Lawn & Landscape Guide which has a month-by-month breakdown of services.

Most Mt. Lebanon lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. The best approach is to water deeply but infrequently, which encourages deeper root growth and creates a more drought-resistant lawn. Water early in the morning (between 4 AM and 10 AM) to minimize evaporation and allow grass blades to dry during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases that thrive in our humid Pittsburgh climate. Rather than watering daily, aim for 2-3 thorough watering sessions per week that soak the soil 6 inches deep. You can measure water output by placing empty tuna cans around your lawn while the sprinkler runs—when they've collected about half an inch of water, you've watered enough for that session. During hot, dry periods in July and August, your lawn may need slightly more water, while cool, rainy spring and fall weeks may require no supplemental watering at all. Our team can assess your lawn's specific water needs during your complimentary analysis. Read our Essential Spring Lawn Care Tips for Pittsburgh, PA Homeowners for more information.

Yes. Mt. Lebanon's clay soils compact easily, restricting water, air, and nutrients from reaching grass roots. Annual fall lawn aeration is one of the most beneficial services for lawn health, especially for properties with heavy traffic, water pooling, or thin turf. When combined with overseeding, aeration dramatically improves lawn density and resilience. Learn more in our recent blog post on Preparing Your Lawn for Fall: Tips for Aeration and Overseeding in Pittsburgh.

Keep your grass at 3 to 4 inches tall throughout the growing season. This height promotes deeper roots, shades out weeds, and helps your lawn tolerate Pittsburgh's summer heat and drought stress. Cutting grass too short is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make as it weakens turf and invites weeds and disease. Always follow the "one-third rule": never remove more than one-third of the blade length in a single mowing. If you're maintaining 3-inch grass, mow when it reaches about 4.5 inches. During hot, dry summer periods, let grass grow closer to 4 inches for extra protection. Sharp mower blades are essential as dull blades tear grass instead of cutting cleanly, creating brown, ragged tips that invite disease. Our professional mowing service maintains optimal height while varying patterns to prevent compaction. Read our Best Pittsburgh Lawn Mowing Practices blog post.

Mushrooms aren't harmful to your grass! They're actually a sign of healthy soil breaking down organic matter like old roots or buried wood. While not damaging, many homeowners find them unsightly. Simply mow over them or knock them down with a rake. Mushrooms appear after heavy rain, especially in shaded or moist areas. To discourage them, improve drainage through aeration, reduce overwatering, and maintain proper watering practices (deep but infrequent). Most mushrooms disappear naturally once conditions dry out. If you notice fairy rings (circular mushroom patterns) or persistent mushroom problems, our team can assess the cause during your complimentary analysis and recommend solutions.

Grub damage typically appears as brown patches that feel spongy underfoot and pull up easily like loose carpet. You may also notice increased animal activity (birds, skunks, or raccoons digging in your lawn searching for grubs). The best way to confirm grubs is to lift a section of damaged turf and examine the soil. If you find more than 5-6 white, C-shaped larvae per square foot, treatment is recommended. Our team can inspect your lawn and provide expert recommendations during your analysis. For more information, check out our recent blog post on grub control in Pittsburgh and watch the video below.

While both create brown patches, there are key differences. Grub-damaged grass pulls up easily with no resistance because the roots have been eaten. Fungal disease causes the grass to thin and discolor but typically remains rooted. Fungal patches often have distinctive patterns (rings, spots, or thread-like growth) and may appear slimy or greasy when wet. Brown patches with nearby animal digging usually indicate grubs, while irregularly shaped discolored areas with no root damage typically signal disease. Our licensed technicians can accurately diagnose the issue during your property evaluation. For more information, read our recent blog posts on grub control in Pittsburgh and our guide on how to prevent, identify and treat common fungal diseases in Pittsburgh.

Mt. Lebanon lawns are susceptible to several fungal diseases due to our humid climate. Red thread appears in spring and fall as pinkish-red threads on grass blades. Brown patch creates circular brown patches during hot, humid summer weather. Dollar spot forms small bleached patches, especially in lawns with low nitrogen. Snow mold appears as matted gray or pink patches when snow melts in spring. Our proactive treatment approach monitors conditions that favor these diseases and addresses them before significant damage occurs. For more information on these diseases, read our guide on how to prevent, identify and treat common fungal diseases in Pittsburgh.

Pet urine burns grass due to concentrated nitrogen. Flush affected spots with water immediately after use, then reseed damaged areas once thoroughly watered. Prevention is key: water spots right after your pet uses them, encourage pets to use a designated area, or keep lawns well-hydrated to dilute urine naturally. Our team can assess pet damage during your complimentary analysis and recommend solutions like overseeding with urine-resistant grass varieties.

Absolutely. Depending on the cause (compaction, shade, disease, grub damage), we'll recommend the appropriate solution, which might include lawn aeration and overseeding, soil amendment, disease treatment, or in severe cases, renovation with new sod or seed.

Yes. We follow all label requirements and best practices to ensure safe application. Most treatments dry within a few hours, after which the lawn is safe for normal use. We're always happy to discuss specific products and answer any safety questions.

Lawn care is a process, and most properties show significant improvement within one season. However, lawns with severe underlying issues may require additional time. We monitor every property and adjust treatments as needed. If you're ever concerned about your lawn's progress, just reach out. We'll evaluate and explain what's happening and what to expect.

Yes, we offer organic lawn care programs using natural fertilizers and targeted organic treatments. These programs typically require more applications and take longer to show results but are an excellent choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.

Unlike national chains that send different technicians each visit and follow rigid programs, Dream Greener provides local expertise, licensed professionals, and customized programs based on actual property conditions. You'll work with the same dedicated team throughout the season, and we're always available to address concerns or answer questions.