North Carolina is experiencing one of its most severe droughts in years. Since late 2025, much of the state has received far less rainfall than normal, leaving many counties under Extreme (D3) or even Exceptional (D4) drought conditions. The result has been stressed landscapes, lower reservoir levels, and water restrictions in many communities.

If you’re a homeowner in Winston-Salem or the surrounding Triad, you may be wondering why your lawn is turning brown—and how much water it actually needs.

How Much Water Does Your Lawn Need?
Most established lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. During prolonged heat and drought, sandy soils or stressed turf may require up to 1½ inches per week to stay healthy. The key is to water deeply once or twice a week, rather than lightly every day. Deep watering encourages stronger root systems that are better able to withstand drought.

Water at the Right Time

The best time to water is between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Early morning watering:

• Reduces evaporation.
• Allows water to soak into the soil.
• Helps prevent lawn diseases.

 
Avoid watering during the hottest part of the afternoon or late in the evening.

To reduce stress during drought:

• Raise your mower height.
• Keep mower blades sharp.
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn.
• Avoid fertilizing until rainfall returns.
• Minimize heavy foot traffic on stressed turf.

 
Marsh Brothers Is Here to Help

At Marsh Brothers Lawns & Landscaping, LLC, we understand the unique challenges that North Carolina weather brings. Whether your yard needs professional mowing, landscape maintenance, weed control, mulch installation, shrub trimming, or advice on keeping your property healthy during drought conditions, we’re here to help.

As a locally owned and operated company serving Winston-Salem and the surrounding communities, we’re committed to providing dependable, high-quality service with attention to detail and customer satisfaction.

Contact Marsh Brothers Lawns & Landscaping, LLC today for a free estimate and let us help keep your landscape looking its best—even through North Carolina’s toughest growing conditions.



 

Hydrangeas are one of the most beautiful and rewarding shrubs you can add to your landscape. Their large, colorful blooms brighten gardens throughout the summer, but proper pruning is essential to keep them healthy and flowering year after year. Knowing when and how to prune can make all the difference.

Why Prune Hydrangeas?
Pruning is about more than appearance. Proper pruning helps:

• Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
• Improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease.
• Encourage healthy new growth.
• Maintain the plant’s natural shape and size.
• Promote stronger stems and fuller blooms.

While pruning is beneficial, timing is everything. Cutting back certain varieties at the wrong time can remove next season’s flower buds.

Every Hydrangea Is Different
Not all hydrangeas should be pruned the same way. Some varieties bloom on last year’s growth, while others bloom on new growth produced during the current season.
For homeowners who aren’t sure which type they have, the safest approach is to remove only dead or damaged branches until the plant can be properly identified. A little caution can preserve a season full of beautiful blooms.

Best Practices for Pruning For healthy, attractive hydrangeas:

• Use clean, sharp pruning tools.
• Remove dead, broken, or diseased stems first.
• Cut just above healthy buds or branch junctions.
• Avoid removing more than one-third of the shrub in a single year unless performing a complete rejuvenation.
• Maintain the plant’s natural form instead of shearing it into a tight shape.

 
Healthy Landscapes Require Ongoing Care
Hydrangeas thrive when pruning is combined with proper watering, mulching, fertilization, and seasonal maintenance. Regular attention keeps shrubs vigorous, encourages abundant flowering, and enhances your property’s curb appeal.
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Types of Hydrangeas

https://www.southernliving.com/garden/plants/types-of-hydrangeas

At Marsh Brothers Lawns & Landscaping, LLC, we understand that every landscape is unique. Whether you need expert shrub pruning, routine landscape maintenance, mulch installation, seasonal cleanups, or a complete landscape refresh, we’re committed to providing dependable service and exceptional results.
As a locally owned and operated company serving Winston-Salem, we take pride in helping homeowners, apartment communities, and commercial properties maintain beautiful, healthy landscapes throughout the year.

Schedule Your Free Estimate Today
If your hydrangeas—or your entire landscape—could use professional attention, let Marsh Brothers Lawns & Landscaping, LLC help. We’ll evaluate your property, recommend the right services, and provide a free, no-obligation estimate.
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Beautiful landscapes don’t happen by chance—they happen with proper care, experience, and attention to detail. We look forward to helping your property look its very best.

A great lawn starts with great soil!

A best practice is to have your soil tested about every 3-5 years, and the Forsyth County Extension office actually offers free soil testing for individual homeowners. The test will tell you what nutrients you need to add to improve your soil, and to customize micro-zones for individual plants. Never over-apply or use a product that is not needed (We most often see this with lime!).

Or, if you prefer, let us do the work for you. Typical results take about 3 - 4 weeks, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time!

Don't let Yellow Jackets, Wasps or Hornets spoil your outdoor activities this summer. This time of year the underground nests can be a major problem! Check out this link for help with identifying and marking any nests for elimination!

Yesterday marked the first winter storm of the season, and Marsh Brothers was out clearing the way for Winston-Salem residents.  We had a lot of fun testing out our new snow plow, and are out again today shoveling additional driveways and plowing streets.  Contact us today if you would also like your driveway or walkway cleared!

Marsh Brothers helped keep Winston-Salem beautiful last Saturday by leading the Community Roots Day, a volunteer event for citizens to beautify their local area!  Community members from across Winston helped plant over 500 trees along Clemmonsville Road near I-52, creating a greener, more attractive landscape to this active street.  A huge thanks to all of the volunteers for making this event possible, and to Dr. Seuss for our awesome Lorax hats!  

What an exciting day over at Marsh Brothers!  We just received a letter in the mail from the National Association of Landscape Professionals congratulating us on a great (and very safe) 2014.  NALP awarded us with a safety award for our company having no vehicle accidents, no injuries or illnesses, and no days away from work.  Feel confident that not only are Marsh Brothers a hard-working and competitively priced company, but we are one of the safest as well! 

Aerating your lawn every fall helps provide oxygen to your soil and promotes better seeding and fertilization.  This year, Marsh Brothers is offering a deal on LivingSocial.com - up to 6,000 square feet of lawn aeration for only $78 (a $195 value)!  Keep your grass looking great by treating your yard to an aeration!  Please feel free to call or email for additional details!

Bagworms infest many trees and shrubs in the Triad area.  Bagworms are bad worms. They are often unseen, hidden under leaves and branches, and can kill a plant very quickly.  They wrap a protective silk shell around themselves and slowly eat away at your plant.  You may notice that your tree or shrub has bagworms as soon as it starts to turn brown.  If you believe you have bagworms, don't wait to get treated! Call Marsh Brothers today so we can send out a crew member as soon as possible to save your plants from these awful pests!  For more information on bag worms, feel free to read this article.