Steven’s Wack-n-Sack

If you’ve noticed that Indian Hawthorn shrubs around Alabama seem to be thinning out or dropping leaves early, you’re not imagining things. Hawthorn blight, a fungal disease caused by Entomosporium mespili, is making these once-popular landscape shrubs nearly unplantable in our climate.

If you’ve noticed bright green, fast-growing patches taking over your yard, you’re not alone. It’s crabgrass season in Alabama, and these opportunistic weeds are making their move as summer heat kicks in. Here’s what you need to know to keep your lawn looking its best.

If you’re looking to add vibrant color that lasts through Alabama’s hot summer, the Endless Summer Hydrangea deserves a spot in your landscape. Known for its large, mophead blooms in shades of blue and pink, this hydrangea brings a lush, classic look that thrives even in our humid climate.

After a stretch of heavy rain, you might notice little mushrooms popping up across your yard. They seem to appear overnight—crowding around trees, clustering in patches, or dotting the lawn like a fairy tale. So, what’s the deal? Are mushrooms something to worry about? Not necessarily. But they could be your lawn’s way of telling you it needs a little attention.

Maple trees are a staple of Southern landscapes, bringing bold color and stately structure to Alabama yards. But over the past few seasons, a new threat has emerged—maple blight—and it’s spreading fast. At Steven’s Wack-N-Sack, we’re seeing more signs of this destructive disease in residential and commercial landscapes across Central Alabama.

In Alabama, spring usually brings healthy green-up for Bermuda lawns—but this year, many homeowners are spotting something else: small, bleached patches of grass that seem to be spreading overnight. That’s Dollar Spot, and thanks to a wet, humid spring, it’s arriving earlier than usual. At Steven’s Wack-N-Sack, we’re seeing more of this fungal disease across our service areas in central Alabama, and early treatment is key to preventing long-term damage.

In Alabama, May marks the true beginning of summer prep—and few plants show off this time of year like the oakleaf hydrangea. Native to the Southeast, it’s tough, beautiful, and built for our hot, humid climate. At Steven’s Wack-N-Sack, we love recommending oakleaf hydrangeas because they bring bold texture and reliable blooms while needing very little maintenance.

If your Zoysia lawn is still looking a little sleepy this spring, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. In fact, many homeowners across the south are seeing the same thing with Emerald and Z-52 Zoysia varieties this year. At Steven’s Wack-n-Sack, we manage hundreds of Zoysia lawns—and we’ve noticed the slow start, too. The good news? It’s completely normal, and we’re already on top of it.

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: Should I bag my grass clippings or leave them on the lawn? And like most things in lawn care, the answer is: it depends. But here at Steven’s Wack-N-Sack, we confidently mulch clippings on most of our lawns—and our clients see great results. Why? Because mulching

May in Alabama is a turning point for your landscape. The cool mornings of spring are fading fast, and summer heat is just around the corner. If you haven’t refreshed or added mulch yet this season, now is the time. Waiting too long could leave your plants vulnerable to heat stress, thirsty soil, and out-of-control weeds.

Here’s what you need to know about why mulching in May matters—and how to get it right.