Go for the Green! | GreenGate Turf, Pest & Irrigation | Spotlight

By Cheryl Ricer

For a great-looking lawn, it comes down to three essential factors: a fantastic lawn fertilization and weed control program, a strong ornamental tree and shrub care program, and a properly managed irrigation system. According to Keith Cannon, owner of GreenGate Turf Pest & Irrigation, missing any of these three components can lead to a struggling landscape.

“You’re not going to have a great-looking lawn just because you get everything working great and then have awful irrigation,” Cannon explains. “Irrigation causes more issues for our customers’ lawns than anything. You would think weeds would be the biggest problem, but it’s not. Irrigation is the number one issue.”

The Three-Legged Stool of Lawn Care

GreenGate has evolved into a full-service lawn care company that not only specializes in fertilization and weed control but also provides professional irrigation management and tree and shrub care. Cannon emphasizes that these three components work together like a sturdy, three-legged stool — if one is weak, the whole system collapses.

“We’ve become experts at all three,” Cannon says. “We’re known for our lawn fertilization program, but not a ton of people know about our ornamental tree and shrub program or our irrigation program. Ane those are all in-house; we take care of it all, start to finish.”

Irrigation

Many homeowners unknowingly damage their lawns by watering improperly. Different grass types require different amounts of water, and a one-size-fits-all approach often leads to problems.

“Bermuda lawns require half as much water as St. Augustine lawns,” Cannon explains. “If someone moves into a home with Bermuda grass but keeps watering it like they did with their St. Augustine lawn, they’re drowning it. Then, when the Bermuda doesn’t respond well, they’re left scratching their heads, wondering what went wrong.”

To combat, GreenGate offers professional irrigation services with three options. Bundle One provides three visits annually, perfect for homeowners who want to handle some of the work themselves but need professional adjustments. Bundle Three, the most comprehensive plan, includes seven visits annually, where GreenGate takes full control, ensuring the system is optimized year-round. Bundle Two is in-between.

“When we open your system, we even take the bag that covers your plumbing and store it in our warehouse for the summer,” Cannon adds. “So you don’t even have to worry about that.”

Tree and Shrub Care

While many homeowners focus on their grass, trees and shrubs require specialized care to “All our employees stay healthy and pest-free. GreenGate’s program is designed to nourish and protect plants using three methods:

1. Injections – A probe delivers fertilizer and insecticides directly to the roots, allowing the plant to absorb nutrients quickly.

2. Granular Application – Nutrient-rich granules are spread around the base of trees and shrubs, providing slow-release benefits.

3. Foliar Sprays – Specialized products are sprayed onto leaves and bark, protecting plants from pests and diseases.

“It’s like an IV bag for a tree,” Cannon says. “We inject everything it needs right into the root system so it can thrive.”

Pest control is another crucial aspect of tree care. For example, aphids are a major problem for ornamental trees, particularly crepe myrtles.

“Aphids don’t cause direct damage, but their waste creates a black fungus that covers the leaves, reducing photosynthesis,” Cannon explains. “When the tree can’t convert sunlight into energy, it starts to wilt and die.”

To prevent infestations, GreenGate takes a proactive approach by applying neem oil to suffocate aphid eggs before they hatch, along with systemic insecticides that eliminate pests as they feed.

Lawn Fertilization

GreenGate’s lawn fertilization program is far more advanced than most competitors. While some companies offer free insecticide applications, Cannon warns that these are often ineffective.

“They put in just enough insecticide to say they did it, but it won’t actually protect your lawn,” he says. “It’s like taking half a baby aspirin and expecting it to cure your headache.”

Instead, GreenGate uses a dedicated, multi-product approach, rotating treatments to prevent pests from developing resistance. Their program not only eliminates turf-destroying insects like chinch bugs but also targets fleas, ticks, and fire ants.

Pest Control Inside and Out

GreenGate doesn’t stop at lawns — they also provide comprehensive home pest control. Their quarterly perimeter spray creates a barrier around the home, preventing pests like cockroaches, ants, and earwigs from entering.

“We set up bait stations for rats and mice,” Cannon explains. “If rodents have enough food outside, they won’t feel the need to come inside your home.”

Customers who sign up for GreenGate’s bundle programs get all necessary services at a discounted rate, ensuring complete lawn and home protection.

Lawn Aeration

In Houston’s high-clay, alkaline soil, compaction is a major issue. GreenGate offers a unique “Restore & Rejuvenate” lawn aeration program that goes beyond traditional methods.

1. Mechanical aeration – Creates 2.5-inch holes in the soil to allow two different granular products to become part of the soil structure more quickly.

2. Granular applications – Introduces beneficial bacteria and essential minerals into the aerated soil.

3. Liquid aeration – Breaks down chemical bonds created by high pH and salts in the soil, improving structure and creating six-inch fissures for deeper root penetration.

“Our Restore & Rejuvenate program is probably the best in the state, if not the country,” Cannon says. “A month later, our lawns look incredible — people love it.”

The GreenGate Difference

Cannon’s philosophy is simple: GreenGate doesn’t need to be the biggest, but it has to be the best.

“I don’t care about being the largest company out there. I care about being the best,” he says. “Talk is cheap, so we put our money where our mouth is.”

From their user-friendly website to highly trained, locally based technicians, GreenGate sets itself apart with exceptional customer service and expertise.

“All our employees are here in Houston,” Cannon emphasizes. “When you call us, you’re not talking to someone in another country who doesn’t know anything about Houston lawns. You’re talking to someone who probably has kids in school with yours.”

With unmatched training, state-of-the-art programs, and a customer-first approach, GreenGate Turf Pest & Irrigation is redefining lawn care in Texas. Whether you need fertilization, tree care, irrigation management, or pest control, they have the knowledge and experience to keep your lawn and home in peak condition.