After a September rain the yards across Granite City turn a green so saturated it looks lit from underneath. Emerald Lawn Care chases that stretch of the year, mowing, edging and trimming while the grass puts on its best growth since spring and the mornings finally come cool. Cleanup follows close behind, clearing the first leaf drop off lawns that still have weeks of growing left in them. There is pride in a yard that finishes the season strong instead of limping to the first frost. From Nameoki to Mitchell, that is the standard the week runs on.