Much of the Northeast has seen below normal rainfall since April 2010 as well as unusually warm temperatures, especially during July. This has led to drought concerns throughout the region. However, the recent rains of the last week should be enough to bring the lawns out of dormancy. New green growth over 60% or more of the lawn area is a good sign that the lawn can recover. So what can you do to aid our lawns or athletic fields in the recovery process? Read the rest of this entry »
Recovering from Drought
August 30th, 2010Billbugs Chinchbugs
August 23rd, 2010Billbug and chinchbug activity is continuing in some areas, although the bluegrass billbugs appear to be nearing the end of their larval activity. So the worst should be over for this year. Chinchbugs are well into their second generation this year. Remember that billbug and chinchbug damage resembles drought stress, but the affected turf does not recover in September when the temperatures moderate.
Atrazine
August 20th, 2010While perhaps I shouldn’t be, I am often surprised to hear from folks that if the EPA allows a pesticide to be registered it’s ok to use it. As I look at it just because a product is registered by the EPA it doesn’t mean that it’s safe. There are a number of examples of products that have been in use and then later the EPA has identified potential human health effects that result in a product being banned or “phased out”.
Pulling Plugs
August 13th, 2010I’m not referring to a hair restoration process, but rather a lawn restoration procedure. Mid-August is an excellent time to start aerating and over-seeding to thicken up your lawns and athletic fields.
While we are still having some hot temperatures during the day, our night time temperatures are going down into the very pleasant range. Our cool-season grasses like these temperatures and should begin bouncing back from the heat stress they experienced in July. The morning dew will also aid the new seed in its germination. Read the rest of this entry »
Prostrate Knotweed – What to Do?
August 6th, 2010We recently received a call from a customer wondering what to do about knotweed that had appeared on his athletic fields. In an All Natural Organic Turf Care program it is important to grasp the fact that weeds our indicators of underlying soil conditions. Years of chemical usage to control weeds have just served to mask poor underlying soil conditions.
Triclosan Facts
July 30th, 2010Triclosan is used in hundreds of consumer products such as soaps, hand sanitizers, cosmetics, toys, plastics and textiles, is an antibacterial pesticide linked to numerous human health risks and environmental contamination. Studies have found triclosan in urine, breast milk and umbilical cord blood. It is detected in large concentrations in surface waters and wastewater treatment sludge, as well as in fish and earthworms. Triclosan is also an endocrine disruptor, interfering with thyroid hormones, estrogen and androgen receptors. It is also implicated in the rise of bacterial resistance, which can threaten the integrity of antibacterial and antibiotics in medical settings. For more information visit Beyond Pesticides. Source: AcresUSA, August 2010.
August – Asian Longhorned Beetle Month
July 23rd, 2010The Governor’s Office has declared August – Asian Longhorned Beetle Awareness Month. Increased awareness is called for with the latest find of Asian Longhorned Beetle in Jamaica Plain, MA. The following is from the UMass Extension Landscape Message #19 of July 23, 2010.
Learn Something New!
July 16th, 2010With the summer doldrums upon us now is a great time to take advantage of the fact that the lawns aren’t growing and it’s not a good time for landscape installations and go out and learn something new. A couple of easy things to do for those interested in organic lawn care are to embark on a self study course, take in a seminar, or buy a book and go to the beach and read.
Follow the following for some more specific information: Read the rest of this entry »
Dormant, Not Dead Lawns
July 9th, 2010The triple digit temperatures experienced in the Northeast this past week have quickly turned many formerly green lawns into brown ones. High temperatures with the accompanying lack of rainfall over the past couple months also has many municipalities contemplating if not already implementing outdoor watering bans.
Crabgrass
July 2nd, 2010The hotter than normal conditions this season is resulting in the appearance of crabgrass earlier than usual in those lawns that are not growing under the most ideal of conditions.