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? (more…)
Archive for August, 2010
Recovering from Drought
Monday, August 30th, 2010Billbugs Chinchbugs
Monday, 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
Friday, 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
Friday, 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. (more…)
Prostrate Knotweed – What to Do?
Friday, 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.