The following are just a few tips to follow now that spring is finally here!
• Soil Test – to determine soil amendment needs (i.e. lime, organic matter, etc.) Apply as soon as practical; lime can take up to 6 months to have an effect. Soil test should provide information on pH, buffer pH, % organic matter, CEC, in addition to chemical analysis.
• Fertilize – with Renaissance All Natural Fertilizer once soil temperatures reach 50⁰. Doing so provides ready food source for the soil microbiology. For more information see The Value of Organic Fertilizers and How to Choose an Organic Fertilizer.
• Seeding – over-seed damaged bare and thin areas. Encouraging grass to grow in these areas rather than providing an opportunity for weeds to take hold.
• Mowing – make certain you start with sharp mower blades; the first cut of the season should be at 2 ½ inches, raising the height to 3 ½ inches over the next 1 – 2 cuts.
Archive for the ‘Organic Approach’ Category
SPRING Turf Tips
Thursday, April 21st, 2011Sustainable Community Forum
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011Sustainable Community Forum – April 8th & 9th
Practical solutions for health and the environment – The 29th National Pesticide Forum
The conference will be held at the Colorado School of Public Health in Denver and will cover topics such as pesticides and health, impacts of pesticides on pollinators, organic food and farming, healthy communities, organic land care, non-toxic bed bug control, policy change, and more.
Chip Osborne will be speaking on Organic Land Care – strategies for managing parks and open space without pesticides.
For more info
Mulch Leaves
Friday, October 22nd, 2010It is still a good time to be returning your clippings. Leaf fall is not that great yet that mulching leaves while mowing can add a valuable source of carbon to your lawn. Certainly in another week or two we likely will have too many fallen leaves that mulching them will not be acceptable from an aesthetic point of view. (more…)
Athletic Field Repair
Friday, October 8th, 2010Despite all your best efforts some if not all of your athletic fields are showing signs of wear at this point of the season. It may be from one or multiple issues: fields being used for both practice and games, goalies that do not see enough action and as a result spend the game kicking the turf in the goal mouth, games being held in rainy weather, games or practices being held on wet fields without given the opportunity to dry out, marching band practice and/or gym classes you hadn’t accounted for. (more…)
Why Lime?
Thursday, September 30th, 2010Its fall; so like many you’re probably getting ready to start liming. But do you know why?
Liming provides three potential benefits important to growing healthy turf; improves soil chemistry, encourages beneficial soil biology, and improves soil structure.
Seeding
Friday, September 24th, 2010It is important to acknowledge where we are in the growing season. It is also important when choosing grass seed at this time of the year to recognize the germination time required for our cool-season grasses and to choose accordingly.
Recovering from Drought
Monday, August 30th, 2010Much 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…)
Billbugs 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.
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…)
Learn Something New!
Friday, 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: (more…)