mortiz888+ by | Mar 30, 2021 | Landscape Ideas & Tips
Using seed to repair an existing or install a new lawn can be an affordable, effective alternative to sod. However, there are some things that can impede your efforts for that seed to remain in place for germination. Here we describe some techniques to ensure grass planting success in your lawn. TrendingRemove & Prevent Moss in Lawns. Hay Mulch Protecting grass seed from animals and wind is a tricky task, many other materials would provide effective cover, but also prevent water and sunlight penetration. Hay is a time-proven mulch cover that allows water and heat to blanket seeds into germination. In our experience, the more hay mulch used, the better the results. Although it is possible to cause fungus growth from excess moisture, if too much is used. After spreading and raking in seed, simply apply hay at a 2-4″ depth, and water as recommended. As seeds germinate, the new plants will push the mulch away and eventually the hay will be blown away by the wind. Bird Feeder Create an alternative option to your grass seed buffet by using a bird feeder set away from your planting area. Keep in mind, animals, including squirrels, will return to a known food source regularly. So make sure to keep their “pantry” filled, so they remain distracted from your new lawn. Visual Scare Tactics Seed thieves are usually small in size, and can be deterred by anything bigger then themselves. You can always try the age-old fox decoy, or even a scarecrow. Hanging a CD or DVD on a string can create startling reflections, but requires a consistent light wind to...
mortiz888+ by | Mar 23, 2021 | Landscape Ideas & Tips
Spring is a great time to start planning for your summer pruning, trimming, and/or shearing of your shrubs. But what method is best for your landscape? Knowing the best method to prune and trim is critical! Pruning a plant at the wrong time of year or in the wrong way can cause irreparable damage to your landscape. For example, it is more than okay to trim knockout roses with power shearers. But, if you do this to a long-stemmed rose variety, like a grandiflora, floribunda, or hybrid tea rose, you’ll ruin the plant! With that in mind, let’s define some terms… Shrub Trimming Normal shrub trimming involves using electric or gas-powered shearers to trim shrubs. This often gives your landscape a more uniform and even appearance. It is also the fastest and most efficient way to trim many shrubs. You should discuss with your landscape professional to determine if this method is right for you as shearing is not advised for some plant species. Hand Pruning Hand pruning involves selectively cutting individual stems to give your shrub a more natural shape. This service is performed with a pair of hand pruners, which look a little bit like a pair of scissors. New growth is removed to maintain its natural shape, one snip at a time. Although more time consuming and costly, this is the best option the long-term health of your plants. Hand pruning is also used to naturally thin a plant to improve air circulation and light penetration. This method is also used for topiaries (trimming a shrub into a specific shape). When trying to maintain that nice...
mortiz888+ by | Feb 9, 2021 | Landscape Ideas & Tips
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it finished a regulatory review that found glyphosate, the most widely used weed killer in the United States, is not a carcinogen. The conclusion reaffirms the agency’s stance on glyphosate, the key ingredient in Bayer AG’s Roundup, despite judgments by U.S. juries that have found that use of the weedkiller was responsible for plaintiffs’ cancer in some trials. “EPA has concluded that there are no risks of concern to human health when glyphosate is used according to the label and that it is not a carcinogen,” the agency said in a statement. The EPA judgment could help bolster the case for Bayer as it faces thousands more lawsuits from Roundup users who allege it caused their cancer. Bayer, which bought Roundup maker Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018, welcomed the findings. The company has maintained glyphosate and Roundup are safe and not carcinogenic. Farmers spray glyphosate on fields of soybeans and other crops. Roundup is also used on lawns, golf courses and elsewhere. “Glyphosate-based herbicides are one of the most thoroughly studied products of their kind, which is a major reason why farmers around the world continue to rely on these products,” said Liam Condon, Bayer’s global president for crop science. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s cancer arm classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Bayer said last Friday it reached an agreement with plaintiffs’ lawyers to postpone a Missouri jury trial over allegations Roundup causes cancer to provide time for negotiations to settle the litigation. Three consecutive juries previously found Bayer liable for causing cancer with...
mortiz888+ by | Sep 3, 2020 | Landscape Ideas & Tips
Some lawn weeds are so common, and so adaptable, that they become an expected part of the Landscape. Others are indicators of specific issues or practices that have to exist for the respective weed to thrive. Also, some weeds have beneficial properties and are sometimes grown purposefully, which can lead to unintentional invasions. Common White Clover is a weed that fits the bill for all three of these characteristics, and we will discuss why here. Identification White Clover can be easily recognized by its distinct set of 3 heart-shaped leaves, “3 Leaf Clovers”, that inspire the long-time search for its 4-leafed variation that is said to bring luck. Its spiked white cluster flowers are very common as well, and can be seen all Spring & most of Summer. White Clover can also be distinguished by the white markings in the middle of its leaves. Indications White Clover has often been an indicator of certain lawn conditions for lawn care professionals, and used to confirm or exclude a certain diagnosis. The most common of these conditions is the indication that a lawn is being mowed too low. The presence of White Clover in a lawn is a good clue that you are mowing your grass too low, as it thrives where the grass is cut too short to outcompete it. Mowing your lawn between 3.5 – 4 inches weekly can help to promote healthy turf and discourage White Clover. White Clover can also indicate the presence of low Nitrogen content in the soil. Clover can fixate, or create, its own Nitrogen for growth. So it will thrive where...
mortiz888+ by | Aug 10, 2020 | Our Work
During the Summer months, the most common culprits of Lawn problems are lack of water, low mowing heights, and compaction from Summer foot traffic. Often going unnoticed and under-appreciated is the impact fungal diseases can have on your turf during the hotter months. These are often referred to in the Lawn Care business as “Patch DIseases”. Here we discuss the common features and causes of each of these problems, and how to treat them. Read More: https://greenteamct.com/lawn-watering-basics Summer Patch Appears as yellow-colored circular patched about 2-20 inches in diameter. Summer patch can also appear as crescent patterns or rings. Up close black fungal threads can be seen at the roots. Summer patch is caused by hot days, above 85 degrees F, and wet conditions. Symptoms appear in late Summer, and persist on poorly drained compacted soils. Low mowing height and high soil pH levels also favor the development of this disease. Aerating to reduce soil compaction, planting shade trees and plants & adjusting soil pH below 6.5 can help alleviate the symptoms of Summer Patch. Related Read:https://greenteamct.com/2019/01/08/fungal-diseases-that-can-damage-your-lawn-during-after-winter/ Brown Patch Another disease that is closely related to close mowing heights and hot temperatures. It appears as circular patches up to several feet across, that fade to light brown in color. Gray smoke rings may be observed in the early morning, along with tan lesions on leaf blades. High Nitrogen Levels increase its severity, as well as prolonged rainy weather. Aerating compacted soil to aid in drainage, improving circulation, and decreasing Nitrogen use can aid in correcting this problem from your lawn. Related Read:https://greenteamct.com/2018/07/29/tips-advice-eco-friendly-landscaping/ Dollar...
