By Kevin Lewis

The arrival of spring will bring a large sigh of relief for most of us. Not only has cabin fever set in, but the concern over the winter season's icy touch on turf and landscape plants has many questioning how they will come out of dormancy. Unless you live in the western states, you have seen a few months that would be better off forgotten. In fact, 22 of the lower 48 states have dealt with below normal temperature averages throughout the winter season. Fortunately, spring is here and it is time to assess the situation.

 

The warm-up is on the horizon and the questions now looming largely surround how much damage has been sustained. In certain areas, ice cover will suffocate fine turfgrass stands and major renovation projects will be necessary. Other areas of the country have seen extreme temperatures without the benefit of snow cover leading to crown desiccation. Transition zone Bermudagrass managers, especially those with younger stands, really have a lot at stake. Other concerns surround stands of Poa where shallow root systems make the plant particularly sensitive to temperature and crown hydration issues. Additionally, those who have introduced the turf type tall fescue into more northern regions may feel the impact of an exceptionally cold winter. Ryegrasses alike can be susceptible. Not to mention that every snow mold program has been put to the test this year. Many areas have seen sixty to over ninety days of snow cover, making it a fertile ground for Grey Snow Mold.

 

Alas warmer weather is on its way and all is not lost. Turfgrasses will break dormancy and green up, landscape plants will spring to life and the season will be underway. All will be good with the exception of those plants that checked out during one storm or the next. Many plant managers employed emergency strategies throughout the season in order to limit the damage with which they would have to deal. Some of those ideas included using synthetic turf blankets, or wrapping landscape plants in high wind areas. Others used anti-transpirants to avoid desiccation. I had even heard of a golf course superintendent covering Bermudagrass greens with pine straw to protect them from the harshest of weather conditions. Time will tell if any or all of these strategies held up. Others took on the task of snow and ice removal from playing surfaces and, better yet, creating channels to funnel away surface water. Many of these techniques were very labor intensive and were hopeful at best in terms of potential for success.

 

Historically, most winter damage has been caused by desiccation, meaning the plant has dried out. We infrequently see plant kill from winter cold, although, this year, we may see a rise in that column. Certain turfgrass species will only tolerate so much. The situations of direct winter kill can seldom be avoided. The case of desiccation on the other hand can be assisted in the physical sense by creating wind breaks or using blankets and covers. Furthermore, anti-transpirants can reduce water loss during cold and windy conditions. Finally, using products like Hydretain can aid in moisture availability for a tough winter season.

Whatever your program, we would like to hear what you have tried and how it worked, or in some cases didn't work. Please send us your stories and pictures -- we would like to hear how the winter treated you. In any case water, nutrients and plant health care materials will help your surviving plants thrive again, just ask us how.

 

Kevin Lewis is the Midwest Technical Sales Manager for Ecologel Solutions, LLC.  Kevin earned an Applied Sciences degree from Ohio State in Turfgrass Management.  As a former Class A Golf Course Superintendent (GCSAA), he oversaw all aspects of course management.  Kevin also partnered in launching a lawn maintenance company and was licensed as a commercial applicator in the State of Ohio for Turf, General Weed control, and Aquatics.

By Kiersten Spindler 

We all know that social media is a great way to keep in touch with family and friends, or to stay involved with what is happening around the world. However, as the reach of social media extends into the corporate world, taking advantage of it can be a great way to promote your business. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by the Internet Advertising Bureau UK, "nearly 80% of consumers would be more inclined to buy more often in the future because of a brand's presence on the internet." But, before diving in headfirst, it is important to know the different social media platforms and how each can benefit your business.

Initially, there are thirteen different types of platforms and, within these platforms, a number of different sites. In fact, Wikipedia claims that there are over 200 well known social media sites! While this may seem overwhelming, the majority of small businesses use only four or five sites at a time. Social networking sites are the most popular as they connect people and allow them to engage. Therefore, in this piece, we will focus on the most popular social networking site - Facebook.

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2013, 71% of adults in the United States were Facebook users, and 63% of those users checked in daily. Through Facebook, businesses are able to create Pages in which they post status updates, pictures, and videos; share company information; and create events and offers. Similar to a personal account, followers of the page are able to like, comment on, or share these posts. Once a page reaches 30 followers, the owner is able to see their Facebook Insights, which can be useful when determining what kind of posts interest your followers.

Before rushing into Facebook and creating a company page, it would be wise to create a strategic plan that outlines how you want this social networking site for your business. The first thing to consider is your audience. Who do you want to reach? After you have identified your target customer, research the types of posts they are liking or sharing in order to gauge their interests. From this, you can decide what type of material you should post: pictures, videos, industry tips, polls, contests, etc. Once you are familiar with your audience's interests, create a game plan. Set-up daily, weekly, and monthly goals that include the number of times you will post and how many followers you want.

When you are ready to begin posting, create a calendar to map out your plan. Facebook allows you to schedule posts for future dates, so you can line up your activity in advance. Be sure to set aside time each week to update your calendar and to see how your audience is responding to your current content. As previously mentioned, Facebook has a tool called Insights that shows how your audience is responding to your posts. Insights displays your followers' involvement, indicating views, reach, and engagement. Finally, once you've created a page you're proud of, don't forget to share it with your contacts. Include the web link in your emails, add a like button to your website, and mention your page on your business cards.