|
News & Notes
| |
Hewson Landscape, Inc.
July 2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Work is still coming in at a good pace. We have incorporated some new ideas for safety this year.(footnote-Gloria's idea) Every employee was distributed a yellow duffle bag to house all their PPE equipment. This way, you can grab it from your locker, and take it with you, no matter what truck you are in for the day's work that's scheduled. At the beginning of the season, each employee signs off on the gear that they received. If new equipment is needed during the course of the season, the old gear is turned in, and a replacement is issued. This gives us a better control of inventory. Use of the field tablets are coming along. The crew chiefs are becoming more familiarized with operating them, and the office is also getting more proficient. It's definitely a bit of a learning curve, but we expected it. Stay cool as we approach the dog days of summer! See you in August.
All the best,
Shelly Hewson
President, Hewson Landscape Inc.
|
|
|
 "Dog Days of Summer"
The dog days of summer are here. You might think that they have something to do with hot and humid weather. On the contrary, the phrase originated from the ancient Romans. The dog days of summer are literally from July 3 through August 11. Those days are the 20 days before and 20 days after the "Dog" star Sirius rises and falls with the sun. Sirius is the brightest star in the constellations Canis Major. The Romans believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun. This created a stretch of hot and sultry weather. During the time between July and August the "dog" star rising with our sun made the Romans think the heat of two stars where making us hotter. We now know that there is no heat generated from this extremely distant star, but the term stuck. So even today we consider the hot and muggy time of the summer between July and mid-August as the "dog days of summer."
|
 |
|
|
|
Poison Ivy
The Fourth of July brings fireworks and, unfortunately, poison ivy. The peak of the poison ivy season occurs in early July, and with it comes itching, scratching and the fervent wish that you had worn long pants and not been so eager to blaze a trail through the woods or start pulling weeds.
Poison ivy identification
Poison ivy can be identified by almond shaped leaves of three. Mature leaves are a dark green that will turn red in the fall. It is found as a common vine along riverbanks and growing up tree trunks. Vines that attach to trees have numerous hairy reddish aerial rootlets. Some of the old sayings are also a useful tool in identifying poison ivy, such as "leaves of three, let it be." Or "Hairy vine, no friend of mine," and "Raggy rope, don't be a dope!"
Treatment
If you get hit by poison ivy, there are several topical medications and washes that can be used to treat poison ivy. Some home remedies include cucumber slices or paste, apple cider vinegar, aloe plant or lemon juice. I have used zanfel, brown soap, tencu, and jewelweed soap and salve. A doctor's visit will render you a shot of cortisone or prednisone tablets. It's so important to immediately wash yourself and your clothes separately, when you come in from outside activities. It's the urushiol (u-roo-she-ol) oily resin from the plant that causes the itching and blistering. If washed off immediately, you just might be able to dodge the awful blisters that develop. Whenever I come in from outside, I automatically shower up. This is worse that torture if you are allergic to this simple plant!
|
Current Jobs We Are Working on:
Gas Line Right of Way Mowing & Clearing
 
|
|
|
|
Crush Crabgrass Problems
Battling crabgrass is a constant struggle. The summer annual weeds germinate as the weather gets warmer and although a pre-emergent herbicide can keep them from growing, post-emergent products are a viable option also. The warm weather and wet conditions in many parts of the country are aiding crabgrass germination, and the rains reduce the efficacy of pre-emergent applications.
Crabgrass germinates at about 56 degrees, growing throughout the summer and seeding in the fall. As we know the first hard frost of the fall or winter will destroy many plants, the seeds will pop up again the following year, so a pre-emergent is a good option in the spring. If you did not use a pre-emergent, or if the rainfall was heavy in the summer and upset your efforts, post-emergents can save your lawn.
To find crab grass fast, look in thinner or shorter grass areas since they warm up first, making it easier for it to take over. Also look for plants with coarser and wider textured leaves that are lighter green than the turf, and look for matted areas. The color difference is more pronounced in cool-season lawns. Both smooth and large crab grasses grow via stems and can then form mats within a lawn.
The earlier you can treat grab grass, the easier it will be to control. Once it matures, more applications will be necessary. When the larger plants grow in size, the harder they become to control.
Quinclorac, fenoxaprop-ethyl and mesotrione are all effective options. But remember that removing a mat of crabgrass will leave a bare spot in the lawn where other weeds will invade.
To control any weed invasion, a thick turf is the best defense. Overseeding in the fall, will help rejuvenate your lawn, and close in the bare spots.
There are studies for crabgrass treatment options every year, looking at new active ingredients, and also integrated processes that can control the weeds in an environmentally friendly way. There is also a new mobile app to help choose an herbicide, so check your mobile app store.
 |
|
|
|
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
Thich Nhat Hanh
|
|
Stay Connected
 
|
|
|
|
Office 908-222-3616
Fax 908-222-3617
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
