Saturday 7:00 am - 1:00 pm  

Mark's Turf Tip: 

Minimizing Turf Stress

Healthy Turf 8-1-9

Keeping turf grass looking good in the summer months can be a challenge as we start entering prolonged periods of high heat and humidity, which brings on many potentially devastating turf diseases. Here is a list of some things that can minimize disease and stress.

Manage watering carefully. Watering more and deeper so that it lasts in the soil for days is far better than watering daily. Keep moisture available for the roots while keeping the blades dry.

For small areas using a pitch fork to frack the soil allows water and oxygen to get into the soil profile.

Consider an application of Gypsum. Gypsum adds several important secondary nutrients such as calcium and sulfur without changing the pH of the soil. In addition it reduces soil compaction and improves friability allowing for better water and oxygen penetration into the soil. All this leads to a plethora of plant health benefits that add up to stress relief. While reducing compaction and improving soil structure may take sometimes weeks, months and years, I have personally seen the benefits of applying gypsum and it is very well worth it.

Use fertilizers with more potassium like Healthy Turf 8-1-9. Potassium thickens the cell wall making it more difficult for fungus pathogens to penetrate and cause disease.

Divert traffic. Move things like dog runs and picnic tables or even place a lawn ornament or statue to re-route around high-wear areas.

Use fertilizers that have bacteria and mychorriza fungi, these living organisms improve the soil structure and help supply vital nutrients and water to the plant.

When turf gets matted down from an event "fluff" it back up with a backpack blower. This greatly reduces the onset of fungus diseases.

Be proactive in controlling turf insects such as chinch bug, sod webworm, grubs and others.

These are just a few things that can be done to reduce the onset of turf stress. Give me a call if you have others you'd like to share!

CNLA Summer Field Day

Great Opportunity for Pesticide Credits!

  Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Need Screening?  

Consider these the next time your customers say "Evergreens!" 

The salt-tolerant Limber Pine

It's so easy to go to the usual suspects when it comes to the larger screening evergreens - White Pine, Norway Spruce, Colorado Spruce, Canadian Hemlock - that you forget about the other choices. Take a look at these interesting alternatives and try them on the next job that calls for one specimen or a sweep of evergreens.

Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) Here's a good choice for the shoreline - a very tolerant Pine that makes a nice wind break. Doesn't mind salt, clay soil, heat, drought and develops its character as it ages. Needles are stiffer than White Pine.
Lacebark Pine (P. bungeana) Great as a single specimen that will develop some very cool mottled bark - almost like a London Plane Tree. Not a fast grower but worth the wait. It's a good choice for the corners of large buildings.
Limber Pine (P. flexilis) Seen above, this Pine is beautifully soft, has dark green and white needles, bends with snow loads, is great near the shore and keeps it's branching down low. A wonderful choice over White Pine when it comes to screening.

The sleek elegant Oriental Spruce

Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis) Short, glossy needles curve slightly along each branch for a smooth, snake-like feel. It holds its dark green color well through the winter. The branches drape nicely as the plant ages. A dense pyramid from top to bottom. Gorgeous choice instead of Norway Spruce.
Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika) Needles are dark green on top and have two white lines underneath giving it a slight silvery look, and it's another Spruce with elegant branching tips. Tolerates city air and even a little shade.

Head on over to take a look or give us a call for sizes and prices!

Watertown Picks! 

Perennials on wheels

Sylvie took this beautiful shot of some Lupines, Touch of Class Jacob's Ladder and Blue Fescue. Though not a long lived perennial - Lupines sure do add some punch, don't they? We are full of so many blooming perennials it's tough to know where to look - Stop in and see for yourselves - and say hi to Sylvie!   

 40% Off All Hanging Baskets!

Come on over and pick up some color  for your 4th of July Celebrations!

There's still a nice selection of  Begonias, Petunias, Geraniums and some beautiful Boston Ferns - all at 40% off!

NOW! 

Looking for some cool accent  evergreens? Stop over and make your choice! (Here in front are some stunning 'Mint Truffle' Bosnian Pine!)

Though mainly used for the glossy bright-green foliage, don't forget about the golden yellow blooms of Sedum kamtschaticum - a nice plus when you're using it as a groundcover!