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Temperature: 79° F
Wind: 3 mph
Feels like: 79° F
Humidity: 94%
Visibility: 10 mi
Pressure: 29.84 in
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Sunset: 8:12 pm
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Lawn Care News
Cooperative Extension Services - An Excellent Resource
The United States Department of Agriculture - Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Services have offices in every U.S. state and territory. Cooperative extensions specialize in providing people with research-based knowledge to help better understand all aspects of growing things. Whether you want to have your soil tested, become a Master Gardener, learn more about insects, or take part in the many community oriented programs, cooperative extensions provide an invaluable service.
...Friday News Round Up - Lawn Care
Excitement! Controversy! Danger! It's just another week in the world of lawn care. Pesticides continue to make news, lawn haters rear their heads, and mowers get cool.
Locally, it's been the hottest July I can remember and it's sure to be a record breaker. Lawns are barely holding on and there's still plenty of summer left. The humidity is finally breaking but the heat persists into the weekend.
...Another round of corn gluten for organic lawns
This time of year can be tough on lawns. Intense heat and drought can leave the grass stressed and weak making it an ideal target for crabgrass infestations. That's why it's not a bad idea to hit the lawn with a repeated application of corn gluten meal.
...LEHR Eco Blower: Propane powered blower/vac and mulcher
I love the LEHR Eco Blower. Pound for pound it blows, sucks, and mulches as well or better than any comparable models but it has an extra edge on the competition - propane.
...Reading a bag of fertilizer
Have you ever wondered what the three numbers on a bag of fertilizer are? It's surprising that most people don't know or even care what the numbers mean. They buy into a slick, packaged, lawn care program which unfortunately is geared more toward selling product than maintaining a healthy lawn.
...Is your lawn prepared for drought?
It's been hot and dry here lately. Some parts of the state are imposing watering restrictions and a drive around the area will quickly reveal dry, yellow turf, and parched soil. Drought conditions are here.
...DIY Lawn Care - "in this economy" usually means do-it-yourself
With a weakened economy, people are sometimes forced to cut back on certain perks or luxuries they may have afforded themselves in the past. Lawn care is one of those services that a family on a tight budget may deem unnecessary.
...Dealing with summer stress
Summer is in full force where I live. Extended periods of heat and humidity, bright sunshine, warm nights, with no rain in sight. Warm season grasses may love these conditions, but here in New England, cool season grasses become stressed, wilted, and prone to disease. The heat and lack of rain call for watering, but the excessive moisture can create disease conditions.
...Dealing with summer stress
Summer is in full force where I live. Extended periods of heat and humidity, bright sunshine, warm nights, with no rain in sight. Warm season grasses may love these conditions, but here in New England, cool season grasses become stressed, wilted, and prone to disease. The heat and lack of rain call for watering, but the excessive moisture can create disease conditions.
...Lawn mower racing gets serious...sort of
Lawn mower racing has officially stepped into the annals of American sport, announcing the inaugural U.S. Open and inductees into National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame.
...Fire Belly Mid Season Kelp Spray
I received my package from Fire Belly Organics in the mail last week. One small jug of Mid Season Kelp Spray and one of Summer Saver Bio Fertilizer.
I finally got around to spraying the Mid Season Kelp last night and will (as per the directions) wait four weeks or so to spray the Summer Fertilizer.
...Fire Belly Mid Season Kelp Spray
I received my package from Fire Belly Organics in the mail last week. One small jug of Mid Season Kelp Spray and one of Summer Saver Bio Fertilizer.
I finally got around to spraying the Mid Season Kelp last night and will (as per the directions) wait four weeks or so to spray the Summer Fertilizer.
...Grass Stitcher makes lawn repairs easy
A new tool called the Grass Stitcher is attracting attention for it's innovation and it's ease of use when it comes to repairing bare patches on lawns.
I used this tool all spring both at work and at home and it genuinely makes lawn repairs easier. There's been some criticism over it's price and functionality compared to a "garden weasel"-type cultivator. Believe me, the comparisons end at the resemblance.
...Is this what we've been waiting for?
The Achilles heel of organic lawn care has always been the battle with weeds. There had never been a product that could effectively control broadleaf weeds in the lawn while leaving the grass unharmed.
...Father's Day Gift Ideas - Let's start with a riding lawn mower!
Riding lawn mowers represent the pinnacle of lawn mowing equipment. No more walking behind a loud, dusty push mower, with a riding lawn mower it's luxury at 3 mph.
In all seriousness though, a riding lawn mower isn't really necessary unless your lawn is quite large. Usually anything over a half an acre is grounds for a riding lawn mower. For a large lawn, a riding mower can be the difference between a nasty, back-breaking chore or a ride in the park. Those with smaller lawns should be able to make due with a walk behind mower, some of which can be self propelled for a bit of relief.
...Earthworms - They are our friends
When earthworms leave their mark, they are often thought of as a pest. However, their castings are nutrient rich fertilizer and their lifestyle provides aeration to the soil. Earthworms are the very sign of healthy soil.
...The future of lawn care requires us to look to the past
Lawns of the past were certainly not up to the high standards of the modern homeowner, but they still had the same positive effect. The post-war explosion of suburbia and a naiveté towards pesticides and fertilizers led to the impossibly perfect yard and the mis-use of many dangerous products. Presently, we are in the midst of chemical bans, water restrictions, extended periods of drought and the emergence of a 'green' revolution. What we think a lawn should look like may change drastically in the next few years.
...Get the most out of your sprinkler system
There are a few things in the world of lawn care that I see in my travels that are really disturbing. One of them is the careless use of sprinkler systems.
...Choosing the right riding lawn mower
Whether you're upgrading your current riding mower or making the leap from a push mower, the decision can be daunting. When choosing a riding mower several factors will determine what you buy.
...Memorial Day checklist
Memorial Day has always been kind of a marker for me at work. It's always been the official start of summer and the culmination of all the work done in the spring. Aesthetically, everything should be in place and the property should sparkle.
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