Labor shortage: an epidemic plaguing the nation and affecting all industries, especially the landscaping industry. SoilKit spoke with Jess Burg the founder of Outgrow your Garage, a company that provides business expertise for those involved with the trades, and former owner of Pears to Perennials, a landscaping company, to hear her insights into the impact…
Sunday was the first day of spring, and quite honestly it felt so much different from it has in years passed. Why? I think it is because we are now returning to our pre-COVID activities and back to the business of life. As much as I complained about shelter-in-place and restrictions, I will forever appreciate…
Picture this: a beautiful spring afternoon stroll through a lucious, green lawn. Ironically, although this is characteristic of spring, the season also brings the pesky lawn burweed, sure to antagonize your leisure. According to Clemson University’s Extension Office, “lawn burweed (Soliva sessilis) is a winter annual that germinates throughout thin turf in the fall months…
Like most industries these days, the fertilizer industry is suffering from supply chain shortages and rising prices, making conservation imperative. Here’s how we can help.
One of my earliest childhood memories takes me back to a small 20’X50’ vegetable garden on the outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama. I can still remember my legs covered in dirt as I ran the bucket on my Tonka backhoe toy to dig the holes that my brother would fill with seed. “You two are such…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] I am not going to miss the scout this year. I want to attract my first group of Purple Martins. I grew up with my Mom always preparing for her Purple Martins. Now, to be a bit biased, I grew up in Elberta, Alabama, and we lived very close to the Gulf of Mexico.…
A pre-emergent is a herbicide that is intended to prevent weeds before they have the chance to start developing. Weeds begin to germinate at soil temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is key that you apply the first pre-emergent when your soil has consistently reached 55 degrees; making the best time of year for application in the Fall and Spring.
Ah yes, a New Year. A time for new beginnings, and of course, resolutions. Everybody makes them, but not everybody keeps them. You may have made your resolution to get outside more and practice outdoor lawn care. Maybe you have committed to starting a garden this year. Or maybe you have decided to start working…
The New Year’s resolutions have been made and new gardens have been planned but what to do with that lovely Christmas tree that is turning brown and losing needles in the corner of the family room? The SoilKit® office chose to take our office tree out to the 256 Woerner family farm and placed the…
We are saying goodbye to the year of the sunflower. What is my favorite flower? A sunflower. The National Garden Bureau has established 2021 as the year of the sunflower. My brother, Allen, planted a field of sunflowers this year on our 256 Farm. We got to enjoy watching the beautiful flowers grow. I also…
What do you buy for someone that has everything? The buzz right now is all about the at-home tests–identifying problems or searching for an answer with easy-to-use, scientific tests. You can find a COVID test, a food sensitivity test, an ancestry test…. But what about a test that unlocks answers about your lawn or garden? …
Why is the “Apply nitrogen when turf is actively growing” disclaimer so important? There is a disclaimer that is found on most, if not all, fertilizers containing nitrogen. Have you noticed? “Apply nitrogen when turf is actively growing.” Let’s talk about why this disclaimer is on the bag and what it means. The first of…
If you are shopping for fertilizer, you will see three numbers on the bag, N-P-K, which stands for Nitrogen (N) – Phosphorus (P) – Potassium (K). What is the secret recipe for the right fertilizer combination for your lawn or garden this year? There is no way to know unless you take a soil sample…
There is a division in fall soils between the needs of lawns and those of winter gardens. Lawns want to be like a bear and gather specific nutrition before hibernation and dormancy. For gardeners and farmers growing crops in the fall and winter, soils want to feast on fertile growing conditions and GROW. Most people…
Our four-legged friends steal our hearts, but they sure can wreak havoc on a yard and outdoor living space. Yellow patches, holes and damaged flower gardens are common problems dog owners deal with every day. Fortunately, there are solutions that don’t involve keeping your rambunctious pup indoors. Your Dog’s Restroom When it comes to fecal…
Do you know the size of your lawn or garden and why this is important to successful gardening? How about calculating the square feet of your lawn or garden? Many homeowners struggle to calculate square footage especially for odd-shaped lawns and gardens, but one key to successful gardening is knowing the square footage of the…