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…
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…
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…
Has your freshly mowed lawn left behind a messy array of grass clippings? Well instead of trashing these pesky blades, or leaving them scattered across your lawn — although this actually proves to be beneficial (more on this later) — there are many practical ways you can benefit from this detritus. Recycling grass clippings is…
What are the optimal environmental conditions for growing citrus? Whether you like a sweet, sour, or bitter taste, citrus fruit has it all. When you think citrus oranges, lemons, limes, or maybe even grapefruits probably all come to mind; however, there are many varieties of citrus trees that produce more than these rudimentary fruits. The…
Are you seeing potential signs of fungus in your lawn? Fungus spread through spores and typically thrive in environments with poor airflow, excessive moisture, and low light conditions. This is why after a rainstorm, where clouds are prevalent and grounds are wet, you may notice signs of fungus. According to Graham Simmons, Director of Turf Grass…
Are you noticing patches of dead grass scattered across your lawn? Or maybe blades and leaves of grass are turning brown. Whichever, these may be indicators of a fungus takeover. What is Fungus? What exactly is fungus? Well, it’s not just the mushrooms and it actually has a lot more to do with your soil…
Using fertilizer spreaders is the best way to apply fertilizers and other soil amendment products to your lawn. With a little effort and practice, homeowners can consistently apply fertilizers evenly over their lawn. Knowing how much and where fertilizers are being added helps to maintain a healthy lawn, while also being environmentally responsible. Mr. Buck…
June 23, 2021 is not just a regular Wednesday. This next Wednesday is National Soil Health Day. Founded in 2002 by the International Union of Soil Sciences, this holiday celebrates “soil professionals, farmers and growers who are focused not just on soil conservation, but feeding and enhancing our global soil health”. June is national soil…
Blueberries, a fan favorite! These plump, juicy, and very blue fruits are both delicious and nutritious! Blueberries are high in nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. A bonus: these berries are some of the easiest to grow, assuming you have the right soil conditions! Whether you have simply dabbled in gardening or have a certified green…
Are you noticing an unwanted layer of moss on your lawn? This might make you wonder many things like how did it get there or how you can fix it. Well, I’m here to appease your curiosity and answer your questions about moss invading lawns. Despite distracting from the quality and beauty of your grass,…
What do chemistry and lawn care have in common? A lot actually. If you recall the term cation from any previous chemistry class then you may already be familiar with cation exchange capacity (CEC for short). In case you need a refresh, a cation is an element that has a positive charge. In terms of…
Picture this: renovations on your brand new home have been completed! Sounds great, right? Well, your soil may not agree. After construction, your soil may need some reevaluation. Start with a soil test! Sites of construction damage often have deficiencies in organic matter content, aeration, fertility, and drainage. A soil test can help determine your…
If you were wondering what long term benefits a new sod installation might reap, you have come to the right place. The return on your investment in new sod comes in the form of enjoyment and the resale value of your home. George Woerner, CEO of Woerner Farms, said “The sod is what beautifies your…
As I reflect on my mom and my grandmothers, I am thankful for their role in my life and the high expectations they had for me. Those women were tough and still are. However, I now have a sign in my room that states, “I have officially become my mother.” I hear my mother and…
Is your grass slowly dying? If so, it might be a good time to invest in a soil test before it’s too late. Dead grass is not only visually unpleasant, but it will also lead to soil erosion. Grass serves to hold your soil in place, and without it, your soil will erode over time,…
If your soil is in the alkaline range, you might need to seek help. Alkaline, or basic, is defined as any value on the pH scale (0-14) above a neutral of 7.0. Most alkaline soils are found in the western United States, where the pH of these soils can get as high as 10.0. A…
Is your soil acidic? Although this might sound bad, in some cases, it is actually what is best for your plant. Whether you are just a beginner, a seasoned professional, or farming for fun, understanding your soil’s pH is crucial to growing a healthy lawn or garden. If you find that your soil’s pH is…
As the air warms up and we transition to springtime, you may notice some weeds beginning to “spring” up in your lawn. A pre-emergent herbicide is the most efficient way to rid your lawn of pesky weeds. Pre-emergent herbicides allow the weed to germinate but attach to it before it emerges. Once the cap root…
Most people might think that brown grass equals dead grass, but this is not always true. The grass might just be dormant and quite the opposite of dead! Dormant grass is grass that is not actively growing. Although it might not be growing, the grass itself is still alive and ready for the next season.…
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…
I get a lot of questions about organic matter. What is it? Why do I need to monitor my organic matter levels? What is a good result and what is bad result? What do I do if my results are bad? Let’s begin by defining organic matter. According to the USDA, “Soil organic matter (SOM)…
Confession: I don’t overseed my lawn in the winter, but I absolutely love to see a green, lush yard in the middle of winter. It gives me the warm fuzzy feeling that warm season grasses can still be green in the dormant season. Nevertheless, when I dropped my kids off at school the other day,…
I am driving back and forth to school, and I see large bags all over the roadway that are filled with leaves. I asked my 10-year old daughter if she knew why people should rake and bag leaves, and her simple reply was, “Your lawn looks better.” Her answer is exactly why most people rake…
Enjoy your Palisades Zoysia lawn in the fall and prepare it for winter. This year I got to meet and speak to a lot of my neighbors. Our neighborhood was filled with families walking their children up and down the streets during the spring months. If you were like the millions of people that worked…
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…
With the first half of the year already behind us, the question that’s on most people’s mind is “How do I keep my centipede lawn looking good for the rest of the year?” Centipede lawns are what most consider to be a “lazy man’s grass.” To keep it “healthy” is the most important thing that…
With the first half of the year already behind us, the question that’s on most people’s mind is “How do I keep my centipede lawn looking good for the rest of the year?” Centipede lawns are what most consider to be a “lazy man’s grass.” To keep it “healthy” is the most important thing that…
Composting is defined as the decomposition or decay of organic waste materials like leaves, grass trimmings, kitchen scraps, sawdust and even shredded paper and cardboard. Composted materials are a great environmental response to household wastes that would normally go to a landfill and convert them to an environmentally and economically friendly amendment to feed your…
Composting is defined as the decomposition or decay of organic waste materials like leaves, grass trimmings, kitchen scraps, sawdust and even shredded paper and cardboard. Composted materials are a great environmental response to household wastes that would normally go to a landfill and convert them to an environmentally and economically friendly amendment to feed your…
Have you ever driven past a house in the pouring rain and seen the sprinklers also running? How you water your lawn is one of the most important factors in successful lawn management. How much and when are the questions I receive daily. In regard to established lawns, the rule of thumb is more water…
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…
Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Over the last week I have received numerous pictures of the same story….yellow spots in the lawns. My first question is, “How often and when do you water your lawn?” When the response is “everyday” during a period of long hot and wet days,…
I get pictures of people’s lawns all the time. Now that we are in June, I knew I would start getting pictures of those lawns struggling to green up. Dormancy was clearly no longer the explanation. How did I know? The grass on the right was existing grass and the grass on the left was…
The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that home and property owners conduct a professional, scientific, lab-based test of their soil annually. This should be done before application of fertilizers and soil amendments. Soil testing and scientific based treatment recommendations assure proper application of nutrients. At AgriTech Corp., the leading provider of automated easy-to-use soil…
Every homeowner who has a lawn or garden, is a farmer. Farmers should know that every lawn needs food and nutrients, or fertilizer, water, sun and…..SLEEP. Take a look at the grass plot below. This Palisades Zoysia is planted in a common area in Orange Beach, Alabama. A passerby would not notice something that is…
Quite often when we pitch SoilKit to garden centers, farm co-ops and landscapers, we encounter the question, “why should we sell SoilKit when the county extension office does soil testing at a cheaper price?” This objection is easily overcome by comparing the benefits of SoilKit to the traditional testing done by state university extension offices,…
Nitrogen Element in Soil Testing At AgriTech, we are often asked why we don’t test for nitrogen in our SoilKit™ testing program. It is obvious to even the lay agronomist that nitrogen is the first and heaviest element in a fertilizer analysis, and it’s probably the most important. Its value should be a major concern when…
70 percent of homeowners reported dissatisfaction in a recent national survey. Start the solution where the problem begins: in the soil. The USDA recommends that you conduct an annual soil sample to allow for detection of soil quality and changes. SoilKit™ has simplified this complicated process in a way that customers can easily and quickly conduct a soil sample and understand the results.
