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Well, here we are entering the typically second hottest month of the year and coming off some of the most severe heat and drought periods on record. Our cool season grasses are doing all they can to kick themselves into survival mode and merely exist. Because of the climatic conditions that present themselves to us here in the heart of the transition zone, we have been taught for years to cut back on the amount of nitrogen applied in our cool season turf areas.
Some of these climatic and self-inflicted conditions include:
1. Relentless disease pressure (brought on by excessive nitrogen and warm night time temperatures),
excessive heat
2. Lack of adequate precipitation
3. Insect pressure and wear damage from numerous sporting activities.
These conditions along with many of the plant processes automatically shutting down in order to survive, take their toll on the overall health of the turf grass plant, and also deplete the “life” right out of our soils. For these reasons, we at Dickens Supply believe in feeding the “over-worked and under-fed” soil with our organic based fertilizers, providing many beneficial microbes and replenishing numerous sustainable minerals. Two of our more popular analysis are: Replenish 10-2-5 and our 9-1-5 with sul-po-mag. Applying heavy laden urea based products at this time of year, can do much more harm than good for our cool season grasses. Our motto here at Dickens Supply is “feed the soil and let the soil feed the plant”, after all, that is the way mother-nature intended it to be.
On the other hand, things couldn’t be better for our Bermuda grasses. Some folks are saying “finally” we have a real Bermuda growing summer. “The hotter the better” , I believe would be a resounding comment if the Bermuda grass plant could talk. Contradictory to the cool season nutritional practices listed above, the one thing that both warm and cool season grasses have in common would be the desire of a biologically, physically and chemically balanced soil. This again can only be accomplished by applying some of the well balanced, mineral enhanced organic fertilizers like our Replenish 5-4-5 worked into the soil profile. This process is best performed by aeration followed by top-dressing with a good quality sand. One of the biggest differences between the two types of grasses, would be the desire of nitrogen that Bermuda requires this time of year. The hearty nitrogen requirements for these warm season grasses are best accomplished by our polymer/epoxy coated fertilizers that release nitrogen strictly based upon air temperatures only. This means excessive microbial activity, rain or irrigation will not dictate the possible release of large amounts of nitrogen over a short period of time, therefore slowly releasing nitrogen at a precise metered amount just as mother nature intended.
A few of my recommendations are our 30-0-15 with 80% XRT (extended release technology…3 month release) and our 30-0-15 with 100% Surfcoat (4 month release).
The strengths of these fertilizers are:
1) as the temperatures get hotter, the nutrient requirements from the Bermuda gets larger, the more these coated materials release nitrogen, therefore feeding the plant when they desire the most nutrient.
2) because of their extended release technology, “feed it and forget it” apply one time for season long residual.
Phosphorus, one of the two other major nutrients, is often overlooked this time of year. Although this important nutrient is not used as much as nitrogen and potassium it plays a vital role in the scheme of things and should not be so easily discounted. This can be found as the middle number in the analysis on a bag of fertilizer. Bermuda grasses tend to have quite an appetite for this major nutrient during this time of year as well. The Replenish line of organic fertilizers contain both “hard” and “soft” rock phosphates for readily available forms of this nutrient as well as long term sustainable forms.
As always, before starting any nutrient program, we strongly suggest running soil samples through the fine folks at Soil First Consulting and Logan Labs so that we may provide you with the most accurate and proper nutrient and soil amendment suggestions.
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Archive for category Turf Care
Summer Fertilization and Lawn Care in Nashville Area
Turf Aeration and Overseeding
Turf Aeration and Overseeding
Annual turf aeration and overseeding are two methods for improving the looks and health of lawn areas. These procedures are done preferably in the fall, but are also effective when done in the early spring. Peach Tree Inc. Landscaping is well experienced with managing turf aeration and overseeding for the types of turf areas found in central Tennessee.
Turf Aeration by core plugging is a process that helps the soil by puncturing it with a special machine that removes small cores from the soil. Cores are reabsorbed into the lawn naturally. Core plugging turf areas encourages healthy growth by reducing soil compaction. The core holes allow air and water to get deep into the top layer of soil and help get nutrients and seeds into the soil. This is an important process to help stimulate root growth.
Aeration is an effective way to renew lawn areas that have heavy traffic or that are looking old and patchy. Peach Tree professional landscaping crews perform aeration and overseeding for many clients in towns across this area, including Murfreesboro, Manchester, Brentwood, Bowling Green, Gallatin, Spring Hill and Nashville.
Overseeding is another important annual lawn treatment that is frequently performed after core plugging to introduce new grass coverage to an area. Seeds are distributed over the existing lawn areas to boost new grass growth and help eliminate patchy or brown areas. Peach Tree performs overseeding with a premium turf type fescue grass following core plugging.
Peach Tree Inc. professional work crews are familiar with all soil conditions in the central Tennessee area. They take care when doing aeration to avoid damage to any sprinkler heads, underground shallow lines, and underground utility, cable or septic lines.
Call Peach Tree for your annual aeration and overseeding of lawn areas in the fall or springtime for best results. Attractive and healthy lawn areas require regular maintenance and care. Peach Tree is an award winning landscape and irrigation company located in Central Tennessee.
Ornamental Shrub Care
Peach Tree Inc landscaping is well aware of the importance of ornamental management. In addition to our design, installation and maintenance services, we specialize in protection of your landscaping investments. Ornamental shrubs, trees, flowers and bushes require simple preventative applications of fungicides or pesticides in a timely manner. This monitoring for insects and ornamental plant diseases is incorporated into our affordable landscape maintenance packages that can save thousands of dollars in replacements should damage be allowed to progress unchecked.
Our service crews will inspect ornamental plantings to determine the sources of problems. They are experienced and trained to know what to look for in different types of plants and trees. The middle Tennessee area has specialized ornamental management needs that are constantly changing as the landscapes around the area are redone and replanted. Problems can show up on flowers, leaves or on the entire plant.
For some areas of grass there is endophytic fungus that is the problem. In fescue grasses the problem fungus actually gives a benefit to the grass although the end result is bad for wildlife. The fungus causes the grasses to become inedible due to toxic qualities. Knowing what to look for, how to treat the problem and what time of year is best for treatment is essential to solving these problems. Timing of herbicide application is critical. Peach Tree landscape crews will treat your ornamentals properly and at the right time for success.
Our service teams and design teams work together in landscape planning, to try to avoid future problems from the beginning. If certain trees are planted they will be subject to weather breakage problems (Hackberry, Virginia Pine, Chinaberry, Weeping Willows) or insect invasion. Silver Maple and Boxelder are notorious for hosting mites, aphids and scales that damage the trees and create lawn litter. Other trees like Norway Maple make growing grass underneath the trees a problem. Many trees are subject to pests including Eastern Tent Caterpillars, Fall Webworms, Cankerworms, Gypsy Moths and Sawfiles. They can become unsightly with seeds, pods, bird droppings, smelly odors and other problems that planning prior to planting can avoid.
Problems will produce unsightly damage on flowers, leaves or on the entire plant. Ornamental management is a Peach Tree Inc specialty. We have received many honors and awards including “Best Landscaping Contractor” from Murfreesboro Magazine. We serve over 400 clients in Nashville and hundreds more in the central Tennessee area. Our crews service properties in Franklin, Clarksville, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Brentwood and other towns with design, installation, irrigation, lighting and maintenance services.
We provide ornamental management services to residences and large corporations such as McDonald’s, Kohl’s, Wal-Mart and Lowes. To set up an appointment or consultation just visit our website at http://www.peachtreeinc.comor contact our Peach Tree Inc landscaping home offices. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and ornamentals can be very weighty! Call today for fast service from the experts in ornamental management at Peach Tree.
Turf Fertilization & Weed Control Programs
As a full service landscape and irrigation company, Peach Tree Inc. covers all aspects of turf care and maintenance. Our professional landscape design team and service crews fully understand turf care and landscape design. They recognize that protecting the investment clients make in landscape beautification is essential to our business success and customer satisfaction. As professionals they take pride in being up to date on all the latest products for turf care.
To keep landscaping in prime condition and health we recommend our Peach Tree Inc. complete turf fertilization and weed control program. This program provides scheduled applications of the appropriate types of fertilizer and weed control products at five critical times of the year. Applications are made during February, April, July, September and October.
Early in the year, before the growing season begins, we apply the pre-emergant herbicides that help to prevent weed seed growth from the start. These products kill weeds but not turf. Later in the season is the time for post-emergants that will kill any unsightly weeds that happen to germinate. Our granular fertilizers give turf the boost it requires for thick, healthy and green growth throughout the growing season.
Keeping landscape weed free gives turf the optimum opportunity for health and growth. Weeds are unsightly and soak up soil nutrients that the turf should be absorbing. Without weeds, which can grow in harsh conditions and spread readily, the turf areas have the best chance to thrive and continue to look green and healthy. Fertilization prompts healthy root and shoot growth in turf areas and is an essential part of any landscaping investment.
Applications of turf fertilizer and weed herbicides need to match a geographical area. We service all of central Tennessee and have over 400 clients in Nashville alone. Our Peach Tree professional landscaping crews administer customized turf fertilization and weed programs all over the middle Tennessee region. They visit large and small towns from Hendersonville to Clarksville, Brentwood, Springfield, Cookville and other cities in the center of the state.
For answers and quotes please contact our offices or see our website at http://www.peachtreeinc.comregarding professional landscaping design and services including turf fertilization and weed control programs for your property.