Blog
From time to time we like to post our thoughts on lawns, pest management, environmental concerns and other topics. Enjoy!Does fertilizing your lawn cause excessive runoff? – VIDEO!
Brian Horgan, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Minnesota and extension turfgrass specialist, explains the surprising results of a research study on water runoff and the use of phosphorous fertilizers. Please note: There may be an advertisement...
Lawn looking brown? Find out why and how to fix it!
As you already know, it's HOT! With the heat comes stressed plants, disease, insects and most importantly turf loss! Below are a few things you need to know to help your lawn make it through. [headline h="1"]First things first. Delays delays delays...[/headline] With...
Spring Grub Damage! What should I do?
Spring and fall homeowners all over central and southern Maine are starting to realize that the Grubs are not going away. Year after year they destroy acres of turfgrass in our state. It's important to know that you can be proactive about this lawn menace! First...
Snow Mold is back!!
It's back again! Year after year lawns in Maine experience the same issue after the snow pack melts. Many folks like to call it winter kill but in reality it is a fungus. The good news is you can prevent damage by ensuring you take a few extra steps in the fall and...
2011 Spring Newsletter
Are you ready for spring? The temperature has been changing for the better the past week or so and the snow is melting fast! We are all really excited to feel that warm sun shining down on our backs! With all that excitement comes another season of lawn and...
Important GRUB ALERT!
Now that the rain has returned, we are all happy to see our lawns return to their lush green color again. All of us are now seeing the effects of a prolonged drought period in our lawns. The areas of our turf that didn't receive enough moisture have now told us that...
Dealing with drought
It's time to start our rain dance! We've been waiting for rain to come for almost a solid month now. We've been blessed with a bit of rain here and there. All rain is welcome but the weather conditions between the rains is what matters to the health of your grass. Its...
Insect Update
We've noticed only a few cases of chinchbugs this year but that doesn't mean all is well. Chinchbugs by now are well into their 2nd generation and if they are in your turf-grass the population will only increase as the season goes on. Since we've experienced such a...
Bag A Bug, does it really do the job?
Why would you do this? Well, there are many people out there that claim it works well. It does. The Bag A Bug system from Spectracide works great as a lure. It's floral scent smells very similar to the Ragosa Rose bush as far as I'm concerned, but does it protect...
Leaf Spot & Melting Out Disease
What it does Leaf spot is one of the most widespread fungus in coolseason turfgrass in our area. It begins as little brown spots on the sheaths, leaves and stalks. As it begins to grow the dark brown spots grow in size and the center turns a lighter brown thus...
What are all those bumps on my lawn?
We get asked this question alot. What are all these little bumps in my lawn? If you have bumps in your lawn it's generally a good thing, as it indicates earthworm activity in your soil. Earthworms chew their way through the soil and eliminate behind them. The...
Caring for your new lawn
If you have just seeded a new lawn, here are a few tips that should help get it off to a good, healthy start. A little attention in the beginning goes a long ways to providing years of beauty and enjoyment in the future. Watering The single most important requirement...
Keeping Ladybugs from getting in your house!
A guide to preventing ladybugs from entering your home. Each fall, many homeowners experience the nuisance of thousands of swarming ladybugs looking for shelter in homes and outside buildings. As they try to find a place where they can hibernate during the winter,...
The Truth About Ticks – Outdoors Magazine
If the old phrase "As goes Maine so does the rest of the nation" is true, than residents of Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York can expect a tick-filled spring. In a story just released by the Maine Sunday Herald, reports of confirmed Lyme disease cases have been...
Taking control of lawn traffic
When lawns are subjected to ongoing foot traffic, leaves, stems and crowns can be crushed from continued, direct pressure on grass plants. Soil compaction is also common in these situations, making it harder for roots to expand and limiting the flow of air, water and...
It Ain’t Easy Being Green: Compost
Compost. Think this something that only old ladies and Martha Stewart do? If so you are missing out on a valuable resource. Even here in Maine where we are buried in snow for four to six months, composting is an awesome way to help the environment, and your lawn and...
Water Wise
Temperatures this spring have been unusually warm and it has us all thinking about being outdoors again. As we begin the growing season, it is important to take a look at our watering habits. How can we best serve our lawn and landscapes while working hard to conserve...
Slugs
Hosta growers always seem to have more than their share of slugs. During drought years, slugs almost disappear from sight. Prolonged periods of wet weather, however, have the opposite effect and numbers become noticeable. The grey garden slug, Agriolimax reticulatum,...
Why does my lawn have brown pink patches?
You too? It's funny that every year we hear the same question at this time of season. Why does my lawn have these brownish-pinkish patches everywhere?!!! It's a common question right now since we've had so much rain. With all the rain we've been having it's difficult...
Channel 5 Local Discovery TV Spot
If you haven't yet seen it, here is the TV spot we had on Channel 5 TV show "Local Discovery.
Proper mowing for healthy growing
I just had to share this photo with everyone. It's a prime example of how to properly mow your lawn. On the other hand, its a great example of how not to mow. The guidelines on My Lawn Care Brisbane's website clearly shows that if you mow your lawn...
Keeping on top of fungus diseases
All lawns are susceptible to fungus diseases. The fungi that cause them are microscopic, thread-like organisms that move around via air or water born spores. These spores are all around us, and they produce new infections whenever environmental factors such as...
Grubs are getting ready to pupate…
As many of you have already noticed, we are facing another season of "Lawn Enemy #1", the Grub. However, many of you may not realize that the Japanese Beetle has not been the largest culprit. In fact, it is the European Chafer. In my personal experience traveling the...
What are those dead patches in my lawn?
There are many reasons to you could have dead patches in your lawn. The early spring snow melt sometimes reveals issues with turf that needs to be attended to. Snow Mold is usually the culprit. Many people in our area call it "winter kill" however, according to the...