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What Causes A Lawn Disease To Develop?
In order for a lawn disease to develop, three conditions – known as the Disease Triangle – must exist. 1. You need to have the pathogen or disease-causing agent present. Disease spores from the diseases that are common to the area can be found in most home lawns. They usually float in on wind currents, wash in during rain events or are transmitted by animals or people. 2. You need the host plant, which is your turf grass (or tree or shrub). Usual
The Dos and Don’ts of Winter Indoor Gardening | 6 Tips to Get You Started
Just because its winter, doesn’t mean your green thumb has to disappear! To help celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day this week, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to give you some great tips on how to best bring the beautiful outdoors, inside this winter! Many plants can survive both indoors and outdoors, so why not enjoy them all year long? Some of these various plants include veg
Winter Weeds That Just Won't Die
As I was walking my dog during the morning of New Year’s Day, I spotted a dandelion seed head poking through the snow. I found it interesting that this dandelion actually produced a flower in December, but it's most likely due to some unseasonably warm weather. I think it shows just how opportunistic a weed can be when the weather is suitable for flower production.
Post-Holiday Tips, Clean-Up has Never Been So Easy
After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, sadly they have come to an end and it’s time to begin the clean-up process. Decorations need to be put back into storage, leftovers need to be eaten (or moved far away, depending on how tight your pants feel post-eggnog), the tree has to be packed away or disposed of, and finally the outdoor Christmas lights have to come down. Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t! We have some easy step-by-step tips to making this year’s holiday tear down go smoothly and as painless as possible. Removing the Tree
5 New Year's Resolutions that Your Whole Family Can Enjoy!
It’s that time again… Time to pick your resolutions. Deciding on the right one can be stressful. With the holiday happenings and the prep for the New Year, who really has the time to commit 100% to a resolution? Then it’s the manner of keeping up with it once you’ve chosen it! That is a challenge within itself. That’s why picking something that you and those around you can enjoy, can be what keeps you motivated. Need some help picking that special resolution? I’ve got one for you: A more bea
Abnormal Weather and Its Effect on Your Plants.
The shifts in weather patterns the last couple of months around the country have made life as a plant somewhat difficult. What a way to end 2015, huh? Take northern Illinois for example, we got snow before Thanksgiving and until this week, have had temperatures way above average. Some days this December even reaching 60 degrees! Not too common for us. Such a shift in typical weather patterns can cause some serious confusion to plants and their “resting period”. A plants resting period is dictated by tem
Where Do Insects Go in Winter? Winter and its Effect on Insect Populations
I’ve been asked many times what impact a really cold or mild winter has on insect populations. It is a good question and one that begs a better answer than the actual truth… a really cold or mild winter does not make much of a difference for the survival of insect populations. Insects have been around for millions of years and have endured all sorts of weather patterns. Because of this they have adapted to survive and persist despite the winter weather. But Where Do Insects Go in the W
Can I Prune Trees in the Winter?
This may be a good winter to do some tree pruning, especially if the weather stays mild. Winter is not the time you want to try to shape hedges, even evergreens, but you can correct a number of problems that may not be as visible during the growing season when deciduous plants are covered with leaves. Which Branches Should I Remove? The first things you want to look to remove are any broken branches. Also look for branches that are growing into the tree instead of g
7 Gift Ideas for the Lawn Lover/Gardener in Your Life.
Well, it’s that time of year again. The time for food comas, cookie exchanges, gift getting and the sometimes nerve-wracking, gift giving. Having trouble finding the perfect gift for that enthusiastic lawn-lover or gardener in your life? I’ve got you covered. Here are 7 affordable gifts for that yard guru on your list. All of which can be purchased through Amazon and delivered right to your doorstep, just in time for the holidays. Crossing names off your list has never been so easy
Active Grubs in December in Green Bay, WI!
Whether it is due to global warming, El Niño or it is just one of those years when it stays “warm into December,” I received a picture of a lawn with what looks like active grubs in it from the Spring-Green office in Green Bay, WI . Rick Byers, Assistant Manager for the office sent these pictures in with the heading “December 8 and grubs still active.” They may be present, but I am not sure how much feeding they are doing. Many