Let’s face it, the professional lawn care companies have never really embraced the concept because in spite of earlier claims from suppliers, customers complained about not being as green or beautiful as their neighbors.

Things are changing!

This year Rutgers offered a class on organic options for turf managers as a result of increasing numbers of New Jersey towns passing pesticide free zones. New York State is limiting more and more pesticide labels for lawns. The state of Florida has already restricted the use of phosphorous fertilizers, will pesticides be next?

Organic Treatments Now Less Expensive

Our organic lawn clients love us because of their healthy green lawns. New less expensive organic products are making organic lawn care more competitive.

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If you haven’t considered organic lawn care lately maybe you should take a look. For more information or a free estimate contact American Lawn and Tree Arborists at: info@theamericanlawnandtreearborist.com

Call today to take advantage of our early season discounts on our lawn service programs!

Our fertilization programs vary from conventional programs in one major way. Harmony concentrates on improving the turf and the soil. Our soil based programs were designed to accomplish two significant goals.

• To maintain quality turf from season to season and year to year.
• To decrease the amount of fertilizer and pesticide required.

As the recommended programs demonstrate, reaching these goals is a process that requires time, yet doesn’t sacrifice results. At first the change may be subtle, but as the soil and turf are bridged from conventional to high organic maintenance, the change becomes more profound.

Healthy soil is the key to good turf with fewer chemical inputs. Harmony works by feeding the millions of micro and macro organisms that are essential to well functioning soil. Good soil promotes healthy turf by providing air, moisture and nutrients to the plant roots, even when weather conditions are not favorable. Fewer problems develop and there is less need for pesticides that can harm soil life.

Harmony and Earthgro Professional Turf Foods

While there are times when pesticides are needed to obtain acceptable turf (especially when soil conditions are extremely poor), the goal should always be to reduce these inputs over time by improving soil conditions. The complete line of Harmony and Earthgro Professional Turf Foods is designed with this goal in mind.

Request a Free Quote!

Need a healthy lawn program in 2011? For a free estimate and to take advantage of our early season discounts on our lawn service programs, contact Doc Pickhardt of American Lawn and Tree Arborists at: info@theamericanlawnandtreearborist.com

Lawns are beautiful whether in parks, town squares, school yards or at your home. They add peace and tranquility to our lives but they are more than that. Lawns gobble up carbon monoxide and other emissions through photosynthesis and oxygen replenishment.

Lawns are a natural air conditioner that reduces temperatures and sound. Lawns filter dust and keep it out of little noses and big engines. The root and thatch zone is a water purifier. Water percolates better through a lawn root zone than through compacted soil which reduces the chance of standing water, a mosquitoes dream home.

So remember grass is more than something to mow, soil stabilization, air and water purification, stress reduction and just plain good looks are all part of grass.

For additional lawn care information email Doc Pickhardt at info@theamericanlawnandtreearborist.com.

American Lawn & Tree Arborists

Troy, Michigan
(800) 404-3033

Request a Free Lawn Care or Grass Estimate!

Of all the “Lepidoptera” lawn pests in Florida, the tropical sod webworm is the most damaging. It can attack all specie of lawns along the entire gulf coast of the United States. Most damage occurs in fall. Symptoms include browning spots about the size of a quarter. As the infestation worsens, the spots coalesce and become larger. The adult moths cause no damage and can be seen fluttering over the grass as they are disturbed. The problem is the caterpillar or larvae of the moth as they are the ones that do the damage. As always, read the label if you plan to do the treatment yourself. Remember, “the label is the law”.

“Doc”
American Lawn and Tree Arborist

Chinch bugs are the most important lawn insect pests of St. Augustine grass. Lawn damage most often occurs in very hot dry weather but can occur anytime, usually in the sunniest areas of your grass. There are several home owner products that are labeled for chinch bugs in your lawn. Be careful to follow the label directions so it is safe for you and your St. Augustine lawn. Cinch bug damage is often confused with other lawn diseases.

Be careful with your diagnosis. If you have any further questions, “Ask the Doc”.

We Need To Do Better!

A few key facts about poison ivy to keep in mind:

• The rash is caused by oil, Urushiol
• Urushiol is present in ALL parts of the plant
• It only takes 1 billionth of a gram to cause a rash
• ¼ ounce of urushiol is enough to cause a rash for every person on earth (if all were allergic)
• Urushiol normally stays active between 1-5 years on any surface, including dead ivy plants. Rash depends on individual sensitivity
• Some people are not allergic to urushiol now, but may become so over time and with exposure
• Highly sensitive people can have a reaction within 10 minutes or less of exposure
• Urushiol can be spread on tools, trucks, clothing, paperwork, etc.
• Wash contaminated work clothes separately
• Clean tools that have come in contact with the plant
• It can grow as a groundcover, free standing bush or climbing vine
• Often grown on field edges, roadsides, fencerows, etc.
• Three shiny leaflets are attached to woody stem
• Size, shape and color of leaflets vary
• Climbing vine has “fuzzy” tendrils
• White-yellow flowers in the springtime
• White berries, fruit in the fall that may persist all winter long on ends of branches
• Poison ivy and stinging insects are hazards that should be addressed in your pre-clean-up hazard survey.
• Avoidance is the best method of protection
• Learn what it looks like and where it grows
• Wear long sleeves, gloves, etc.
• Use tools if you need to contact the plant on the ground but remember to clean that tool

If you do contact any part of the plant:

• Wash affected areas with large amounts of clear water, avoid soaps as they may spread the oil
• Use products like Tecnu to help remove the oil
• Use Zanfel for light to moderate reactions
• Seek medical attention for serious reactions

Source:
“The Treeworker”