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What you should know about crabgrass

Shaggy summer annual In most cases, crabgrass makes its appearance when soil temperatures are sustained above 55 degrees F. (Photo: FMC)

It’s everywhere: According to Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Tennessee, a 2017 survey by the Weed Science Society of America found that it is the No. 1 most common turfgrass weed.

It follows forsythia: This weed is a summer annual (typically — there are some species that are considered perennials), and its germination occurs when soil temperatures are sustained above 55 degrees F. Don’t have the tools — or the time — to track soil temps? Watch for the forsythia to bloom. This event often coincides with soil temperatures warm enough to sustain this weed’s germination.

It needs a shave: A couple types of this weed have hairy leaf sheaths. One type of this weed can grow up to three feet tall if left unmowed.

Photo: iStock.com/Maudib

It preys on the weak: It favors sandy, sunny locations with weakened turfgrass, says Michael Sisti, golf and lawn care market manager for FMC. Areas damaged by insects or along sidewalks and driveways are prime targets for this weed.

It is prolific: A single plant can produce 150-700 tillers and 150,000 seeds, according to Sisti. Primary reproduction for this weed is through seeds, so it is important to remove seedheads or apply a preemergent herbicide for control.

Did you guess crabgrass? If you did, you’re right. And while knowing about it is great, the real question is how do you deal with it?

There are several species of crabgrass, but among the most common found in lawns are smooth crabgrass and large crabgrass, according to Brosnan. Large crabgrass is more commonly found in the south and smooth crabgrass in the north, but both can be found in the Transition Zone.

Take the hint Typically, lawn care operators can expect crabgrass germination to coincide with the blooming of forsythia. (Photo: iStock.com/Martin Keiler)

The best defense against crabgrass is a healthy, thick lawn and root system. Cutting the lawn at the recommended height will encourage a healthy root system to develop and will also remove seedheads. But be careful. Cutting the lawn too short can lead to poor turf density, which will make the lawn more susceptible to crabgrass.

“Because crabgrass is such a prolific seeder, anything that can be done to reduce seed production will help alleviate the occurrence of this weed,” Sisti says.

Another benefit of keeping the lawn lush and healthy? Increased mowing height can improve the efficacy of several preemergent herbicides used for crabgrass control, according to Brosnan. Data regularly show that preemergent herbicide applications are the most effective way to control crabgrass in the landscape, he says.

Finally, don’t forget to keep an eye on your equipment, Sisti adds.

“It’s important to note the calibration of your application equipment, both sprayers and spreaders, is essential to ensure you’re delivering the proper amount of active ingredient,” he says. “Any type of soil disruption, like dethatching or heavy raking, can nullify the crabgrass barrier.”

The post What you should know about crabgrass appeared first on Landscape Management.

from Gardening News https://www.landscapemanagement.net/what-you-should-know-about-crabgrass/

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How to combat white clover

Photo: iStock.com/dabjola

Lawn care professionals battling clover don’t consider themselves very lucky. White clover is a broadleaf weed found in warm- and cool-season turfgrass. It can tolerate a wide range of mowing heights and environments and is a perennial, so it will persist from year to year.

The good news is resistance to pre- or postemergent herbicides has not been observed in white clover; although, it is always possible for any weed to develop resistance.

The best way to combat potential herbicide resistance in white clover is to use products that have been shown to have effective control against the weed and apply the herbicide at the labeled rates. Also, rotate herbicide modes of action whenever possible.

Characteristics

Leaves: Despite the hunt for the ever-elusive four-leaf clover, leaves are typically found in a trifoliate arrangement with three round, elliptical leaflets. They often have a white watermark that partially encircles the base of each leaflet. Leaves are also slightly serrated along the margins.

Roots: Clover is a legume, so it can produce its own nitrogen. Therefore, it can persist in turfgrasses that are deficient in nitrogen. Seeds in the soil seed bank will germinate when the soil temperatures are about 50-75 degrees F.

Flowers: White clover produces white flowers on long stems that are mostly present in spring and fall.

Stems: Most active growth is in the spring and fall and spreads from stems and stolons that root at the nodes and can form dense prostrate mats or clusters.

Controlling clover:

Since white clover is a perennial weed, preemergent herbicides aren’t effective; however, there are many postemergent options available for white clover control. Active ingredients to look for include fluroxypyr, triclopyr, quinclorac, dicamba, 2,4-D, MCPP, MCPA, metsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron and topramezone.

Sources: Eric Reasor, Ph.D., Southeast research scientist, PBI-Gordon; Jason Fausey, director of technical services, Nufarm

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from Gardening News https://www.landscapemanagement.net/how-to-combat-white-clover/

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A look at combination fertilizers

Photo: iStock.com/Pakhnyushchyy

Products that combine fertilizers with another lawn care chemical can reduce the number of applications if the schedules for each substance line up.

“Being able to apply a fertilizer and something else — like a pesticide or herbicide — in one pass is the No. 1 reason why lawn care operators (LCOs) would use it,” says Jim Jensen, formulator business segment manager at Nufarm Americas. “It gives them the flexibility to save some time, especially if they have a one-week window to apply a pesticide, for example. They’re able to apply both at the same time.”

The most common combinations include pairing granular fertilizers with either herbicides (pre- or postemergent) or insecticides. There are also instances when the fertilizers are combined with fungicides, but fungicides are generally more efficient when sprayed, Jensen says.

How they work:

How fertilizers and herbicide products work together

Traditional nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers are impregnated with another substance, such as an herbicide or insecticide. This chemical combination allows operators to meet two needs at once: applying fertilizer and another chemical at the same time.

Fertilizer plus herbicide products are the most common combination for LCOs, and they provide food for turfgrass while also controlling weeds, says Tony Goldsby, Ph.D., research agronomist for The Andersons Plant Nutrient Group.

Product use do’s:

LCOs need to consult the product label to determine the proper application rate for their geography, since the preemergent herbicide’s effectiveness can be affected by high amounts of rainfall, Goldsby says. “Then you can select the proper fertilizer plus preemergent combination product that will suit the needs of your area,” he adds.

In addition to rainfall, LCOs also should monitor soil temperatures and apply the preemergent barrier before the weed germinates; for example, crabgrass starts to germinate at 55 degrees, Jensen says.

To ensure product accuracy, Jensen says operators should overlap the product area during application. It’s also important to sweep or blow off any particles left on hard surfaces into the lawn area to prevent runoff.

Product use don’ts:

It’s possible for lawn care professionals to use multiple combination products, but they shouldn’t assume a product will be fine because it’s been used by itself in an application in the past. They need to review all of the labels before adding the combo to their program.

“You may have a combination product that is fine when applied as a stand-alone application, but you may need to stay clear of other combination products,” Goldsby says. Even products that can be used in conjunction with another combination product may need to have application times spaced out — such as a week window — to prevent possible turf injury, he adds.

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from Gardening News https://www.landscapemanagement.net/a-look-at-combination-fertilizers/

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Best practices for selecting a fertilizer

Customized care Lawn care operators should assess each lawn individually to determine what type of fertilizer should be used. (Photo: iStock.com/jamievanbuskirk)

Ask customers what they expect from their lawn care company, and one of the top answers is probably “results.” That means companies are tasked with keeping their clients’ turf green and healthy — and to do that, they will need the right general fertilizer for the job.

Finding the most well-suited fertilizer can come down to the price, quality, turf type, conditions, product capabilities and operator preferences. To help sort out all of those different factors and concerns, several industry professionals share their insights on purchasing trends and how to select the best fertilizer.

Limit fillers

No matter the property’s location, condition, type or issues, there are two factors that remain true: Lawn care operators (LCOs) should want to provide a quality product and service. That goal encompasses everything from how and when they apply products to the actual products themselves.

So, when it comes to choosing the right general fertilizers for lawn care services, Chris Sherrington, technical director at Lawn Doctor, a lawn care franchise based in Holmdel, N.J., says his company looks to purchase quality fertilizer that’s blended and formulated to the highest standard. For Lawn Doctor, that means finding a product that has a uniform pearl size, less filler in the bag and controlled-release technology.

“The price does come into play, but I feel like a lot of our Lawn Doctor owners will pay that extra to get a good quality material,” Sherrington says.

Lawn Doctor services mainly residential properties — about 90 percent of its customers — as well as commercial properties. The firm provides lawn care, ornamental tree/shrub care and outdoor pest control services in 40 states. Lawn Doctor had $130 million in sales last year and has 222 franchises across the country.

Ask what’s in the bag

For many others in the industry, the price per bag is still one of the top deciding factors when it comes to purchasing fertilizers, says Chris Derrick, Koch Turf & Ornamental field sales agronomist. But after customers ask about the price, he says another common concern is the nitrogen level of the product.

“The next question we see many consider is the amount of slow-release nitrogen that is in the bag,” says Derrick, who adds that the interest in the amount of slow-release has become more important to LCOs in recent years.

Like the name suggests, slow-release fertilizers provide a steady amount of nutrients that break down during a period of time. While slow-release fertilizers generally cost more, the number of applications are fewer, helping to offset some of the overall cost.

Stock up

To reduce some of the cost and stress of finding new products between applications, Sherrington says he’s also seeing more Lawn Doctor franchise owners buying fertilizer in bulk to last for two to three rounds of applications.

“They find a good product they can use early, midseason and in the fall,” he says. “It’s also comforting to find a product that works and performs well — and meets the customer’s expectations.”

Customers care about results, and if they can see those with the current product being used, they will feel more comfortable going forward with that same substance on their lawn. It’s easier to sell them on a product that’s already proven to work.

Think locally

While product quality is an important factor to consider when purchasing fertilizer, even the highest grade will fall short if it isn’t the right fit for a lawn and its needs. LCOs need to assess each property separately, even though there will be some similarities with other sites in the same area.

Some of the deciding factors that affect which fertilizer an LCO should use include whether it’s warm- or cool-season turf, the number of weeds and type of application approach. Lawns with an overgrowth of weeds may require a general fertilizer that will speed up turf growth so the grass outgrows the weeds. For a steadier approach, operators may consider an extended-release fertilizer for continuous nutrition.

Besides the lawn’s current state, LCOs also have to consider local conditions and ordinances. For example, LCOs in Florida can’t apply fertilizer that contains nitrogen and phosphorus between June and September. So, operators in areas with specific laws have to find fertilizers that will provide nutrition regardless of the restrictions.

Consider steady growth

One way to deliver a steady level of nutrients is by using an enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF).

“A lot of folks industrywide are using more enhanced efficiency fertilizer technology with applications,” Sherrington says. “You’re not seeing that drop off, but instead, you’re seeing more of a uniform feeding.”

EEF products are gaining ground throughout the industry, Derrick adds, but operators need to understand exactly what they are before choosing one. He says it’s important for LCOs to educate themselves and better define what type of enhanced efficiency fertilizer will work best for their properties and services.

There are three main types to choose from: stabilized nitrogen, slow-release nitrogen and controlled-release nitrogen. Derrick says LCOs can extend a fertilizer’s longevity up to 26 weeks and produce a healthier turfgrass for their customers by using EEF technology.

“We are also encouraging LCOs to question what is in the bag of the general fertilizers they purchase — paying more attention to the analysis and understanding how the analysis can affect things like the amount of product used or handling required,” Derrick says. “Having a larger percentage of EEFs in the analysis allows for increased performance and less potential of nitrogen loss, making EEFs a sound economical choice.”

Lawn care professionals also should look at how their current fertilizer blends may contain high amounts of filler, which offers little to no nutritional value, Derrick says. Using a blend with a higher amount of EEF technology can be a better solution for LCOs, he adds.

Maximize efficiency

Beyond EEF technology, LCOs are looking to boost their efficiency — and level of convenience — in other ways when applying the fertilizer.

“They prefer a product with high nutritional value, so there are fewer fertilizer applications, freeing time for their crews to complete other tasks, more efficient nutrient delivery and reduced storage and handling of fertilizer bags,” Derrick says. “Spending less time at each property means more properties each day, which equates to increased revenue.”

Lawn care companies are also in search of fertilizers that can meet the needs of all of their customers’ properties. That means the need to change the analysis, rates and calibration settings is minimized, Derrick says.

“I think the needs of many LCOs will continue to evolve as they gain greater experience in operating their businesses more efficiently,” Derrick says. “The green industry, as a whole, needs to keep emphasizing the importance of understanding what it is that is being applied.”

Ultimately, LCOs need to determine what they value and need from a general fertilizer and then choose the type and brand that best meets those requirements.

The post Best practices for selecting a fertilizer appeared first on Landscape Management.

from Gardening News https://www.landscapemanagement.net/fertilizer-selection-best-practices/

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How to diagnose large patch

Easy to spot Large patch is characterized by irregular patches with sunken interiors that appear tan in color. (Photo: Bayer)

Large patch — formerly called brown patch — is a disease of warm-season turfgrasses, such as centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, seashore paspalum, zoysiagrass and Bermudagrass. One of the major fungal diseases of warm-season turf, large patch is caused by the soil-borne fungus Rhizoctonia solani and infects and rots the leaf sheaths, crowns and stolons of the turf.

According to Jim Kerns, Ph.D., associate professor and extension specialist of turfgrass pathology at North Carolina State University, large patch is relatively easy to diagnose because its symptoms are so unique. Here is what to look out for.

Symptoms: “Large patch can develop almost anywhere warm-season grasses are grown, but the disease is most severe in the transition zone or areas with prolonged humidity or precipitation,” Kerns says.

The disease creates irregular patches ranging from 10 inches to 3 feet in diameter, or larger in some cases. The perimeter of the patch displays a yellow or orange color, the patch interior becomes sunken and injured turf appears thin and tan. The plant will develop lesions on the leaf sheath, which can look different depending on the grass species that is affected. Sometimes the lesions are just necrotic — dead cells caused by severe injury or disease — like on zoysiagrass and centipedegrass, but on St. Augustinegrass, the lesions are purple in color.

If you determine turf has developed large patch, there are steps you can take to help rid it of the disease.

Treatment: Preventive fungicide applications are best for large patch, Kerns says. Time the first fall application when the average thatch temperature is 70 degrees F, or when the average soil temperature at a 2-inch depth is 72-75 degrees F.

“In North Carolina, we typically target about 75-degree F soil temperatures to initiate preventive fungicide applications,” Kerns says. “However, for those managing St. Augustinegrass or centipedegrass, preventive applications may need to target 80-degree F soil temperatures.”

A second fall application two to four weeks later is recommended to extend protection through cool, wet weather. According to Kerns, a colleague in Missouri also has found early spring application to be critical in the Midwest.

Cultural practices, such as improved drainage and regular aeration during the summer, are also important to the success of reducing large patch.

The post How to diagnose large patch appeared first on Landscape Management.

from Gardening News https://www.landscapemanagement.net/how-to-diagnose-large-patch/

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11 experts discuss turf care innovations, predictions

Spring is in the air. Grass is growing, flowers are blooming, insects are hatching and the weeds are, well, they’re as pesky as always. As lawn care operators (LCOs) enter the busiest times of the year, it’s important for them to evaluate their strategies for combating lawn invaders of all types.

To address the myriad issues that can affect healthy turf growth, LCOs must have an arsenal of products they know are proven to work. We spoke with some of the makers of those products to find out how they’re working to help lawn care providers do their jobs effectively.

They told us about products they’re proud of, but most importantly, we got the scoop about what’s on the horizon for the lawn care industry as a whole. As environmental awareness and water conservation continue to be on clients’ radars and the labor market becomes tighter, how can LCOs operate in an efficient manner and how can the products they use help them do that? Read on to find out.

AQUATROLS

Eric Griscom Product manager

RECENT INNOVATIONS: Aqueduct Flex is a new fast-acting granular that treats and prevents localized dry spots. It contains Aquatrols’ core water management technology, which is specifically designed to reduce water repellency and promote recovery from moisture stress in all turfgrass and landscape plants. Aqueduct Flex utilizes a high-quality granular carrier that releases ingredients and completely dissolves with as little as a quarter-inch of moisture. This reduces the need for access to irrigation and having to water immediately after application. The new durable and resealable packaging also makes storage and movement of unused product more convenient and secure. Whether you’re looking to spot treat problem areas, make broad preventive applications or reduce moisture stress in landscape beds, Aqueduct Flex is a versatile solution for any landscape professional.

PREDICTIONS: Water and labor issues will continue to impact the green industry, and Aquatrols is committed to developing solutions that help with both. Reducing the amount of water needed to sustainably maintain turf and landscape plantings makes sense from an environmental conservation standpoint. It also makes business sense.

BAYER

Laurence Mudge Green Solutions Team manager

RECENT INNOVATIONS: Bayer has been involved in the area of pollinator health for many years, and we’ve done a lot of research in insecticide development. We introduced an insecticide solution called Altus to the lawn and landscape market in October 2017, which is compatible with pollinators and has fans in the ornamental production area. It also has fans in lawn care industry because LCOs are treating various landscape plants, sometimes while they’re in the flowering stage. Altus is compatible with pollinators and effective on troublesome insects like whiteflies, aphids and lace bugs. Most lawn care companies go with a preemergent herbicide because it’s cost-effective — it’s easier to prevent weeds from coming up than attacking them strictly from a postemergent standpoint. But the lawn and landscape industry hasn’t had a lot of preemergent products come into market. Bayer was fortunate enough in 2011 to bring to market (the active ingredient) indaziflam, brand name Specticle. Specticle FLO is a broad spectrum preemergent weed control product used on warm-season turf and has a long residual. You get a little more out of it, and the net result is you have fewer repeat applications of postemergent herbicide, which can result in fewer callbacks and cancellations, which saves a lot of labor.

PREDICTIONS: The three portfolios are insecticides, fungicides and herbicides. Now we feel there’s a fourth portfolio that could be really anything — water management-type products or soil amendments. There are a lot of things related to plant health beyond just pest control. How can we improve an LCO’s efficiency? Pest control, people, fertility and product application — that all goes back to labor. There’s also a lot going on in agriculture and golf course maintenance that could have a place in the turf and ornamental marketplace — GPS technology and sophisticated, automated equipment.

CORTEVA

Karan Bansal Category leader for the turf and ornamental division at Corteva Agriscience, the agriculture division of DowDuPont

RECENT INNOVATIONS: Pending federal registration, GameOn and Relzar specialty herbicides are going to change the game in weed control. Both of these products contain a new active ingredient called Arylex active. Arylex active is a Group 4 synthetic auxin with a different mode of action and it is the newest active ingredient in the turf market in the U.S. Relzar will simplify weed control for both warm- and cool-season turfgrasses. GameOn specialty herbicide also has our latest formulation of 2,4-D, called 2,4-D choline, that has low odor and has reduced volatility compared to the 2,4-D used in a lot of postemergent products. GameOn will provide fast-acting, systemic control of more than 100 broadleaf weeds. Arylex active is absorbed through the foliage, down to roots and shoots. We’re seeing good knockdown upfront and more complete control of the weeds. Another great aspect of these products is the application flexibility, especially with respect to hot and rainy conditions. We have also seen excellent turf safety with these products throughout the trials. Corteva is committed to bringing new innovations to the market that make life easier for lawn care professionals, and our R&D pipeline has never been more robust. We have done thorough research on these two new products — GameOn and Relzar — for the past 10 years before bringing them into the market.

PREDICTIONS: I expect the lawn care business to grow; however, the tight labor market and employee retention are going to continue to be a challenge for LCOs. The industry needs products that LCOs can easily train the labor force to use and that deliver exceptional control of several broadleaf weeds at the same time. LCOs are looking for products that provide them with application flexibility and help them reduce callbacks. They also want products that provide effective weed control throughout the season, have different modes of action to overcome resistance issues and are easy to use. There are a lot of areas throughout the U.S. that are seeing increasing restrictions around use of phenoxy products, such as 2,4-D or dicamba, and having a product option that doesn’t contain 2,4-D or dicamba will be huge for the turf market.

FMC GLOBAL SPECIALTY SOLUTIONS

Michael Sisti Golf and lawn market manager

RECENT INNOVATIONS: At FMC, we are excited to have our latest innovations, Dismiss NXT herbicide, Solitare herbicide and Fame SC fungicide serve the lawn care market. Much of the lawn and landscape industry is already familiar with Dismiss herbicide for control of yellow nutsedge and kyllinga.  Dismiss NXT builds upon that success and provides an improved tool to help lawn care operations control yellow nutsedge long term. It contains sulfentrazone and carfentrazone-ethyl, which over time help reduce tuber viability in the soil. By reducing the number of tubers in the soil, less yellow nutsedge may appear the following season. Solitare herbicide is ideal for improving lawns with thin density and constant weed outbreaks. It helps control not only yellow nutsedge, but also crabgrass, clover, dandelion and other difficult-to-control broadleaf weeds, like ground ivy. The combination of quinclorac and sulfentrazone also performs better on the midtillering growth stage of crabgrass compared to quinclorac alone. Fame fungicide offers a reliable defense against patch diseases, like brown patch, large patch and summer patch. With its rapid uptake by the turfgrass, Fame is translocated through the plant for better coverage. This provides better distribution of the product throughout the plant, which means better curative activity on specific diseases and less preventive breakthrough, which can reduce the likelihood of a costly follow-up application. An added safeguard: Fame SC is rainfast within 15 minutes.

PREDICTIONS: FMC is constantly staying abreast on the current trends in the industry. We’re innovating to provide tools LCOs can apply seamlessly to make day-to-day operations more efficient and help serve their customers in a timely manner. We’re currently exploring new active ingredients to continue to serve as a partner in the lawn care industry.

ICL SPECIALTY FERTILIZERS

Fred Hulme, Ph.D. Technical services director

RECENT INNOVATION: H2Pro wetting agent contains the latest technologies to improve water use in containers for an extended period of time. This is important for hard-to-soak growing media and experimenting with new media components like wood fibers. Additionally, H2Pro can help finished plants better survive the retail environment where irrigation might be less than optimal. High root zone pH can result in chlorotic foliage due to iron deficiencies. ICL has recently introduced the Peters Excel pHLow product line to mitigate this issue. Peters Excel pHLow 21-7-7 Acid Hammer water soluble fertilizer is a great tool to lower media pH. Another product innovation is Peters Professional with Black Iron. These water-soluble formulations contain one of the strongest iron chelates available while maintaining efficiency at extremely high pH levels. Osmocote Blue Max coated aluminum sulfate provides safe, controlled-release bluing of hydrangeas with a single application.

PREDICTIONS: Fertilizers and other products need to be longer lasting and less labor intensive to make businesses profitable. Environmental awareness will continue to grow at the consumer level. Smart controlled-release fertilizers that reduce runoff, leaching and waste will begin to supplant widespread use of water-soluble and granular fertilizers. Water restrictions will only continue to increase. High-performance wetting agents that improve the spread and retention of water in the root zone and reduce the frequency of irrigation application will become increasingly important tools.

KOCH TURF & ORNAMENTAL

Eric Miltner Research agronomist

RECENT INNOVATIONS: At Koch, we have done significant research documenting the level of nitrogen use efficiency of our products and substantiating how much turf managers can benefit from an enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) compared to using unamended urea. Stabilized nitrogen (N), such as UFLEXX fertilizer, is one option. The urease inhibitor, NBPT (N-(N-Butyl) Thiophosphoric Triamide), reduces ammonia volatilization, resulting in more N available for plant uptake. Dicyandiamide, or DCD, when used in the proper amount, slows down the conversion of ammonium to nitrate in the soil, extending the time of nitrogen availability and reducing losses to leaching and denitrification. It is important to make sure the stabilized N product used has enough DCD to be effective. Slow-release fertilizers do just what the name implies: slow down the rate of nitrogen released so that availability is better matched with plant demand. Products such as XCU slow-release fertilizer can result in increased N uptake by the plant and less lost from the system. Controlled-release fertilizers such as POLYON fertilizer and DURATION CR fertilizer provide the most advanced control of nutrient release. These products can be engineered with release longevities up to six months or longer.

PREDICTIONS: One trend we are seeing, and that continues to grow, is an evolution of fertilization programs. Recently, more LCOs are innovating with programs that include only two or three fertilizer applications using controlled-release polymer-coated fertilizer. Fewer applications does not necessarily mean reducing the number of visits to a property. The time savings can be used for other revenue-generating or value-added services. Fewer fertilizer applications mean savings in time, but also freight, fuel, equipment wear, employee fatigue and other areas. Regulations and restrictions on fertilizer use are on the rise. If these regulations were to impact you, it could affect the way you do business. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers can be a solution to help address these challenges. The green industry needs to continue to present the science behind what we do, as well as the impact our businesses bring to local economies, in order to continue to bring valuable services to our customers and communities.

NUFARM

Jason Fausey Director of technical services, T&O

RECENT INNOVATIONS: Our newest product launch at Nufarm is Sure Power selective herbicide. Sure Power is a new postemergent herbicide that is completely unique for the cool-season turfgrass market. The first thing applicators will notice is that weeds begin showing symptoms and death within two to three days after application. In addition to being fast, Sure Power is highly effective as it controls more than 250 broadleaf weeds as well as sedges and common weedy grasses, including bentgrass, crabgrass and goosegrass. Sure Power herbicide is specially formulated to penetrate the leaves of even the most difficult-to-control weeds, such as wild violet, with a summer application. It’s important to understand this unique formulation does not require or allow surfactants, fertilizers or other pesticides to be mixed, as additional uptake can result in a temporary response to the turfgrass.

PREDICTIONS: Within the turf and landscape segments, we will continue to find weeds invading areas where they have not previously been found. Weeds that are often isolated or found in limited regions of the country such as false green kyllinga or Japanese stiltgrass are now being found throughout much of the country. Resistance is another issue we will battle in the future. It has never been more important to consider a complete weed management program to ensure you’re maximizing the use of all the available chemistries.

PBI-GORDON

Jay Young Herbicide product manager

Jim Goodrich Fungicide, insecticide and plant growth regulator product manager

RECENT INNOVATIONS: Vexis, containing pyrimisulfan, which is a new active ingredient to the U.S. professional market and PBI-Gordon’s first proprietary molecule, will initially be offered in a granular end-use formulation. Vexis can be applied to both wet or dry turf and will offer the professional an innovative solution for a growing sedge and kyllinga problem. SwitchBlade, which contains another new active ingredient for the U.S. professional market, halauxifen-methyl, provides the end user with a non-2,4-D broadleaf control option while demonstrating very good turf safety even on sensitive warm-season varieties. We have a new fungicide in at EPA with an expected registration in June 2019. It’s called Union Fungicide SC, and it’s a unique, proprietary combination of cyazofamid and azoxystrobin. This product was conceptualized and developed to meet the market needs of a dual mode of action fungicide offering turf managers the flexibility to apply one product, which preventively controls a variety of turf diseases typically associated with summer stress — Pythium, anthracnose, brown patch, summer patch, fairy ring, red thread and others. In late 2018, we launched the first and only liquid flutolanil product for the turf market, Pedigree Fungicide SC. Flutolanil has been around for many years as a wettable powder formulation and wasn’t an easy product for turf managers to use. Our customers using Zylam liquid systemic insecticide are treating larger areas and asked for help minimizing the environmental impact of packaging disposal. The addition of a larger package size reduces the number of bottles being consumed by our customers by a factor of four and also saves them time and money.

PREDICTIONS: We predict advancements in technology; for example, GPS is now crossing over into the LCO industry. We can see precision application becoming a real trend in the not-too-distant future. As crazy as it sounds, we are probably not too far away from watching an LCO truck pull into a neighborhood or property and unload automated spray units that communicate with a computer in the truck. Another prediction is resistance management. Resistance will become more of an issue due to the continual overuse of the same chemistries and lack of chemistry rotation. Finally, public scrutiny — continual backlash from the negative connotations of glyphosate and that our chemistries are carcinogenic — will continue. It will be a tireless effort to continue to try and educate the public on our products and the steps we as manufacturers take to ensure we produce a product that is not only effective, but also safe to people and the environment.

SYNGENTA

Matt Giese Field technical manager

RECENT INNOVATIONS: Adigor surfactant is packaged along with Manuscript. This surfactant maximizes the performance of Manuscript and maximizes weed control based on how the active ingredient pinoxaden works in the plant. Another aspect in relation to Manuscript is that it contains a safener — which safens the desirable species but also helps control the target weed. Manuscript herbicide launched in the fourth quarter of 2018. It’s part of a new herbicide subclass for the turf market in what is called ACCase inhibitors. Manuscript is a postemergent grassy herbicide for use on turf species like zoysiagrass, Bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass sod. It’s active against signalgrass, a serious problem in the southeastern U.S., and tropical carpetgrass. It also has activity on large and smooth crabgrass and dallisgrass, which is also difficult to control in the Transition Zone, and in the south and southeastern U.S. It fills a niche with control of those particular species.

PREDICTIONS: With a variety of weather extremes across the U.S., what does that portend for us in terms of pest pressure? We’re probably always going to have white grubs and brown patch, but what other pests might be favored with some of these extreme weather conditions, whether it’s drought or flooding? That’s relatively unknown, but it’s certainly going to play a role in how turf managers are going to address (pests) going forward. There are resources out there in order to help turf managers deal with how turfgrass pests are affected by weather extremes. (Turf managers) used to base when to make applications on a calendar basis. It’s gone from that to paying much more attention to the phenological indicators — for example, when the forsythia blooms — and also turning to models. Syngenta has a website where you can plug in your name, email address and zip code and it will send you an alert, for example, when soil temperatures in your area are getting near when crabgrass germinates.

THE ANDERSONS

Anthony Goldsby, Ph.D. Research agronomist

RECENT INNOVATIONS: One of the products we released last year was our 22-0-4 fertilizer containing our Humic Coated Urea (HCU) and Black Gypsum DG. This fertilizer has the limestone filler removed and replaced with our Black Gypsum DG soil amendment. Soil health improvements are achieved through the addition of humates in both Black Gypsum DG and the HCU. The benefits of integrating humates into the soil include improved cation exchange capacity, nutrient chelation, improved soil structure and aid in flushing bicarbonates through the soil profile. Another recent product innovation is our 21-22-4 starter fertilizer with the herbicide Mesotrione. In applying our 21-22-4 fertilizer with Mesotrione product, you can achieve both pre- and postemergent control of broadleaf and grassy annual weeds. The low level of active ingredient per acre (0.15 lb. A.I.) is maximized for effectiveness by our homogeneous 135 SGN granule size. This product can be safely applied to cool-season grasses, including Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. Do not use this product with seed mixes containing greater than 20 percent fine fescue. Our Turf Nutrition Tool (TNT) was reimagined and relaunched for end users in early 2019. LCOs can create custom fertility programs for their customers. It is accessible from any type of device and features many of our premium and professional fertility products. Another bonus: This program is free. Just sign up at TurfNutritionTool.com and create an account.

PREDICTIONS: The freight cost of shipping materials like fertilizers is and will continue to be a challenge. Most of the products manufactured and sold through distributors to LCOs spend at least a portion of their journey on a semitrailer. Finding new and unique ways to innovate products and subsequently drive down shipping costs will be important. The green industry is also going to continue to see increased regulation and mandates relating to the application of fertilizer products. Therefore, providing options that utilize organic or enhanced efficiency nutrients will need to be a focus for fertilizer. This will also take a shift in mentality from the current turfgrass management practices, with more focus being placed on products that increase nutritional efficiency in the soil, like humates.

The post 11 experts discuss turf care innovations, predictions appeared first on Landscape Management.

from Gardening News https://www.landscapemanagement.net/experts-discuss-turf-care-innovations-predictions/

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Mazus Reptans: A Lawn Replacement For Beginners

The post Mazus Reptans: A Lawn Replacement For Beginners is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

With purplish-blue flowers and mid-green foliage, mazus reptans is a perfect ground cover plant for beginners. Our care tips make it easy!

The post Mazus Reptans: A Lawn Replacement For Beginners is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/mazus-reptans/

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Impatiens Walleriana: A “Patience Plant” That Isn’t

The post Impatiens Walleriana: A “Patience Plant” That Isn’t is by Kevin Espiritu and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

Brightly-flowered impatiens walleriana is perfect in your shaded beds or as a partial-light ground cover. We've got the top growing tips!

The post Impatiens Walleriana: A “Patience Plant” That Isn’t is by Kevin Espiritu and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/impatiens-walleriana/

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Weed Man adds mosquito control to offerings

Weed Man added mosquito control to its list of services.

With mosquito control service, Weed Man can better protect its customers, their pets and their lawns from the annoyance of mosquitos, which are known for carrying and transmitting diseases like Zika and the West Nile virus. The new offering allows Weed Man to better meet all its customers’ needs and provide them with a one-stop shop for world-class lawn care service, the company said.

“The Weed Man promise has always been to treat every lawn as if it were our own, so we have been working hard to roll out this new service to continuing being our customers’ first choice for a healthy, pest-free lawn worth enjoying,” said Weed Man COO Jennifer Lemcke. “Our franchisees have matched our enthusiasm and customers will soon start to see the offering available to them.”

Administered by properly trained service technicians, Weed Man’s mosquito service utilizes specialized equipment to strategically and safely target mosquitos where they are or could be living to reduce their populations. The new offering is service guaranteed to reduce mosquito populations, allowing customers to get back to enjoying their outdoor oasis as intended. The company is currently releasing marketing materials for this service, and select franchise locations will be implementing the mosquito control this season.

The post Weed Man adds mosquito control to offerings appeared first on Landscape Management.

from Gardening News https://www.landscapemanagement.net/weed-man-adds-mosquito-control-to-offerings/

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Keep on trucking: Maintaining lawn care fleets

Inspect to protect It’s important to perform regular maintenance checks to keep trucks in tiptop shape. (Photo: Lush Lawn)

Trucks are a major expense for lawn care operators, and many begin each day ensuring their investments are well cared for.

Jason Zielesch, production manager for Lush Lawn in Grand Blanc, Mich., says before technicians leave the lot, the company requires they complete what it calls a “three-minute 360.”

The three-minute 360 is a full inspection of the truck to check fluids, tires and general maintenance items. Technicians handle any minor maintenance in the shop before they head off for the day. The inspection details are kept in an Excel checklist and reviewed regularly.

Lush Lawn is an $8 million company with five locations in southeast Michigan. It provides 70 percent lawn care and 30 percent tree care to a 90 percent residential customer base, and counts 40 trucks in service across all five branches — Ford, Chevy and GMC 3/4- and one-ton pickup trucks as well as RAM ProMaster 3500 vans.

Upfittings and equipment, including spray rigs, are checked and maintained just as often as the trucks, Zielesch says.

The crew checks all hoses and straps for fraying or breaks and the fluids and oils for any motors or pumps on the equipment. Spray tips are checked for clogs and proper flow.

Aside from the daily maintenance check, the company performs routine maintenance every 3,000 miles.

For Lush Lawn’s more extensive truck repairs, the company negotiated an agreement with a national auto shop chain, and all Lush Lawn branches receive the same pricing on repairs and maintenance at each auto shop location.

Even with regular maintenance, lawn care trucks have to be retired at some point. Erik Hutson, branch manager of Lush Lawn’s Grand Blanc location, says vehicles are often phased out around the 10-year mark. After a review of the truck’s maintenance logs, which include tracking the price of ongoing repairs, the company analyzes whether it makes more sense to purchase a new truck.

Protecting the inside and outside

Mark Utendorf, owner of Emerald Lawn Care, says his trucks undergo a biweekly inspection that includes a visual check of the tires, oil level, brake lights, turn signals, undercarriage, warning lights and hitch and rider racks.

Emerald Lawn Care is based in Rolling Meadows, Ill., and primarily provides lawn care services with some perimeter pest and tree and shrub care for a 99 percent residential clientele. The company has 13 employees and runs eight trucks — Chevy 2500s, Chevy 3500s and Ford 250s — which range in year from a 1999 model to a new 2018.

A little more than two years ago, Emerald Lawn Care moved next door to an auto shop, which it uses for all truck repairs the firm can’t handle in-house.

As for the exterior of the truck fleet, Emerald Lawn Care’s pickup trucks feature a spreader rack on the front, so technicians can easily move a push spreader on and off the vehicle without having to store them in the back of a truck and maneuver them around the Permagreen equipment. This setup does have some drawbacks, however.

With a spreader rack on the front, fertilizer prills may blow out of the hopper and end up wedged in the trucks’ radiators, he says. His crews back flush any fertilizer out of the radiators with a regular hose — not a power washer.

Loose fertilizer is not permitted anywhere in trucks, and if there is a fertilizer spill, the truck is emptied, blown off and washed immediately.

Emerald Lawn Care also applies Boeshield, a specialty lubricant created by aerospace builder The Boeing Co., to trucks to offer another layer of protection.

“We put it on all the body panels to offset any potential damage from fertilizer,” Utendorf says. “And if we think that it needs it, we’ll undercoat trucks.”

The post Keep on trucking: Maintaining lawn care fleets appeared first on Landscape Management.

from Gardening News https://www.landscapemanagement.net/keep-on-trucking-maintaining-lawn-care-fleets/

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Creeping Speedwell: Fancy Flowers And Dense Cover

The post Creeping Speedwell: Fancy Flowers And Dense Cover is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

Lovely creeping speedwell can be the perfect landscaping ground cover. We'll show you how to care for it and prevent unwanted spread!

The post Creeping Speedwell: Fancy Flowers And Dense Cover is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/creeping-speedwell/

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Lacto Fermenting Vegetables With Kraut Source

The post Lacto Fermenting Vegetables With Kraut Source is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

Want to preserve your harvest? Lacto fermenting vegetables is easy if you have the right tools. We're discussing equipment and recipes today!

The post Lacto Fermenting Vegetables With Kraut Source is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/lacto-fermenting-vegetables/

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Repotting Snake Plant: How To Do It The Right Way

The post Repotting Snake Plant: How To Do It The Right Way is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

Repotting snake plant isn't tricky if you follow these tips. Learn how to transplant your mother-in-law's tongue, as well as how to divide it!

The post Repotting Snake Plant: How To Do It The Right Way is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/repotting-snake-plant/

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Coconut Coir Mats As Liners Or Rooting Media

The post Coconut Coir Mats As Liners Or Rooting Media is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

Selecting coconut coir mats shouldn't be difficult. We'll break down some of the best options and how to use them in our buyer's guide.

The post Coconut Coir Mats As Liners Or Rooting Media is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/coconut-coir-mats/

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Wooly Thyme: From Stepping Stones To Ground Covers

The post Wooly Thyme: From Stepping Stones To Ground Covers is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

As a ground cover or edging plant, wooly thyme is easy to start and maintain. Our growing guide reveals all the best care tips!

The post Wooly Thyme: From Stepping Stones To Ground Covers is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/wooly-thyme/

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Creeping Juniper Ground Cover Care Guide

The post Creeping Juniper Ground Cover Care Guide is by Kevin Espiritu and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

Creeping juniper is a solution for all sorts of landscapes and weather. With drought-tolerance and its evergreen appearance, it’s perfect to use as a filler alongside hills and slopes.

The post Creeping Juniper Ground Cover Care Guide is by Kevin Espiritu and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/creeping-juniper/

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Tradescantia Fluminensis: The Wandering Gypsy Plant

The post Tradescantia Fluminensis: The Wandering Gypsy Plant is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

We’ve discussed the wandering jew plant in the past quite heavily. But today, we’re zeroing in on a particular subspecies. The white flowered wandering jew Tradescantia fluminensis, with its wide ...

Read moreTradescantia Fluminensis: The Wandering Gypsy Plant

The post Tradescantia Fluminensis: The Wandering Gypsy Plant is by Lorin Nielsen and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

from Gardening News https://www.epicgardening.com/tradescantia-fluminensis/