Gerry's Blog

Grub More Questions than Answers

Details: Created on Thursday, 11 April 2013 18:06

How well do Nematodes work?

We were at a Turf Seminar earlier this year Sponsored by Landscape Ontario. Pam from the Guelph Turfgrass Institute and OMAFRA presented her research findings on nematodes. Under her laboratory conditions she was getting 50-60% control of the grubs. (Okay it is an outdoor laboratory, but the conditions are somewhat controlled and everything is done according to specifications.)

So under real life conditions, we are are going to be lucky to get 50% control.

And we have found that nematodes take 4 weeks or more to kill the grubs.

Unfortunately, sometimes the skunks and raccoons will dig up a lawn even if the midnight buffet is not a plentiful as it was before.

If we remove soil, will we be getting rid of some grub eggs?

There is not benefit in terms of grubs to removing soil. Grub eggs are laid in the lawn in June-July. Any that did not hatch last year are no longer viable. When the adults lay eggs this summer there is no way of knowing which spots they will decide to lay their eggs.

On the other hand, if the lawn is too high and needs to be re-leveled, or lowered or even raised up with more soil, this may be an opportune time to re-grade the level of the lawn.

Vole Damage

Details: Created on Thursday, 28 March 2013 12:22

Vole damage left after the piles of snow have melted

see the library article

My Lawn Auto be This Good

Details: Created on Thursday, 31 January 2013 20:42

My Lawn Auto Look Good with TUrf King Last year the summer was hot and dry. The rains came as normal in the fall. But did your lawn recover from the heat and drought? Did lawn insects damage your lawn as well?

Fortunately, lawns and grasses have some ability to regenerate and fill in. But in cases, where the damage is more extensive, it may take a long time until the lawn is dense enough to suit our tastes.

So, how can we help the process?

First, a good nutrient program will help. Grasses respond favourably to applications of high quality turf fertilizer. Feeding the lawn regularly will increase the root and shoot growth and encourage the lawn to fill in the bare and thin spots
Secondly, adding seed will add new grass plants that will grow and expand the green area. There are several different ways to seed a lawn.
1. For small areas, one can add some good soil and sprinkle the seed over top. Rake lightly to cover the seed. Tamp down lightly to create good soil contact with the seed. Spreading large amounts of soil, however can be very labour intensive.
2. For larger areas, we recommend Aerating and Overseeding. Core aeration removes plugs of soil from the lawn. (Likely, you have seen the cores lying on lawns in your neighbourhood after an aeration has been done.) When seed is spread on the lawn after an aeration, many seeds will fall into the aeration holes. Some seed will end up under the cores as well. These seeds will now have good soil to seed contact and will have a good chance of growing.
3. Once seeded, it is important to keep the lawn moist. We recommend a light watering twice a day for the first two weeks. By then some of the faster growing seed will have germinated. The frequency of watering can be reduced at this time. However, newly sprouted seedlings can easily die off if they don’t get enough water. Their roots are still small and underdeveloped, so dry conditions will easily cause them to shrivel and die.

Aeration and Overseeding special. Earn 50 bonus AIR MILES ® reward miles when you book a spring 2013 Aeration and Overseeding.

more info here

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