June 2019 Email Newsletter

Soil Service News- Rain, Japanese Beetles, Vine and Brush Control

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

This extremely wet spring can easily lead us into a false sense of security because our lawns and plants look great right now.

THE DOWNSIDE TO TOO MUCH RAIN

This extremely wet spring gives us a false sense of security because our lawns and plants look fantastic right now. But there are potential problems lurking once summer temperatures kick in. Here’s the issue; all plant roots need oxygen to thrive. Our native soils are high in clay that easily compacts, and compaction limits oxygen in the soil pore space. This is why we aerate our lawns in the fall and add soil amendments to our garden beds. Constant rain also displaces oxygen, and this means our lawns and plants have less roots. So, if we have periods of dry weather this summer, plants my need to be watered more frequently because of what happened this spring. It’s counter intuitive and no need to panic but something to be aware of.

TIPS FROM THE TURF PROS

With all this rain, Brown Patch fungus in fescue lawns could be a big problem when summer hits. Here’s a way to predict when this disease is active.

PREDICTING BROWN PATCH IN FESCUE

An updated way to predict when Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) becomes active is by using the “flip-flop” rule when nighttime temperatures of at least 68 d F and daytime temperatures of 86 d F or more are present for several days in a row. Kansas City’s infamous hot, muggy days with high dew points (in the 70’s) also gives us a heads up that the disease may be active. Control is difficult, especially with this year’s heavy disease pressure, but your Soil Service Garden Center will do our best to help with your situation.

Here are a few other ways to manage this disease:
Do not mow fescue lower than 3 inches nor let it get too tall between mowing.
Do not mow when wet or when dew is present, especially in hot weather.
If needed, only water early in the morning and never in late afternoon or evening.

JAPANESE BEETLE CHANGES & LAWN GRUB CONTROL STRATEGY

Now that the Japanese beetle is a permanent resident in Kansas City, preventative lawn grub control may become a routine practice. The adults prefer to lay eggs in grass, and once the eggs hatch, the larvae (grubs) can really do a number on grass roots so we end up seeding dead areas in the fall. Not much fun. We will soon send a separate email about this important insect, but in the meantime we urge you to consider a preventative lawn grub treatment with Grub Free Zone II applied Father’s Day weekend and available at your Soil Service Garden Center.

VINE AND BRUSH CONTROL

Have you ever cut brush or vines only to see the plants come back with more shoots after cutting? You can fix this problem.

CUT AND TREAT THE SAME DAY

We see this all the time. A customer comes in to get a control product for a stump, vine, or brush that was cut a week or two before seeing us. Unfortunately we have to tell them the train left the station because the plant heals the wounded area within a day of cutting. This quick healing blocks a control product from moving to roots where it kills the plant. Your Soil Service Garden Center stocks Ferti-lome Stump and Brush Control to keep plants from coming back. Mix with water and Ferti-lome Spreader Sticker for foliar applications or apply undiluted, without spreader sticker, to a freshly cut vine or stump. This is the time of year to get rid of these problem plants once and for all.

Thank you for your business,
Come see us and,
Let’s Keep Growing!

DEALING WITH EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB)

WATCH OUT FOR HOSTA LOVING CRITTERS

SLUGS AND BUNNIES WREAK HOSTA HAVOC

PLANTS NEED TO EAT TOO!

MORE ORGANIC CHOICES

TAMING WILD VIOLETS AND CREEPING CHARLIE

ABOUT WILD VIOLETS AND CREEPING CHARLIE

Tips from the Turf Pros- Mowing Fescue Lawns

FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL BIRD FEEDING MONTH (REALLY!)

Natural bird food supplies start to run out in late winter, which is why February is National Bird Feeding Month. For a minimal investment you’d be amazed at how entertaining it is to watch them at the feeder. Parents with younger kids will have an especially wonderful entertaining and learning experience observing up close bird behavior!

But, how many times do you think “sure, but if I feed the birds, I also feed the *&%$@# squirrels!”

A BIRD FEEDER SQUIRRELS HATE BUT YOU’LL LOVE!

One of our bird loving employees has a feeder that absolutely prevents squirrels from getting to the seed; The SQUIRREL BUSTER. He has had it for OVER 25 years and swears it still looks and works as good as new. When a squirrel jumps on the feeder, its weight closes the seed opening. It doesn’t take long for it to give up in frustration and find something else annoying to do. When it jumps off, the feeder springs back open. BUT YOUR SEED IS SAFE! We have two sizes for larger seed (standard and mini feeders) and one for finch seed. We’ll say up front they aren’t the least expensive feeders on the market, but they’re built tough and powder coated for many, many years of happy birds and unhappy squirrels! If you want to make it even simpler, just hang the feeder on a shepherd’s hook. You can also hook a suet cage to it and be doubly entertained by woodpeckers, flickers and nuthatches. Come by the Garden Center soon to get started with some of the best winter entertainment in Kansas City!

2019 LAWN CARE PROGRAMS

Your Soil Service Garden Center has offered lawn care programs since 1991! Beware that many nationally advertised programs don’t really fit, in turf speak, our transition zone (google turfgrass transition zone map). National programs focus on the northeast US which is the largest market but also a very different climate from KC.

WE MAKE LAWN CARE EASY

Being locally owned we offer do-it-yourself programs and products that we know work best for our Kansas City lawns. You’ll be surprised how little time it takes to apply them, and the personal satisfaction with substantial cost savings are highly rewarding. When you’re on the program, we’ll even warehouse the products and call you when it’s time for your next application. The first application starts soon so please come in to sign up and get going on a beautiful, healthy lawn.

PLEASE NOTE- Now that the Japanese Beetle is in KC, we urge you to seriously consider a preventative lawn treatment in late June to get the upper hand on the grubs that are quite destructive to both bluegrass and fescue lawns. Our lawn care programs:

WEED CONTROL OPTIONS

Customers who have been on our program for several years may need to only spot spray for particularly troublesome broadleaf weeds that granules do not control. Examples are wild violets, ground ivy and clover. If you just need to spot spray or simply want to use less overall weed control material, we will work with you to exchange the granules in the lawn program for a liquid spot treatment product at a Lawn Care Program Member discount.

LANDSCAPING SERVICES

Landscaped areas around our homes do change over time and perhaps you feel it’s time to renovate older areas or create new landscaping. If so, we have landscaping designers and crews who would love to work with you! If you would like to set up a design consult please call Colleen ASAP to answer your questions and get on the schedule that fills quickly. You can reach her 8:30AM-4PM Monday-Friday.

QUICK REMINDER TO WINTERIZE YOUR MOWER

The last thing you want is your mower to die in mid-season and it isn’t too late to get your mower ready for spring. The most important things to do are clean or replace the air filter, change the oil if it’s a 4-cycle engine, and sharpen the blade. If you don’t sharpen it yourself, we highly recommend having 2 blades. That way, if one gets dull, you can swap them out and not worry about how soon the blade you take in will be sharpened (which could be weeks in spring).

TIPS FROM THE TURF PROS

DORMANT SEEDING

February is the best month to seed if you need to touch up small areas this spring. Dormant Seeding is the process of putting down grass seed when soil temperatures are consistently below 40 d F, normally in February. This practice applies to bluegrass and fescue blends or mixes such as Soil Service Garden Centers’ KC Marathon or KC Endurance. Unlike these cool season grasses, zoysia, bermuda and buffalo grass are seeded in late May/early June.

The idea is that seed falls into soil cracks created by normal winter freeze/thaw cycles and is then lightly covered when soil thaws. You can seed over light snow or use a Garden Weasel to rough up the ground and lightly incorporate the seed for best seed/soil contact. Since the soil is cold, the seed lies “dormant” until soil temperatures favor early spring germination. Furthermore, temperature fluctuations help crack the hard seed hull which gives grass a head start on germination and root growth- important for grass to survive summer heat stress. Dormant seeding can be successful, but it isn’t without risk. For this reason, this practice is usually limited to smaller areas or when laying sod is impractical.

FOLLOW UP FERTILIZATION

Fertilizing with Ferti-lome New Lawn Starter can be made at the first sign of germination, and then a follow up fertilization in April- early May should be made with a slow release nitrogen such as Milorganite, available at Soil Service Garden Center.

WEED CONTROL ISSUES

Dormant Seeding may conflict with spring weed control and careful attention should be paid to all grassy and broadleaf weed herbicide labels regarding timing restrictions. Soil Service Garden Center can provide you the best weed control products for your situation.

SEEDING TIP ON SLOPES

Grass seed mulch materials reduce soil moisture losses to increase germination. But slopes present a problem when heavy rain washes away seed. SEED AIDE solves both of these issues. SEED AIDE has been used for decades in the professional turf grass industry and is unique because it has a “tackifier” that helps hold seed and mulch in place. Best of all, the cost per 1000 sq. ft. is the same as other seed mulches. It’s a win/win for you and your lawn!

GARDEN AND FLOWER SEEDS ARE IN

If you’ve had your fill of winter and just want to see a green plant, maybe you’re ready to start seeds indoors. We carry seeds from Burpee, Botanical Interest, Lake Valley and Ferry Morse. We can help you with grow lights, seed starter kits, and more. Have some fun and let the inner “I’m curious to see what happens” come out!! And don’t forget that once they are growing you should they’ll need to be fed- we prefer using liquid organic plant foods from Fox Farm.

PLEASE DONATE TO SPAY & NEUTER

It’s not just birds having a tough winter. Our local non-profit, Spay & Neuter is very busy now and using much more straw than normal to keep dogs and cats warm. As mentioned in our December newsletter, they have an account with us to buy straw bales that are ONLY $10. So if you have a minute please drop in or call the Garden Center to make a donation to them. Or call them directly (INSERT SPAY & NEUTER PHONE NUMBER) to donate. Your support makes a big difference!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

COME SEE US AND,

LET’S KEEP GROWING

Soil Service Garden Center News: Fall Seeding, Japanese beetle grubs, Emerald Ash Borer and more!

This is prime time for grass seeding in Kansas City, and especially for shady areas that ideally are seeded by mid-September at the latest. This is when we go all out for a great lawn next year.

START WITH THE RIGHT SEED

Before you buy grass seed this fall, we urge you to learn why choosing seed from Soil Service Garden Center can make a big difference.

START WITH THE RIGHT SEED

BEWARE OF BIG BOX STORE LOW FESCUE PRICES!!

Please take a good look at this unretouched photo. The lighter green grass on the left is Kentucky-31 (K-31) fescue and the grass behind and to the right of it is turf-type tall fescue. The only difference is the type of grass- not a water or fertility issue. Big box stores and garden centers advertising K-31 and low fescue prices are not doing you, or your lawn any favors. K-31 is a pasture grass grown in Missouri. Turf-types are grown in Oregon just for lawns and athletic fields. K-31 is an open, coarse textured and light green grass that can’t match the turf-types for color, density and overall attractiveness. No amount of lawn management will change that comparison and just one of the reasons why Soil Service Garden Center does not sell K-31.

WHO PLANTED THE “ORCHARD” IN THE LAWN?

As if all the above isn’t enough, we see a common theme from homeowners who bought the “cheap” K-31. Orchardgrass is also grown in Missouri and sold as a pasture grass. It’s a perennial that almost always contaminates K-31 and why this weedy grass comes along for the ride with K-31. Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of it is to kill it with Roundup or pull it out. Not much fun!

ABOUT SOIL SERVICES’ KC ENDURANCE AND KC MARATHON SEED

We won’t discuss all the behind the scenes details about Soil Services’ KC Endurance (turf-type tall fescue blend) or KC Marathon (bluegrass/fescue mix) but here are the bullet points:

Based on multi-year university trials across the grass transition zone (where we live) we give our seed supplier a list of fescue varieties for our blends/mixes that we think have the best overall performance in KC.

Grass seed is, by federal law, tested for purity, germination, crop seed and weed seed. KC Endurance and KC Marathon are 0.00% crop and 0.00% weed seed, the cleanest you can buy. Now that you know the rest of the story we suggest our seed is an excellent value!!!!

And don’t forget to use Ferti-lome Seed Starter fertilizer the same day you seed to help it get off to a faster, healthier start! Then follow up with higher nitrogen Ferti-lome Lawn Food Plus Iron mid-late September and Ferti-lome Winterizer in late Oct/November.

SEEDING ON SLOPES IS A CHALLENGE

Establishing grass on slopes can be frustrating if untimely rains wash seed away before it establishes. Here are some ways to increase your odds for success.

SEEDING ON SLOPES

If the area is somewhat large, core aerate and then seed. The seed washes into the holes and germinates like little plugs. The more holes the better so making 2-4 passes works just fine and grass fills in more quickly than if a single pass is made.

If the area is small try a wood tomato stake to punch holes with the stake and hammer to simulate an aerator. Punch holes about 2 inches deep. Again, the more the better.

Use Seed Aide pelletized mulch widely used in the professional turf industry. Seed Aide has a tackifier (think glue) that holds the mulch and seed in place to minimize seed washing. Best of all it doesn’t cost any more than other seed mulches. Seed Aide bags cover app. 1000 sq.ft.

You can use erosion control blankets that are rolled out like a carpet over the seed. Quick Grass Pro covers 140 sq. ft. and the larger version of this, Curlex, covers 450 sq. ft.

MOST WEED CONTROL PRODUCTS HAVE SEEDING RESTRICTIONS. IF YOU USE A LAWN CARE COMPANY…

Since most herbicides can hurt seed germination, we urge you to check with the lawn care company to see if they recently applied or will soon apply weed control. This means they need to know your seeding plans. Since 1990 Soil Service Garden Center has had lawn programs for the do-it-yourselfer that take the guesswork out of seeding issues. They are simple and highly cost effective. You can sign up now for this fall and next year, save $$$, have fun and take pride in a beautiful lawn that YOU grow! Come by the Garden Center to discuss how we can help meet your goals for a beautiful lawn.

A QUICK LOOK AT FALL BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

We have had some crazy spring weather and above average temps this spring. But don’t give up quite yet here is some news about this September’s outlook and what it mean for your yard, thanks to the University of Missouri Plant Sciences.

“Like July, August will turn out mild compared to the scorching May and June that preceded it. Several welcome dips over the last 10 days have brought 2018 August temperatures just about on par thus far. These last few scorching days should bring the month to above average again, however. Since January 2017, this will astoundingly make 16 of the last 20 months with temps above the 1895-2010 long-term average. A short-lived dip is expected mid-week with a cold front hopefully bringing some rain. Unfortunately, the break will be short-lived as above normal temperatures are expected into the first portion of September.”

“The heat and drought have been a historic one-two punch, with the lack of a spring being a haymaker. State Climatologist Dr. Pat Guinan recently summarized the past 12 months in Missouri, which also drastically impacted our forage producing brethren who too depend on a crop that doesn’t get the break of a complete harvest. The driest September 2018 – January 2019 period in over 40 years. An extreme flip in April to May spring temperature that is unprecedented in 124 years of climate observations. The hottest May – June period on record, and a drought in the state of nearly 5 inches below average from April – July (a mere 133,870 gallon shortage per acre). Woo.”

“Two bright points. September is coming. The precipitation forecast is promising, with above normal precipitation expected through the first portion of the month. As shown by the words above and the graphic below, the rain and its enhancement of our seeding and recovery efforts is needed. Second, day length is decreasing. The region has just over 13 hours of day light, whereas in June and early July nearly 2 extra hours of extra sun and heat occur per day. The decrease brings cooler temperatures and the opportunity for recovery. Unfortunately in this late August timeframe though, the darkness also provides extra time for leaf wetness and potential for foliar disease activity on tired plants.”

University of Missouri

LAWN RENOVATION WITH OUR LANDSCAPE CREWS

SOIL SERVICE GARDEN CENTER LANDSCAPE CREWS AERATE, VERTICUT AND SEED – The fall schedule fills quickly so we urge you to call ASAP.

PRIME TIME TO PLANT TREES AND SHRUBS

September and October are excellent months to plant most trees and shrubs. Our landscape consultants can help you select the best plants AND we can plant them for you! If you would like this service please call us soon to get on the schedule. Seeding and planting reservations are first come/first served and quickly fill up. Please stop by the Garden Center or call 816/ 444-3403 if you need this service.

JAPANESE BEETLE GRUBS IN LAWNS

By now, just about everyone knows about the Japanese Beetle problem this year. But we’re not out of the woods yet because they lay eggs in lawns where the newly hatched grubs start feeding on roots. This leads to grass that suddenly dies in August and September. We suggest you keep a close eye on your lawn and if you see dying grass, your Soil Service Garden Center has Dylox granules for a rescue treatment.

ONE MORE SHOT AT EMERALD ASH BORER CONTROL

We usually think of spring to control the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) but if you missed the spring window you can also treat from late August thru September with Ferti-lome Tree & Shrub Insect Control. This is an easy to use product that is simply mixed with water in a watering can or bucket and applied to the base of the tree.

WHAT’S EATING YOUR GREENS BEFORE YOU?

If you have a fall crop of cabbage, kale or collards, expect to have worms gleefully chomping away on the leaves; and these guys can destroy your tender greens within a few days! The 3 most common vandals are imported cabbage worm (adult is a white butterfly), cabbage looper and cross striped worm (moths). The larvae can be hard to find because they blend in with the leaves. You will see them on the tops of leaves but they also really like the undersides, so look closely! Fortunately you can get the upper hand with Natural Guard Organic Spinosad that is simply sprayed on the leaves. It works great!

Thank you for your business and

Let’s keep growing!!

June 2018 Email Newsletter

SOIL SERVICE NEWS- Japanese Beetles, Watering, Fungus Issues, Brush Control, and more!

JAPANESE BEETLES

We all learned last year that the Japanese beetle is definitely here and if you don’t think you had them, you probably weren’t looking! We expect the adults to emerge any time now.

ABOUT JAPANESE BEETLES

Japanese beetles are easy to identify; they’re about ½ inch long with metallic bronze wing covers and bright green bodies.

Look for adults to emerge around Mid-June and possibly sooner. Large groups feed mainly in the morning on leaves and fruit.

Damaged leaves lack green tissue with a papery, netted appearance.

Female adults mate continuously and lay eggs in grasses for 30-45 days. This means they have an extended egg hatch in late July into August and lawn damage is seen in August and September.

Adults can be controlled with many conventional products but there are no effective organic control products.

JAPANESE BEETLE GRUB CONTROL IN LAWNS

Kentucky bluegrass lawns are grub magnets in general and this is just as true for Japanese beetle grubs. Fescue lawns can also be damaged but symptoms are more subtle than in bluegrass. We highly recommend a preventative grub treatment with Hi Yield Grub Out applied about the 3rd week in June to control the early hatch of Japanese beetles and the more common masked chafer grub. But, because they have an extended egg hatch, we should be prepared to make a rescue treatment with Bayer 24 Hour Grub Killer in August or September.

FUNGUS ARRIVES EARLY THIS YEAR

We can potentially have more disease issues this year due to much warmer temperatures combined with rain, especially evening rains.

WATERING DO’S AND DON’T’S

Watering mistakes encourage many diseases in lawns and gardens, especially with evening watering. At night, grass and other plants expel a nutrient rich broth of sugars and proteins (exudates) that, when combined with wet leaves, helps fungus thrive. Here are some simple watering guidelines for the garden:

Water only in the morning, preferably before 9AM.

Mulch to block rain or irrigation from splashing soil borne fungal spores onto leaves

If possible, water at the base of plants instead of overhead. Soil Service Garden Center stocks Dramm watering wands that are excellent for this purpose.

For those customers who water their lawns, we have enclosed a Lawn Watering Guide from the University of Missouri:

Home Lawn Water Guide

TIPS FROM THE TURF PROS

Here’s a new way to predict when Brown Patch fungus in fescue is active.

PREDICTING BROWN PATCH IN FESCUE

An updated way to predict when Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) becomes active is by using the “flip-flop” rule when nighttime temperatures of at least 68 d F and daytime temperatures of 86 d F or more are present for several days in a row. Kansas City’s infamous hot, muggy days with high dew points (in the 70’s) also gives us a heads up that the disease may be active. Control is difficult but your Soil Service Garden Center will do our best to help with your situation.

VINE AND BRUSH CONTROL

Have you ever cut brush or vines only to see the plants come back with more shoots after cutting? You can fix this problem.

CUT AND TREAT THE SAME DAY

We see this all the time. A customer comes in to get a control product for a stump, vine, or brush that was cut a week or two before seeing us. Unfortunately we have to tell them the train left the station because the plant heals the wounded area within a day of cutting. This quick healing blocks a control product from moving to roots where it kills the plant. Your Soil Service Garden Center stocks Ferti-lome Stump and Brush Control to keep plants from coming back. Mix with water and Ferti-lome Spreader Sticker for foliar applications or apply undiluted, without spreader sticker, to a freshly cut vine or stump. This is the time of year to get rid of these problem plants once and for all.

SHORT TAKES ON TIMELY TOPICS

LAWN SURFACE INSECTS

Bug Blaster II is a highly effective granular control product for lawn insects such as ticks, fleas, ants and many other nuisance pests (not grubs). Each bag treats 5000 sq. ft. and is available at the Garden Center.

MOSQUITOS

May rain brings big bunches of hungry mosquitos so once again we will be under attack this summer. Here are a few products for mosquito control:

Mosquito Beater for lawn and gardens is available as an organic repellent or a traditional control product. Both come in easy-to-use hose-end bottles.

Organic Mosquito Dunks are used in birdbaths, water gardens etc.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

COME SEE US AND,

LET’S KEEP GROWING!

ROSE BLACKSPOT

Rose Blackspot is a serious fungus with symptoms that show up around mid- late May. Warm, wet weather or overhead watering really sets it off.

ABOUT ROSE BLACKSPOT

Blackspot is a common fungus on roses:

Spores survive winter in fall leaf debris and mulches.

Overwintered mulch should be removed, discarded, and replaced with fresh mulch.

The disease begins on lower leaves and moves up the plant.

Heavily infected canes have raised red-purplish spots that eventually blacken, and it may be necessary to remove them to prevent spores from infecting the following year.

Control products should be applied beginning at the first sign of disease and follow up treatments will be needed. Soil Service Garden Center has several products available. Treat sooner rather than later.

Organic Control– Copper Fungicide, NG or FL Neem, FL Horticultural Oil

Conventional– Bayer 3-in-1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control, Bayer All-in-One Rose and Flower Care, FL Broad Spectrum Landscape & Garden Fungicide, FL F-Stop

LOOK FOR ROSE SAWFLY FEEDING

We see a ton of sawfly damage on rose leaves. Will this year be more of the same? – READ MORE……

ABOUT ROSE SAWFLY

The rose sawfly is actually related to bees and wasps. After egg hatch, worms begin feeding in mid-late spring and, depending on species, can have multiple generations per year. This means several insect control applications may be needed during the summer. Sawfly feed on green leaf tissue but not the leaf veins. Inspect both the upper and underside of leaves to look for light green worms.

Several control options are available at Soil Service.

Organic– FL Hort Oil, Bonide Soap, NG Spinosad

Conventional– FL Broad Spectrum Insecticide, Bayer Rose& Flower Insect Killer, Bayer 3-in-1 Insect Disease & Mite Control

GROWING GREAT TOMATOES

Anyone growing tomatoes knows they can be a bit of a challenge. Here are some helpful hints for growing better tomatoes.

Growing Great Tomatoes

Blossom End Rot Info Sheet

YELLOW NUTSEDGE

Yellow nutsedge usually shows up around the end of this month, and if we have a lot of rain, we know it can really take off.

STAY ON TOP OF YELLOW NUTSEDGE

• If ignored it WILL take over your lawn or garden.
• Do not try to dig it up because root fragments left behind will cause even more plants to come up.
• The only way to control it is with a post-emerge product; Ortho Nutsedge Killer or ProSedge (formerly SedgeHammer).
• Treat in late spring or early summer, and multiple applications may be needed.
• The only choice for gardens is glyphosate (Hi-Yield Killz-all) or Roundup. Be persistent!

YELLOW NUTSEDGE IN LAWN

IS IT TOO LATE TO FERTILIZE FESCUE OR BLUEGRASS?

We’re rapidly approaching the end of fertilizing fescue or bluegrass this spring. If you choose to make one final application before next fall.

FERTILIZING IN MAY

If you regularly water your cool season (fescue and/or bluegrass) lawn during the summer OR you have not applied fertilizer this spring, this is your last chance to feed your lawn until September. This application has a couple of rules:

• Timing- fertilize early to no later than mid-May

Use less nitrogen than fall applications and use a higher percentage of slow release nitrogen than fall applications. The Garden Center likes organic Milorganite. It works and has a very reasonable cost.

FEED ZOYSIA/BERMUDAGRASS IN SUMMER

Fertility strategies for zoysia and bermudagrass are considerably different than fescue/bluegrass.

FERTILIZE ZOYSIA AND BERMUDAGRASS AT FULL GREENUP

Unlike cool season grasses, zoysia and bermuda are fertilized in summer and prefer more of the quickly available nitrogen at this time.

• Apply Ferti-lome Lawn Food + Iron about June 1.
• Make a second application of the same product July 15.

LAWN DISEASES

While it’s too early to predict this summer’s disease problems, we can keep a few things in mind.

BROWN PATCH FUNGUS IN FESCUE LAWNS

• This soil borne fungus typically infects the grass in mid-late May.
• Avoid afternoon/evening watering that increases disease problems.
• Avoid fertilizing in late spring or summer.
• Do not let grass get too high between mowing, and cutting height should be 3-4 inches.
• Do not mow wet grass, and keep that blade sharp!

We have Ferti-lome F-STOP (liquid or granular) or Ferti-lome Systemic Fungus Control (liquid only) to help with control. Then we hope the weather cooperates!

ALL MULCH IS THE SAME, RIGHT?

Now is a great time to refresh your mulch with Soil Pep- READ MORE……

CHOOSE THE BEST MULCH FOR YOUR NEEDS

Mulch helps soils hold moisture for less plant stress and lower water costs. It also keeps down weeds. That’s the easy part. Our most popular mulch is Soil Pep, a partly decomposed small pine bark mulch. Soil Pep keeps its rich dark brown color without fading like dyed mulches. It also doesn’t crust over like the least expensive mulches. Those are two strong points right there. Like all mulches, Soil Pep eventually breaks down and makes an excellent soil amendment, especially when you prepare new beds with our heavy clay soils. You and your plants will be glad you used “Pep” this year!

LAST CALL TO TREAT EMERALD ASH BORER

We’re about out of time to treat Emerald Ash Borer. We have Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Drench on hand, and it needs to be used no later than mid-May.

CABBAGE WORM ALERT

If you grow cabbage, collards, mustard, kale or broccoli, be on the lookout for a white butterfly.

GET READY FOR CABBAGE WORMS

This seemingly innocent insect flutters around the plants and lands for 10-15 seconds to lay eggs. The real fun begins when the eggs hatch.

These worms are well camouflaged and have voracious appetites. They love to make holes in leaves. The good news is that the worms are controlled with several products, so keep your guard up on this food robber!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

COME SEE US AND LET’S KEEP GROWING!

TIME TO TREAT FOR EMERALD ASH BORER

Anyone with ash trees knows we are starting to see a significant number of dying/dead trees from the Emerald Ash Borer-

DEALING WITH EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB)

The sad truth is that you will eventually lose the tree but if it’s healthy now and you want to keep it as long as possible, you can either call a tree care company or treat it yourself with Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Care soil drench. Your spring window to treat is early April to mid-May when trees actively move control products and nutrients from roots to leaves.  

WATCH OUT FOR HOSTA LOVING CRITTERS

We love hostas! They’re easy to grow and quite pretty. Unfortunately there are a couple of critters that also love them; slugs and those rascally rabbits.

SLUGS AND BUNNIES WREAK HOSTA HAVOC

About this time every year we have a boatload of customers come in with holes in hosta leaves. Holes in the middle of the leaf are probably from slugs. They feed late at night then hide under mulch during the day. Rabbits take out big chunks along the leaf edges. Bunnies can take hostas down to the nub at one feeding and newly emerging plants are especially attractive to the furry little darlings. Soil Service Garden Center has Sluggo, Hi-Yield Slug and Snail Bait and Rabbit Scram for these critters.         

PLANTS NEED TO EAT TOO!

Your Soil Service Garden Center has a huge selection of organic plant foods from Espoma and Fox Farm’s Happy Frog Brand. We also have Hi-Yield sodium nitrate which is the ONLY organic quickly available nitrogen, and many choices of Hi-Yield and Ferti-lome traditional plant foods. Your plants will thank you for feeding them!

MORE ORGANIC CHOICES

Your Soil Service Garden Center carries a full line of organics including potting mixes, mycorrhizae and control products. Here’s a short but by no means complete list of our organic product line.

NEW STRAWBERRY FIELDS POTTING MIX

New for 2018 is Fox Farm’s Strawberry Fields (don’t you just love the name!) potting mix. Strawberry Fields is a combination of Ocean Forest and Coco Loco potting mixes so in effect you get an organic mix that also has coco coir AND beneficial mycorhizzae fungi. It’s the best of both worlds! Ocean Forest is still an excellent choice if you apply mycorrhizae from a different product such as Happy Frog plant food. Garden Soil Amendments– Happy Frog soil amendment with organic plant food and mycorrhizae, Mykes mycorrhizae + organic fertilizer for transplants Lawn Food- Milorganite Weed Control– horticultural grade vinegar for non-selective annual weed control Fungus and Bacteria Control-copper soap- best when applied as preventative Insect Control– neem oil, pyrethroids (derivatives of natural insect control in chrysanthemums), Captain Jack’s Spinosad (bacteria that is a big improvement over Thuricide BT) and Natural Guard Spinosad with insecticidal soap. If you’re a bit confused about what control or fertilizer products are organic or traditional, your Garden Center came up with a simple way to tell the difference. Organic products have bright green shelf tags.  

TAMING WILD VIOLETS AND CREEPING CHARLIE

Wild Violets and Creeping Charlie (also called Ground Ivy) are two of the meanest weeds in Kansas City, and it’s not unusual for these troublemakers to hang out together.

ABOUT WILD VIOLETS AND CREEPING CHARLIE

They look like harmless cute little plants at first, but trust us; ignore them long enough and they will take over your lawn. Violets are more difficult to control and unfortunately many products list them on their labels, but the reality is that Triclopyr (formerly Turflon) is the best product- and it also controls Creeping Charlie, clover, and other perennial broadleaves. This only comes in a concentrate, so you’ll need to break out the pump-up sprayer. If you don’t have a sprayer, see us at the Soil Service Garden Center and we’ll fix you up. Ferti-lome Spreader-Sticker should always be used with Triclopyr. Be ready to treat several times during the year because new ones will pop up, but now is the time to start!