Welcome to Master Gardener Award-Winning Lawn Fertilizing Service operating in Macomb County, Michigan
Monthly Archives: March 2013
Before I tell you about the most powerful tool in lawn care, the tool that will get you to a remarkable showcase lawn, let’s talk about fertilizer. When you purchase fertilizer, whether it is for your lawn, trees or scrubs, you will notice three numbers on the bag. These numbers represent the  (N) nitrogen, (P) phosphorus and (K) potassium. These are the major nutrient needed for a plant to remain healthy and survive. All three of these nutrients must be present and at optimal levels for the turf to thrive.  A few years ago the State of Michigan passed a law banning the major and very necessary nutrient (P) phosphorus. This nutrient is needed for root development and for the plant to thrive. So you will notice on many turf fertilizer products that the middle number is now zero.  By law as a licensed lawn fertilizing company we cannot apply a product containing (P) phosphorus.   The summer of 2012 was the first time in the twenty years that Master Gardener Lawn Care has been performing Soil Tests that we have seen low (P) phosphorus levels. The ban of a few years ago is starting to affect the health of our turf. Scientifically a plant cannot continue to survive without one of its major nutrients.  There are two exceptions to this regulation. The first one is, if we are fertilizing a newly seeded law. Remember (P) phosphorus is required by plants in developing a strong root system. The second is if the soil is determined to be low or deficient in (P) phosphorus. The only way to real know that a plant is in need of (P) phosphorus is by performing a SOIL TEST.  So, the SOIL TEST is now the most powerful tool in lawn care and in the lawn fertilizing industry.  A soil test is the only way we can determine the (P) phosphorus level in your soil. Once we have the current level we can calculate the amount of (P) phosphorus that needs to be added to the soil.               There are many other helpful things, such as pH, that a soil test can tell you. But for this discussion we are only considering (P) phosphorus.  Please note that the only way a truly customized lawn care program can only be developed is also with the help of a soil test.  So if someone is promising a customized lawn fertilizing program you may want to ask to see the soil test it is based upon.  Master Gardener Lawn Care has been creating award winning lawns for over twenty years. We are members of and abide by the firm code of ethics of the Michigan Green Industry Association. We provide lawn care services in Macomb, Oakland and Berrien Counties. About the Author Patrick Wesley is a Certified Master Gardener and Owner of Master Gardener Lawn Care located in Macomb County, Michigan.  Pat’s Company, Master Gardener Lawn Care, provides organic based lawn fertilizing services in Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Washington Township, Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore, Clinton Township, Warren, and Sterling Heights in Macomb County, Rochester Hills, Troy, and Royal Oak, Berkley Huntington Wood in Oakland County and St Joseph, Benton Harbor, Coloma, Steve in Berrien County, Michigan. Master Gardener Lawn Care was established in 1991 and provides lawn fertilizing services, core aeration, weed control, soil testing and insect control. For more information on our lawn care and lawn fertilizing services or to request a free lawn care analysis please visit our Free Lawn Fertilizing Service Estimate page on the www.mastergardenerlawncare.com website Â
While performing several free lawn analysis today, I noticed some SNOW MOLD in Shelby and Clinton Townships. It is nowhere as invasive as in the past and I was a little surprise to see any at all this year. Normally we see snow mold only after the snow has been on the lawn for several weeks.  This year the snow was lighter and was never on the lawns more then a week or two.  If you see some areas on your lawn, now that the snow is gone, that look like the pictures below it may be gray or pink snow mold. The good news is that in most cases this won’t require much attention on your part. But we do get call from our clients asking what is happening. Gray snow is what we see most of in our area. Like the name suggest it is recognize by the white to gray color. No need to worry it will clear up with the help of you first fertilizing application. You can help the process by lightly racking the area to allow air to circulate and speed up the recovery of the damage turf. Pink snow mold is little more serious of the two. It has a pink to salmon in color. Again the first fertilizing application will stimulate the turf to grow and the lawn should recover. Light raking will also help to speed up the recovery. There is more of a chance that pink snow damage may need to be over seeded.  Wait and see if it recovers. I have seen both gray and pink snow mold on lawns together. If you are concern about the condition of your lawn at this time of year, please feel free to call Master Gardener Lawn Care LLC for a free lawn analysis. We would be thrilled to treat your lawn or advise you on the best products available for you to create a showcase lawn. Master Gardener Lawn Care has been creating award winning lawns for over twenty years. We are members of and abide by the firm code of ethics of the Michigan Green Industry Association. We provide lawn care services in Macomb, Oakland and Berrien Counties. About the Author Patrick Wesley is a Certified Master Gardener and Owner and Director of Operations for Master Gardener Lawn Care located in Macomb County, Michigan.  Pat’s Company, Master Gardener Lawn Care, provides an organic based lawn fertilizing service in Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Washington Township, Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore, Clinton Township, Warren, and Sterling Heights in Macomb County, Rochester Hills, Troy, and Royal Oak, Berkley Huntington Wood in Oakland County and St Joseph, Benton Harbor, Coloma, Steve in Berrien County, Michigan. Master Gardener Lawn Care was established in 1991 and provides lawn fertilizing service, core aeration, weed control, soil testing and insect control. For more information on our lawn care and lawn fertilizing services or to request a free lawn care analysis please visit our Free Lawn Fertilizing Service Estimate page on the mastergardenerlawncare.com website Â
Moisture Manager Reduces Watering by 50%.  Master Gardener Lawn Care is an Award-Winning Lawn Fertilizing Service operating in Macomb, Oakland and Berrien Counties that was founded by a Master Gardener. At Master Gardener Lawn Care we are always looking for products and services that will provide our clients with the best lawn in their neighborhood at the best possible cost. One product that we have recently researched, HYDRETAIN, is proven to reduce watering requirements by 50%. Please see the information below and if you are interested feel free to give us a call. Hydretain by Ecologel Solutions LLC is a patented blend of liquid humecÂtant and hygroscopic compounds that attract free water molecules from the air within the soil. That water is then available to plant roots. Hydretain creates a sub-surface film that collects and stores moisture on plant roots and soil particle surfaces. What does all this mean? Consider what hapÂpens when you fill a glass with a cold drink. EventuÂally, water begins to condense on the side of the glass. The soil works in much the same way when Hydretain is applied. At the time that plants would normally go into drought stress, there is a very high level of humidity in the soil that is typically lost to evaporation. Rather than allowÂing that moisture to escape to the atmosphere above, Hydretain attracts the molecules of water and keeps that moisture in the soil. Hydretain captures water that is already there, reducing the irrigation or rainfall required to deliver adequate water to plant and turf roots. This is what makes Hydretain a unique water conservation and landscape management tool. According to Ecologel Solutions, you can water 50 percent less with Hydretain. So for areas where water restrictions are in place, landscape conÂtractors can maintain the integrity of properties while adhering to requirements. And in areas where water savings is not yet an issue, Hydretain minimizes drought-stress cycles between rainfall and irrigation, promotes healthier plants and ultimately delivers a better quality landscape.  Hydretain Root Zone Moisture Manager will:       Double or even triple the days between required watering       Reduce or eliminate drought stress cycles       Enhance seed germination       Control or eliminate dry spot problems       Improve transplant establishment       Protect non-irrigated or poorly irrigated areas   “Hydretain” – Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is Hydretain? How does it work? A. Hydretain is blend of patented hygroscopic and humectant compounds that is applied to the root zone of plants. This coats the roots and converts subsurface humidity into usable water for the plants. Q. How is Hydretain applied? A. Until recently, Hydretain was only applied by a spray or drench. For lawns, diluted Hydretain is sprayed onto the grass and then watered in so that it reaches the root zone. For ornamental plants, shrubs and trees it is drenched into the root zone. Q. When should Hydretain be applied? A. Hydretain can be applied anytime during a plant’s life cycle. However, the best time to apply Hydretain is before hot dry weather or drought conditions set in. Q. How long does Hydretain last? How often should it be applied? A. Hydretain lasts up to 3 months before it biodegrades. Re-apply at least every three months or more often for even greater water conservation. Q. Is Hydretain safe? Will it harm my pets? A. Hydretain is primarily made from food-grade ingredients and natural plant extracts. It is non-toxic. It will not harm your pets. Q. Is Hydretain beneficial to my bedding plants, shrubs and trees? Fruit trees and vegetable gardens? A. Hydretain has been proven effective through University of Texas and Florida trials and independent use on most types of ornamental plants, shrubs, trees, grasses and food producing agricultural plants. Q. When will I see results? What type of results should I expect? A. Hydretain becomes effective when it is drawn up against plant roots, generally within one to two waterings after the initial application. Results may vary, a 35% to 50% reduction in normal watering requirements is expected. Q. Will Hydretain hold too much water if we get a heavy rain fall? Will Hydretain wash through the soil with heavy rainfall?  A. Hydretain has little moisture holding capacity. Its function is to convert soil humidity into plant useable droplets when water is no longer available to plant roots. Hydretain may wash through the soil if heavy rainfall follows closely after application, before Hydretain has time to attach to plant roots. Hydretain is usually drawn up against roots within the first one to two required waterings after application. Q. Is Hydretain safe to use with other lawn care products? A. Yes, as a general rule Hydretain may be used with most other lawn care products. Hydretain has been shown to help improve the uptake of nutrients and assist in the function of pesticides and fungicides. Q. Is Hydretain beneficial if I don’t water at all? A. Hydretain has proven to reduce watering requirements by as much as 50% or more, however, if no watering is done and there is no rainfall, eventually plants and turf will go into normal drought stress.  About the Author Patrick Wesley is a Master Gardener and part owner of Master Gardener Lawn Care located in Macomb County, Michigan.  Master Gardener Lawn Care provides an organic based lawn fertilizing service in Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Washington Township, Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore, Clinton Township, Warren, and Sterling Heights in Macomb County, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Troy, Royal Oak, Berkley, and Huntington Woods in Oakland County, and St Joseph, Benton Harbor, Bridgeman, Coloma, Hartford, Watervliet, and Stevensville in Berrien County, Michigan. Master Gardener Lawn Care was established in 1991 and provides lawn fertilizing service, core aeration, weed control, soil testing and insect control. For more information on our lawn care and lawn fertilizing services or to request a free lawn care analysis please visit our Free Lawn Fertilizing Service Estimate page on the mastergardenerlawncare.com website
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