Most of the wasps we’re too familiar with (and afraid of) are sociable with their own kind, building large nests in trees or underground. The problem is when they build nests under your eaves, picnic tables, or even (if you’re a farmer) under the seat of that baler you’re about to rev up as part…Continue Reading For Wasps, Prevention Is Key — and the Time Is Now
Lawn IPM – Reducing Stress
“It’s so dry the trees are bribing the dogs.” ― Charles Martin, Chasing Fireflies While drought stress might not seem like an IPM issue, it can definitely impact how your grass will respond to pests, both current and future. As Pat Vittum, Turf Entomologist at UMass, tells her students, “Turf can take one or two…Continue Reading Lawn IPM – Reducing Stress
Lawn IPM – Preparing for Summer
“Sopping, and with no sign of stopping, either- then a breather. Warm again, storm again- what is the norm, again? It’s fine, it’s not, it’s suddenly hot: Boom, crash, lightning flash!” – ― Old Farmer’s Almanac What a spring it has been. After a spring drought, the grass is now recovering (or finally coming out…Continue Reading Lawn IPM – Preparing for Summer
Lawn IPM—Getting Ahead of the Weeds
“…winter, will be forced to relent, once again, to the new beginnings of soft greens, longer light, and the sweet air of spring.” – Madeleine M. Kunin As spring progresses and temperatures continue to rise, lawns are recovering from the long winter. As the grass grows and the dry tips are mowed off, areas that…Continue Reading Lawn IPM—Getting Ahead of the Weeds
Lawn care and the spring itch
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” ― William Shakespeare It’s Spring (with a capital S) and the urge to get outside and work in the yard is mounting. When it comes to your lawn, what should you be thinking about and doing as April progresses? Ahhh, spring. Waiting for the grass to…Continue Reading Lawn care and the spring itch
Punching Out Grubs
Cutting grass roots to the quick — that’s a grub’s stock in trade. But pesticides cost money and time — let alone potential health hazards, whether to ecosystems or us. Cutting grubs to the quick? Now, there’s an idea. Groundskeepers and savvy homeowners use aerators with their sharp tines to break up hard, compacted soil,…Continue Reading Punching Out Grubs
Why Is This Grass Weak?
Let me count the ways. First, a little perspective – this is the front lawn of a school that was just renovated. There was little money to invest in the lawn and even less to help the struggling lawn. Problem #1: Compaction This area was the staging area for the equipment and material storage during…Continue Reading Why Is This Grass Weak?