Chilean needle grass is most recognisable in late spring and early summer while it is flowering. It has distinctive purple seed heads with long awns.

A community-led action group is to provide Marlborough farmers with a check list to help eradicate invasive chilean needle grass as part of a new long-term strategy.

Marlborough Chilean Needle Grass Action Group chairman Warwick Lissaman said farmers throughout the region were responsible for the eradication of the pest, whether or not their property was infested.

The 15-year eradication strategy involved a voluntary hygiene plan for landowners, and was developed by the group in conjunction with the Marlborough District Council.

"We're telling every farmer in Marlborough that you have got a biosecurity requirement on your farm to keep [chilean needle grass] off your farm. You don't want this thing and you have really got to ramp up your biosecurity," Lissaman said.

This spring check-lists would be available from the action group, and would be given to every farm in the "core area", where the grass was most prominent.

That area was Blind River Loop, but Lissaman said surrounding areas in the Awatere Valley also had some occurrences of the plant, as did the Wairau Valley.

Those in the fringe areas of Blind River would also be provided with a check-list.

Chilean needle grass had been found on 143 properties in Marlborough, but most occurrences were small outbreaks.

The check-list was to provide farmers with a list of measures they could take to prevent the spread of chilean needle grass, Lissaman said.

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Chilean needle grass gets no quarter

Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) October 31, 2014

Owners of businesses who take personal pride in the exterior look of the company property can now benefit from the lawn services offered through the TLC Total Lawn Care company at http://tlctotallawncare.com/lawn-care-and-landscaping. Lawn landscaping services for small businesses are now offered around the city of Jacksonville, Florida.

The services that are now offered can be initiated by calling TLC directly at (904) 269-8873 or by completing an information request on the company website. The range of maintenance services now provided to business owners is expected to help companies of all sizes benefit from a well-manicured lawn that will attract attention of consumers.

"Our team consists of landscape, project and horticulture specialists to match business owner needs for properties of all sizes," said a TLC Total Lawn Care rep.

Exterior accents are one trusted method that some company owners are turning to in an effort to stand out from competitors. Floral and shrub accents are now more common in cities and rural areas, and TLC is now providing these property maintenance services along with pruning, mowing, edging and mulch bed solutions.

"Our specialty is commercial lawn care and we're now setup to help small or large companies get the satisfaction of an exterior lawn makeover," said the rep.

The TLC company has been providing landscaping services in the North Florida area for more than two decades. The company is now licensed for pest control applications, irrigation services and has required bonds for agricultural services. A site consultation can now be arranged through the company website or by phone during normal hours of business.

About TLCTotalLawnCare.com

The TLCTotalLawnCare.com company has spent the past 25 years providing commercial lawn care services to small and large companies around the city of Jacksonville, Florida. Known for high quality and competitive prices, the TLCTotalLawnCare.com company continues to provide the wow factor to companies that require grass cutting, edging, seeding and turf maintenance. The company website is a continued resource used this year to promote all lawn related services.

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Lawn Landscaping Services for Small Businesses Now Offered TLC Total Lawn Care

Pockets of sandplain grasslands throughout the Vineyard turn a light mahogany color as the nights begin to cool in late summer. Katama Air Park in Edgartown, Trade Wind Fields Preserve in Oak Bluffs and the various fire trails that run through the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest are among the best places to take in the color.

Sandplain grasslands, which are most extensive on the Cape and Islands, as well as on Long Island, usually include a variety of grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. But it is the native grass little bluestem that creates the ochre hues in late summer and early fall, and in large part helps sustain the diversity of the grassland ecosystem.

By September little bluestem has reached its full height of about three feet, and has sent out seed heads. The flowering season lasts through November and the color lasts through most of the winter.

By October youve just got a beautiful cloud of seed going on, especially when its backlit, said Carlos Montoya, an Aquinnah resident who owns Native Plant Associates and specializes in seeding little bluestem meadows. Unlike other long grasses, which form carpets, little bluestem grows in clumps, which allows other species to grow around it. It is also one of the few North American plants to utilize the C4 photosynthetic pathway, which allows it to grow in dry conditions. Once its established, you can virtually walk away from it, Mr. Montoya said. And just when everything else is turning brown, this thing is in its glory.

Carlos Montoya of Aquinnah owns Native Plants Associates and specializes in seeding little bluestem meadows. Mark Lovewell

Much of its habitat on the Vineyard was created by grazing animals. Open spaces in the past were also created by fire and sometimes maintained through controlled burning. But farming has decreased since the early 1900s, along with an increase in fire suppression, and most open land on the Vineyard has reverted back to forest.

All of the habitat that requires full sun is getting smaller and smaller, Mr. Montoya said. And that means the gene pool, which is kind of the survival into the future that gets constricted too, since there is less and less seed being produced. So I think its really important to keep the different habitats in balance.

Mr. Montoya was involved in efforts by The Nature Conservancy and the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole to convert forested land on the Vineyards south shore to grassland and little bluestem beginning in 2001. As a result, the number of plant species in that area tripled from about 25 to 75 species.

Matt Pelikan, a Vineyard resident and coastal ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, said the plant also supports insect and bird species, which often prefer dispersed vegetation. The amount of energy that is stored in little bluestem plants is pretty considerable, he said. Some insects have life cycles tied to the little bluestem and many caterpillars feed on it exclusively. Its an important linchpin in the food web, Mr. Pelikan said.

He added that because little bluestem grows late in the season, it is useful in seed mixes for farm pastures. Then you have a mix of species thats diverse enough so there will be something growing actively at all points in the season, he said. A lot of the land management that weve done of conservation properties has been aimed at promoting sandplain grassland habitats, and little bluestem would be one of the key species that youd want to see be prominent in places like that.

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Oh Little Bluestem I Love You, Yes I Do

Two FieldTurf fields will replace natural grass suface

Sarah Hugel/ The Towerlight

Students who have passed by Burdick Field this semester have noticed the gravel and dirt that replaced what used to be grass. This led many to wonder about the fate of one of the only green spaces on campus.

No fear, Towson students, as Burdick Field is undergoing a renovation that began last fiscal year and is set to be finished this fiscal year. The area is getting two new FieldTurf fields, synthetic surfaces much like the field at Johnny Unitas Stadium, and turfing began last Thursday.

Director of Campus Recreation Grady Sheffield said the project was approved in response to the field conditions of the old Burdick Field.

The need for a synthetic sports surface for Burdick Field has been evident for quite some time, Sheffield said.The previous natural turf field, despite the great efforts made by Paul Thomas and the Landscape Services staff, was never able to meet the needs of the university community on a consistent basis, especially when it rained.

Sheffield said the field lacked a proper crown, sloped to the west and did not have a drainage system in place to allow water to adequately dissipate from the playing surface, before the renovation.

The field would often be off limits for days after rain, forcing the cancellation of many club and intramural activities. In light of this, the decision to add FieldTurf instead of another natural grass field was made. Sheffield said it was difficult to maintain the grass field year-round.

With natural grass, we were limited as to when we could program the field(s) and how often, he said.In order to have grass on the field you have to allow for it to be properly maintained. This includes suspending activity during and after rain, time for watering and seeding, and then allowing new growth to mature in order to withstand the heavy usage.

The fields will feature lines sewn onto the turf for specific sports. The larger field will have three flag football fields, a soccer field and a rugby pitch, while the smaller field, located between the Union Garage and Osler Bridge, will have lines suited for mens and womens lacrosse.

Continued here:
Burdick Field getting new turf

Happy Sam!

After several years of throwing my money away at lawn maintenance service and watching my St. Augustine lawn die, I finally decided to seed my lawn.... Read More ->

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Don't buy from Z Farms all the plugs died. Hancock Seed company is way Better All there plugs are still green Not Like Z Farms where brown when i got... Read More ->

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Hancock Farm & Seed Company - Lawn, Pasture and Turf Grass ...

The Muirhead family are in their fourth generation and third Century of producing and selling grass seed.

We have a wealth of experience and the knowledge to answer any questions you may have.

We are the only merchant in United Kingdom to have shown and won the World Champion Medal in the Small Seeds section of the Toronto Winter Fair in Canada.

Allowing us the skill to acquire and select the best available grasses and blend them on our premises to your requirements. As we are Independent Seedsmen, we are able to source all available UK Grass Seed varieties from the Seed Houses of Europe. Only Seedsmen are able to produce top quality grass seeds mixtures; unlike merchants that can only sell what they are given from one Seed House, they have no knowledge of what is in the bag.

As we are Independent Seedsmen, we are able to source all the best varieties from the various Seed Houses, leaving the poorer varieties for the Merchant mixes.

Our website has been split into three sections; Amentity, Agriculture and Equine.

The Amenity section has been designed for Professionals and Gardeners, allowing everyone looking for a great finish to have it. A lawn is for life buy the best quality. Only Seedsmen are able to offer gardeners professional quality lawn seed, our mixtures are not available in Garden Centres. No one ever regretted buying quality.

The Agricultural section shows you a selection of our best selling mixtures, but as farmers ourselves we understand that you know your land better than anyone, we will mix to your requirements.

And our Equine section is for those people with an interest in horses and ponies. Having always had horses we have an expertise in grazing horses, and the knowledge to repair the damage they can do to your grassland.

As well as the seed mixtures available on the website we are also able to supply bespoke mixtures tailored to meet any specifications that you may require.

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Grass Seed Direct

Nothing sets off a landscape like a beautiful expanse of lawn. Properly cared for with a minimum of chemical treatments and a conservative watering regimen, it neednt be a resource-hungry ecological disaster.

Fall is prime time for putting in new lawns or thickening the turf with remedial seeding, a dense carpet of sod being the best defense against weeds. Its also the ideal season for fertilizing and liming to encourage deep-rooted, drought-resistant grass.

Here are some seasonal tips to consider: If you fertilize your lawn only once a year, fall is the time to do it. Grass blades grow more slowly as temperatures cool, but roots continue to grow quickly. Fall feeding delivers nutrients to roots that help lawns get off to a healthy start next spring.

Fall is the best season for seeding since grass seedlings have less competition from weeds. Rake bald spots, spread seed with a quick-start fertilizer formula and cover lightly with mulch. Water daily for at least two weeks. Over-seeding established (but thin) lawns will help thicken turf.

Perennial rye and bluegrass have a tough time surviving in our increasingly hot and dry summers. Consider some of the newer fine fescues that take longer to knit into a solid turf but are more resistant to drought, shade and disease.

Continue to mow into November, when growth stops. Grass left long over the winter is more prone to fungus diseases. Mow high (3) and avoid cutting off more than one-third of grass blades at a time to keep turf healthy.

Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass blades, promoting yellowing and a ragged appearance. The idea is to cut the grass and not merely scare it.

Some fallen leaves are dense, tough and likely to compact, depriving lawns of air oak and Norway maple leaves, for instance. These should be raked and composted, then added to garden beds. Other, lighter leaves can simply be mowed in place and left to decompose, adding nutrients to the soil. Test soil pH to make sure soil is not becoming too acidic to support healthy lawn growth. Get a Do-It-Yourself kit at the hardware store or visit your county office of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service (find yours at njaes.rutgers.edu/county). Apply lime as needed.

Soil beneath lawns can become compacted over time by regular foot traffic and use of heavy equipment like riding mowers, or because it is naturally heavy and clay-like. Aerating opens holes in the turf to admit oxygen, water and fertilizer, promoting healthy root growth. Rent an aerator or hire a landscaper to remove cores of soil. Spiked sandals wont make a dent in the problem.

Assess spots where lawn grass fails to thrive. Excessive foot traffic and dense shade make it difficult to grow decent turf. Try paving or groundcovers in locations where grass fails to thrive.

Read the original here:
Fall is prime time for lawn care

By Orlan Love, The Gazette

KALONA Acknowledging the slow growth of trees, most foresters will tell you the best time to plant one is 20 years ago.

But Jerry Rediger, who broadcast more than 325 bushels of nuts on 44 acres of worn out farm ground in November 1997, will tell you that 17 years ago is also a fairly auspicious planting time.

Im excited about what weve got to show you today, Rediger said Wednesday at the start of a forestry field day showcasing the dense hardwood forest, red and gold leaves aglitter, towering in some spots 35 feet above the once badly eroded slopes on which they were planted.

Rediger said he bought the farm in 1993, one of the wettest years on record in Iowa, when heavy rains washed 8-inch-deep gullies between all the rows of his corn.

That sickening experience, he said, got him thinking about planting trees, and he took action in 1997 after he met forestry consultant Steve Hamilton of Cedar Rapids.

Hamilton recommended the then experimental technique of direct seeding, rather than planting rooted saplings.

They roto-tilled 5-foot strips, with 8-foot spacing between the strips, and tossed acorns and walnuts onto the tilled soil from the back of a pickup, Hamilton said.

The following May they were delighted to find slender saplings poking through the soil, he said.

With Rediger mowing and applying herbicide to control competition from sod grass, the trees grew rapidly, establishing after five years a canopy that eliminated the need for further mowing or spraying, Rediger said.

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Forestry field day at the Jerry Rediger farm

EDWARDS Never has a Battle Mountain boys soccer team been so happy to receive a No. 20 seed in the playoffs.

As it turned out, Seeding Sunday wasnt a suspenseful matter. The Huskies were in easily.

Pleasant surprise, said Huskies coach David Cope, whose team has had its share of misfortune when the bracket has been issued.

Battle Mountain is at No. 13 Fort Lupton today at 5 p.m.

MEET THE BLUE DEVILS

OK, where is Fort Lupton? is probably the first question. Its northeast of Denver, north of Brighton and south of Platteville. OK, its in Weld County between Interstate 25 and I-76, just north of Boulder if Boulder were on the east side of I-25.

Arent the playoffs fun? They help one learn the geography of the great Centennial State.

Fort Lupton (11-2-2) is the champion of the Colorado 7 League, which actually has eight teams. Cope jokingly said that he thought the league was named for John Elway.

Attempting to bring some seriousness to this, No. 9 Victor Sanchez is the focal point. He has 21 goals, exactly half of the Blue Devils 42 on the year. Genaro Arellano is second on the team with eight.

The result of Fort Luptons slate, which grabs attention, is a 4-2 victory over Niwot. Thats No. 5 Niwots only loss of the season.

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Huskies draw No. 20, headed to Fort Lupton

Weeds are bullies. Yes, sireee bob. Some lie in wait for an opportune moment while others erupt seemingly overnight. I have been strong-armed by more weeds that I care to say. Weeds are nothing more that plants out of place, says some gardening philosopher. I say, that philosopher has never met my weeds. They are rude, crude thugs that intimidate my lawn and flowers. A plant out of place, my foot!

It took me some time to calm this person down but when I did this gardener got a grip on how to handle pesky weeds in the fall. (Some days my job is harder than other days.) Bully weeds no longer torture this person. If you are feeling bullied by your weeds here are some suggestions.

Early November is an excellent time to control those pesky cool season weeds and give us a head start on the weeds in spring. Dandelions are more easily controlled now than in spring because they are actively moving materials from the top portion of the plant to the roots. Herbicides will translocate to the roots as well and will kill the plant from the roots up. Treating perennial broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions, chickweed, and henbit now while they are young will also allow the turf to fill in the open spots and make spring weed germination more difficult.

Herbicides such as 2,4-D or combination products (Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, Weed-Out) that contain 2,4-D, MCPP and Dicamba can take the guess work out of weed control. Broadleaf weeds that are not controlled by 2,4-D are usually controlled by one of the other herbicides. For example, 2,4-D provides excellent control of dandelion and plantain, but provides poor control of white clover or red sorrel. Dicamba, on the other hand, provides excellent control of white clover and red sorrel and only fair control of dandelion or plantain. By applying a combination of these two, all four weeds will be controlled. Combination products dont necessarily control all broadleaf weeds in your yard. It is possible to choose the wrong combination of herbicides (i.e. 2,4-D+MCPP instead of 2,4-D + MCPP + Dicamba) and some weeds are just naturally hard to control. This is why it is important to identify the weeds before purchasing products to eradicate them.

Do not apply broadleaf herbicides within 4-6 weeks before seeding and not until the new grass has been mowed at least twice.

Choose a day that is 50 degrees or higher to apply herbicides.

With liquid or soluble broadleaf herbicides, do not mow for several days before and after the application to allow for maximum uptake and translocation of the herbicide.

Do not add grass clippings to the compost pile that have been treated with a herbicide. Residuals can kill good plants in your garden in spring.

Do not water for at least 24 hours after application, and do not treat if rain is expected within 24 hours.

Always read and follow the herbicide label instructions carefully to maximize the efficiency of your application. Remember, more is not always better. It is possible to make weed infestation worse!

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At Home Living: Fall weed control helps prevent spring outbreak