Posted by admin to Landscaping, Lawn Care, Lighting on 2008-03-20, 05:20:49

For many “Spring” arrives in different ways. For some it’s the time change, others it’s the Azaleas starting to bloom… for me I’m just weird, I know it’s “Spring” from TV commercials.


In the just the past week I’ve seen or heard the audio rumbling through our home commercials for Lowe’s and Home Depot. But the one that always gets my attention is the Miracle Gro commercials. The reason why that piques my interest comes from some obscure fact that sticks in my brain.

A few years ago it was report that “Miracle Gro” spent 1 million per week during the season to promote their products. That season starts during the “Spring.” Do they make the best potting soil, media or dirt? You’ll have to decide, but there must be money in it. The Miracle Gro fertilizer commercial has not come across the radar yet but will soon I’m sure.

Spring is also in the air because of the weeds starting to grow. That means the “Round-Up” commercials with homeowners spraying have started. You’ll soon see them. The problem I have with the commercial is not the use of “round-up” it’s been a great product I use. However, you should always play it safe with some safety eyewear and gloves. Kill the weeds but keep the chemicals off and away from your body. That goes for the Spectrcide commercials and products also. But having someone applying these products in a Hazmat suit would not sell them as well.

It’s safe to say you probably won’t see many commercials on landscape rocks, outdoor landscape lighting for safety purposes or outdoor wireless speakers for your backyard landscape on TV. So next time you’re at the local garden center looking at the flowers, dirt and chemicals give them a look also - since Spring is here - cuz the TV told us so!

Posted by admin to House Plants Care, Landscaping, Lawn Care on 2008-01-21, 10:47:56

Plant Roots - I’m going to beat on that drum again! The roots of plants - unfortunately - are many times the most neglected and least maintained part of the plant. Yet they are probably the most vital.

Instead of considering a root is a root, let’s look a little farther. I know we in general all roots being equal what their basic functions they are.

One area I find many homeowners caring for:

• House Plants
• Landscape plants in the garden
• Potted Plants on the Patio or Deck area
• Grass - that plant which makes up our lawns

They assume all plants must have a vigorous root system. Don’t assume (myself included) that a newly purchased plant has a container full of roots. Stop and take a look at the root system before jumping into any regular maintenance routine.

Some plants don’t have a vigorous root system or deep root system. Probably the most widely grown indoor plant is the pothos or golden pothos. That “philodendron looking” plant with gold coloring on it. The pothos is a shallow-root plant. Many times I’ll see a basket or pot of pothos with the center completely rotted out.

The plant vines around and hangs over the edge of the pot, but the center looks pretty sad.

Why does this happen?

What is this person caring for? Roots or Soil?

Most likely what happens is they watch and water the soil - not the roots. The dirt doesn’t Grow!

Does this sound like you? Not all plants need a thorough soaking, but would prefer a light watering - depending on the plant and root system. Also most of the water is probably being poured right into the center of the plant and not around the pot.

Yes, roots may reach the bottom of the pot, but will most likely be found at the outer edges of the pot and not the center. The outer edges allow the soil to drain off, leaving the soil moist and not wet. This is one reason I like sub-irrigation - watering from the bottom up!

Another place we may find a shallow rooted plant is in new plant arrivals. These plants have been in transit and had their root systems knocked around. They need time to slowly repair themselves and become efficient again. In the case of an under rooted plant, it may need time to fill out it’s growing media in its new surrounding.

A plant in a 10 inch pot may only have the developed root system of an 8 inch pot. The bottom soil may take a long time to dry out. It may be necessary to allow the plant(s) to dry down halfway before watering again.

That being said, take a look at your plants and plant watering techniques.

Are you pouring your water right in one spot? Are you watering a plant with a shallow root system or undeveloped root system?

Take some time to look at the roots of your plants. Don’t forget plants in lower light levels probably aren’t going to use as much water. Learn to water the roots and not the soil.

Your plants like it much more and has less chance to create plant root problems.

Posted by admin to Landscaping, Lawn Care on 2008-01-01, 06:45:49

With the price of oil continuing to climb the new “buzz” of renewable fuels and hybrid cars and engines continue to make the news. However, one “alternative” few which has been around for many years and can provide some relief when mowing lawns especially for commercial lawn care specialist is diesel powered lawn mowers.

Diesel does not have the same glamorous ring to it that some of the newer technology fuels have but diesel powered engines can provide 18% more energy compared to gasoline on a per unit of volume measurement.

For the homeowner this saving may not appear significant but for lawn care professionals the saving can be measured in real dollars besides fuel savings alone. Diesel engines prove to last 3 to 5 years longer than gasoline engines. The extends the time between equipment replacement. Also the engine parts inside are built stronger.

Don’t look at the fuel cost alone but all the other factors associated with operating an engine on an ongoing basis.

For example, when I first installed a diesel pump in my nursery I was surprised by the fuel savings. A gas engine used about 1.5 gallons per hour where the diesel used about 2/3 of a gallon. Over the course of years the fuel saving alone was significant.

Many homeowner also like the zero turn mowers available for mowing their lawn and they are all come with diesel engines if you want. Give deisel a serious look for your next lawn mower purchase.

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