by Larry Williams | Jun 17, 2013
Tree cattle webbing. Photograph by Douglas L. Caldwell, University of Florida
Many people are noticing small insects on trunks and branches of their trees. When disturbed, these insects move in a group and are commonly called tree cattle because of this herding habit. They are ¼ inch brownish-black insects with white markings. Some people assume that these insects will injure their trees but they are harmless. They could be considered beneficial.
Before you spray your tree to control these insects, click on the following link and read the entire article.
Tree cattle are harmless
Tree cattle. Photograph by Jim Castner, University of Florida
by Larry Williams | Jun 17, 2013
There is something for the professional and homeowner at the 19th Annual Turfgrass Expo & Field Day. You’ll see and learn the newest in the areas of lawn grass varieties, weed control and many other topics related to selecting, establishing and maintaining a Florida lawn.
This University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) event will take place on June 19 at the West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) in the north part of Santa Rosa County.
Registration fee is $40. Register Online or register at the event. For more information, contact Robin Vickers at (850) 983-5216 ext. 113 or visit the WFREC website.
To read entire article, click the following link. 2013 Turfgrass Expo
WFREC Turfgrass Field Day, Photograph UF/IFAS Extension
by Larry Williams | Feb 22, 2013
Fertilizing your lawn before the soil temperature is adequately warm results in waste of fertilizer and possible lawn injury.
Close up of cold injured lawn grass blades
Lawn cold injury from too early fertilizer application
Despite the fact that you can easily force your lawn to turn green early with many of the high nitrogen fertilizers, it’s a false sense of accomplishment. That new green growth is dependent on the availability of other elements, some of which are poorly available under cool soil temperatures. Iron, for example, is not readily available while the soil is still cool. This is exactly what happens when your lawn begins to turn bright yellow after being fertilized too early. In other words you’ve induced or caused a nutrient deficiency by fertilizing too early. It’s simply a matter of the soil being to cool to allow the roots to take in the needed iron to support the new growth that you’ve caused from fertilizing too soon.
There are other needed nutrients, such as potassium, which are not readily available under cool soil temperatures. As a result, some of these fertilizer elements leach below the root area before grass-roots are in a position to use them. As a result of fertilizing too early, you’re wasting fertilizer and money that’s washing away and not being used by your lawn. Waiting to fertilize during more favorable soil temperatures allows for more efficient use of the fertilizer and less waste.
In order for our lawn grasses to efficiently use fertilizer, consistently warmer nights are required. So why not wait until mid April to fertilize? You’ll waste less fertilizer, save money and have a healthier lawn in the process. It’s a win, win, win situation.
