National Seed News
National Seed's Commercial Strength Ice Melt
Blue crystals help provide efficient application and even ice melting. Melts ice and snow to -15 degrees. Safe for use on treated wood and concrete.
- Designed for Illinois's Harshest Winter Conditions
- Contains RUSH Speed Enhancing Additive
- Dyed Blue For Ease of Application
Contains:
- Sodium chloride
- Magnesium chloride
- Calcium chloride
- RUSH accelerator
Facts and statistics about the Landscape industry
- Generates $77 billion in annual revenues
- Employs nearly 1 million people
- Has an annual growth rate of 3.5%
- Consists of nearly 500,000 businesses
Source: IBISWorld report, 2016.
If we dive deeper into this data, we can see how different specializations and services contribute to the scope of the entire industry. In a survey from a leading industry publication, respondents reported that they had completed business within the following sectors:
- 65% single family residential
- 23% commercial/industrial
- 42% maintenance
- 19% design and build
- 13% lawn care
- 6% tree care
- 6% snow removal
- 6% irrigation
Source: Lawn and Landscape Magazine State of the Industry 2014.
It is also worth noting that over 30% of respondents listed "Landscaping Maintenance" as their most profitable service. Other services such as "design and build" and "chemical lawn treatments" were substantial revenue drivers.
So what does all this data equate to? Revenue.
From the same industry survey, here's the breakdown of businesses by revenue:
- Less than $300,000—57%
- $300,000–$999,999—19%
- $1 million–$1.9 million—11%
- $2 million–$3.9 million—7%
- $4 million or more—6%
- Median Revenue Nationwide: $217,000
Each year, droves of new competitors enter the market. Nearly 20% of the entire industry is made up of new landscaping services. If you haven't faced fierce local competition, consider yourself lucky (for now).
PROTECT YOUR CUSTOMERS' EVERGREENS THIS WINTER
Anti-desiccant spray applied in the fall coats the foliage of your plants with this layer of organic "sealant" to help the plants resist the drying power of winter winds and conserve the moisture vital to their good health. Properly applied, a winter protection spray will safeguard your valuable plants through the cold months and gradually break down as warm weather approaches and your trees and shrubs begin spring growth.
Fall Fertilization of Trees
There is considerable discussion about the proper time to apply fertilizers to trees. The practice of applying N-P-K fertilizer to trees in the fall is common in the arborist and landscape industries. Is this practice a good one, or not?
P and K, Yes; but only "Low or Slow N" in Late Fall
Application of phosphorus (P), potassium (K) in the fall actually helps the tree prepare for winter, by inducing a proper hardening-off of this year's foliar tissues. This practice is common in forest tree nurseries. However, high levels of soluble nitrogen can encourage foliar tissues to remain young (juvenile), and to delay their preparation for frost. Therefore, application of high levels of soluble nitrogen (N) fertilizer to trees within 6 weeks of anticipated first frost will increase the risk of early frost damage to the foliage. Such nitrogen-induced foliar damage is more prevalent in hardwoods rather than in conifers. Slow-release forms of nitrogen are safe for use in the fall, since these will not have the same effect in promoting top growth as the fully soluble forms of N. For this reason, most commercial applications of nitrogen in the fall utilize "low and/or slow" Nitrogen.
Overseeding Lawns
- Overseeding lawns in fall reduces or eliminates competition from summer weedy grasses, such as crabgrass, foxtails, and other weeds.
- Overseeding lawns in fall reduces or eliminates competition from summer weedy grasses, such as crabgrass, foxtails, and other weeds.
- Rain amounts and soil moisture are generally better in the fall.
National Seed's Recommended Seed Mixes for Overseeding
FIELD OF DREAMS™ RE-SEEDER MIXTURE
• 25% Improved Kentucky Bluegrass
• 25% Improved Kentucky Bluegrass
• 25% Turf-Type Perennial Ryegrass
• 25% Turf-Type Perennial Ryegrass
FIELD OF DREAMS™ ATHLETIC TURF MIXTURE
• 30% Turf-Type Perennial Ryegrass
• 30% Turf-Type Perennial Ryegrass
• 20% Improved Kentucky Bluegrass
• 20% Improved Kentucky Bluegrass
GREENSKEEPERS GLAMOUR MIXTURE
• 30% Kentucky Bluegrass 98/85
• 30% Creeping Red Fescue
• 40% Containing 2 Turf-type Perennial Ryegrass
To order or obtain additional information please contact us.
The Salt Story... 2018/19 Shortage
As I sit here enjoying a beautiful 80 degree day in mid July, it's ironic to be talking about salt. Actually, if you are in the "salt business"or are a snow contractor or property manager it's late to be talking about salt. Here in Michigan and the Midwest we are only 4 months away, or less some years, from our first snow and/or ice event. It should be important for us to know: who we are working for? Who is working for us? Do we have enough equipment? And where are we buying salt and how much will it cost this year?
In an effort to share, the following is the basic story of salt in the Midwest markets...
According to some research we can all find out there on a Google search....there is about 10 million tons of salt that are sold into this region and its outskirts annually. There are about 4 main providers, one at about 1 million tons, one at about 3 million tons, and a couple others that make up another 6 or 7 million tons. There are a few other salt companies that don't own mines (at least in the US or Canada) and they import salt from other countries, such as Egypt, Chile, United Kingdom, Morocco and others. This combination of providers work to win bids and win relationships to sell salt into all of our cities, towns and local markets.
Our government gets first dibs to put out requests for proposals to get quotes for the upcoming season. This process starts typically in May and can linger through the summer. Just like any company managing their inventory or capacity of sales......the salt companies are trying to win some government bids, to sell off some of their inventory / production capacity. Therefore the salt companies really don't know how successful they have been at selling their inventory till most or all of the public bidding and bid acceptance process has taken place
After this round of sales, there is some salt released to be sold direct from the top salt companies to contractors or to large resellers/brokers of salt. The pricing available to this round of buyers is higher than that of the pricing offered to our state and local governments.
Once this round is achieved, the smaller contractor, one without a place to buy and store a season's worth of salt or at least a sizable portion or a seasons salt...well they must rely on the local supply yard to have salt for them a few tons at a time throughout each event, all season long. As you might imagine, each layer has a cost increase and a risk increase. The sooner we all find and secure a salt deal to meet our needs the better off we will be going into winter, negotiating contracts and sharing this process with the end users…our clients. I strongly urge you to "educate yourself and educate your clients" on the process of procuring salt. Knowledge is always powerful and helpful.
Patch Diseases Serious Problem
Perhaps the most serious turf disease likely to occur in northern Illinois is summer patch and necrotic ring spot, two separate diseases that attack grass roots and previously were referred to as fusarium blight. Research continues to look for information on these diseases. Brown patch may also attack turfgrasses. These "patch diseases" are similar in appearance and management in lawns.
Summer patch and brown patch tends to be most active in hot weather, while necrotic ring spot tends to be most active in late spring and in fall. Disease symptoms often show under turf stress in summer, however. Crescent shaped or circular patches of dead grass, often with clumps of green grass inside, are a characteristic symptom (often called "frogeye"). Lawn and other turf areas with advanced disease development may show irregular dead areas and streaks.
Patch diseases typically develop on turf with stress factors such as excessive thatch, poor soil conditions, sod installed over a poorly prepared site, irregular/excessive nitrogen fertility, and related problems. One typical situation in which these diseases occur is recently sodded lawns (within 2 - 5 years) put down over a clay soil, usually with good care (high watering & fertility) to keep the grass green and vigorous. This condition leads to poor root penetration and development, and also often a problem thatch layer.
Management of these diseases consists of correcting soil problems and implementing proper cultural practices, overseeding dead areas, and possibly fungicide applications. Improving conditions for root growth and reducing problem thatch is critical. Practices such as core aerifying and topdressing, along with sound fertilizing, mowing (avoid mowing too short), and watering are suggested. Spring and fall are suggested times for aerifying, assuming the turf is actively growing. Avoid heavy spring applications of nitrogen fertilizer. Focus most applications on the fall period. Fertilizers containing controlled-release nitrogen are suggested. Overseed dead areas with perennial ryegrass and resistant Kentucky bluegrass cultivars in late August or early September.
These management suggestions may not bring immediate results, but will get the patch disease under control in the long run. Fungicides are an option to help prevent further development on unaffected grass, but will not reverse the factors causing the disease or eliminate the disease. Fungicides treat the symptoms but not the cause of the problem.
Written by Bruce Spangenberg, former Extension Educator, Horticulture. University of Illinois Extension.
Tree Check Sonic Decay Detection Device
Tree Check Sonic Wave Tree Decay Detector is a breakthrough technology in sonic wave timers that will become an international standard in the pre-climb safety check, tree risk assessment and urban forestry inventories. Tree Check is designed for arborists and urban foresters as a low cost, simple to use, reliable field tool to detect the likely presence of significant decay, cavity or cracks in standing trees. Used properly it can "see inside the tree" revealing areas of concealed severe deterioration that undiscovered could result in tree structural failure or resultant property damage or personal injury.
Adding a mosquito-control service
Mosquito control can be a profitable service add-on. Everyone agrees mosquitoes are an annoying and potentially dangerous pest in the summer months. That would seem to present a big business opportunity for anyone in the business of getting rid of mosquitoes. Lawn and landscape companies that have begun offering mosquito control services are taking advantage of that broad-based demand.
Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, but they also can transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs and horses are very susceptible to. These include dog heart worms, eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.
There are about 200 different species of mosquitoes in the United States, which live in specific habitats, exhibit unique behaviors and bite different types of animals.
Different species of mosquitoes prefer different types of standing water in which to lay their eggs. The presence of beneficial predators such as fish and dragonfly nymphs in permanent ponds, lakes and streams help keep these bodies of water relatively free of mosquito larvae. However, portions of marshes, swamps, clogged ditches and temporary pools and puddles are all prolific mosquito breeding sites.
Grass Seed Germination
Grass seed will germinate at a wide variety of temperatures; the optimum temperatures for germination are in the table below. The temperatures listed are air temperatures which would be almost identical to that in on the surface of the soil barring radiation effects.
Realize though that optimum temperature for seed germination can vary depending on seed age, cultivar, etc. Also the optimum germination temperature of certain species may not involve a specific temperature but a rhythmic alternation of temperatures. Additionally, the maximum and minimum temperatures for seed germination are poorly defined because of the extreme slowness of germination, especially for the minimums.
Most of our cool season grasses can germinate almost throughout the summer, so there are many other factors control the success of seeding. Poor irrigation, diseases like damping off, and weed pressure are the most common causes of seeding failures.
Optimum Temperatures for Seed Germination
| Turfgrass Species | Optimum temperatures for seed germination |
|---|---|
| Creeping bentgrass | 59-86 |
| Annual bluegrass | 68-86 |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 59-86 |
| Rough bluegrass | 68-86 |
| Tall fescue | 68-86 |
| Red fescue | 59-77 |
| Sheep fescue | 59-77 |
| Chewings fescue | 69-77 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 68-86 |
Crabgrass
Spring is coming: The good news is there are signs of spring’s arrival and with the gradual increase in air and soil temperatures comes the time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to control crabgrass on turf areas. However, the timing of that application is critical for effective control of crabgrass and other summer annual grassy weeds. Since the pre-emergence herbicides recommended for crabgrass control actually prevent germinating seedlings from emerging, these products must be applied before crabgrass seeds germinate. Researchers report that crabgrass seeds germinate when average daily soil temperatures reach 57 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit at a 1-inch depth. So, some turf managers have monitored soil temperatures as a method of predicting crabgrass germination and determine the optimum time to apply pre-emergent herbicides. Likewise, the bloom period for forsythia has been used as an indicator for the best time to apply crabgrass control. Forsythia blooms just prior to crabgrass germination signaling the time to apply pre-emergent herbicides.
Crabgrass Pre-emergent will prevent grass seed germination, so overseeding will have to wait until late Summer/early Fall. Additionally, pre-emergent should only be applied to established lawns. Some crabgrass pre-emergent may negatively affect young grass roots.
The following tips are also important for minimizing crabgrass pressure and increasing the effectiveness of pre-emergent herbicide applications:
- Mow cool-season turfgrasses at a mowing height of 3 inches or higher
- Irrigate turf areas deeply and infrequently
- Ensure an even distribution of preemergence herbicides, avoiding skips or misses on turf areas
- Pre-emergent herbicides must be watered in thoroughly to be effective, time application before rainfall or use irrigation to accomplish this important step.
Excerpts from John Orick Purdue Master Gardener State Coordinator Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University.
Grass Seed Harvest Update
The 2017 grass seed harvest in much of the United States was disappointing. In Minnesota & Canada, young plantings without snow cover froze out. In the Williamette Valley, where much of the seed production takes place, an excessively wet winter and spring prevented some plantings and delayed timely fertilizer and herbicide applications. This led to a larger than normal number of lots having tested as low quality due to weed problems. In general, seed production was down approximately 10-20%, depending on the species.
What does this mean to you? In general, you can expect pricing on grass seed to be higher than last year and good quality seed (meaning 0% crop and 0% weed) to be extremely difficult to come by. We have been monitoring the issue and have already taken steps to lock in the best quality seed early to ensure the high standards you have come to expect from us. What does this mean to you? In general, you can expect pricing on grass seed to be higher than last year and good quality seed (meaning 0% crop and 0% weed) to be extremely difficult to come by. We have been monitoring the issue and have already taken steps to lock in the best quality seed early to ensure the high standards you have come to expect from us.
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