The Rhizome: Lawn and Garden Blog

ROCK FEST/ 'MUDFEST' Repair Easy with Grass Seed!

2010-05-27T09:14:00.003-05:00

The Kansas City Rock Fest Weekend 2010 was held at Liberty Memorial May 14, 15, and16.

The annual event featured local radio DJs, rock bands, big crowds and the usual Monday morning hangover of litter and trash clean up. Added to the mix this year was non-stop rain that turned the lawns and hillsides of Penn Valley Park into a muddy soup.

The mud and rain added a new entertainment dimension for the Rock Fest faithful who took full advantage of the mud wallow, roll and slide in it and on it. Cell phones lit up with pictures of enthusiastic fans competing to make a muddy mess of themselves and Liberty Memorial lawn.

The resulting Monday morning mess raised a hubbub about whether our local park had been desecrated by vandals and hooligans or simply used by the public to have a good time.

Absent were complaints about muggings, gang violence, drug use or other crowd issues that can mar such events. This year's big news was that it was muddy.

Stadium Field Repair

The nice thing about natural green grass is that it is so easy to fix and start over. Football and soccer fields are often torn up by muddy play. The Monday morning stadium field repair is simple:

1. Rake or aerate to smooth the playing surface
2. Reseed with a wear tolerant stadium sports filed mix.
3. Apply Golf Course Starter fertilizer.

The same stadium repair program works on sports fields, home lawns or Liberty Memorial.

Nature has made the grass seed reseeding cycle so easy because it is essential to the ecological health of the planet. The magic life force contained in every individual grass seed can produce a new young grass plant within just a few weeks. Every year on the Kansas prairie grass plants reseed themselves. Now if you want to speed up the process at Liberty Memorial come to the Grass Pad and I will sell you 250,000 seeds in every pound so you can celebrate Memorial Day planting grass seed on Liberty Memorial or anywhere else.

Memorial Day Seed

Now you may think that sounds goofy. Or you may think I have been smoking some of what I sell.
But for all the ecological talk about saving the planet, there is nothing more environmentally friendly than grass seed. For Memorial Day instead of buying plastic decorations that will soon end up in the dumpster, purchase some grass seed and sow it where it is needed. Sow it at Liberty Memorial or the cemetery, or the park, or the roadside, or the river bank, or your backyard. You will put 250,000 grass plants to work rejuvenating the environment.
One challenge is whether the Liberty Memorial lawn can be restored in time for the Memorial Day concert coming up this weekend. Probably not. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and pick out a green spot early. And bring 5 pounds of grass seed to sow on the bare spots torn up by those young hooligans.

Where's the Seed?

2010-04-05T14:22:00.001-05:00

This spring there is a more blarney in the seed business. Some folks are now adding fillers and coatings to their grass seed and selling it as magic. Why some seed bags are now only half full with grass seed, the rest is labeled as “inert” matter. These pretty new seed bags are now appearing on the shelves of big box stores. A ten pound bag of grass seed is being sold with only five pounds of real seed inside. Often the half full bag commands the highest price on the shelf. My Uncle says that in the old days folks would pour water in the whiskey jug and label it “Jack Daniels.” Back in the hills of Tennessee you would get shot. Today the scallywag gets rich.

Grass Seed 101 Here are some simple rules to follow when buying grass seed.

First, read the label. Every grass seed bag has an analysis label. It is usually on the back in the superfine print. Read it. It lists what seed varieties are in the mix, and will show the inert matter, weed and crop content, germination and purity. Avoid ugly weeds and grasses like annual rye, orchard grass and coarse bladed K-31. Read the analysis label and only pay for the real grass seed inside.

Second, do the math. Bring your pocket calculator and always calculate the one pound price when buying seed. Modern packaging makes the true weight and cost of grass seed a bit of a math quiz.

It's like buying a carton of eggs. You don't know if the price is right until you know how many eggs

you get.

Nature's Magic at the Grass Pad we think Mother Nature put the magic in the grass seed.

Every fall a green blanket of grass plants reseeds the surface of planet earth. This grass life

cycle controls erosion, cleans the air, purifies the ground water, and cools the surface of the planet. It is the soft green blanket that snuggles your toes, your children and your pets. It heals the earth, reduces CO/2 emissions and is fun to play on. How much more magic do you want?

Because we think there is green environmental magic in the green grass plant, we recommend more seed not less. We put fifty pounds of grass seed in a fifty pound bag and suggest you use it all. Over seeding provides genetic diversity and youthful vigor to grass habitat on the plains of Kansas and on the lawns of Kansas City. Mother Nature takes care of the one, the Grass Pad takes care of the

other.

The poet Walt Whitman called grass “Nature's Constant Benediction.” He probably didn't like water

in his whiskey either.

Winter Kill 2009

2010-03-10T14:13:00.000-06:00

We are all happy to say good bye to the cold weather and deep snow of winter 2009. The warm days of spring will seem more sweet and outdoor clean up chores will seem like a party. After being cooped up indoors all winter, now is the time to start your springtime lawn chores list.

Salt damage! Heavy snows are often blamed for winter kill to lawn grasses and garden plants. Salt damage from caustic ice melter is the real culprit. Where snow piles up around patios and driveways salt based residues are concentrated by repeated use. These heavy salt concentrations will damage turf grass and a variety of landscape plantings. Wherever snow has been repeatedly thrown up on the curb by city snowplow trucks a border of dead grass will appear. All grass varieties can be affected. Some like buffalo grass are particularly sensitive.

The first aid antidote to prevent this salt damage is to apply pelletized gypsum in early spring. The magnesium in the gypsum will neutralizes salt residues and prevent further damage to turf and plants. The fix is to put pelletized gypsum in your lawn spreader and make two passes around street curbs, driveways, sidewalks or wherever ice melter was repeatedly used this winter.

Lawn repair! Lawn edges around sidewalks, and driveways have also been damaged by snow removal equipment. Chunks of grass have been stripped up by snow blades and shovels.

Tire tracks have plowed up turf areas once hidden under the snow. Here turf grass sod is the quick and easy fix and will repair the damage in an afternoon.

Grass seed first aid can also be used for patching and repair. Buy the seed first so you know it will match your existing lawn. Fine bladed grass seed mixes like Estate Mix or Stadium Special will sprout and blend well. Coarse bladed field grasses like annual rye or K-31 should be avoided no matter how appealing the picture on the bag.

Primera Turf field dressing makes an excellent weed free top dressing for these spring seeding repairs. It helps keep the seed in place and speeds germination as well as drying up muddy areas around the patio or dog run. It has been used for many years on outdoor sports fields and is an inexpensive problem solver for home lawns as well.

Brown mud mush! For the last two weeks at the Grass Pad we have had phone calls on lawns turned to brown mush by dogs and children running on waterlogged backyard soils. Big German Shepherds and energetic ten year olds seem to do the most damage. Here the first aid fix is the same one used on sports fields that must be played in wet cool weather. First, apply PrimeraTurf field dressing to help stabilize the muddy bare areas. Second, seed with a fast starting sports field mix like Stadium Special or Estate Mix. Third, apply Golf Course Starter at planting and again in four weeks. Heavily trafficked grass areas, whether backyards or football fields, need to grow vigorously

to stand up to wear and tear.

Moles or Voles?

2010-01-25T14:22:00.004-06:00

With the snow finally melting and people getting back out into their yards, at the Grass Pad we have had many customers reporting tunnels and holes in their yards.

Seeing tunnels and holes many will immediately assume moles. While moles have had millions of years of evolution in honing their excavation skills, they are not the only creatures that instinctively dig or that will occupy mole tunnels. In fact, a variety of rodents (unrelated to moles) will gladly take advantage of abandoned mole tunnels as safe passageways from area to area.

Voles: Voles are rodents and generally are 4-7 inches in body length with small eyes and ears. They look like a mouse with very small ears and virtually no tail. When seen, many people will call them field mice. They eat a variety; of plants, grasses, crops and bark.

Notice in this photo the trails above the ground. These trails were created as small tunnels under the snow pack while the vole traveled outside his tunnel foraging for food, in this case eating the green grass plants.

If you have voles come on down and we can show you how to catch them little critters and keep them out of the house.

Dormant Seeding Your Lawn

2009-12-14T15:04:00.001-06:00

Grass seed sown in colder December soils will germinate sooner than grass seed sown in April. Over seeding your lawn now eliminates bare spots and thickens existing turf. If there are no bare spots there will be no weeds.

Don't worry about cold temperatures; they won't hurt your grass seed. The winter frost heave will allow the grass seed to work its way into the soil. In spring, the grass seed, softened by winter weather, will quickly germinate as the soil temperatures climb.

Sunny areas next to concrete sidewalks and driveways will sprout first. Concrete absorbs the sun's rays and warms the soil quickly. Using Primera grass seed dressing over seed in bare spots works like a sun warmed blanket and encourages an early spring germination. Primera seed dressing is 100% weed free perfect for covering your weed free grass seed.

Setting the Table

2009-12-10T08:16:00.001-06:00

Tube Feeders. For beginners and hobby birders, tube style feeders are the best choice. To protect your feeder, select a model with metal ports around the seed dispensers to shield the feeder from squirrels and house sparrows. Hang the feeder at least five feet off the ground and position it near a window, where you can enjoy your new guests. Tube feeders are especially attractive to small birds such as chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, gold finches, purple and house finches and siskins.

Hopper Feeders. Hopper feeders provide dry storage for several pounds of mixed seed, which flows from the feeder as birds eat. Best results have been achieved by mounting hopper feeders on a pole about five feet off the ground. These feeders attract all of the same species as tube feeders, as well as such larger birds as jays, red-winged blackbirds and cardinals. Be sure to choose a feeder with a substantial feeding platform, allowing larger birds to eat comfortably.

Tray Feeders. Simply a screen-bottomed tray, this feeder style sits several inches off the ground and is a particular favorite of doves, juncos, sparrows, towhees, gold finches and cardinals. Some designs have covers to prevent snow from accumulating over the seed and others are surrounded by wire mesh to keep out squirrels and large birds such as crows and grackles. Place the feeder in an open location, at least 10 feet from the nearest shrub, to give birds a chance to flee in the event of a cat attack.

Others. Suet feeders are great all year but especially in winter. Check out our selection at Grass Pad for one that will holdup to a squirrel attack because you know they'll be coming. It's almost as much fun to watch squirrels try to outwit a feeder or baffle system as it is to watch the birds.

Thistle feeders are also popular for attracting goldfinches. Most look like traditional tube feeders but with little tear-drop holes, although thistle feeders can also be wood with a fine mesh screen. Look for upside-down style thistle feeders to attract only goldfinches, which feed hanging upside down.

Stick with it

Remember birding can be a lot of fun when you stick with it and start to learn more about their societies and how they interact. For kids, their first bird feeder might be the start of a lifelong hobby and for adults, birding represents a relaxing, back-to nature time each day to escape from stress. But once you start, keep at it, Birds

Feed the Birds

2009-12-09T15:22:00.003-06:00

What could be more relaxing than enjoying a cup of coffee at the kitchen table while watching birds jockey for spots at the feeder on your porch!

As temperatures drop, our winged friends who didn't make the trip south for the season certainly appreciate filled bird feeders as a welcome break from foraging. The seed you provide helps birds stay energized and warm through the cold and helps them start the spring off healthy.

It's important to have a basic understanding so you can choose the correct feeder style and mix of seed for the birds in your area. This information is general and it's always best to talk to one of our bird seed experts at the Grass Pad; before purchasing seed, houses and feeders.

Of course, bird feeders will not only attract flying creatures. Squirrels will eat anything they can get their hands on when it comes to birdseed (except maybe safflower) so it's important to plan for those pesky guys before installing a feeder. Try to keep feeders away from trees and fences where squirrels hang out and definitely position some type of squirrel baffle to inhibit intruders. But when it comes to squirrels nothing is foolproof, so it's best to consider the little thieves ahead of time.

Seed Selection

Black Oil Sunflower. This is by far the most popular seed type. It's a small, black sunflower seed with a high fat content and a thin shell that's easy for the birds to open. You can usually buy it in a variety of size bags by itself or in most mixes. It's best offered in hanging tube feeders and hopper feeders. It attracts many species of birds including chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, cardinals, and blue jays.

Sunflower Chips. This is just sunflower seeds with no hulls. It's cleaner for you and easier for the birds to eat. It's best dispensed in a tube feeder or hopper and attracts the same birds as sunfower seeds in shells. Sunflower chips also attracts birds like woodpeckers, mockingbirds and wrens, which can't crack sunflower seed shells.

Safflower. This is a large seed with a white coating. It is often used as a substitute for black oil sunflower in cases where people are trying to discourage grackles, starlings and house sparrows. Some people also claim mosts quirrels will not eat safflower-it's worth a shot. Offer it like sunflower to attract many of the same birds.

Millet. Millet is a small, round seed about the size of the head of a pin. Millet is often a major component of seed mixes. Millet can be placed in a variety of feeders, such as hanging tube feeders, hoppers, and tray feeders. It can also be just sprinkled on the ground. Millet is enjoyed by doves, sparrows and juncos, cardinals, bobwhites, quail and buntings.

Thistle Seed. This is a very tiny black seed. It does not come from our native thistle plants but is imported and will not germinate in your garden. It's sometimes referred to as "Nyjer" seed. Thistle seed is so tiny it must be offered in special feeders (with small seed portals) so it doesn't all spill out. This is one of the favorite seeds of goldfinches, as well as house finches, purple finches, pine siskins and redpolls.

Peanuts. Increasingly more nuts are being offered in seed mixes. Most birds that eat hulled sunflower seeds eat peanuts. These include woodpeckers and mockingbirds along with chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, goldfinches, house finches, cardinals, grosbeaks and jays.

Be Careful with the Salt this Winter

2009-12-08T16:23:00.005-06:00

Salt can damage soil structure by increasing the soil’s sodium content, which leads to a decrease in the amount of nutrients, water and oxygen available to plants. In addition, chlorine ions from salt can be absorbed by the roots and transported to plant leaves and shoots. When excessive amounts of chlorine are absorbed, a dried, burned effect on leaf edges (know as leaf scorch) may become noticeable.

Calcium chloride can be used as an alternative to salt this winter (which isn’t as harmful to plants). And if salt is used, it’s best to avoid applying it near trees, plant beds, or where runoff will drain into plants when the snow melts

Top Ten Reasons To Use A Real Christmas Tree

2009-11-20T13:03:00.003-06:00

Reason #10: Real Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes.

Reason #9: Real Christmas trees are grown on farms just like any other crop. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree harvested.

Reason #8: The farms that grow real Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas trees are grown on soil that doesn't support other crops.

Reason #7: While they're growing, real Christmas trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and emitting fresh oxygen. Every acre of Christmas trees planted gives off enough oxygen to meet the needs of 18 people.

Reason #6: Real Grass Pad Christmas trees are 100% grown in the USA. Eighty percent (80%) of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China.

Reason #5: Artificial trees are petroleum-based products manufactured primarily in Chinese factories. The average family uses an artificial tree for only 6 to 9 years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal.

Reason #4: Artificial Christmas trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead.

Reason #3: Buying a real Christmas tree from your locally owned and operated Grass Pad helps support your local economy.

Reason #2: Everyone knows Santa leaves the biggest gifts under real Grass Pad trees!

Reason #1: FREE hot chocolate and apple cider while you shop!

Clean Up Now for a Fresh Spring

2009-11-06T11:21:00.002-06:00

Everybody likes to come home to a clean house after a vacation. by the same token, who doesn't get some extra pleasure from a tidy lawn and landscape when spring arrives? A little extra effort now can save some work next spring while giving turf and landscape plants a great head start on next year's growing season.

Simply removing fallen leaves, branches and other debris can make a world fo difference in turf. And mowing turf shorter for the final cut of the season will help it to retain better color throughout the winter. Don't forget late-fall feeding with SNOWMAN, this last feeding a large effect on grass root development throughout the winter and leads to a quick spring green-up.

Most perennials will benefit from being cut back now, and expired annuals should be removed. Now is also the time to dig up tender spring bulbs and get them ready for storage.

Finally, adding a fresh layer of mulch around plantings will give the landscape a neat and tidy appearance while keeping the temperatures around the plants more steady than uncovered soil. Mulch will also help to hold moisture, which is one of the most important parts of fighting winter stress.

Remember, spring will be here before you know it and it pays to think ahead.

Anti-Freeze for Plants

2009-10-23T15:55:00.000-05:00

A University of Alabama professor and botanists from Miami University at Ohio have developed a non-toxic spray that is literally a plant anti-freeze. Marketed and manufactured by Liquid Fence company, Freeze Pruf can actually improve the plants natural cold tolerance up to 9.4 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the plant species. When applied as directed, Freeze Pruf is absorbed systemically to magnify the natural "anti-freeze" like properties of the plant along with improving external protection and the ability to survive ice crystal damage.

We are really excited about this new product. The university studies supporting this product speaks loudly. This isn't some local yokel making a home brew in the garage.

Big benefits from our mild and wet summer

2009-10-22T09:09:00.005-05:00

Spectacular displays of reds, oranges, and yellows in the landscape. Red Sunset, October Glory, Autumn Blaze, and Sugar Maples are glowing this fall. Black Gum and and Sweet Gum have brilliant fall color. The burning bush have not colored up this nice in several years.
With rainy fall weather, most of our fall color will be leaving us sooner than we'd like. Leaves gone but not forgotten, soon a blanket of multicolored leaves in our yards will cover the grass we work so hard to maintain.

Simply removing fallen leaves, branches and other debris can make a world of difference in turf. And mowing turf shorter for the final cut of the season will help it to retain better color throughout the winter. Don’t forget late-fall fertility; this last feeding for the fall has a large effect on the overall turf throughout the winter and leads to a quick spring green-up.

Natural Grass vs Artificial

2009-10-21T16:07:00.002-05:00

There are people that honestly believe artificial turf is safer for our children. Natural grass is what sporting events were meant to be played on. Natural grass is the safest playing surface for our children. Don't let your local school board get caught up in "Keeping up with the Jones". Learn all the facts.

There are so many positives for natural grass and too many negatives for artificial turf.