JLC Landscape & Tree Services

Soils

nikki — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:57:11 +0000

Here on Long Island, our clients always ask us to troubleshoot problem areas in their lawn. On Long Island most soils are acidic showing a low pH often leading to non-dense turf.

The first thing we look at is if the area has too much shade. This will usually lead to the soil being very moist where the roots of the grass plant rot. In the same area, we also find poor air circulation leading to the decline of the turf. Second and most important part of what we look for is the soil pH, which we find is normally low on Long Island. Using a simple soil pH tester, we can quickly average out the soils pH by checking a few areas. Our third and last step is to take action. We look to elevate the lower branches and canopies of trees to allow more sun and air circulation. Depending on the soil texture and structure, we may decide to core aerate and top dress the area with fine screened topsoil and/or compost. Lastly, we use a professional product called Solu-Cal. Solu-Cal is applied as needed to maintain and/or adjust the pH to the proper level for the lawn and/or planting bed areas.

Solu-Cal

Improves soil structure

Regulates soil pH

Stimulates root and leaf development

Strengthens cell walls

Adjusts pH more efficiently than most conventional products

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Organic Controls for Voles

nikki — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:57:40 +0000

Even though voles are a difficult pest to get rid of, it can be done organically.

Voles feed on grass, as well as the seeds, roots, stems and leaves of plants.

Voles are active at all times of the year, day and night, and they do not hibernate. Voles spend most of their time under cover or underground, so their presence is not always evident until major damage occurs.

As with moles, you can bait them with peanut butter in a trap.

Remember when baiting voles, make sure you put the bait in and around the trap, whether it’s an apple, small nuts, oatmeal or cherry pits.

Keep your yard tidy with the grass trimmed and remove fallen debris.

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Deer Repellent

nikki — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:45:11 +0000

Deer are welcome friends until they eat your plants.

The best deer repellent is a certified hunt hound, but most of us have to find another solution.

Even “deer resistant” plants are sometimes good eats to a hungry deer.

No repellent, commercial or homemade, can provide 100% protection but some do work better than others.

There are few over the counter repellents sold that do work quite well, but home natural remedies can also do the job.

A sulfurous smell given off by an egg based repellent give the impression there is a predator in the vicinity. Cayenne pepper and wintergreen oil also work for deterring deer.

The most effective natural homemade deer deterrent is a spray made of eggs, garlic and chili peppers. Deer do not like the offensive fragrance.

Whatever you decide to use, the more frequent you apply it, the more effective it will be.

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Organic Controls for Moles

nikki — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:22:51 +0000

Even though voles are often confused with moles and these rodents are entirely different, you can eliminate them in the same manner.

If your lawn or garden seem to be overtaken with moles or voles, it is no laughing matter. It is very frustrating, but know that with knowledge of the enemy you can get control and outwit these critters.

Moles actively feed day and night all year so it is important to take action to control them immediately.

Believe it or not, moles do fit in with natures grand plan. The tunneling activity of moles loosens soil providing aeration. Moles also consume numerous garden pests and insects. However, they can also be a very big problem for homeowners. Their tunneling can wreck havoc on lawns. They eat the root system of the turf causing the raised areas of grass to dry out and die.

Moles eat grubs, which are considered garden pests, so getting rid of grubs may be beneficial to your lawn and garden as well.

Bait cage traps with cheese, sesame oil, or peanut butter. Moles/voles eat midday to early evening when they are more active.

Cat mint inserted directly into mole holes can deter them. You can even try garlic and onion.

Moles make their dens under trees, buildings and sidewalks. It can consist of many chambers connected with runways. These deeply dug runways provide passage from his living area to his hunting grounds, as well as provide protection against predators.

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Ticks in Winter

nikki — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:17:57 +0000

Nobody wants to think about ticks but that’s exactly why you should start paying attention to them as winter marches into spring.

Believe it or not, blacklegged (deer) tick adults are not killed by freezing temperatures. If you are working or recreating outdoors in winter, check the ground to see if it’s unfrozen and check the temperature to see if it’s about freezing.

If your answer is yes to both, you may be at risk for a blacklegged tick encounter.

If you never had your yard sprayed for ticks, you can schedule your first treatment as soon as the snow is gone and the ground is unfrozen. Tick activity increases from March to May with May, June and July being most problematic.

Ticks generally perch on the tips of long blades of grass or shrubs with their forelegs outstretched. When an animal brushes past them, they let go of the plant and climb onto the host to feed. Other than high grassy areas, you can find ticks in wooded area, leaf piles, fallen and low hanging branches and overgrown shrubs. Ticks are most commonly known to bite livestock, deer, raccoons, mice, squirrels, people, dogs and cats.

Unfortunately, there is evidence that we can’t let our guard down during any time of year and yes, you can get Lyme disease in the winter months.

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What is core aeration and Why Do It?

nikki — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 03:47:51 +0000

Core aeration removes small soil plugs from the lawn. This allows air, water and nutrients to better reach the root system. While improving turfgrass health, this process will strengthen the roots, reduce soil compaction and will enhance heat/drought stress tolerance and thatch breakdown.

Why Core Aerate:

Compact soil prevents grass from establishing a healthy root system and keeps water and fertilizer from reaching the roots. Walking, playing and mowing, along with raindrops and irrigation, can compact soil. Aeration can help relieve soil compaction allowing your grass to grow deeper roots and make better use of water and fertilizer for healthier grass. It will revitalize grass growth and implement new disease and bug resistant grass. Core aerating your property is an important step to ensuring you lawn has a beautiful and long lasting life.

Benefits of core aeration:

improved air exchange between soil and atmosphere.
enhanced soil water uptake
reduced water runoff and puddling
improved fertilizer uptake and use
stronger roots
enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance
improved resiliency and cushioning

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What is Overseeding and Why Do It?

nikki — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 03:46:07 +0000

Overseeding is the planting of seed directly into existing turf without tearing up the turf or soil. It’s an easy way to fill in bare spots, improve density

Why should you overseed?

The weather, kids, and pets can be touch on lawns. By applying grass seed over an existing lawn, you can help fill in bare spots and reinvigorate your lawn. It’s an easy and effective way to strengthen your lawn and thicken your grass to help naturally protect against weeds. The fall gives you the right conditions to seed. The soil is still warm, but the air is cooler, providing optimal growing conditions.

The benefits of overseeding:

Overseeding can help the lawn better withstand insects, disease, drought, shady conditions and heavy traffic. The investment of overseeding pays off by reducing the amount of water, pesticides, and fertilizer required, but most of all, a renovated lawn stays greener and looks thicker and healthier.

Overseeding helps to:

Revive a work & thin lawn
Fill in bare spots
soil compaction
crowds out weeds by thickening lawn
improve heat & drought tolerance

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Our Feature in NYC/LI NARI!

Joseph Cerbone — Wed, 06 May 2015 15:52:41 +0000

JLC Landscape & Tree Services was featured in the Spring/Summer edition of NYC/LI NARI’s Design & Remodeling publication. The editors of the magazine looked to JLC’s owner, Joe Cerbone, as an authority on backyard landscaping design and masonry construction, asking for his opinions on floral elements, water features, and making the most of small backyards. Click the embedded article below to read what he has to say.

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The Fall Webworm

Joseph Cerbone — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 09:15:20 +0000

The Fall Webworm is a moth that produces webbed nests on a wide variety of hardwood trees during the late summer and fall seasons. The Fall Webworm is native to North America ranging from Canada to Mexico and feeds on just about any type of deciduous tree, where leaves are chewed and branches or the entire tree may become defoliated. It feeds on more than 200 different plants in the US, including 88 species of broadleaved trees. In NY, black cherry is the most frequently attacked host, but tents also occur on alder, apple, beech, birch and oak. Webworm Tents

Every year the Fall Webworm emerges with larvae appearing in late summer through early fall. The adult moth lays her eggs on the underside of leaves and hatch in about 1 week. The caterpillars are highly variable in coloration, ranging from pale yellow to dark grey with yellow spots and long and short bristles. Larvae feed inside the tents; this stage lasts about 4-6 weeks. The pupal stage overwinters in the bark and leaf litter at the base of the trees. The think brown cocoon is mainly made of silk. The adult is mostly white in our area. It may be marked by black or brown spots on the forewings.When populations of webworms are high, outbreaks usually do not last more than 2-3 years. The Webworm rarely kills trees.

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What’s New in the World of Trees for September?

Joseph Cerbone — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 07:06:54 +0000

Global Climate Changes. The new challenge these days is how to deal with increasingly dynamic ecosystems caused by global climate change. Many ‘secondary’ plant pathogens are becoming prevalent and problematic. Many fungi, rusts and powdery or downy mildews now have longer growing time periods due to global climate changes and they are preying on trees and impacting the plant’s health.

Eastern Tent Caterpillar. The Eastern Tent Caterpillar The Eastern Tent Caterpillar is prevalent but you can reduce next year’s hatch by collecting and destroying their egg masses now or during the winter months when they are more visible. Their egg masses contain about 150-400 eggs and are covered with a shiny, black varnish looking material that is encircling the branches. By destroying those egg masses it helps to reduce next year’s hatch.

Spruce Gall Midge. The Norway spruce, a large, fast-growing evergreen coniferou Norway Spruces tree, is impacted by an unidentified spruce gall midge. These midges are tiny fly-like insects. If you cut open small, bud-like galls concealed beneath the bud scales on affected twigs, a small yellow larva is often found. The midges are killing individual shoots.

If your trees are feeling the impacts of any of these challenges, call JLC Landscape & Tree Services for a consult with our Certified Arborist.

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