"Why do I have weeds?"

This is Indiana. We all know how the weather is here. We joke about how one day it will be 75 and sunny and that same afternoon it can be snowing. Spring in Indiana is probably one of the most changing times for weather patterns. Why is this important to lawn care and weeds? The reality is that weather plays a huge role in all lawn care programs.

We receive several phone calls every day with the same simple question. 

"Why do I have insert weed name here?"

While this may be a simple question, it is not a simple answer. There are several factors that control how we address weeds. 

Soil Temperature

Herbicides are only effective when soil temperatures are just right. We might have a few nice days of 50-60 degree weather but the soil temperatures may still be well below what is required for the herbicide to be effective. We use charts and scientific trackers to follow when the temperatures are right to begin using the products. We can spray for weeds during our Early Spring application but it would be a waste of product, money, and environmentally irresponsible. 

Timing

The products that we use are of high quality, however, the proper timing and technique of the use of these products determines the results. We cannot guess on when we should make applications. Everything that we do has science behind it. Timing is one of the most important parts of the science. Like with soil temperature, we could apply products when the timing is least optimal but we would see less than satisfying results. 

Plant Type

Weeds are classified into several different categories. Grassy weeds, broad leaf weeds, winter annuals, summer annuals, not all weeds are the same. Each kind of weed also can require a different product to be effective. Some grassy weeds may not be affected by products that kill broad leaf weeds. Proper plant identification is very important in determining the product used. 

Many consumers buy products based on the picture on the bottle. They then apply that product at the first chance they get and disregard most of the printed label. Results are never as expected because misapplication likely happens. 

Misunderstanding of Application Terms

I have visited Facebook pages of several stores and product manufactures and see the same statements. "I applied the crabgrass pre-emergent and I still have dandelions. Your product doesn't work!" We also hear this from time to time here. 

A crab grass pre-emergent specifically targets crabgrass and the germination process of crabgrass. As stated above, different weeds are affected by different kinds of products. A grassy weed such as crabgrass takes a specific product to control. Dandelions and purple dead nettle take a different product. 

Many products on the market for residential consumer use are very misleading because they say things such as "Total Weed Control" when really it is just a pre-emergent. This label confusion has caused a lot of misled consumers with high expectations that are never met. Properly reading the label of what weeds are controlled will help you gain an understanding of what the application will manage.

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Nothing of what we do is a secret. Many lawn care professionals have spent years perfecting their lawn care management programs. Universities have entire degree, masters, and PhD programs on Turf Management and Lawn Care. I am not making any of these facts up either. For a very detailed article that goes into more about the specific science of weed control, click here!

As lawn care professionals. we are constantly learning from publications and attending courses hosted by Purdue University. We take our industry very serious. Lawn care is not just a hobby. Our industry provides over 800,000 jobs and $57.9 billion in economic impact. We want everyone to know that we are proud of what we do and our knowledge and expertise show it! 

We would love to hear back from you! Leave comments below or write us on our Facebook page. We also have a new website! Be sure follow us on Instagram and Twitter! 

Lawn Care Myths...

Since it is April 1st, we wanted to write about some topics that are myths but commonly are mistaken as fact. 

This is not an April Fools Joke blog...

Getting rid of grub worms gets rid of moles! FALSE

The primary food source for moles are earth worms. Your lawn may be infested with moles and not grub worms. If grub worms are present, moles will eat them but they will consider it a special treat. Also, when moles feed, they follow their food source. When the soil is dry, the earth worms move to deeper soil that is moist and cool and the moles follow. When it rains a lot the earth worms move to the top. This is often when we see a lot of mole damage because they are closer to the surface.

I got rid of my moles so that should mean we will not get any more! FALSE

Moles do not care about property lines or if there were moles in your yard previously. New families of moles will come and go. There is no "mole preventer" on the market that will actually act as a barrier to keep new moles from moving into your yard. 

I used a product that said year long control so I will not have any more weeds this year! FALSE

Year long or season long control is hardly a real thing. To understand why, you need to understand the biology of plants and the weeds that you are trying to fight. Different species of weeds germinate and grow at different times of the year. One application of one product will not provide year long control from all weeds. 

When you are sick with a cold you use one medicine. If you have strep throat you use a different medicine. It is the same with weeds. You might have killed one weed, but other weeds may not be affected. And just because you killed one, does not mean it will prevent new weeds from growing. 

Lawn care is nothing more than just throwing some fertilizer on a lawn. It can't be that hard! FALSE

In the lawn care industry, everything that we do has a scientific reason behind it. From the fertilizer analysis we choose, to the time we apply products, we calculate everything. It is not as simple as some people try to make it sound. If proper timing is not closely monitored or the wrong product used in an area not designated safe, a lot can go wrong. 

It is extremely important to hire someone who knows what they are doing. A cheap price tag might be appealing but if they truly do not have an understanding of plant and insect biology and the chemical makeup of products, you will pay for it in the long run.

I picked up some grass seed that can be planted in heavy shade and at any time of the year and get full results! This is going to be easy! FALSE

Unfortunately, there is no grass that can truly thrive in heavily shaded areas. If you go to state park, look around and see how much grass is growing in the woods. Chances are you will see moss, ferns, and other plants...but not grass. Grass needs at least 8 hours of sunlight a day to thrive. Heavily shaded areas require a lot of care to build up the turf. 

Irrigation, seeding timing, and soil preparation all need to be carefully analyzed to ensure that any seed has a chance to germinate and grow. 

I saw on the TV that the bee population is dying and that pesticides have killed them all. FALSE

The USDA has released a study showing that the bee population has actually been on the rise over the last 10 years! The number one killer of bees are mites. Mites are tiny insects or parasites that attach themselves to the bee and live off of the bee. Many bee keepers use pesticides to kill the mites that have infected their bee colonies. 

The EPA and other governing agencies including the Office of the Indiana State Chemist have put strict regulations into place regarding the use of pesticides around bees and other pollinators. We are always looking out for our little bee friends. You can find out more about what we are doing to help the bees in our blog "Our Commitment To Bees!"
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Here at Bowman's Pro Turf, Co. we take pride in working with our customers to provide the best quality service in the Wabash Valley. We are not going to sell you something that you do not need, that will not work, or you do not want. When anyone calls us, we provide the facts. We work to ensure the integrity of the Lawn Care Industry is upheld. We work to provide an experience that builds trust and confidence in our company. Anything less is unacceptable. 

From our 28 years in the Lawn Care Industry, to constantly attending training, we have the knowledge and understanding to properly address your lawn care needs.  

We would love to hear back from you! Leave comments below or write us on our Facebook page. We also have a new website! Be sure follow us on Instagram and Twitter! 

Mowing Tips

I want to let you in on an industry secret. Having a dense and healthy lawn with minimal weeds begins with you! One of the simplest ways that you can begin to achieve the yard that you desire is by adjusting your mowing habits. Here are some important tips to follow that will help give you a head start this season on your lawn.

Mowing Height

I have seen too many residential lawns cut to look like a putting green. This needs to stop happening. In general, we recommend to our customers that they mow between 3 and 3.5 inches. There are several reasons that mowing height affects turf health. Mowing too low is known as "scalping" and can create brown areas that are often misidentified as diseases or other non-related causes. 

One of the biggest benefits to a taller turf is that it allows for the plant to build a stronger and deeper root system. This root system will be beneficial for building a dense turf, maintaining turf performance during drought, and limit weed competition. 

When assessing the mowing height of your lawn, we suggest that you DO NOT rely on the setting of your mower alone. Start your mower and cut a small strip and check that area with a ruler or tape measure. The deck setting on mowers are just a gauge and not a true height of the cut. Even if your mower says 3 or 4 that simply is just a guide and not the actual height of the cut. 

Infrequent Mowing

It takes a long time to mow. Sometimes it is easier to let your lawn go for a few weeks until you cannot stand to look at it any longer. You go out to mow and the tall grass bogs down your mower, giant clumps of grass are left all over your lawn, and you feel exhausted. While you might think that this is only a visual eyesore for your lawn, it is a very big problem for the overall health of your lawn. The stress caused on the turf from infrequent mowing is detrimental to plant health that will allow for more weed competition.

When mowing, you should never cut more than 1/3 of the blade in one mowing. If your desired mowing height is 3 inches you should be sure to mow before the grass is over 4.5 inches tall. 

Do Not Bag!

When you mow, the cut part of the leaf will fall back to the ground and return valuable nutrients to the soil. If you bag after each mowing, you are depriving your lawn of these nutrients that promote dense growth. The same goes with in the fall when the leaves fall. While it may not look the nicest if you mulch all of the leaves in your lawn, you are doing a huge favor in providing your lawn with extra nutrients that will be needed to last through the winter. 

Dull Mower Blades

One last tip that we suggest is to sharpen mower blades often. A dull mower blade will tear the leaf of grass instead of providing a clean cut. If your blades are dull, you will notice that the top of the blade looks frayed and white or brown. A dull mower blade will result in the plant to lose more water, heal slower, and have poor aesthetics. 

Dull mower blades leave turf damaged and frayed.

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We hope that you find these tips helpful in maintaining a healthy lawn. If you have any questions feel free to call us or visit our website for more information.

Our website has a new look! Check it out at www.bowmansproturf.com

Be sure to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @BowmansProTurf and Instagram @Bowmans_Pro_Turf. 

Our Commitment to Bees!

Over the last several years a lot of focus has been put on the health of pollinators and more specifically, bees! We have the same concerns as everyone when it comes to keeping our pollinator population healthy.

We are excited to announce that Bowman's Pro Turf, Co. and Bayer are partnering together to help protect the pollinator health in the Wabash Valley!

Feed A Bee Initiative

Together with Bayer, we are offering the opportunity for all of our customers to be involved in the Feed A Bee Initiative.

"Feed a Bee is an initiative started by Bayer to create forage areas with a diversity of bee-attractant plants for honey bees. In 2015, thousands of individuals joined Feed a Bee efforts to provide bees with plentiful food options. We are now collaborating with more than 70 agricultural, university, non-profit and other organizations and businesses to provide an abundant diversity of forage for bees and to help in bee forage research and education efforts." - www.beehealth.bayer.us 

Seed Packets

We are very excited that in 2016, we will be providing all of our customers with a packet of pollinator wildflower seeds through the Feed A Bee program. We want to share these seed packets with as many people in the Wabash Valley to help spread the awareness of the importance of pollinators and bees. These seed packets are intended to be planted in the flower beds of homes all over the Wabash Valley to help promote bee health and pollinator population growth.

Bayer had a goal of planting 50 million wildflowers for pollinators and to date they have planted over 65 million. We are proud to be a part of their initiative to help grow that number!


There are several ways that we actively work to protect pollinators.

EPA Pollinator Label

1. Read and follow all labeled instructions- The EPA issued new labeling instructions specific to pollinators. Below is an example of what this looks like. It is very important for ANYONE who uses any type of pesticide to follow all label instruction. The label is the law and if it is not followed properly, the damage done harms more than the environment.
   
   
   
2. Apply products at appropriate times- We work to ensure that when we apply products that they are applied at a time when bees and other pollinators are not foraging. Most pollinators like to forage for food during the hottest times of the day. We are always looking for pollinators during our applications and make sure to avoid applying products that would potentially cause harm when they are most active.
   
   
3. Attend education sessions about pollinators- To maintain our pesticide applicator licenses we must attend educational sessions to stay current on what is happening in the industry. During these sessions we gain valuable information about how to best protect the environment while providing our services.

If you have any questions about how you can become involved in the Feed A Bee initiative, please let us know. You can also visit their website here.

Be sure to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @BowmansProTurf and Instagram @Bowmans_Pro_Turf. 

Is your lawn care company licensed?

Would you hire someone to do electrical work in your home who was not a licensed electrician? 

The answer should be a resounding NO! 

Lawn care is no different. In the state of Indiana, it is the law that anyone who applies pesticides or fertilizers to a property for money must obtain a business license from the Office of Indiana State Chemist. That business also is required to employ at least one individual who is a certified applicator and pass the category 3b exam (turf management). 

Why is this important to me, the homeowner?

Many of the fertilizers and pesticides that are applied to your lawn have very important instructions regarding the handling, use, and disposal of the product. As a certified and licensed company, we know how to properly use these products in ways that yield the best results.  We are also legally bound to only perform tasks indicated by our license and category type. This limits individuals and companies from providing services that they do not have proper training or understanding in. 

I will just have my mowing guy spray when they are here. Is that ok?

Only if they are licensed! Individuals in Indiana must be licensed to apply any type of pesticide or fertilizer to a customers lawn regardless of the type of company they own. Even if your mowing company will "kill your weeds for free" they still must obtain a proper license. 

Why is a license so important anyway?

As lawn care professionals, we take a lot of pride in our work. Our programs have taken years to develop and have required a lot of research and learning. Licenses are important because they protect everyone involved in the lawn care industry including the environment, the homeowner, and the applicator!

What about your applicators? 

All of our lawn care applicators have passed the Indiana Pesticide Applicator Core Exam issued through the Office of Indiana State Chemist and are considered Registered Technicians, RT's. Our applicators also attend training throughout the year to stay current on industry standards. All of our applicators follow strict guidelines regarding the handling and use of the products that are used. 

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Our training in turf management gives us the knowledge to properly identify issues and provide our customers with the best solutions. We take pride in our work and in the lawn care industry. It is important to us that our customers know that we are dedicated to providing the best service and results. If you are not happy, we are not happy! 

Be sure to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @BowmansProTurf and Instagram @Bowmans_Pro_Turf. 

Dormant Seeding

Several times in the last week we received calls about seeding estimates before Spring. This is not unusual and, if done properly, can provide great results.

In the turf industry, we call this "Dormant Seeding." The term dormant is used because the colder temperatures allow the seed to lay dormant in the soil and not germinate until the soil temperatures rise consistently above 50 degrees or higher (late April). It is very easy for us to schedule a dormant seeding application because it is completed before the unpredictable spring showers occur, typically in March.

Some of the reasons that you might consider dormant seeding are:

• Thin turf due to winter damage
• Poor turf recovery and density from the previous year turf issues
• New construction around your home that disrupted turf growth

Some things to consider about seeding new turf areas include:

• Is the soil sandy or filled with clay?
• How much shade covers the desired area to be seeded?
• What kind of seed will be planted?
• How will irrigation be managed? 

Healthy turf provides aesthetic, economical, social, and environmental benefits to not only the homeowner but to the community as a whole. Turf provides for areas for recreation, relaxation, and sports activities. The environment is also benefited through established turf by increased air quality, reducing soil erosion, filtering contaminants from water, and many other important ways.

A lot of the issues that are faced with seeding lawns comes after the seed is applied. During your consultation with us here at Bowman's Pro Turf, Co., we will provide you with information regarding the proper care of your newly seeded area. It is important that the instructions are followed to help ensure the best results.

If you would like to request a free estimate for dormant seeding, give us a call at 812-448-1852! We would be happy to help you achieve the best yard possible. 

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @BowmansProTurf, Instagram @Bowmans_Pro_Turf, and Facebook!

Some of the content in this blog was gathered from the Purdue University Extension publication Establishing Turfgrass Areas From Seed (AY-3-W) and are available from the Education Store.

We are Bowman's Pro Turf Co.

Welcome!

We are excited that you have visited our blog. We will be sharing our knowledge about lawn care and general turf maintenance best practices. We hope that through our blog we can share information with you that you find useful and also helps make your lawn the best that it can be.

Who We Are:
Dennis and Christine Bowman founded Bowman's Pro Turf Co. in 1987 with the goal of providing the best lawn treatments tailored to each individual customers' needs. Over the last 28 years, Dennis and Christine have maintained that high standard of service to each of their customers while developing a unique and specific Integrated Pest Management program for each individual customer.

Dennis is certified through the Office of the Indiana State Chemist in the following categories:

Ornamental Pest Management (3A)
Turf Management (3B)
Industrial Weed Management (6)
Industrial, institutional structural, and health related pest management (7A)
Termite Control (7B)

For more information about these certifications and license categories you can visit the Office of the Indiana State Chemist website found here. 

Christine is a Registered Technician through the Office of the State Chemist and just finished serving 9 years on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Professional Land & Landscape Association where she served as President for 1 year. She also is an active member of the 100+ Women Who Care in Clay County.

Beginning in the Winter of 2016, Andrew and Megan Bowman joined the team. Both Andrew and Megan are graduates of Indiana State University. Andrew with a degree in Recreation Management and Megan with a degree in Housing Marketing. They both have spent the last two years working in the Indianapolis area but are excited to bring their talents and knowledge from their previous careers to the Bowman's Pro Turf Co. team. 

We hope that you find value in our blog as we post about many different topics in the lawn care and turf management field. These topics will include recommendations about turf care, pest identification, best practices, and common myths. 

Be sure to follow us on twitter @BowmansProTurf and find us on Instagram @Bowmans_ProTurf and like us on Facebook!