Golf courses throughout the northern part of the country are just starting to enjoy spring weather, and some are probably dealing with lingering winter injury. Here are a few tips to speed recovery from winter damage. Aerate to Stimulate Root Growth For cool season grasses, aeration in the spring helps stimulate root growth, warm the soil, and provide a breath of fresh air (oxygen) to the turfgrass root system. The stimulation of growth and root development will help to fill in small weak spots and get the turf off to a good start for the growing season. Fertilize When the Temperature is Right ..read more

Earth Day was first held April 22, 1970, to demonstrate support for environmental protection. When we consider the overall condition of our planet, it is easy to overlook something as simple as turfgrass and the vital role it plays in our environment. As we celebrate Earth Day this year, here is a summary of the top 10 ways that turfgrasses contribute to environmental protection and quality of life. Soil erosion and dust stabilization – A uniform cover of turfgrass holds on to the soil and prevents erosion by wind and water. Water filtration and flood control – The dense canopy and root syste ..read more

Sand topdressing has been a critical practice to produce smooth, healthy putting greens dating back to the early days of golf. In addition to smoothing the surface, sand topdressing helps to dilute thatch and organic matter to keep air and water moving through the soil profile. Here are some basic principles to keep in mind regarding sand topdressing as well as some new research information to streamline the process. Topdress with the same sand used to construct the greens Layering is the enemy of putting green turf. Whether it’s layers of thatch or layers of different sand, the layers restri ..read more

It is time to sharpen your plant health diagnostic skills. Whether it is turf, ornamentals, or arborcare, several factors should be considered when diagnosing a problem. Too many times, things unseen (below grade) are directly responsible for some of the issues on the surface. Considering that statement, make sure to not only focus in on the area directly affected, but take a few steps back to look at the bigger picture. Make sure to note non-infectious circumstances. Is the issue Biotic or Abiotic? At first glance, this looked like drought stress, but a soak test with soapy water determined ..read more

Golf course designers often build a pond or lake leaving the course owners and superintendents without guidance regarding the care and maintenance of these bodies of water. There is a common misunderstanding that because natural bodies of water seem to fare well without any attention, man-made lakes will also fare well. This tenet does not hold true for either body of water. A lake, no matter what its location, requires care. A regular maintenance program should be in place. A company with a good background, proper licensing, a proven track record, and confirmed references should be hired. Add ..read more

Even though conditions are perfect right now at golf courses that overseeded for the winter, March is the time to initiate practices to encourage the gradual transition to bermudagrass. The goal is to wake up the bermudagrass and allow the overseeded perennial ryegrass to gradually fade away heading into summer. Here are the top three tips for encouraging a smooth transition to bermudagrass in the fairways and rough. Reduce the cutting height and sweep the clippings Reduce fairway cutting heights to 0.375 inches to 0.400 inches (3/8 inches to 7/16 inches), and bring down the rough to 1 inch o ..read more

Many people think reoccurring and recurring revenue are the same thing, but that couldn’t be further from the truth, and not knowing the difference can cost you. While both are valuable to your bottom line, one is much more valuable than the other. Reoccurring Revenue Reoccurring revenue comes from repeat customers who need your services more than once, but they aren’t under contract, so they contact you at different times to schedule the work they need done. You’re never quite sure when those customers will call, but you know they’ll reach out eventually when the leaves pile up or the weeds s ..read more

Elvis Fisher can’t wait to graduate from Texas A&M University in May and begin his tenure with Ewing. When he joins the crew at Ewing San Antonio in June to begin an 18-month manager-in-training program, Fisher will already have two months of work and learning under his belt, thanks to a summer internship that introduced him to the company and its culture. The industrial distribution major interned at his hometown branch from May to August 2021, starting as a delivery driver before moving to shipping and receiving, then to serving customers at the blue counter. In the final weeks of his i ..read more

A little about me: I’m 45, a sports field account manager based out of Ewing Garner near Raleigh, North Carolina, working with customers throughout the Carolinas and the Southeastern U.S. Before joining Ewing, I worked for 20 years as a Minor League Baseball sports field manager primarily in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Gwinnett County, Georgia. I spent most of my childhood outdoors, playing ball, going to the beach, golfing, boating. As a very fair-skinned redhead, I was the kid slathered in thick, white sunscreen by my mother every day in the summer. I fought her on sunscreen every sing ..read more

The National Association of Landscape Professionals’ (NALP) 46th annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) — scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday, March 16 to 19, 2022 — is rapidly approaching. In our last blog on the event, we talked about why the NCLC is a must-go for landscape companies looking to hire top talent. More than 800 landscape and horticulture students from across the country will descend on North Carolina State University in Raleigh to compete in 32 different events. They’ll also have resumes in hand and be prepared to talk with business owners about job opport ..read more