Temperature Induced Injury Although ambient temperature is a factor of weather patterns, turf canopy temperature is often a factor of management practices. The detrimental effects of temperature depend on the physiology of the turf at the time of a temperature extreme. Fortunately, environmental fluctuations typically occur gradually and allow for an acclimation or adaptation period which allows turf to survive under extreme temperature fluctuations which allows for less of a chance for temperature induced injury. High Temperature Injury High temperatures induced injury can result in plan ..read more

Natural Weed Control They say the best defense against weeds is a healthy lawn. Unfortunately there is not an easy, all natural weed control product that we offer as a “service”; however, prolonged use of a properly applied organic fertilizer program will reduce weeds, disease, and pests. The key to having a weed-free turf is mowing tall (5″), fertilizing, aerating, seeding, soil testing and irrigation. If all of these elements are done properly, weed control will not be a problem. However, in certain situations, sometimes you may see the need to get more aggressive with sprays. Natria Weed Ki ..read more

Winter Watering Winter watering? It may seem like taking care of your lawn is a summer activity, but there are things you should do to keep your lawn healthy even when it seems lifeless over the winter. Winter can be extremely dry, causing plants to suffer from dehydration the same way they can in a summer drought. Winter watering is an important way to make sure your lawn stays completely healthy. Plants that have suffered from winter dehydration may seem fine in spring as they survive off stored energy, but by late spring or early summer the damage will become visible. Dehydration damages ro ..read more

Snow Molds Principle snow molds of the central and northern Plains are Microdochium patch (pink snow mold) and Typhula blight (gray snow mold). Other snow molds, such as sclerotinia patch, also may occur in certain areas. Microdochium patch, caused by Microdochium nivale, can injure turf any time from mid-October to April during prolonged cool, wet weather. Infection most often occurs with temperatures between 32°F and 50°F during cold fogs, or in light drizzle. Conditions that bring on severe damage are heavy, wet snows occurring on unfrozen turf. High nitrogen fertilization in early fall or ..read more

Moss and Algae Moss and algae infestations in turf are indicative of poor drainage or air circulation, dense shade or waterlogged soils. Both organisms thrive under excessively fertilized or irrigated turf. They are both patches of green plant life, but they are two different species. They each have their own distinct characteristics and qualities. Moss Moss is classified as a bryophyte, or a type of tiny plant that survives in moist but land-based conditions. Surprisingly, mosses directly developed from algae 350 million years ago. Moss is a light green, low-growing collection of plants which ..read more

Thatch Thatch is located between green vegetation and the soil surface. It consists of a layer of dead and decaying turfgrass tissues derived from leaves, shoots, and roots not from grass that is not bagged. Thatch accumulates when the rate of turfgrass organic matter productions exceeds its rate of decomposition. Small amounts (less than ½ inch) can be beneficial. Some thatch increases the turf’s resiliency, improves wear tolerance, and insulates against soil temperature changes. Accumulations more than ½ inch reduce heat, cold, and drought hardiness and increase localized dry spots, sca ..read more

Soil Related Problems Turf near building sites and high traffic areas may suffer from problems not always obvious to the eye. Shallow soil and compaction result in improper root functioning or root growth being restricted. The end result is increased sensitivity to environmental fluctuations. Shallow Soils When soil depth is reduced by some form of rooting inhibitor, the condition is referred to as shallow soils. This condition can result from buried debris or shallow rock outcroppings. Generally turf will not show signs of problems until it is under heat or cold temperature stresses. These ar ..read more

Lincoln Nebraska Do you need Omaha Organics lawn care products or services in Lincoln Nebraska? You are in luck. Omaha Organics now offers all services and products in Lincoln Nebraska and surrounding areas. You may have seen our trucks, trailers and technicians in Lincoln last season. Omaha Organics was proud to partner with Mike’s Organic Lawns during the 2022 season while our Technicians were introduced to Lincoln and assisted Mike’s Organic Lawns with fertilizer applications. For the 2023 season, Omaha Organics has fully acquired Mike’s Organic Lawns and will be taking over full-time and m ..read more

Spring Spring weather is approaching and turf is being forced out of dormancy. Raking, mowing and bagging the first mowing will remove some of the dead grass blades that make the lawn look dormant.  It also allows sunlight to warm the soil which speeds up new green growth. But resist that temptation to mow too quickly if your on a natural program. Tall grass plants will shade out the crabgrass seeds that need light to germinate! For cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue, spring is an excellent time of year. They are starting to grow and are usually free of insec ..read more

Natural Organics What is natural? What is organic? What is natural organics? There’s a lot of buzz going around Omaha lawn companies trying to capitalize on the organic movement.  A handful of companies and suppliers are now offering a “natural organic” program. What they may not tell you is that many of those products still contain pesticides or synthetics.  The “natural organic” portion of their program and products are only fillers in the bag that also contains their synthetic fertilizer program.  The filler is usually a biosolid called Milorganite, or in other words, human w ..read more