Iloveturf.com

15/05/2024

Is your Snowbush defoliated? Most likely it is the Snowbush spanworm. Snowbush Spanworm, a yellow-green caterpillar will eat every leaf (defoliate) of a Snowbush leaving nothing but bare twigs where a Snowbush once grew.

Is your Snowbush defoliated? Most likely it is the Snowbush spanworm. Snowbush Spanworm, a yellow-green caterpillar will eat every leaf (defoliate) of a Snowbush leaving nothing but bare twigs where a Snowbush once grew.

17/04/2024

Mole crickets are large ugly bugs – alien-looking – that can fly. Attracted to light, their damage is often observed under streetlights. Mole crickets move around by tunneling just below the surface – probably for protection from predators or the sun. Most of the damage done to lawns is caused by their tunneling, pushing roots, and underground stems above ground. Once above ground, the roots and stems dry out, and the lawn declines.

Mole crickets are big, ugly and can tear up a lawn. They fly and are attracted to light - clumsily flying around and often landing in pools. Usually the first sign of mole crickets is finding one in your pool.

08/03/2024

Raking leaves damages the lawn. St Augustine is the least trafficable grass - in other words, it is damaged easily by traffic or a leaf rake. This isn't fatal to a lawn but it is stressful. The best solution is to use a mulching mower to grind the leaves into smaller pieces. The smaller pieces of leaves will fall into the canopy decompose, enriching the soil with organic matter (compost). https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/oak-leaves-do-not-kill-st-augustine-lawns-oak-leaves-are-good-lawn

16/02/2024

Mosquito Season is Coming Soon - https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/controlling-mosquitos-and-other-stinging-biting-insects

16/02/2024

A tree is more interesting and visually pleasing without the overgrown look caused by an abundance of small limbs. However, the removal of small limbs is not in the best interest of the tree. So how do you find that balance between beauty and health?

A tree is more interesting and visually pleasing without the overgrown look caused by an abundance of small limbs. However, the removal of small limbs is not in the best interest of the tree. So how do you find that balance between beauty and health?

06/02/2024

It is possible to eat, drink, or play outdoors without stinging-biting bugs with modern products and equipment. Mosquito defense takes 10 -15 minutes for an average lawn, is safe for humans, pets, and the environment, and can effectively reduce stinging-biting insect populations to near zero for weeks.

Stinging-biting insects like mosquitos and no-see-ums make outdoor life a pain. They also transmit diseases like Zika and West Nile virus to humans and heartworms to pets. However, there is a solution - With modern chemicals and products, you can make the outdoors a lot less painful

02/02/2024

The life cycles of plants are determined by night length. As days grow longer and nights shorter, your lawn will wake from its winter semi-dormancy and start to grow. I set Feb 15th as the beginning of the growing season in Pinellas County.
Waking from the winter semi-dormancy is a natural process that happens first slowly and then suddenly.
There are no fertilizers or chemicals you can apply to your lawn to change this natural response to night length. To help prepare your lawn for the growing season I recommend:
• Fix and repair the irrigation – the better your irrigation, the better your lawn.
• Raise the mower – a tall thick canopy is hardier, has fewer w**ds, and looks great.
To learn more click on the link below.

Many believe that taking care of your lawn means putting something on the lawn, like fertilizer or an insecticide. However, you can go organic in February with these two simple organic lawn care techniques that improve your lawn and use no fertilizer or chemicals.

20/01/2024

Trees are an essential element in the Pinellas landscape and proper maintenance is essential to maintain appearance, health, and safety. Pruning and trimming are primary care services a landscape tree will require to stay attractive, healthy, and safe. When is the best time to do tree pruning and trimming?

Trees are an essential element in the Pinellas landscape and proper maintenance is essential to maintain appearance, health, and safety. Pruning and trimming are primary care services a landscape tree will require to stay attractive, healthy, and safe. When is the best time to do tree pruning and tr...

19/01/2024

Alien crop circles in your lawn?
Those “crop circles” are Brown Patch. A sub-lethal disease that is active in the cooler months in Pinellas County.
Normally, Brown Patch is a beneficial soil fungus that recycles dead dying leaves into plant food. However, Brown Patch will attack and damage living tissue when conditions are perfect – cool damp 70O nights. There is no permanent cure – potash, and fungicides can help reduce Brown Patch damage.
The good news is the damage is not lethal (does not kill) but is a cosmetic issue - creating ugly crop circles in the lawn. As soon as environmental conditions change, Brown Patch will cease being active and the lawn will recover.

Those brown circles in your lawn that look like alien crop circles are caused by a soil-borne fungus that when conditions are perfect will attack the leaves of your St Augustine lawn. The common name for the disease is Brown Patch. Brown Patch is a cool weather fungal disease that can cause cosmetic...

19/01/2024

Alien crop circles in your lawn?
Those “crop circles” are Brown Patch. A sub-lethal disease that is active in the cooler months in Pinellas County.
Normally, Brown Patch is a beneficial soil fungus that recycles dead dying leaves into plant food. However, Brown Patch will attack and damage living tissue when conditions are perfect – cool damp 70O nights. There is no permanent cure – potash, and fungicides can help reduce Brown Patch damage.
The good news is the damage is not lethal (does not kill) but is a cosmetic issue - creating ugly crop circles in the lawn. As soon as environmental conditions change, Brown Patch will cease being active and the lawn will recover.
You can learn more here: https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/brown-patch-when-turf-has-winter-cold

11/01/2024

It’s January, outside the house the Christmas decorations are put away, the weather is cooler and there are other things you would rather do than lawn stuff. True, your lawn doesn’t need much in January – occasional mowing, and some water, however, there are things you can do in January to protect your lawn from cold weather and prepare it for the summer heat. Learn more here: https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/what-do-your-lawn-january

13/11/2023

Semi-dormancy is triggered not by temperature but by the lack of sunlight. As days grow shorter, the nights are longer triggering the lawn to slow down, conserve energy, and store food. Even though the lawn is semi-dormant, it is still alive and growing (albeit slower) and requires water and nutrients. This semi-dormant state is natural and necessary. To learn more: https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/winter-turf-tip-what-do-your-st-augustine-turf-grass-lawn-winter

30/10/2023

Sugarcane Mosiac Virus (SMV) is active in Pinellas County. Learn What is it and What to do - https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/report-sugarcane-mosaic-virus-infected-st-augustine-turf-growing-southern-pinellas

14/11/2022

Alien crop circles in your lawn?
They are not caused by UFOs, but by a soil-borne fungus. Normally the fungus would be busy breaking down non-living organic matter in the soil such as old leaves, roots, pet waste, dust, pollen, etc. However, during perfect conditions – cool, fertile, damp still nights – the fungi will attack the living leaves of St Augustine grass leaves.
Brown Patch begins as a fist-sized yellow spot in the lawn and grows outward to form circles or lobed circles when spots join. Brown Patch can grow 20’ in diameter or more. Active Brown Patch will have a distinctive yellow ring around the outer edge of the circle. Inactive Brown Patch will not have the yellow ring. Since Brown Patch is only active during perfect conditions during the night, most Brown Patch is inactive when discovered.
The good news is Brown Patch only impacts the leaves, not the stems and roots allowing the St Augustine plant to fully recover. Recovering can take 7 – 10 days under most conditions. Rarely does Brown Patch destroy a lawn – it will make it ugly, but not kill.
The best action plan is prevention. Brown Patch is most active in St Augustine lawns that have high nitrogen levels and low potassium levels. Using minimum amounts of nitrogen fertilizers and high amounts of potassium will reduce Brown Patch. Applying nitrogen to Brown Patch will only make it worse – never apply nitrogen to a St Augustine Lawn with active Brown Patch.
Learn more here:

Those brown circles in your lawn that look like alien crop circles are caused by a soil-borne fungus that when conditions are perfect will attack the leaves of your St Augustine lawn. The common name for the disease is Brown Patch. Brown Patch is a cool weather fungal disease that can cause cosmetic...

31/10/2022

Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SMV) is more widespread across Pinellas County this year. I have confirmed at least two lawns with SMV in previously SMV-free Seminole. The biggest issue is with how it discolors a lawn, turning it lime green to rust brown at a time when most homeowners expect a nice lush green lawn. Although SMV is incurable, it is rarely lethal. To learn more about SMV and what to do when your lawn has SMV:

Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SMV) is infecting lawns in Pinellas County. Mild to moderately infected lawns often recover and return to their natural beauty. The most impacted areas are south of 38th Ave N and concentrated along the coastal areas.

27/10/2022

What to Expect in Fall 2022
Every fall I'm asked the same question "Why is my lawn turning brown?" It is a valid question.
What they are describing is the fall transition from the rapid growth of the warmer seasons to the cooler season semi-dormancy. This is natural. During this semi-dormancy period, the growth rate drastically slows, and your lawn will have more brown leaves than green ones.
This is a temporary condition and will pass in the coming weeks as the brown leaves fade away and are replaced by new green leaves.
Water and Mowing in the Cooler Season
Many believe the lawn needs less water during the semi-dormancy – this is false. Dry soil will stress your lawn. Keep the lawn moist even during the cooler months by continuing the same water schedule as in the summer.
Another common myth is lower mowing helps the lawn – this is false. A tall canopy of 4” or taller will maximize photosynthesis and insulate the stems and roots from colder temperatures.

Summer sun, heat, and rains are yielding to cooler mornings, shorter days, and less rain. This is a transitional period for your lawn from full-throttle growth to semi-dormancy

31/08/2022

Chinch bugs do not damage a lawn, chinch bugs kill the lawn. Areas damaged by chinch bugs will not recover and will need to be replaced. The cost of replacing a lawn – often thousands of dollars – can be avoided with a few dollars of prevention. Learn how here: https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/how-identify-and-control-chinch-bugs-st-augustine-grass-lawns

Chinch bugs can destroy an entire lawn in weeks if not treated. The damage done by chinch bugs to St Augustine lawns is lethal and the lawn will not recover. To avoid expensive repairs, preventative treatments are necessary.

22/08/2022

Dollar W**d is one of the most persistent, ugliest, and frustrating w**ds in a St Augustine lawn for the homeowner. However, it can be controlled. Learn more here: https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/how-control-dollar-w**d-st-augustine-turf-grass-lawn

"Over-watering your lawn causes dollar w**d" Fact Check: False. Overwatering doesn’t cause dollar w**d, dollar w**d causes dollar w**d. If you reduce water to prevent, reduce or rid your lawn of dollar w**d, the dollar w**d remains and your lawn dies. Don’t despair, dollar w**d can be controlled...

15/08/2022

How dangerous are the products used for lawn care to humans, pets, or the environment? Is there a real danger or fear-mongering? Learn the facts behind the posting sign and decide for yourself. https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/why-does-sign-say-keep-until-dry

How dangerous are the products used for lawn care to humans, pets, or the environment? Why does the posting sign say “Pesticide Application Keep Off Until Dry”. Is there a real danger or fear-mongering? Learn the facts behind the posting sign and decide for yourself.

08/08/2022

Homeowners prefer a short-level lawn – like a golf green. But St Augustine will not tolerate short mowing. The good news is that St Augustine looks great when mowed at so the canopy height is at least 4”. The lawn will be level, dark green, have fewer w**ds, and use less water. https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/your-mower-killing-your-lawn

Many believe mowing a lawn is good for the lawn and the shorter the better. Nothing could be further from the truth, This is especially true for a St Augustine grass lawn. Mowing stresses a lawn. And nothing stresses a St Augustine lawn like mowing too short. What is too short for a St Augustine law...

03/08/2022

Chinch Bugs – The damage from chinch bugs is so complete that there is no recovery – they kill St Augustine grass. Since they are lethal, prevention is far better than curative treatments. Learn how to identify and treat your lawn for chinch bugs. https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/how-identify-chinch-bugs-and-chinch-bug-damage-st-augustine-grass-lawns

28/07/2022

Iloveturf.com is a free educational extension service of APL Pest Control. Like our page for helpful tips on lawns and landscapes for Pinellas County.

APL Pest Control is committed to safety and the environment. Every product and every method we use in and around your home has been thoroughly tested and vetted to ensure it is safe for your family, your pets, and the environment.

25/07/2022

During rapid growth periods of spring and summer, St Augustine can’t absorb enough iron from the soil needed to produce all the chlorophyll – the green pigment in turf - to keep the lawn dark green. The randomness of the yellow areas is due to soil variations. Learn how to make your lawn green again. https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/yellow-spots-and-streaks-st-augustine-turf-grass-lawn-are-caused-lack-iron

What causes those lime green or yellow areas in your St Augustine Lawn? During rapid growth periods of spring and summer, St Augustine can’t absorb enough iron from the soil needed to produce enough chlorophyll – the green pigment in turf. The results are blades of grass that lack chlorophyll. L...

11/07/2022

Lawn Moths
Those little white moths you see flitting around just above your lawn are lawn moths. Lawn moths live in the shadows and shade in and around your property – shrubs, ditches, vacant lots - and cannot be controlled. They are ubiquitous. Lawn Moths do not damage your lawn – they are a nuisance but harmless.
However, they do lay eggs in your lawn that hatch into sod webworms which can do some minor non-lethal damage. Their damage is often irregular-shaped areas where the grass looks like a bad haircut – like the 5-year-old gave the 3-year-old a haircut.
You cannot stop the lawn moths from flitting about the lawn, but you can control the sod webworms they produce.
https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/lawn-mothssod-webworms

Lawn Moths flit, dart, and fly about your lawn in the shadows and shade laying eggs in the grass. The lawn moth does no damage to the lawn but the eggs hatch into sod webworms.

27/06/2022

It is chinch bug season! St Augustine turf has many fine qualities - dark green, thick, lush and easy to establish. It has this one huge problem: Chinch bugs.

How to identify, recognize and treat chinch bugs, chinch bug damage to St Augustine grass lawns and best method to control and kill chinch bugs.

14/06/2022

The science behind why the rain does not wash away the fertilizer is basic organic chemistry - chemical bonds between charged particles. It is like a magnet and iron filings - organic matter (grass leaves, debris, and the soil microbes) are the magnets and the fertilizer is the iron fillings.
When we spray your lawn, the fertilizer is tightly held onto the organic matter by chemical bonds. These chemical bonds cannot be broken by rain, so the rain does not wash away the fertilizer or chemicals.
Rain or irrigation helps spread the solution over more surfaces and more molecules are absorbed. That is why you are instructed to “water in” after an application. Rain does not wash away the spray.
https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/rain-washes-away-fertilizer-local-waters-myth-debunked

26/04/2022

The number 1 comment by APL lawn care techs is “Raise the Mower”. Techs are on 15 – 20 lawns a day. They see it all – the good, the bad and the ugly. It doesn’t take a tech long to figure out that the tall lawns look the best and short lawns are struggling.
Short lawns provide little or no protection from the hot Florida sun. Stems, roots, and soil exposed to the sun reach extreme temperatures and dry hostile conditions. As the soil temperature rises the soil turns into an inhospitable desert. The heat evaporates much needed moisture and symbiotic microbes that are part of the turf ecosystem perish. Soon roots are struggling to survive in hot dry soil. Stems die. The lawn withers and fades rescued only by the setting sun. Strong healthy parts of the lawn will survive, and weak areas will perish. The long-term results are a lawn in decline prone to invasion by w**ds, attack by pests and more brown than green.
On the other hand, tall thick lawns protect the stems, roots, and soil from the harsh Florida sun. Under a tall thick canopy of leaves, stems, roots, and soil microbes thrive. Soil temperatures are moderated, and soil moisture is conserved. The lawn ecosystem is now a cool moist temperate environ that is alive and thriving. The long-term results are a lawn that is thick, w**d free and deep dark green.
My best advice for a better lawn: “Raise the Mower”!
Rick Orr, Agronomist
APL Pest Control

“Your Mower is Killing Your Lawn” is a short article I posted at iloveturf.com on how to raise the mower and have a better lawn. I encourage you to read it. https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/your-mower-killing-your-lawn

14/03/2022

For an urban environment, a St Augustine lawn is good for you and the environment. It is a biological filter around your home that cleans, filters, cools and looks great. To learn more why a lawn is good for you and the environment go to: https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/st-augustine-grass-best-you-and-environment

28/02/2022

March is the beginning of the hot dry season in Pinellas County. So, what do you do for your lawn? Iloveturf.com is the place for tips, tricks, and news about Pinellas County lawns and landscapes. https://iloveturf.com/library/articles/what-do-march-your-st-augustine-lawn

March is the time to prepare your lawn for the hot dry months ahead. In Pinellas County, the daytime temperatures will soon be 85 degrees and higher and from March to July there will be little or no rain – often going weeks without rain. And what about those winter annuals w**ds that seem to be po...