Why do I need to cleanup leaves in the fall?

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:17:49 +0000

Fall leaf cleanup is essential on lawns and ground covers. Fall leaves shade lawns and ground covers causing these plants to yellow and become thin. You may say that these plants are dormant. Not the case, lawns and evergreen ground covers ( like most other plants that keep thier leaves during the winter) continue to grow, but at a slower rate. If the leaves are left to cover these surfaces the grass and ground cover leaves cannot absorb light and produce energy to maintain its vigor. Also, a heavy leaf cover can insulate the surface of the grass and ground cover bed allowing diseases and mold to grow killing the turf crowns and ground cover leaf buds. Leaves left on planting beds that aren’t covering evergreen plants can be left until spring. So, keep those leaves cleanup, its the best thing you can do for your lawn and landscape in the fall.

Melting snow and ice on surfaces.

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:03:16 +0000

Ice and compacted snow can cause injury to people and property if not properly treated. The chemistry of melting snow and ice has made significant improvements in the past several years. Rock salt has been the most common chemical to melt ice and snow and continue to be so, but if organically pretreated properly, can be much more effective . The biggest limitations of salt, is that it esentually quits working when temperatures get below 23°. Now with the advancements in the ice melting chemistry, organic additives to rock salt has these benefits:

lowers the melting temperature by 10º
increases the effectiveness of rock salt, allowing for less rock salt to be used, which is better for the wallet and the enviroment

These two reasons, is why LANDFORM uses organic additives to rock salt before applying it to our valued customer lots. After the organics are applied, the salt looks like brown sugar. The customers appreciate the fact that less salt has to be applied to thier property and safety is improved by achieving wet pavement at lower temperatures.

Shown in the picture to the right is the organic additive being applied to rock salt. It is mechancally mixed in and then restacked in a weather protected bin.

Irrigation Winterization

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:37:34 +0000

Time to schedule your irrigation system winterization. This is important step in maintaining your in-ground irrigation system. It is important to be properly and professionally done. Too much air pressure will cause extensive damage to your system. Not enough pressure will cause water to remain in your system and could freeze breaking your pipes. Call LANDFORM Irrigation at 513-939-1100 to schedule your irrigation system winterization now.