LAWN APPLICATIONS
Crab Grass Control with Dimension® and TCS GrowStarTM fertilizer
Crabgrass is an opportunistic lawn weed and becomes problematic especially in thin lawns that are under-fertilized and poorly drained. Classified as annuals, one plant is capable of producing 150,000 seeds per season. After the seeds germinate, they out-compete domestic lawn grasses, and leave large voids in autumn when they die back. Crab Grass is a true grass species that cannot be controlled with a broadleaf weed control.
Dimension®
Provides both pre-emergence and post-emergence crabgrass control, along with a variety other grassy and broadleaf weeds. One application per season in late April or early May.
Spring/Fall Weed & Feed
Spring application per season in spring/early summer.
- Weed: Countryside Landscape & Design uses Eliminate.
- Feed: Countryside Landscape & Design uses a slow release nitrogen fertilizer in granular form. Designed to release nutrients over a period of time, constantly providing a source of energy to your lawn.
- Weed or Feed Only
We can tailor a program that works for your specific needs.
Insecticide with Fertilization
(Application: end of June/beginning of July)
This application kills chinch bug, sod web worm, grubs, Japanese beetle larvae and other lawn pests. One application generally lasts all season. This insecticide also has lawn fertilizer.
More on the pests…
- Chinch bug infestations frequently occur in turf-grass with thick thatch that is exposed to full sunlight during periods of hot, dry weather. Damage is often less noticeable during the spring and early summer, and frequently appears from early July through late August when the insects are actively feeding. Chinch bugs cause significant damage by removing plant fluids and by injecting a toxin that causes the grass to yellow, turn reddish brown, and eventually die.
- Sod Webworm larval damage often is observed as brown patches up to the size of a baseball in the lawn. Feeding damage from sod webworm larvae frequently goes unnoticed during periods of drought. The most severe damage usually occurs in July and August, as larvae chew off leaves and stems just above the crown. As they continue to grow and feed, the injured areas enlarge and coalesce into big, brown patches.
- Japanese beetle adults feed on nearly 300 different host plants. Some of the more common ornamental plants include: roses, flowering cherry, flowering crabapple, Virginia creeper, Boston ivy,birch, canna, elm, and marigolds. Adults feed during the day, favoring hot weather and plants growing with full exposure to the sun. Adults also consume flowers and foliage of many other host plants. Damaged leaf tissue takes on a skeletonized appearance since they feed between the leaf veins. The larva feed on the roots of grass, killing the grass.
Organic and Natural Alternatives for Fertilizer and Weed Abatement
Pro-Gro 5-3-4 Organic lawn fertilizer
This product is blended from natural sulfate of potash, phosphate rock, vegetable protein meals, animal protein meals, and natural nitrate of soda.
This organic fertilizer builds thick root systems and healthy soils which naturally crowd out many weeds while cultivating beneficial microorganisms that can decompose thatch and control harmful insects and diseases.
Pro-Holly 4-6-4 Organic plant food
This is a natural fertilizer blended from mineral and organic ingredients specifically made for ericaceous/acid-loving plants, such as Blueberries, Ferns, Hydrangeas, Raspberries, and other acid loving plants.
Acid loving plants do not love acid, but need certain nutrients (iron, manganese and sulfur) that become more available in soils with a a lower pH. Pro-Holly 4-6-4 is specially formulated to meet the nutrient needs of these acid loving plants, and also feeds a multitude of beneficial organisms living in the soil.
Avenger Organic Natural weed killer
This is a non-selective, post-emergence herbicide that quickly and effectively kills weeds, grasses and broadleaves without causing harm to the environment. The active ingredient, citrus oil (d-limonene) naturally strips away the waxy plant cuticle, causing it to dehydrate and die.
This product is fast acting, highly biodegradable, and non-toxic, allowing it to be used in areas near people, pets, and wildlife. It does not stain brick, concrete or pavement, and is made of oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits giving it a pleasant smell. EPA register and approved.
Mirimichi Green Weed & Grass Control
This is a non-selective herbicide that leaves no harmful residues and can be used for organic gardening. It gives results within 15 minutes, and is readily biodegradable. It is a great alternative to traditional herbicides. EPA registered and OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) approved for organic production.
Aeration
(Recommended both spring and fall)
This is an often overlooked procedure that can significantly improve your lawn without the use of chemicals. Lawn compaction is unavoidable with: lawn mowing, human and pet traffic, even rain; all cause soil compaction. Compacted soils injure grass roots, making it difficult for water and/or fertilizer to penetrate the soil. Aeration is a process where a plug/core aeration tool is used to perforate the lawn through the thatch layer of grass. This improves the acceptance of water and fertilizer and promotes root health.
Lime Application
(Recommended: because lime takes months to penetrate, we recommend 2 applications per season)
Neutral soil pH (7.0) allows microbes and worms to prosper and organic matter to break down. In addition, fertilizer is more effective in a neutral environment. Acidic soil kills micro-organisms and 99% of turf diseases are favored in acidic conditions.
Adding lime to soil has many benefits. Because liming improves the quality of the soil, plants and grass can reap all the benefits of a healthy soil environment. When acidic soil is corrected, plants and lawns are greener, stronger, use less water, and are more able to resist diseases.
Soil Acidifier with Fertilizer
(2 applications per season, spring & fall)
The application of sulfur is used, which lowers the pH of soils for plants that thrive in acidic conditions (blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, holly, and rhododendron). This then enables plants to absorb needed nutrients. Countryside Landscape and Design pairs sulfur with organic fertilizer, which has been specifically developed for acid loving plants.
TREE APPLICATIONS
Horticultural oil with fungicide & insecticide
(Application; early spring)
This is an excellent application for all trees and shrubs. This highly refined horticultural oil smothers insects and their eggs before they become a problem. By mixing the fungicide with the oil in this early application serves as a pre-emptive strike against tree and shrub fungus and harmful insects. This treatment is recommended as a first defense against the Hemlock woolly adelgid. Hemlock woolly adelgid populations usually are located near the bark at the base of the needles. Host plants are injured by the adelgids inserting their piercing-sucking mouthparts into the base of the needles and removing plant fluids. Moderate hemlock woolly adelgid populations may cause a reduction in tree health. Severe infestations may result in premature needle drop, reduced twig growth, dieback, or death of trees. It also aids in prevention of Spruce gall, common here as well.
Tree-Spray with insecticide/fungicide
(Recommended application; spring/summer, up to 3 applications)
We use only EPA approved chemicals. The application is comprised of a mixture of 5 chemicals. The first serves as a contact kill pesticide for pests such as Japanese beetles and tent caterpillars. The second is a systemic pesticide which is absorbed into the plant for longer lasting protection. The 3rd, a broad spectrum fungicide, which protects plants from fungus. The 4th, a systemic fungicide for control of several foliar and soil-borne diseases. Lastly a spreader sticker to ensure complete coverage and protection against removal from rain.
Merit drench
(Application; before August)
An effective insecticide that can be applied to the roots of large trees that cannot be effectively sprayed. This is a systemic pesticide chemical that is absorbed by the roots, taking about 30 days for full absorption, and lasts one growing season. This application is effective on many tree borers including bronze birch borer.
The bronze birch borer is a serious secondary pest of white, paper, and cut-leaf weeping birches. This native borer will attack yellow, gray, and other species of birch. It has also been reported on beech. The first indication that a tree is infested with borers is wilting and dying of the upper crown. Closer examination may reveal ridges and bumps on limbs and branches. In some cases the trunk may have areas with a rusty brown stain. Trees that are subject to severe bronze birch borer infestation may not be salvageable.
Merit drench has proven effective on Hemlock woolly adelgids.
Commercial grade apple tree spray
(Application; spring/summer)
Unfortunately, fruit trees aren’t the carefree plants you might hope they’d be. Pests and diseases affect fruit trees in every part of the country. Spraying fruit trees is the best way to avoid these problems.
Deep feeding trees & shrubs
Countryside Landscape & Design uses a unique formulation that releases fertilizer which mimics what would occur in a natural setting. The natural forest derives its nutrients through decomposition of the leaf letter. In the landscaped lawn, the leaf litter is removed, therefore, removing the natural nutrient and organic matter. This is a preventative measure to aid in warding off future disease that can lead to premature death of trees and shrubs. This application gives 3 fold benefits: deep root watering, aeration and fertilization.
- Spring: High Nitrogen (32-7-7) Deep Feeding for trees & shrubs
(Spring application recommended once every 2 years)
This is a slow release-high Nitrogen liquid fertilizer that is injected into the soil under pressure (200 psi). It promotes soft growth by releasing available nitrogen over the entire growing season.
- Fall: High Phosphoric Acid & Pot Ash (12-24-24) Deep Feeding for trees & shrubs
(Fall application recommended once every 2 years)
Root growth continues into late fall and early winter, and can benefit from deep feeding. Fall is a time to not stimulate soft growth, so a low nitrogen formula is used.
- Deep Feeding with Root Pusher for Trees & Shrubs (5-30-30)
(Application once per year—spring or fall)
Root pusher fertilization is a liquid fertilizer injected into the soil under 200psi. It is formulated to be low in nitrogen (5%), while high in phosphoric acid (30%) and soluble pot ash (30%).
Newly transplanted trees and shrubs often experience significant root loss, making root pusher an ideal application, as it promotes root growth rather than top growth. This application is recommended for newly planted or transplanted trees and shrubs; two applications six months apart.
Early spring and summer are the ideal time to fertilize trees as they have the entire growing season to develop, however it is also a busy spraying time, and may not always be possible to feed. Late summer and fall are also an excellent time to feed, as root growth continues into late fall and early winter, therefore fertilizer applied during this period is very beneficial to the tree. Any injected fertilizer not utilized when dormant, will be available in spring when growth resumes.
A low nitrogen formula is necessary because soft growth is not desired late in the season. This formula feeds the tree for good wintering and a strong start in the spring.
Deep root watering and aeration are also benefits of this application.
Weed Control with Roundup®
(Recommended monthly May through September)
Backpack spray application to control unwanted weeds and grasses after they have emerged.
Fungicide/Insecticide
(Recommended application: April (once), twice monthly May through August)
Backpack spray application with combination of fungicide to prevent mold and powdery mildew and insecticide to prevent insect damage.
April application is for perennials. During the peak of Japanese Beetle cycle, it is recommended to apply twice per month.
Herbicide Garlon®
(Application: anytime April through mid-November)
Specialty herbicide to control unwanted weeds, creeping vines, brush and trees. Application to freshly cut tree stumps and brush prevents regrowth. This herbicide is recommended in cases where mowing can create multiple re-sprouts, and worsen the vegetation problem.
Deer Defeat®
(Application: April-August, November & January—see below)
April 1 application
May & June, 2 applications per month
November & January, weather dependent above 32o
Deer Defeat is an all-natural dual animal deterrent that uses a combination of natural active ingredients which repels browsing animals (deer and rabbit) while simultaneously nourishes your plants. It has long lasting duration, and does not have to be reapplied after rain, repelling animals year round through both odor and taste. It offers an added benefit of winter protection from cold and desiccation.
Deer Stopper®
Deer Stopper is another deterrent option. It is formulated with the essential oils of Rosemary and Mint that targets the deer’s sensory response, causing the deer to avoid browsing where it has been applied. It has a mint smell, so is not offensive to humans.
Deer Stopper has been designed to perform through regular rainfall and watering, with a recommended reapplication rate of every 30 days.
Deer Stopper should not be applied on edible crops.