2nd Week October - Imprelis from Dupont could change the way you go after broadleaf weeds

If one of the premier university people said the following. Would you be impressed?

"At this point, it appears (Imprelis) has tremendous potential as a turfgrass herbicide. Common dandelion, white clover, & corn speedwell are three of the most troublesome weeds in turfgrass throughout the US. The fact that Tall Fescue & Kentucky Bluegrass are highly tolerant to this herbicide, & given that this herbicide appears to be highly effective these 3 troublesome weeds, it appears there is great potential in the lawn care market as well as commerical market"

"Control of (clover)was nothing short of impressive"

One did.

-Dr. Fred Yelverton
NC State University

June 9th, 2006

I believe this was worth the wait. Dupont is releasing Imprelis this fall!! No other herbicide has the following characteristics.

aReseed before or after application
aVirtually no oder
aRainfast in less than 2 hours
aPre & Post Activity

Will be available for early order & next year on fertilizer carrier!! Even showing promise on crabgrass!!

Imagine applying this anytime you have weeds (no matter how thin the turf) & keeping them out!! Complete fall renovations can now be done all at once!!

For Real Answers made easy contact Steve Slominski

steveslominski@gmail.com

cell (540)760-8873

Look for a post every Thursday evening

WELCOME TO STEVE'S HEALTHY TURF.

Many of you are just becoming aware of this blog. I hope it can help you to reach your goals (better conditions, better lifestyle, etc). As you can see, I have already posted some this summer (I believe they are reflective of how the summer has gone). I want to let you know what to expect from this blog in the future.

A weekly article will be posted every Thursday at 9:30pm. The following format will be used monthly.

1st WEEK PROBLEMS & THEIR SOLUTIONS
The easy answers, addressing real problems, least expensive, etc. Giving you the
options to attack the challenges of our industry.
2nd WEEK GROUNDBREAKING NEW PRODUCTS
An explanation of new products & where they can improve your turf!
3rd WEEK APPLICABLE SCIENCE
Sometimes understanding what you are up against creates new solutions & ways to
easily implement them.
4th WEEK THE BUSINESS OF TURF
What's new with legislation, professional organizations, researchers, etc.
5th WEEK PERSONAL PROFILES
Getting to know the people in your business better.

Please feel free to add to the discussion, donate ideas for topics, or anything else you'd like.

Thank you!

-Steve S

Now it's fall. I'm done right?

CONGRATULATIONS YOU'RE DONE (OR ARE YOU)
Every once in a while, a problem takes care of itself... or so it seems. Grass has stopped dying, problem solved right?

THE PROBLEM The need to grow back roots from this destructive summer.

THE REAL PROBLEM Our fertilizers don't address the reason we loose grass in the first place.


THE EASY ANSWER NITROGEN

As our soil temperatures get cooler, growth will be restricted by the lack of plant available nitrogen (in the heat, nitrogen comes from high biological activity releasing the nitrogen in the soil).

HOW TO BEST DO THAT. (quick release nitrogen sources)

HEROD'S RECOMMENDATION-Ammonium Sulfate (1/2lb N / 1000 / monthly this fall)

THE REAL ANSWER REPLACING WHAT'S BEEN LOST / IMPROVING SOIL STRUCTURE

Turfgrass is a cover crop that depletes soil of minerals & available nutrients (mainly carbon). If you draw from your nutrient savings account, that's fine. If you do it too much, you are in a worse situation than before this past season.

HOW TO BEST DO THAT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM

STEP 1 Soil Test (identifying what's missing)

STEP 2 Apply sustainable forms of what you are missing
Carbon (Earthworks 5-4-5 or 3-4-3)
Potassium (Ecolite, 5-4-5)
Phosphorus (Min-Phos)
Calcium (Hi Cal Lime)
Magnesium (Pro Mag)


STEP 3 Work with a Herod Rep to create a supplemental nutrient program for next summer.

FOR REAL ANSWERS MADE EASY...... Contact Steve Slominski

SteveSlominski@gmail.com

cell (540)760-8873

What to do on a rainy/snowy day

The drought is over. There, I said it. I hope you feel a sigh of relief (especially if your bunkers did not wash out too bad). With this rain comes its own problems, but there are some opportunities. Below are some quick thoughts of what can be done on a rain day to make life better.

Recharge the emotional battery.

Stephen Covey who wrote The Seven Habits of Successful People called it "Sharpening the saw". Go do something that after you are done makesyou feel like the first day you took the job.

General Cleaning / Organizing (It is amazing what you will find)

Think how much time is wasted because when things are not where they should be. No better day than a rain day to tackle this project. The biggest challenge with cleaning / organizing is making sure everything has a place when your done. If you don't have a place, create that space or throw the item away. Moving clutter around does not count as organizing.

Call/Go See the industry person you have not been able to catch up with.

I hope this falls under the recharge your batteries, but if it doesn't, picking the brains of people who have similar challenges or have expertise you are weak at can only help you.

Learn something new (my job would be better / easier if I knew how to.....)
I find the toughest part about learning is it doesn't fit in certain timeframe. So ask yourself, where do you have to be on a rainy day? Take advantage of this opportunity!

Do something with/for the ones you love.
Another Stephen Covey idea is the concept of "emotional bank account". Basically, you are either making a deposit (doing something they will appreciate) or a withdrawl (calling in a favor). Think of the important people in your life. Has your profession made them work around your schedule alot this year? Make a deposit. It's ok if you build up a big "savings account". Unfortunately, there are plenty of times to make withdrawls.