Buckeye EcoCare Eco-Bites
Regularly Published Tips and Articles
Fall Aeration and Overseeding
All lawns, regardless of their conditions, can benefit from some level of renovation every few years. One of the best ways to rejuvenate turf is to combine the power of...
Rainfall – Feast or Famine?
Four weeks ago, we wrote about the dry conditions and below normal rainfall totals we had in May. Now, just one week into a new month, we have made up...
Stop Bugging Me!
Early summer is the season to begin looking for landscape damaging insects. Bagworms are hatching now from the bags that harbored last year's female worms and mature Japanese Beetles are...
Drought and Heat Stress
The photos below were not taken on July 4th of last year – they were taken just a few weeks ago on Memorial Day. In May of this year, we...
Trees, Trees Everywhere!
Now that we have a full complement of tree leaves in bloom, Mother Nature has answered the million dollar question: Why does the turf under my trees continue to thin...
Weeds, Weeds Everywhere!
Broadleaf weeds are opportunists - you'll see them under bricks, below bridges, between rocks, in your lawn and flower beds, and just about everywhere! Weeds will grow anywhere at any...
The Mole Toll
Moles are notorious for the damage they do to lawns as they tunnel around looking for earthworms, beetles, ants and other insects to eat. Moving at a rate of 12...
Spring Is Coming!
The famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter this year, but there are signs that spring is on the way! It won’t be long until...
Baby, It’s Cold Outside!
Mother Nature may be doling out some chillier weather and a little snow this month, but that doesn't stop us at Buckeye EcoCare! We are busy maintaining our equipment, upgrading...
Does Cold Weather Affect Insects?
Whenever we experience extremely cold temperatures locally, people ask if the cold weather will kill off the bugs for the following year. While this may seem like a reasonable assumption,...
Disappearing Topsoil
Odds are the topsoil on your lot was not kept for your lawn and landscape when your home was built. The photos below are not meant to point fingers, but...
Prepare Your Plants for Winter
As winter approaches, plants should be thoroughly watered before the ground freezes to help ensure roots are well hydrated. Winter sun and winds can cause plants to lose moisture through...
Dry Fall, Dry Winter
The Little Miami and Great Miami Rivers, along with the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, are as low as they have been all year. Soil moistures are 20 to 25% below...
Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away!
Every green industry professional and most homeowners look forward to the six weeks between September 1 and October 15 each year so they can plant grass seed during this ideal...
Crabapple Trees and Apple Scab
Crabapple trees are among the most popular plants in area landscapes, exhibiting prolific displays of flowers each year in early spring. Some of the most spectacular flowering varieties are also...
Cause for Celebration
Excessive rainfall over Labor Day weekend cancelled many outdoor activities but also provided some of the best and most timely precipitation of the season. With over 3.5 inches of rain...
Emerald Ash Borer Update
Fifteen years ago, southwest Ohio was invaded by a very destructive pest that attacked our native and landscape ash trees, causing millions of dollars in damage. The initial wave of...
Crabgrass, Crabgrass Everywhere!
Well, not really…but our early spring pre-emergent treatments did not survive the 90 to 120 day residuals promised for the summer. Our area's August 1 year-to-date rainfall amounts are more...
Training and Continuing Education
At Buckeye EcoCare, we are constantly working to learn the best techniques and most effective ways to service our customers. Continuing education, Ohio Department of Agriculture recertification credits and...
July and Dry
While we typically expect conditions this time of year to be hot and dry, it's helpful to be reminded of a few summertime lawn and landscape tips. Turfgrass can and...
Tree Girdling Roots
Today, many nursery trees are grown in containers. The roots of these trees are container-trained to grow in a circular pattern near the base of the plant, as shown below....
Fungi, Fungi Everywhere!
More than 2.5 inches of rain over the last weekend has created the perfect environment for diseases on turf and ornamental plants. Saturated soil, along with cool wet conditions, is...
The Beauty of Crabapple Trees
While April gave us a variety of weather conditions including rain, snow, wind and even a little sun, crabapple tree flowering did not seem to be affected. Many of the...
Rain, Rain Go Away!
Year to date rainfall totals are 15.0 inches and a normal year is 12.16 inches. Could we please push some of this rain into July and August when our plants...
Spring Core Aeration
Did you miss out on the fall core aeration window? If you did, contact us now to schedule a spring core aeration for a healthy, green lawn this year. Core...
Perimeter Pest Control
Perimeter Pest Control Spring is coming soon, and with the change in seasons come creeping, crawling little insects. Protect your home from unwanted pests throughout the year with Perimeter Pest...
Early Spring In Ohio
Early Spring in Ohio At this time of year, we tend to get enthusiastic about the arrival of spring. But let's not get too excited - spring doesn't officially begin...
“The Good, The Bad & The Ugly”
The Good... Three record rainfall amounts here in the Miami Valley put us 9.25" over average for the year. The enclosed rain gauge reading was from a one day rain...
It’s that time of the year again!
The days are longer, the May showers are over, and Mother Nature turns the thermostat up during the summer months. This is the time your lawn needs extra care from...
Customer Question of the Month
"Mark, I still have all of these bare and thin spots in my lawn. What should I do?" Buckeye Ecocare to the Rescue Please be patient, the above lawn areas...
Lawn Maintenance
The first day of fall brought us 88 degree temperatures along with rising humidity levels! This was great for clients who have seeded and are now watering, but was bad...
Fall Rains
Three weeks ago we sent a note recommending you put your lawn mower away and get your sprinklers out. As you can see from the rain gauge above, located at...
The Dog Days Are Here
Based on the photograph above, the "Dog Days " of summer are officially here! The recent heat, along with widely scattered rain, has left many lawns "drought stressed." Turf that is brown and standing...
Is It Hot, Or Is It Not?
Recent temperatures and rainfall totals have been very sporadic here in the Miami Valley. The good news is that our longest day of the year has passed. The bad news is...
Get Ready For Summer
We are still 3 weeks away from the official start of summer and Mother Nature has already cranked up the heat and slowed down the rainfall. Some rain gauges received a good drink...
YELLOW GRASS?
As you can see from the enclosed photo, the older common Kentucky bluegrass lawns are going to seed right now. When this happens, the plant is using all of its energy...
Wake Up Turf, Wake Up
Every spring, Mother Nature's alarm clock for our lawns changes. The soil temperature determines each Turfgrass variety and when they will wake up. My neighbor's lawn is an older variety...
Water And Drought Stress On Plant Roots
Autumn leaf coloration, along with the first frost, will indicate the end of the growing season for many gardeners and homeowners. However, woody trees and shrubs will remain active until...
Good News, Bad News
The enclosed pictures were taken on May, 25,2015 and September 25,2015, which happen to be the two driest months of the year thus far. As always, with Mother nature in...
Prepare Your Lawn For Fall And Winter Now
We are only 3 weeks from the official first day of fall and football season is right around the corner. What a great summer we have had! This summer season...
Healthy, Competitive Turf
Last month, we reported on near record rainfall for the month of June and now, we report the same story for July. The greater Miami Valley saw back-to-back months of heavy rainfall...
A Dry And Warm Start In The Miami Valley
No, this photo was not taken last summer. It was taken on May 12, 2015 in south Dayton! Officially for the month of May, our temperatures were six degrees above normal, while...
April Showers Always Bring May Flowers!
With Mother's Day right around the corner, the soil here in Southern Ohio is starting to warm up and dry out. Make sure when you plant your annual flowers, the...
Finally, Green Grass Here In The Miami Valley
Two years ago on March 21, I was cutting grass and we were spraying weeds! This year we are just starting to green up on April 1 with no dandelions...
We Would Love to Treat Your Lawn Just Like Our Own
Buckeye EcoCare serviced your lawn in the past and we fell short of your expectations and your service was discontinued. For over 30 years, we have worked hard to deliver...
Be Patient – Spring Is Just Around The Corner
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2nd this year, which meant another 6 weeks of winter. If spring does indeed arrive late for us, then crabgrass will be delayed...
Why Do You Insist On Putting Fertilizer Down Over All My Leaves?
The above photo shows fertilizer NOT landing on the leaves due to gravity. Fertilizer prills, (rice) cannot be absorbed by dead leaves. The above photo shows leaf cover of 50%...
Annual Flowers, Weather Update
Plant for fall blooms Don't think you can get annual flowers to bloom in the fall? Plant flowers at the right time of year to enjoy blooming flowers from spring...
Weed Control, Weather Update
Do not scalp your lawn No, Mother Nature does not plant crabgrass in straight lines! But...if you mow or trim incorrectly in July and August, sunlight will break down our...
Right Way, Wrong Way
A Banner Year For Crabgrass! Over 10" of rain during the month of June along with UV light (sunlight), has weakened the pre-emergent barrier we applied to your lawn last...
Landscape Pests, Drought or Disease?
Landscape Pests Pests emerging soon Japanese beetle adults will soon be emerging from the soil and attacking our roses, linden trees and other assorted landscape plants. Depending on populations they...
Emerald Ash Borer, Heading Into Summer
Emerald Ash Borer Tiny insect, large devastation Recent history has shown that once Emerald Ash Borers establish in an area, the ash tree population will be virtually depleted within ten...
Weather Update, Getting The Best Of Broadleaf Weeds, Gorgeous May
Weather Update It's hard to believe that just two weeks ago we woke up to all white lawns, not all green lawns. Fortunately, the 24 degree low on April 15...
Spring Is Coming In, Crowd Out Weeds, Broadleaf Weed Control
Spring is coming in full bloom March, our transition month is over and now it's time to watch mother nature deliver some of her best performances. Lawns will begin to...
Ever Wonder What We Do All Winter?
Vehicle Maintenance, equipment repair, organize new routes, contract renewals, program planning, client surveys, thank you calls, and most importantly. . . give back to the communities that support us all...
