More Tips on Insect Control in Your Yard

Typical symptoms of chinch bugs. The area affected will often look like grass affected by drought.

Typical symptoms of chinch bugs. The area affected will often look like grass affected by drought.

Although most of us prefer to live in harmony with nature, sometimes we need a strong line of defense. After hours of hard work in your yard, insects can threaten to take over and damage your turf. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the creatures threatening to destroy your grass.

Numerous Insects Presenting a Threat in Our Area

Besides the residents of Wilmington, N.C., many different types of insects have decided to claim our region as their home. We’ve already alerted you about fall army worms. Here are some other insects working away at your grass:

  • Mole crickets
  • Chinch bugs
  • Spittle bugs
  • Ground pearls
  • Cutworms
  • Sod web worms
  • Leaf hoppers

Steps to Treat Damaged Grass

If your once beautifully manicured lawn is looking under the weather, insect damage may be the cause. In these cases, you’ll probably notice signs of weakness including yellow blotches. To offer first aid, here are the steps to take:

  • Identify the correct insect species
  • Select the appropriate insecticide
  • Treat your lawn immediately

Some of the insecticides for treating insect-damaged grass include:

  • Diazinon
  • Sevin
  • Merit

If you apply Talstar several times, you’ll have a good chance of getting mole crickets under control. Be sure to follow the instructions for the best results.

Reliable Information From the “Sod Father”

Are you confused about how to treat insects and protect your lawn? The “Sod Father” can help. Customers at Superior Sod & Garden Supplies turn to us for answers because of our extensive experience with turf production (see pictures).

Owner Don Curtis graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor of science degree in:

  • Turf grasses
  • Specialty crops
  • Soils

In addition, he has firsthand experience growing and caring for sod properly.

Contact Us With More Questions About Protecting Your Lawn

Do you have more questions about getting insects under control? Would you like to learn about the best ways to treat damaged grass? Contact Superior Sod & Garden Supplies today!

The Fall Army Worm – BE WATCHING!!

Fall Armyworm
The Fall Army Worm is a serious threat to turf grasses, especially, during the months of July, August, and September. This problematic insect while in their moth-like adult stage tends to search out Bermudagrass, as it migrates northward from Florida and the Gulf States. Please note that that does not mean that other turf grasses won’t be effected. By June these moths begin to arrive in North Carolina with each female moth laying up to 1,000 eggs in masses of 50 or more.
 
The larval stage of a Fall Army Worm grows up to 1.5 inches long and greenish with blackish stripes along each side and down the center of it’s back. It also has a very distinct inverted “Y” on its head. Each larval generation feed in mass for two to three weeks and feed nocturnally. They leave large circular to irregular whitish patches, where the leaves have been skeletonized and chewed down into the crown region of each turf grass plant. 
 
Understanding the Fall Army Worm’s life cycle is important in order to apply the appropriate control when the insect is most vulnerable. During the larval stage of the Fall Army Worm is the most effective and vulnerable time to have maximum control. The use of a contact – type Insecticide like Telstar can be used if the infestation is low, but a Systemic Insecticide – Aceletryn – has the most effective control of 60 to 90 days.
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It is important that every effort is made to observe and identify the Fall Army Worm Moth that flys in during the month of June. During the months of July through September it is critical that a vigilant eye has a watch on the development of this larval stage, and treat immediately. And, know that other mass generations will probably be occurring soon thereafter. Treatment of a broader area of turf grass (such as a turf farm field, golf courses, athletic fields, or even entire neighborhoods) needs to be with a Systemic Insecticide.
 
A reputable turf farm would never be carrying the eggs or larvae of an Army Worm. The loss of a field due to an Army Worm infestation would be a disastrous loss. It is far less expensive to pre-treat their fields. All of the Turf Farms that we are associated with are Professional, and actually pre-treat their fields preventing any Army Worm egg from surviving.
For more information or assistance with a Army Worm problem, contact us today! 

 

Palm Tree Tips to Create a Striking Landscape

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One advantage of our steamy summer is that you continue to plant palm trees. When the high temperatures make you feel like you are in the tropics, you can create a setting for a vacation right in your own backyard. If you can’t afford a getaway to an island, this addition will transport you to the Bahamas without the hassle of getting on a plane!

Favorite Selections for a Tropical Design

Did you know that the summer is actually the best season for planting palms? They thrive under warm and rainy conditions, which will encourage a strong root system. If you are thinking about transplanting a palm, the current climate will allow them to bounce back after relocation.

For those who are looking for selections that will create striking landscape designs, here are some of our favorites:

  • PALMETTO/CABBAGE PALM (Sabal palmetto): This majestic palm is native from North Carolina to the Bahamas, so you will create an authentic island look! A single trunk will grow at a slow to moderate pace, reaching up to 20 to 30 feet. Positioning this variety in full sun and drained soil will reward you with a healthy landscaping accent.
  • PINDO PALM (Butia capitata): If you want a palm with arching leaves and a solid-looking trunk, this one is for you. Older leaf stalks hold up over time, following an overall track record of hardiness, even in hurricanes. Pindo palms like full sun and dry soil, so you can take advantage of these conditions in your yard now!
  • KING SAGO (Cycas revoluta): Although this variety is technically not a palm, we can’t resist offering this recommendation because of its striking appearance. This visually commanding variety, from the Cycas species, can reach 4 to 6 feet in height and grow 6 feet wide. To deal with any leaf burn, you can trim completely during the late spring.

Contact Us About Planting, Watering and Fertilizing Palms

Check out these and other palm tree varieties, and let us know your favorites on our Facebook page. You’ll also find more tips for all of your gardening needs on our YouTube channel. If you have any questions, contact Superior Sod & Garden Supplies now!

Treatment for Mole Crickets

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The experts at Superior Sod have uncovered a serious problem in Porter’s Pointe: damaged areas from mole crickets. To verify our suspicions, we sent photos to two other turf specialists.  

Our observations were confirmed.

Widespread Damage

Adult mole crickets are a challenge to eliminate right now. You’ll recognize them if you spot the following:

  • Light grayish brown color
  • Length up to 1.5 inches
  • Wings allowing up to 40 feet of travel

Mole crickets feed during the evening on the roots of untreated Bermuda grass. Here are details about the extensive damage, which they can cause:

  • Initial dead trails between 1 to 2 inches wide
  • Power to destroy up to 2 square yards
  • Ground surface gnawing 1/2 inch down

During this path of destruction, mole crickets will feed on the upper roots and then target the crown area, which kills the turf grass. Our current high heat and drought conditions widen their “kill zone.” During the day, you’ll even find these relentless creatures working their way into:

  • Cooler mulched in garden beds
  • Driveways and sidewalks
  • Soil as far as 6 inches down

Effective Solutions

To stop mole crickets from eating through your lawn and garden, you can use an insecticide now. Our top recommendations are from Farmer Supply on Oleander Drive, which carries Top Shelf and Talstar. The latter is the least expensive and needs a good watering.

Right now, you can’t destroy these devils, but you can slow them down. Next spring, retreat your lawn every 3 weeks starting in mid-March, when the night time temperatures are in the 60 degree range. Then, continue this process through mid-June, and treat your lawn every spring for mole crickets.

Contact Our Experts for More Treatment Advice

Do you have questions about treating mole crickets or the fungus called dollar spot? With 44 years of experience growing specialty crops like turf grass, produce, strawberries, we offer reliable advice. Contact a USDA registered soil scientist who has worked with many farmers to increase their production!

Soil Testing and Disease Control

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With the high temperatures frying lawns to a crisp, you may be searching for ways to deal with brown patches. Some advanced planning may help you avoid these complications. Here are some tips for dealing with lawn problems.

Soil Testing to Pinpoint Problems

Does the dirt in your yard look like clay? Does endless watering still leave you with dry-looking soil? If so, you can improve this situation with soil testing.

Professional analysis of the soil in your yard will help you understand:

  • Deficiencies
  • Characteristics
  • Contents

Without this information, you are literally working in the dark. You can keep knocking yourself out in an effort to grow a healthy-looking lawn. However, you will experience success after learning how to achieve the proper balance.

In addition, you will need to consider external elements including:

  • Air temperature
  • Insects
  • Moisture frequency
  • Timing

When you finally know all of these details, you can apply the correct remedies, based on a professional’s advice.

Disease Control For Warm Season Grasses

In the heat of summer, diseases will present one of the most challenging problems. The following elements encourage these complications:

  • Excess nitrogen
  • High thatch content
  • Increased humidity
  • Moisture
  • Warm temperatures

In our area, brown patch thrives during the summer and early fall months because of these common conditions. How can you get this problem under control?

If you catch the problem early, fungicides like Daconil 2787 or Bayleton will work. However, watch closely for 2- to 3-inch brown patches. When you treat these areas before they get out of control, you may win the damage-control battle. Otherwise, less than healthy grass will be more vulnerable during the cold months.

Contact Us for Lawn Care Advice

Do you have questions about your lawn problems? The grass experts at Superior Sod & Garden Supplies have the answers. Contact us!

Quality Sod to Create Outdoor Living Space

Pic New Sod NurseryWith many homeowners interested in increasing their outdoor living space, quality sod is a key that can make or break this project. For example, some may have struggled for years with stubborn brown patches of lawn. Others feel frustrated because of years battling grass-resistant blocks of dirt.

The experts at Superior Sod & Garden Supplies have a long track record helping customers develop the yard of their dreams. The following are just a few selected examples of these success stories.

Lush Grass Transforms Backyards

One of the most gratifying aspects of helping our customers is receiving their glowing testimonials as well as before-and-after photos. When you take a look at these transformed backyards, you will visually witness the effectiveness of our top-quality sod. If you use our products, you can similarly experience the following benefits:

  • Decreased time struggling with unattractive areas
  • Increased sense of pride in your home
  • Inviting place for your friends and family to gather

Instead of spending hours fighting against nature, you can kick back and enjoy a new outdoor living room. For the best results, take a look at some of our favorite choices.

Value of Sod Suggestions and Detailed Advice

As you can see from our customers’ testimonials, they value our recommendations and guidance for installing sod properly. Our team loves sharing our knowledge and educating others about the best grass varieties including:

  • Empire and Zorro Zoysia: Generally, our vote for the best turf grasses
  • Bermuda (Celebration): Rated #1 by NC State for wear and overall turf quality
  • TifBlair Certified Centipede: Easiest-to-maintain and drought-tolerant selection

Share Your Before-and-After Photos

If you have enjoyed success installing our sod, we would love to share your before-and-after photos. Do you have additional questions about maintaining your outdoor living space? Contact the experts at Superior Sod & Garden Supplies now!

3 Key Guidelines for Sod Care

To help you get the best sod results, we have developed a distinctive customer care sheet with detailed guidelines. Here are some of the key points:

  • Watering: If you are guilty of under- or over-watering your lawn, our experts can help you develop the right approach. When sod is initially installed, simply maintain moisture by watering every day until the sod comes together. During the warm summer months, this may require up to 2 weeks. Also note that the ideal time to water is between 5 and 10 a.m.  A 10-minute watering session during particularly hot afternoons may add necessary moisture. Plan to water your lawn every other day, before shifting to every third day and then longer. Then, schedule a 40-minute watering session.
  • Mowing: One important tip for  mowing is to avoid cutting more than one third of the grass blade. When you mow with greater frequency, you will end up encouraging root growth and a thicker lawn. Even if it’s only a week after your sod installation, take out the lawn mower whenever needed. To avoid tearing grass blades and making them vulnerable to insects as well as diseases, be sure to keep your mower blades sharp.
  • Fertilization: One great advantage of living in our area is that you can get a free soil analysis from the NC Extension Service. These findings will help you identify the nutrient levels of your soils and the pH. Then, you can pick the right fertilizer for your sod. A general guideline is to use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer with iron, which will improve the green color.  

Contact Us With Questions About Sod Care 

Would you like to read the rest of our detailed sod care instructions? After you take a look at these, let us know if you have any questions. Contact Big Al and our other experts at Superior Sod & Garden Supplies now!

Empire Zoysia: Top Grass Choice for Wilmington, NC

As an authorized grower and dealer of Empire Zoysia, we wanted to explain why this grass has been our top selection for many years. With a commitment to educating our customers, our experts want to share this knowledge, so you can make the best choice for your yard. We know that it can be confusing to stand in front of shelves of bags packed with different varieties, so these tips should simplify this decision for you!

Zoysia Varieties and Test Sites

Why has Empire Zoysia, originally developed in Brazil, been our grass of choice for years? This hardy selection can withstand the problems that knock out the other varieties in our area. Zoysia varieties include:

  • Crown
  • Zenith
  • JaMur
  • Meyers

To verify the hardiness of Zoysia, you can also take a look at the results from the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program. You can learn about 28 test sites in the United States, and one of them is located at NC State in Raleigh.

Benefits of Top Grass Choice

Producing outstanding results, Empire Turf is a Zoysia variety that offers many advantages over other options. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Soft feeling
  • Lush green color
  • Fine, tight blade growth

If you want to create an aesthetically pleasing landscape, this grass is the one for you! Here are some other reasons that homeowners and property managers pick Empire Turf to enhance the visual appeal of their properties:

  • Easy maintenance
  • Environmentally-friendly choice
  • Cost savings

You’ll also find that this strong grass with a deep, thick root structure will hold up against drought conditions better than other varieties. This grass grows at a slower rate and will resist chinch bug and chemicals, cutting down on mowing and irrigation. During a hurricane, with flooding and saltwater inundation, Empire Zoysia has continued to thrive even after a week under water!

Contact Us to Learn More About the Top Grass Choice

Would you like to learn more about our number 1 grass choice? Check out our video about Empire Turf Summer Maintenance. If you have more questions about the best grass varieties for Wilmington, NC, contact Superior Sod & Garden Supplies now.

Insecticides to Protect Your Lawn

At this point in the season, you probably see constant growth and activity in your yard. When you sit outside, you can hear the birds singing and the bees humming. Some of the insects are beneficial to your garden, whereas others can literally wreak havoc with your home.

For example, if you ever needed to deal with carpenter bees, you may feel like your property is under siege. These massive devils actually have the power to make piles of sawdust out of the old wood posts on your porch. Like other trouble makers, they can interfere with your feeling of serenity outdoors–and force you to take serious action before they demolish your home.

Defend Your Greenery With Insecticides

Some homeowners resist the idea of using insecticides, which often becomes unavoidable when you are struggling with an infestation. To help you deal with destructive bugs and critters, here are some ways to protect your lawn and garden:

  • Mole crickets and grubs: Through the end of June, use 40-pound bags of DUOCIDE (Carbaryl) to treat 5 to 10,000 square feet.
  • Chinch bugs: From July to September, pick up a 25-pound bag of UP-Star Gold (Talstar) to cover a 5,000 square foot area.
  • Armyworms: During the next few months, a 40-pound bag of DUOCIDE (Carbaryl) will protect 5 to 10,000 square feet.
  • Fire ant mounds: All year round, a 1-pound bag Acephate “97 Up” should do the trick.
  • Other pests like moles: Whenever you see these critters,     a hose end applicator of Liquid Fence treats 10,000 square feet.

Contact Our Knowledgeable Experts With More Questions
Do you need more advice about dealing with bugs, which are destroying your greenery? Our knowledgeable experts are committed to educating others and sharing our tips. If you have any questions, contact Superior Sod & Garden Supplies now.

Secrets for Integrating Beneficial Pine Straw Into Your Landscape

15217576 - pine straw for sale at a garden supply center in north carolinaWhen you think of pine straw, you may automatically visualize this natural material on a farm. However, the pine needles from trees create an outstanding mulch option for your garden. If you’re unfamiliar with this use and the optimal ways to integrate pine straw into your landscape, here are some tips.

Natural Mulch Benefits  

When you want to use an organic material as mulch in your garden, pine straw is a natural choice with multiple advantages. The following are some of the benefits:

  • Appealing color and texture
  • Compression-resistant material
  • Easy distribution
  • High nitrogen content
  • Insect and rodent protection
  • Moisture retention
  • Slow decomposition
  • Soil temperature regulation
  • Weed barrier

When the pine needles eventually break down, they will also add acid to the soil, which helps the following:

  • Azaleas
  • Camellias
  • Dogwoods
  • Evergreens
  • Ferns
  • Fuchsias
  • Gardenias
  • Hollies
  • Hydrangeas
  • Magnolias

You’ll also find that the loosely connected pine needles will remain on otherwise challenging slopes in your garden. This protection is particularly helpful for roots during inclement weather.

Hints for Pine Straw Placement

Once you have your bale of pine straw in the garden, are you wondering how to proceed? Here are some tips:

  • Before you begin, pull out weeds, prune, trim and tidy up the area
  • Apply a 3-inch layer approximately a foot beyond the bed edge
  • Use a rake to polish the look of your pine straw blanket

Contact Us to Order Quality Long-Leaf Pine Straw

Our supplier of top-quality long-leaf pine straw can deliver fresh bales the same day of an order. We also receive 250 to 300 fresh bales every 3 or 4 days. At Superior Sod, a shelter protects up to 600 pine straw bales, so they remain clean and dry.

To use this top-quality mulch for your landscaping, stop by or contact Superior Sod and Garden Supplies today!

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