Wessels Lawn LLC

08/29/2019

UW professors offer details on how professionals can treat for emerald ash borer infestation

08/09/2019

I think we will start applying the 2020 lawn iron this fall. Too many people ‘forgot’ how long winter was this spring and will again next year.

Stock up on Scotch, firewood, and more Scotch — or whatever you use to combat seasonal affective disorder — because The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a long, cold, and snowy winter fo…

07/24/2019

A few have called stating there lawn looks yellow and feel with all the rain it should look great. That is normally the opposite and this is way. Why?? All plants, including turf, grow roots only for water. They do not grow roots to take up nutrients so the nutrients have to be in the root zone. Too little and/or too much water has a negative impact. This year has had a lot of rain, and big rains. The turf only needs active roots in the top few inches to take up water. Why are applied nutrients?? Deeper than that because of the big rains pushing them down into the soil. The heat that came is good but coming very quickly as it did takes time for the plants to root down after they use up the surface water. If it gets too hot, too quickly, the plants will slow or shut down metabolism of growth to protect itself. Plant and soil functions and interaction is much more complex than just applying some water and nutrients. Listen to a farmer talk about too much rain, crops rooting down, nutrient movement and uptake. It is the same between field crops and turf.

07/18/2019

We have entered the time of year when pre-emergent herbicides are running out, it is getting hot and proper mowing and watering are critical.
Mowing: no matter WHAT turf type you have mowing 3.5-4” in height is crucial. Unless a true commercial mower that means the highest setting! Taller grass is nicer to walk on, looks better but also shades the soil to conserve water and shade out w**ds. Where do most w**d issues come from? Bare soil or short, thin grass. Not where thick turf mowed tall.
Watering: 1-1.5” every 3-5 days is much better for your lawn than watering more often and applying less. Why?? The proper watering of applying more water and less often will make the turf root deeper so it is healthier, takes up more nutrients and water and looks better. No different than a crop in a field.
Jeff

11/07/2018

Buffalograss in the fall. By now air and soil temps have lowered so the buffalograss growth has almost stopped but it is not dormant yet. Buffalograss is always the last turf we treat in the fall, clear to soil freeze up. There are several reasons for this. First the herbicides that are applied are stronger than on bluegrass, have much longer residual activity, are targeting additional w**ds and are sensitive to air and soil temps along with sunlight. Along with dandelion and henbit, we are also targeting cheatgrass, bluegrass and fescue. The product that targets the grasses is very sensitive to sunlight and soil temps. It breaks down quickly in warm weather and soil temps above 50 degrees. We need to working well to help control cheatgrass, bluegrass and fescue. I also want the spring application on buffalograss to be as late as can be, soil temps consistently at 50 degrees. This will allow the spring herbicide application to last longer into the summer considering buffalograss is not as dense as bluegrass to hold later season w**ds out.

11/07/2018

An update and information as we move through the fall. Fall and early winter are a key time for fertilization of bluegrass and fescue, along with the key time to control winter annual w**ds such dandelions, henbit, shepherds purse and cheatgrass.
Bluegrass and fescue: the fall fertilizer is what helps it get through the winter and take off quickly next spring. It is a high rate of nitrogen to be stored in the roots. If you apply a quick release nitrogen, and to early in the fall, all you will get is excessive top growth and more fall mowing. You need to wait until air and soil temps cool off for it to be the best.
October and November are also the best times to spray for dandelion and henbit. They both actually start in the fall, very small, then excel in growth as the spring warms to make seed for reproduction. Easy to control in fall, difficult in spring because of plant metabolism. Every year a few people get nervous thinking it is getting late. Trust me, it is not. I have sprayed in September for dandelion and have many more next spring than a November application.

09/08/2018

Though it may seem counterintuitive, seeding, w**d control and fertilization is most effective late in the season.

09/08/2018

09/02/2018

Short story of the 2018 year so far.
Chinch bugs continue to be high and now instead of just targeting Buffalograss they are also enjoying Bluegrass.
The high rainfall events pushed herbicides down in the soil profile. Weeds such as spurge as prolific this year, and very frustrating. Pigw**ds/amaranth are even showing up which is highly unusual in turf.
We have worked hard to make sure your lawn is looking great. Interesting thing, if you have noticed, our customers that we have had for 5+ years are not suffering major w**ds outbreaks if following our recommendations over time.
Too many people are mowing short.
Too many people do not understand or know how much their sprinklers apply and are not watering properly.

08/23/2018

So I just saw on the news that the city of Lincoln is going to remove their 14,000 ash trees versus treating them for EAB. Sad

08/11/2018

So the engine went out of our white Ford Monday for the lawn biz. What do you do? You price around and find the best deal is from your brother! Bought this just now and fueling. Went from a 1/2 ton to a 1 ton. Can get things done now! And no they do not make a pickup any longer than this 😂😂. Wessels Harvesting Partnership > Wessels Lawn LLC.

07/06/2018

As many of you know, Keith has been out again for several weeks with some severe dizziness issues. He is seeing some different Drs hoping to find a solution. Christina and Joe have been working very hard on the fertilizer applications and mowing. I thank all of you that have been understanding. Hopefully Keith will have answers soon. Keith M Maaske