A property I recently visited surprised me. It had snow mold. I have to admit I was expecting it, just not at this level. It was after all, actively growing sod that had been installed just before the onset of winter.

Not having seen it at this level before I doubted—only for a moment—my prognosis. Thankfully, UMass Extension Plant Pathologist M. Bess Dicklow confirmed my finding. It does appear to be a bad case of Gray Snow Mold (Typhula spp.) with a little bit of Pink Snow Mold (Microdochium nivale) thrown in for good measure. More »

Spring has arrived early this year in New England. Last week’s snow throwers have been traded in for larger than a smart-fortwo lawnmowers—sure they cost the same, but the mowers have cup-holders. For those that are unaware, much of the region has been coping with floods. To say soils are saturated is an understatement.  Nonetheless, landscapers and gardeners have been out in full force since the day after the storm subsided. It got me thinking: there should be a top ten list of things not to do in the landscape; better yet, the Seven Gardening Sins. Then, it dawned on me. One of the world’s literary masters had already composed such a work: La Divina Commedia. More »

A disconcerting change is underfoot. More people are asking for organic fertilizers. It is not that the fertilizers are organic that is worrisome. It is how they are being portrayed and ultimately used.

Sure, there are organically approved blended fertilizers—many of them. Each one is presented as being better than the next. They tempt us with promises of a plethora of essential nutrients, disease suppression, improved soil, and money savings; all the while making us more environmentally friendly and better horticulturists. More »

Soil tests are like blood tests done at an annual physical examination. Although not designed to address specific concerns, they give a general summary of a system’s—body and soil—well-being. Sampling is perhaps the most critical part of soil testing because the test based recommendations are only as good as the samples taken.

Soils are highly variable in managed landscapes. Areas that have unique characteristics need to be addressed separately; with separate soil tests. To have a good representation of the soil, cores need to be taken from areas of uniform slope, soil texture, soil color, or similar plant growth; really any characteristic that gives a distinct picture of the area. The number of cores is dependent on the size of the area. More »