Greenest Lawn in the Neighborhood!

Have you ever really wondered about fertilizers and which ones to use?

This blog is to inform you on the three fertilizers we carry at FELDMANS Farm & Home.

We carry three brands of fertilizers, Scotts, Gordons, and T & N.

From Scotts we handle 3 levels of fertilizer. They are Lawn Pro, Super Turf Builder, and the Scotts Best 4 Step Program. The products mentioned above are in order from good, better, and best.

From T & N we stock 13-13-13, which is used to give your grass a quick green up. 46-0-0 is most commonly used in the Spring but is recommended for use during the winter to give your grass nitrogen before needed.

Now, there are three important ingredients in each bag of fertilizer. Before I explain, I will give you an example to relate to. Scotts Lawn Pro Crabgrass Preventer has a combination of 26-0-3. The first number '26' represents the parts of nitrogen contained in the fertilizer. Nitrogen does for grass the same that caffeine does for us!! WAKE UP!! Nitrogen gives the grass a quick boost of energy. It will help to green up the grass and increase the growth rate. Too much nitrogen applied to a new seed can cause the seed to "burn out" before it is properly germinated and rooted. Much like if you give caffeine to an infant. WHAAA! An infants body is not going to handle the extreme boost of energy and it could cause adverse side effects. Also, during the hot dry summer months, inadequate amounts of water can cause nitrogen burn and hurt your yard.

Scotts uses a patented technology called 'the All-In-One Particle', where they combine all ingredients of the fertilizer into 1 granular. In addition, the granular is not water-soluble and will only break down when in contact with the soil. This allows the fertilizer to last longer and adequately feed the yard for 6-8 weeks. It also reduces the chance for nitrogen burn. Think of it as a "time release" fertilizer. This characteristic is unique to Scotts and nothing as effective will be found in any other brand of fertilizer.

The second number in the Lawn Pro Crabgrass Preventer is '0'. This is phosphorus which is important for root establishment. Strong roots are important for all grass. A strong root system will help grass to survive heat, drought and cold winters. Phosphorus is vital when planting new grass seed. Most phosphorus numbers in fertilizers are low, with the exception being starter fertilizers. Scotts starter fertilizer has a phosphorus number of '27'.

The final number in the lawn Pro Crabgrass Preventer is '3' This is potassium or potash. The potassium or potash helps to strengthen the blade of the grass against drought, fungus and insects. It does not treat fungus or insects, but helps the plant from being defeated when attacked by insects or fungus, or during a drought. It does for grass the same that vitamins do for us. Vitamins will not treat a sickness, but they will help to keep you from getting sick and make it easier for you to fight a sickness.

The differences between Scotts good, better, and best fertilizers are the levels of fertilizer in each product, mainly nitrogen. Nitrogen gives the grass its greening and growing power. With higher levels of nitrogen and the all-in-one particle, you will receive a better feeding for your yard with a time release characteristic.

All 3 families of fertilizers that we carry are unique to the independent retailer. This means that the exact same products will not be found in Home Depot, Lowes, or Wal-Mart. The box stores will stock Scotts Turf Builder line only. This product is similar to our Super Turf Builder line, except the Super Turf Builder is higher in nitrogen and thus a fertilizer that will provide a better feeding and better yet is the Step Program. Those other stores may have a good price, but the quality is NOT the same! Same situation with our Lawn Pro Series which is lower in nitrogen and will usually retail for less than what the box stores are offering.

Now, as for the types of Scotts we offer, we have crabgrass preventer plus fertilizer, weed and feed, early summer fertilizer, and late summer/fall fertilizer. These products are applied in a four-step process with the first step being the crabgrass preventer plus fertilizer. Crabgrass Preventer plus fertilizer is a product that is applied in early Spring BEFORE the crabgrass germinates. This product will NOT kill actively growing crabgrass. This product can be applied to wet or dry grass and does not need to be watered in. You still have time to apply this product, but we are nearing the end of the application window.

The second step, which can be applied as soon as early Spring and as late as Fall, but is usually applied mid-late Spring, is Weed and Feed. This product is a fertilizer plus a broadleaf weed KILLER (not preventer.) This product will NOT kill actively growing crabgrass, as crabgrass is not a broadleaf weed. It is most commonly used to kill dandelions. This product should be applied to wet or damp grass, as the weed killer needs to stick to the weeds. Do NOT water this product or apply if it is expected to rain. The weed-killing ingredient used with this product is 2-4, D, which is the mot commonly used broad leaf weed killer.

The third step is an early summer fertilizer. The third step USED should be a fertilizer plus insecticide, but Scotts found that most homeowners preferred to apply their own insecticide, so they reformulated this product to be an early summer fertilizer only.

All of the Scotts fertilizers we carry are available in 5,000 sq ft or 15,000 sq ft bags (14,000 sq ft in starter fertilizer)

We also carry Gordon's liquid fertilizer in 3 varieties. 10-10-10 all purpose fertilizer, 15-0-0 Weed and Feed, and 20-0-0 all nitrogen fertilizer. All of these products come in a 2 1/2 gallon container and when mixed and used as recommended, they will cover 15,000 sq ft. 13-13-13, 46-0-0, and liquid Gordons fertilizer are excellent product to use unless you are looking for a long term time release fertilizer, then you will need Scotts.

Just come in and ask should you have any questions. We will help you become the expert so you will have the best looking lawn on the block. Just think.....wouldn't it feel great to have the neighbors asking you how YOU did it?

Winter Equine Feeding and Care

Winter Equine Feeding and Care

During the winter, most horses will have changes in their nutritional needs. Cold weather, which doesn’t permit riding, can dramatically alter the amount of calories a horse needs to consume. Some simple, general tips can help to keep your horse in great shape over the winter.

Spending more time in the stall and less riding usually means that a horse will need fewer calories. Then again, in colder weather, a horse burns more calories to generate body heat and maintain its normal core temperature. It’s important to know, however, that in all but the most extreme weather, a horse’s caloric needs generally rise only ten to twenty percent.

In the past, horse owners fed corn during the winter to help horses generate more body heat and reduce the stress of cold weather. However, a horse is able to generate more heat in the hindgut from the fermentation of forage, such as hay and grass. Replacing some of the horse’s grain concentrate with hay can help it to more easily maintain its body temperature. We currently stock brome, timothy, and alfalfa that can serve as forage for the horse.

One way to do this is to substitute two pounds of hay for each reduced pound of grain fed daily. When less than half a percent of the horse’s body weight is fed daily in grain, consider supplementing with a premium feed. This ensures that the horse is still receiving the right amounts of vitamins and minerals at the reduced feeding rate. For instance, a good winter ration for a mostly idle horse might be seventeen pounds of quality grass hay and two pounds of premium feed. This combination meets 110% of a mature horse’s caloric needs, as well as ensuring it receives the right protein, mineral, and vitamins. Feed a premium feed such as Life Design Mare and Foal, Prime, Senior, Safechoice, Equine Junior, Senior, or Strategy. Avoid feeding Life Deign Compete and Omolene 200 if the horse is receiving little to no activity, as these feeds are high in protein and could contain too many calories for an idle horse.

When the cold weather begins, horse owners can notice a greater frequency of impaction colic. One of the main causes of impaction colic can be dehydration from reduced water consumption, inadequate water availability, and eating hay (which only contains 10% water) rather than green summer grass, which contains 80% water. Making sure that horses have good access to unlimited warm water can help encourage horses to drink more and prevent impaction colic. When a horse drinks cold water, they must use extra energy to replace the heat lost to the chilling water, and they instinctively drink less. A good add on product for any horse owner would be a stock tank de-icer and/or bucket heater. Adequate water intake ensures that the fiber in the digestive system stays hydrated, which allows it to be broken down by intestinal bacteria. This makes it much less likely to cause blockages. Adding a free-choice mineral supplement or mixing salt, mineral supplements, and electrolytes into a horse’s feed can also simulate a horse to drink more water. We stock horse protein blocks from Manna Pro, salt from Cargill and electrolytes from Farnam. Providing adequate exercise also reduces colic by helping to aid gut motility.

Because an unclipped horse’s winter coat can make it difficult to check the horse’s body condition, the owner should use a weight tape or scale monthly to check the horse’s weight. We stock horse weight tapes from Syrvet. This allows the owner to adjust the feeding program as needed and to keep the horse in peak physical condition and ready for warmer weather.

Finally, pay attention to the barn’s ventilation. Good airflow is even more vital than warmth to horses kept in a closed barn. Also, care should be taken when feeding hay to horses kept in enclosed barns. Horses that are fed hay from nets above their heads have more frequent respiratory problems than horses that eat hay from the ground or from hay nets hung low enough to allow the respiratory tract to drain down. We carry a couple of different hay feeding bags and the Grazor from Double L that can be used to feed hay to your horse. However, be careful not to have the nets hung so low that a horse can get its legs tangled in them.

How To Dress For Cold Weather

What a difference the right clothing can make. The weather may be cold, windy and wet, but you're warm and dry because you're wearing the proper winter apparel. Whether you're working, skiing, or just running errands, versatile winter apparel is worth the investment.

Shopping for winter clothing can seem a bit overwhelming. New fabrics and insulations are constantly making apparel warmer, more breathable and more waterproof. Fashions seem to change by the season. But don't worry. This guide is designed to give you some basic information about dressing for winter and will make your next shopping trip a lot easier.

Layer Up
The best way to dress for winter is to wear layers. This gives you flexibility to add or remove layers, depending on the weather and your activity. In general,the three main layers are wicking, insulating and weather protection.

Wicking layer: This is the layer worn next to your skin, usually consisting of long underwear.

• Look for thermal underwear made of a synthetic — usually polyester — fiber that has "wicking" power. This means the fibers will wick (move) moisture away from your skin and pass it through the fabric so it will evaporate. This keeps you warm, dry and comfortable.

• Even though it's cold, you will sweat if you are working or playing hard.

Insulating layer: This middle layer includes sweaters, sweatshirts, vests and pullovers. The purpose of this layer is to keep heat in and cold out, which is accomplished by trapping air between the fibers. Popular insulation materials include:

• Fleece, a synthetic material which maintains its insulating ability even when wet and spreads the moisture out so it dries quickly.

• Wool, which naturally wicks away moisture.

Protection layer: The exterior layer, generally a shell and pants, serves as your guard against the elements of winter. It should repel water from snow,sleet or rain and block the wind, while also letting perspiration evaporate.

• Most genuine winter shells and pants are made waterproof and breathable to some extent by using tightly woven fabrics teamed with a coating or laminate. This keeps moisture on the outside but allows perspiration to escape, keeping you dry and comfortable.

• Depending on the weather and type of winter activity you will be doing, you may be interested in uninsulated pants and jackets/shells, or garments with increasing amounts of insulation.

• One-piece suits, coveralls, which combine a jacket and pants, are nice as the reduce the opportunity for the elements to get inside.

• Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers — details that truly make garments comfortable in a snowstorm.

Accessorize
Headwear: Up to 60 percent of your body's heat can escape from an uncovered head, so wearing a hat, headband or facemask is essential when it's cold. (Tip: If you wear a hat, you may be able to wear one less layer on your body.) There are thousands of styles of hats and headbands, usually made from fleece or wool. Many have non-itch liners. A fleece neck gaiter (like a collar) or face mask is a must on cold days.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses do much more than make you look cool. They also protect your eyes from damaging solar radiation. Snow, or any other reflective surface, makes ultraviolet (UV) rays stronger, while increased altitude also magnifies the danger.

Gloves and mittens: Look for gloves and mittens that use waterproof, breathable fabrics. Mittens, in general, are warmer than gloves, but offer you less dexterity. Consider the type of activity you'll be doing. Some gloves will offer reinforced palms if you are doing heavier work and/or knit cuffs which can keep snow out of your gloves.

Socks: One pair of light-weight or medium-weight socks works best for heavy activity. Wear heavier socks if you are going to be less active, as you want to limit causing your feet to sweat. Socks are made from a variety of materials, including polyester, silk, wool and nylon. Some socks have wicking properties similar to long underwear, meaning your feet will stay dry and comfortable.

Fashion Tips

• The wicking layer should fit snugly (not tight) next to the skin in order to effectively wick moisture. Comfort is key for the insulating layer. It should be loose enough to trap air between layers, but not so bulky that it restricts movement. Regardless of you level of activity, your protection layer should fit comfortably, offering you maximum range of motion.

• Look for 100 percent UV protection in sunglasses. Make sure the glasses fit snugly behind your ears and rest gently on the bridge of your nose.

• Don't buy gloves or mittens that are too tight. There should be a little air space at the tips of your fingers, which acts as additional insulation.

• Don't wear jeans or street pants. If it is snowing or raining, wearing denim as your outer layer is not a good idea. Denim is not waterproof, so water will soak through and you'll end up cold, wet and miserable.

• Be careful with cotton. Cotton is great for towels, because cotton soaks up and retains moisture.

• Resist the temptation of putting on too many pairs of socks. You'll restrict circulation and actually cause your feet to get colder.

Winterizzzzeee! Come Spring, you'll Thank us for it!

This is the time of year to Winterize. Everything you do to your yard now will look amazingly beautiful next Spring. Fertilization is one of the most important practices of them all. It's easy to let other projects demand your attention in the fall, but you shouldn't overlook the basics that help prepare your turf for winter and the next spring

Now that the heat of summer has given way to cool nights, more uniform rainfall and sunny, warm days, we can rejoice in preparation. This typically commences in September. Turfgrass plants respond with improved density and growth, recovering from thinning that may have occurred during the summer. Fertilization at this time aids this process. As temperatures continue to cool during mid-to late fall, grass growth begins to slow and mowing frequency drops to once a week or less. This is when it is best to perform your late-fall fertilization. Living in the Kansas City area, the time for late-fall fertilization is late October and November. A hard freeze usually causes cessation of turf growth, but the plant is still physiologically active, so photosynthesis will continue until snow covers the ground or the ground freezes. The plant continues to accumulate carbohydrates during this time when little or now growth occurs.

If you think about it, it's the time of year the involves the least amount of labor, but produces the best amount of return. Come in today to find all the products you will need to get the results everyone wishes they had. How do we know, because you will come in and thank us for having the best looking lawn in the neighborhood!

If you live in the country, bugs and weeds are a big problem right now. Have you heard of a Cankerworm? They are notorious for feeding on Orchards and shade trees. Probably won't be good for relaxation!

Beef cattle are subject to attack from several insects and other arthropod pests. Economic losses result from blood loss as well as aggravation which interferes with grazing and milk production!

With the recent burst of rain we just received yesterday, I look for weeds and insects to steak their claim. Please look to FELDMANS Farm & Home for all insecticides pertaining to home, garden, and livestock.

If you live near the water, I'm sure that you have been enjoying the frog serenade on these nights when we can enjoy having the windows open at night. If you plan to be spraying for weeds anywhere near the water, be careful. Amphibians are very sensitive to glyphosates, the chemical component of Roundup, and all of the generic labels of glyphosates. Fish and aquatic invertebrates are more sensitive to Roundup than terrestrial organisms. Roundup is not registered for aquatic uses and studies of its effects on amphibians indicate it is toxic to them. To control emerged weeds such as cattails use Eraser AQ Aquatic Herbicide. It's safe for the frogs and fish in your water. FELDMANS Farm & Home sells Eraser AQ Aquatic Herbicide in the quart size for $33.99. Use CIDE KICK II AQUA SURFACTANT with the Eraser to help it stick to the plant leaves and you will improve your results. Our gallon size of CIDE KICK AQUA SURFACTANT is $27.99