Pets and your Lawn #2 (pun intended)

We talked about pet urine in Pets and Your Yard Part 1 last week.  Today, the subject is the unpleasant topic of #2.  Feces are also damaging to your lawn.  Dog waste is not like cow manure.  It is not a good fertilizer.  A dog's diet is very different from a cow's diet since it is full of protein and this causes a very acidic excrement.  This creates a highly acidic product that is harmful to your lawn. The feces in small amounts may temporarily produce a fertilizer effect that results in dark areas but left on the lawn, the feces break down and create brown spots. 

Pet waste is unsightly and smelly but it can also pose certain health risks. This waste can attract different insects to your yard as well as being a vector to transmitting certain diseases.  Ringworm, hookworms, roundworms, and other diseases can be passed from another pet or person if the feces are left unattended.  Young children are most prone to the exposure since they are less likely to wash their hands after playing in the yard.  Simply walking in an infected yard before entering your home makes it possible to track bacteria into your household.

The best protection for your yard is to designate a place for your pet to go.  Be diligent about "scooping the poop" to help lessen the damage to your yard and to protect the health of your children and you!  With a little planning along with the scooping, you and your pets can live in harmony without an unsightly smelly yard!

Sunbelt Turf Farm is happy to help you with all your sod and turfgrass needs.  Give them a call today!

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful, green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. This blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owner of this blog will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of the information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.  The terms and conditions are subject to change at any time with or without notice.

Pets and your Lawn #1

Are you noticing brown spots in your yard?  Your sweet furry friends (or maybe your neighbor's pets) can create unsightly spots in your beautiful lawn.

These brown spots are caused by the acidic nature of urine. This is due to the high concentrations of nitrogen present in the ammonia component of your pet's urine. A little nitrogen is good for your lawn but an excessive amount causes damage.  It is similar to pouring a nitrogen-containing fertilizer onto your lawn.

Female dogs cause more damage because they do their "business' in one concentrated area. There is a quick and somewhat easy fix for this problem.  After your pet has finished their business, water that portion of the lawn for a few minutes or simply dump a bucket of water on that spot.  The watering will cause the nitrogen to dilute and that has a positive effect on the lawn.  If you notice a green ring around the brown spot, the nitrogen is causing this dark, green ring of accelerated growth.  A more dramatic contrast of color between the dog spot and the lawn is a good visual indicator of the need to fertilize your lawn.  Use less fertilizer in the beginning and increase it gradually. Fertilizing will help keep your lawn healthy and that lovely green color will be vibrant in the spring.

If your lawn is full of these dog spots, it may be necessary to cut out the brown area and patch the lawn with new sod.  The re-sodding of the areas will give you the quickest fix. Another way to fix the issue is to take a 4-6 inch knife and slice into the brown spot several times.  By cutting into the ground, you will be breaking up the root system and this helps the rhizomes to reproduce and this creates new, green grass in the spot where your pet has browned it.

Give Sunbelt Turf Farm a call for all your sod needs.  The friendly staff will answer all your questions and help you have a beautiful lawn.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. This blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owner of this blog will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of the information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.  The terms and conditions are subject to change at any time with or without notice.

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful, green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

Merry Christmas

Sunbelt Turf Farm would like to say Thank You and wish you a joyous holiday season.

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

Holiday Safety Tips

Safety is always important, but especially during the busy holiday season.  The days are shorter so the darkness comes quicker.  People are shopping, visiting, and traveling taking us out of our homes more.  

Since this is the last shopping weekend before Christmas, Sunbelt Turf Farm wants to remind you of these simple safety tips.

Car Safety Tips:

• Keep jumper cables in the car
• Have a blanket or an extra coat in the car
• Have cell phone charger in the car
• Get gas before dark

Home Safety Tips:

• Ask neighbors to keep an eye on your property
• Report any suspicious activity 
• Check windows and doors to make sure they are properly locked
• Place exterior lighting on timers
• Keep shrubbery trimmed to eliminate hiding spots
• Do not open the door to strangers
• Remind children of stranger danger

Holiday Shopping Tips:

• Shop with a buddy
• Park in well-lit areas
• Women: use a cross body purse
• Men: consider carrying your wallet in a deep front pocket
• Limit the number of bags you are carrying-return to the car if needed
• Have keys out and ready to use
• Have cell phone easily accessible
• Keep all valuables in your car out of sight
• Limit the amount of cash you are carrying
• Carry only the credit cards you plan to use

Always be alert to your surroundings so you don't become a holiday crime statistic!

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

Happy Birthday Rudolph!

Happy 76th birthday to Rudolph the red nosed reindeer!

The most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph, was created by Robert L. May.  May was an employee of the department store, Montgomery Ward, and was charged with the task of creating a booklet to be given out to customers of the store as a holiday promotion.  

What began as a 32 page illustrated booklet has turned into a holiday icon.   In many countries, Rudolph has become a figure of Christmas folklore. 2015 marks the 76th anniversary of the birth of the character and the 51st anniversary of the television special.  

Children go to bed each Christmas Eve hoping Rudolph's red nose will guide Santa's sleigh to their homes.  Be sure and leave reindeer food to assist Rudolph!  Sunbelt Turf Farm is happy to share their special reindeer food recipe!

Reindeer Food Recipe
2 Cups regular oats

2 Cups sunflower tropical birdseed mix

2 Tablespoons red decorator sugar crystals

2 Tablespoon green decorator sugar crystals

Combine all ingredients in a 2 quart ziplock bag.

Sprinkle on the lawn at night
The moon will make it sparkle bright
Santa’s reindeer fly and roam
This will guide them to your home

Merry Christmas!

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

How to Eliminate Lawn Mushrooms

Mushrooms prevail in yards with drainage problems and lots of shade.  If you are tired of seeing the mushrooms and want to get rid of them, you have a few options.

1. Pulling mushrooms up at the base as soon as they appear will help reduce the spread of spores.  Removing them as soon as you see them reduces the chance of children and pets ingesting them.
2. Rake up leaves, sticks, and grass clippings.  Fungi feed on decaying matter, so eliminating food sources will help eliminate mushroom growth.  Consider dethatching your lawn, removing the thick layer of organic matter between your lawn and the soil.
3. Mow the lawn regularly and limit the watering.  Make sure all mushrooms are pulled up and all pieces are removed before mowing.  You don't want to spread mushroom spores across the lawn when mowing, creating an even larger problem.
4. Aerate the lawn.  This will improve drainage and air flow throughout the lawn.  It will also help keep the grass and soil dry.
5. Nitrogen speeds up the decaying process of the food source for the fungi.  Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the lawn at a rate of 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn.
6. Dig up any areas where mushrooms grow and remove tree roots, pieces of wood, or other organic material that serve as a food source. If you cut trees or remove shrubs from your landscape be sure to remove the roots as well.
7. Dig out the affected soil.  For the best chance of completely eliminating the mushrooms, dig 12 to 18 inches deep and 18 to 24 inches outside the affected area.

 If you need assistance with any lawn problems or have questions about your sod, call  Sunbelt Turf Farm for all the answers

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. This blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owner of this blog will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of the information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.  The terms and conditions are subject to change at any time with or without notice.

Is that a Mushroom in my Yard?

Mushrooms can appear in new sod or established sod.  They aren't picky about where they grow as long as there is the right combination of moisture, shade, and organic material in the soil.  They may appear suddenly usually overnight and appear under the shrubs, near the trees or just in the middle of your beautiful lawn!  

Mushrooms are fungi, or rather the reproductive part of fungi that lives in soil.  The fungi are hidden most of the time busy breaking down organic material.  But, when the conditions are right they will burst up from the ground like flowers blooming in the spring time.  

In your newly laid sod, mushrooms may appear since the new sod must be kept very moist to encourage root growth into the underlying soil.  If you have mushroom spores present in your sod when the watering begins, the spores will germinate and begin to break down organic materials in the sod.  Once the germinated fungus has grown into the sod, mushrooms break through the soil and can begin growing rapidly.

Once your new sod is established and excessive watering is no longer needed, the mushroom problem may clear up on its own.  The mushrooms must have a moist area to thrive, so allow your lawn to dry out once the sod is clearly established. Fungal growth in new sod can cause the grass to grow at an uneven rate, leaving you with longer grass in sections of your lawn.  Using a lawn aerator will improve the water flow while increasing air content in the soil and this will help keep the mushrooms at bay.  If mushrooms appear and you remove them manually, just keep in mind they may return after a heavy rain.

If mushrooms persist in your established lawn, you may be able to keep mushrooms away by changing the conditions in your yard.  Mushrooms typically like shade so trim back bushes and leaves.  The sunshine will help keep the shrooms in check!  If you see standing water or if part of your lawn remains damp for long periods after a rain, your soil may be compacted. Aerating will increase drainage and better drainage will decrease the moisture that the mushrooms thrive on. Dethatching your lawn may be necessary if you have a thick layer of organic material that absorbs moisture.

If you have a stump or even a place where a stump used to be, the dead roots underground may be encouraging the growth of mushrooms.  If the stump is still there, you can have it removed.  If it has been removed, keep the area raked and aerated to promote proper drainage.  Pet waste left on the lawn can bring out the unwanted mushrooms.

Mushrooms indicate that your yard has lots of organic material in the soil.  When the mushrooms break down the organic material your soil becomes more productive.  If you don't have drainage or shade problems, just simply knock the mushrooms over and wait for the sun to appear and dry out the lawn.

Call Sunbelt Turf Farm for all your sod needs!



Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. This blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owner of this blog will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of the information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.  The terms and conditions are subject to change at any time with or without notice.