Mike Sisti

Plant A Tree...Properly

2008-07-09T13:57:00Z

Recently an editor from one of the gardening publications asked me what I thought the number one mistake people make in their landscapes. Based upon experience, I replied 'proper planting.' Improper planting is a major cause of stress among trees, even several years down the line when that stress invites insect and disease activity. As easy as it sounds, thoughtful planning should go into the placement of a tree as well as how the hole is prepared and removing burla, twine, and wire baskets that typically accompany a transplanted tree. It's common to see the infamous 'one year guarantee' on trees and shrubs. Even if improperly planted and the tree typically can survive with the existing soil surrounding the root ball for one year. It's when the tree attempts to root out and establish itself in the existing soil when the stress can occur. I have visited properties two years after the fact, only to find the twine and burlap still intact, with a puzzled homeowner asking me why the tree is stressed when it was "professionally installed." All in all, take the time to follow ISA planting guidelines and help your newly planted tree establish itself and thrive as easily as possible.

Front Page News

2008-06-17T13:05:00Z

I never thought the day would come when fertilizer would make front page news in The Wall Street Journal. Yet it has happened, time and time again. How much will homeowners and lawn care providers be willing to pay to keep their lawns green? A $15 bag of fertilizer is now $23! Something to be said for soil testing and calibration. A soil test is the road map for your lawn. It will allow you to understand exactly what your lawn needs, reducing the likelihood and cost of applying nutruents already available in the soil. Now more than ever, the practice of over applying nitrogen (the infamous 'more is better' approach) come with a price. Not only is your lawn at risk of excessive top growth, thicker thacth accumulation, and increased disease likelihood, it will cost you more. With the uncertainty in the world of fertilizer, let's take a step back and develop a plan for our yards to keep it green, but do it smarter.

The Joys of New Home Ownership

2008-06-06T14:15:00Z

In my days as a lawn care operator, one of the calls I was less than enthusiatic to receive was a call from a new homeowner in a brand new development. The question 'Hey Mr. Professional, help me establish a lawn.' Typical of most new developments, the organic rich topsoil has been stripped away only to leave a behind a subsoil of rocks, roots, and other debris not conducive to establishhing a lawn. Well, now I'm in that boat. I sheepisly looked out at my "lawn" and thought 'can I really grow grass here?' My wife even asked "Are you sure this work?" "Of course it will!," I hoped. Well, needless to say, four weeks later after properly preparing the existing "soil" with a slit seeder and planting a turf type tall fescue blend into this rock-clay makeup, I have the beginning of a lawn. I breathed a huge sigh of relief, and soon enough the kids and dog will have a new green space to enjoy. While I'll still need to deal with the soil deficiencies, there's proof to going back to basics and keeping it simple.