Everybody’s done it. There isn’t a person on the planet who hasn’t taken to heart some belief that, through, rumor or repetition, became truth to them.
It’s also true in the lawn and landscape industry. Consumers maintain beliefs that range from subtle to outlandish, and they all challenge the lawn and landscape professional to educate the misled consumer. This article addresses some of these common myths and where the truth truly exists.
| What Is Fertilizer? | ||
One of the most commonly held myths among consumers that is perpetuated by some consumer-oriented manufacturers is the concept of fertilizers as "plant food." Jeff Iles, extension tree specialist at Iowa State University in Ames, said this misunderstanding can lead to misuse of fertilizers and confusion about its ability to aid ailling plants. The primary components of fertilizer, when available to the plant is a usable form, help the plant produce its own food through the process known as photosynthesis. Plants produce the food they need to survive in the leaves of the plant, not through the absorbtion of nutrition through the soil. The "plant food" concept has the unfortunate effect of giving people the idea that if a little fertilizer is good, then a lot is better, a concept that can be fatal to a plant. Too much is also just plain wasteful. Finally, it doesn’t present a true picture of what is happening in the soil profile. The use and availability of the various elements in the soil by plants is actually a complex process, dependent on a number of factors. These include how compacted the soil is, the soil pH and moisture levels, the composition of the soil, and the past history of care. Many professionals will turn to taking soil tests for just this reason. The test results will tell the professional what the soil does and doesn’t need, and result in a healthy plant with no wasted effort or product. - Paul Schrimpf |
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TURF TALES. Michael Gaffney, technical director, Professional Lawn Care Association of America, and former manager at a maintenence firm, shared a few common turf myths with Lawn & Landscape:
LAWN ENVY. One of the most common complaints Gaffney said professionals hear is, "My neighbor’s lawn looks better than mine, and he doesn't do a thing to it." Gaffney noted that these customers need to understand two things the limitations of the lawn and its care, and the invaluable role of irrigation in maintaining a healthy, green stand of turf. Irrigating deeply and infrequently during drought periods keeps the color strong, and allows the turf to fight off invasive weeds that thrive in dry conditions, Gaffney noted. Also, if the service you’re performing is for a relatively new client, they need to understand that the products you apply don’t work overnight.
NOT PERFECT. Many customers expect 100 percent control when they see weed control products going down, but the reality is that total control is rare. "I’ve had customers call to have me come out for one weed," said Gaffney. Satisfying the customer is the priority, but again, Gaffney said customers should have reasonable expectations.
GRASSCYCLING. Many consumers still believe that grasscycling, or leaving clippings on the lawn rather than collecting them, is detrimental to the turf and causes thatch. Neither is true, and by taking away clippings consumers are actually removing stored nitrogen that can help fertilize turf.
| What Is Orgainc? | ||
Two of the most confused terms in the language of lawn care are "natural" and "organic." The definitions of these words are often confusing, and sometimes used interchangeably. The Professional Lawn Care Association of America recommends these guidelines for determining whether a product or service fits the customer’s definition of "natural" or "organic." NATURAL: A product derived from animal/biological, mineral or plant sources, in a form substantially as it occurs in nature. The materials may be altered or manipulated to put them in a physical form that allows them to be efficiently used in the application process by the homeowner or lawn care professional. ORGANIC: Any substance containing the element carbon is, by technical definition, organic. The common misconception that organic and natural have the same meaning may cause the non-technical consumer to believe that a man-made organic material is natural when it is not. NATURAL-BASED: Generally used to describe a mixture of materials that includes some materials that may be properly described as natural. The portion that is natural is frequently undefined. The other portion may be man-made pesticides or fertilizers. - Paul Schrimpf |
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TREE TALK. Bonnie Appleton, tree specialist with Virginia Tech, and Jeff Iles, tree specialist at Iowa State University, noted these common tree and ornamental myths:
HEALTH AT STAKE. Some consumers are under the impression that all young trees should be staked to provide support and protection. The truth is that only trees in vulnerable positions, such as those near the street or in areas subjected to severe weather, truly require staking. Trees need to be able to sway in place to build strength as they grow, and staking can actually be detrimental.
ROOT OF THE MATTER. The old belief that tree root growth patterns mirror the crown of the tree not very wide but as deep as the tree grows high persists for many consumers. Consumers need to understand that the root zone grows at least as wide as the canopy of the tree, and the primary feeding roots are in the top 8 to 12 inches.
The author is Managing Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine.
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