Adam Mund

Adam Mund is owner of Mund Organic Solutions, a lawn care business that uses an organic fertilizer formula of his own making. Dave Olson / The Forum

Fargo -- Adam Mund minored in microbe biology at Concordia College.

What he learned came in handy a few years ago when Mund, who was working construction jobs at the time, decided to mix up a batch of organic fertilizer for his yard.

The formula worked wonders.

So much so that a relative suggested he turn his organic brew into a business.

Mund did just that and this spring marks the third growing season for his lawn care company, Mund Organic Solutions.

While the company is based in Kindred, many of Munds jobs are in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

The precise formula of his fertilizer is a secret, but Mund said the main ingredient is worm tailings, better known as worm poop.

One advantage of organic fertilizer over synthetic or chemical fertilizer is that it more closely emulates natures processes, Mund said.

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Lawn care goes green: Business touts soil-building benefits of organic fertilizer

Chances are your lawn is looking a bit bedraggled after this rough winter. Thats not surprising. Between brutally cold temperatures and drying winds, turf took a beating this year.

Probably it will come back just fine, but a little TLC can prevent problems, reverse damage and let your lawn green up faster, lawn care experts Melinda Myers and Joe Rimelspach said. Heres what they recommend.

Grass in the shade and other places where snow and ice linger is susceptible to snow mold, a fuzzy, pink or gray fungus that can damage or kill grass, said Myers, a horticulturist, garden writer and radio and TV host.

Snow mold likes moist environments, she said, so its a good idea to lightly rake grass in those vulnerable areas to fluff it and allow light and air to penetrate. A leaf rake will work fine, Myers said.

The crowns of the grass plants are still alive, so the grass can come back, said Rimelspach, a turf grass disease specialist at Ohio State University. But Myers recommended taking action now, before you see signs of fungus.

Most people notice it when the grass is dead, which is too late, she said.

Snowplows, snowblowers and shovels can do a number on grass, especially along driveways and sidewalks.

Those areas may need to be reseeded or sodded, Rimelspach said. He recommended doing that as soon as possible, as long as the soil isnt frozen or very muddy. You want to give the new grass as much time as possible to mature before summer arrives, so it can better weather the stresses of high temperatures and dry spells, he explained.

Because most pre-emergent weed treatments also prevent grass seeds from germinating, you need to be careful about applying crabgrass killer if youre doing a lot of repairs, Myers said. She suggested skipping the crabgrass treatment this year or at least avoiding newly seeded areas.

Deicers are hard on grass. So is dog urine. The two might not seem to have much in common, but both contain salts that can burn grass.

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Tips will help your lawn bounce back

Barrie Advance

Its an unfortunate reality. Where there are lawns, there are insects. These pests can wreak havoc on your lawns, and destroy your plants and flowers. Pest control is an important part of effective lawn maintenance, and its important to deal with any problems, sooner rather than later.

One particularly annoying pest is the grub. Grubs are a problem for many lawns. They burrow deep in your soil for the winter, and return in spring, where they become a source of food for raccoons and skunks. By summer, grub eggs hatch, and the bugs eat the roots of your grass. This will damage your lawn!

However, with new regulations in effect since April 2009, the most common grub treatment, Merit, is no longer allowed to be used in Ontario. A great alternative is Nematodes, which specialize in controlling soil insects. It is less toxic than table salt, and is not harmful to humans, pets, worms, or birds. Typically applied during peak grub season, which is August through October; Nematodes help to control grubs all season, and prevent more eggs from growing. While they may not control 100 per cent of the grub issue, Nematodes are the only option currently allowed by law. Grub treatment is a minimum three year program.

Its also important to repair any damage by overseeding thin areas. Late fall is the best time for overseeding; however it may also be done in the spring. This may be combined with aeration for optimal results. Keep a watchful eye throughout the season, and contact your lawn care provider, such as Turf King as soon as you notice an issue.

For all your lawn, pest control, tree, and shrub needs, contact Turf King. Turf King has been keeping lawns healthy for more than 50 years. With its team of skilled professionals who are dedicated to providing the best in customer service and quality lawn-care, Turf Kings experts can deal with any lawn issues, including grubs and other pests. They are also up-to-date on the latest legislative and regulatory requirements. Visit Turf Kings website for more information.

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Treat grub control problems right away

Julian Lopez | photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

storyidforme: 64846860 tmspicid: 23219036 fileheaderid: 11309418

Updated: April 11, 2014 10:16PM

Four people have been charged with beating and robbing an Oak Lawn man last Sunday in an unincorporated area of Palos Township, according to Cook County sheriffs police.

The 19-year-old victim met a woman and was led to a garage in the 12900 block of 83rd Court, where at least three men beat him with a metal object, kicked him and stole cash from him, police said.

They said the attackers left, and the man went to a hospital for treatment of his injuries where police were called.

An investigation of the incident led to charges of robbery and aggravated battery against Julian Lopez, 23, and Alex Ryan, 22, both of Worth; Manuel Juarez, 24, of Burbank; and Nicoletta Tzinares, 18, of Palos Park, sheriffs police said.

Bail was set at $250,000 for Lopez; $300,000 for Ryan and $100,000 for Tzinares, who was released after posting a 10 percent bond. Juarez, who is also being held on a previous drug-related case, was ordered held without bail, police said.

Sun-Times Media Wire

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Four charged with beating, robbing Oak Lawn man

It seems people are getting a bit impatient for spring to arrive. Reports from the WSU Spokane County Master Gardener Clinic say folks are wondering why lawns havent greened up yet, when to uncover hibernating plants and why many ponderosa pines in the area are turningbrown.

To the first one. The early grasses are starting to green up. Unfortunately, most of them are the very cold tolerant bulbous and annual bluegrass and cheat grass at this point. These grasses will sprout and set seed before the middle of May and then go dormant. Lawn grasses like Kentucky bluegrass

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PAT MUNTS photo

Several fungi are infecting the regions ponderosa pines and causing older needles to turn brown this spring. The trees will shed the needles so there shouldnt be any long termdamage. (Full-size photo)

It seems people are getting a bit impatient for spring to arrive. Reports from the WSU Spokane County Master Gardener Clinic say folks are wondering why lawns havent greened up yet, when to uncover hibernating plants and why many ponderosa pines in the area are turningbrown.

To the first one. The early grasses are starting to green up. Unfortunately, most of them are the very cold tolerant bulbous and annual bluegrass and cheat grass at this point. These grasses will sprout and set seed before the middle of May and then go dormant. Lawn grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and the fescues generally dont start growing until the soil temperature reaches about 45 degrees. We are getting close to that; I measured 45 degrees in my raised beds last weekend. As we wait, now is a good time to apply an organic, slow release fertilizer to the lawn so it has some nutrients to get started. It is also a good time to aerate the lawn to allow that fertilize deep into thesoil.

Its probably safe to remove mulches from roses and perennials. Remove mulch carefully from the plants so you dont damage new shoots. Spread the mulch around the garden bed to reduce weeds. Lightly fertilize the perennials with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer. Trim back rose canes to green wood and remove thin and closely spaced canes so you have about four to six well-spaced canes in a fan shape. Remove any new growth below the graft point. This growth is from the root stock which characteristically produces rank growth and ugly flowers. Apply a good rose food and work it in gently to the surface of the soil so you dont disturb surfaceroots.

Many ponderosa pines in the region have developed brown needles over the winter. Take heart, they arent dying. According to local forestry experts, they have been infected with a series of fungi that are turning the older needles on a branch brown. If you look closely, you will see tiny black dots on the needles. This is a reaction to last springs cold, wet weather. Trees often take several months, even years to show a reaction to severe weather conditions. The trees will eventually shed the brown needles and continue growing so there is no need for a treatment of any kind other than a healthy dose ofpatience.

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Its time to green up those thumbs - Sat, 12 Apr 2014 PST

Dont look now, American Canyon homeowner, but your lawn is out to get you. In fact, both lawns, front and back, are conspiring to do you in even as you read this. Your plots are plotting.

Right now those innocent looking green expanses are arguing over the method of homicide and which of them gets to bury the body.

Currently, the consensus is for stabbing: After all, lawns have plenty of blades. But poisoning is also an option. Over the years, your lawn has collected lethal quantities of pesticides and weed-killer.

But, you protest, what have I ever done to my lawn to deserve such malevolence? I love my lawn. Dont I feed it, water it, trim it, and remove unsightly weeds?

Its not what youve done, grasshopper, its what youre going to do.

The lawns motivation for this murderous plan is the same as that of megalomaniacal supercomputer Hal 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey: self-preservation.

Grass isnt as green as it looks. The old sod knows about your plan to let it die of thirst this summer. The lawn is planning to strike first, before it gets too withered.

Dont deny it, you know its true. The drought is going to force you to choose between you taking a shower or letting your lawn have it. I dont know about you, but I view a shower as a daily necessity, especially in warm weather. And while its a matter of comfort for you (and those around you), to the lawn its a case of survival.

And as much as you might try to share a cup for you, a thimbleful for the lawn at some point you will realize you are only prolonging the agony. You know how it is with grass: Give it an inch, it takes a yard.

And as the summer wears on, the choices are likely to get even more difficult.

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A murderous plot, or revenge of the lawn

Lawn Care Question and Answer with The Lawn Care Nut
This is a live hangout we did with two of my friends and took live questions from the audience. We talked everything from spring lawn care to lawn care busin...

By: The Lawn Care Nut

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Lawn Care Question and Answer with The Lawn Care Nut - Video

Gardening Tools Maintenance and Restoration (2) by Jim McColl, MBE
In Part 2 of "Gardening Tools", Jim McColl, MBE, talks about lawns and associated gardening tools, and advises on lawn treatment in the Spring. This was filmed at the 8th Annual Trellis Conference...

By: IvyCottageIndustries

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Gardening Tools Maintenance and Restoration (2) by Jim McColl, MBE - Video

After Oak Lawn Township supervisors stated they were opting out of paying for a street project on the jurisdictional line with Brainerd, city council members were considering their options.

Pastors at Faith Baptist Church, which is in Oak Lawn Township, also wondered how they would be affected if the township does opt out. The question is who is going to pay and how that is going to be divided up, said Council President Dale Parks.

The state statute that addresses such streets with shared jurisdiction noted either party can petition the county board for dispute resolution.

The council voted 4-2 to have the city attorney start the process on the dispute resolution and to find out if the city can go ahead with half the property in Oak Lawn Township. Council members Gary Scheeler and Chip Borkenhagen were opposed. Council member Dave Pritschet was absent.

Waiting to fix the road comes with its own expenses in trying to maintain it, said City Engineer Jeff Hulsether.

At issue is 28th Street, between Oak Street and Highway 25. The total project cost is estimated to be $419,000 with $147,000 assessed to property owners in Brainerd and $42,750 charged to Oak Lawn Township.

Council member Kelly Bevans asked if the township opts out if the city is left picking up those costs. Bevans also questioned if the city could pave the street without Oak Lawn Townships consent. Bevans said he was reluctant to go forward without having those questions answered.

Council member Mary Koep said she thought Oak Lawn Township was in favor, at least for the street, but didnt understand why they were opting out now.

I dont think Ive heard anybody say that road doesnt need to be done, Koep said. ... Im really puzzled tonight.

Koep said she couldnt vote for it and lay the assessment on the people of Brainerd. We cant assess the church because they are in Oak Lawn.

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Shared street project hits dispute as township wants to opt out

Cambridge News Follow us on

Tuesday 8 Apr 2014 9:11 AM

Written byADAM WOOLCOTT AND JONATHAN SMITH

Violas flowering their socks off

4 Images

We absolutely love spring! Its a truly amazing time of year; our gardens are bursting forth with new life and new promises of beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests. The soil is warming up, there are new leaves on the trees and the sun is less of a stranger and what makes this particular spring so special is that it follows one of the wettest winters on record.

Everywhere there are signs of life, the daffodils still look spectacular and the forsythia is in full bloom bringing back much needed colour into our gardens. If you can dodge the showers and brave the wind, now is the time to get back out into the garden and re-discover the joy of gardening. Hooray!

First of all give your lawns a much needed treat. Already they are starting to throw off their winter yellows as the grass starts to grow but give them a boost with a lawn feed and weed treatment. You can get these from any DIY store or garden centre. Just remember not to cut your grass 3 days before the treatment and not to cut if for a least 3 days after and if doesnt rain it will need watering in. This gives the treatment time to work and reduces any possibility of scorching. After a fortnight any moss will go black and start to die so rake it out, re-seed any bare patches and the remaining grass will turn green again. If you dont want to use chemicals on your lawn, just rake the moss out but leave some of it in piles for the birds to use for lining their nests.

You can probably mow the grass every 10 days or so now and reduce to weekly cuts as the month goes on.

While we are talking about the grass, we always think its a good idea to get the edging sheers out or a sharp spade and re-edge the grass as this keeps the edges nice and neat and shows off the flower beds to better effect.

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Full of the joys of spring