Blog - Organic Plant Care LLC

Leaf Mulch & Leaf Compost: Turn Fall Leaves into Garden Gold

Fall leaves are powerful garden allies. Most homeowners rake and bag them without a thought, but why not turn them into superb, sustainable, organic mulch or compost instead? Leaf mulch and compost are free, beautiful, and rich in organic matter. You’ll save money, and your garden will thank you.

5 Best Trees for Fall Color in Central NJ and PA

Fall is a great time of year for many trees, especially those with gorgeous fall color. We share our favorite trees with the best fall colors that do well in the eastern Pennsylvania and central New Jersey areas.

Mushrooms In The Lawn? Could Be A Fairy Ring

We have received several questions this summer about mushrooms growing in your lawns. If you’ve noticed any it’s probably a fairy ring. But what causes these strange rings, and what can you do if you spot mushrooms in your own lawn?

Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Options In NJ & PA

There are several available EAB treatment options but they vary immensely in terms of effectiveness, safety and environmental impact. Learn about the available options and why we only recommend trunk injection with TreeAzin to treat emerald ash borer.

6 Worst DIY Tree Pruning Mistakes

It doesn’t take a trained tree expert to spot a bad pruning job but it does take one to do the job right.

Unfortunately, we’re often called in to fix a DIY pruning job gone wrong – and sometimes we even have to remove the tree entirely because it can’t be saved.

If you plan to do some tree pruning around your property (or hire someone to do it for you), here’s a list of the top 6 tree pruning mistakes and how you can avoid making them.

Biochar: Facts, Uses & Benefits

Biochar could be one of nature’s best examples of recycling. How else can we explain a natural process that turns waste material into a sustainable soil amendment? It’s a charcoal-like material used in the landscape to amend poor soil, store carbon, and absorb pollutants in contaminated soil.

Best Spring-Flowering Trees for Central NJ & PA

When it comes to curb appeal, nothing beats the landscape statement of spring-flowering trees. Not only do they embrace spring with a profusion of gorgeous blooms, many are highly fragrant and provide food for pollinators. The best offer multi-seasonal interest in addition to their early flowers.

Our top picks for spring-flowering trees are resilient, beautiful, easy to maintain, and just right for growing in central New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They include regional natives, as well as well-behaved non-native trees with impressive spring flowers.

Importance of Spring Lawn Care for Central NJ & PA

Your lawn will be waking soon and begin drawing from the nutrients that it stored in its roots last fall. But there’s a limit to how much your lawn can store – even in perfect conditions, it will need a boost in spring. And that’s where your organic spring lawn care program comes in.

Clover in the Lawn – Good or Bad?

Ever wonder why clover seems to grow better in your lawn than the grass does? It’s likely due to one of these 5 easily-corrected lawn care problems. But don’t be too hasty – there are many reasons why you may want to just leave it right where it is!

What Does “Growing Degree Days” Mean?

Growing Degree Days (GDD) are used to estimate the growth and development of plants and insects during the growing season, and to determine the best time to apply treatments for specific pests. So what, exactly, are they?

When and Why To Prune Fruit Trees in Central NJ/PA

Do your fruit trees have a lot of fruit each year, or are there just a few here and there? Are they healthy, or do they need constant spraying to keep disease and insects at bay? Fruit trees, including apples, pears, peaches, plums and others, need regular pruning to stay healthy and provide you with plentiful fruit. And believe it or not, that pruning is best done in late winter or early spring.

Create Beautiful Holiday Decorations With Evergreen Boughs

Freshly-cut evergreen boughs add an inexpensive and wonderful splash of color and breath-taking fragrance for holiday decorations. And there’s no need to purchase greens that were cut weeks ago, when you likely have evergreens already growing in your landscape. Here are our best tips for creating beautiful holiday decorations from evergreens.

remove ash trees in winter to control emerald ash borer

Control Spread of Emerald Ash Borer in New Jersey: Remove Ash Trees in Winter

According to the NJ Department of Agriculture, ALL ash trees in NJ are at high risk for EAB infestation within the next few years. Control the spread of EAB by removing infected ash trees during the winter – it’s an ideal time to take down trees without damaging your lawn.

How Mycorrhizal Fungi Help Your Trees

These special fungi, found in healthy organic soil, help your trees stay healthy by providing more nutrients and water than the tree can absorb on its own. Learn how they work and why you need mycorrhizal fungi in your soil.

How To Protect Your Shrubs From Winter Deer Damage

Deer can damage more plants in winter than the cold, snow, ice and wind. Learn how to protect your shrubs and trees from hungry deer. Here in central NJ and PA, start your protection efforts in fall (October/November is best) for the best results.

Inspect Your Trees In Fall & Save Money On Winter Pruning

Dormant season (winter) pruning has many advantages for your trees and is more economical for you – a win/win for both you and your trees. But to do it right, you should first inspect your trees in fall.

Fall Plant Care Do’s & Don’ts

As autumn approaches, it’s time to start gearing up for the final push of the growing season and prepare your trees, and flower and shrub beds for the winter.

Begin Your Organic Lawn Care Around Labor Day

Late summer into early fall is the perfect time to grow grass. With the cooler nights and shorter days, weed growth is beginning to slow, which provides less competition for grass. Use the proper cultural practices and the three simple steps described here to build a lush, safe, chemical-free lawn.

Top 18 Benefits of Trees

18 reasons why you should plant a tree today! Learn the social, health, economic, and environmental benefits of trees in urban and suburban communities.

Control Lawn Weeds Organically, Part 2

Lawn weeds appear in your lawn because of soil conditions, nutrient problems and poor cultural practices. Some very simple things that will provide huge benefits in growing a healthy lawn are proper mowing and watering habits. Here’s how to do it right.

OPC Blog - Organic Care For Trees, Lawn & Landscapes