OPC Blog - Organic Care For Trees, Lawn & Landscapes
On this page, you'll find all of our many blog posts on tree and lawn care, common pests and diseases, DIY techniques, the best trees and shrubs for your property, seasonal tips, and so much more. Enjoy!
Deep Root Fertilization Builds Healthy Trees
Deep root fertilization helps keep trees healthy and improves the health of struggling trees by delivering nutrients directly to the root zone. Learn how it works and see it in action!
Read More5 Simple Grass Mowing Practices for a Healthier Lawn
Simple mowing practices that can help your lawn be healthier, reduce weeds, lessen the need for fertilizer and develop deeper, more drought-resistant roots. Best of all, they don’t cost you a dime!
Read MorePlant Nutrients: Calcium & Boron
Profiling Essential Nutrients for Plant Health: Calcium & Boron A good analogy in the mineral world is that Calcium is the trucker, in that it moves all the other minerals, but Boron is the truck driver. A boron imbalance appears as if the truck has driven off the road.…
Read MoreBeneficial Insects – The Hoverfly
Hoverflies are tremendous beneficial predators to attract into your landscape, as their larvae are voracious aphid-eating machines. They resemble a cross between a fly and a small yellow jacket at first glance. Besides their favorite snack, aphids, they provide excellent control ofscale, thrips, tiny mites and small caterpillars, like the cabbageworms that devour your broccoli…
Read MoreWinter Injury to Trees and Shrubs
Heavy snow and ice, as well as frozen soil conditions, can damage cherished trees and shrubs in residential landscapes. Even areas without major snowfall experience high winds and huge fluctuations in temperatures during winter. But homeowners can lessen the adverse effects of winter weather with preventive maintenance.
Read MoreWeed of the Week: Hairy Bittercress
Hairy Bittercress, (Cardamine hirsute), is a winter and summer annual that germinates from seed during cool moist conditions, like spring and fall. It is a prolific seed producer that explodes at the slightest touch, sending tiny seeds flying in all directions when the seedpods mature. Once established, it is VERY difficult to eradicate.
Read MoreWhy is My Tree Dying? What’s Killing My Tree?
New customers often want to know why their tree is dying – and the answer is often the same… You’ve probably seen many cases of a mulching technique called “mulch volcanoes”. You may have even done it yourself. But did you know that it could be the reason why your tree is dying?
Read MoreBats – Scary or Cute?
Bats may be the most misunderstood, under-loved and under-appreciated animals in the United States. But, as the main predator of night-flying insects (including mosquitoes!), they should really be a desirable and welcome addition to your property.
Read MoreControl Lawn Weeds Organically: Core Aeration & Overseeding
Good fall lawn care sets your lawn up to be its healthiest next spring. Growing thick, dense grass is your best offense and defense in naturally crowding out and controlling weeds.
Read MoreWhat’s That Green Worm On My Tomato Plant?
Wondering what the green worm is on your tomato plant?…. Now’s the time to inspect your tomato plants closely for the presence of large green worms. You’ll likely see foliar feeding damage or frass (poop) on leaves before you actually see the horn worm since it camouflages itself well among the leaves and stems. If you do find…
Read MoreEmerald Ash Borer Identified in New Jersey (2014)
A sad development for New Jersey’s trees…. Breaking news from the: NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0330 www.nj.gov/agriculture For Immediate Release: May 21, 2014 INVASIVE EMERALD ASH BORER DETECTED IN NEW JERSEY State Agencies Implement Action Plan
Read MoreSpring Tick Control
You may have heard us say that effective deer tick control starts early in the Spring, before ticks can multiply and infest your property…. This past Sunday after a nice day playing lawn bocci with extended family, we’re sitting at the dinner table and they point out a small nymph deer tick crawling up my…
Read MoreUpdate on Emerald Ash Borer in NJ (2013)
Emerald Ash Borer Update: October 2013 Please see our 2016 Update for up-to-date information on the spread of Emerald Ash Borer in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This invasive insect is threatening the extinction of Ash trees in states and areas that it has moved into. Prior to June 2002, it had never been found in North…
Read MoreLace Bugs: Identification, Damage & Treatment
Heavy infestations of lace bug weaken plant health and vigor, leaving them vulnerable to other insect damage, disease and environmental stress.
Read MoreOrganic Plant Care LLC cares for historic trees at Lamington Presbyterian Church
Organic Plant Care LLC was recently chosen to care for the historic trees at Lamington Presbyterian Church. These Native Red Maples have likely flanked the entry to the church since for more than 100 years. Historic shade trees like these should evaluated by a professional arborist periodically to ensure maintenance of healthy root systems…
Read MoreNew Tick-Borne Disease, Borrelia miyamotoi, confirmed in Hunterdon County, NJ
A new disease-causing bacterium, Borrelia miyamotoi, is confirmed as the cause of meningoensephalitis in a Hunterdon County woman. Research scientists have discovered a new illness similar to Lyme disease, which is also transmitted by the dastardly deer tick. That now makes 5 pathogens known to be transmitted by this tiny parasite, no bigger than a…
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