3 Deadliest Plants!

Halloween is drawing near! Ghouls, vampires and werewolves aren’t the scariest things lurking about this halloween, plants can be equally terrifying and deadly. In honor of Halloween, check out our top 3 favorite deadly plants.

1. White Snake Root (Argeratina Altissima)

Copyright: Ohio State, http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/
weedguide/single_weed.php?id=91

Don’t let this herb’s pretty little white flowers lead you astray, White Snake Root is the North American plant responsible for killing Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. It contains a toxic alcohol known as trematol. While you can die by eating the plant, this plant’s poison is so far reaching you can get sick and potentially die just by drinking milk from a cow that munched on it. But don’t worry, today’s farmers ensure that White Snake Root doesn’t grow in today’s grazing pastures.

2. Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna)

Copyright: NC State University, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/
all/atropa-belladonna/

As if the name was enough of an indicator, it was deadly nightshade that Macbeth’s soldiers used to poison the the invading Dance. Deadly Nightshade has a sweet taste but is lethal to consumption due to atropine and scopolamine in its foliage and roots. Even if you simply brush against Deadly Nightshade, skin irritation can occur. You can find this plant lurking about Central and Southern Eurasia.  

3. Poison Hemlock (Conium Maculatum)

Copyright: Ohio University, http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/
single_weed.php?id=114

Deadly Nightshade wasn’t the only infamous plant in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Poison Hemlock was the nasty monster that killed Macbeth. Poison Hemlock can be found across the United States. It’s toxic compounds are coniine, piperidine alkaloids and g-coniceine.

Want to learn more about deadly plants? Check out this YouTube video by BEYOND SCIENCE called “6 Truly Terrifying Plants You Wish Didn’t Exist”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn5HaKHDE8Y

Fall Planting Tips

You may think the only season for growing flowers is spring, but think again! With the hot summer months starting to fade away, fall is an excellent time of year to think about planting flowers, trees and shrubs.

Why Fall?

At times, the benefits of planting in the fall outweigh those in the spring. For example, while the soil temperatures are still warm, the cool weather is more tolerable for plants. Fall also experiences on average, less rain than spring. Furthermore, pests and diseases are less prevalent in the fall.

What should you plant?

Whether you are planting bulbs in preparation for spring flowers, or installing a row of mums, there are many types of flowers, trees and shrubs that can flourish during the fall planting season. Here are three flowers, trees and shrubs that you should consider planting.

Hostas - Hostas come in a variety of colors and can bloom anytime from June to October.

Peonies - These beautiful plants don’t need a ton of TLC. Plant them in the fall so they are ready for spring!

Bulbs -  Consider grabbing several different types of bulbs and planting them this fall. Daffodils and Tulips are personal favorites.

Care for your investment

As you put time and effort into purchasing and installing flowers, trees and shrubs this fall, consider safeguarding your investment with a tree and shrub or flower health care program. A plant health care program for trees and shrubs or flowers consists of providing optimal fertilizers, plant probiotics as well as disease and insect care. For more information on Vivid Lawn's tree and shrub or flower care program, visit: www.vividlawn.com.

Make A Stand!

Nestled in the Gulf of Mexico lurks the world’s largest dead zone. This biological desert spans 7,500 to 8,500 square feet of water and shifts in shape and size depending on the season.

A dead zone is an area in the water that is so void of oxygen, marine life can’t exist. It’s a condition caused but the irresponsible use of fertilizers which run off into our streams and eventually end up in our lakes, bays and oceans.

According to an estimate made by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, there are 400+ dead zones worldwide.

Vivid Lawn makes a stand!

To protect our local waterways, Vivid Lawn is taking a stand and promoting more sustainable and responsible use of fertilizers.

Vivid Lawn uses 100% organic plant probiotics that boost efficiencies of fertilizers and pesticides, allowing Vivid Lawn to reduce their use by 50% while still providing the greenest lawn on the block.

How can you help?

1. Shop smart!

By choosing to incorporate sustainable practices into your lawn care maintenance ritual, or by purchasing lawn care services from companies using organic products, you can help limit the amount of fertilizers that run off into our local waterways.

2. Apply smart!

When using a fertilizer, read the label. You may think adding extra fertilizer will be good for the plant, but it’s not needed and will just run off into our waterways. Also, ensure that you (or your lawn care company!) are NOT applying fertilizers on roads or near waterways as this could lead to an increase in fertilizer run off.

3. Build a strong, web-like root system

Building a strong, web-like root system will help the plant capture nutrients contained in fertilizers before they run off into waterways. Consider an aeration and overseeding treatment or using a plant probiotics to build strong roots.

3 Signs You May Need Aeration

One of the best things you can do for your lawn, is to commit to either a DIY aeration and overseeding service or signing up for one with a local lawn care company. Aeration and overseeding breaks down compaction and promotes strong turf root development.

Strong roots mean plants can increase stress tolerance when it comes to weather and disease. It also helps the plant search for food and moisture deep in the soil.

But, does your lawn REALLY need an aeration and overseeding service? Here are three sure signs that you should consider aerating and overseeding this fall.

1. Bare Spots

Does your lawn have bare spots the size of a tennis ball or larger? If so, aeration will increase the soil health of those areas while seeding will help the lawn fill in ugly gaps.

2. Water runs off from rain or irrigation

This is a sure sign of soil compaction. Loosening up the soil will help it take up water more easily and deliver water to the roots of your lawn.

3. Brown lawn in the summer

Does your lawn brown easily in the summer? Conducting an aeration application will build up plant tolerance during weather stress, like droughts.

Have additional questions? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Contact VividLawn for additional information on aeration and overseeding services.

3 Weird Facts About Lawns!

Here are 3 weird facts you may not have known about your lawn from Vivid Lawn!

3 Weird Facts About Lawns from Andrew Bagwell

Do Roots Matter?

When we spend all day looking out at our lush, green lawn, it is difficult to consider what happens beneath the surface. But, the most important key to a healthy lawn is to nurture healthy roots.

After all, by nurturing healthy roots, your lawn requires:

1. Less irrigation

Healthy roots are able to dig deep into the soil to find moisture. That can make a big difference when it’s hot outside!

2. Less Chemical Fertilizers

Healthy roots are able to dig into the soil to find plant food. Plant food includes key nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

3. Less Pesticides

Healthy roots means a stronger plant that is more resistant to pests.

4. Better recovery from stress caused by all of those home soccer matches, drought and winter

Healthy roots means a better plant immune system. Just like human health, when humans have a healthy immune system that can better withstand stress and recover after stress hits.

How can you nurture healthy roots?

1. DIY by using plant probiotics or developing your own compost tea. Set up a compost bin for leaf matter and vegetation left overs. Check out this site to learn how to create your own compost tea. http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-make-compost-tea

2. Ensure that your lawn care provider uses plant probiotics! Because Vivid Lawn uses 100% organic plant probiotics like Holganix, Vivid Lawn is nurturing a healthy root system that can mean big pay offs with your lawn.

Top 3 Most Beautiful Flowers!

Across the world, flowers are treasured for their beauty. We’ve taken a look at the world’s most beautiful flowers and picked three of our favorites at Vivid Lawn.

Top 3 Most Beautiful Flowers from Andrew Bagwell