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 Rain Maker is a water absorption granular that will absorb over 400 times its weight in water. Rain Maker then holds the water in a gel form until the surrounding dirt dries and the water is then released into the soil maintaining a
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Teaspoons of Rain Maker can hold several gallons of water.
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higher moisture level for longer periods of time. Rain Maker expands during water absorption and contracts during water dismissal. This expansion and contraction aerates the soil by creating small air pockets underneath the soil, which are beneficial for root growth. Other benefits of Rain Maker include the long-term development of a deeper root system, a dramatic reduction of watering requirements, an increase in grass seed and rhizome germination, and a thicker healthier turf.
Rain Maker is a safe substance derived from a potassium polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymer that consists of 16% potassium. The tiny white granules are specifically designed for above ground turf application and will penetrate the soil within one week after application and remain within the top 8 inches of the soil. Rain Maker has a lifespan between 1-2 years depending on soil conditions and for the purpose of watering conservation we recommend one application each year. Rain Maker prevents and facilitates recovery from fungus invasions like localized dry spot, aschochyta and dollar spot. 
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» Read what the CSU Cooperative Extension recommends for watering in Colorado
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Watering Table for Colorado with a Bluegrass Lawn
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Daytime Temperature
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Watering Requirements
without Rain Maker
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Watering Requirements
with Rain Maker
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Greater than 85 degrees F
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2 inches of water per week
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1.5 inches of water per week
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Less than 85 degrees F
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1.5 inches of water per week
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1 inch of water per week
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Watering Table for Colorado with a Fescue Lawn
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Daytime Temperature
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Watering Requirements
without Rain Maker
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Watering Requirements
with Rain Maker
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Greater than 85 degrees F
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1.5 inches of water per week
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1 inch of water per week
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Less than 85 degrees F
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1 inch of water per week
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.5 inch of water per week
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Inches of Water? To determine how much water your sprinkler system dispenses use a flat container like a Tupperware dish and place it in your lawn. Run your sprinklers for 30 minutes then measure the water depth. If there is 1/2 inch of water in 30 minutes you need to water 3 days per week for 30 minutes to obtain 1.5 inches of water per week.
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 Humate Soil Conditioner is organic matter that has a positive effect on the physical, chemical, and biological reactions of the soil leading to an increase in soil fertility. Humate is comprised of Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid, which are proven to promote root strength and develop beneficial microbial activity. Simply, Humate helps release beneficial nutrients like Nitrogen, Iron, Potassium, etc. that are abundant in the soil but are not available for the plant to uptake. The biggest visual result seen after a Humate application is the grass turns a deep green color without promoting faster top-growth.
Humate Soil Conditioner
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Physical Benefits:
1. Dispersion of clay in compact soils.
2. Cohesion of sandy soils
3. Increase in soil permeability
4. Increase in the soils capacity to retain water
5. Reduction of water evaporation from soils
Chemical Benefits:
1. Increases the capacity of cationic exchange.
2. Fosters the transportation of microelements up to the plant roots.
3. Easier absorption of nutrients.
4. Beneficial chelating effect on Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, and Copper.
5. Reduces the salinity in soil by sequestering Na+.
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Fungus/Disease Controls: Since organic products are natural disease inhibitors the lawns we treat rarely have a problem with funguses. Lawn and Landscape magazine’s October 1998 issue reported, "We are just beginning to
understand how this complex organic pool creates suppression of soil-born diseases, insects and nematodes. In addition, this pool of living and decomposing organic material helps to bind and degrade toxic compounds and pollutants that injure plant roots."
The first step in the treatment of a disease is a proper identification. At Organo-Lawn we have state licensed professionals with years of experience in disease identification. Always call us prior to applying potentially dangerous and unnecessary fungicides to your lawn. After we have accurately identified the disease we will draw up a plan of attack, which often involves such simple changes as mowing height and watering schedules. Some fungus problems require a more aggressive approach but rarely do we have to use a conventional fungicide, because many or our organic products are proven treatments for common lawn diseases like Necrotic Ring Spot, Dollar Spot, and Localized Dry Spot.
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 Spider/Clover Mite Control: Mites are very small insects that are almost impossible to see with the naked eye. During some periods, particularly when mites are found indoors, they are a brick-red color. Mites feed on grass roots and blades with their rasping-sucking mouthparts damaging grass often to the point of death. Mites are usually found on the south facing sides of buildings, rock beds, sun exposed slopes and pine trees. The mites often feed on the grass during warm dry weather and take shelter in pine trees and buildings during cold and wet weather. Mites do damage to grass between the months of December and March often with the peak damage occurring during February and March. Typically the damage is not discovered until after the lawn begins to green-up.
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Typical Spider Mite damage near an Austrian pine tree.
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Rory applies our special insecticidal soap to a high risk area for mite damage. Notice the south facing slope and the pine trees.
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Application Method: Organo-Lawn’s special application of an organic insecticide called Ecotrol is the safest and best method to control the mite populations. Ecotrol is 100% organic and OMRI approved; and is comprised of Rosemary Oil (10%), Peppermint Oil (2%) and Other Ingredients including Wintergreen Oil, Vanillin, Lecithin, and Butyl Lactate (88%) which penetrates the soft bodies of the mites destroying their protective exoskeleton. Each application must be performed while the insect is active and the application will kill the active mite population up to 85% per application. 1-3 applications may be necessary depending on the population of the mites and the weather conditions of the year.
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Rory uses a white piece of paper to check for mite activity on the south side of an Austrian Pine.
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Monitoring Mites: A homeowner can easily monitor the mite population by taking a white piece of paper and scraping some grass from a potentially susceptible area onto the paper. Stare at the tiny dots on the paper and if they move they are mites. If you believe you are susceptible to mite damage you can call our office at 303-499-2000 and ask to be put on our special contact list. During the mite season we closely monitor the mite populations in Colorado and when activity begins we contact the customers on the list as a reminder to check their lawn for mite activity.
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Mites feeding on Kentucky Bluegrass
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Enlarged view of mites
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- Photos fromTurfgrass Insects by Whitney Crenshaw & Charles R. Ward
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 Yucca and Liquid Humate Surfactant/Emulsification Application: is typically used in a drought situation to help water penetrate the arid soil and aid the plant life in the uptake of water. Yucca is a natural performance-enhancing wetting and protective agent derived from the Yucca Schidigera plant. This species of desert plant produces unique natural surfactants that help the Yucca Schidigera utilize water and survive in extreme heat,
A picture of the Yucca Schidigera plant
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drought and soil salinity of the harsh desert climate. Turfgrass and trees can uptake these special surfactants to help protect their soft tissue from heat, drought and soil salinity. Yucca extract also contains natural sugars that stimulate beneficial microbial activity in soil.
Liquid Humate is organic matter that has a positive effect on the physical, chemical, and biological reactions of the soil leading to an increase in soil fertility. Humate is comprised of Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid, which are proven to promote root strength and development and foster beneficial microbial activity. Simply, Humate helps release beneficial nutrients like Nitrogen, Iron, Potassium, etc. that are abundant in the soil but are not available for the plant to uptake. The biggest visual result seen after a Humate application is the grass turns a deep green color without promoting faster top-growth.
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