Wednesday, October 08, 2008 9:05:52 PM
Research at Michigan State University on Reducing Lawn Waste Leads to Leaf Raking Alternative
MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Oct 08, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Scientists at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, working in partnership with Michigan State University turfgrass researcher Thom Nikolai, have discovered an innovative fall regimen for obtaining a healthy lawn without backbreaking leaf raking.
Over years of study, Nikolai found that turf was healthier when homeowners mowed fall leaves back into the lawn instead of raking. When The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company became aware of his research on ways to reduce lawn waste, its scientists learned that recycling fallen leaves back into autumn lawns saves time and money, adds nutrients, speeds spring greening and reduces weeds.
ScottsMiracle-Gro scientists partnered with Nikolai for further study on this innovative leaf and lawn practice. The team found that following leaf mulching with a feeding of Turf Builder(R) WinterGuard(R) fall lawn fertilizer reduced leaf refuse on lawns the following spring. What neither partner anticipated was discovering a fall leaf recycling practice that homeowners and municipalities alike could embrace: retiring leaf rakes and reducing municipalities' fall leaf pick-up.
"In the fall 2007 leaf mulching study with ScottsMiracle-Gro, I discovered yet another way to encourage decomposition: fertilizing after the mulching process," said Dr. Nikolai. "We tested up to 18 inches in leaf litter topped with Turf Builder or Turf Builder Winter Guard and showed that the fertilized areas had significantly less leaf refuse in the spring."
"Partnering with Dr. Nikolai on this research is an exciting way to develop innovative products for lawn care," said Jeff Garascia, Ph.D., vice president of Research and Development at Scotts. "ScottsMiracle-Gro views this connection between leaf mulching and fertilizer as integral in our continued efforts to offer sustainable products that further enhance the already acknowledged environmental benefits of turf."
By using Turf Builder(R) WinterGuard(TM) in conjunction with leaf mulching, homeowners can be freed from leaf raking in the fall. The added nutrients from leaves help protect lawns against winter stress and combined with a fall lawn fertilizer, speeds up the clipping decomposition process and spring greening. Partner this with the reduced costs to municipalities for fall leaf removal, both homeowners and their towns win while giving back to the environment.
Recent SMG News
- The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Announces Quarterly Dividend Payment • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/22/2024 08:00:00 PM
- ScottsMiracle-Gro Partners with Central Ohio Beekeepers Association to Establish Apiary at Corporate Headquarters • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/22/2024 04:46:16 PM
- ScottsMiracle-Gro Announces Timing of Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Webcast • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/22/2024 02:59:12 PM
- ScottsMiracle-Gro Provides Update on Fiscal 2024 Second Quarter • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/04/2024 10:54:32 AM
- The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and Doodles and Digits Partner to Bring "How It's Math" to Public Television • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/01/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Masimo Shares Up, Foot Locker Upgraded • IH Market News • 03/25/2024 01:30:18 PM
- Hawthorne and BFG Supply Forge Strategic Distribution Partnership • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/20/2024 09:00:00 PM
- Form SC 13G/A - Statement of acquisition of beneficial ownership by individuals: [Amend] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/11/2024 09:35:00 PM
- The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Welcomes its Fourth Class of Students to The Legacy Project • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/07/2024 04:31:00 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/06/2024 09:08:30 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/04/2024 10:33:06 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/01/2024 08:30:49 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/28/2024 08:31:11 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/28/2024 08:29:45 PM
- ScottsMiracle-Gro at Raymond James and UBS investor conferences in March; Fireside chats featuring Matt Garth to be available via webcast • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 02/27/2024 09:00:00 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/26/2024 10:00:30 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/26/2024 09:31:47 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/23/2024 09:35:17 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/22/2024 05:17:45 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/20/2024 08:32:31 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/20/2024 06:17:34 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/20/2024 06:15:59 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/20/2024 06:12:55 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/15/2024 09:25:27 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/13/2024 09:49:09 PM
FEATURED Cannabix's Breath Logix Alcohol Device Delivers Positive Impact to Private Monitoring Agency in Montana, USA • Apr 25, 2024 8:52 AM
Bantec Reports an Over 50 Percent Increase in Sales and Profits in Q1 2024 from Q1 2023 • BANT • Apr 25, 2024 10:00 AM
Kona Gold Beverages, Inc. Announces Name Change to NuVibe, Inc. and Initiation of Ticker Symbol Application Process • KGKG • Apr 25, 2024 8:30 AM
Axis Technologies Group and Carbonis Forge Ahead with New Digital Carbon Credit Technology • AXTG • Apr 24, 2024 3:00 AM
North Bay Resources Announces Successful Equipment Test at Bishop Gold Mill, Inyo County, California • NBRI • Apr 23, 2024 9:41 AM
Epazz, Inc.: CryObo, Inc. solar Bitcoin operations will issue tokens • EPAZ • Apr 23, 2024 9:20 AM