TDI Blog

Shothole fungus also know as Coryneum blight is caused by the fungus Wilsonomyces carpophilus. In ornamental shrubs it is very common on skip laurels. The fungus overwinters in infected buds and in small twig cankers. Infections can occur (via fungal spores) from spring to fall. Rainy weather spreads spores from infected tissue to leaves and f...

Green kyllinga (Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb.) is a warm-season, perennial sedge weed common throughout the southeastern United States. It spreads through seed as well as rhizomes (underground stems) below the soil surface to form a dense mat that can choke out stands of desirable turf species. It is a close relative of yellow nutsedge. Gree...

Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) is a troublesome, difficult-to-control weed that is often found in turf. It is also called chufa, nutgrass, or watergrass. It is important to remember that yellow nutsedge is not a grass or broadleaf weed, but a sedge. Yellow nutsedge is a perennial plant that reproduces primarily by small underground tuber...

Proper watering nourishes lawns, just as proper hydration nourishes our bodies. Yet too many of us are failing at both. We're not going to lecture you about drinking more water. But we are going to give you a lesson about correctly watering your lawn. Here are five common lawn-watering mistakes that you're likely making right now and ways...

We are exited to announce that TDI Services is now serving the Eastern Shore and surrounding areas. Offering the same industry leading technology and practices as well as the excellent customer service that North and Central Alabama have come to know for over 25 years !  Our Biologically focused Lawn, Mosquito, Pest, And Termite serv...

 Fireweed is a weed that pops up in lawns every spring (April – June) and seems to be increasing over the last few years in North Alabama. Fireweed is more difficult to control that broadleaf and grassy weeds. The roots of the Fireweed plant do not stretch down into the soil. Instead, the plant grows exclusively in the thatch layer. Becau...

Core Aeration is the process of making thousands of small holes in the turf. Soil microbes, like all living things, need air, food, and water in order to function. These holes allow fertilizer, water, and air to reach the root zone quicker, resulting in new growth and increased root development. Opening up the soil helps reduce thatch build up...

 GIVE YOUR LAWN A JUMP START THIS SPRING !! Having the greenest, healthiest-looking lawn on the block is a coveted title for homeowners across the world. While there are many techniques and strategies for keeping your lawn in top shape, it is important not to overlook scalping as part of your annual care. Lawn scalping involves cutting yo...

​Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is a sparsely hairy winter annual with greenish to purplish, tender, square stems. Its opposite leaves are broadly egg shaped with bluntly toothed margins and prominent veins on the underside. Upper leaves are sessile (directly attached to the stem) and lower leaves have petioles. It has a fibrous root system and can g...

 Our methods keep your four-legged family members happy and healthy along with your lawn. If only we could protect your soccer ball, too! Many lawn problems are simply symptoms of poor soil or growing conditions, or just poor lawn care practices over the years.  Which is why we don't just mask symptoms with chemicals but instead treat and...

We know that seemingly small factors can make a huge impact, which is why our products don't harm helpful microorganisms in your soil.​ Soil microorganisms can be classified as bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae and protozoa. Each of these groups has characteristics that define them and their functions in soil. Up to 10 billion bacterial ce...

Wild Hyacinth Wild Hyacinth is a winter perennial turf weed that is actually a flower in the Lilly family. It grows from a bulb that is already in the ground and emerges when the conditions for growth become suitable. Since it grows from a bulb and not a seed, Pre-emergent weed controls will not stop them. Treating them after they emerge is th...

Termites date back more than 120 million years to the time of the dinosaurs. Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage to homes and structures in the U.S. annually. Damage costs that are not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring, and even wall...

Anthills can be annoying, especially when trying to mow the lawn. They can also be a literal pain, depending on the kind of ants you have. Fire Ants are very common in the Huntsville and surrounding areas. Unfortunately, their presence can make parts of your yard a “no-go” area, especially if you have children or pets. Fortunately, ant nests are ge...

In North Alabama, there are both warm season and cool season grasses that grow in the transition zone. The U.S. has a region known to the turf industry as the transition zone that extends through the central part of the country and includes parts of each of the other four zones. This is the most difficult region in which to grow grass. Both cool-se...

A grub preventative application in late May through early June can be one of the best tools for preventing grub infestations. The threshold for grub populations is 10-12 grubs per square foot. Turf cannot recover from infestations nearing the threshold. A preventative application is all about the timing of the treatment. Applications only work if a...

Late August through early October is the best time to aerate and overseed. Before overseeding your lawn, you should first determine what types of cool season grasses would perform best in your location. In North Alabama, a blend of turf-type Tall Fescue generally works best. Blends usually contain 3-5 different varieties of fescue with different qu...

If you have an abundance of mosquitoes in your yard or garden, you know they can be very unwelcome guests. These pests carry and spread dangerous diseases like the West Nile virus and other nasty illnesses. But how can you prevent these pesky insects from taking up residence in your yard? If it’s too late and they have already moved in, how can you...

This question gets asked frequently. While there are many factors, the following covers the most common instances that can cause plant loss in the landscape. To start, environmental factors are usually the first issues to cover or rule out as possible causes. One issue may be too much water. This can be from extended periods of rain, the plant bein...

What is a ground mole, and how can you identify its presence in your yard or garden? Moles are small, rodent-like insectivores that live underground, spending most of their time digging intricate tunnels to find worms and insects, feeding mainly on earthworms, but they also feed on snails, slugs, millipedes, and centipedes. They actually prefer to ...