Have you seen the ominous 2023-2024 Farmer’s Almanac Winter Forecast? Snowfall amounts are predicted to be well above average for almost the entire Northern U.S.  Demand for icemelters has just started to jump as people are anticipating much more sever winter than the last two seasons and significant early snow already hitting parts of the country.  It is best to prepare now – supplies run out very quickly with the imminent first local snowfall. Traditional icemelters rely heavily on rock salts (sodium chloride) and are responsible for unsightly lawn and plant/shrub burns that can be costly to repair in the spring.  Additionally, rock salts can damage concrete, can burn pets’ paws, are corrosive to metals and have a negative impact on the environment and our water supplies.  However, there are now great cost-effective products available that do not rely on sodium chloride to melt ice and snow and are safer for the environment, concrete, sensitive metals.   Some of these products will actually fertilize your turf, plants and shrubs – not harm them!  Pets will be thankful as well as these products do not cause burning of their paws. Impact of Traditional Icemelters Most traditional icemelters, like rock salts, work by lowering the freezing point of water so that ice and snow melts before it can freeze to surfaces such as pavement. The rock salts break down and the chloride finds its way into our bodies of water. While chloride is naturally occurring and low levels are generally safe for human consumption, it can become dangerous at higher levels and can become toxic for freshwater organisms and ecosystems at elevated levels. In recent studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, researchers have found a correlation between elevated winter chloride numbers in water and the use of icemelters. Novel Non-Sodium Chloride Icemelters That Are Safe for Pets & The Environment The green industry and organic leaders at Green Earth Ag & Turf and GrowItNaturally.com are proud to be the partner for Xynyth Manufacturing, the leading company in novel pet- and eco-friendly icemelters with over 30 years of production experience.  We offer the top technical and customer service in the icemelt industry, and with our years of experience can help you choose the best product for your specific needs.  Our current clients have had nothing but great results with our Xynyth product lines, which are now being used by multiple applicators across the U.S as well as by some of the largest cities, federal government facilities and airports in the U.S.  With the proven superior performance around expensive and sensitive equipment, plants, trees and turf – you will not be disappointed. Some of the options are listed below, or you can call or e-mail us at (866) 299-5165 or info@GrowItNaturally.com with questions or so we can match you with the best products for your specific need. The True Eco- & Pet-Friendly Icemelters for Standard Pro & Home Use: GroundWorks Natural / Mountain Organic GroundWorks (or Mountain Organic, the exact same product with professional labelling) is our standard non-sodium chloride product for home and professional use. GroundWorks uses a Potassium based formula to melt ice in place of the more traditional sodium chloride formulation.  Potassium is in most standard fertilizers and an essential element for plants and turf, and also has a much lower corrosive value than sodium chloride.  Not only does this mean there is less chloride to pollute local water systems, but Potassium and hence GroundWorks poses a much lower risk to the environment; does not burn your lawn, plants and shrubs; is gentler on pets’ paws and safer for use on concrete than any other lines! Powerful to -9°F (-23°C). Safest on Lawns and Plants - Contains Fertilizer-Based Ingredients. Safest for Pets – does not burn paws. No Oily Residue or Messy Tracking like Calcium Chloride or Magnesium Chloride. Safe on Cured Concrete. Winter Warrior Enviro LEADer - LEED Compliant Winter Warrior Enviro-LEADer is a truly non-corrosive formulation that salt free and does not contain any chloride or urea, making it fully LEED compliant.  Enviro-LEADer is great for use around areas containing steel or other metals like concrete parking structures, roads or bridge decks; it will not chemically harm concrete or alter it like other de-icers and does not cause concrete spalling or popouts. Fast Acting and Powerful to -6°F (-21°C). A unique, truly Non-Corrosive Ice Melt. LEED-Compliant; meets all LEED standards. Can be dissolved to spray as a liquid on sensitive areas with metals. Contains CMA, which acts as a corrosion inhibitor. Chloride & Urea Free. No nitrogen formula means no polluting urea runoff. Arctic ECO-Green Arctic ECO-Green is a powerful icemelter specially manufactured using the latest encapsulating technology, combined with a CMA anti-corrosive formula ingredient. It provides an environmentally friendly alternative to standard rock salts and oily calcium chloride blends. Fast Acting and Powerful to -20°F (-29°C). Harmless Around Children and Pets! Gentle on the Environment. Anti-Corrosive Formulation. Safer on Concrete. Winter Warrior Runway Control Winter Warrior Runway Control is a unique runway safe deicer / icemelter that does not contain corrosive chlorides or nitrogen (ammonia) which can degrade the steel that is embedded in concrete and the surfaces of vehicles used on runways, taxiways and aprons. For these reasons, Winter Warrior Runway Control can also be used effectively on areas with exposed or sensitive metals like bridge decks, vessel decks, ferries, drilling platforms and transit or railway platforms while protecting the environment. Federally Approved for Use on Airport Runways, Taxiways & Aprons. Can be dissolved to spray as a liquid on airplanes or other sensitive areas with metals. Fast Acting and Powerful to -6°F (-21°C). Great for airport runways and sensitive commercial areas. A unique, truly Non-Corrosive Ice Melt. Contains CMA, which acts as a corrosion inhibitor. Chloride & Urea Free. Arctic Blue Arctic Blue icemelter helps control ice and snow dependably, economically and safely. A basic blue icemelter that is economical and effective on snow and ice, while being very easy to use. Powerful to 5 °F (-15 °C). Unique Blue Color for Accurate Application. Instant Traction. Unlimited Shelf Life. Leaves No Oily Residue. Fewer Applications Required. True North True North icemelter is a basic chloride blend containing no dangerous chemicals. This product contains no magnesium chloride so it will not chemically harm concrete. Powerful and Economical. Contains no Dangerous Chemicals. Easy to Use. No Oily Residue. Instant Traction. Long Lasting Action.

grubGONE! is a true game-changer and organic grub control product that works as well as more toxic options, does not cause any unintended damage to the environment, has no toxicity to people or pets and safe to use with pollinators and other beneficial insects.

I am very excited to finally be able to put those words into print after a decade in the organic green industries. When I entered this field back then, quite accidentally, from my previous life as a scientist/researcher developing human drugs, I realized that...

Of all the pests that risk the health of your lawns and landscaping this autumn, damage from moles and deer pose one of the greatest threats. As food and temperature patterns change with the season and grubs beginning their first stages of life...

Weeds found growing in the lawn can be tedious to remove by hand and spot treatment of non-selective weed killers will kill turf indiscriminately. Selective weed killers, on the other hand, target the weeds you want out without harming the turf...

Fall is here and the grubs are out; that means it’s a perfect time to save your lawn with grubGONE! In addition to killing the grubs that are actively munching on your turf roots (and destroying your yard from below before you even see it). Applying this grub treatment now will also mitigate damage caused by foraging animals as well as grub infestations next spring. Between September and October, the grubs that hatched in August work through their first few stages of growth (instars). This means they need lots of food to survive the winter and emerge as the beetles that lay their eggs in your lawn and start the cycle anew in July.  Applying in the fall gives you a chance to hinder that cycle. During the fall months, grubs dine on turf roots below the surface. By the time they’re done in October, your lawn could be reduced to nothing but dirt as the grass dies and blows away. grubGONE! is a biological insecticide that uses a natural soil bacterium called Btg (Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae) to control and prevent grub activity, making it the first organic product proven to outperform synthetic alternatives. Not only does grubGONE! work better than synthetics, it’s also easier on the environment as it is not toxic to bees, pollinators and other beneficial insects. Unlike chemical products that kill on contact, the microbes in grubGONE! linger in treated areas for three months to be ingested by grubs. Though it can take up to a week to kill a grub, the Btg induces sepsis and prevents further feeding until their death.  Applying grubGONE! in the fall when the grubs are at their most damaging reduces the need for a spring application. Cutting down on the number of grubs feeding now will mean there aren’t as many beetles next season to lay the eggs that become fodder for moles and other rodents. Plus, there will be fewer grubs gnawing on your important turf roots in the next cycle.  That’s why it’s important to target grubs during the fall every year. How to know when you have a grub problem Grubs do most of their damage underground to the vital root systems that keep lawns healthy, so it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs: Increased mole and skunk activity If you notice moles and skunks prowling your lawn more than usual, it could mean that they’ve detected an elevated number of grubs. That’s a feast for them and a problem for you. Treating your grub problem will help keep away larger pests like skunks and moles. Birds digging in your lawn Many birds dine on grubs as well. If you catch them rooting through your lawn for a snack, it may mean you have too many grubs in your soil. Check a one foot by one foot patch of grass You can also try cutting a one foot by one foot square of turf around three sides and rolling it up to expose the roots and see for yourself. If you find five or more grubs in one square foot, you might have an infestation on your hands. It would be a good time to apply grubGONE! Grubs are a natural part of the environment. One or two grubs in 1 square foot of turf doesn’t require treatment. Seeing increased bird, mole, and skunk activity but not finding many grubs in your root system could mean they’re feasting on worms instead. If secondary damage from moles is a problem, consider repelling the moles directly. We recommend I Must Garden Mole and Vole Repellent which comes in both liquid and granular varieties. Both will repel pesky rodents without harming them or other species. What will grubGONE! control? GrubGONE! is effective against many common species of white grubs that can terrorize your lawn in three of their life stages. Japanese beetle larvae Oriental beetle larvae  Asiatic beetle larvae European chafer larvae Green June beetle larvae May or June beetle larvae Northern masked chafer larvae Southern masked chafer larvae more Application Instructions GrubGONE! is the same product we recommend to our professional clients for use on lawns, golf courses and commercial grounds like airports and shopping complexes. The state of Connecticut has even exempted grubGONE! from areas where pesticide laws are applicable such as schools and municipal parks. In short, grubGONE! is great for application on all lawns and landscaped areas. Apply at a rate of 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet and water in with 1/4th of an inch of water within a few days after application. For more information and to see our sizes and pricing, click here!

Fall is the perfect time to get a jump start on spring greening by nurturing turf's natural root growth with Quantum Growth and Neptune's Harvest. Most varieties of turf grass grown in the northern part of the U.S. (like Kentucky Bluegrass) undertake the majority of their root growth when soil temperatures are between 50°F and 65°F. Depending on where you are in the country, soil will begin to reach these temperatures in mid-fall. Root growth is vital for establishing turf health and maximizing water and nutrients taken up by the turf so applying treatments in the fall is a great way to maximize the effectiveness of fertilizers. Why Quantum Growth and Neptune's Harvest? A treatment with a combination of Quantum Growth and Neptune's Harvest 2-0-2 (no phosphorous formulation) will pay dividends not only for greener lawns longer this winter, but also for quicker greening in the spring as well as healthier, thicker turf next year. Quantum Growth and MicrobeLife use probiotics--that's the same sort of beneficial microbes found in yogurt--to improve soil health and boost the effectiveness of applied fertilizers. The microbes in Quantum and MicrobeLife help break down nutrients into forms easier for plants to absorb. That's why our Quantum Growth and Neptune's Harvest combination works so well. Fall is the best time of the year to use this great, proven combination. Our top professional clients have used these products to great effect on golf courses, athletic fields and lawns across the country. For an easy-to-use combination of the same products used by the top professionals in the country, check out our complete lawn starter kit by clicking here.