RSL - Tree Shears

Tangy, juicy citrus fruits are an important part of many recipes and beverages. Home growers know the trees that bear these delicious fruits are often prey to diseases and many pest problems. Citrus thrips are one of the most common and are considered a threat to commercial production. There may be other types of thrips on citrus trees, but this variety has the potential to cause the most economic damage. For this reason, control of citrus thrips is vital in areas where wide scale produc

There are creative ways to recycle and reuse water, but as with most issues of sustainability, the best option is to simply use less. “There’s a fixed amount of water,” Kai Olson-Sawyer, senior research and policy analyst at the Water Footprint Program. “As the demand goes up on water, more and more straws go into the drink, there’s more competition over that shared water resource.” Though drought-prone areas in the West tend to be more sensitive to water issues, water is a finite resour

The first cut of the year is not far away, and homeowners everywhere are reeling with excitement. After this winter, everyone is ready to get outside and enjoy warmer temperatures and their lush, green lawns. Before you fire up the mower, follow these simple tips for getting your mower ready for the first cut. Here are seven things you need to know before you mow your lawn this spring:1. It needs a tune-up. For safety reasons, the first step is to remove the spark plug. It’s also a good time to

The author is a forage professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin. The introduction of disc mowers has allowed forages to be cut close to the ground — much closer than sickle bar mowers. Some farmers cut as close to the ground as possible, leaving nothing in the field, in an attempt to maximize yield; however, this approach can have severe consequences to forage stand life and forage quality.With a higher cutting height, more low-quality stem is left in the field, regrowth is hastened,