LEATHERJACKETS "I have had to pick the grubs out of the lawn and feed them to the birds up until now! These nematodes are brilliant." Mr G from Essex. "Dear all, I applied your treatment for leather jackets in the autumn and the result, a lawn that looks like a lawn! thanks" Regards Trevor Godwin Treat Leatherjackets in Sept / Oct - Treat Leatherjackets in Sept / Oct Leatherjackets are the larval stage of the crane fly or daddy long legs and they can quickly devastate a lawn. The Daddy Long Legs lay their eggs back into the same piece of lawn they emerge from, so an infestation can very quickly escalate from a small brown patch to a full scale infesation. Leatherjackets hatch in August / Sept and immediately start to feed on the grass roots, so treat in Sept / October. Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. Leatherjackets pupate in the summer (August) and the next generation of Daddy Long Legs quickly emerge. In August many people report clouds of Daddy Long Legs emerging from lawns in early morning leaving behind the casings sticking up in the lawn (pictured above). As the Daddy Long Legs emerge they start to lay their eggs back in the infected lawns. The daddy long legs lay their eggs in late August and the next generation of leatherjackets hatch within 2 weeks. Leatherjacket larvae are 2.5cm / 1" long, greyish black in colour, legless and with no distinct head. The leatherjackets start to feed as soon as they have hatched and will continue to feed through out the autumn & winter, ready to gorge on grass roots the following Spring. The symptoms of a Leatherjacket attack are :- Grass growth slows and yellow patches appear. Grass is easily pulled up, with little or no root growth. Starlings peck at the grass in an attempt to eat the grubs. These are pictures which have been sent to me of customers' lawns which have been attacked by Leatherjackets :- Control Leatherjackets naturally by applying Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer in Sept / Oct when the leatherjackets are close to the surface and active and the soil temperature is above 10°c / 50°f . Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer contains a parasitic nematode called Steinernema Feltiae which kills Leatherjackets, but is harmless to children, wildlife and pets and also the lawn may be used immediately after application. "Hello Jon, this is just to let you know how pleased we are with the leatherjacket control. We applied the nematodes according to the instructions and the brown patches on our lawns have definitely stopped spreading. The fresh grass is already growing. We also used your autumn lawn feed and the benefit is apparent. Last year we helplessly watched as our lawns were mutilated. This year we have been able to fight back. Thank you, from two keen gardeners." Brenda and Cyril. "Dear Jon, I have 2 lawns but every summer they went mostly patchy yellow and looked half dead and straw like, despite using fertiliser and watering in dry spells. No one could help and then we came across your site and read about leatherjackets. I decided to try your nematodes. I admit I thought it all was a lot of nonsense!! How wrong I was. To my amazement this year both lawns are lush and beautifully green - I find it hard to believe ! Thank you for lovely grass again. I feel that your nematode treatment should be more widely known and written about by gardening column writers to say nothing of books." Many thanks again Derek Wallace "Last year I ordered nematodes for leatherjackets. Prior to applying last summer my lawn of about 100 sq.m., was 30% bare. This year I have grass again, thanks to nematodes." Rgds Roy Smith Each pack of Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer contains millions of these microscopic nematodes that kill Leatherjackets. Once applied to a moist lawn, the nematodes seek out the leatherjackets. On contact they enter the body cavity to release a bacteria, which turns the inside of the larvae into soup, which the nematode then feed on. Having destroyed the leatherjacket the nematodes are released back into the soil to hunt down more Leatherjackets. Microscopic nematodes are safe to you, your children, pets and wildlife. Totally safe - the lawn may be used immediately after application. Easy to use- just mix with water and apply with a watering can, hoseend feeder or sprayer. Nemasys® Leatherjacket killer is a living, perishable product. Once you receive it, it will keep for up to 2 weeks in the FRIDGE before you must apply it so only order as and when you need it. Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer is available in 2 different pack sizes (for smaller lawns just make solution stronger - you can't overdose!) :- Leatherjacket Killer Large Pack - treats 100 sq.m / 125 sq. yds Economy Leatherjacket Killer - treats 500 sq.m / 625 sq.yds Apply Nemasys® Leatherjacket killer to a moist lawn (we recommend pre - watering the lawn) on a dull day or in the evening. Once you have applied the nematodes you MUST wash the nematodes into the soil underneath the lawn by watering again either by hand or with a sprinkler. Simply mix the nematodes with water and :- Apply large packs with a watering can or hose-end feeder. Economy packs MUST be applied with a sprayer and cannot be split. Once you have applied Leatherjacket Killer to your lawn, the leatherjackets will go through three stages :- (chafer grubs pictured below in various stages of nematode infection and it is the same process for leatherjackets.) Stage1 - The nematodes invade the pest and start to destroy it from the inside out. At this stage there will be no visible change to the appearance of the pest but they will stop feeding. Stage 2 - After several weeks the nematodes continue to invade the pest and the leatherjackets will have visibly shrunk and the body cavity will have started to turn black. Stage 3 - Eventually the grubs / leatherjackets will have been completely destroyed. The birds and animals will stop destroying the lawn as the food source has been removed. PRODUCTS AVAILABLE Leatherjacket Killer Large Pack treats 100 sqm / 125sq yds - Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £19.95 Economy Pack treats 500 sqm / 625sq yds - Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £69.99 Application methods - Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer is supplied as a powder which is mixed with water and applied directly to the lawn with a watering can, hose-end feeder (100sqm packs only) or sprayer (500sqm packs only). Apply large packs with a watering can (fitted with a coarse rose) or hose-end feeder. Economy packs MUST be applied with a sprayer and cannot be split. Haws Rose no.7 Rose - Watering cans need to be fitted with a coarse rose. We recommend using the Haws Rose no.7 as not all roses are suitable. Coarse Rose Haws Rose no.7 Rose. £3.99 Hose-end feeder - Use for applying large packs of leatherjacket nematodes. This feeder can also be used for applying plant food, acid plant food and tonic and lawn food. Attaches via standard snap fit hose-pipe connector and features both a rose head and jet spray and an on / off switch for water flow. Hose-end Feeder Hose-end feeder. £9.99 Pumpless Sprayer - You must use a sprayer for application of ECONOMY packs of nematodes. Our new pumpless sprayer holds 7.6 litres of spray and can be pressurised automatically as the sprayer is filled with water saving time and energy. Ideal for application of economy packs of leatherjackets and chafer grubs nematodes to lawns as well as other sprays including our new sulphur rose products. Pumpless Sprayer For application of economy packs of nematodes. £39.50 Soil Thermometer - Check that the temperature is correct for the application of nematodes with this robust and easy to read soil thermometer. Nemasys® Leatherjacket Killer should be applied when the soil temperature is 10°c / 50°f. New design means that the thermometer can easily be read in situ. The thermometer is also very useful to check compost temperatures during seed germination and propagation. Over 10 cm long with a 3cm diameter face, makes it very easy to use. Soil Thermometer No more guesswork. £12.50 OTHER LAWN PRODUCTS Lawn food - Reduced in price - We have lawn food suitable for feeding your lawn throughout the year. Apply NOW! - Slow release AUTUMN lawn feed - This slow release autumn fertiliser is ideal for feeding the lawn in the autumn. The high potash content (15:5: 22) promotes good root growth and improves disease resistance through the winter. One application in the autumn lasts 6 months so only 1 application is needed . Available in 3 pack sizes - ideal for any size lawn. Simply apply 35g per sqm in the autumn. Stock up ready for next year - Spring / summer fertiliser - This superb ORGANIC feed gives your lawn the very best - naturally. Contains nitrogen, phosphate and potash (15:4:10) plus trace elements together with beneficial bacteria - essential for helping the grass to take up nutrients. This fertiliser will give a quick boost to growth AND will keep on working for 3 months. Only two applications are needed - one in the spring and one about 12 weeks later. Available in 3 pack sizes - ideal for any size lawn. Simply apply at a rate of 25grms per sqm. Autumn feed - reduced in price! 1 kg treats 30sqm was £14.50 saving £2.00 £12.50 5 kg treats 150sqm saving £25.50 was £47.00 saving a further £7.00 £40.00 10 kg treats 300sqm saving £27.00 was £67.00 saving a further £7.00 £60.00 Spring/ summer fertiliser 1 kg treats 40sqm £14.99 5 kg treats 200sqm saving £25.45 £49.50 10 kg treats 400sqm saving £29.50 £69.50 Control worms and stop wormcasts by lowering the pH of your lawn - It is common knowledge that worms do not like acidic conditions (but your lawn does) so the more acidic your lawn the less problem worms and their casts will be. Worm casts can be a real nuisance on lawns as they ruin the appearance of a fine lawn. Ignoring worm casts on your lawn by squashing them flat with your mower will create an uneven surface, smother existing grass & provide an ideal seed bed for weeds to grow. Discourage worm activity and stop wormcasts by applying Sulphur Lawn to lower the pH of your lawn. NEW - All orders for Sulphur Lawn comes with a pH testing kit which will allow you to monitor the pH of your lawn before and after application. The target pH to stop worm activity is 5-6. Sulphur Worm does not harm the worms, but by increasing the acidity of the soil it encourages worms to move elsewhere - the target pH is 5-6 to stop worm activity. Apply when worms are at their most active i.e. after periods of heavy rain usually in spring, early summer & autumn - for persistent wormcast problems apply every 2 months. 100% organic and is harmless to worms and other beneficial creatures. Plant nutrients in the soil become more available leading to better grass colour and improved growth. Which product is best for my lawn? For all lawns up to 100sqm use Sulphur Lawn Spray On. For larger lawns up to 200 sqm that are slightly acidic use Sulphur Lawn Spray On. For large lawns over 200 sqm and all alkaline lawns (pH 7+) use Sulphur Lawn Granules. Sulphur Lawn Spray On - Apply as a liquid using a sprayer or watering can - a 250g pack initially treats 50 sqm/65 sq yds / 1kg initially treats 200 sqm/260 sq yds. Re-apply at half strength every 2 months until pH of 5-6 is achieved. Supplied with a 2 test pH kit worth £1.59 (pictured far right) free to test your lawn before and after application. Sulphur Lawn Granules - apply as a granule through a fertiliser spreader (scroll down to find out more) a 5kg pack treats 330 sqm/400 sq yds. Re-apply at half strength every 2 months until pH of 5-6 is achieved. Supplied with a 30 test pH kit worth £5.95 (pictured right) free to test your lawn during application. Soil pH Meter - This battery free, re-usable pH meter is ideal for monitoring the pH of your lawn on an on going basis. It is also ideal for use in the garden - One of the most important factors affecting the growth of plants is the soil pH. Most plants require slightly acidic growing conditions with a soil pH of 6.5, whilst some like much more acidic conditions. This simple to use meter will give you an instant reading helping you provide the best possible conditions for your plants. Also ideal for use in wormeries to prevent acidic conditions developing. Simple to use, easy to read and no battery required. Instant check of the pH of borders, lawns and wormeries. Sulphur Lawn Spray On inc 2 test pH kit FOC - reduced in price! 1 x 250g treats 50 sqm / 65 sq yds was £13.50 saving £1.50 £12.00 1 x 1kg treats 200 sqm / 260 sq yds saving £10.00 was £44.00 saving a further £4.00 £40.00 Sulphur Lawn Granules inc 30 test pH kit FOC - reduced in price! 1 x 5kg treats 300 sqm / 400 sq yds was £59.50 saving £9.50 £50.00 pH Meter Battery free and easy to use £13.99 Nutra-Iron - A great lawn consists of just grass but every gardener knows that it is not just grass that grows. This organic treatment is watered on and encourages grass growth, forcing out the unwanted growth and improves appearance. Nutra-Iron - Applying Iron encourages grass to grow which in turn will turn the unwanted growth black, so it can be raked out. Nutra-Iron with its fast acting water on formula contains high quality soluble iron, which is stronger and therefore more economical than other preparations. Nutra-iron also quickly improves the colour of the lawn, and treated grass is stronger and healthier, making it more resistant to pests, diseases and weeds. Nutra-iron can also be used for greening up your lawn in which case, 1 x 500g will treat 3 times the area i.e. 300 sq yds or 250 sqm. Clean and easy to use. Simply store in its sealed tub and use as required. More concentrated that other products so less water is needed. Contains added nitrogen. Nutra-Iron - reduced in price! 500g treats 83 sqm / 100 sq yds was £13.75 saving £1.25 £12.50 1 kg treats 166 sqm / 200 sq yds saves £2.90 was £24.60 saving a further £4.60 £20.00 5kg treats 830 sqm / 1000 sq yds saves £33.50 £89.50 The Green Weeder controls broadleaved weeds (such as dandelions) in lawns without the use of chemicals. Simply fill the hollow stock with coarse salt (dishwasher salt is ideal and cheap), push the nozzle onto the centre of the weed and a small amount of salt is released. After 2 weeks the weed will disappear and will not grow again. It is so easy and fast to use , that it's ideal for clearing large lawns of weeds. Customers report being able to clear 500 dandelions in an hour. Works on Dandelions and other broadleaved weeds. The Green Weeder is 1m tall so you do not even need to bend down. Grass Treat is a natural additive for speeding up the composting of grass clippings. Grass clippings are not an ideal compost material. If you add too many at a time, they compress together, let in little air or water, then collapse into a slimy, stinking mess. Stop this happening by adding this natural additive to your grass clippings which contains natural bacteria and enzymes and accelerates the composting process by balancing the Carbon/Nitrogen ratio. Grass Treat - is a powder which is either sprinkled directly over the grass clippings or dissolve in a mug full of warm water first and then add to the grass clippings. Either way, turn the grass clippings to distribute the product evenly. Grass treat is :- pH Neutral Environmentally friendly Easy to use Combines both bacteria and enzymes Fast grass lawn repair kit - Fast Grass is a "grow in the bag" lawn repair kit. Have lush green grass growing in as little as a week with the re-seeded area ready to use in less than five weeks. The grass seed is pre-germinated in the bag for 3-4 days using the unique accelerator included - this unique accelerator which gets the grass off to a flying start. Once germinated, sprinkle onto the areas to be re-seeded. Perfect for repairing any damaged areas of the lawn e.g. after chafer grubs or for starting a new lawn. Each pack covers 7sqm / 75 sq ft. Special Offer - 1 x Fast grass (to sow 7 sqm / 8 sq yds) was £13.95 NOW £12.50 saving £1.45. Contains 70% dwarf perennial rye grass. 30% slender creeping red fescue - the ideal mix for hard wearing low maintenance lawns. Can be stored cool and dry and used at any time from March to October. Green Weeder Simply fill with coarse salt. £22.00 Grass Treat 500g Grass Treat - use 25g per "bin bag" of grass clippings £14.99 Fast grass - reduced in price! 1 x Fast grass to sow 7 sqm / 8 sq yds was £13.95 saving £1.45 £12.50 Control Ants using Nematodes - Ant nests in lawns and borders can be a real problem. Simply water these nematodes (steinernema feltiae) directly into the nest using a watering can. Ideal for treating red ant nests in lawns but it will work on any colour ant. The nematodes come as a powder which will keep for up to 2 weeks in a fridge and should be used in one go once opened. As the ant nematodes are a cure rather than a preventative measure, apply the nematodes when the ants are present and the soil is 10°c i.e. between April & Sept. Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. Safe for children, pets and wildlife and it is safe to use the lawn directly after use. Simply repeat as often as is needed to keep the area free of ants - it is impossible to overdose. Totally safe to use near food crops. Each standard pack will treat up to 6 large ants nests. "Our lawn and surrounding flower beds have been plagued by vicious red ant nests for many years and I have tried everything to eradicate them........until I discovered your ant nematodes! What a marvellous cure. One application on each of the many nests has eradicated them in one go! I cannot believe the success. Thank you, thank you Green Gardener." Yours sincerely Paul Clark and "I checked the treated area over the weekend and literally found only 3 red ants, so the nematodes have worked well." Regards Noreen. Ant nematodes Standard pack - treats up to 6 large ants nests - removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £9.99 Large pack - Equivalent to 15 standard packs. Treats up to 90 nests - Use all at once! Removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £29.99 Planned programme - 3 packs 4 weeks apart - removed for 2008 - Available again in 2009. £19.98 Why not turn your worthless kitchen waste into top quality compost and concentrated liquid feed! Our all in one wormeries come complete and ready to go.