dgturffarm

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I think I got most of the messages out, before Instagram shut me down for spamming accounts. "Spamming" accounts to inform people that I had been hacked and the hacker spammed you. There's not a lot that gets me fired up more than laziness and theft. But that's what hackers are...lazy thieves. Thanks for all of the messages, emails, and texts, alerting me. I think I got it shut down pretty quickly, but it still stinks.

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Today in our Instagram stories, I'm participating in @m5entrepreneurs #m5dayinthelife The guys were busy maintaining and cleaning equipment, picking up pallets, and working in the shop. I was in the office trying to wrap up a non-typical January, and spent the afternoon at our kids' school. You can follow along to see what a day is like for me during our "off-season".

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And then, like that, it dries up just enough to get back to harvesting. Those blue skies are rolling in quick this morning and we're rolling out with the bluegrass. Not too bad, considering The Treasure Valley is usually inverted or blanketed in snow this time of year. ✋Who's ready for an early Spring? ✋Who's ready to get back to work? ✋Who's ready to light up 2020?

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This time of year, I'm often asked what we do to keep busy. Usually, we slow down and spend time together as a family. Pallets are built or repaired, we sell a little alfalfa, and all of this equipment is meticulously maintained. James and I both love learning and are always looking for ways to provide a better experience for our customers. There are trade shows, meetings, and lots and lots of reading. With fewer daylight hours, evenings are often spent inside, doing homework, eating family dinners, unplugging, and playing games. Weekends, we try and get in as much skiing as we can. This year has been a little different, as we're trying to do all of this, and also get sod out when we can. Everyone has been fighting the mud and anxious to get their yards in, and it's been a slow go. It looks like the weather is going to break, though. The forecast is calling for no precipitation and 60 degrees. This means, if you're wanting sod, we can get it out, just expect to get your orders in a couple of days in advance... And be prepared to be flexible. As we all know, Idaho weather can be very unpredictable.

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I'll play, cuz we're the biggest Dolly fans ever...or at least West of Appalachia. Our kids can all identify a Dolly song within two measures, I've listened to the recently released podcast, "Dolly's America", three times (go listen NOW!), and my Christmas ornament for the year was a Dolly ornament. She is my Spirit Animal and our kids think she hangs the moon. Wherever you show up, putting forth a little extra sparkle and a heart of gold is always good form. LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Tinder #dgturffarm #beyou #youdoyou #dollypartonchallenge #skindeep

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We love hosting students and opening up our farm for field days. Young and old, they're always impressed by the specialized equipment. You know what the number one question is, though? "Do you have to haul in more dirt every time you plant more sod?" The short answer is, no. We only remove about 1/4th of an inch of soil with each harvest. The rest is root mass and thatch. Taking into consideration that each field is in production for an average of 18 months and resting for 6 months, it could take up to 8 years of our fields being in constant production to lose 1 inch of "dirt". But that's not the way we manage our farm. We know in order to provide you with the very best product, it all starts in the soil. We stretch those plantings out even further by practicing crop rotation to: 1. Eliminate pest problems and 2. Build better soil structure and fertility When we do haul in product, it's never about replenishing a loss, but amending the soil and adding beneficial organisms which will ensure you a superior product for the long run. Whether you're feeding your family or building a living green space, know your farmer and feel free to ask them about their practices. You deserve the best. #dgturffarm #soilconservation #youdeservethebest #stewardship #ecofriendly #soilhealth #waterwiseturf

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January 20 and we had two cutting crews out, hand stacking sod, to get your projects completed. I am reducing emails and phone calls, people asking for quotes, and they're always shocked to hear we are currently delivering sod. Usually, this time of year, our crew is busy building pallets and doing repairs, but you know what they say about when the sun shines...make hay, or sod, or whatever it is you do. In Idaho, we're at the mercy of Mother Nature, and we never know what the winter or spring might bring. Do you have a job you want to complete by early spring? Go ahead and get it done now before we're mucking in the mud. The turf is living, yet dormant, and will come out of it, just as it would if you planted it last fall. Give me a call on the dispatch line, drop a comment or message here, or send me an email and I'll get you on the books, before the rush.

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We snuck away for some family time, to ring in the new year and recharge for another season. We'll be back to cutting sod next Monday, according to the weather conditions. Happy 2020!

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To nine of twenty nineteen

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Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases! DG Turf Farm will be closed through the end of the year and back to harvesting sod, dependant on the weather, the first full week of 2020.

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Can't stop, won't stop. We never call our harvest season, because you never know what Idaho weather may bring. People are often shocked when I tell them I laid sod in my own yard on January first... in a t-shirt. We made it back out into the field today with no problem and the forecast is looking clear for most of the coming week. A few things to know about turfgrass in December: ✅ We can harvest sod if there is not more than a thin blanket of snow. ✅ We can only harvest if the ground isn't frozen solid. ✅ If the sod is dormant and brown, it is still living and will come out of it just fine next spring. ✅ When you give us a heads up, we can cut your order ahead of time, to make sure you get your delivery. ✅ If we can harvest...You're good to install it! As always, give us a call or shoot us an email, and we'll get you in the delivery book.

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Cyber is the new black, and we get it. I have implemented a system over the past few years that enables us to work completely paperless. What does that mean for retail customers? You can email your order request, receive an emailed invoice which you securely pay with just a couple clicks. Then the day of your delivery, you get a text message that your sod is on the way. You don't even have to be home to receive it. Our skilled delivery personnel stage the pallets for your convenience and take a photo with their tablets. What does that mean for landscape contractors? You text in your orders to dispatch and the day of delivery, you receive a text that the sod is headed to your jobsite, saving you hundreds of dollars in labor, because your employees are freed up to be doing other jobs. Are you not on site or away on business? Simply log into your customer portal and see where your delivery is for the day, to better communicate with your foreman. You can use this same portal to log in and pay each invoice as it is billed, or on a monthly basis. Then, print invoices or reports to review your purchases for the entire year. What does this mean for us? We're always in contact. With our farm, employees, and customers. We're all used to answering texts and emails these days, but we can log in and see each delivery truck on the map, each order being processed, and photos of each delivery, ensuring quality service every step of the way. The system that I initially wanted to create for customer security and efficiency, also allows us the flexibility to leave the farm in good hands and attend industry conferences. We're always learning and evolving so we can provide you with better products and services each year. This photo is a throwback to brunch after our RTF Sod conference in Savannah. We are getting ready to attend the same this weekend in Las Vegas. The RTF growers are all my favorite people in the industry, so you'll want to be following along in my Instagram stories. Bonus points if you can lead me to the best Bloody Mary. James will be hunting the best cup of coffee. #cybermonday #techknowledge #2020 #cyberisthenewblack #dgtravels #rtfsod

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There really is nothing like seeing the magic of the holiday season through the eyes of children. Our kids are currently at the perfect ages, where they are self sufficient and excellent helpers, yet they still B E L I E V E. The first snowfall, visit with Santa, family time, and... decorating for Christmas! It's a good thing we had a week off to let them take it all in. Last night, I was in charge of putting the lights on the tree, then the kids all carried the Christmas bins from our storage container and jumped right in, making our home, holiday ready. They excitedly unwrap each ornament in search of their favorite memories, and set out all of our photos from Christmases past. I have to say, they did an excellent job of creating such a cozy space with odds and ends, alongside special treasures. It really is the most magical time of the year.

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Every Black Friday we look forward to being off-line and opting out, deep into the woods, to harvest our annual Christmas tree. It signifies the beginning of our slow down and time we cherish as family. A much needed winter to connect and recharge for next spring. We were back at the farm today, preparing for the coming week, and to close out 2019, solid. I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend, filled with food, friends, and family (or early morning shopping, if that's your jam), and are ready to welcome December. Happy Thanksgiving!

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This is farmlife. This is parent life. This is entrepreneur life. This is just life. I used to take things pretty seriously and wanted them to be just so. Until I realized no one else really cared about me being just so, because they were so worried about themselves being just so. Taking up residence in the country and raising a family in the middle of a business will quickly put that all into perspective. When we were hanging lights this afternoon, Finn was quick to remind me that the unlit Santas were decorations, just the same, and no less appreciated. He was right. Am I trying to impress an HOA or random passers by? No. Even when we lived in a subdivision, I always strung lights for the kids. It was a good reminder, going into this holiday season, to remember The Reason. Then, extend yourself (and loved ones) a little grace. We are all a little broken and you never know the joy you might bring in that imperfect perfection. #dgturffarm #itsasodlife #farmlivingisthelifeforme #imperfectperfection #beautyinthebroken #thanksgiving #givegrace #givethanks #thisishowweroll #lifelived

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There was a sting in the cool air this morning that chilled me to my bones, but the sun is shining bright in that blue sky, and the sod is cutting beautifully. As we finish out this week, looking to the next, I'm reminded there is so very much to be thankful for. In what can often be the start of winter here in Idaho, we are especially thankful to still be serving our customers this time of year. Our farm will be in full production mode next Monday and Tuesday. We will then be closed through the weekend, to extend our thanks to our employees, families, and friends, and allow everyone a little time off to gather and enjoy the fellowship of community and nourishment of a good meal. 📸Cred: Ray

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Again, it's been quiet around here, because with this incredibly mild November, we've been busy harvesting sod and utilizing every other minute to get all the things done (and running all the errands, because I hate doing it in winter). It finally rained, for just a minute this morning, then the clouds parted and we have blue skies and sunshine again. I don't think I've ever had a more productive November and hope this weather sticks around for another couple weeks. What's on your list before the snow flies? ✅ Yard/garden cleanup ✅ Hang outdoor Christmas lights ✅ Organize the garage ✅ Locate snow gear for the kids ✅ Tune the skis ✅ Firewood ✅ Donate unused toys and too small winter clothes ✅ Clean the chicken coops and goat pen ✅ Vet visits for the dogs and cats ✅ Dentist appointments for the family ✅ Detail the car ✅ Deep clean and declutter the house (I get claustrophobic with the extra decorations and little daylight)