Strata Eco Solutions LLC

05/27/2026

Well, it's been quite the ride over the last couple years. As I get back into a rhythm, I plan to start posting more pics of my projects.

Over the last several years, one of my greatest lawn challenges has been damage from dogs and kids. Some of it is from urine, and a lot is from them running all over. The traffic gets so heavy that the grass seems to just give up. It has taken me 3 years of trials, but I have found an option.

In 2023, my back lawn was getting beaten by 3 dogs and 2 little boys. By the end of the summer it looked dead. It would regrow a little in the fall and spring, but would never fill back in. I really wanted to give up on seeding it constantly.

After weeks of research, I came across some information about lawns prior to the 1940s and 50s. Before there were synthetic chemical lawn treatment programs, all lawn seed included dutch white clover. The clover and grass grow within and through each other, working together to make a tough, self-sustaining, self-healing, and virtually w**d-free lawn. The lawns did not need aeration due to the fleshy roots of the clover. The clover fertilizes the lawn by fixing nitrogen from the air and releasing it into the soil. The grass/clover combination produces a thick cover that prevents almost all w**d seeds from reaching the soil.

As a trial, in the spring of 2024, I overseeded my back lawn with turf type tall fescue and micro clover. I now only have one patch where my male dog pees. That patch has also been shrinking in size due to the clover spreading and not minding the urine.

The picture of my boys and I is from September of 2023. The picture of the healthy grass/clover lawn was taken May of 2026. It took about a year for everything to establish and start thickening. Now, my back lawn is 99% self-sufficient. All I do is mow once a week and occasionally pull a w**d or two. The lawn receives a lot of pressure from two pups and three very active littles 😁

If you would like to discuss a clover lawn, let's set up a site visit. Send me a text or call me at 614-706-6259.

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

04/30/2026

Yep, it's still April, folks. Everybody that has had anxiety about getting EVERYTHING done in the garden, landscape, and lawn, stop and take a breath. I promise, May will still come and you will have time to complete your spring projects 😁

❄️ FROST RISK BOTH SATURDAY & SUNDAY MORNING
A surge of much colder air drops in to end the week, and both early mornings — 2 AM to 7 AM — are primed for frost across a large portion of the region.

🌡️ Most areas:
32°–36° → WIDESPREAD frost risk

🌊 Immediate lakeshore:
36°–42° → Lake warmth = lower frost risk

But here’s the kicker 👇
If skies clear more than expected overnight, rural areas could dip BELOW freezing, and that’s a trend we’re watching very closely.

🌱 GARDENERS: THIS IS YOUR HEADS UP
Sensitive plants are at risk Friday night through Sunday morning.
This is your early reminder to cover them, bring them in, or protect them however you can.

Have you planted yet? What are you protecting this weekend?

04/23/2026

Growing Degree Days are used by farmers, horticulturists, nurseryman, and other growers to accurately predict plant growth and insect/pest emergence. If you want to understand what growing degree days are and why we use them, click this link: https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1448. This year, you may have noticed that everything seems to be growing "faster" or emerging sooner than normal. You are not wrong. We are WAY ahead of schedule for every plant and insect. Anywhere from one to two months ahead of schedule. I saw 2 June bugs this week. Twice in the last week, I saw hardy hibiscus emerging in landscape beds. This plant usually does not emerge until mid-June or later. I was speaking with a friend today and she said her garden, right now, looks like it usually does in June.

Here is a list of the growing degree days on April 22 for the last 20 years:

2026: 480
2025: 293
2024: 322
2023: 311
2022: 205
2021: 267
2020: 184
2019: 188
2018: 125
2017: 331
2016: 255
2015: 194
2014: 166
2013: 193
2012: 339
2011: 52
2010: 279
2009: 202
2008: 187
2007: 233
2006: 256

2012 was the next highest at 339 growing degree days. Ironically, 2011 was the lowest at just 52. We are currently 140 above the 2012 value. This means that plants are growing a lot sooner and insects are emerging much earlier this year. It is important to understand this, because you may do things at certain times every year. This year you may have to do them sooner.

Don't let this fool you, though. It's only April, folks. Even though we have had a lot of days above 50 degrees, we are still going to have some cold weather before Mother's Day. DO NOT plant your annuals yet. You need to be able to protect them if and when we get another freeze.

Before you shout "Global Warming" or "Greenhouse Gases", understand that Earth has been going through warming and cooling trends since it was created. The last 4 years we have had droughts that lasted longer and longer. This year, a Super El Nino is being forecast to occur. This could mean extended warm/dry conditions this summer.

I share all of this to show you a super beneficial tool that I use in my daily work. Also, I'm a huge weather nerd and love stuff like this 😂

Enjoy!

What's Your Number? - No it is not meant to be a pick-up line, but rather what is your growing degree day (GDD) accumulation!

03/31/2026

It's the first day of spring, which means we will start seeing (or smelling 👃🤢) Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) trees blooming. There are many different cultivars of Callery pears, for example, Bradford, Redspire, and Cleveland select pear. Once a popular ornamental tree, Callery pear can be found throughout the state, although it is now illegal to plant and sell in Ohio.

Callery pear has alternate rounded leaves with fine serrations along the edges. Leaves are thick and waxy. In the spring, it is easily spotted by dense white flowers that have a strong, stinky smell. It produces tiny hard brown pears in the fall that are hard until frost softens them.

If there are only a few small plants, they can be dug or pulled out. However, mechanical control is usually not enough. Herbicides are required to kill this aggressive plant that will resprout if cut without chemical controls.
For more information about removing Callery pear, visit https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/invasive-plants/callery-pear

03/26/2026

Happy Spring, everyone!

Our family is taking part in the Delaware Christian School Spring Sale, and we’d love your support. You can shop beautiful, locally grown plants, baskets, and trios through our personal link below. Every order helps Drake & Barrett reach their fundraising goals and supports programs at our school.

Shop here:
https://delawarechristian.sowzer.com/parent-signup_/t24341/p36032-tyler-frysinger?step=communication

Sowzer.com is powered by Foertmeyer & Sons, a proud Ohio company with more than 35 years of partnering with local schools. Their seasonal products — including vibrant spring planters, colorful hanging baskets, and beautifully grown flower mixes — are carefully selected for quality and freshness you won’t find at big-box stores.

All orders placed through our family’s link will arrive at the school on May 05, 2026. After the sale closes, we will contact our supporters with details so everyone gets their items. There is no shipping or delivery fee.

Your purchase supports Delaware Christian School and helps our boys work toward the prizes and recognition associated with participation. Thank you for supporting our family and a homegrown business built on community, quality, and care.
--
Tyler, Carol, Drake, Barrett, & Briella

03/12/2026

As much as I love installing flowering lawns and reducing/eliminating w**d spraying, remember that dandelions and most lawn flowers are non-native species. Most flowering lawns won't bloom until late spring. There are a lot of native trees and shrubs that bloom very early in the spring for our native pollinators. Those plants literally produce millions of flowers. Right now the red and silver maples are in full bloom.

If you are landscaping with native trees and shrubs, there are native varieties that behave exceptionally well in the landscape. A couple great examples are Highbush Cranberry 'Red Wing' and Sweetspire 'Henry's Garnet'. A wonderful native evergreen shrub that takes no care and replaces boxwoods is Arborvitae 'Hetz Midget'.

12/25/2025

I've been meaning to post an update on my family for months, but it has taken this long to find the words to describe the miracle that God has played out in our lives. 2025 is the year freedom came to my family.

At the end of August, Carol and I had to make a decision. My business had been closed for 6 weeks and I needed to go back to work. We had to find an answer for her mental health. Nothing was working. She had tried 25 different medications, 8 therapists, and 3 different psychiatrists. This doesn't include the endless conversations I had with other professionals, family, and friends along with the hundreds of people that have been praying for us.

I have known Patty Shipley for 5 years and also that she owns Leaves of Life Integrative Wellness in Worthington. It was time to switch tactics. Western medicine was only making things worse. Carol's body and mind were breaking more each day. I called Patty and we discussed Carol's challenges. She immediately worked with me to schedule an appointment. On September 5th, 2025, we finally started finding answers. During Carol's appointment, they scanned her body and immediately were able to determine what needed attention. Their equipment, in very basic terms, uses the neurological pathways in your body to diagnose problem areas. Based on that, there are several treatment options (detox, supplements, diet changes, etc.). Her life coach guides all of the treatment. The machine, through biofeedback, also resets and repairs pathways to balance your nervous system and calm your body.

Within 2 weeks we saw marked improvement in Carol's mood. I was already seeing her smile more. She had more energy and drive. Within 8 weeks of starting treatment I began to see the confident, strong woman I knew was in Carol, but had not met in the 20 years we have been together. In just 8 weeks Leaves of Life had done what western medicine couldn't accomplish in 5 years! We are now 14 weeks into treatment and Carol is beginning to live her best life after 41 years of mental torment. She is living proof that a root-cause approach using modern technology paired with natural healing methods is far superior to western medicine. The western medicine approach to wellness uses symptomatic treatment with synthetic medications. It just doesn't work, especially long-term.

During the closure of the business, I was overwhelmed by the support of my clients. After notifying everyone of our situation, all that I was told was, "We will be here when you are ready to return to work". Over and over, I was reminded of the love of a community. We were provided for both physically and spiritually. Our church has prayed non-stop. I was able to return to work this fall and continue to cultivate amazing relationships. All of you have made that possible through your love and support.

This has been the most meaningful holiday season of my life. I have more to be thankful for this year than any other time.

If God can bring us from the edge of losing everything to the best year we've ever had in 2025, I can't wait to see what He is going to do in 2026.

May God bless us, everyone!@

11/11/2025

09/18/2025

It's really important to have reliable equipment when watering your lawn, landscape, garden, or any other areas. For any area of your property, the long-term goal is to have soil that is healthy enough that your plants develop deep roots, thereby removing the need for irrigation. This equipment will help your plants have the water they need while developing deep roots.

Here are the brands and pieces of equipment I own and recommend for the greatest success and least frustration when watering (links in the comments):

Flexzilla Garden Hoses - They now carry a Colors line with earth tone hoses.

Melnor XT Oscillating Sprinklers - The 3-way sprinkler is the best.

Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler - For large areas.

Melnor Hydrologic Digital Water Timers - Use the 4-port option for the most versatility.

Dramm Watering Wand - The industry standard. The best one is the 30" with a plastic or brass shut off. A bonus is that they come in vibrant colors.

HQMPC 3/4" Y Valve Brass Big Splitter

HQMPC 3/4" Heavy Duty Brass Shut-off Valve

HQMPC 3/4" Brass Garden Hose Quick Connects

09/12/2025

Happy Friday!

Here is an update on the drought conditions in Delaware County. Delaware County is currently split between a Category D0 and D1 drought. I have been on many properties in the past 2 weeks. Personally, I am seeing closer to D2 conditions on most residential lots. This is due to the poor quality clay soil that is around our homes. I am seeing the soil pull away from the driveways and foundations as well as extensive cracking in non-irrigated areas of the lawn and landscape. A lot of trees are also turning color and losing their leaves. The forest around Alum Creek Reservoir is turning very early this year. It is strikingly beautiful right now.

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39041

It is times like this that affirm the incredible benefit of having organic matter present in your soil. Organic matter is the lifeblood. It retains and distributes moisture. It also hosts billions of bacteria and microbes while also providing a food source for beneficial insects. If you have a high level of organic matter, you will have little to no soil compaction and will be able reduce core aeration frequency. The soil also does not crack or move as easily because the organic matter is like a shock absorber for soil movement.

As the lawns go dormant, it is important to remember that they still need 1/4" of water per week to remain alive. Last year, many lawns suffered extensive damage because there was no water for almost 12 weeks. The crowns of the grass plants used up their reserve supply of water and nutrients, then died. If you would like advice on irrigating your lawn or landscape, feel free to contact me.

This is still a great time of year to work in the lawn and landscape. The nights are much cooler and, when watered, the moisture is retained much longer. This is also the best time of year to plant trees and perennials. With winter on the horizon, the next few months will be less stressful on new plants. I will be scheduling a lot of projects over the next 2 months.

Although we haven't had any rain, this is absolutely gorgeous weather. Get out and enjoy the sun and warmth ☀️

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!