Infolific » Lawn Care

Soil with Excessive Thatch

Nelson Stearn — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 06:35:41 +0000

Push aside the blades of your lawn grass. If you see a light brown, matted layer of dead and living grass stems, shoots, and roots at the base of the plants, you have thatch. Don't panic. Thatch is a problem only when it is thicker than % inch. When it [...]

Lawn Fertilizer Tips

Nelson Stearn — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:44:44 +0000

Fertilizing your lawn is a critical component to keeping it healthy. Here are some tips to make the effort more effective.3 Test soil to determine grade and amount of fertilizer to use. Apply no more than 1 pound of fast-release nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in a single application. Cool-season [...]

Determining If You Should Restore Your Lawn

Nelson Stearn — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:18:13 +0000

A restoration allows you to improve your lawn without removing the existing turf. While restoring your lawn is not nearly as labor intensive as removing all of your turf and starting over, it will still require several weekends of work. In most parts of North America, the best time to [...]

Cool-Season Grasses

Mallory Portman — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:34:40 +0000

Cool-season grasses are hardy enough to survive freezing winters beautifully, even with no protective layer of snow. And although they are stressed by hot-summer weather, they will remain lush and green if watered, or will peacefully go dormant during a drought and then green up again in the cooler temperatures [...]

Pesticides and Insecticides for Lawns

Nelson Stearn — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:06:31 +0000

Having done your homework and identified the particular insects damaging your lawn, you can decide what, if anything, to do about them. There are guidelines for how many insects in a given area constitute a threat. The tricky part is that vigorous lawns can withstand greater numbers of pests than [...]

Planting a Care-Free Lawn

Mallory Portman — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:54:04 +0000

As with other plants, the various grass species differ in their growth habits and hardiness. The specific preferences of nine lawn grasses are given on the following pages. Simply find the types that are likely to do well in your climate, and you'll be on the way to growing a [...]

Lawn Care Resources

Nelson Stearn — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:32:55 +0000

The following list of manufacturers and associations is meant to be a general guide to additional industry and product-related sources. It is not intended as a listing of products and manufacturers represented by the photographs in this book. Beyond Pesticides 701 East St. SE, Ste. 200 Washington, DC 20003 202-543-5450 [...]

3 Methods for Planting a New Lawn

Nelson Stearn — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:53:42 +0000

If your lawn suffers from acute soil compaction, rampant weed problems, heavy thatch, or nutrient and organic matter deficiencies, you may want to remove your existing turf and replant your lawn. There are several ways to plant a new lawn: by applying seed, planting either sprigs or plugs, or laying [...]

Buying a Walk-Behind Mower

Nelson Stearn — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:58:46 +0000

Walk-behind mowers are the most ubiquitous of all yard machines. Rotary-style gasoline-engine units account for most of the market by far. Their designs have been tweaked to the point where you can usually start them with a battery and key or with a single pull of a recoil-type starter. Mulching [...]

Purchasing Grass Seeds

Nelson Stearn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:21:41 +0000

There are two ways to purchase grass seed. You can visit the garden section of a retail store and pick out a package labeled with intended use, such as "Shade Mix." Or you can buy the latest cultivars and make up your own mix. For this you will need to [...]

Types of Lawn Diseases

Nelson Stearn — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:04:02 +0000

Spring-Through-Fall Lawn Diseases Fairy Rings Caused by more than 50 varieties of fungus, the rings vary in size and appearance but all form in soil that is high in woody, organic matter, usually from buried debris or tree stumps. Look for: Rings of fast-growing, dark-green grass with centers of weeds, [...]

Attracting Lawn Beneficials

Nelson Stearn — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:32:40 +0000

Gardens designed to encourage high beneficial insect populations should incorporate a variety of flowering plants rich in nectar and pollen. Choose cultivars with easily accessible pollen that is found in plants that have just a single layer of petals or a tubular flower form. Common herbs, wildflowers, and scented plants [...]

Common Lawn Weeds

Nelson Stearn — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:13:43 +0000

Here are the most common weeds and recommended means of dealing with them. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) Frequently found in compacted, infertile soils, this light green, low-growing grassy annual prefers cool-season growth but can be found all year. Sudden lawn brown-out with the heat of summer or prolific seed production [...]

Lawn Mowing Tips

Nelson Stearn — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:30:02 +0000

Following just a few simple tips can reduce the amount of mowing you'll have to do while still keeping your lawn looking beautiful and healthy. Cut no more than one-third the height of the grass in any single mowing. Never scalp the lawn or cut below plant crowns. Mow only [...]

Lawn Pests and What To Do About Them

Nelson Stearn — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:32:48 +0000

Aboveground Pests Chinch bugs The premier pest on St. Augustinegrass lawns, chinch bugs are found on other grasses as well, in all but the coldest climates. Black, winged, and Vs inch long, they live in the thatch layer where eggs are laid at the root line. Most damaging are the [...]

Solving Poor Lawn Drainage

Nelson Stearn — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:57:52 +0000

Solving minor drainage problems is something most homeowners can do. The most common drainage problem is water that runs off steep slopes, roofs, and driveways. Water that runs across the surface of your lawn can erode soil and wash away any grass that's trying to establish itself. Redirect roof water. [...]

Hiring a Lawn Irrigation Contractor

Nelson Stearn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:42:21 +0000

The general advice for hiring construction contractors applies to hiring lawn-irrigation contractors as well. You should solicit bids from several, ask for references (and call them), ask to see insurance, and be sure you're comparing apples to apples when making your decision. You should also hire someone with experience -- [...]

Lawn Irrigation Systems

Nelson Stearn — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:32:50 +0000

If you plan on maintaining a sizable lawn and want to keep it green during the growing season, a permanent in-ground irrigation system can conserve water and save time, too. A properly installed system can deliver just the right amount of water when and where your lawn needs it, and [...]

Crazy Things You Didn't Know About Lawns

Nelson Stearn — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:04:02 +0000

Want to one-up your friends with lawn trivia? Here's your chance! England is probably where George Washington fell for lawns. But because using an army of scythe-wielding laborers was too costly, he relied on deer to keep his lawn at Mount Vernon "mowed". Thomas Jefferson, minister to the French Court [...]

Creating the Care-Free Lawn

Mallory Portman — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:21:48 +0000

Whether you are improving a lawn or planning a new one, the first step toward a care-free lawn is to assess your site. In all climates, lawn grasses grow best where there is a slight slope to facilitate drainage and where they receive at least a half day of sun. [...]