Lawn Basics

Most places in the United States suffer from occasional drought. When drought occurs, turf grass can look brown and appear dead. Homeowners tend to use valuable water keeping lawns green during...

Your lawn is a delicate ecosystem that relies on an optimal balance of nutrients to thrive. So calculating the rate at which you apply fertilizer is very important. Adding too much nitrogen...

Fescue is a cool season grass. Fine fescue varieties, such as Chewing's fescue and red rescue fescue, are shade and drought tolerant. Fine fescue doesn't, however, tolerate heat. Timing is...

The first reaction of many Americans when they see weeds beginning to pop up in their new lawn is to go out and buy herbicide and kill the intruders. However, herbicide on a young lawn will...

Maple firewood is among the more common types of wood used for burning in a fireplace or wood stove because most varieties burn well and it is found in many places. Harder maples are generally...

Cutting a new planting bed in your yard is the first step to creating an exciting and interesting garden. Whether you are planting vegetables or flowers you will need to follow the same steps in...

Some people enjoy hours in the yard, mowing and raking, but many others prefer to have someone else do the basic maintenance. Of course, you want to find someone who does a good job, is...

Compost is made up of the once living plant remains. These piles, which can be made in your backyard, are full of nutrients. If you have your own garden or bed of flowers, you can use the compost...

Several years ago I bought a house that was in the middle of a hill. There were several spots within the yard that had bare spots. No matter how much seed I sowed, fertilizer I spread or turf...

Taking care of your lawn can be tedious work and you may not have the time or the energy to do this, especially if you work long hours every day.You might want to consider hiring a lawn care...

Installing sod is a great way to quickly establish an attractive lawn. Sod is also expensive, which means it's crucial to install it correctly. It's also very important to purchase the required...

Writing up a lawn mowing contract is the safest and clearest method of avoiding confusion when it comes to mowing other people's lawns. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to write up a basic...

Diatomaceous earth is a powdered substance that can be used for many purposes, but it is mainly used to kill a variety of insects. Diatomaceous earth can be purchased at any home or lawn care...

Building a stepping stone pathway is a great way to accent or decorate a backyard. A stepping stone pathway can be the difference between a yard with a messy worn path in the grass, and a...

Bermuda grass is one of most widely planted grass seeds in the world. It is very inexpensive and grows densely in high yields. This means that you are very unlikely ever to have bald spots on your...

A tensiometer is a tool used for measuring moisture in soil. It lets gardeners and growers know when the soil needs water. As the soil dries out, water is removed from the tensiometer. Likewise,...

Ryegrass is a cool-season grass that is very popular because it will keep your lawn green all year long. People often mix ryegrass with grasses that grow during warm weather. When the grasses that...

The installation of new rotary nozzles can save irrigation water being lost to 'spray mist'. The rotary nozzle design broadcasts larger droplets of water that more closely imitate rain droplets. ...

Landscaping along an exterior garage wall can be a special challenge to gardeners. Typically a stark, solid wall of straight lines and angular corners, the garage wall environs is often an...

Zoysia is a common turfgrass usually found in warmer climates. Zoysia grass has a lush and attractive appearance. It is often found on golf courses, athletic fields and lawns. Identifying Zoysia...

Fescue is a non-native, cool season grass often used as a turf grass. Some varieties are infected with a fungus that makes it more drought-resistant. This perennial grass has minimal wildlife...

Weed and feed is a variety of fertilizer that also contains herbicides formulated to kill weeds while nourishing a lawn. Most weed and feeds are designed to kill chickweed, clover and dandelion...

Ponds with waterfalls contribute a certain amount of tranquility and beauty to any backyard garden setting. No matter the size of your water feature, something about being able to see and hear the...

Admiring the local birds that are drawn into your yard is a favorite hobby of a number of avid bird lovers. When the birds start taking up residence on your mailbox posts, however, they often...

Identifying grasses is often viewed as hard or daunting. Indeed, grasses do pose challenges for identification. A field guide with a plant key is essential. A plant key guides the identification...

Always wanted that clean professional perfectly manicured lawn without the professional price? Learn how to cut and trim your lawn like a professional in 10 easy foolproof steps.

You can get rid of fleas in your yard by using Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous earth is made up of the dried up remains of diatoms, which are a type of algae with a hard shell. Diatomaceous...

Proper care for a brand new seeded lawn is necessary for the grass to grow healthy and full. Water and fertilizer schedules are necessary until the lawn reaches the fullness and height you desire....

Every year in the spring and fall people buy trees and shrubs to beautify their lawns. Every year they needlessly spend money on them too. You don't need to spend a penny on trees or shrubs and in...

Fescue grasses are among the hardiest and easiest to grow, making them a common choice for lawns, athletic fields, golf courses and business parks. Even though fescue grass is quite hardy, you...

Unsightly brown spots in an otherwise green lawn can ruin a perfect landscaping display. Grass naturally turns brown when it is going dormant due to a lowering of temperature approaching winter or...

Zoysia is a warm climate grass native to southeast Asia, China and Japan. It is appearing more in the southeastern United States in neighborhood lawns because of its attractive, dense turf and...

Vinegar is one of the most often used household products, according to The Vinegar Institute. It's used for laundry, cleaning kitchen counters, for health-related reasons and for doing maintenance...

St. Augustine sod is a dense, coarse grass which does well in a variety of soils. It thrives in warmer regions of the world but is primarily found in the coastal regions of both the Gulf of Mexico...

Planting grass can be difficult and time-consuming, so many people opt to buy sod. Sod is more expensive than grass seed, but you can save money by knowing where to find sod at the most reasonable...

Pruning shrubs involves trimming and removing parts of the plant that are dead, dying or overgrown. It benefits the entire plant, helping it to grow more efficiently. People often view pruning as...

Dog burn spots on the lawn are a result of nitrogen in the urine and typically occurs from female dogs, as males usually lift their legs and urinate on trees, bushes and the like. These spots can...

Feeding your lawn with the right fertilizer is just one step in creating a healthy lawn. By knowing the exact measurement and accounting for potential spillage, you are able to control the costs...

Rubber mulch has a reputation for looking fresh for several years. Normally made from recycled materials, it does not require trees to be harvested. It does not fade or decompose over time and can...

Pond pumps improve the overall health and aesthetic qualities of your pond by circulating the water of the pond throughout the day. Pumps add oxygen to the water by aerating the pond and prevent...

Although you most likely want a prestine looking lawn full of thick, lushes grass, it is also important to keep grass from growing where it is not needed, such as a home garden, cracks in the...

Pampas grass is a native grass to South America that grows very tall and usually flowers at some point in the growing season. It is generally used as an ornamental piece in landscaping but...

Whether you are selling your house or just trying to impress visitors, curb appeal is the first impression that someone will get when visiting your home. By increasing your home's curb appeal,...

Learning to mow your lawn is an important task that helps to improve the aesthetic quality of your home's exterior as well as to prevent insects and rodents from finding a haven to nest within the...

Moss lawns are becoming more and more popular due to their ability to provide an evergreen ground cover that requires very little maintenance. A moss lawn requires no mowing or fertilizing and can...

If you have a clay-type of soil or other hard pan soil that is compacted and has poor drainage, you will have difficulty growing most types of plants. While the many varieties of plants, shrubs...

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a type of grass common in the southern United States as both a weed and a landscaping plant. It is most often used as lawn grass in backyards, golf courses and...

If you yearn for a lush, green lawn, you have two options. You can seed your yard, shooing hungry birds while you wait for three or four months for the seeds to sprout, or you can trot over to...

Growing grass is about as exciting as...well, growing grass. It can also be a difficult challenge. With this effective strategy, it is possible to grow grass in your yard in about a week. It's...

The melodic, soothing trickle of water falling over stones or into a pond is a refreshing sound in a garden setting. Adding a fountain to your garden increases the relaxation level of your quiet...