Lawn Maintenance

Although there are positive assertions for use of grass clippings as mulch, The concept is not without negative misconceptions, including the thought that it may contribute to thatch build-up....

Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic salt found in nitrogen fertilizers. Its main use is to reduce the pH range of alkaline soils. Plants that are grown in a soil that is out of their pH range are...

Centipede grass is prized for its easy maintenance. Grown as a lawn grass in areas with mild winters, centipede grass does enter a dormant state in winter. It does not survive winters in areas...

The common notch and back cut method of tree felling is a good method for many trees but it is not necessarily always the best technique. For leaning trees another felling procedure, the...

There are many important lawn care tasks to perform in the fall, including fertilizing, mowing and removing thatch. Properly taking care of your lawn in the fall can help it stay healthy...

The method for cleaning up rocks in your yard is highly dependent on the size of rocks and the extent of coverage. Very large rocks may be present in your yard since you bought your home. Or...

White clover is an annual weed that has broad shamrock shaped leaves and white ball shaped flowers. It tends to thrive in moist, low fertility soil. Clover plants are aggressive weeds that can...

Cutting your lawn improves its appearance and health when done correctly, but poor lawn cutting practices can harm your lawn. Mowing your lawn too frequently or infrequently, or cutting your lawn...

Centipede grass is naturally hardy and resilient, a strong and attractive plant that can be used to create a beautiful lawn. This low-maintenance grass is unlike many others commonly used in...

If you're trying to attract deer, you'd be well served to try placing some of their preferred snacks around an area where they are prone to graze. In general, deer feed on various types of...

Painting your lawn can be a cost-effective way to reduce maintenance requirements or boost the sale price of your house. Many municipalities have watering restrictions, and limited water can your...

Despite all your best efforts to grow a lush grassy lawn, you may suddenly find some areas being overtaken by an invader--a dense emerald carpet of low-growing moss. Moss is a hardy plant that...

Although fertilizers can help lawns flourish, they can contaminate the water supply when chemicals leach through soil into the groundwater. Homeowners and agricultural producers should monitor...

When your lawn becomes overrun with weeds, it can cause many issues in the health and beauty of your entire lawn. Many homeowners try to tend to these pesky weeds before it becomes out of hand....

When the irrigation system stops working, it normally is not noticed for weeks. The reason for the lag time is most systems are set to water during the night hours. Watering at night is more cost...

Controlling moss and algae growth is important to protecting the health of your lawn and garden. Although there are chemicals that eliminate moss and algae, preventing their growth is far more...

Having a beautiful, thick, green lawn is the goal of most homeowners. But many worry that having a nice lawn is not worth the possible hazard it will cause to any children who will play on the...

A beautiful, lush, green yard adds visual interest and value to home landscapes. Fertilization is one of the most important lawn-care practices. When properly done, an application of fertilizer...

Both fine fescue and tall fescue are popular grasses for home landscapes because they are relatively easy to maintain. Of the two, tall fescue is most resilient and works well in a variety of...

The most important requirements for any lawns to sprout and grow with vigor are moisture and warmth. If there is not enough warmth, the new planted seeds will not sprout, and if there is not...

Brown spot fungus is an annoyance to homeowners who invest time and effort in cultivating a lush, green lawn. The brown spot fungus appears as a circular patch of brown or yellow grass, anywhere...

The application of weed and feed fertilizer to your lawn strengthens the root system and gives the leaves the nutrients they need to start the year with energy and vigor, while the herbicides in...

Keeping a healthy, lush, green lawn is every homeowner's goal, but it always seem that some lawns on the block manage to achieve that goal while others do not. The difference between a lawn that...

A garden tiller is a machine that turns or cultivates soil before plants are put in place. A rototiller turns dirt through the rotation of moving tines or blades. Running on a small engine, these...

Spraying grass green is an alternative solution to planting new grass seed or laying sod. It is relatively easy to do, and you don't need very many supplies to do it. Most people do not need to...

Rototillers are small, gas-powered machines that turn or cultivate soil in a garden using tines or blades. Using a rototiller makes difficult soil manageable for planting. Knowing the correct way...

Many people use fertilizers to keep their lawns looking green and weed-free. However, chemical fertilizers can have harmful effects on humans and animals. Proper precautions should be observed...

Fall may be the most important season for lawn care. After the heat of the summer, turf grass is thirsty and hyper-responsive to fertilizer. Get a soil test kit and give your lawn extra love...

The amount of herbicide delivery from a hose-end sprayer depends upon the amounts of weed killer and water that are put into the sprayer jar and the amount of spray that is applied on a given...

Many homeowners have an irrigation system for their lawn. This system usually consists of a timer, a backflow valve, sprinkler heads, water piping and sprinkler control valves. The sprinkler...

Tribulus terrestris or goathead weeds are the culprits for lawn stickers. These weeds produce thorny stickers that travel throughout lawns and stick to animals, clothes, shoes and bike tires. The...

Some people love to do yard work. They love getting outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine and digging in the dirt, mowing the lawn and trimming hedges. You might not be one of those people. You...

Plowing gravel driveways brings some special considerations that are not present when you plow paved or cement areas. It's possible for the plow blade to dig, which can spread gravel into the...

There are several types of fungus that can be lethal to lawns, including fairy ring, rust, pink snow mold and slime mold. Lawn fungus infestations can progress rapidly, leaving brown patches and...

St. Augustine grass performs best in the southern coastal regions of the United States. A warm-climate grass, it stands up well to heat, sun and salt, but not always to drought, shade or cold....

Moss appears on bare areas of lawns for a variety of reasons that may include improper care or grass fungal diseases. To prevent moss from growing on your yard, be sure to provide adequate water,...

If you want a perfect lawn, you have to get rid of weeds. There are two options for removing weeds: pulling them out by by hand or applying chemicals. Scotts Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed...

Weeds are plants that grow where they are not supposed to. They usually thrive when conditions are poor for healthy grass, but their growth is stunted when you take the proper steps. If you have a...

Organic fertilizer provides an alternative to chemical fertilizers, but how you use it determines your level of success. Using too much organic fertilizer might damage your lawn, and you might...

Moisture plays an important role in fertilizing your lawn. Moisture carries nutrients such as nitrogen to plant roots by helping the fertilizer to break down and soak into the soil. Too much...

Weeds kill grass, destroying the beauty of your lawn. Weed killers tackle the problem, but you need to know when to use weed killer to ensure maximum success against pesky, sometimes resilient,...

Providing lawn care to foreclosed property owners is part detective work and part sales work. Foreclosed properties rarely have signs or other identifying information about who took the legal...

If your lawn is looking thin in spots, brown or bare, a quick trip to the local garden center or equipment rental shop will provide you with an opportunity to revitalize your stressed grass. Lawn...

Adding a layer of topsoil to inclined areas of your lawn is one way to level things out and help promote proper drainage. Topsoil can also be used to cover tree roots and repair damaged sections...

St. Augustine grass is a perennial grass used in lawns and pastures along the Gulf Coast of the United States and other warm weather locations. Compacted soil can adversely affect the grass by...

Bermuda grass is one of the most widely used warm-season grasses. It is commonly used on athletic fields and golf courses and in affluent neighborhoods. According to the Texas Cooperative...

Mushrooms are the fruiting structures of fungi living in the soil of your lawn. They are unattractive, which is why many homeowners want to get rid of them. Pulling the mushrooms out leaves the...

Chlorine is usually the cheapest chemical option to keep algae from your pool, and there is no way to avoid this cost. However, depending on whether you need routine daily cleaning for your...

Ortho's Total Kill brand of lawn weed killer is listed by the Colorado State University Extension as a ready-to-use herbicide. It lives up to its name as a total-kill solution to weed control. ...

Establishing a new lawn can occur in one of two ways, by laying new sod patches on top of it or by spreading new grass seed to grow. Whether a lawn has been sodded or seeded, it needs a little...