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Control Your Lawn

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  • Controlling a Lawn Sprinkler With a Well Pump

    Controlling a sprinkler with a well pump is an efficient way to water an area that does not have access to a municipal water supply. Well pumps generate enough force to operate a sprinkler head efficiently while still supplying the house with water for other plumbing fixtures. Controlling the flow of water from the pump to the sprinkler head is a matter of installing a ball valve along the supply pipe. Adding a ball valve requires the use of a few tools and a general knowledge about plumbing.

  • How to Adjust the Control Bar on a Lawn Mower

    Walk-behind lawn mowers are often used by people of varying heights. To make the effort more safe and comfortable, most walk-behind lawn mowers feature adjustable control bars, onto which the engine throttle and a safety shut-off lever are mounted. These controls are better managed when the control bar is properly adjusted to the operator's specific height. You can adjust the control bar on your lawn mower with no tools or special skills required.

  • What to Put in the Back Yard to Kill Insects

    Insect infestations can decimate your well-cared-for gardens. There are a number of ways of preventing this problem, but it's important to consider your preferences before choosing a method to kill the insects. Some people who have pets and children prefer to use a natural and safe way of killing insects while others who want immediate and thorough results use commercial insecticides.

  • How to Troubleshoot an Oscillating Sprinkler

    An oscillating sprinkler connected to an outdoor water line sprays a fine stream of water back and forth over your yard or garden. A gear system activated by water pressure causes the oscillating movement. A screw on the side of the water arm lets you adjust the arc of the water spray. If your sprinkler stops working or does not spray in the desired manner, simple troubleshooting steps can help you restore the lawn tool to normal operation.

  • How to Kill Yard Insects

    Ridding your lawn of insects requires a measured approach: You don't want to kill the bugs that are natural enemies of the pests you want to rid your yard of. Chemical insecticides indiscriminately kill insects, beneficial ones and otherwise. Use chemical insecticides only in spots so you don't wipe out all of the organisms in your lawn. Maintain your yard regularly as a hedge against unwanted pests, and opt for biological pesticides whenever possible.

  • Broadleaf Garden Weeds

    Weeds are the eternal nemesis of gardeners. They can interfere with germination, crowd out young sprouts, and are just plain unsightly. But while weeds in your vegetable garden may seem daunting, they're easier to control than you may think. A combination of diligent cultivation and other cultural control methods can help you nix weeds and still keep your garden free of harmful herbicides.

  • Adjustments for Lawn Sprinkler Head Spray

    Lawn sprinklers come in many forms such as soaker, rotary, impact and traveling. Each of these sprinklers has a unique spray head adjustment process. Adjustments can be made by the supplied tool or by hand. Aspects that can be adjusted include rotation range, spray distance, flow, direction and height. After the sprinkler is installed, you might have questions about how to fit your preferred sprinkler to the requirements of your lawn.

  • Why & How Do Grubs Take Residence in Lawns?

    White grubs are found in lawns throughout the United States. White grubs take up residence in lawns, but they are particular about which lawns they use to lay their eggs. You could have grubs in your lawn, while your neighbor's lush green lawn is grub-free.

  • How to Adjust an Oscillating Sprinkler

    Oscillating sprinklers use water pressure to swing a metal or plastic bar back and forth. This bar contains several holes for water to escape. As the arm moves, water is thrown over a large distance back and forth. These types of sprinklers are excellent for relatively small yards or gardens, as they are low-flow and easy to use. Adjusting the arm on an oscillating sprinkler is simple, and helps keep water only where you want it.

  • How to Put a Cub Cadet Mower in Reverse

    Cub Cadet has been manufacturing riding mowers since 1961. The Cub Cadet line was originally part of International Harvester, a company which also manufactured farm tractors and trucks. The ownership of the Cub Cadet nameplate, as of 2011, belongs to MTD, which also markets riding mowers under Bolens, Troy-Bilt and Yard-Man brands. Cub Cadets can have one of two different transmissions: hydrostatic and manual. A hydrostatic transmission is a hydraulically controlled automatic unit, while a manual transmission requires manual gear changes.

  • How to Adjust Reverse on a Cub Cadet

    Situated to the right of the operator's seat on your Cub Cadet's right-hand console is the "Power Take-Off," or PTO, switch. The PTO clutch will not work when the tractor is in "Reverse;" however, it will reactivate when the throttle is in the "Forward" or "Neutral" position. Since the engine crankshaft and PTO clutch are attached together, proper starting and stopping depends on the how the clutch is positioned.

  • Moss Removal

    Moist climates combined with shade tend to promote the growth of moss on your roof and sometimes other structures, such as concrete stairs. The presence of the moss doesn't just look unkempt, it can cause serious damage. Moss acts like a sponge, so once the area gets wet, the moss will keep it wet. With shingles, moss can block water flow, backing it up under shingles or flashing and causing leaks.

  • What Is a Lawn Sprinkler?

    Sprinklers come in many shapes and sizes. The basic principle of a sprinkler is that it cuts down on the hassle of watering your lawn. Some common sprinkler types include oscillating, traveling, impact, pop-up and soaker. Some sprinklers are simple, non-adjustable and connect directly to a standard water hose attached to a faucet. Other sprinklers are complex, are adjustable and are installed underground as part of a larger irrigation system.

  • Lawn Sprinkler Adjustments

    Lawn sprinklers come in different types and sizes. Common models include the impact, traveling, soaker and rotor sprinklers. An impact sprinkler includes an attached spike so that it can be inserted into the ground anywhere you desire. A traveling sprinkler follows the path of an attached water hose and is self-propelled by water pressure and rotating arms. A soaker sprinkler sprays in one direction and is installed in the ground. The rotor sprinkler is also installed in the ground but is hidden and pops up when activated by a connected timer.

  • How Wild Violets Spread

    Violets are annuals or perennials and grow in a low, ground-hugging form. The plants prefer the shade and moist soil, so it makes sense they grow best in the cooler periods of spring and autumn. The blue, white, yellow and purple flowers are pretty but can become invasive.

  • How Do You Operate a Mahindra 3505-Di Tractor?

    Nearly 50 years ago, the Indian-owned Mahindra and Mahindra collaborated with International Harvester to produce and market their first farm tractor. Since then, the company has partnered with other American businesses in the production of cars, trucks and tractors. In 1994, Mahindra entered the American market on its own through the entity of Mahindra USA. Among its many models is the 3505-DI tractor. With a 3-cylinder engine which can run up to 35 horsepower, this tractor has a sliding mesh transmission with eight forward gears and two for reverse. It is compatible with numerous implements.

  • How to Purge the Transmission on a Craftsman Lawn Tractor

    Trapped air can be present inside the transmission. It needs purging for proper operation of the lawn tractor. The air most commonly accumulates during shipping, and Craftsman recommends purging before using the tractor for the first time. Purging should also be performed after a transmission has been serviced or replaced. Purging the transmission involves operating the freewheel control, starting the engine and other procedures. Normal operation can commence after the purging is completed.

  • How to Adjust the Spray Direction of an Impulse Lawn Sprinkler

    Impulse lawn sprinklers focus water on a specific area of the lawn or landscape. The sprinkler rotates back and forth to direct water evenly. The direction of an impulse lawn sprinkler can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically to fine-tune the amount of water received by grass or landscaping. Adjustment levers on the side of the impulse head and a dial on top allow for incremental distance adjustments.

  • How to Adjust the Spray Direction of a Lawn Sprinkler

    Lawn sprinklers provide a convenient means for directing water onto a section of a lawn without having to hold a garden hose or invest in a potentially expensive inground system. A lawn sprinkler connects to a garden hose and is then positioned as desired in the lawn. Adjusting the sprinkler can be done to fine-tune the water distributed onto the grass from the sprinkler.

  • How to Adjust the Spray Coverage of an Impulse Lawn Sprinkler

    Impulse lawn sprinklers project a stream of water onto the desired location of a lawn or landscape in a side-to-side motion. The motion of the sprinkler helps to evenly distribute water over an area of grass or plants. You can adjust the distance that the impulse sprinkler travels from side to side as you can the distance and dispersion pattern of the water.

  • How to Test the PTO Switch on a Cub Cadet

    Cub Cadet builds lawn tractors that have anywhere from a 40-inch to a 50-inch deck. This large deck is designed to cut large fields of grass. The PTO switch controls the blade cutting mechanism. To test it, all you have to do is turn the lawn tractor on and push the PTO switch. This will engage the blades.

  • How to Adjust a Lawn Sprinkler

    Lawn sprinklers are a convenient way to evenly water a lawn. Attached to the end of a garden hose, a lawn sprinkler can be repositioned and adjusted to provide the best water coverage. The side-to-side motion of the lawn sprinkler can be adjusted, as can the diffuser, so that the projected stream of water is directed onto the desired areas of the lawn.

  • How to Landscape for Ant Control

    While the landscape of your yard should be enjoyable and an expression of your creativity, it's hard to appreciate landscaping covered with tiny ants. Certain environments attract ants more than others. Whether you already have ants to flush out or you don't want the little invaders in your yard to begin with, there are several things to keep in mind when it comes to landscaping. With a few ideas you can make your yard quite inhospitable for ants.

  • Lawn Care Grub Control

    Grubs are the larvae of beetles. The pests feed on grass roots, resulting in discoloration and even death of lawns. Grubs are c-shaped, white and about 1/4 inch long. A number of options are available in the fight against grubs.

  • Removal of Moss From Lawns

    A moss is much more likely to grow on an area of your lawn that is not covered in thick grass. These areas that have more soil than grass are more susceptible to moss formation, but even though there's not a lot of grass in the area, you might still find the moss unsightly or annoying. If this is the case, there are simple removal methods you can use to free your lawn from moss.

  • How to Kill Springtime Grassy Weeds

    Spring is the prime time for weeds. Grassy weeds are a little trickier to kill because you can't just douse them with any weed killer; otherwise, the grass would die as well. If you have grassy weeds that need to be taken care of, there is a method you can use to effectively remove them without harming the grass, too. The proper type of weedkiller combined with the correct technique will give you the results you are looking for.

  • Prevention of Wild Violets

    Wild violets grow from 2 to 12 inches tall and produce white or purple flowers. Although these flowers prefer moist, shady areas, established plants can survive in dry, sunny conditions. According to the University of Massachusetts Extension, it is easier to prevent the spread of wild violets than to eradicate them.

  • How to Adjust the Width of an Oscillating Lawn Sprinkler

    Oscillating sprinklers, whether gear-driven or impact-type, are fully adjustable, allowing you to set the arc each sprinkler travels to a specific width to water only where needed. With this feature, you can water from a full 360 degrees, down to around 40 degrees on most models. In gear-driven models, a small dial on the top of the sprinkler sets the angle. On impact-type sprinklers, two collars are set to flip a trigger that changes the direction of the sprinkler. Adjusting these sprinklers is a simple task that typically takes just a few minutes to complete on either type of sprinkler.

  • How to Kill Broadleaf Weeds

    There are two main classifications for weeds: grassy weed types and broadleaf weed types. Broadleaf weeds tend to have wider leaf than grassy weeds, which are often mistaken for grass commonly found in the lawn. Proper mowing, fertilization and planting will often prevent weeds from appearing in a turf, or in the garden. A combination of herbicides before and after the appearance of broadleaf weeds is usually enough to keep the plants under control.

  • What Can Be Done in Mid-November to Kill Lawn Grubs?

    Lawn grubs damage grass by feeding on the roots, eventually killing the grass in an area. This damage occurs throughout the spring and summer, becoming most apparent in early to mid fall. Late-fall treatment proves difficult.

  • How to Adjust the Stop Rings of an Impulse Lawn Sprinkler

    Manufactured by several different companies, impulse lawn sprinklers can, based on their design, be used with ground irrigation systems as well as connected to the end of a garden hose. Impulse sprinklers feature a rotating head that directs water in an arc or circular motion. Small adjustment rings, called stop or arc rings, can be positioned to adjust the arc of the water.

  • How to Control the Spray Pattern of a Lawn Sprinkler

    Sprinkler systems provide a way to control the flow of water to irrigate lawns, landscapes and gardens. Two primary types of sprinklers exist on the market. The gear-driven pop-up sprinkler has a smooth action that delivers a steady stream of water over a defined area. The impulse sprinkler is a spring-loaded mechanism that uses the force of the spraying water to rotate the sprinkler head and a trigger to control the direction of the spray, left or right. While each sprinkler operates differently, they are both relatively simple to control.

  • How to Wire a Sprinkler Pump

    Sprinkler pumps are used to help irrigate a well or other water source separate from the one that supplies water to your home. The sprinkler pump prevents the sprinkler system from decreasing the amount of water pressure available for use inside your home. A sprinkler irrigation pump is wired through a relay box. This relay box allows the pump to be turned on and shut off. Wiring a sprinkler pump is fairly easy and doesn't take much time.

  • How to Recognize & Control Lawn Weeds

    Weeds are undesirable plants in your lawn that not only ruin the aesthetic appearance of all your hard work but also can overtake the grass. Weeds often attack lawns that do not have a thick, healthy turf, so simply improving your lawn's condition will go a long way toward reducing weeds. To properly control weeds, you need to identify what type you have in order to apply the correct chemicals.

  • How to Control Ants in a Lawn

    Ants only have a life expectancy of 45 to 60 days; however, during that short amount of time, they can wreak lots of havoc. For this reason, it is important to remove them if they are spending time in your lawn. Besides crawling on you and your furniture, ants can also be quite dangerous. For instance, Black Ants and Wood Ants do not bite, but they can squirt formic acid out of their abdomen. If you are looking for a way to control ants in your lawn, a variety of effective, natural options are available.

  • Is Milky Spore Safe for Humans When Used on Lawns to Control Grubs?

    Milky spore, derived from the bacterium P. popilliae, is a microbial insecticide used to control grubs of the Japanese beetle. Because the bacterium only affects the target species, it does not harm other insects, animals or humans, according to Cornell University.

  • When Should You Apply Weedkiller to Your Lawn?

    Weeds eventually occur in most lawns, but with adequate weed management homeowners can dramatically reduce their incidence and create a pleasing, weed-free lawn. Maintaining a lawn through regular fertilizing, watering, pest control and herbicide applications also helps reduce the occurrence of weeds.

  • How to Control Moles & Gophers With Castor Oil Pellets Using a Lawn Spreader

    According to the University of Missouri, castor oil creates a barrier that repels moles and gophers. According to a study by the Michigan State University, castor oil repellent works on 25 of the 26 lawns tested. Castor oil repellents come in liquid and pellet forms and have different formulations, depending on the brand. Generally, castor oil pellets last between one to three months per application. To maintain effectiveness, apply the pellets regularly.

  • How to Control Grassy Lawn Weeds

    If you are having a problem with grassy weeds invading your lawn, the first step in controlling them is to distinguish if the weeds are annual or perennial weeds. Annual weeds such as crabgrass, goosegrass and foxtail are less problematic than their cousins, the perennial grassy weeds. Annual grassy weeds will die once the first frost of the year hits. Perennial weeds such as bentgrass and bermuda grass will continue to grow back stronger and larger every year. Michigan State University maintains a grassy weed identification guide on their website.

  • How to Operate a Cub Cadet AGS 2130 Lawn Tractor

    A Cub Cadet AGS 2130 lawn tractor is a versatile tractor that includes a Power Take Off (PTO) for operation of optional accessories. PTO accessories include wood splitters, chippers and shredders for firewood and do-it-yourself mulching. This model of Cub Cadet lawn tractor has two cutting blades under the deck for mowing the lawn. The lawn tractor will cut in both a forward and reverse motion with the blades engaged. An adjustable seat will accommodate riders with different length legs so each operator can safely reach all the pedals.

  • Mole Trap Types

    If you have moles in your lawn, don't be tempted to control them with folk remedies, such as pickle juice, jagged glass or mothballs. The most effective way to stop a mole infestation is by trapping them. Place traps in spring and fall, because moles burrow more deeply in summer and winter; rainfall also brings moles closer to the surface, so trapping is easier after rain. Look for long, straight tunnels, not meandering ones, which are less frequently used.

  • How to Adjust Cruise Control in a John Deere Lawn Mower

    If you have an acre or more of land to mow, you know how fatigued you can get when you have to watch your speed and keep your foot on the gas pedal all the time. John Deere solved that problem on many of its riding lawnmowers by installing a cruise control lever, usually located on the right side of the instrument panel. Here's how to operate it on your John Deere riding lawnmower.

  • Moss Control in Lawns

    There are many factors that can lead to moss developing in a lawn. The reasons can vary from the type of grass or quality of soil to a variety of diseases. Good maintenance can keep a lawn healthy.

  • How to Kill Wild Violets in Lawns

    Violets have a pleasing purple color, but don't be fooled. Wild violets (Viola pratincola) are a weed in lawns that spread via underground perennial roots, forming large colonies. The best prevention for any lawn weed is having thick grass that can suffocate anything else that tries to grow. But when violets do arise, they can be removed with diligence and chemical herbicide.

  • How to Control Moles in Your Lawn

    If your lawn is being taken over by moles, there is a pretty good chance that you have lawn grubs. Moles love to feed on grubs! Because lawn grubs are a great food source for moles, taking control of the moles in your yard is going to require getting rid of the grubs.

  • How to Control Common Garden and Lawn Weeds

    An abundance of weeds in your lawn or garden is a sign that your soil is poor in nutrients. You can get rid of the weeds, but the problem will reoccur unless you create the optimal conditions for your lawn and garden. Change the height at which you mow your lawn along with the frequency of mowing. Depending on how much water your garden and lawn receive, try decreasing or increasing the amount. Apply fertilizer and aerate.

  • How to Identify and Control Two-Lined Spittlebugs

    Tender blades of grass can be a treat for bare feet to saunter through in the summer months. Unfortunately, a healthy lawn can also be a wonderful source of nutrition for a common lawn pest, the two-lined spittlebug. Just as you're apt to look for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day, a spittlebug has the same objective in mind as it's prone to feed on the juice or nectar of grass. Be on the lookout for the pest and protect your turf.

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