home sectionhome sectionPurple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis), a perennial, is a warm-season bunch grass native to large parts of the East and Midwest. The soft, reddish green flowers of purple love grass blossom in mid-summer, making it an attractive complement to a garden of native plants. It grows low to the ground in clumps with dense tufts that can rise up to 24 inches.
When using weed killer, you want to remember that your goal is to kill all the weeds once and for all. Get weed killer instructions with help from a classically-trained chef with experience in both World class restaurants and private dining companies in this free video clip.
Gardeners wage a continual battle with weeds, using an array of weapons in their stockpile. Although not recommended for small weed problems, herbicides can be effective in restoring the health of your lawn or garden. Before getting started with herbicides, identify the weed types, purchase an appropriate product and read all labels carefully.
Weeds are unsightly when they sprout in a yard, making lawns look untidy. They also steal nutrients and water from your grass. Weed killers, or herbicides, come in two main types: pre-emergent and post-emergent. Spraying your lawn with these herbicides can help get rid of unwanted weeds and prevent them from staging a coup in your lawn later, but timing your application is key to their success and your lawn's health.
A problem with the indiscriminate use of weed killers is that they may kill other plants in addition to those you wish to eliminate. Toxic herbicides wash into streams and rivers, contaminating the water supply and potentially damaging crops grown further downstream. Weed killers can be toxic to children, pets, or wild animals and birds that may ingest the chemical by eating or chewing on the plants to which they were applied. Chemical residue may remain in the plants and soil for years, and the residue could be linked to cancers and other serious illnesses. Alternatives to herbicides are hand-pulling…
Eliminator Weed and Grass Killer is a product of Chemsico United Industries Corporation, kills over 175 varieties of weeds and is sold in a liquid concentrate that requires dilution. The product is for use outdoors only in and around flowerbeds, trees, shrubbery, walkways and driveways to eliminate weeds. This product has specific warnings that need to be followed in order to keep pets, children and your water system safe. Always read the entire label before applying this product.
"Moody grass" is likely an old common name for the plant more often referred to now as bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). This perennial grass features a low-growing habit and can spread voraciously using rhizomes, or underground stems, and aboveground stems known as stolons. Bermuda grass is difficult to control and its eradication generally calls for multiple herbicide applications.
Weed control in the lawn and landscape can be a year-round chore, but waging war on unwanted vegetation doesn’t have to be a full-time job. Treat the lawn or garden for weeds in the fall to get a jump on the battle before new weeds get a chance to rear their ugly heads in spring. Spraying for weeds in the fall is effective on perennial weeds such as dandelions and ivy and annuals such as henbit and chickweed. Herbicides keep new weeds from germinating or kill them outright, reducing the number of weeds that plague the garden in spring.
Killing weeds with plastic sheeting is something that you should do before you actually plant your garden. Kill weeds with plastic sheeting before planting a garden with help from the owner of Healing Grounds Nursery in this free video clip.
Sauteing mushrooms is actually a really great way to get rid of excess water, so long as you're using the right technique. Learn about sauteing mushrooms to get rid of water with help from the owner of an urban mushroom farm in this free video clip.
Weed control is a very important aspect of growing and maintaining a pumpkin patch. Learn about weed control in pumpkin patches with help from an experienced farmer in this free video clip.
Killing weeds in landscape beds is something you can do quickly and easily with the right tools. Kill weeds in landscape beds with help from a landscaping industry expert in this free video clip.
Moss balls create otherworldly aquarium aquascapes, creating big puffs of green in fresh water. When you first add one of these unassuming aquatic plants to water, it expands from a partly dehydrated state to twice its size. These lush Japanese plants, Cladophora aegagropila, also known as "lake balls" or "marimo balls," propagate by division. This plant is so treasured in the region near Lake Akan in Japan, that the Ainu people have held festivals to preserve it since 1950. Lake Akan is one of the few places in the world where these moss balls grow naturally, but they can be…
One of the problems that aquarium owners may encounter is a black moss that grows on glass, gravel and decorations. This fuzzy, blackish material is actually an algae called black brush algae or black beard algae, and it can be a stubborn problem that recurs after cleaning. Black algae is caused by cyanobacteria that looks like short hairs that grow close together similar to moss. A number of measures will help to control this unsightly problem in your fish tank.
Solar lily pads provide a water-warming pool option that doesn't require electricity or wrestling with a large, awkward pool cover. Lily pads generally only cover part of the pool. This allows you to swim without removing them all. You can also clean the pool with the pads still in place. Solar lily pads work by absorbing heat from the sun. This heat is then transferred to the water beneath. The water first warms at the surface, so it's necessary to turn off pool pumps during the day so they don't suck in this newly warmed water.
Microsoft created several models of the Zune MP3 player to compete with Apple's iPod; the hardware has since been discontinued. Early models of the Zune featured a circular directional pad for navigating your MP3 player. If this gets stuck, your system is pretty much useless. Cosmetic problems, such as a sticky pad, can for the most part be dealt with from outside. However, internal or hardware problems will require that you open up the MP3 player to fix the directional pad.
Calcium chloride will effectively kill annual weeds and stunt or severely set back perennial weeds. It is a non-toxic, safe way to kill weeds and does not cause soil sterility. Calcium chloride not only gets rid of weeds, but also effectively controls dust and helps to stabilize the soil.
Lily pads are a group of aquatic plants within the genus Nymphaea, which are commonly cultivated for their saucer-shaped foliage and fragrant flowers. There are two main groups of lily pads: those that grow in temperate climates and those that originate in tropical locales. Although they possess subtle differences, both have the same basic requirements for survival. Providing for their basic needs and caring for them in the appropriate manner will allow your lily pads to multiply and thrive for many years to come.
Flagstone patios, which use flat stones of various shapes, sizes and colors, are an option for outdoor paving that will help a home blend into its environment. In many cases flagstone patios require weed barriers to maintain their looks. A weed barrier is a layer of fabric or some other material that inhibits the growth of weeds. The best weed barrier for a flagstone patio is one that prevents all plant growth below the stones.
Weeds and pests can create a frustrating environment in your garden or yard, but chemical pesticides can potentially harm your health as well as the environment. You can rid yourself of those unwanted garden intrusions using natural, organic solutions, some of which may already exist in your cupboards.
Something about audio equipment mounted in racks gives the impression of professionalism. Racks also have some practical appeal, as evident to anyone who's ever seen a rats' nest of cables behind a typical home-entertainment unit. At the consumer level, however, few components are made with rack mounting in mind.
The Yamaha WaveRunner can be a delight when everything works properly, but a puzzlement when things don't go as expected. Proper maintenance requires you to flush the WaveRunner's engine of salt, silt and other nastiness after every excursion. When the WaveRunner responds to this kindness by overheating after you flush it, something is amiss. The key to diagnosing the problem lies not so much in flushing the WaveRunner properly as it does in watching the WaveRunner's reactions when you flush it.
Red valerian and keys of heaven both are common names for a plant botanically known as Centranthus ruber. It grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches, with a spread of 12 to 18 inches, and it produces deep red flower clusters in summer. An easy plant to grow, C. ruber does best within zones 5 through 9 on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Grow C. ruber in full sun, and deadhead frequently throughout the summer to prolong the blooming period. Start C. ruber seeds indoors, four to six week before the last frost.
Oriental grass has the botanical name of Pennisetum orientale. It is a tall ornamental grass that looks similar to fountain grass and even has the common name of oriental fountain grass. Although some growers prize the plant for the pink, bushy blooms that appear in the summer, they also spread with little effort and become a nuisance. Killing an unwanted oriental grass clump requires repeated applications of a strong herbicide solution and cutting.
Renovating an old, neglected or weedy lawn can be a big project. Herbicides are available that make killing an old lawn fairly easy, but these products can carry the risk of accidentally landing on plants you want to save. They can also pose a hazard to the environment when they wash into nearby bodies of water and groundwater. A safe and easy method of killing grass, weeds or any other small plants comes from permaculture and is called sheet mulching. It smothers grass with newspaper or cardboard.
Killing weeds is necessary to keep your garden in top shape and protect the other plants. However, you need to look for solutions that are safe, so you can get rid of the unwanted weeds without exposing the other plants to potentially harmful chemicals. Steam is a nontoxic alternative to eliminate the weeds in your garden, efficiently killing the weeds within a few days.
Moss may add to the beauty of the forest, but when it invades your own lawn and garden, it can take over, killing your grass and plants. Moss is a tiny, green plant that grows in clumps and attaches itself to trees, grass, dirt or soil, and rocks. It grows in conditions that are very moist and shady. As annoying as moss is, there are simple ways to rid your soil and any rocks you may have in your garden of this invasive intruder.
Weed killers come in many varieties due to highly complex chemical compounds that are designed to only target certain types of plants, or certain areas. However, if you want to find a non-toxic weed killer that will not pose damage to pets or children, then consider taking a closer look at biodegradable options. There are some weed-specific varieties that will not harm your grass.
Proper aquarium maintenance often requires constant attention. At least once a week, you should check your water, nutrient and pH levels. These readings are often your first indicator of the health of your aquarium. Ignoring unhealthy spikes in nutrients levels can lead to the rapid growth of algae. Staghorn algae is a fast-growing, freshwater algae. Its hair-like strands often branch out to resemble the antlers of a stag, hence the name. While sometimes time-consuming, it’s not difficult to get rid of staghorn algae. In fact, there are at least two options to choose from.
Vinegar can make a great weed killer if you use it correctly. Learn how to make vinegar weed killer with help from a social entrepreneur in this free video clip.
Kiwi plants are vines that sprout fruit that are either brownish in color or greenish-purple. They are hardy plants and while some varieties can only survive in frost-free environments, others are capable of growing in the northeast region of the United States where it gets much colder. One problem kiwis may face is moss. Moss doesn't utilize root systems and will often grow on other plants and trees. While moss is generally not harmful to kiwi, it is an eyesore. Getting rid of it requires some diligence.
Moss may accumulate on any sort of roofing material, especially if you live in an area that has high levels of humidity on a long-term basis. Moss also tends to grow on roofs that are shaded by tall trees. The shade keeps roofs wet longer after rainfall, creating moist areas where moss likes to grow. Use simple tools and materials you may already have around your house to remove moss from your roof.
Snake weed, also known as snakeweed, broom snakeweed, turpentine weed, yellow top, rockweed, rattlesnake weed, or matchweed, is a short perennial brush that grows 8 to 28 inches high. According to the Utah State University website, it is sometimes confused with rabbitbrush. However, snakeweed has flowers from August to October, whereas rabbitbrush doesn’t flower at all. Because snakeweed can be poisonous to certain livestock, and because it can overtake farmed areas or locations where mechanical brush control is used, it sometimes requires human control.
Sticker bur grass, botanically known as Cenchrus echinatus and commonly called sandbur because of its preference for sandy soils, is an annual weed commonly found in vacant lots, roadsides, beach areas and lawns. Sticker grass features flat, rough-textured blades and seed heads in the form of spiny burs that are sharp enough to penetrate skin. Sandbur germinates from late spring to early fall, and dies with the first hard frost. In subtropical zones, sandbur acts as a perennial weed, and is capable of plaguing homeowners, beachgoers and landscapers year round. Proper use of both pre-emergent and post-emergence herbicides can help…
Fresh plums are a refreshing, nutritious summer treat, and it seems that the sweetest, juiciest plums are the ones you grow yourself. Plum trees grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 10. The trees are easy to care for and prized for their showy spring flowers as well as their fruit. Like other plum species, purple plums are susceptible to black knot, a fungal disease that can significantly damage the trees.
Gasoline is often used to kill weed growth in crops, lawns and ornamental flower beds. However, using gasoline causes problems both environmentally and for the safety of the gardener. While throwing gasoline on pesky weeds sounds like a quick method for weed removal, it is important for gardeners to understand the hazards.
Spear grass is a serious weed problem, especially for farmers. It retards growth of other plants, spreading aggressively by means of seeds and underground rhizomes. It's also dangerous to dogs, since it can work its way through the dog's fur into the skin, causing an abscess. It can also penetrate the dog's ears or pierce the skin between its toes. Because spear grass spreads underground, it can be difficult to eradicate.
For years, scientists have investigated ways to harvest methane gas from digestive byproducts of grass-eating farm animals. Several weed grasses, however, provide raw materials for methane that can be produced in tanks where no dairy cow would ever go. By adding thermochemical pretreatments, biofuel methane production uses anaerobic processes resembling those present in an out-of-control compost pile. Several weed grasses, such as alfalfa, reed canary grass, Bermuda grass and napier grass, make good raw materials, but switchgrass and Miscanthus have proved the richest sources.
Star magnolia, the common name for Magnolia stellata "Centennial," is a small tree that grows to an average height of 15 to 20 feet tall. This tree is basically pest-free, although it may experience moss growth, a problem common to trees and shrubs that grow in moist climates. While moss may actually enhance the appearance of these ornamental trees, too much may create excessive weight on the branches. Removing the moss helps restore optimal amounts of sunlight exposure and airflow around the branches.
When it comes to gardening, weeds are one of the most common problems. Many gardeners understand that weeds must be controlled. What some gardeners do not realize is that removing weeds after planting your vegetables is not always enough. You must kill and remove any existing weeds before planting your vegetables to ensure that weeds do not threaten your vegetable seedlings as they grow.
Not everyone likes having a wide expanse of lawn. The grass takes up valuable gardening space that could be used for food or plants with lower water and maintenance needs. Removing the lawn is one option, but that means tearing the entire lawn up and finding a way to dispose of the sod. Another option is a process called sheet mulching, which gets rid of your lawn literally on the spot.
Although visually similar to all-natural stone, cultured stone is a manufactured material containing a blend of synthetic resins and natural stone fillers for beauty, strength and stain resistance. Like natural stone, cultured stone surfaces in densely vegetated environments are susceptible to moss, which abounds in moist climates. Moss quickly spreads over cultured stone, marring the nonporous surface with cushion-like overgrowth. Besides its scurvy appearance, which aesthetically detracts from cultured stone, moss makes cultured stone walking surfaces slippery. Remove moss from cultured stone to restore the surface’s beauty and prevent safety hazards.
Bermudagrass is a warm season grass that thrives in warm to hot southern states. It is commonly used as sports turf. Most of the time the grass grows lushly, but environmental conditions, soil compaction, thatch accumulation, poor soil, too much shade, and drought or poor drainage can give moss a chance to thrive. Once moss gets a hold in a lawn, it can spread, reducing the quality of the turf. Killing the moss is easy. The products that kill moss are not harmful to the environment, children or pets when used as the package directions indicate. The best time to…
The desert landscape can be tricky. With limited rain and hot weather, maintaining a garden can take a lot of work, including soil preparation, waterings and fertilizers. Weeds often take advantage of the situation, easing their way to a complete monopoly if left unchecked. Take back control and kill those weeds using one or more weed management options. Then, enjoy your desert oasis.
Shot hole fungus, also called coryneum blight, is a fungal infection that causes numerous small holes in the plum tree's leaves. The infection first presents with tan spots on the leaves, which later fall out. The plum fruit develops discolored, sunken spots and twigs and branches develop lesions and cankers. Typically, the tree dies within five to 10 years if left untreated. If you notice signs of infection on one of your plum trees, it will likely spread to others nearby. Treat shot hole fungus on plum trees with the proper fungicide and by removing diseased portions of the tree.
Moss is a nonparasitic plant that absorbs water and nutrients through its leaves. It typically grows less than 1/2 an inch high in tight clumps, and it covers areas that are damp or shady. Decks, patios and roofs are particularly susceptible to infestation. You can remove moss with specially formulated bleach that's available at garden centers. Bleach is noncorrosive and won't stain treated decks or roofs. You apply the bleach quickly and directly to the infected areas, and you don't need any specialized gardening knowledge.
Although wool clothing is not as prevalent as it once was, moths that feed on clothing fibers still present a threat to clothes that you store in a closet. When you detect a moth infestation, use safe ways to kill moths in closets to minimize the use of potentially harmful chemicals. With careful cleaning and regular inspection of your clothes, you can control the damage from moths.
A homeowner will often mistake a mite infestation for natural winter damage on the turfgrass. Mites cause brown patches to occur on the lawn. Three types of mites regularly beset turfgrass: the clover mite, banks mite and brown mite. The pests create the most extensive damage to grass during times of drought or when the turfgrass suffers stress. The banks mite is the most destructive of the three types of mites, according to Colorado State University. The mite infestation will progress quickly and the turfgrass will suffer sever dieback if not promptly treated.
Weed growth in a back garden half-an-acre property creates an untidy appearance for the entire landscape. To kill weeds in gardens, gardeners employ cultural and chemical methods. Herbicides must be properly employed to prevent harming ornamental plants. Also, gardeners must avoid using any herbicides that prevent ornamental or grass seeds from germinating. While half an acre of landscape is an extensive weed removal project, gardeners can use control methods to kill large areas of weed growth.
Blackberry juice stains are a challenge to remove from absorbent upholstery. The problem is aggravated because it is sometimes not possible to clean the upholstery in a washing machine. Cleaning a blackberry stain on a couch or chair presents the problem of removing a difficult stain by hand-washing. Understanding the cleaning agents used is critical. Soap sets blackberry stains and detergents remove them. Soap is made of natural ingredients that bind with minerals in water to make the blueberry stain worse. Detergents are man-made and react less to the minerals in water, making them more effective in removing blackberry stains.
