Grass Care

Though a septic tank riser provides easy access to your sewer system, it is also an eyesore that can upset the balance of your lawn and gardens. Rather than leaving the space around the septic riser…

Most plants don’t like “wet feet.” When many plants stand in waterlogged soil, their roots rot and the plants die. Many grasses, especially turf grasses, are bred to have hybrid…

Brush cutters are tractor attachments used for clearing land meant for urban or agricultural development. Smaller brush cutters are also known as string trimmers, since they use nylon string for…

German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita, formerly Matricaria chamomilla) features thick clusters of daisy-like flowers, making it an attractive addition to a yard, patio or herb garden. Additionally,…

The long, spindly petals of the spider aster give this flower its common name. The spider aster is actually just one form of the common aster (Callistephus chinensis), a summer annual that grows well…

Poor soil conditions, fungus and insect infestations will cause grass to turn brown despite proper water and fertilizer applications. The cause of the problem must be determined and remedied. Simply…

Appreciated for their casual beauty and easy maintenance, many ornamental landscape grasses are especially well suited for low-water gardening, known as xeriscaping. Drought-tolerant grasses need…

The 1920s were a prosperous time for most Americans, including those in Lynchburg, Virginia. If you have an historic 1920’s Lynchburg bungalow you may want to landscape it in keeping with time…

Growing grass, though typically achieved using only soil, can be grown with pebbles for a decorative and useful touch. Though grass roots will adhere to pebbles, a small amount of soil is required to…

Serviceberries are tall shrubs or small trees that bloom in early spring. The white flowers hang in clusters, and they are followed by small, reddish-purple berries. In most cases, you will have to…

Lonicera brownii, better known as scarlet trumpet honeysuckle, is an upright-standing vine that produces colorful clusters of tubular flowers. They grow to reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and are…

Zoya grass, also known as zoysiagrasses, is prized for its dense, slow-growing properties. This sod is hardy and adaptable, capable of withstanding cold temperatures and cold weather. Growing zoya…

In spite of its name, broomsedge is actually not a sedge at all, but a perennial grass. Most common in the Southwest, the region to which it is native, broomsedge can often be seen in fields, along…

A carport is a structure that protects a car from the elements and provides cover to stop birds messing up your paintwork after you just cleaned the vehicle. Carports are often built from a simple…

Many homeowners seek ways to grow a lawn in areas that are not hospitable to large areas of grass. Soils with a high alkaline content, or high pH, literally burn away grass roots. Alkaline soils that…

A sodded yard is established by installing turf grass sod and not by growing seeds. Installing sod grass produces an almost instant, carpet-like result and is more practical for certain varieties of…

Native to parts of Africa and India, the moringa, or Moringa oleifera, is a versatile tree that offers numerous medicinal and nutritional benefits. Also called horseradish tree or drumstick, almost…

While broadleaf weeds may threaten large areas of your lawn, weed grasses are more difficult to control. Sedge and bahiagrass are common weedy specimens that can spread rapidly throughout your lawn,…

A rolling green lawn beckons you to play a game of croquet, sit in the sun and enjoy the breeze or just contemplate the flowers. A new lawn is planted through sheets of sod -- growing grass with a…

Sod is soil held together by the tangled roots of grass. For sod bricks, a strong grass, such as wiregrass or buffalo grass is preferred, with matted roots that bind the soil together tightly. In…

Timothy grass is an important part of the diet of many domesticated animals. It can be fed to horses, cows, guinea pigs and other animals kept as pets or livestock. Usually timothy grass is cut and…

Grown throughout the world, millet is an annual summer grass and grain crop that is similar in appearance to the sorghum plant. Producers of millet often grow the grass for forage and wild bird…

Most gardeners grow tulips from bulbs, the thick storage organs that some plants create to store energy and protect themselves from heat or drought. Tulip bulbs are planted in the fall and bloom in…

Hybrid delphiniums that are part of the Belladonna group (Delphinium x belladonna) are flowering perennials, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 7. They bloom during the summer months;…

Crape myrtle and pampas grass are tall plants that lend height and beauty to a garden. Crape myrtle is native to China and grows well in Southern climates. Pampas grass is native to South America and…

Excessive moisture is hard on a horse’s hooves. It softens them, making them vulnerable to bacterial invasion, causing scabs, inflammation, cracking and splitting. Wet, muddy pastures also make…

Crushed decomposed granite is a natural material used for walks, patios and driveways. Water permeable, it is the surface of choice for both eco- and budget-conscious homeowners. Occasionally,…

Aquaponics blends aquarium and garden environments, combining aquacultural and hydroponic systems. In simple terms, these closed-loop mini ecosystems incorporate fish in the growing environment and…

Dill, or Anethum graveolens, are annual and biennial herbs that belong to the parsley family. This fragrant, feathery herb grows wild in some areas of the world but is also cultivated for culinary…

Lavatera is the genus name for a small group of flowering plants commonly known as "tree mallows." Although Lavateras possess a range of growth habits, all share similar flowers, which…

Growing grass is not easy and growing it on a hillside may be a bit harder depending on the slope. While starting a lawn from plugs or sod provides more immediate results, growing grass from seed is…

Hedge clippers have the power to cut through thick-stemmed ornamental grasses yet can also handle lawn grass. While not as efficient as a lawnmower, a manual or electric hedge clipper works well for…

Also known as Love-in-a-Mist, Nigella damascena is an annual that produces feathery foliage and abundant flowers in shades ranging from blue to pale pink or white. Nigella plants grow to about 24…

Killing all grass and vegetation is the first step in replanting a lawn or planting a vegetable garden in the spring. Although there are many natural ways to kill vegetation, they all require time.…

In order to keep their lawn looking neat and tidy, many homeowners install grass edges. Edges made from rock or brick help to keep grass from invading flower beds and they also make edge trimming…

Growing a healthy lawn in regions where it snows presents a specific set of challenges. The first step is to select and plant cold hardy grasses. Once the lawn is established, providing it with the…

Red Push pistache trees (Pistacia x "Red Push") are native to China. These trees reach 60 feet tall with a canopy spread of 25 to 35 feet wide. The tree's dark green leaflets turn bright red…

After conducting a UK survey about stress, a major American doughnut retailer decided to design a somewhat tongue-in-cheek product to help fight urban stress: flip-flops made of real grass. As it…

Golden clematis, or Clematis tangutica, makes a striking addition to any garden with its golden flowers and feathery seeds pods. Numerous cultivars of Clematis tangutica have been developed to improve…

Growing ornamental grasses in attractive pots and containers on tables in your home gives you a long lasting natural display for your table in lieu of cut flowers, which usually fade in a matter of…

China aster is a member of the family Asteraceae and resembles the hardy asters in many ways. China asters, however, are annuals and frequently display double blooms. They are used in floral displays,…

Subalpine firs (Abies lasiocarpa Nutt.) grow below the highest parts of the Rocky Mountains. The subalpine fir grows up to 50 feet tall in its native habit with blue-green needles on horizontal tree…

While erosion is a thoroughly natural process, human land-use practices can exacerbate its effects and devastate a tract of country formerly secured by vegetation. Bare ground is quickly gullied by…

Ornamental grasses are clump-forming plants that die out in the center as they grow larger. Removing the plant from the garden allows you to cut out the center area without damaging the plant’s…

The uses of ornamental grass beds are only limited by a gardener's imagination. This group of plants, which belongs to the Poaceae family, grows in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and…

Teff is an Ethiopian grain that now grows in temperate and tropical climates all over the world. In Africa, India and South America, teff is a food crop, and in the United States, it grows as a forage…

Growing your own cashew tree from a seed may be a lot less convenient than buying the nuts at a grocery store, but it's much more rewarding. Cashew trees will not only bear nuts, but they'll also…

Birdsfoot trefoil is the common name for Lotus corniculatus, which is a perennial species of leguminous plant sometimes grown as an ornamental ground cover for its small, yellow flowers and…

Though it requires a significant amount of commitment, the rewards of a lush, healthy lawn will outweigh all that hard work. Providing your grass with tender loving care isn't solely a matter of…

Using grass seed in an arts and crafts project is a great way to introduce younger children to the plant growth process while keeping it fun and interesting. One of the most common uses for grass is…