Brome grass is one of the top forage crops for livestock, often mixed with fescue in grazing pastures, but it’s also a common weed that spreads from agricultural fields to neighborhood lawns. Like crabgrass and dallasgrass, hearty brome is difficult to deal with since it blends in with your existing lawn. Here, we’ll go over …
Whether you’re in a hot and dry climate, or you’re wondering how to grow seed or keep your lawn green during the warmest months of the year, it’s a challenge that can usually be overcome. It’s the toughest part of the year to grow grass, but some grasses love the heat and can be grown …
Have you ever been in the middle of a project and suddenly realized you majorly miscalculated some of your supplies? In my 15 years working with landscape professionals, nursery growers, college programs, and friends and family, the most common mistake I see is a gross underestimation of proper mulch application. In most cases, it ends …
Hydromulch and hydroseed are sometimes used interchangeably, and there’s not really much of a difference between the two words. They both refer to the method of applying green seed slurry that lawncare professionals and homeowners may apply to bare soil to grow new grass. There are, however, situations when one word might be the right …
While it might seem like mowing the lawn when weeds are present is giving in to them, cutting the grass is actually an important way to keep weeds down and out of your yard. In fact, it is one of the main lines of defense against weeds because regular mowing not only keeps those weeds …
Lawn etiquette is a mix of best practices and respectful behaviors, and unless your home is in a rural area and your neighbors aren’t next door or across the street, certain aspects of how you mow the lawn have an effect on who you live around (and how they mow the lawn, in turn, affects …
Well, it’s that time of year when you are stoked for the hunting season, pumpkin spice lattes, or the holidays, or maybe you are just glad that the summer heat is finally gone. Unfortunately, along with the fields of beautiful fall foliage, you get more work out in the yards before the snow hits. Adding …
Enjoying my freshly cut lawn with a cold glass of lemonade while my puppy gleefully plays in the grass is one of my favorite summer pastimes. However, the only way I can have both a healthy lawn and a healthy dog is if I use pet-safe weed control techniques. Dithiopyr is a popular pre-emergent herbicide …
We have to be careful when using herbicides: too little won’t be effective enough, but too much can damage the grass you want to keep. That’s why it’s important to follow the directions closely and apply weed killer in the right amounts and with the right method. When it comes to prodiamine, it’s safe to …
When I am preparing my turf of St. Augustine grass for speedy summer growth, I go through a little checklist. One box on my list is always to check the thickness of the thatch layer. I like to think of thatch as our lawns plaque and dethatching as a yearly trip to the dentist. While …
When it comes to clearing leaves from your yard, some areas make for a quicker job than others. The leaves laying in the grassy sections can be quickly disposed of with a lawn mower. There are rocky paths that you can’t mow, but you can rake, and the tight corners and corridors may require swift …
For the home gardener or the self-sufficient landowner, nothing comes in handy more than small-scale farming tools. Among these tools, the rototiller sits paramount. One of the best know companies responsible for over 90 years of tiller advancement is Troy-Bilt. Troy-Bilt doesn’t only produce tillers however they also have a line of walk-behind mowers, garden …
If you’ve noticed the specification “CARB compliant” on a model of mower, it’s referring to the state of California’s emissions standard, which is different from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s federal air quality standards. A CARB compliant lawn mower engine’s emissions are lower than those that don’t meet the standard’s acceptable level of output. A …
Guess what? 21-7-14 fertilizer can be used on not only lawns but also in gardens! It is also really easy to use, and we’ll teach you how! This particular fertilizer is great for a variety of plants, including vegetables, flowers, fruits, and grass. The best course of action is to talk to a professional when …
Before we jump into the germination time frame of ryegrass, let’s cover a few basics. First off, ryegrass is an excellent seed choice for starting a green lawn if you live in an area with cold winter temperatures. It is a hardy grass type that will come back each year depending on what kind of …
For homes with pets or occasional neighborhood animals, giardia is a potential problem. This parasite can survive in a lawn for several weeks, and if your dog, cat, or another mammal is infected and visits your yard, it can live in the moist soil and potentially spread and infect, or reinfect, your pet or you …