Adding Nutrients to Your Soil

Use a slow-release fertilizer, and avoid putting down more fertilizer than you need. Adding too much nitrogen can cause rapid growth and a thinning of plant cell walls, which makes grass more susceptible to disease. The excess fertilizer may also leach and eventually find its way into waterways, polluting them. Tested Soil When restoring a lawn, apply Read more…

Preparing to Overseed a Lawn

Before you begin, choose the seed that is best for your geographical area and buy the amount you need to cover the size of your lawn. You have several tool options for spreading seed evenly and at the recommended rates. They include your own hands, hand-held, and walk-behind spreaders, and slit-seeders (power seeders), which are Read more…

Taking Care of Young Plants

Your efforts to restore your lawn will be in vain if you do not care for the young grass plants as the seeds germinate and begin to grow. The most critical need is to apply water at least twice a day, assuming no rain. If the soil dries out, the seedlings will not germinate or will Read more…

Underground Pests & Lawn Pests in Your Yard

Keeping your yard healthy isn’t just a matter of watering and mowing, it also means preventing or removing pests as necessary. To help keep your lawn in top shape—and maybe learn what those bugs flying around in your yard are—take a look at our guide covering some of the most common yard and underground pests. Read more…

What is Soil Amendment for Lawns

Adding a soil amendment, also called a soil conditioner, helps improve lawn—and other plants—growth and health. The type of amendments that need to be added depend on the current soil composition, the climate and the type of grass. Some of the various amendments include: Lime (makes soil less acidic) Fertilizers for plant nutrients (i.e. manure, Read more…

Dethatching – Just the facts

What is Thatch? Thatch is a layer of organic matter composed of dead organic debris, roots, crowns, and stems, which forms above the soil and below the grass canopy. Is all thatch bad for your lawn? A moderate thatch layer can be beneficial for your lawn. Thatch allows beneficial macroorganisms and microorganisms to live which Read more…

Filling Depressions and Leveling Bumps

Poor grading, uneven settling, or the decomposition of buried tree stumps, logs, or roots can cause depressions and bumps.  While you are dethatching your lawn, check for bumps and depressions.  Mark any irregularities with latex spray paint so you can find them easily when you are ready to level. Depressions Smooth slight depressions by topdressing—applying Read more…

Adjusting Your Soil’s pH Balance

It is best to test your own soil, or obtain test results from a professional testing service, before applying any amendments. If your soil test shows that the soil pH is low, add lime according to the test recommendations.  If you did your own pH test, see the table to determine how much lime to Read more…

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