Here are the most common weeds and recommendations to eliminate. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) Frequently found in compacted, infertile soils, this light green, low-growing grassy annual prefers cool-season growth, but can be found all year. A sudden brown-out of the lawn in the heat of summer, or prolific seed production in spring, signals its presence. When seeds appear, rake the grass upright, then mow, and bag the clippings. Crabgrass (Digitaria…
Fairy Rings Caused by more than 50 varieties of fungus, the rings vary in size and appearance but all form in damp conditions in soil that is high in woody organic matter, which is usually from buried debris or tree stumps. Look for: Rings of fast-growing, dark-green grass with centers composed of weeds, thin turf, or dead grass. Midsummer and fall rings are more apt to be composed of dead grass….
Typhula blight (gray snow mold) Strictly a cold-weather disease, typhula blight appears where snow cover has melted, especially in areas where snow has drifted or been piled. Look for: Irregular 2 to 24 inch patches of bleached-out, matted turf covered with moldy, grayish white mycelium. Embedded in the leaves and crowns of infected plants you will see tiny black or orange-brown spherical sclerotia (hard fungus bodies). Management: Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization…
Creating an environment hostile to pests includes enlisting the help of beneficial insects. These insects keep undesirable pest populations in check through their feeding, as either predators or parasites. Both the adult and immature stages of predators actively search out and consume prey. Parasites help by depositing eggs in or on the host. When they hatch, the host becomes their food source. What can you do to encourage helpful insects? …
Brown Patch This disease is prevalent during moist, hot weather on over-fertilized lawns. Brown patch, also known as rhizoctonia blight, is most active when grass remains wet and temperatures reach 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Look for: Dark, water-soaked looking grass turning into browned-out circular areas several inches to several feet in diameter. Some green leaves may persist within the patch, and roots remain intact. In addition, blades may have…
Prevention through appropriate cultural methods, (cutting at the right height, fertilizing and proper drainage) is your first line of defense against weeds, but eventually there comes a time when you need to roll up your sleeves and get after them. On small areas, the old-fashioned approach is the best—pulling out by hand. Hand weeding may take a little bit longer than using selective herbicides, but it is a lot better…
A green and healthy lawn starts, literally, from the ground up. One way to improve the look of your lawn is to improve the soil. A technique called topdressing can help you do just that. Topdressing is the process of adding soil or other organic material directly over the top of your lawn. In addition to improving soil conditions, topdressing can help smooth out rough or uneven areas in your…
Let’s face it: when you live in the suburbs, a healthy, well-kept lawn is a must. Before anyone even steps into your house, it’s your front lawn that makes the first impression of your home. So what’s something that can help keep your lawn healthy? Many people seem to forget about aeration. Aeration, or aerification, is a method of perforating your lawn with small holes to allow for more water…
Restoring a tired lawn allows you to improve your lawn without removing the existing turf. You will have the best chance of success if you do a thorough walk-through of your lawn checking both above and below ground. Your lawn is a good candidate for restoration if: Some grass blades are thin or have a yellow/green look. Turf cover is even with small areas of soil or wear. Some bare…
To improve your soil, you need to understand what you have in order to apply the right soil amendments. The best way to test your soil is to send a sample to a Cooperative Extension Service (CSREES) (usually located at or affiliated with a state university) or commercial soil laboratory (check out the print or online Yellow Pages under “Laboratories—Testing” for commercial soil-testing labs). The best time to test soil…