category: Guides

Maintaining a lush, green lawn is a goal for many homeowners, especially those in warmer climates where St. Augustine grass thrives. The desire for a pristine, weed-free turf often leads people to consider “weed and feed” products – a convenient, all-in-one solution promising to nourish the grass while simultaneously eradicating unwanted invaders. However, applying these combination products to St. Augustine grass requires a nuanced understanding, as this particular turf type is more sensitive to certain herbicides than others. ...

The size of a residential yard in the United States is a topic of perpetual interest, reflecting shifting demographics, housing trends, and regional preferences. From sprawling rural estates to compact urban green spaces, yard sizes vary dramatically across the country. Understanding these averages and the factors that influence them can offer valuable insights into housing markets, lifestyle choices, and the evolving American dream. While the image of a vast suburban lawn might be ingrained in popular culture, recent data suggests a nuanced reality, shaped by urbanization, land availability, and changing homeowner priorities. ...

Benefits of Spreading Straw or Mulch Over Grass Seed After the meticulous work of preparing your soil and carefully spreading grass seed, the temptation might be to simply water and wait. However, for successful germination and a vibrant, healthy lawn, adding a light layer of straw or mulch over your newly sown seeds can significantly improve your chances of success. This seemingly small step offers a multitude of benefits, from protecting the vulnerable seeds to optimizing the conditions for their growth. ...

Torpedo grass (Panicum repens) is perhaps one of the most challenging and aggressive perennial grassy weeds to control in home lawns and landscapes, particularly in warm, humid climates like the southeastern United States. Named for its sharply pointed, rapidly spreading rhizomes (underground stems), this invasive plant can quickly outcompete and displace desirable turfgrass, turning a lush green lawn into a patchy, unsightly mess. Its resilience stems from these extensive rhizome networks, which can regenerate new plants even from small fragments, making eradication a true uphill battle. ...

St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a popular warm-season turfgrass known for its lush, blue-green color and thick, coarse blades. It’s a favorite in warm, humid climates, particularly across the Southern United States, because of its excellent heat and salt tolerance, and its ability to grow well in partial shade where other warm-season grasses might struggle. Unlike many other lawn grasses, St. Augustine is typically not grown from seed due to its low germination rates and slow establishment. Instead, it is most commonly “spread” or propagated vegetatively using sod, plugs, or sprigs. ...

Mondo grass, primarily Ophiopogon japonicus, is a beloved ornamental grass-like plant known for its refined texture, evergreen foliage, and remarkable versatility in the landscape. Often mistaken for its larger cousin, Liriope (lilyturf), mondo grass stands out with its finer blades and more delicate appearance, making it a favorite for creating elegant borders, softening pathways, and providing dense groundcover in shaded areas. Despite its sophisticated look, mondo grass is incredibly tough and low-maintenance, thriving where many other plants struggle. ...

Clay soil is a common challenge for gardeners and homeowners alike. While it possesses some valuable qualities, its dense, compact nature can stifle plant growth, lead to poor drainage, and make cultivation a physically demanding task. Transforming heavy clay into rich, workable soil is a cornerstone of successful gardening, but it requires patience, effort, and the right strategies. Understanding the unique characteristics of clay and employing effective amendment techniques can turn a problematic patch of earth into a thriving landscape. ...

Fertilizer is a vital component of a healthy, vibrant lawn, providing essential nutrients that promote lush growth, rich color, and strong root systems. However, in the quest for a greener lawn, it’s possible to overdo it, leading to a common and frustrating problem: fertilizer burn. This damage, characterized by brown, scorched patches, can quickly turn your aspiring emerald carpet into a mottled eyesore. Understanding what causes fertilizer burn, how to identify its signs, and most importantly, how to treat and prevent it, is crucial for any homeowner striving for a picture-perfect yard. ...

Few things are as disheartening to a proud homeowner as the sudden appearance of unsightly brown spots marring an otherwise verdant lawn. These patches of discolored, dying grass can range from small, isolated circles to large, spreading areas, and their presence often signals an underlying problem. The challenge lies in accurately identifying the cause, as a brown spot can be the symptom of various issues, from simple watering problems to complex diseases or pest infestations. Applying the wrong solution not only wastes time and money but can also exacerbate the damage. ...

Few things are as disheartening to a proud homeowner as the sudden appearance of unsightly brown spots marring an otherwise verdant lawn. These patches of discolored, dying grass can range from small, isolated circles to large, spreading areas, and their presence often signals an underlying problem. The challenge lies in accurately identifying the cause, as a brown spot can be the symptom of various issues, from simple watering problems to complex diseases or pest infestations. Applying the wrong solution not only wastes time and money but can also exacerbate the damage. ...