category: Lawn Care

Watering a lawn seems like a simple task: just turn on the sprinklers until the grass looks wet, right? In reality, proper lawn watering is a nuanced science, and getting it wrong can lead to more problems than solutions. Overwatering wastes a precious resource, encourages shallow root growth, and creates an ideal environment for fungal diseases and pests. Underwatering, on the other hand, leads to a brown, stressed lawn susceptible to heat damage and thinning. The secret to a lush, healthy, and resilient turf lies in understanding how much water your lawn truly needs and how often it should receive it. ...

A lush, uniform, and weed-free lawn is the hallmark of a well-maintained property. However, the relentless march of weeds, especially pervasive annual varieties like crabgrass, can quickly undermine even the most diligent lawn care efforts. These opportunist plants compete with your desirable grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight, leading to thinning turf and an unsightly appearance. While pulling weeds by hand is an option for small infestations, a more strategic and effective solution lies in the timely application of pre-emergent weed control. ...

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. ...

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. ...

Standing water in your yard, often manifesting as persistent puddles or squishy, waterlogged patches, is more than just an unsightly nuisance. It can wreak havoc on your landscape, drowning desirable plants and turfgrass, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and potentially leading to foundation issues for your home. A perpetually wet yard can also make outdoor activities unpleasant, turning what should be a usable space into a swampy hazard. Addressing standing water requires understanding its root causes, which can range from poor soil conditions to improper grading or even structural problems with your home. Once the cause is identified, a variety of solutions, from simple DIY fixes to more elaborate drainage systems, can be implemented to reclaim your yard and ensure its long-term health. This guide will walk you through common culprits behind soggy lawns and provide practical, effective ways to remove standing water from your property. ...

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. ...

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. ...