Create a Garden to Attract Beneficial Insects
To encourage high beneficial insect populations design your garden to incorporate a variety of flowering plants rich in nectar and pollen. Choose cultivars with easily accessible pollen… Read more »
Work on the Down Low to Improve What’s on Top
Horticulturists agree that time spent improving what is happening below the surface of a lawn greatly reduces the time needed to maintain what is on top of it. The ideal soil for grass meets fi… Read more »
How Much Seed to Use When Overseeding
Seed Type Pounds* per 1,000-square feet Bluegrass 1 to 2 Tall fescue 4 Perennial ryegrass 4 Fine fescue 2 2 *Note: some experts recommend exceeding these amounts.
Applying Lime
For acidic soils, use pelletized lime to minimize dust and ensure uniformity. You can mix finely ground limestone with a water-soluble binder to form pellets. Use a drop spreader to apply pelletized lime. You can also apply with a rotary-type spreader.… Read more »
What to Wear For Pest & Weed Control
Whether you’re using insecticides and herbicides derived from botanical, biological, or synthetic materials, take all basic precautions, including the use of goggles, disposable dust m… Read more »
Safe Pesticide Use
Use the least toxic, most target-specific chemical. Purchase the smallest amount needed to do the job. Do not mix more spray than you need—and stick to target areas only. Read the label carefu… Read more »
What is a Soil Amendment?
Adding a soil amendment, also called a soil conditioner, helps improve plant growth and health. The type of amendment or amendments added depends on the current soil composition, the clima… Read more »
Plant Disease Triangle
Fortunately, it takes more than the presence of pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) to bring on infection in lawns. You also need a host—grass susceptible to a particular pathoge… Read more »
Nematodes
Predatory nematodes attack lawn pests such as billbugs, sod webworms, and white grubs. Nematodes are parasites that kill hosts, such as this grub, within 48-hours. Some nematodes attack s… Read more »
Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an Eco-Friendly Approach
Too often people see insects as invaders to be attacked with various toxic chemicals. While such actions may take care of the immediate problem, they usually create a host of others. Today,… Read more »
