Spring is the perfect time of year to give your lawn a boost with some spring lawn fertlizer.

Spring lawn fertilizer is crucial for a lush lawn year-round

The start of spring brings a sense of renewal. Light jackets replace heavy coats; people enjoy outdoor activities; and flowers begin to bloom. Just as homeowners embark on spring cleaning within their home, it’s just as important to nurture their lawn. Spring lawn fertilizer is a vital part of spring cleaning your lawn, but you must pay careful attention to the type of fertilizer you use and how much you apply.

The primary reason spring lawn care is important is to prepare the lawn for the dehydrating months of summer. Many grass types need to establish a strong and sturdy root system in the spring to endure the harsh conditions of summer; therefore, a lawn needs tender loving care as the spring approaches. Spring lawn fertilizer is highly beneficial if the right amount is applied to the lawn.

One mistake many homeowners make is thinking that lawn care and maintenance begins in the spring. Achieving a healthy lawn requires ongoing maintenance. Think of it like this: A person who exercises frequently and regularly is likely to be healthier than someone who only works out vigorously during particular periods of the year. The same is true for lawn care. While spring lawn fertilizer and maintenance is an important step in obtaining a beautiful lawn, a lawn must be nurtured throughout the year.

Too Much Spring Lawn Fertilizer Is Not a Good Thing

Oftentimes, people get ‘fertilizer happy’ when it comes to feeding their lawn. While they have good intentions-to obtain an incredibly green lawn-too much fertilizer isn’t always a good thing, especially in the spring. An excessive amount of spring lawn fertilizer can cause weed growth and disease.

In addition to limiting the amount of spring lawn fertilizer you apply to your lawn, it’s also important that you do not apply the fertilizer at the very start of spring. Many homeowners are eager to get outside and begin yard work immediately, but early spring fertilization can actually defeat the purpose of feeding your lawn.

Although your lawn will develop into a beautiful green color after application, fertilizing it too early in the spring encourages top growth and thus, damages the root system. If the roots of a lawn are fragile and weak, they’re less likely to withstand the dry and hot conditions of summer. What’s more, the spring lawn fertilizer you choose should include less nitrogen and more phosphorous to promote strong and healthy roots.

The Cub Cadet 2166 is a great lawn mower for homeowners with more than a small patch of grass to mow.  This lawn tractor has a wide cutting deck, powerful engine, and many attachments.  It does require some care and maintenance, so it is best for homeowners that feel comfortable with routine mower care.  Here are the features and benefits of the Cub Cadet 2166 Tractor Mower.

Features

The six speed engine on this Cub Cadet mower is a single cylinder, 16 horsepower engine.  Because of the single engine, there are no engine belts to contend with, which makes maintenance easier.  This engine is durable.  The front axle is cast-iron, it has a welded steel frame, and the patented Auto-Hydro Transmission with foot pedal controls.  The quick attach mower deck system lets you easily attach or remove the mower deck  for maintenance purposes, or to use the tractor with other attachments. Overall size of the cutting deck is 42 inches.  Here are additional specs:

Fuel: 2.25 gallons

Engine Oil: 2 quarts

Transmission oil: 7 quarts

Wheel base 47 inches

Turning radius 26.5 inches

Value for Price

As a lawn tractor, this model will set you back a bit more in cash than a push mower, but if you have a large area to mow, or need to plow frequently, this mower is a great value for the price.  Many automated features make it easy for someone with a slight interest in equipment maintenance to maintain.  As long as you do properly maintain the mower-change the oil, blow off the undercarriage after using, etc., this mower will last for a long time!

Ease of Maintenance

Because it is a little bit more complicated than a push mower, this lawn tractor does require a bit of maintenance and careful handling.  However, the quick attach feature with the deck and other attachments makes it easy to add and remove parts for servicing.  It is also easy to procure parts in most of the United States, as Cub Cadet dealers and parts suppliers are widespread.

Ease of use

For a small lawn tractor, this model is fairly easy to use.  Most of its functions are fully-automated.  It is important to follow all instructions and specifications specifically for this mower to get the most out of it.  First-hand accounts relay that the mower will last a long time if you take good care of it, but that the long-term care is important to maintaining its longevity.

Overall, we would recommend this Cub Cadet lawn tractor to any homeowner with a large lawn, and who is willing to make sure to maintain it properly.

Riding lawn mowers have many benefits not found with push mowers.

If you have more than a postage stamp yard, a riding mower is a must.  You can either stick with a traditional gasoline powered riding mower, or a new, electric riding lawn mower.  To get the most life out of your mower, you need to select the type of mower that is right for your circumstances and maintain it properly.

Selecting a Riding Mower: Gas or Electric?

Gas powered lawn mowers are much easier to find and less expensive than electric lawn mowers.  There are a few electric riding mowers, in particular the Electric Ox, made in Canada.  Its cost puts it out of reach for most homeowners, though.  The electric riding lawn mowers put out fewer emissions, but at a price of about $10,000 per mower, it would take years to recoup the cost savings in fuel.  Electric riding mowers are much better for the environment in terms of emissions, though the electrical power for the battery has to come from somewhere.  That means that the environmental impacts of an electric riding lawn mower ultimately lie in the power source of the local area where a homeowner resides.

Maintaining the Lawn Mower

Regardless of the type of riding lawn mower you have, in order for it to work well you need to maintain it.  Of utmost importance is keeping the blades sharpened.  Sharp blades provide a clean cut, which helps keep disease from entering the plant.  Additionally, a sharp mower blade produces a nicer looking lawn.  Dull blades will rip the grass blade, making a raggedy edge that will unevenly die at the edges.  If you look across a lawn that has been cut several days prior, and it has a whitish look, it is because the blades were not properly sharpened.

Benefits of Riding Lawn Mowers

It is much quicker to mow with a riding mower than with a push mower—self-propelled or not.  If your health is not the best, a riding mower can allow you to maintain your own yard without needing the care of an outside professional.  Another benefit of riding lawn mowers is that many of them can also work with attachments such as snow plows and small trailers.  They are versatile tools, more than just mowers.  New zero turn mowers allow for even mowing of the yard with less trimming, as well.

Always purchase your riding lawn mower from a reputable dealer who can help with service if the need arises, and maintain the mower to factory specifications.

Benefits of Using TruGreen

• Professionally trained technicians treating your lawn and garden. Much pesticide pollution is actually caused by un-trained individuals purchasing and using chemicals available at home and garden centers.  TruGreen technicians have had extensive training and supervision to mix and apply treatments safely.
• More time to spend enjoying the lawn, rather than working on the lawn. Professional lawn equipment is large enough and powerful enough to complete the job in a fraction of the time it takes a homeowner with a standard-sized push mower and trimmer.  Instead of spending three or four hours of hard-earned free time taking care of the lawn, let TruGreen put their powerful machines to work.  They are in and out in a flash, leaving homeowners with more time to enjoy their weekends and evenings.
• Free analysis for your specific lawn’s needs. Adding fertilizer where it isn’t needed is expensive.  Mowing at the incorrect height can cause damage to lawn grass.  Spraying broadcast insecticides pre-emotively do little good for the health of the lawn.  TruGreen provides a free analysis for anyone requesting one.  This analysis will identify the types of grass in your lawn, any insect, pest or disease problems, and a free tutorial about how to properly maintain your lawn for best health.
• Catch problems before they are out of control. Prevention will keep your lawn healthy to a point.  Prevention in terms of mowing technique, watering frequency, and proper fertilization.  Sometimes,  good maintenance is not enough to stop problems.  Early detection can keep lawn problems from ballooning out of control to the point where they are difficult to control.  Because TruGreen visits each homeowner’s yard on a regular basis, they can detect insect, fungal and disease problems while they are still manageable.  They can also recommend and complete a course of action to alleviate the problem.
• Receive priority access to yearly maintenance such as aerating, de-thatching, feeding and other tasks. These are tasks that you can accomplish yourself, but you may not have access to the best equipment.  For example, you can rent punch aerators at most equipment rental shops.  Those aerators can cause more damage than good by punching the soil further down into the lawn, rather than removing it to increase air circulation.  TruGreen only uses professional core aerators, which remove plugs of soil and allow the lawn to breathe.

Benefits of Maintaining a Healthy Lawn with TruGreen

Lawn health is not just a cosmetic issue.  Maintaining the lawn also has health benefits for people!  Controlling common weeds that cause allergic reactions ensures a safe place for family activities.

Keeping a weed-free, lush lawn increases the value of your home, a major benefit during stressful economic times and lower home prices.  Curb appeal is one aspect of readying a home for sale that some homeowners forget about.  A beautiful lawn can help your home sell faster, and for a better price.

A healthy lawn will also need less water, and provides valuable green space in cities, to help slow the flow of water into storm water treatment systems.  Rain that falls on a lawn will percolate back into the drinking water aquifer, replenishing it.

For help maintaining your lawn, consider TruGreen.

My Mom recently went through this while hiring someone to take care of their yard.  (They live in Indiana.  I literally can’t do it for them!)   I’m happy to report that, because they did their homework, my parents have been quite pleased with the work from their new landscaper.  Here are some of the things I mentioned that she should look out for, and questions she should ask.

Questions for Lawn Care Service Providers

• Do you have commercial pesticide license?
  • Now, it might seem like jumping the gun to charge right out of the gate with this question, but the answer will tell you much more than whether they are legally allowed to treat your lawn.  It will also tell you if the provider has had some formal training with lawn and garden care beyond mowing his or her parents’ back yard.
  • The license signifies that the provider has been instructed about how to safely apply fertilizers, weed and insect controls-whether organic or synthetic.
  • Also, if they don’t have a commercial pesticide license, they cannot legally apply any chemicals to your lawn.  Period.
• Do you have insurance-business, liability and worker’s comp?
  • This is another biggie.  If the lawn care provider does not have insurance, if they damage something on your property, you may or may not  be able to get the damages repaired.
  • Additionally, if the business owner or  injure themselves on your property, you want to make sure that they have the proper insurance so that you cannot be held liable.
• May I see your portfolio?
  • Now, this one is more important for landscapers that will be doing more work than just lawn care, but it never hurts to see pictures, regardless.
  • Look for clean edging, no mower marks, healthy plants, etc.
• Do you give notice before spraying chemicals?
  • This is especially important if you have children or pets, as you will want to make sure that they are out of harm’s way, and stay off the grass for the specified time.
  • Additionally, you don’t want them to come do a massive weed treatment one week before your big garden party or cookout.  Burned weeds everywhere? Not pretty!
• What is included in each weekly visit?  What treatments are included in my yearly service plan?
  • That might seem like a no-brainer, but it is always good to get in writing what you are paying for.
  • A list of included services will also help you plan any events you have at home.  (You don’t want your lawn care provider to aerate three days before a party, either.)
• Can the service provider do any seasonal garden maintenance, or just lawn maintenance?
  • A little bit of extra landscaping goes a long way toward increasing your home value.  It also makes a home more inviting.  However, many people don’t add extra landscaping because they don’t want to take care of it.  Hiring a lawn care service provider that can help with landscaping maintenance makes caring for your garden much easier.

A thorough interview including the above questions will help you find a lawn care service provider you will be happy to use.  Less time working on the lawn means more time leftover for fun!

What is Lawn Aerating?

Aerating is the process of removing small plugs of soil from the turf.  Core aerators are the best types of mechanical aerators because they remove the soil, rather than pushing soil back in to the ground.  (That is what those little lawn-aerating shoes do.)  Lawn aeration is one of the keys to healthy lawn maintenance.

How does Aerating help your Lawn?

Plants need oxygen as much as they need carbon dioxide, but they need oxygen in their root areas.  As people walk, play football or practice swinging the golf club on their lawn, they compact the soil, squeezing it together and removing spaces that oxygen normally fills.  Plants use oxygen when they metabolize (break down) the sugar they store from photosynthesis.  Without oxygen for this process, plants will literally starve.  In addition to improving oxygen availability for plants, it also improves life for soil organisms.  Lawn aeration allows water to filter more consistently through soil, and helps reduce problems with thatch.

When to Aerate Your Lawn

Depending upon how much foot traffic the lawn in question gets, you may need to aerate more than once a year.  You always want to aerate when the lawn can grow and heal itself from the process.  Aerating a lawn disrupts plant roots and is stressful to the plants in the beginning.  It is best to aerate in the spring and fall—when the plants are actively growing, and it is not too hot.  Warm season grasses grow most during the hot summer, so aerating during the summer works well for them.  Disrupting the plant roots will interfere with their ability to take up water and recover from the aerating process.  Aerating mid-summer requires more careful observation of moisture levels.

How to Aerate your Lawn

It is not a bad idea to hire a professional with a punch-core aerator to aerate the lawn for you.  Most equipment rental places do not have core-aerators that actually remove the core.  Before the professional arrives, however, you need to do some prep-work.  Mow the lawn to a slightly shorter height and give the lawn at least one inch of water two days prior to aerating.  This will loosen the soil and help the lawn recover.   After aerating, continue giving the lawn 1 inch of water twice a week.

Aerating  your lawn at the right time with the proper equipment can ensure that you have a beautiful yard, every season of the year.

However, Atlanta, GA also experiences cold winters, when temperatures often hover around freezing. The city and its surrounding suburbs – including Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Smyrna, Stone Mountain, Decatur, Marietta and more – often experiences cold snaps, with temperatures dropping below freezing for several days. This volatility can be strenuous on plants that grow year-round, and should be taken into account when planning Atlanta lawn care.

Soil type is another factor to consider when making decisions concerning lawn care. The predominant soil type in Georgia is red clay soil, famous for its reddish rust color. This soil is packed with nutrients but can be very hard and difficult to work with. Additionally, excessive over farming along with heavy flooding over the past century have depleted the nutrient rich top soil in many areas in Georgia. This is especially prevalent near Atlanta and the surrounding areas where soil quality is generally considered to be low. Atlanta residents should consider adding compost fertilizers to their lawns to encourage healthy growth. Adding lime to the soil is another technique that Atlanta residents use to soften the soil and make it more workable.

Common Atlanta Lawn Types

• Bermuda Grass
• Fescue Grass
• Centipede Grass
• Zoysia Grass

Common Lawn Problems in Atlanta

• Cold Snaps
• Weeds
• Inadequate Soil pH
• Insect Pests
• Hard, tough clay soil

Helpful Articles on Lawn Care & Maintenance:

• Winter Grass
• How to Choose a Lawn Care Company
• Do-It-Yourself Lawn Repair
• TruGreen Lawn Care
• Controlling Japanese Beetles

How Atlanta Residents Care for Their Lawns
There are a large range of products available to Atlanta residents to help them properly manage their lawn. Many residents spray an assortment of different fertilizers and treatments to help the soil retain its pH balance and to get rid of unwanted weeds; these range from winterizers, to granular fertilizers, to lime treatments and more. Many Atlanta, GA residents also use pesticide treatments to prevent harmful pests such as Japanese beetles, grubs and crickets. Additionally, regular mowing is a common part of Atlanta lawn care for many residents because it keeps grass growing at a healthy rate.

Featured Atlanta Lawn Service Provider
If your lawn problems are too difficult to handle with the above solutions, or if you just don’t have the time to manage your lawn on your own, it might be time to consider calling a professional Atlanta lawn service provider. TruGreen is the Atlanta, Georgia lawn care expert and offers customers a wide range of treatments for their lawns and yards. They can also help with maintenance and landscaping, including mowing the grass, trimming bushes, planting flowers and more. Call TruGreen today for a free lawn evaluation and get an unmatched guarantee.

Liquid lawn fertilizer can dramatically improve the health and appearance of a lawn.

Liquid lawn fertilizers are fast-acting and offer even coverage.

If you pay a visit to your local home improvement store with the goal of finding an effective lawn fertilizer, chances are you’ll feel overwhelmed. Standing amidst the aisle, it may seem as if you’re in fertilizer paradise (or purgatory, depending on how you view lawn care). With so many kinds of fertilizers from which to choose, it’s difficult to make a decision. Liquid lawn fertilizer is a specific type of fertilizer that responds quickly post application. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of liquid lawn fertilizers, so the next time you find yourself in the fertilizer aisle, you’ll be equipped to make a speedy decision.

Liquid Lawn Fertilizer: The Pros

• Because liquid lawn fertilizer comes in the form of a spray, your lawn will receive even coverage, thus decreasing the chance of burning it.
• Again, due to the spray form, it’s the application process is simple.
• Once you spray liquid lawn fertilizer to the roots and leaves, the effect is immediate; your lawn will receive nutrients and ‘perk up’ in no time.
• With liquid lawn fertilizers, the combination of fertilizer and herbicide helps to ward off weeds, too.
• No more breaking your back hauling those hefty bags of granular fertilizer. With liquid lawn fertilizer, the only thing you carry around is the spray bottle (attached to the garden hose).

Liquid Lawn Fertilizer: The Cons

• If you do not have a hose to attach to the container of liquid lawn fertilizer, then it’s essentially a waste of time to buy this form of fertilizer.
• Liquid lawn fertilizers are more costly than other fertilizer forms.
• Because a liquid lawn fertilizer reacts instantly, you must apply it to your lawn frequently. If your lawn is larger, it could mean you’re paying a lot more than you would with other fertilizer forms, in addition to spending more time applying it on a regular basis.

Organic Liquid Lawn Fertilizers

Now that you’ve narrowed your fertilizer search to liquid lawn fertilizer, you have another critical choice to make: organic versus synthetic. Organic liquid lawn fertilizer is derived from animal and plant sources, and it is highly beneficial to the soil (not to mention the environment). There are few disadvantages when it comes to organic liquid lawn fertilizer. Due the fact that the ingredients come from nature, the results are not a fast as synthetic liquid lawn fertilizer, but this is actually an advantage in the long run. Additionally, organic liquid lawn fertilizer has a distinct odor, but it fades away quickly.

When you consider the positive effects that organic liquid lawn fertilizer has on the lawn and the environment, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. But the decision is yours to make-after all, it’s your lawn.

Perhaps now you can march to the nearest home improvement store with a little more knowledge and determination than before. Good luck!

Keep your garden free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers and garden the organic way.

Get the most out of nature and enjoy a garden that is free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

These days, many things come organically. We often hear of organic produce, organic meats and organic health and beauty products. Perhaps the best way to go organic, however, is in your garden. Pesticides, fungicides and herbicides can severely damage your garden and your lawn, but organic gardening works with the garden’s natural system to produce a healthier garden.

If you’re thinking about turning your garden into an organic one, read the tips below and find out if organic gardening is right for you. Chances are, it is!

1. Plan Ahead
   In general, planning is good for any new project you take on, including an organic garden. Think about the elements of a garden that are important to you. Organic gardening incorporates all of nature-it is an eco-system consisting of soil, water supply, wildlife and insects. Think about your organic garden and how it looks and works, and then jot down your wants and needs. This is an effective way to plan, and you can reference your notes and tweak when necessary.
2. All About Soil
   In essence, organic gardening starts with the soil. Soil is the heart of an organic garden. When soil is nourished with organic substances, it becomes fertile and moist. This enriched soil produces a garden that is abundant with healthy plants, flowers and organisms.
3. Compost ­- An Inexpensive & Beneficial Fertilizer
   Kitchen scraps. Grass trimmings. Fallen leaves. Deceased plants and animals. Coffee grounds. Wood chips. What do all of these things have in common? They make great compost-a mineral-rich, dark brown material consisting of decomposed organic matter that is ideal for fertilizing soil and controlling soil erosion. Compost is an important component in organic gardening, as the waste is all natural and full of nutrients. You should mix compost with the soil in your organic garden every week or two.
4. Additional Organic Fertilizers
   Compost, while highly beneficial, is not the only organic fertilizer you can use in an organic garden. For natural fertilizer that is chock full of nutrients, try the following:
   • Bone meal – This is self-explanatory, as it consists of crushed bones. Provides a good supply of phosphorous.
   • Manure - If properly mixed in with the soil, manure from a cow, chicken, horse or sheep is a great way to fertilize an organic garden. (To cut down on the stinch, you can compost the manure first.) A good supply of nitrogen.
   • Epsom salt – A natural approach to increase the amount of sulfur and magnesium in the soil.
   • Compost tea ­- Place compost in water and let decompose. Spray on soil and plants. This nutrient-rich fertilizer is a good supply of microorganisms and humus
5. Out with Herbicides & Pesticides!
   A no-brainer, herbicides and pesticides scream murder on an organic garden (or any garden, for that matter). While pesticides may serve a purpose of some kind, they often kill the good insects that help repel problematic pests. There are safe, natural products on the market, as well as some recipes you can make yourself, that will help your garden flourish the organic way.

• Did You Know? Peppers, catnip and garlic serve as natural pesticides, and corn gluten meal serves as a fungicide and herbicide, as well as a good supply of nitrogen fertilizer.

Now that you’re armed with 5 great tips to turn your garden into an organic one, it’s time to step outside and get to work. Nurturing your garden the organic way not only benefits the environment, but also serves as a fun pastime!

Norfolk, Nebraska is located at an elevation of 473 meters above sea level. It can be an excellent area for a lawn. Although the climate here is not favorable, if the right methods are adopted, you can have a beautiful garden in your yard. There are a number of perennial ornamental plants that are simple to maintain.

Norfolk Lawn Care Tips

A few things have to be taken care of if you want to have a garden or a lawn in Norfolk.

• The right turf grasses, suited typically for warm and cool weather conditions, should be chosen and planted.
• Trees and shrubs should be chosen carefully to suit the soil type.
• It should be known exactly how much effort and time you would be able to devote. Depending on this, you should plant low maintenance plants and perennial ones preferably.

Professional Assistance for Lawn Care and Maintenance

There are professional services that you should avail of in order to maintain your lawn and for the purposes of lawn repair and restoration.

Lawn Care & Maintenance Tips

• Your lawn requires ¾ of an inch to an inch of water per week.  It is therefore important to ensure that it gets this amount of water or else, the soil will start getting dry and arid.  You can set up automatic sprinklers to prevent this from happening. If your yard receives enough rain, you can turn off the automatic sprinkler and save water.
• You can select a cool season grass like blue grass, rye grass and fescues, which are suitable for the climate in Lorton.
• Applying herbicides to control weeds is one of the most crucial things of Lorton lawn care.
• You must plan to dethatch your lawn to combat soil compaction.  Core aeration is another useful method to encourage the grass to grow healthily.
• Fall is the right time for preparing your lawn for winter.

Feeling overwhelmed with looking after your lawn, do not worry. There are plenty of professional lawn care and maintenance services that can maintain your lawn for you. With experts such as TruGreen on your team, you have nothing to worry about. Just sit back and relax your beautiful, green lawn!

Tupelo Lawn Care Tips

Who wouldn’t love a lawn that is bright and green, and good-looking. You too can have such a good-looking lawn, but you need to follow a proper routine of lawn care and maintenance?

The type of lawn mower you pick for your lawn is very important. Here are a few things that should be considered before buying a lawn mower:

• Size of the lawn: Pick your lawn mower depending on the area that you’re going mow. If you possess a larger lawn, then select the ride-on mower, which has a wider cut and saves time.
• Power source: Select the type of power depending upon the power source you prefer. Would you like to buy a gas mower that makes a lot of noise? Or an electric one that makes no noise but will have a wire following you all around the lawn.
• Type of cut preferred: The type of cut preferred by the lawn owner also influences the selection of mower. For perfect shape and a good quality lawn, a cylinder mow lawn is best.

Consider using the services of a professional lawn service company if you are unable to keep up with regular lawn care and maintenance.

The rain that this city gets is very scarce. It is located in a semi-arid area of the country, and experiences long, hot, and dry summers and short, relatively warm winters. This can make lawn care in the area a challenge because the soil jn Odessa can be dry. The irrigation of the yard must be addressed in order to grow a flourishing lawn.

In order to make the soil better suited for growing healthy grass, aeration and dethatching are often necessary. In aerating, holes are punched in the ground, which allows the moisture and air to penetrate through the soil. The best time for aerating is when your grass is growing in full swing, usually in the spring or early summer. In dethatching, the organic matter that is collected between the soil and grass is removed. During this process, a power rake machine, called a dethatcher, pulls out all the organic matter stuck in between the top of grass and the soil. This is important because if the thatch exceeds more than half an inch, it can choke the grass and prevent it from getting the moisture and nutrients that it needs.

Odessa Professional Lawn Care Service

If you need help with your lawn whether residential or commercial, a lawn care service such as TruGreen can help. Odessa lawn care professionals are experienced in the lawn care challenges that are unique to the area’s residents and have tried and true solutions to offer their customers.

Grass that stays green all year 'round, even in the winter, is a real possibility.

Bluegrass, Bermuda grass, bent grass, buffalo grass—short grass, tall grass, summer grass, winter grass—everyone loves a yard with thick green grass!  However, if the many varieties of grass seem overwhelming, then trying to determine what type of seasonal grass to plant may be mind boggling. However, for those living in the northern region of the United States, the harsh winter weather and cold winter regions require specific varieties of winter grass (as do the South and mid-section). One such type is lolium perenne, also known as winter rye grass.

If part of your landscaping plan includes planting winter grass then be aware that perennial winter rye grass is frequently mixed with fescues and Kentucky bluegrass due to its sturdiness and ability to handle abundant foot traffic. Because of its medium-fine texture, bright green color, and ability to grow in a wide range of soil types, winter grass is often planted  in the South as an off season grass to keep the lawns green during the solder months. Winter rye grass grows rapidly with little, if any, soil preparation required. Planting winter grass is also a great way to shore up an embankment around your home. Winter rye grass could replace the well-known Kentucky bluegrass except that it does not “fan out” well, but grows in clumped sections. These clumps do not interact with each other, nor will the winter rye grass spread (or creep) about an open patch of yard because of its chemical make-up. Winter grass, however, does well in area of full sun. During the spring, the winter rye grass will be thick and green, but as the trees are covered in leaves, the shade causes the winter grass to suffer until the leaves fall and sunlight can restore the grass.

Perennial winter rye grass should not be mistaken for annual rye grass. Annual rye grass is cheaper, is quick to grow thick and green but is unable to withstand high heat or extreme cold. When you purchase grass seed, be sure to read the labels carefully as many companies will include annual rye grass (lolium multiflorum) into their mix, resulting in the consumer needing to purchase seed every year. However, it should be noted that for lawns in the South that have centipede grass, annual rye grass is recommended for over seeding and maintain winter “green-up.”

Q&A about Winter Rye Grass:

1. What zones should use winter rye grass?
   Areas 3-9.
2. How many days does it take to germinate?
   5-10.
3. What is winter grass mowing height?
   3-4 inches.
4. How much watering is needed?
   Average amounts; check with your local agricultural extension representative for the amount in your area.
5. How much work is required?
   Winter rye grass is low maintenance.
6. In what type of soil does winter rye grass prosper?
   Loam to clay.
7. How strong is winter grass tolerance to insect and disease?
   Very high.
8. When is the best time to planting winter grass?
   August to September.

A green lawn can be yours! Perennial winter rye grass can make it happen.

Fall lawn care is of utmost importance to transition the lawn from active growth in the fall to healthy dormancy during the winter. The goal of fall lawn care is to help prepare your lawn for winter and for a great spring transition. Here are some tips for fall lawn care.

• Scale back on the fertilizer. You will still want to fertilize, but you will want to select a fertilizer that is specifically for “winterizing.” These fertilizers will have less Nitrogen in relation to Phosphorous and Potassium. Nitrogen promotes top growth, which is why you use more of it during the summer. Phosphorous promotes root growth, which is what you want for your lawn to stay healthy throughout the winter and make a swift comeback in the spring.
• Mow less frequently, but at a shorter height. For our area, most lawns will stay healthy in the fall if cut to a height of about 2 to 2 1/2 inches, as opposed to 3-4 inches during the summer.
• Apply a broadleaf pre-emergent treatment. You can get “weed and feed” products that will help control winter and spring weeds, and give your lawn fall fertilizer.
• Overseed and water bare patches to spruce up your lawn. Areas overseeded in the fall will look good as new in the spring.  Mow the overseeded areas once they are at least three inches tall.  Keep these areas trimmed so that the grass does not succumb to a fungal problem during the winter.
• If your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic (particularly if you have kids!), contract with a landscaping professional to aerate the lawn and top-dress it with compost. This will cut down on thatch problems and compaction, which will keep your lawn healthier and more resilient to insect, pest and disease damage.
• Spot weed control is important in the fall.  Before the ground freezes, dig up larger weeds with taproots (dandelions, in particular) before they have a chance to establish further and burst into bloom in the spring.
• Fall is a good time to aerate and top-dress with compost.  Aeration encourages root growth, water and air penetration.

Landscape Maintenance for the Fall

In addition to lawn care tasks during the fall, it is important to give your landscape the best fall care.  Here are some tips for putting the landscape to bed for the winter.

• Mulch around trees and in flowerbeds to stabilize temperatures, and prevent weeds from sprouting during the winter.
• Remove any broken or dead branches from trees that could be susceptible to breakage during ices storms and heavy snows.
• Mark the edges of your driveway so that snowplows don’t leave an immovable pile for you.
• Empty and bring terracotta and ceramic containers inside where they won’t fill with water, freeze and crack.
• Drain hoses and remove from outdoor spigots.

A few preventative measures in the fall will ensure a healthy start in the spring.

These trees  display some of the most interesting fall color of any large tree. You can have six sweet gums planted in a row, and not one will look the same in the fall. The “gum balls” are a great source of bird food, though they can cause a mess. There are some fruitless cultivars available. These native trees grow to be 90 feet or more, and their roots do grow close to the surface of the soil.

Bottlebrush Buckeye

This shrub is under-used in the landscape.  It is best known for its tall, white flower stalks in the summer. The flower stalks look like big bottle brushes, hence the name. However, this shrub also has pretty fall color, pictured, right. The leaves turn bright yellow. This plant prefers acidic, well-drained soil and a spot in full sun to part shade, and can be maintained to a smaller height than its natural 8 foot by 8 foot spread.

Serviceberry

These are some of the nicest small trees for the garden. They bloom with white flowers in the spring. During the summer, their fruits feed the birds, and in the fall, their foliage turns brilliantly red. These low-maintenance trees grow well in landscape beds close to the house.

Black Tupelo

A native wetland tree, these are medium-sized trees that grow to a height of about 50 feet. The branching habit is distinctive, as the branches grow out from the trunk at strict 90 degree angles, creating a platform or pagoda-like appearance. The fruits of the tupelo are some of the earliest to ripen in the fall, and provide food for many species of birds. The leaves turn dark red to purple, and, in some cases, orange, in the fall.

Red Maple

Everyone loves red maples and sugar maples.  They give the true, brilliant red fall color you see when you drive through the mountains of New England.  Red maples grow to be large shade trees, and need lots of space to spread out.  They grow to be 70-80 feet tall, and grow best in full sun.

Ginkgo

If you plant a Ginkgo in your yard, try your very best to get a male tree.  The fruits on the females drop from the trees in the fall, and commence rotting with a stench of something that can only be described as “vomitous.”  A male tree, though, sited in the right place, is a striking landscape feature-year round.

Plan for Fall Color Now

Plant your fall trees soon so they have a chance to grow and mature throughout the spring and summer, ready to shine in the fall.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the total area of the city is about 7.5 square miles. About 2.16% of those 7.5 square miles is covered by water.

Rhinelander Lawn Tips

Weeds are something that you get along with the lawn; lawn critics like to refer to them as an introductory gift or a gift along with the lawn. One cannot totally avoid the growth of weeds in the soil because they are able to withstand any force of nature. The best suggestion anyone could give is to pick the right weed killer. Weed killers are of two types:

• Pre-emergent weed control
• Post-emergent weed control

Both these products have to be carefully selected depending on the growth and occurrence of the weeds. If you are sure that the weeds are going to show up on your lawn anytime soon then pick a pre-emergent weed control product. However, if you are certain that the weed in the particular part of your lawn will not expand any further then pick a post-emergent weed control product. Now for obvious reasons a post-emergent weed control product is far stronger than a pre-emergent one. You should also see some videos where they explain the perfect way to add a weed control product.

Fremont County School District #25 is responsible for providing public education for the residents of Riverton. The average annual income for a household in Riverton is $31,531.

Riverton Lawn Care Advice

What can one do with a perfect lawn? Play miniature golf on it or just enjoy it for evening naps. I would certainly use it for a sleep under the sky with a loved one. Achieving something like this is rare because getting a lawn of your dreams is a difficult task. The next problem that lawn owners normally face is the problem of soil compaction. Aeration is used to make small holes in the soil thus enabling oxygen, water and nutrients to reach to the roots of the grass. Doing this process annually brings you a step closer to a healthy lawn. Steps to be followed before aeration are:

• The soil which is to be aerated needs to be moist, neither too wet nor too dry.
• If it is a smaller lawn, the use of hand tools for aeration is better for the soil.

Steubenville is well known for its industries and steel manufacturing. The population has been declining for the past few years. The beauty and scenery of this place however is worth watching.

Lawn Care Advice for Residents of Steubenville:

• Proper lawn care requires a lot of effort for lawn maintenance.
• Water the plants properly; too much water is not good for your lawn.
• Apart from watering, fertilizers are very important.
• The plants require nutrition and they need to be free from pests and insects.
• The soil type also plays a very important role.

Steubenville Lawn Care – Consider Professional Help

Steubenville lawn care definitely requires some profession help. Taking care of a lawn is not a piece of cake. It is very difficult to know exactly what goes into lawn care and lawn maintenance. The soil available here is rich in clay and other nutrients, which are very important for proper pant growth and nourishment.

Lawn care maintenance requires a lot of work. The first step for having a proper lawn is to find out the soil type along with the kind of grass that is best suited for the particular soil type. Mowing the grass also encourages growth. Many people offer lawn maintenance services. With a little help, you can certainly take care of your lawn.

Beach Lawn Care & Maintenance – Core Aeration

Core aeration helps to encourage the root growth of the grass.  Beach lawn care service providers offer lawn maintenance service like core aeration, which removes thousands of plugs from the soil. This can help to open passageways in the soil to absorb air, water and nutrition.  It also increases the effectiveness of fertilizers and weed controls.

Prevent Pests In Your Lawn

Fleas and ticks are annoying pests that can cause several problems in your lawn.  Ticks can lay thousands of eggs in their lifetime.  If you have no clue as to how to go about controlling ticks and fleas, consult lawn care professionals such as TruGreen, who can help to reduce the population of fleas and ticks in your lawn.

Maintaining your green and succulent lawn can help to increase the appearance and value of your entire property.  You can spend your evenings relaxing with your family on your healthy, lush lawn.