Summer Lawn Management: Watering the Lawn
Water composes from 75 percent to 85 percent of the weight of a healthy grass plant. It is essential for seed germination, tissue formation, plant cooling, food manufacture, and nutrient absorption and...
View ArticleEstablishing Lawns
Producing quality lawns in Virginia can be challenging. Geographically, Virginia is located in what is known as the transition zone for turfgrasses. This means the climate can be hostile to both...
View ArticleSpring and Summer Lawn Management Considerations for Cool-Season Turfgrasses
There is no time of year that generates as much excitement in the management of lawns and landscapes as spring. Sales of all lawn and garden products soar as many homeowners strive for the best looking...
View ArticleFall Lawn Care
Late-summer to mid-fall is the best time to establish cool-season turfgrass. Warm days and cool nights provide ideal conditions for seed germination and establishment of tall fescue, Kentucky...
View ArticleAerating Your Lawn
Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn. Although hand aerators are available, most aeration is done mechanically with a machine having hollow tines or spoons...
View ArticleMowing To Recycle Grass Clippings: Let the Clips Fall Where They May!
Lawn turfgrasses provide many benefits to our immediate environment. Soil erosion control, improved protection of groundwater, improvement of the quality of life through noise and dust abatement,...
View ArticleMaking Compost from Yard Waste
Compost is one of the most valuable resources for beautifying your landscape, and it is virtually free. The leaves you rake, the grass you mow, and the branches you trim are some of the ingredients you...
View ArticleCalibrating Your Lawn Spreader
There are two basic types of fertilizer spreaders for use on the home lawn: the drop and the broadcast.The drop type spreader (shown at left) "drops" a set rate of fertilizer. This type is best suited...
View ArticleSpring and Summer Lawn Management Considerations for Warm-Season Turfgrasses
Soil testing. Sampling the soil to determine pH and nutrient levels is always a prudent choice in developing a management program for a lawn, especially if a soil test has not been done within the past...
View ArticleLawn Fertilization in Virginia
Fertilization of lawns is essential for the production of quality turf in Virginia. However, exceeding recommended fertilizer application rates or improper application timing can negatively impact...
View ArticleSoil Testing for the Lawn and Landscape
This publication is available in a Breeze Presentation. To view the presentation you will need to download the Macromedia Flash Player.Soil Testing for the Lawn and Landscape, Publication #430-540
View ArticleSelecting Turfgrass
A quality lawn results from using the right grass species and/or variety, proper planting and establishment, and sound management. Planting the right turfgrass for your site reduces the need for...
View ArticleLawn Moss: Friend or Foe?
There are thousands of species of moss worldwide. These very simple plants lack the typical leaf, shoot, root, and seed-forming systems of most higher plants; however, they are some of the hardiest...
View ArticleHome Lawn Fertilization in Virginia: Frequently asked Questions
The best way to determine if your lawn requires certain plant nutrients is to get the soil tested. This test is available through your local Extension Agent. It is easy to do and inexpensive. The...
View Article"Leave" Them Alone: Lawn Leaf Management
While we enjoy the beautiful colors associated with fall foliage, we also realize that most of those leaves will soon be on the ground. At this time of year, many turf managers quit managing grass and...
View ArticleCompact Soil Sampling Strategy for White Grubs
Annual white grubs (WG) are early-season pests attacking corn seeds and seedlings (Figure 1). Heavy WG infestations can cause stand and yield losses of up to 20%. Because grubs occur in the soil, their...
View ArticleLawn Fertilization in Virginia
Fertilization of lawns is essential for the production of quality turf in Virginia. However, exceeding recommended fertilizer application rates or improper application timing can negatively impact...
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