Turfgrasses provide a welcome respite from the hackneyed monotony of the urban landscape. They’re also prized for keeping heat and pollution at bay. But what do you do if your shady backyard doesn’t accommodate most grass types? Plant carpetgrass (Axonopus)! This…
If it appears that a light blanket of frost has descended upon your lawn, you may be wondering how that could happen when the temperatures are warm outside. The real culprit is a condition called powdery mildew, a fungus that…
From its graceful arches to its beautiful green that lasts throughout the colder months, Hameln fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’) is a popular nesting option for birds. Placing it in your flower beds or at the end of your driveway…
When you are trying to establish a beautiful lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood, you want lush, green grass that looks inviting. Even more important, you never want to see weeds. Often, applying a weed and feed…
Certain spots in many yards can be especially challenging in terms of both functional use and beauty. Sometimes, it’s about lack of sun or too much of it. Sometimes, it’s drainage or soil. Sometimes, it’s just aesthetics or awkward layouts.…
Keeping your lawn in good condition takes year-round care. Applying pre-emergent treatment in the spring is crucial if you want to avoid clumps of crabgrass throughout the summer. You also need to overseed your lawn to keep it healthy and…
It sounds like it should be simple, but too often, it’s not: planting grass seed has been causing headaches for as long as lawns have existed. While planting seeds is cheaper than opting for sod, it requires a larger time investment…
Admired for their ornamental white or lavender inflorescence, hostas are a trendy planting choice among gardeners looking to attract bees and hummingbirds to their yards. Sadly, they also draw in quite a few cutworms that eat through the foliage, leaving…
If you want to redo your garden or give your yard a little TLC, consider adding some fresh dirt. Or, instead, you may opt for something like loam or topsoil for your garden. Although they may seem similar, topsoil is…
If you have ever gone to a garden center and tried to determine what kind of mulch you need for your yard, you may have found yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of different types available. Should you go with…