In ridding your lawn of weeds

One of the common problems in lawns is an abundance of weeds getting ready to take over the grass that is growing in your lawn. Weeds can be prevented and taken out of your lawn through simple methods. However, there may also be an invitation for more weeds to grow in your yard if the right preventative measures aren’t taken in getting rid of weeds in your lawn. Here are ten things that you should keep in mind and not do when getting rid of the weeds in your yard.

1. Don’t mow at the wrong time. One of the ways to encourage weeds to grow is through low mowing. This won’t allow you to see the weeds as they grow, and will cause them to seed easier, spreading faster through your yard. It is also best not to mow right after you have applied a weed killer, as this will cause the killer to be picked up out of the ground, instead of moving into the weeds.

2. Don’t avoid putting fertilization in the yard. If you don’t fertilize your yard, there won’t be enough nutrients available for your grass. The nutrients that are in the soil will go to the more deeply rooted weeds, which will eventually take over the yard.

3. Don’t fertilize at the wrong time of the year. Depending on the type of fertilization that you decide to use, you should put it in at a certain time of year. Most of these are best in the early spring or early fall. If you put the fertilization in at the wrong time, then it may cause weeds to use the fertilization, as the grass will be stressed from the sun or from other factors.

4. Don’t over-water. If the soil can’t soak up the water that you are giving to the grass, then it is a perfect opportunity for weeds to take the extra water for their own growth. It’s important to make sure that the water is all going into the soil and being used for the grass.

5. Don’t have too much shade. By having shade from bushes or trees, weeds will have an extra chance to grow. Many different types of weeds begin in the shade, as they don’t need as much sunlight, then spread to other parts of the yard. By cutting back tree branches and bushes, this will prevent weeds from growing.

6. Don’t apply herbicides with low soil moisture. While herbicides are used to prevent weeds, doing this when the soil moisture is low will cause damage to the grass as well as not be effective in the prevention of weeds.

7. Don’t add herbicides to new sod or to newly planted seed. If you add herbicides or weed remover before the grass has a chance to grow, it will have the opposite effect than what was intended for the growth of the grass.

8. Don’t use the wrong kind of weed killer. If you use the wrong kind of weed killer, it may cause the opposite effect from what was intended, or have no result at all. It may also damage the grass.

9. Don’t use weed killer in the wrong season. If you use weed killer in the summer, it will most likely evaporate instead of moving into the weeds. The weeds also aren’t really growing in the spring and fall, making it easier to kill them and prevent them from growing in the summer.

10. Don’t use the wrong prevention method. There are several different types of weeds, each which thrive in certain types of environments, with several different factors in relation to the nutrients that are available. It’s important to choose the right type of weed killer, and to identify which type of weeds you have. By doing this, you will be able to kill the weeds easier. You will also allow less maintenance time in getting rid of the weeds in your yard.

By knowing the exact method in taking out weeds in your yard, you will be able to follow an easier process for getting rid of the weeds in your lawn. You will also be able to prevent more weeds from appearing without having to do as much maintenance in your yard. By not knowing exactly what to do for weed prevention, you may be inviting more weeds to grow in your yard.

One of the evils naturally attending any landscape endeavor is the fact that weeds need to be taken care of. There are plenty of ways to keep the weeds out, but chances are that at some point you are going to have to do some weeding. Even the best herbicides and the best-laid plastic liners are not full proof. Inevitably it will be necessary to pull weeds by hands. But by making sure that you remove the offending plants, you will have a better-looking landscape over all, and can maintain a well-groomed yard.

The proper way to weed by hand involves getting close to the weeds. This means getting down on your hands and knees and using your hands or maybe a small handheld tool to remove the weeds. Getting close to the weeds allows you to attack each individually while causing very little, if any, harm to your more desirable plants. Additionally, while you are down there, you might as well look at your plants to ensure that they are in good health. Weeding can serve two purposes: getting rid of interlopers and allowing you to be aware of problems to your own plants before it is too late.

You should pull even the smallest of the weeds. It is easier to pull them when they are small. Their roots are less developed, and they have less chance to wreak havoc on your own plants. After all, a weed takes moisture and nutrients that are intended for you plant and then hogs them for itself. If you get the weed when it is small, then it does not have ample time to weaken your plants. It is best to the pull the entire weed out, including roots. Merely snipping them at the base leaves the main problem still in the ground. You can us a small trowel to help you get under the weed. It also helps to water your garden a few hours before hand to help the soil give a little.

Pulling weeds early in the day will help you, as it is cooler and you can start the day off with some invigorating exercise. You should weed regularly, once or twice a week. You could weed every day, but many people do not have time for that. But by setting a regular weeding schedule, you can make it part of your weekly routine and make sure that small weeds do not grow into large, ugly monsters. Dead weeds can be added to the compost heap, as they do not decompose into more weeds. They merely break down into helpful organic material.

Another thing that can help keep weeds down is mulch. Mulch keeps weeds out and it retains moisture in your garden. It is possible to use plastic mulch, and this will almost entirely keep all weeds out. However, it will not return nutrients to your soil, nor is it environmentally friendly. Organic mulch, created from the compost pile, can keep weeds down as long as it is applied thickly. Any weeds that do happen to poke through the mulch are very easy to pull. Paper can be used in mulch, as long as you let it sit in the compost pile with everything else, and it adds extra weed protection. Organic mulch is environmentally friendly, and it acts as a natural fertilizer. Effective composting practices can save you a great deal of money in your landscaping efforts.

Of course, it is possible to use weed killers and herbicides to get rid of weeds in your landscape, or to keep them out. They make use of chemicals and are often the fastest way to get rid of weeds. They are very effective: often the most effective ways to get rid of weeds. Additionally, they require very little effort to apply. It is important, however, to be careful. The chemicals are harmful and if improperly applied can damage your plants. They can also cause you trouble. Be sure that all weed killers and herbicides you use are legal and approved by the government. And read the labels to ensure that you apply them properly and that you utilize proper protection to yourself, as some of the chemicals are harmful if you breathe them in or if they come in contact with your skin.

You may not realize that different types of grasses, just like other plants and shrubs, have different needs and some varieties are more suited to some climates than others. There are grasses that grow better in moderate or moist climates and then other types that do much better in hot, dry locales. If you live in a southerly climate, then here are three grasses that grow well in your area.

1. Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass can be both a blessing and curse. It can be uncontrollable and can invade your flowerbeds and produce an uncontrollable amount of grass seeds. All of this stress and aggravation is worth it though, especially if you have neither the time nor the inclination to nurture your lawn. Bermudagrass can survive for decades with very little care and can also work well as a winter lawn in place of perennial ryegrass. This grass is tough and hardy and is often used on roadsides in the south because of its ability to stand up to real wear and tear with little maintenance.

Bermudagrass needs a warm climate. It is both drought and wear resistant. It is fast growing and the comma Bermuda variety is quite cheap. It does need full sun to thrive and has a very low tolerance for shady areas. Don’t plant Bermudagrass if your lawn does not get a great deal of direct sunlight.

2. Centipede

Like Bermudagrass, centipede is quite low maintenance and does not require frequent mowing or fertilization. It does not, however, grow quickly and it cannot withstand heavy traffic in the way that Bermudagrass can.

Centipede is a tough grass variety that is particularly suited to areas in the lower South and where the soil is quite acidic. This variety of grass can take root where many other grasses have failed. Centipede grass can grow in some shade, but you will get best results if it is full sun or almost full sunspots.

Centipede grass should be fertilized in the spring with low-nitrogen fertilizer. You need to make sure that your fertilizer does not contain phosphorus. The ideal mix to look for is 15-0-15. The ideal pH level for centipede grass is between four and a half and five and a half.

3. Zoysia

Zoysia is a very dark and dense turf and it the most tolerant of cold of the entire southern climate suited grasses. The ideal pH level for this variety of grass is between six and seven.

Zoysia is quite slow to take root if grown right from seed. You can bypass this difficultly by laying sod, rather than growing the grass right from seed. If you decide to go with sees, then you will have to have a great deal of patience.

Zoysia does best in full sun, but there are some sub-varieties that can do well in the shade. The Emerald Zoysia variety has a high shade tolerance. Zoysia also has somewhat of a drought tolerance, though you will need to stay on top of the water level and make sure that you water your grass if the drought lasts longer than a week. Zoysia can deal with some dry spells, but not really lengthy ones. Zoysia grasses should be fertilized in both the spring and the fall.

This variety of grass is the most attractive of the warm season grasses, but it comes at a price. Zoysia grass takes a great deal of care and nurturing on your part to achieve the luxurious look it is known for. If you don’t have the time or energy to devote to this type of grass, then you should probably consider planting one of the other varieties of warm climate grasses.

There are some other warm climate grasses that will do well if you live in a southern climate. There are also some tall fescue varieties that can do well in southern areas too, especially those that are resistant to droughts.

At your local garden center, they should have a mix for your area. Grass companies have spent a great deal of time and money researching the best mix for your area. If you don’t have the time or want to do extensive research into the specific kinds of grass that are best suited to your land, then one of these grass seeds mixtures may be your best bet.

Maybe you’re a first time homeowner and you don’t know a thing about taking care of a lawn. You look at the neighbors lawns and they are beautifully manicured and a beautiful shade of green with nary a brown spot to be found. You think to yourself, “Can I have that kind of lawn?” Sure, you can. There are just a few basic facts that you need to know.

Lawn Seed: You will need to know what type of grass will grow in your climate zone. Not every strain of grass will grow in cooler climates and some won’t thrive in the southern or warmer zone. Investigate what type of seed you need for your soil as well, and is it sunny, shady or a mixture of both? Read the labels on the seed packages; there is important information for you there. Prepare your seedbed and use high quality lawn seed. Re-seed annually and always repair bare patches as soon as you notice them. While you are spreading the seed, shake the box well so the seed mixture is well mixed.

Mowing: Yes there are good and bad ways to mow your lawn. If you are in a drought condition, you shouldn’t even mow, as it would take its toll on the health of your lawn. Mow regularly and avoid cutting too low. Don’t think just because you cut it lower you won’t have to mow as often. If you cut it too low, you leave it wide open to burning or getting taken over by heartier weeds and lawn disease.

Water: Your lawn needs water to thrive just as you do. If you are experiencing a real dry season, be sure that you water your lawn frequently. That goes along with not cutting it too short when you mow.

Fertilizing: The products that are on the market now are normally combined as a fertilizer and a weed killer. Your lawn needs to be fertilized in spring and summer as well as in late fall. Use a fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. Use a spreader and be sure to spread your fertilizer and weed control evenly. Always fill your spreader on the driveway or somewhere else, never on your lawn. That can cause an excess of fertilizer to fall into your grass and leave a burnt spot.

Raking: We all know it is important to rake leaves in the fall or to mulch them. Leaving dead leaves on the lawn could give you ugly looking brown spots when the grass starts turning green in the spring. You also need to rake out old grass, or thatch, during the spring and again in the fall just before the grass goes dormant.

Trim: Yes it is a little extra work to trim the yard but it also gives the lawn a beautiful finished look. A weed trimmer is important to have if you have articles in your lawn that you can’t totally get to with a mower. In addition, if you have a fence it will help your yard look trim and neat and professionally finished.

Weed control: Weed control is a very important factor in having a beautiful lawn. A four-leaf clover might be lucky, but it’s still a weed. Dandelions, broadleaf weeds, and other types of weeds can attack a week lawn. There are very good weed control products on the market today and they are usually noted what type of weed the product was developed to get rid of.

Pests: Your lawn might be infested and you not even realize it. Two types of pests, those that exist above the ground, and those existing below ground. Above ground pests would include the chinch bug, cutworms, armyworms and green bugs. One of the most prevalent below ground pests would be the white grub. Using the right type of pesticide easily destroys all of these.

Tools: Some tools will be a must when you have a lawn. One of course is a mower. You can pick the type of mower that best fits your needs from a hand pushed mower to a self-propelled mower all the way up to a riding mower. Along with a mower, you might consider having a weed blower or vacuum, an edger, a trimmer for a more professional looking lawn and a simple rake. The rake will be used in both early spring and in fall to remove thatch, dead grasses, and raking the leaves in the fall.

Lawn Disease: Yes even lawns get sick and end up with some unusual diseases. Lawn fungus can show up as well as mushrooms. Yes even mushrooms, there seemed to be an abundance of those in my area this year and it did seem strange to see them growing in my lawn. Other types of disease are snow mold, found in the colder climates when the snow sits on the lawn for an extended amount of time. Brown patches will start in a circle and often spread outwards in a circular or horseshoe pattern. Dollar spots are brown small spots shaped like a silver dollar and usually brown or straw colored. These can be found in lawns with a low amount of nitrogen.

If you want to have a healthy, green lawn, then it is best to provide it with the right nutrients in order for it to thrive.  There are several ways in which you can help your grass to remain green throughout the season.  By fertilizing the soil and balancing out the pH in your lawn, it will result in better grass.  Her are five ways in which you can make your fertilizer work for your lawn.

Use fertilizer that is a slow-releasing product.  There are several different types of fertilizers that can be applied to your yard, all which have different qualities in them.  If you decide to fertilize your lawn, then the best thing to use in the spring is a slow-releasing product.  This means that the fertilizer will continue to give nutrients to the ground throughout the season.  By doing this, you will only have to fertilize your lawn once or twice throughout the season.  It will also eliminate weeds from your yard, as they will be replaced by the fertilizer that is in the ground and consistently working on the nutrients in your yard.

Schedule when to put fertilizer in.  Depending on the region in which you live, the climate you have, and the type of soil which you are dealing with, your lawn will need to have fertilizer put in at different times of the year.  Some of the fertilizer provides the best nutrients in the spring, where the nutrients can be soaked into the soil for the season.  Other types of fertilizer is best put in before the winter season as it will provide nutrients to the grass throughout the ice season when your grass is getting ready to hibernate for the winter.  If you schedule out the right times for your lawn fertilizing maintenance, it will allow for better growth throughout the season.

Using weed control fertilizers.  There are several different types of fertilizers that can be put in the ground for the main purpose of eliminating weeds from your yard.  By doing this, you will have to do less maintenance on your lawn when weeds start to show up on your grass.  It will also prevent weeds from slowly appearing throughout your yard and taking the nutrients that are intended for the grass.  By applying weed control at the same time as regular fertilizer, it will help provide more nutrients for your grass.

Spread the fertilizer evenly.  There are spreaders available in order to spread the fertilizer evenly throughout your entire yard.  If this is not done, it will cause grass burn in some places from too much fertilizer being placed, and not enough fertilizer in other places will cause more weed growth, and less nutrients to be able to go to the grass, causing brown patches.  This is especially important if your yard is sloped, as the unevenness can cause problems in how much fertilizer is put in each area.

Know how much fertilizer to apply.  It’s important to know the pH of your soil, as well as the type of soil that you have.  You can measure the type of soil by seeing the thickness which it has.  The soil can be anything from sandy, to silt, loam, or clay.  By knowing the texture and thickness of your soil, you will be able to tell exactly what kind of fertilizer you should apply and how much of it you will need in order to change the balance of your soil and allow for more growth and greener grass from your lawn.  By measuring out how much fertilizer you need, it will help to prevent a lack of nutrients or too much fertilizer throughout your yard, which can cause problems.

By knowing what type of yard you have, as well as knowing how much fertilizer to apply and when the best time to apply it is, you will be able to have greener grass and a better, healthier lawn throughout the year.  If you choose not to fertilize your yard, it can cause several problems, such as brown patches, a lack in nutrients, weeds, and problems with water being absorbed into the ground.  Fertilizer is known to help the yard to look greener and have better nutrients year round.