Grass Topics Ask Landscape Professional

QUESTION: I have an acre lot with poor soil. My grass will die each year and I then need to reseed yearly. The entire neighborhood has this problem because all the topsoil was taken away prior to construction and poor soil was brought in. I do use fertilizer and do aeration and thatching, but without watering daily through July and August the ground turns hard as concrete and the grass burns and dies. The only people with good lawns in the neighborhood have irrigation and spend 2-3 thousand dollars on water each summer to keep the ground soft during hot months. I would like to switch to Zoysia grass. I know several people that have it and they love it. I do not mind the brown color in winter. They say it will grow in poor soil and needs minimal fertilizer and water once established. This would be perfect if true. The questions I have is, what type of Zoysia is the best for the area we live and where can I get it? Thank you in advance. David

QUESTION: The company that takes care of my lawn uses chemical fertilizers and other treatments and, quite honestly, I'm not certain what they are putting down. Last week after the guy left, he posted yellow warning flags and now I see parts of my yard looking like the picture I sent you. In addition, I have bare patches of soil in various places in the lawn. I'm not feeling very good about this. Can you help explain what I'm seeing? Jon

QUESTION: Part 6: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy

QUESTION: Part 5: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy

QUESTION: Part 4: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy

QUESTION: Part 3: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy

QUESTION: Part 2: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy

QUESTION: Part 1: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy

QUESTION: After over 30 years of trying to make my shaded, sloping lawn healthy, I hired your firm to take care of it. I estimated that it would take about three years to put it in shape, if it could be done at all. This was the third season your company has been working here, and the lawn has far surpassed our expectations - it is lush, green, thick and nearly weed-free in all but the most shaded comers. My wife and I are delighted with the job you and your team have done. Your workers have been thoughtful, careful and thorough, doing their work in a hight professional manner. Please let them know how pleased we are with their work and that we look forward to their continued work here. Thank you and Sprigs & Twigs for your efforts. John G. Old Lyme

QUESTION: Crab Grass has taken over my lawn this year, it was bad last year, but it's even worse this year. What can I do? Missy

QUESTION: We just moved into a new house that has a lawn irrigation system. The previous owners said we should be irrigating the grass now. I'm not so sure; what are your thoughts? Thank you. Katherine

QUESTION: We just moved into our house two years ago and my lawn looks terrible. In one spot, it's full of odd-looking weeds and another spot the grass won't grow at all. Help! Sharon

QUESTION: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy (Part 1 of 4)

QUESTION: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy (Part 2 of 4)

QUESTION: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy (Part 3 of 4)

QUESTION: I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I'd like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I'm worried he's doing something harmful. Thank you. Kathy (Part 4 of 4)

QUESTION: What is the difference between using chemical fertilizers on my lawn and organic ones? Are there really that many benefits to going organic? Laurie

QUESTION: My lawn has brown spots all over where my dog urinates. Is there anything I can do? Thank you for your help. Kristin

QUESTION: What is a 3-, 4-, or 5-step lawn program?

QUESTION: Hi Linda, I always enjoy your column. I have a question for you: We have ants in our lawn. The past few years they have progressively gotten worse despite our efforts to curtail them. We have two small children who play on the lawn daily so we have been hesitant to use any harsh chemicals, but the "green" solutions that we've tried don't seem to make any difference. Any suggestions? Thanks, Mark

QUESTION: Hello Linda. We have a lawn sprinkler system which was turned on the third week of June. In spite of regular watering since then, the lawn is still fairly brown and has many weeds. Do you have any thoughts? Jim

QUESTION: As you can see in the enclosed picture, I am finding small mounds of dirt on my lawn continuously. What kind of animal (rodent) could be causing them and what can I do to eliminate it? R.J. Niantic

QUESTION: Recently I've noticed the spread of moss in a significant part of our grass lawn. What is the best way to eliminate it and ensure that it does not return? Thanks, Terry

QUESTION: Is there any way to deter the invasion of clover in my lawn? Even after mowing it is still so visible. My husband wants me to use weed and feed to get rid of it, but I'm looking for an organic solution, if possible. Thanks! - Meagan

QUESTION: I seeded my lawn this spring, but all that is growing is weeds. What happened and what can I do?

QUESTION: Help! My family cemetery plot lies under a large Oak tree. The grounds beneath it are full of weeds. Can you tell us the steps to restore a healthy grass at this plot? – Janet

QUESTION: In last week's Ask The Landscape Professional, you said that "As part of good lawn turf management practices, we are coming up on the time of year you should be soil testing, aerating, overseeding and dethatching (if necessary)." Why is that?

QUESTION: What are the advantages of aerating, overseeding, and dethatching a lawn?

QUESTION: I have just signed a contract for chemical lawn care from a well-known national company, but I am having second thoughts after looking at the organic lawn care option on your website. What's the story?

QUESTION: I see that you are the only fully organic lawn care & landscape company in SE Connecticut. Exactly what is a fully organic lawn care company?

QUESTION: Last week, you talked about Moles. Are they the same as Voles?

QUESTION: Before my lawn got covered with snow, I was noticing the damage from last summer's mole tunnels. Do moles go away once the cold weather comes?

QUESTION: To save money, my husband is thinking about buying mason's lime at the home improvement store to use on our lawn. Is that OK?

QUESTION: September is the best time of year to plant grass, here are a few lawn tips to help ensure a successful planting.

QUESTION: I had someone do a lawn repair for me this spring; he added top soil and seed. He told me he was using a special coated seed that I didn't have to water. No grass ever grew and my lawn is now full of weeds. What went wrong?

QUESTION: What is the proper height to mow my lawn and what can I do about dead spots in my grass from dog urine?

QUESTION: What is thatch and how much is good for a lawn?

QUESTION: Now that spring is here, I need to buy some grass seed, there are so many choices and different labels, I am always confused about what kind to get.

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