You hear a lot about “chain reaction” these days. But, believe it or not, the rain here this noon is affecting you, whether you are living in Maine, Florida, or Montana. That may sound a bit mysterious or like a most powerful rain. Actually, it was hardly more than a good sprinkle. But after getting … Read more
As our cities expand, more and more of us in suburban areas come face to face with moles, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, mice, and even rats. All of these animals may burrow in our lawns or gardens. All of them are annoying pests. Common Mole In Garden Let’s look at the mole first. He’s about … Read more
The better your lawn is, the more you’ll enjoy taking care of it. A beautiful lawn is a pleasure because the work you put into it rewards you with a verdant carpet— the perfect setting for a house and garden. The one shown here is the basis of an inspired landscape. The lawn’s smoothness and … Read more
Summer Lawn Care for the North Mowing How often? For bent lawns, mow twice a week or oftener if necessary. For Kentucky bluegrass lawns, once a week. How close? During July and August, Kentucky bluegrass should be permitted to grow taller (1 1/2″ to 2″ inches) to protect roots from heat and drouth. Bentgrass should … Read more
Velvet grass carpets, comparable to those we see at golf and country clubs, result from constant attention and care. Time and money are sometimes available to permit extensive care on home lawns. Yet, many practices considered essential by golf course superintendents are adaptable to home lawn maintenance and will pay dividends in greener and trouble-free … Read more
Reliable manufacturers build their machines to give you at least 10 years of normal use. Yet, so many times, power equipment gets less attention between usings than an ordinary paintbrush. For instance, normal weekly care of a mower, takes far less time than it does to cut your lawn—and can save big repair bills—while season’s … Read more
Interest in power lawn mowers continues to increase each year. As people take more pride in good lawns, they seek quicker and easier ways of mowing. To meet this need, manufacturers have perfected power lawn mowers to the point where there is a reliable machine to fit the lawn and pocketbook of most people. Two … Read more
It seems rather strange that practical tools for aerating the lawn were only made available to homemakers after this. There is nothing new about the principle involved. Soil tends to become compacted for various reasons. This reduces the amount of air in the ground. It also limits water penetration, resulting in the grass becoming shallow-rooted … Read more
Lawn enemies fall into three main categories: None of these enemies is formidable; all are easily routed with the correct “ammunition.” The wise gardener builds a strong “home guard” – a good turf—through proper fertilization, mowing, and watering. When trouble strikes, recognizing the enemy’s nature is half the battle. Japanese Beetle Grubs If patches of … Read more
Despite the widely-held and much-enjoyed belief to the contrary, the secret of luxuriant grass is not necessarily lots of water, certainly NOT quantities of water sprinkled with short-lived abandon whenever the mood hits the hose-happy gardener. Indeed, the best watering practice for your particular lawn may well be not to water. To exercise noble restraint, … Read more