Lawn Care

Fix It Up! : Episode FIX-111 -- More Projects »
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A few simple considerations can lead to a beautiful lawn.
Most homeowners either love or loathe lawn care. For tips on turning a beastly yard into a beautiful lawn, turf expert David W. Byron, Ph. D. discusses common problems and solutions. Byron explains how to correctly evaluate and apply the three key factors to lawn care: weed control, fertilizer, and insect/pest control.

Weed Control


  • Weeds progressively harm grass by competing for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Some varieties of weeds produce flowers and pollens that irritate allergies and may also attract stinging insects that could cause serious pain to any bare feet.
  • The first steps to weed control is to identify the problem, and find out what kinds of weeds are damaging your lawn.
  • The two most familiar types of weeds are grassy (goose grass and crabgrass) and broad-leaved (dandelions, clovers, spurges, and oxalises) weeds. Both weed categories can be controlled by either pre-emergent or post-emergent strategies.
  • Pre-emergent weed control products work before the weed seed comes up from the ground. These are mostly granular products that stop the weed germination process. Check the product label to make sure it is the best choice for your weed problem.
  • Post-emergent controls are products that work after the weed has come up. The weed and feed method is applied through a granular spreader. There are also liquid concentrates available that may be distributed through a hose-end sprayer, pump sprayer, or a hand-held, trigger sprayer for specific applications.
  • Call your local county agriculture extension service for free advice concerning the best time to apply weed control products in your area.

Fertilizer


  • Determine the best fertilizer for your lawn by testing the soil.
    1. Select five to seven different locations, and cut a 5" x 5" square of sod with a knife.
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Figure A
2. Lift the sod and use a hand spade to remove a soil sample (figure A). Put the soil samples in plastic bags.
3. Fill any holes in the ground with extra soil and replace the grass cutting. Water and step on the cutting square to secure it back in place.
4. Mix all the samples together in a bucket and put the sample in a plastic, re-sealable bag.
5. Send the bag to your county extension office for a soil analysis.
  • All fertilizers are labeled with three numbers on the package. The first number stands for the Nitrogen percentage, the second is the Phosphorus percentage, and the third number is the Potassium percentage.
  • Nitrogen promotes top or shoot growth and gives turf a healthy green color.
  • Phosphorous and Potassium encourage healthy and vigorous root systems that help plants survive the winter season.
  • To determine the amount of fertilizer needed for your yard, find the total square feet of your lawn. Break down the area into smaller sections, and multiply the length by the width. Add the totals together for the overall measurement
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    Figure B
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    Figure C
    (figure B).
  • The recommended amount of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn is 1 lb.
  • When you pour fertilizer into a spreader, do so over a concrete slab to avoid spills in the grass that could damage or burn your lawn.
  • There are several ways to distribute fertilizer. Rotary spreaders are a better choice than the drop spreaders because the rotary versions apply the fertilizer more evenly.
  • For a broadcast application, Byron suggests using half the recommended amount of fertilizer and applying it in one direction. Then, add the remaining amount and apply the fertilizer in a perpendicular direction making a grid for maximum coverage (figure C).
  • The best time to fertilize is in the spring and then, again in the fall.
  • When using a liquid fertilizer, spray the fertilizer away from yourself, work away from the treated areas, and never try to distribute fertilizer on a windy day.

    Insect/Pest Control


    • If you notice a problem area such as brown spots, identify, inspect, determine the amount of damage, plan a treatment program, and follow-up/monitor the lawn regularly to make sure the program is effectively working.
    • You can also take a sample of the area or pests to your local lawn and garden center, check with gardening books, or ask your local extension service for help identifying the problem.
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    Figure D
  • Insects feed on the root zone, thatch zone and leaf blades or stem zone of grass (figure D). Notching and brown coloration may be signs of stem zone damage.
  • Always read product labels to ensure the correct use.
  • After you infuse an area with the insect treatment, make sure it's dry before getting back on the grass.
  • Take preventative lawn care measures by watering infrequently but deeply, about 1/2" to 1" of water on the grass. Mow your yard about 1/3 of the blade at a time.
  • Select the correct grass species for your area.
    • Also in this Episode
    Fix It Up! : Episode FIX-111
    •Lawn Care