Creating an environment hostile to pests includes enlisting the help of beneficial insects. These insects keep undesirable pest populations in check through their feeding, as either predators or parasites. Both the adult and immature stages of predators actively search out and consume prey. Parasites help by depositing eggs in or on the host. When they hatch, the host becomes their food source. What can you do to encourage helpful insects? …
Here are the most common weeds and recommendations to eliminate. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) Frequently found in compacted, infertile soils, this light green, low-growing grassy annual prefers cool-season growth, but can be found all year. A sudden brown-out of the lawn in the heat of summer, or prolific seed production in spring, signals its presence. When seeds appear, rake the grass upright, then mow, and bag the clippings. Crabgrass (Digitaria…
Fairy Rings Caused by more than 50 varieties of fungus, the rings vary in size and appearance but all form in damp conditions in soil that is high in woody organic matter, which is usually from buried debris or tree stumps. Look for: Rings of fast-growing, dark-green grass with centers composed of weeds, thin turf, or dead grass. Midsummer and fall rings are more apt to be composed of dead grass….
To encourage high beneficial insect populations design your garden to incorporate a variety of flowering plants rich in nectar and pollen. Choose cultivars with easily accessible pollen found in plants with a single layer of petals or a tubular flower form. Common herbs, wildflowers, and scented plants are all attractive to beneficial insects. Do not clear out dead foliage in the fall, this is an important habitat for beneficial over…
The best time to assess your turf’s state of health is before mowing. As you pick up fallen twigs or remove other items from the lawn, you should take a careful look at any areas that appear wilted, off-color or stand out from their surroundings. If you do note changes, it might not be disease. For instance, brownout of a cool-season grass during high summer is likely just summer dormancy, which…
Many diseases will leave bleached-out, dead turf. When this occurs you not only lose the grass, but you also lose the opportunity to determine what caused the problem. How to Spot Lawn Disease Diseases are progressive in nature, especially during hot, humid weather. It is important to check your lawn regularly if you want to spot disease symptoms early on. Look for spots or banding, color changes, or signs of…
Knowing your local pests and their life cycles is the key to determining whether lawn damage is due to insects. The rest is a matter of keeping your eyes open. Most insects are large enough to be visible, so do not wait for your grass to start dying to find out there is a problem. Look for the Clues The presence of sod webworms may become apparent one evening when…
How Should I Manage the Bugs in My Lawn? Too often, when insects are spotted, they are instantly seen as invaders that must be attacked with various toxic chemicals. While such actions may take care of the immediate problem, they usually create a host of others in their wake. Today, an ecologically sound concept called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is receiving serious recognition and support among home gardeners, professional landscapers,…
Typhula blight (gray snow mold) Strictly a cold-weather disease, typhula blight appears where snow cover has melted, especially in areas where snow has drifted or been piled. Look for: Irregular 2 to 24-inch patches of bleached-out, matted turf covered with moldy, grayish-white mycelium. Embedded in the leaves and crowns of infected plants you will see tiny black or orange-brown spherical sclerotia (hard fungus bodies). Management: Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization in…
A green and healthy lawn starts, literally, from the ground up. One way to improve the look of your lawn is to improve the soil. A technique called topdressing can help you do just that. Topdressing is the process of adding soil or other organic material directly over the top of your lawn. In addition to improving soil conditions, topdressing can help smooth out rough or uneven areas in your…