![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mnVUl0CqyXWxp5wWfdziA96vh-8qjH5TECtrUDWiWRBvD8-FPqEIusBfQ5Jli3lIKpnjV1mI4MtRHIlS8jzEE6S2Bp_elqOKdL7TRp458YubkAgMQc14tRippU32mZo-DRdfDjdA\")
Whether you call it hay fever or allergic rhinitis, grass allergies can make spring and early summer miserable for allergy sufferers. Knowing the causes of your grass allergies may make it easier to deal with them. What causes grass allergies? The simple answer in most cases is grass pollen. Pollen allergies are the most common. […]
\n","content":"\nWhether you call it hay fever or allergic rhinitis, grass allergies can make spring and early summer miserable for allergy sufferers. Knowing the causes of your grass allergies may make it easier to deal with them.
\n\n\n\nWhat causes grass allergies? The simple answer in most cases is grass pollen. Pollen allergies are the most common. Plants, including grasses, release pollen to fertilize other plants. The Weed Science Society of America says, “For the 40-50 million allergy sufferers in America, inhaling airborne allergens can produce a variety of allergic symptoms. Because pollen grains are small and buoyant, they can remain airborne for hundreds of miles.” Breathing in pollen triggers an allergic reaction. and this can cause your immune system to attack.
\n\n\n\nGrass allergies can also cause rashes. This often happens when the skin comes into direct contact with grass. The rashes are usually raised welts or hives, sometimes red and itchy. This kind of grass allergy can also affect your pets.
\n\n\n\nIn rare cases, a grass allergy can cause a reaction similar to anaphylaxis, which is defined as an acute reaction to an antigen. This can occur when grass proteins enter the bloodstream through scraped skin.
\n\n\n\nGrass pollen season usually happens in northern climates of the United States in late spring or early summer. Grasses can pollinate in the southern United States throughout the year, triggering allergy symptoms in any season.
\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to grass allergies, you can treat and decrease the symptoms. The best treatment for is prevention. This means avoid coming into contact with grasses that trigger an allergic reaction. This can be challenging since unlike food allergies, it’s nearly impossible to avoid spending time outdoors. Here are some tips for times when avoiding grass is impossible:
\n\n\n\nHave someone else mow your lawn, and keep your lawn as short as possible. Shorter grass usually releases less pollen. Shield your skin and eyes from grass pollen by wearing protective clothing. This includes long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses. This is especially important when you know you’ll be in contact with grass. Dry laundry inside rather than outside. Clothes, towels, and sheets can attract pollen.
\n\n\n\nYou can track pollen counts in your area online or through your local forecast. On days when the grass pollen count is high, stay inside if possible. If that’s not possible, consider wearing a face mask. This will help protect you from inhaling pollen and other allergy-causing particles.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ahhKSmBFL3TXV_XDmhPhSrtxHNle-Gw4SDnWuY0LwYCUTOLFSnEHPb3i_hac6RKuyCtM2y4BB_peQCtI1N6gaL7D25yaYN5Do79KFuPd4B-Udr4PqVufXcZKpSza43gAfSL0qa_S\")
To keep from bringing pollen into your home, remove shoes and change your clothes after spending time outdoors. Showering is also a good idea to wash pollen from your skin and hair. Use a towel to wipe off pets before allowing them inside, and keep them off your furniture and bed. Wash sheets and vacuum carpets at least once a week.
Keep doors and windows closed during lawn mowing and yard work sessions, and when pollen counts are high. If you have air conditioning, replace the filters every few months. Consider using filters designed to trap smaller particles such as pollen. These are called “high energy air particulate filters,” or HEPA for short.
\n\n\n\nFor mild allergic reactions and seasonal allergies, you can use over-the-counter medications to treat the symptoms. Options include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays. Some of these may have side effects such as drowsiness. For more severe or longer-lasting problems, you may want to ask your doctor for help. Possible treatments include nasal corticosteroid sprays, prescription antihistamines or decongestants, and allergy immunotherapy. If you’re experiencing chest tightness or trouble breathing, get medical attention right away.
\n\n\n\nAllergy shots are the most common and most effective type of allergy immunotherapy. The shots, called subcutaneous immunotherapy, deliver a small amount of an allergen into the skin of your arm. The amount of allergen gradually increases over time. This helps your body build up a tolerance to the allergen. Because of the slight risk of anaphylactic shock, allergists administer the shots in their office. The course of treatment lasts several years, but it has proven effective in reducing or eliminating allergic reactions. Allergy tablets (sublingual immunotherapy) work in a similar way. Instead of shots, tablets that dissolve under the tongue deliver the allergen.
\n\n\n\nKnowing the causes of grass pollen allergies and ways to help prevent them can go a long way in easing your symptoms. It may just help you get through allergy season with a lot less suffering.
\n","title":"Grass Allergies: The Causes and Cures","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5005861664712778,"src":"/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/1789c/meadow-123280_1280.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/107df/meadow-123280_1280.jpg 320w,\n/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/293e9/meadow-123280_1280.jpg 500w,\n/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/f2cbb/meadow-123280_1280.jpg 800w,\n/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/1789c/meadow-123280_1280.jpg 960w,\n/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/356ef/meadow-123280_1280.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/1dd6e/meadow-123280_1280.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/67b76/meadow-123280_1280.webp 320w,\n/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/8df11/meadow-123280_1280.webp 500w,\n/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/98a65/meadow-123280_1280.webp 800w,\n/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/1dd6e/meadow-123280_1280.webp 960w,\n/static/7e20ee085c12c69df0474ef77e8bacc1/93f70/meadow-123280_1280.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Grass Allergies: The Causes and Cures | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}},"relatedPosts":[{"node":{"id":"3d7c66c6-7f93-5c24-9a14-70ebfef9e2c1","slug":"diagnosing-treating-dogs-grass-allergies","path":"/lawn-care/diagnosing-treating-dogs-grass-allergies/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Vivienne Rañola","id":"7e748cb1-86ec-5afc-8d05-06e942e50c7e","path":"/author/vivienne-christine-ranola/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87b107c04d816821656cfe91b5698bfa?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"October 9th, 2019","excerpt":"If you have ever watched your dog excessively sneeze, scratch, and lick its paws, you’ve wondered what’s going on. You may find the two of you have something in common. As you blow your runny nose and rub your watery eyes, cursing the outdoors, your four-legged buddy may be suffering right alongside you. Dogs can […]
\n","content":"\nIf you have ever watched your dog excessively sneeze, scratch, and lick its paws, you’ve wondered what’s going on. You may find the two of you have something in common.
\n\n\n\nAs you blow your runny nose and rub your watery eyes, cursing the outdoors, your four-legged buddy may be suffering right alongside you. Dogs can get seasonal allergies, too.
\n\n\n\nThe culprit may be right under your dog’s paws. Grass allergies are the second-most common canine allergy (right after flea sensitivity).
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XCXPM8-SERDg3bdXvTmKDN6GJK6NTgMpLHw0MIBdfEBm39PnQ1ueU2TjBPW4O5jB_sIbiOcRPDX6B31W-WxAAwg0AIIm_K_5pLUTlbP8l4tHycCaixiDNywa4OqjWlaDwkApw5c9\")
Dogs suffering from endless itchiness may scratch until they harm themselves. Anytime a dog with no sign of flea bites or known food allergies displays signs of excessive itching skin, dog allergies may be the culprit.
\n\n\n\nUnlike human allergy symptoms, dogs’ allergic reactions are primarily topical — on the skin. Common symptoms of grass allergies include irritated skin, either in isolated patches or spread all over a dog’s body. Watch for redness, hot spots, and bare patches from constant scratching, licking, and biting.
\n\n\n\nOne of the most challenging aspects of grass allergies in dogs is that they can show up out of the blue, even if you don’t have a yard. Some dogs are more susceptible to grass allergies than others. Bulldogs, German shepherds, Irish terriers, pugs, retrievers, and setters are all at higher risk than other breeds.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/SFeDQchITWvBSGfyKHfuJzs2B9pdxUJisbP-J5XzdBObT1B6oo6F619t9_9Ph7vpT25FFqEk5DrWQhUKWdTOkS8KnaTEdti0ivjzymhI-9K8LWio2SWl4ZLJ5DJlhTQNNPLK8DdY\")
A dog’s allergies to grass can manifest as mild allergic responses such as skin irritation to full-blown condition vets call canine atopic dermatitis (more commonly, allergic dermatitis or canine atopy). Atopy shows up in hair loss and skin infections from incessant scratching. The bottom line? When your dog’s symptoms reach this level, it’s time for a trip to the doggy dermatologist.
\n\n\n\nThere’s no need to panic about the grass you see your dog eating. Grass allergies have nothing to do with the grass underfoot, but rather the seasonal pollen released by the seedheads of unmown grass left to grow to maturity. Of course, there are other pollen-borne environmental allergies that can affect dogs. If you see the symptoms, have your dog tested.
\n\n\n\nPollen is almost invisible as it travels in the air, sometimes over great distances. This is why your dog can suffer, even if you don’t have a yard at home. Grass pollen affects dogs that inhale it into their lungs. It can also create contact allergies when it touches your dog’s skin. This is why it is important to bathe him or her often and wipe down your dog’s legs and paws each time they come in from outside.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XXGTvKtIDgzs-Nfo3gee15Yb2WdXhTPm1OZ2mYRpjUwp_A-jk1-lH6DMif1VnE7pXMqQVZemYd1_XchAxATgxOPpI7tqKhLNksNDsobwlV8C8dI-tjXXxL8RdW3FdwM4MMFId84z\")
Visit a veterinarian if you suspect your dog suffers from a grass allergy. But be warned that getting a conclusive diagnosis of a specific allergen can be difficult. Most vets will recommend an eight- to 12-week elimination diet to rule out food allergies. By the time you’re done, the allergy season may be winding down. Allergy testing includes intradermal skin testing or blood testing. Some vets prefer to offer treatment first to see if it helps clear up the symptoms.
\n\n\n\nYou can help by paying close attention to and keeping track of your dog’s allergy symptoms. It’s important to note when the symptoms started, and when they subsided. Let your vet know if your furry family member displayed any secondary symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, or snoring.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DZW--zdGe5UJTstbCQpjaeCeM4W5ki8Hj61BekJ5wn3DKNwLaVcEeXax2PmzJiDJc-qhG0PPw7nTqXO6bloOcjjCQTvF_RL6d6wXECoYo1qRSVI9ymXopdDKq5zLgeKK4Z0N_4n_\")
Clinical treatment for a dog with grass allergies usually starts with antihistamines and large doses of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have an anti-inflammatory effect, and antihistamines ease itching. In severe cases, your vet may recommend a steroid shot, such as Apoquel. While steroids can cause side effects such as increased ear infections, Apoquel is considered safe and effective.
\n\n\n\nAccording to Dr. Nicole Eckholm, a veterinary dermatologist at Pet Emergency and Specialty Center of Marin in San Rafael, Calif., “Seasonal allergies cannot be cured, but they can be successfully managed in most cases.” She recommends allergy shots, known as immunotherapy, as the first line of defense. Up to 80% of dogs respond favorably to allergy shots.
\n\n\n\nUnlike other allergies, it’s almost impossible to avoid exposure to grass pollen. If your dog has a grass allergy, take the time to treat it and use preventive measures to limit contact. A side benefit: You’ll have a reason to enjoy rainy days. Heavy rain clears the air so your pooch and romp outside without reservation.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Tony Alter, CC 2.0
\n","title":"Diagnosing, Treating Grass Allergies in Dogs","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4479638009049773,"src":"/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/1789c/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.jpg","srcSet":"/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/107df/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.jpg 320w,\n/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/293e9/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.jpg 500w,\n/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/f2cbb/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.jpg 800w,\n/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/1789c/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.jpg 960w,\n/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/356ef/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/1dd6e/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/67b76/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.webp 320w,\n/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/8df11/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.webp 500w,\n/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/98a65/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.webp 800w,\n/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/1dd6e/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.webp 960w,\n/static/5b7bd4d7f2a06a3f887cc38a3f60ab0f/93f70/rsz_dog-grimace-tony-alter-cc20.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Diagnosing, Treating Grass Allergies in Dogs | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"f608fbe5-2120-5d01-a50c-a9820f45fa6e","slug":"difference-between-dead-and-dormant-grass","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/difference-between-dead-and-dormant-grass/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jill Ramone is a landscaper who specializes in designing sustainable yards for busy homeowners. She prides herself on using eco-friendly products to control weeds and pests.","name":"Jill Ramone","id":"4c71091e-0a16-561f-8bdf-528214955c18","path":"/author/jillramone/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0caf6c31bc9563a294dd509633a793c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"84a346a7-9ce4-5d70-a95f-abcea3779ced","name":"Pests and Diseases","count":10,"path":"/category/pests-and-diseases/"}],"date":"October 9th, 2019","excerpt":"Grass can go kaput any time of year. The hot, dry conditions of summer can leave grass brown and unappealing. Winter snow mold and thatch buildup can leave your grass with dead spots. But is it really dead? Or just dormant? Before taking any action, it’s worth your time to determine if you have a […]
\n","content":"\nGrass can go kaput any time of year. The hot, dry conditions of summer can leave grass brown and unappealing. Winter snow mold and thatch buildup can leave your grass with dead spots. But is it really dead? Or just dormant?
\n\n\n\nBefore taking any action, it’s worth your time to determine if you have a dead lawn or just one that’s taking a nap. You don’t want to rip up a living lawn. Nor do you want to waste time mowing, watering, fertilizing, and trying to revive grass that isn’t coming back.
\n\n\n\nDead grass and dormant grass look much the same. It can be tough to tell the difference, but here’s what the experts say about discerning dead from dormant.
\n\n\n\nDeath is final. But dormancy, while it can look similar, is your lawn’s natural reaction to stress. Even warm-season grasses may turn brown due to the stress of summer’s hot, dry conditions.
\n\n\n\nIf less than half your lawn is dead or you can see surviving green shoots among the brown, crunchy blades of grass, it’s worth a try to save it. It will be less costly than re-sodding the entire lawn. Aerate the lawn. Power aerators work best. Rent one if you don’t own one. Raking the yard will help remove much of the dead grass. Be sure to take up thatch and other debris. Add new grass seed where needed and fertilize and water.
\n\n\n\nIf the entire lawn is dead, there’s no way to save it. It’s time to start over by re-seeding or re-sodding the entire area.
\n\n\n\nDormancy is a lawn’s reaction to heat and a lack of water. The plant gives all its resources to the roots, rather than the leaves. While brown grass may not look very appealing, dormancy is normal and usually lasts around four weeks. As the season’s change and weather conditions become more ideal for grass, your healthy lawn should return. Still, there are some things you can do to push it along a bit.
\n\n\n\nStay away from weed killers and herbicides during dormancy. It can damage already stressed lawns, and it may turn out insects weren’t the problem after all. Kelley Klopp of the Utah State Extension office says, “It is often difficult to diagnose insect problems when the grass is dormant. Be certain you are dealing with an insect problem before using insecticides, and always read and follow label directions.”
\n\n\n\n![\"Watering](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Andw9lRYwcV2ira3fBZXtJbm0tik_FO1QDPhsTv36DbNUSEpQ8J3EOf6TygqImw1exrMUgvfHpHPH5_7qseCijSk4J0Cv2psjB1jEMRWalCOjdiTAx1Q8oKuPuueIeeaUoGrqmHW\")
You can change the design of your yard to help your lawn make it through a drought. Reduce the setting on your mower blades and keep the grass a bit longer. Reduce slopes, if possible, so water doesn’t run downhill and off the grass. Put a greater distance between trees and shrubs and prune regularly, keeping shade to a minimum. And add good topsoil, if necessary.
\n\n\n\nAlso, consider the climate where you live and choose an appropriate turfgrass. Cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue, thrive in temperatures between 68 and 77 degrees. Building a lawn from these varieties in a hot, dry climate can send them into dormancy early. It can also cause the grass to die. They fare much better in northern parts of the country.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses work well in temperatures of 80 to 95 degrees, as they’re more drought-tolerant. They include Bermuda grass, Buffalo grass, and Zoysia grass, one of the better turfgrasses for hot climates. These lawns are usually started from sod, as they are more challenging to grow from grass seed than cool-season types.
\n\n\n\nBefore you ask “Why is my lawn dying?” make sure it’s not just taking a nap. With a little TLC (tender lawn care,) you’ll have a green lawn again before you know it.
A telltale chill in the air first thing in the morning signals that fall is quickly approaching, with winter not far behind. Truthfully, the idea of fall and winter makes me a little sad. With the change in seasons comes the annual winterizing of the garden that transforms my yard into a somewhat depressing, lackluster […]
\n","content":"\nA telltale chill in the air first thing in the morning signals that fall is quickly approaching, with winter not far behind. Truthfully, the idea of fall and winter makes me a little sad. With the change in seasons comes the annual winterizing of the garden that transforms my yard into a somewhat depressing, lackluster space. But there is a cure…plant flowers specifically for the winter that flourish in the cold!
\n\n\n\nGardeners in warmer, southern climates certainly have winter gardening easier than those of us who have chosen to withstand snow and freezing temps. They have a much wider selection of flowering plants suitable for their climates. Finding plants hardy enough to survive single-digit temperatures is more challenging, although not impossible. It just takes some research and a bit of creativity to design a flowering winter garden.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/crocuses-snow-peter-stenzel-flickr-cc20.jpg\")
To make it easier on you, I’ve gone ahead and done some of that research for you, listing some of the best plants for winter flowers and color in the cold weather of northern and transitional climates.
\n\n\n\nThe plants have been divided into two categories: those suitable for the northern hardiness growing zones 4, 5, and 6; and plants suitable for the transitional area of the country encompassing the hardiness growing zones 6, 7, and 8. Plants in the northern zones can be planted in the transitional zone. However, the plants listed under the transitional zone are not hardy enough to survive through the harsher northern winters.
\n\n\n\nIf you are unsure which hardiness zone you live in, you can use the USDA interactive map to determine it.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/flowering-kale-terren-in-va-flickr-cc20-1024x683.jpg\")
To get the most color during the winter, opt for some of the following plants. They add color to your garden through their decorative foliage, brightly-colored berries, and/or cold-tolerant flowers.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/camellia-bud-snow-ruth-hartnup-flickr-cc20.jpg\")
All of the plants mentioned for the frozen north can be planted for winter color if you live in the transition zone, as your winters are typically milder. These next three specimens are a little less hardy than the aforementioned plants but will tolerate your winter climate.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/snowdrop-329712-c-Tony-Atkin.jpg\")
While fall bulbs are a great way to add late-season winter color or early-season spring color to your yard, these bulbs usher in spring but won’t brighten your yard all winter.
\n\n\n\nSome annual plants can also hang around long enough to provide some winter color in your garden. Anyone who has planted a viola, a pansy, or snapdragon in their flowerbeds understands the tenacity of these plants. They are grown as annuals but will survive well into the cold months if left to grow and easily reseed to self-propagate for the following spring.
\n\n\n\nMain photo credit: “Snowy cotoneaster,” Liz West, CC 2.0
\n","title":"14 Winter Flowers and Plants to Color Your Garden","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.521311475409836,"src":"/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/1789c/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/107df/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.jpg 320w,\n/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/293e9/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.jpg 500w,\n/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/f2cbb/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.jpg 800w,\n/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/1789c/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.jpg 960w,\n/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/a48d1/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.jpg 3248w","srcWebp":"/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/1dd6e/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/67b76/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.webp 320w,\n/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/8df11/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.webp 500w,\n/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/98a65/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.webp 800w,\n/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/1dd6e/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.webp 960w,\n/static/8dd99d3868e4a0dfd16f41dccdf1169d/e5a0e/cotoneaster-liz-west-flickr-ccc20.webp 3248w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"14 Winter Flowers and Plants to Color Your Garden | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"d51626b4-31cf-532e-a90e-587dd42960c6","slug":"benefits-xeriscaping-your-lawn","path":"/blog/landscaping/benefits-xeriscaping-your-lawn/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Kelly Holland","id":"87ed81cb-6dc6-5b6f-8673-e295fb5aa8f3","path":"/author/karen/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a7bdc84bcad759506a493dca25650999?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d4fa4848-36b3-57c3-925d-ae36e49e878f","name":"Garden Landscape","count":8,"path":"/category/garden-landscape/"},{"id":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"October 14th, 2019","excerpt":"Keeping a lawn healthy and green through the height of a hot summer, is hard enough. It gets even harder if you live in a drought-prone area such as Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, or Texas. That’s why xeriscape landscaping is so popular in those areas. Xeriscaping doesn’t mean you have to fill your yard with cacti; […]
\n","content":"\nKeeping a lawn healthy and green through the height of a hot summer, is hard enough. It gets even harder if you live in a drought-prone area such as Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, or Texas. That’s why xeriscape landscaping is so popular in those areas. Xeriscaping doesn’t mean you have to fill your yard with cacti; it just means you use plants and landscaping that needs little water. So if you’re ready to give up those water-hungry plants and lower your monthly water bill, join the crowd.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1a-vG2kR6WgTmvVLrtHGejLDqaXJP7j2caONyxpIKfaY03T4HnZ3oBoykjLVJghuVhJDwX-4j3Q65fY9n-qnuvSwzp47hMKKBDboA6msh62_4igT70m74vd0WECRDRi5yHHlR39X\")
The term “xeriscape” comes from the Greek word “xeros,” meaning dry. Denver Water, the city’s utility service, coined and copyrighted the word in the 1980s when Colorado was experiencing a worse-than-usual drought. The water department looked at the soil in most yards, (clay soil doesn’t absorb water quickly), and the types of sprinkler systems people were using. The city began by offering rebates to people who used drip irrigation and turfgrass that requires little water. You’ll notice by the front of the office, the utility practices what it preaches.
\n\n\n\n“Traditional Kentucky bluegrass is lush and hardy, but it requires a substantial amount of water in our semi-arid climate,” according to Denver Water. “One way to use less water is to reduce the amount of bluegrass turf in your landscape. Native or low-water-use plants, patios, decks, or mulches can beautify your landscape while saving water. Also, try planting turf such as buffalo grass, blue grama grass, turf-type tall fescue, and fine fescues to reduce water use in your landscape.”
\n\n\n\nThe North Marin Water District, which provides water to Novato and other communities just north of San Francisco, offers a “Cash for Grass” program that pays rebates to customers who remove lawns and plant approved low-water plants instead. In 2019, almost 15,000 square feet of turfgrass were converted.
\n\n\n\nThe district also saw xeriscaping as a way to stop people from fertilizing their lawns and gardens. Native plants and grasses are adapted to the soil, so they need few amendments. What little they need can be provided by grass clippings and other organic matter … things that won’t harm the ocean or waterways.
\n\n\n\nAs long as you’re making your lawn water-wise, go a step further and make your garden more efficient. Plant drought-resistant plants such as agave, juniper, yarrow, and lavender. Many herbs and spices are also drought-tolerant, such as thyme, sage, and oregano. The native and drought-tolerant plants will also attract local wildlife and pollinators to your garden.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZEhlju3G6ZCAaw6jn0gF2iZIqU1ztxS2JYJ6ajV9qWS-KrBC-xAfbEPjHrfGxAVLpjz0WqDPWLQqTkfa_foDgJQcwANxKrtTtNGVAQxl5yDwbCgOuaV0Z-am26dM57JqO8OkkT2L\")
If you’re ready to take the plunge and xeriscape, don’t rush out and dig up all your flowers and turf. Start by mapping out your yard, noting where the shade trees are and which areas get the most sun. It’s also a good idea to see how much rainfall your yard gets in a typical year. You want plants that will thrive with the water nature provides.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re not crazy about drought-tolerant grasses, consider a rock garden or mulched border around your patio and yard. Mulching around trees and plants helps keep moisture from absorbing. Plant ground covers around sloped areas to prevent any water from running off. While a completely hardscaped backyard may sound appealing, check with your city or county. Some municipalities, including Austin, Texas, require a percentage of your land to be landscaped, to prevent rainwater from pouring into the street.
\n\n\n\nThe Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as much as 50% of irrigation water usage is wasted. By opting for a xeriscaped yard, you can save hundreds of gallons of water from being squandered over just one scorching summer. So go ahead and plant a cactus and other succulents. Your lawn will look sharp for years to come.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Downtowngal, CC-by SA-3.0
\n","title":"Benefits of Xeriscaping Your Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.549636803874092,"src":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1789c/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/107df/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 320w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/293e9/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 500w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/f2cbb/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 800w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1789c/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 960w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/356ef/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1dd6e/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/67b76/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 320w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/8df11/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 500w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/98a65/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 800w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1dd6e/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 960w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/93f70/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Benefits of Xeriscaping Your Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"955df50b-3a49-5c55-b019-eb27187a6285","slug":"keep-outdoor-faucets-freezing","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/keep-outdoor-faucets-freezing/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Frank Naper is a nature enthusiast who loves to travel and explore new cities, taking nature photographs along the way.","name":"Frank Naper","id":"548facf1-0faf-5729-a658-167972066913","path":"/author/frank-naper/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/905ec21d5a8e70f5f8486364c08aa6b2?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"6fc58ffa-eaae-56a2-a670-d6f84e2bb962","name":"Cold Climate","count":4,"path":"/category/cold-climate/"},{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"}],"date":"October 8th, 2019","excerpt":"Thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit is the magic temperature that puts your faucets at risk. If you and your pipes and faucets are not ready when the cold weather hits, you could end up paying the plumber a lot of money to fix the water damage. Here’s how to keep your outdoor faucets from freezing in the […]
\n","content":"\nThirty-two degrees Fahrenheit is the magic temperature that puts your faucets at risk. If you and your pipes and faucets are not ready when the cold weather hits, you could end up paying the plumber a lot of money to fix the water damage. Here’s how to keep your outdoor faucets from freezing in the winter.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/O1TWH61XpDdiFBQGLmJDSGl_w5Ks3bz9YRiCiJF8YPnf14mneyiSWMI3PlrEYMBR0fLh-OAAypzKxPacHs0EU-w34mHZfjc3wMqDD7D97FgQD-yFVhIUuRKlTQHlW83saCzSMsQq\")
First, let’s go back to middle school science class to understand what happens to your faucet when water freezes. Not only do freezing temperatures make the metal in your faucet more brittle, but it also changes the water too. Scientists at the International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam are the expert on what happens to water in different conditions. They explain that as water begins to cool, like most liquids, it shrinks. But when the temperature drops below freezing, that changes. “When liquid water is cooled, it contracts like one would expect until a temperature of approximately 4 degrees Celsius is reached. After that, it expands slightly until it reaches the freezing point, and then when it freezes, it expands by approximately 9%,” says the IAPWS. It’s like your water pressure on steroids. That 9% expansion is bad news for your outside faucet, and that’s why winterizing is necessary.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ud3jrOn9iFhnvA1pTOKAeQWyQL3bJlEovDdA1R9wR7-felw7mu_7vxwlT3tXQCDQkzudZMWPrg0sz3UlX-wZ83l_gUINWpONkSQHNxccY_9rxQapuN1IXlOUfh9luqRPwoWpQU69\")
There are two to-do lists here.
\n\n\n\nIf you live in a cold part of the country, such as New England or the Upper Midwest, you’ll want to follow both lists.
\n\n\n\nIf you live in a warmer part of the country, like Texas or Florida, you’ll need to follow only the second list because your exterior faucet will only be at risk for days, or at most, weeks, during the cold months.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re in Miami or Honolulu, you can go back to the pool and stop reading.
\n\n\n\nPeople in warmer areas probably need access to your faucet and water supply sooner than folks who live in the deep freeze. But be careful, many cities and counties have watering restrictions in place year-round).
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3467jMMZnZLxCBy-KWgF5YBnuPJHYNLo3ssQKYN_5rheq2NrV7Z1fQ_2YzVG9VfnusaJRzkLGLP-4voVwdV9f_3vb5wdVF5FkaKjDP06l2nfCMXbzBKOMyde3nKpswRj39UsDwJp\")
If you do it correctly, you save yourself the headache of a cracked faucet or a burst pipe.
\n\n\n\nOnce you have your outdoor faucet covered, think about your pipes as well. Homes in colder climates are pretty well frost-proofed for all but the most extreme cold. Builders often place pipes inside of homes. But if you live in a warmer climate where builders aren’t as concerned about deep freezes, or you can see pipes outside the walls of your home, you’ll want to winterize those pipes and spouts as well. The same cold temperatures that can crack your faucets can damage your pipes. You can pick up pipe sleeves and other accessories a home improvement store at the same time you get the faucet covers.
\n\n\n\nYou should see the individual shutoff valves for each line leading to a faucet. If you don’t have individual shutoff valves, consider installing a hose bib, or sillcock. A frost-free sillcock runs inside the house where it’s warmer and prevents the water from freezing and causing damage.
\n\n\n\nWhatever you do, DON’T use a hairdryer for a quick thaw! If ice is filling the pipes, the freeze damage is already done. A quick thaw will cause the pipes to burst and that’s when you’ll have water damage throughout your house.
\n\n\n\nIt doesn’t matter what part of the country you’re in when it comes to outside faucets. Most homes have at least one faucet on an exterior wall, and the physical properties of water, metal, and frigid temperatures are universal — and a good reason to cover up this winter!
\n","title":"How to Keep Outdoor Faucets From Freezing","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/1789c/frozen-pipe-pixabay.jpg","srcSet":"/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/107df/frozen-pipe-pixabay.jpg 320w,\n/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/293e9/frozen-pipe-pixabay.jpg 500w,\n/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/f2cbb/frozen-pipe-pixabay.jpg 800w,\n/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/1789c/frozen-pipe-pixabay.jpg 960w,\n/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/4fb49/frozen-pipe-pixabay.jpg 1920w","srcWebp":"/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/1dd6e/frozen-pipe-pixabay.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/67b76/frozen-pipe-pixabay.webp 320w,\n/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/8df11/frozen-pipe-pixabay.webp 500w,\n/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/98a65/frozen-pipe-pixabay.webp 800w,\n/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/1dd6e/frozen-pipe-pixabay.webp 960w,\n/static/992b059f35c6c62dc33b3845f408e12d/62477/frozen-pipe-pixabay.webp 1920w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Keep Outdoor Faucets From Freezing | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"b173b216-33da-52e1-a78e-c4f8cdd5538b","slug":"prepping-your-garden-for-spring","path":"/home-garden/prepping-your-garden-for-spring/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jackie Greene is a blogger, gardener, and nutrition enthusiast. She enjoys creating organic meals for family and friends using the fresh ingredients she produces from her backyard homestead.","name":"Jackie Greene","id":"fb5923e1-833b-5d9b-808e-ded0e62c0bc4","path":"/author/jackiegreene/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2c1121209a3ebfbe0a7e941d102b2971?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"}],"date":"September 19th, 2018","excerpt":"Whether you live in a state that digs gardening or have an exponentially green thumb–warmer temperatures and chirping birds mean that spring is in the air. Spring is a busy season for gardeners and it is a very important time to make sure that you have a garden prepped for fruitful success. Check out the […]
\n","content":"Whether you live in a state that digs gardening or have an exponentially green thumb–warmer temperatures and chirping birds mean that spring is in the air. Spring is a busy season for gardeners and it is a very important time to make sure that you have a garden prepped for fruitful success. Check out the following tips on how to prepare your garden this spring:
\nIf you are like most gardeners, there is a chance that there was a tool left behind during the harvest rush last fall. Look over your garden for anything that would delay your gardening season this year. Return forgotten tools to the shed and clear the soil of any leftover plant tags or broken wiring. Make sure that tomato cages and climbing wire are in good shape as well. Take a good look around your garden to make sure that the soil is clear and ready for work.
\nMany homeowners require a fence around their garden area to keep pesky animals away. Spring is the perfect time to look over your fencing and fix any problem areas from last year. Don’t let an entire bed of lettuce go to waste by choosing to overlook that hole in the fence. Also look over trellis’ and gates to make sure that everything is ready to use come planting season.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/test-the-soil-garden.jpg\")
Different plants can add to or remove key nutrients from the soil. Start off spring by testing each area of your garden to make sure that the soil is primed and ready to receive plants. If you find that your soil needs some help, add fertilizer or check with your local hardware store for easy ways to feed the soil. Check the pH level of the soil as well to make sure that it won’t harm seedlings.
\nNo matter if your garden is large or small, having a map of where you plan to plant certain items will help ensure an enjoyable time in the garden. Read the seed packets to know how much space each plant needs in order to plan where it should go in your garden. If there was an area of your garden that was particularly wet last year, consider planting something there that will thrive in wetter soil conditions. Don’t get overwhelmed on planting day by not knowing where to plant something or running out of room. Sketch out your garden beforehand to make your gardening more efficient.
\nGardening tools are the workhorses of a successful gardening season. Does your shovel need a new handle? Could you use a new rake that isn’t missing tongs? Is there a hole in your favorite pair of gardening gloves? Go through your tools now to make sure that everything is in proper working order. If you find that you need to replace an item, or you want to add a new gardening item, check your local hardware store for sales on garden tools this time of year. Make sure that you have the right tools before you start in your garden to cut down on wasted time.
\nGardening is a great hobby to have and it can easily provide beauty and tranquility to your outdoor space. Take time now to clear the area, mend the fence, and make a plan for plants that you want to add to your garden. Test the garden soil and clean your tools in order to get a head start on a successful gardening season.
\nJackie Greene is a blogger, gardener, and nutrition enthusiast. She enjoys creating organic meals for family and friends using the fresh ingredients she produces from her backyard homestead.
\n","title":"Prepping Your Garden for Spring","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4634146341463414,"src":"/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/1789c/vegetable-basket.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/107df/vegetable-basket.jpg 320w,\n/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/293e9/vegetable-basket.jpg 500w,\n/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/f2cbb/vegetable-basket.jpg 800w,\n/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/1789c/vegetable-basket.jpg 960w","srcWebp":"/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/1dd6e/vegetable-basket.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/67b76/vegetable-basket.webp 320w,\n/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/8df11/vegetable-basket.webp 500w,\n/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/98a65/vegetable-basket.webp 800w,\n/static/ca0d74543a1f911399431a3a518fd348/1dd6e/vegetable-basket.webp 960w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Prepping Your Garden for Spring | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"f9879681-f5b4-5ed2-93df-bd0a0ed130bc","slug":"tired-of-traditional-turf-try-a-grass-alternative","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/tired-of-traditional-turf-try-a-grass-alternative/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Max Mustermann","id":"38f26ae5-e768-550f-a948-33b5a37f67de","path":"/author/roblawnstarter-com/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7f12ece9fc89be73ee3b329da1a4eb0c?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"October 15th, 2019","excerpt":"Traditional lawns are part of the American dream — an ocean of green covering nearly 2% of our nation’s area. But at what cost? Americans view the hassle of mowing, fertilizing, irrigation, and pest control our lawns demand as the price we pay for flawless turfgrass. The net effect is a bit grim. Cristina Milesi, […]
\n","content":"\nTraditional lawns are part of the American dream — an ocean of green covering nearly 2% of our nation’s area. But at what cost? Americans view the hassle of mowing, fertilizing, irrigation, and pest control our lawns demand as the price we pay for flawless turfgrass. The net effect is a bit grim.
\n\n\n\nCristina Milesi, a NASA researcher who studies lawn area, says, “I estimate there are three times more acres of lawns in the U.S. than irrigated corn.” Her figures reveal turfgrass is the largest crop in America. “Each family may have only a small lawn,” she explains, “but once you add them all up, they have a big impact.”
\n\n\n\nGrass is needy. It needs a mower to manage its length and an edger to tidy its margins. It thrives in full sun and struggles in shady areas. It hungers for fertilizer and thirsts for water. In short, maintaining a grass lawn means spending a lot of time and money on lawn care.
\n\n\n\nThere are lawn alternatives that are low-maintenance and need less water than a traditional lawn. Here’s a selection of lawn replacements that can save you time and make your yard more eco-friendly.
\n\n\n\nTurfgrass isn’t all bad: It absorbs carbon dioxide and helps prevent erosion. But the non-native varieties used in the traditional lawn take large volumes of water and fertilizer. Native grasses thrive on poor soil, are drought-tolerant, and don’t mind partial shade. The best part? They require little maintenance.
\n\n\n\nThe most common native is buffalo grass (pictured above), a bunch-type grass that once dominated the Plains. Others include bluestem, blue grama and switchgrass. Contact your local county extension agent to see what the most common varieties or blends do best in your area.
\n\n\n\nIf your goal is to reduce lawn maintenance, consider a product like No-Mow-Grass. There are two blends sold commercially under the No-Mow brand. One is a fescue mix for Northern areas where it freezes, and the other is a buffalo grass mix for hot, dry Southern climes. Despite the name, No-Mow-Grass needs mowing once a year in late spring or fall. Like any turf grass that sees heavy foot traffic, No-Mow lawns benefit from a core aeration every couple of years.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/creeping-jenny-groundcover-peter-stevens-cc20.jpg\")
Not all grass alternatives are green. Using mulch, gravel, or even artificial turf to cover large areas of the yard can be aesthetically pleasing and are obviously shade and drought tolerant as can be. The jury is still out on whether artificial grass is a good alternative to turfgrass. Mulch is a fine addition to garden and flower beds because it helps to control weeds, retains soil moisture, and breaks down over time, adding nutrients to the soil.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QlUzeqrntDZ8N_UfSNMSnnSunjCk2zWaeLEju6OOX3xGIPgKHDk4cfVcuRJl0yRafKRgaV06H3XNxfOpBaQLSq4vYOmFq9Y_Moa9G6WpBF5OKfQ3ggWjzRvhJMxGPOlEfttDpQOn\")
Offering compact, thick green growth, Dutch white clover is a perfect lawn replacement. Its root system generates nitrogen, reducing the need for fertilizing. You can achieve a more drought-tolerant lawn that requires less mowing by encouraging the growth of existing white clover patches. A mixed turfgrass and clover lawn can take heavy foot traffic better than a solid clover lawn.
\n\n\n\nThe bottom line? There’s no reason to support a needy front lawn when so many shade-loving lawn replacements exist. Find your groove, make your changes, and pat yourself on the back for doing your part to make the world a little greener.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: “Buffalo grass” by CAJC: in the PNW is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"Tired of Traditional Turf? Try a Grass Alternative","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.439278937381404,"src":"/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/1789c/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.jpg","srcSet":"/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/107df/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.jpg 320w,\n/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/293e9/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.jpg 500w,\n/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/f2cbb/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.jpg 800w,\n/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/1789c/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.jpg 960w,\n/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/e0195/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.jpg 1517w","srcWebp":"/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/1dd6e/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/67b76/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.webp 320w,\n/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/8df11/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.webp 500w,\n/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/98a65/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.webp 800w,\n/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/1dd6e/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.webp 960w,\n/static/fffe31371e63fda79da4e920147a5ea0/bab36/rsz_buffalograss-carol-jacobs-carre-ccbysa20.webp 1517w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Tired of Traditional Turf? Try a Grass Alternative | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"e4a8d17b-718a-50fa-bae1-49c781b04229","slug":"how-to-kill-off-dandelions","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/how-to-kill-off-dandelions/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Frank Naper is a nature enthusiast who loves to travel and explore new cities, taking nature photographs along the way.","name":"Frank Naper","id":"548facf1-0faf-5729-a658-167972066913","path":"/author/frank-naper/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/905ec21d5a8e70f5f8486364c08aa6b2?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"},{"id":"e80a46cb-c990-5ffe-81c8-aa77d74e07ad","name":"Weeds","count":2,"path":"/category/weeds/"}],"date":"October 15th, 2019","excerpt":"If you’ve ruled out making wine out of dandelions or adding them to your salad, you’re no doubt looking for ways to get rid of the lawn weeds in your yard. While this isn’t an easy task, it is possible. We’ve rounded up a few options to help you get your yard dandelion-free. The bright […]
\n","content":"\nIf you’ve ruled out making wine out of dandelions or adding them to your salad, you’re no doubt looking for ways to get rid of the lawn weeds in your yard. While this isn’t an easy task, it is possible. We’ve rounded up a few options to help you get your yard dandelion-free.
\n\n\n\nThe bright yellow, cheerful dandelion is a broadleaf perennial. When it invades your yard, you may feel anything but cheery. They get their name from the French “dent de lion.” It means “tooth of the lion,” and refers to the plant’s serrated green leaves. They’re native to Eurasia. European settlers introduced them to New England in the 1600s as a salad green. They’ve been here ever since, and if without weed control, they’ll take over your lawn and garden.
\n\n\n\nDandelions have a thick taproot that grows vertically into the ground. They also self-pollinate when the yellow flower turns into a grey, fuzzy seed head. One gentle breeze (or helpful child blowing the seeds) later, the seeds land and produce a new crop of dandelions. Here’s a list of suggestions for killing dandelions.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VBcQiSYg1Ey9yROKr0anneNup94lizlTaq28NNBZ3S199ZwyDZyBIinit2YV77vAF8Thr3gfVHEQQTqYp_psMyQO_Z-0OkuiYD10G2NOzaQvcwjZplQ8aTnDNGny95fESmdN9sAH\")
The best way to kill dandelions is the old-fashioned way: pulling or digging them from the ground. When you mow the grass, it leaves the roots behind. The weeds grow back in a week or two, and you’re back to weeding. You’ll have a better chance of getting the entire taproot if you pick them within a few days after it rains. When the ground is wet, it’s easier to remove the whole plant. Make sure you bag them and get rid of them, so the seeds won’t regerminate.
\n\n\n\nPouring water over the dandelions is effective, but it could damage the grass and nearby plants. If you decide to use the boiling water method, pour the hot liquid over the head, stem, and root. Repeat twice a day until the entire plant has shriveled and died. Pull the dandelion, making sure to get all of the root.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iXTJYZQlPXzWKoBwihG1o5VELINP-GkysZs8nzU0HN6yjbvi51nYbQwOQZ8-hIE312VwFk5jdYsT4p2TQlFZZysclSQRWC8xM2ZVT5vyS4uJI0r2neyAGQgFRwFZ-2AXiJgy4-rQ\")
Using vinegar with 25% acetic acid also works, but again you risk killing the grass and other plants. Common household vinegar is about 5% acetic acid — the more-concentrated form is the one that actually kills plants. Spray the entire plant once a day, being careful not to spray the grass. Repeat the process until it’s dead. Pull the stem by hand, again making sure to get all of the roots. Another DIY remedy is to mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1 quart vinegar. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray until you’ve covered all parts of the dandelion. Spray again if it hasn’t withered in about three hours.
\n\n\n\nGet a broadleaf herbicide (weed killer) that will kill dandelions and other broadleaf weeds. Follow the instructions carefully. Most broadleaf herbicides start working within a few days. Non-selective herbicides are another option, and they’re generally more effective. They’ll also kill the surrounding grass and other plants, so use them with caution. Pre-emergent herbicide can prevent dandelion seeds from germinating. For it to be effective, you must apply it in early fall and again in early spring. Once the seeds have germinated, it’s too late.
\n\n\n\nMulch is another way to control dandelions and other perennial weeds. The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Department suggests, “Mulching with landscape fabrics can be particularly effective for controlling seedlings, reducing the amount of light that is able to reach the soil. Use mulch in flowerbeds to smother existing weeds and prevent new ones from growing.”
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GbtVXYoBCgyhvuO-DWDZPlCdBhFPnEDczK15gFtaAT9-k2P-1hTp5-uNQqM4arC-EJfZvlCn5HhmmzejaesqV1LnBMGhOvbrBNJddOPxbfMfP--GS5Gy_Kgw3dsQjVjnFLiOfPgn\")
This farm to lawn idea can be relatively effective. Chickens love dandelions, and you’ll have fresh eggs to boot! The chickens won’t eat the dandelion roots, so this method won’t get rid of them permanently. Once the dandelions grow back, let the chickens chow down on them again. You won’t have dandelions, but the chickens may leave a bigger mess in your yard!
\n\n\n\nRegular lawn care and maintenance can help control dandelions from spreading. Mowing will kill dandelions before they can go to seed, preventing new growth. But your lawn mower can do only so much. Since the root is still in the ground, new plants will soon sprout. Leaving the clippings on the lawn after mowing can also help. The clippings act as a mulch and can keep seeds from germinating.
\n\n\n\nOnce you’ve decided to battle dandelions, it’s going to take patience, time, and persistence to get rid of them. The best strategy is to stay on top of them before they turn from a yellow flower to a white puffball.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Dandelions, Mike Mozart, CC by 2.0
\n","title":"How to Kill Off Dandelions","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.8788990825688074,"src":"/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/1789c/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/107df/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.jpg 320w,\n/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/293e9/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.jpg 500w,\n/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/f2cbb/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.jpg 800w,\n/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/1789c/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.jpg 960w,\n/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/d2f4e/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.jpg 2048w","srcWebp":"/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/1dd6e/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/67b76/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.webp 320w,\n/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/8df11/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.webp 500w,\n/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/98a65/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.webp 800w,\n/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/1dd6e/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.webp 960w,\n/static/d2f6cdd4e9da65afde32a67fa3f7cbdd/8952c/dandelion-flowers-in-lawn-Mike-Mozart-cc20.webp 2048w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Kill Off Dandelions | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"e2bbed9d-9766-5df7-a6c8-1ba4f2a29739","slug":"when-how-to-winterize-your-sprinkler-system","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/when-how-to-winterize-your-sprinkler-system/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jackie Greene is a blogger, gardener, and nutrition enthusiast. She enjoys creating organic meals for family and friends using the fresh ingredients she produces from her backyard homestead.","name":"Jackie Greene","id":"fb5923e1-833b-5d9b-808e-ded0e62c0bc4","path":"/author/jackiegreene/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2c1121209a3ebfbe0a7e941d102b2971?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"6fc58ffa-eaae-56a2-a670-d6f84e2bb962","name":"Cold Climate","count":4,"path":"/category/cold-climate/"},{"id":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"},{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"bf4daca3-f477-56c4-b0f9-b212905a3b28","name":"Tools, Apps & Accessories","count":6,"path":"/category/garden-accessories/"}],"date":"October 21st, 2019","excerpt":"Your grass likes a deep drink every week to 10 days in most climates. But the question of when to stop watering your lawn and winterize your sprinkler system is a little more complicated. Most of the country will see at least one deep freeze during the cold season. Many more will see freezing temperatures […]
\n","content":"\nYour grass likes a deep drink every week to 10 days in most climates. But the question of when to stop watering your lawn and winterize your sprinkler system is a little more complicated.
\n\n\n\nMost of the country will see at least one deep freeze during the cold season. Many more will see freezing temperatures and snow through the winter months. The answer to when to shut off your sprinkler system for the season depends on the length of your growing season and the part of the country where you live. Lawns in Texas will need water until they go dormant in November. In Colorado, sprinkler systems run the risk of freezing by the end of September. Some cities and counties also restrict when and how long you can water.
\n\n\n\nWhen the time does come, you will want to get your irrigation system ready for the harsh winter, so you won’t have any unpleasant, wet surprises.
\n\n\n\nYou can also use the blowout method. you’ll need an air compressor, a quick-connect air hose adaptor, and eye protection. Close the main supply valve and the valves around the backflow device. Uncap the blow-out port, connect the quick-connect hose adaptor and attach the compressor hose.
\n\n\n\nIt’s important to have a pressure regulator and adjust to pressure to 40 psi if you have PVC pipes, and 50 psi if you have polyethylene pipes. Too much air pressure and the air will crack your pipes. You’ll want to blow out your sprinkler system zone by zone.
\n\n\n\nRemember to wear eye protection. This will protect you in case one of the sprinkler heads pops off during the blowout. You want the sprinkler heads to pop up and push out any water remaining in your water line.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re not certain or intimidated by the idea of blowing out the sprinkler system yourself, you can hire a professional to do it. It should cost from $50 to $150, depending on how big your irrigation system is and where you are. If you plan to do it yourself, renting an air compressor can run you about $50, give or take a few bucks.
\n\n\n\nAfter the water is expelled, you can turn things off for the season by cutting off the water supply at the main shut-off valve. It’s typically a ball valve with a lever. The shutoff valve will keep water from the main water supply from entering your pipes during the winter months.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/icicles-3529002_1280-pixabay-1024x768.jpg\")
Outdoor faucets can freeze just as fast as sprinkler systems. Winterization is crucial if you don’t want to see burst pipes in early spring. Find the shut-off valve in your garage or basement and turn them off. Turn on all faucets to drain any water. Faucets in the southern half of the U.S. are often more vulnerable since Southern homes aren’t built for hard freezes. Since the pipes are often more exposed, one freeze can do a lot of damage. Consider buying faucet and pipe covers to insulate them during the winter — just in case.
\n\n\n\nIf you walk outside in the morning and see frost, don’t confuse that with the killing freeze that ends the season. According to the National Weather Service, “Typically, frost can occur when the temperature falls below 36 degrees Fahrenheit, especially in rural areas. It is a localized phenomenon and can be quite variable across a small area. While the National Weather Service does not keep track of ‘frost’ in observations per se, we do keep track of when temperatures hit the freezing mark or fall below.”
\n\n\n\nMeteorologists define a hard freeze as occurring at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the start of the pipe-busting kind of freezing cold weather and the kind of cold that can kill plants. It can also take out a sprinkler valve or two.
\n\n\n\nIt usually arrives in the first 10 days of September in the upper altitudes of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In Key West, Fla., you can expect the first freeze on the 10th of Never (there has never even been frost, let alone sleet or ice, in America’s southernmost city). Your local TV meteorologist will tell you in no uncertain terms that a hard freeze is in the forecast, and you need to protect your pipes, pets, plants.
\n\n\n\nProtecting your pipes and winterizing your lawn sprinkler system is crucial in parts of the country that see hard freezes during the winter months, and that includes most of the US. It’s easy to keep track of what areas have already had their first freezes, thanks to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, which tracks first freezes as part of its Vegetation Impact Program. So bundle yourself and your pipes up!
\n","title":"When, How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.521997621878716,"src":"/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/1789c/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.jpg","srcSet":"/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/107df/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.jpg 320w,\n/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/293e9/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.jpg 500w,\n/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/f2cbb/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.jpg 800w,\n/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/1789c/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.jpg 960w,\n/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/356ef/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/1dd6e/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/67b76/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.webp 320w,\n/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/8df11/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.webp 500w,\n/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/98a65/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.webp 800w,\n/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/1dd6e/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.webp 960w,\n/static/85b58433fb69b5532c51e86f4c480e48/93f70/water-valve-611604-pxhere.com_.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"When, How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"When the time comes, you will want to get your irrigation system ready for the harsh winter. Proper winterizing sprinklers avoids unpleasant, wet surprises."}}},{"node":{"id":"1e944b49-93f9-53aa-85ae-9bb445c17fd4","slug":"mowing-alternative-lawn-goats","path":"/lawn-care/mowing-alternative-lawn-goats/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Danielle Bradley is a botanist who experiments with native plants from every region in the U.S. She’s dedicated to companion planting without the use of pesticides. Her own garden is filled with a variety of colors and textures.","name":"Danielle Bradley","id":"7329a804-3158-5b9f-94fc-835a4923557a","path":"/author/danielle-bradley/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a840af9ee5b616963d15a622658e9612?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"8ba81c7f-e6d3-5016-8cd0-722b40ed3db9","name":"Creative Gardening","count":4,"path":"/category/creative-gardening/"},{"id":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"October 22nd, 2019","excerpt":"If you’ve been thinking of ways to ditch the gas-guzzling lawn mower in favor of an environmentally friendly way of mowing your lawn, you’re hardly alone. Sure, you could use an old-fashioned reel lawn mower, but another lawn care option threatens to put mowing crews out of business: lawn goats. But before you head to […]
\n","content":"\nIf you’ve been thinking of ways to ditch the gas-guzzling lawn mower in favor of an environmentally friendly way of mowing your lawn, you’re hardly alone. Sure, you could use an old-fashioned reel lawn mower, but another lawn care option threatens to put mowing crews out of business: lawn goats.
\n\n\n\nBut before you head to the livestock auction, take a minute to learn about these mammalian mowing machines and decide if they’re right for you. You may want to start out by renting a goat. A simple Google search reveals that rent-a-goat businesses are everywhere, spinning the labor of grazers into gold.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/goat-2089809_needpix-1024x682.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PIXNIO-28965-goat-eating-forest.jpeg\")
Goats are not exactly the lawn mowing masters people like to make them out to be. Your average goats will eat everything but grass before they even glance down at the turf beneath their hooves. Goats eat poison ivy, poison oak, brambles, and invasive kudzu with gusto. They’ll pull branches from trees and take down saplings through a combination of trampling and devouring. Think of them as a string trimmer with no boundaries, which makes them extremely effective at brush control. When you hear about Google renting goats to mow its Mountain View, Calif., campus, it’s a little misleading. The goats are not creating a manicured lawn, but are rather being used for their abilities to clear brush efficiently.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to not being selective, goats are also not very savvy about what they shouldn’t eat. They’ll destroy your ornamental flower beds and strip the bark off trees, killing them. But they will also eat poisonous plants, which can mean killing themselves. Tammy Dunakin of Rent-a-Ruminant in Seattle laments that goats “won’t eat tin cans or other litter. Only paper and vegetation,” she says, adding that the herd works on their own time: “goat time.”
\n\n\n\nIf you still think goats are a sensible approach to lawn care for your yard, then make sure you understand a few critical facts about them. First, you’ll need more than one. Goats are social animals that belong in a herd. A solo goat is a sad, lonely, and shockingly loud creature. Let’s say you want a pair of goats to manage your property. If you want them to perform a stellar job of managing your lawn, you’re going to have to provide them with a few essentials.
\n\n\n\nGood fencing makes good neighbors and good goats. It’s critical for controlling what the animal eats. Electric net fencing is ideal because you can move it around to do rotational grazing and use it to protect trees and flower beds. Goats need lots of water, so they need a bucket close by at all times. And as much as you want your goats to focus all their efforts on your yard, they’ll need another food source, too. Most goat owners feed supplemental pellets to make sure the animal is getting enough nutrition.
\n\n\n\nGoats evolved to eat a wildly varied diet, and grass alone isn’t sufficient. They also need a mineral block similar to a salt lick but specially formulated for goats. Goats need their hooves trimmed at least once a month, so you’ll need to learn how to handle hoof trimming tools and rowdy animals. Finally, goats need a warm, dry place to shelter from rain and sleep at night.
Goat lawn care is not for everyone, but if your property is riddled with blackberry brambles, brush, and other nasty overgrowths, it may be for you. On the other hand, if you’re just trying to keep the weeds under control, you may be better off with backyard chickens.
There are plenty of reasons to decorate your outdoor space with DIY backyard projects that you can easily do at home. Choosing a rustic theme is the perfect blend of shabby and chic to withstand the outdoor elements. Creating rustic décor for your outdoor space is just one creative way to decorate your outdoor living […]
\n","content":"There are plenty of reasons to decorate your outdoor space with DIY backyard projects that you can easily do at home. Choosing a rustic theme is the perfect blend of shabby and chic to withstand the outdoor elements. Creating rustic décor for your outdoor space is just one creative way to decorate your outdoor living space. Check out these projects that you can easily make yourself to add some rustic décor beauty to your outdoor area:
\nYou may have seen this project all around town and there is a reason why they are so popular! Pallet flags not only show pride in our country but also add beautiful color to a green space. Pick up a pallet from a store in town or ask some friends who may have some connections. Pick up small sampler cans of red, white, and blue paint along with a paintbrush or two. Paint the pallet to look like an American flag with red and white stripes along with a blue box in the top left hand corner. Add a few white stars and you’ve got yourself an outdoor flag that won’t tear in the wind and will look even more fabulous as it ages!
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/rustic-wagon-garden.jpg\")
The beauty of creating rustic outdoor décor is that the items that you add don’t have to be perfect. In fact, the more beat up they are the better. Consider things that garage sale fanatics would be selling that will add beauty to your outdoor space. Anything metal that can be sanded or wood that is aged would be great additions to a rustic outdoor space. Pick items that are a little bit beat up for a better price or age newer looking pieces with sandpaper, dark stain, or even crackle paint.
\nNothing says rustic like aged wood items for your outdoor space. Look around your house for wood items that are just collecting dust in the corner. Consider hanging antique wood tools and old picture frames on the outside of you home to create an overall rustic feel. If you don’t have any old wood consider buying new pieces of wood and making them look old with ageing techniques. Create a wood welcome sign or even a planter box that is sturdy and yet looks like it belonged to Grandma many years ago.
\nDon’t throw out that cracked pot just yet. Simply leave the crack but seal the edging in order to use the pot for a classic rustic look. Chipped, scuffed, or dented planter pots are perfect for a rustic outdoor space. Plant flowers in different colors to add even more beauty and interest as well as create contrast between the flowers and the old looking planter. Give those chipped or broken pots a second chance with different variations in a rustic themed outdoor space.
\nThe overall color for a rustic outdoor space involves more muted and natural tones of brown, tan, and white. Consider making a rustic wreath for your door hanging out of wheat stalks, branches, or even brown yarn. Add a few natural accents to the wreath like a white flower or even a cream colored bow to tie together the old and rustic look in your outdoor living space.
\nThere are many DIY projects that you can easily create at home for a rustic outdoor space. Create a pallet flag to decorate the yard or hang some old wood tools or picture frames for a cozy look. Consider adding a natural colored welcome wreath to the front door as well as give some new life to old looking things that are destined for the trash. Look around your home for items that can be easily transformed into rustic decorations for your outdoor space with just a little bit of sandpaper and some imagination.
\n","title":"5 Rustic Décor DIY Projects for Your Outdoor Space","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.43928035982009,"src":"/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/1789c/rustic-flower-cart.jpg","srcSet":"/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/107df/rustic-flower-cart.jpg 320w,\n/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/293e9/rustic-flower-cart.jpg 500w,\n/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/f2cbb/rustic-flower-cart.jpg 800w,\n/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/1789c/rustic-flower-cart.jpg 960w","srcWebp":"/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/1dd6e/rustic-flower-cart.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/67b76/rustic-flower-cart.webp 320w,\n/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/8df11/rustic-flower-cart.webp 500w,\n/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/98a65/rustic-flower-cart.webp 800w,\n/static/027de07117dd00841e285cb7d3fd14e0/1dd6e/rustic-flower-cart.webp 960w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"5 Rustic Décor DIY Projects for Your Outdoor Space | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"871de580-f86d-546f-85f2-f211c28be975","slug":"top-40-plant-nurseries-us","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/top-40-plant-nurseries-us/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Emaley Baxter is an expert landscaper who loves writing in her free time. She enjoys research and exploring the great outdoors.","name":"Emaley Baxter","id":"c006aa66-4cfc-59dc-b3ce-5c07b0f83ff0","path":"/author/emaleybaxter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/889dbc1c9ea88d564723019ac6c9b47b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"d4fa4848-36b3-57c3-925d-ae36e49e878f","name":"Garden Landscape","count":8,"path":"/category/garden-landscape/"},{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"}],"date":"May 21st, 2020","excerpt":"How does your garden grow? With a lot of help from your local plant nurseries. One thing many of these garden centers have in common? Longevity. It’s customary to find greenhouses that have been around 50, 60, even 100 years! We put together a list of the country’s best. The Wiki-Wonder award judges based their […]
\n","content":"\nHow does your garden grow? With a lot of help from your local plant nurseries. One thing many of these garden centers have in common? Longevity. It’s customary to find greenhouses that have been around 50, 60, even 100 years!
\n\n\n\nWe put together a list of the country’s best. The Wiki-Wonder award judges based their criteria on:
\n\n\n\nTo be considered one of Wikilawn’s best, the nursery must also have a website with helpful articles and a sizable presence on social media.
\n\n\n\nAfter years of not being able to find unique plant selections locally, the Cordrey family decided to open their own garden center to fill the void. Today, East Coast Garden Center in Millsboro, Del., has more than 70 greenhouses and brings in plants from around the country, ensuring they always have high-quality plants in stock. The nursery also holds classes on new skills and techniques in gardening and even has a children’s garden area.
\n\n\n\nWhat does a Major League Baseball star do when he retires? If he’s Mark Clear, he opens a plant nursery! Clear, whose 11-year MLB career included two trips to the All-Star game, discovered his love for plants as a kid while working on an avocado ranch. He owned a nursery in California while pitching in the majors, moving to the Midwest after retiring. Located in Ottawa, Kansas, since 1991, Loma Vista Nursery is still family-owned, sitting on 300 acres, with 150 greenhouses and a tree farm. Talk about throwing the winning pitch!
\n\n\n\nLooking for landscapers who know their horticulture? Look no further than Leaf Landscape Supply, with two locations in Austin, Texas. Owners Brad Seever and Trey Wyatt hold degrees in horticulture and agriculture. Wyatt founded Leaf Landscape under a different name 37 years ago. Seever bought into the company in 2014. Today, it’s a wholesale plant nursery and landscape supplier, offering unique greenery from across the country.
\n\n\n\nAdding a water feature to your garden calms the mind and refreshes the spirit. Hill Country Water Gardens & Nursery wants to help you build the water garden of your dreams. Around for two decades, this garden center in Cedar Park, Texas, has everything you need to build a successful backyard pond or running water feature. You’ll also find fish to put in your pond.
\n\n\n\nVivero Growers started out as a wholesaler for landscape companies in the Austin area. Now, this plant nursery, specializing in Texas native and adapted plants, grasses, and trees, is open to the public. Whether you’re looking to attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies or a succulent, Vivero Growers has you covered.
\n\n\n\nGinkgo Gardens is a lush oasis in the heart of lively Capitol Hill, serving the urban gardener. Founded 20 years ago in Washington, D.C., this nursery offers trees, shrubs, and flowers, along with hardscape goods and landscape design. Ginkgo Gardens also cares about historic preservation, buying a pre-Civil War house next to the nursery and restoring it. It’s now used as a staging area for landscape supplies.
\n\n\n\nFounded in 1911, the oldest garden center in Denver is still going strong. City Floral Greenhouse sits in the heart of the Mile High City. For the first 50 years, City Floral grew, cut, and delivered flowers to homes and businesses, including the historic Brown Palace hotel. In the ’70s, it started morphing into a garden center and tree nursery, still striving to beautify Denver.
\n\n\n\nGrowing plants without soil? Root Grow Bloom Hydroponics & Organics is here to show you what hydroponics is all about. The technique has been around for thousands of years but didn’t really come into favor in the U.S. until the military used it on a soilless island in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Root Grow Bloom has been a staple in Orlando’s hydroponic and organic gardening scene for 20 years and will show you how to get started from the ground up.
\n\n\n\nIt’s all in the family for this Richmond, Va., plant nursery that started as a renovated gas station. Back in 1974, Gene and Diane McAuliffe opened Tropical Treehouse and started selling tropical plants and flowers. In the years since then, three sons and several business expansions led to what is today, Cross Creek Nursery. The entire family is involved in the business and also volunteers in the community.
\n\n\n\nSunnyside Gardens comes from meager beginnings as an unassuming, small garden plot. Fast forward 80 years, and it’s one of South Minneapolis’ premier plant nurseries. Sunnyside offers landscape design, custom containers and, of course, everything in the nursery. Owner Mike Hurley feels strongly about giving back and holds gardening classes for local children and schools.
\n\n\n\nGideon A. Strange worked for the post office but wanted to earn extra cash in his spare time. It was the early 1930s, the time of the Great Depression, so he planted flowers and plants in his yard and sold them from there. Since then, the nursery has changed ownership and undergone massive expansion in the Richmond, Va., area but retains the Strange name. It’s one of the largest retail garden centers in the country.
\n\n\n\n“Virginian Grown and Owned.” That’s Colesville Nursery, in Ashland. The same family has run it for nearly 50 years. It’s a place where generations of growers born and raised in Virginia cultivate plants, flowers, and trees. Certified horticulturists answer your questions about native trees, hard-to-find perennials, and gardening in Virginia.
\n\n\n\nIn tune with the environment, Mother Earth Gardens specializes in organic gardening and sustainably grown plants. This Minneapolis garden center is open year-round with a different focus for each season. During spring and summer, it’s organic seeds, veggies, and herbs. Autumn brings locally grown gourds and pumpkins, while winter homes in on herbicide-free Christmas trees.
\n\n\n\nWaldoch Farm in Lino Lakes, Minn., started out selling chickens in 1916. It didn’t take long before owner William Waldoch expanded into produce. Over the years, his son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have picked up the hoe and joined the family business. William continued helping on the farm until he was 100 years old. These days, operations include the popular pick-your-own-vegetable garden, covering 30 acres.
\n\n\n\nO’Toole’s Garden Centers describes itself in three words: Local. Colorful. Knowledgeable. Serving Denver for nearly 40 years, O’Toole’s brings color into your home and yard. On a mission to cultivate gorgeous gardens, keep their employees happy and their communities thriving, this nursery wants to keep Colorado green.
\n\n\n\nEverything’s still coming up roses at Tagawa Gardens but, these days, that means a plant nursery that’s morphed into a huge garden center. It started in the ’60s as a long-stem roses greenhouse for florists. The Tagawa family has since expanded into a 110,000-square-foot indoor space and more than an acre outdoors filled with everything you’d hope to find at a garden center. The Denver nursery keeps the rose in its logo as a reminder of how it all started.
\n\n\n\nThree generations have put down roots at Country Fair Garden Center in Denver. For more than 70 years, the Gerace family has been showing you how to cope with the Mile High City’s unique growing conditions and tough environment. They believe in giving back, donating seeds and supplies to teachers each year for class projects.
\n\n\n\nWhen two childhood friends were studying horticulture at Texas A&M University in the ’70s, they started a lawn care company to make money. They brought that company home to Dallas after graduating. After many trials and tribulations, Shades of Green transformed into a family-owned and operated garden center, in business now for 43 years.
\n\n\n\nStrader’s is one of Central Ohio’s largest employers during peak garden season, with more than 300 staffers on hand in both their retail and wholesale divisions. Started some 60 years ago by Jack and Ruth Strader, it’s been a family affair, with their four children working alongside them.
\n\n\n\nOakland Nurseries opened its original space in 1940. Now, after opening its fourth location in New Albany, it sports the motto “32 Acres of Gardening Pleasure.” After the latest expansion, three generations of Gustav Reiner’s family now work in the Columbus area, selling horticulture products, along with designs and living landscapes.
\n\n\n\nLandscaping’s the name of the game at Liberty Landscape Supply in Jacksonville, Fla. In their perfect world, people would spend more time outside working on their yards, creating beautiful landscapes. They hope to accomplish this by making landscaping easy. Liberty has everything from mulch to stone to trees and plants. They also offer expert tips and solutions for bringing your landscaping dreams to life.
\n\n\n\nThe Garden Center in San Antonio sells plants, fertilizers, and gardening success. Family owned-and-operated since 1985, this independent retail nursery hand-picks plants from local growers that will do well in the South Texas climate.
\n\n\n\nProviding you with top quality plants and helping you succeed as a gardener is what they do best at Rainbow Gardens. This San Antonio nursery brings in local experts for seminars where they share what works and what doesn’t when it comes to growing. There’s even a Kids Gardening Club where the little ones see, smell, taste, and feel what gardening is all about.
\n\n\n\nIf you follow the winding brick road (well, pathway) at this nursery, you’ll find a diverse collection of garden art, fountains, and containers. Head indoors at Shades of Green and see a vast array of native plants and shrubs that are adapted to the San Antonio climate. Shades of Green in San Antonio (not to be confused with the nursery of the same name near Dallas), stays away from toxic chemicals and practices the organic method of gardening
\n\n\n\nMore than 30 years ago, Earth Works started as a small lawn-maintenance company. Today, it’s a full-service landscape business and garden center in the Jacksonville area. Earth Works plans on being there for its customers for years to come. The goal of their landscape team is to make your backyard the best room in the house.
\n\n\n\n“It’s not a landscape. It’s a lifestyle. Dig in.” That’s the motto of Garden Supply Company in Cary, N.C. Started 20 years ago as a landscape and design company, the original three-person crew has grown to 40 staff members, 6 acres and a building filled with plants, flowers, and supplies for container gardening. They also carry everything you’ll need for beekeeping.
\n\n\n\nPlant Delights has a physical nursery in Raleigh, N.C., but does much of its business online. At any given time, the website has more than 1,500 plants for sale, and specializes in rare and unusual perennials. The owner, Tony Avent, has made 60 expeditions to countries including China, South Africa, and Argentina, looking for exotic flowers for his customers.
\n\n\n\nMost plant nurseries focus on the outdoors; landscaping with trees, shrubs, and flowers. Foliage Concepts is an interiorscape company featuring high-quality interior plantings. Located in three North Carolina cities, the company has provided design and build services to hospitals, hotels, and office buildings since 1985, also working hard to be “green” by recycling soil, grow pots and moss.
\n\n\n\nWith a name like Jack Frost, you’d think this garden center would be in a snowy, cold city, but this nursery is near the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach. When owner, David Dubinsky, arrived in the city 37 years ago, he had $500 in his pocket. He has since parlayed that meager amount into his full-service landscape and garden center. Jack Frost also offers hardscaping, creating patios, seating walls, and fire pits.
\n\n\n\nFour Seasons Nursery in Virginia Beach, has served both commercial and residential customers for nearly 50 years with a full-service plant nursery, as well as landscaping materials sold in bulk. With four certified horticulturists and several master gardeners on hand, you’ll certainly find plants that are just right for your lifestyle and budget.
\n\n\n\nBerridge Nurseries in Phoenix was founded in 1938 and forced to move to its second location in 1971 when some boys set a series of fires in the city. Berridge Nurseries rebuilt, then moved one more time to its current location on Camelback Road. The nursery remains in the family with the third generation now owners and operators.
\n\n\n\nImagine a business that’s been in the family for 130 years! In 1890, A.J. Rahn Greenhouses was one of 19 family-owned plant companies operating in an area of Cincinnati known as Wooden Shoe Hollow. Rahn is still going strong, offering flower bedding, houseplants, vegetables, and fruit plants. The fifth generation of the A.J. Rahn family now runs the nursery, keeping their proud heritage intact.
\n\n\n\nThis family-owned greenhouse has deep roots in the Cincinnati area. It started in Spring Grove, a village that fed the city with fresh produce. Over the years, the city grew up around that village but Funke’s family farm spirit remains. Their mission includes providing plants and knowledge to home gardeners so they can take control of their own food supply.
\n\n\n\nYou won’t find any golden arches here, but you will find a large white barn with timbers that are 140 years old. Back in the 1800s, Burger Farm and Garden Center was a dairy farm. The family switched to crops around 1950 and continued another 30 years before opening the garden center you see today. Customers give them rave reviews for helping create what they say are the most beautiful yards in Cincinnati.
\n\n\n\nThis Charlotte, N.C., company has more than 20,000 square feet under glass. Its greenhouses are filled to the brim with houseplants and tropical plants. Doing business for more than 40 years, Oakdale Greenhouses boasts that it is “Charlotte’s best source for plants.” In addition to its wide variety of greenery, they add expertise on koi fish and water plants.
\n\n\n\nWhen designing your garden, Southern Styles Nursery and Garden Center offers this advice: Start with trees. It calls them the backbone of a garden setting. Southern Styles has an immense selection of trees, from exotic to common shade, Japanese maple, and evergreen. Once you’re done with that, you can explore the rest of this Charlotte, N.C., nursery to pick out the rest of your landscape items.
\n\n\n\nDespite Grass Pad’s logo, they’re not smokin’ it, they’re growin’ it! What started out on a 700-acre sod farm at the end of a long gravel road in Missouri grew into today’s five locations in the Kansas City area and one in Omaha, Neb. They’re still transforming lawns with green sod, but have added full-line nurseries at each warehouse site.
\n\n\n\nThe man behind Rolling Meadows, Jesse Meadows, worked in landscaping for 15 years before making his garden center dream a reality. With a focus on creativity and quality, Jesse offers both residential and commercial landscaping in the Overland Park, Kansas, area. You’ll also find eco-friendly products and classes on how to go green.
\n\n\n\nBoth serious and casual gardeners will find what they need at Summer Winds Garden Centers, which has locations in Phoenix and the Santa Clara Valley in California. The company is one of the largest independent retail nursery businesses in the nation. Putting water and energy-saving initiatives into practice, Summer Winds is committed to the responsible use of our natural resources.
\n\n\n\nLondon Bridge Greenhouses & Nursery
\n\n\n\nLondon Bridge has been a Virginia Beach gardening tradition since 1976. Look for bulk sales of mulch, gravel, and organic mushroom compost. Their greenhouses are home to a huge selection of flowers. And butterfly lovers, rejoice! They even have a certified monarch butterfly waystation.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere are more than 13,000 plant nurseries in the U.S., so there’s a possibility we missed your favorite.
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