![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/creeping-jenny-groundcover-peter-stevens-cc20.jpg\")
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\nNot 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":""}},"relatedPosts":[{"node":{"id":"cd6cba7b-0d03-533d-8b50-07d0825d97bf","slug":"getting-rid-of-grass-in-driveway-cracks","path":"/weeds/getting-rid-of-grass-in-driveway-cracks/","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":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"},{"id":"e80a46cb-c990-5ffe-81c8-aa77d74e07ad","name":"Weeds","count":2,"path":"/category/weeds/"}],"date":"October 22nd, 2019","excerpt":"Maybe you got a nasty notice from the homeowners association. Or maybe you spent the weekend weeding, only to come home and find grass or dandelions poking up between your pavers or the cracks of your sidewalk. They’re unsightly and can cause serious damage to your walkway. Before you reach for the spray bottle of […]
\n","content":"\nMaybe you got a nasty notice from the homeowners association. Or maybe you spent the weekend weeding, only to come home and find grass or dandelions poking up between your pavers or the cracks of your sidewalk. They’re unsightly and can cause serious damage to your walkway.
\n\n\n\nBefore you reach for the spray bottle of Roundup or some other toxic weed killer containing glyphosate, take a look in your kitchen. You may already have all the ingredients to kill weeds and grass in driveway cracks. Homemade solutions are both cheap and eco-friendly.
\n\n\n\nLet’s start with why grass and weeds are attracted to sidewalk cracks. The cracks and crevices look small, but the spaces between pavers hold an amazing amount of dirt and organic matter. This matter gets swept by wind and rain and snow. Those crevices also hold onto moisture a little longer than flat surfaces, so it’s a perfect incubator for the weed seeds or grass.
\n\n\n\nThe setup also gives grass and weeds a little protection from you. It’s tough to get to the grass roots, or taproots of the weeds when all you can do is try to pull the unwanted plants by their tops. And you’re not likely to mulch those areas, as you would your flower beds, to prevent a return. But you can find everything you need to get to the root of the problem, in your kitchen — without turning to chemical herbicides sold at the garden center.
\n\n\n\nThe good news is that because the unwanted intruders are in driveway or sidewalk cracks, you don’t need to be as precise when applying your homemade remedies. A poorly aimed squirt has less of a chance to hit and accidentally kill desirable plants.
\n\n\n\nFirst, a word of warning: These common kitchen ingredients aren’t toxic in small doses, but they’re not benign, either. “Several can be harmful to people/pets during mixing and application, owing to inhalation, skin or eye contact, or spray mist. Some have unpleasant smells or have an allergenic effect,” writes Deborah Smith-Fiola and Stanton Gill for the University of Maryland Extension. Some hazards are obvious: Boiling water can burn you if you are not careful with it. Others aren’t as obvious. Don’t take chances and handle all of them carefully.
\n\n\n\nThe pros of homemade weed killers are that yes, they do provide some level of weed control, without the environmental or health risks that toxic chemicals can leave behind. That’s more peace of mind for parents, pet owners, and for people who care about the environment. It also gives you more control over your weed problem, killing those stubborn grasses and new weeds that seem to pop up all too often in the driveway cracks and crevices of your hardscaping. If you apply natural weed killer enough and at the right time, you may finally be free of those pesky plants that ruin the look of your yard.
\n\n\n\nImage credit: “Hordeum leporinum,” by Matt Lavin, CC by SA 2.0
\n","title":"Getting Rid of Weeds, Grass in Driveway Cracks","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/1789c/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg","srcSet":"/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/107df/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 320w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/293e9/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 500w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/f2cbb/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 800w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/1789c/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 960w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/356ef/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/1dd6e/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/67b76/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 320w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/8df11/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 500w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/98a65/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 800w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/1dd6e/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 960w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/93f70/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Getting Rid of Weeds, Grass in Driveway Cracks | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"393d06b1-eb2d-5785-b4f0-b741ae1e0999","slug":"plants-that-repel-insects","path":"/home-garden/plants-that-repel-insects/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"}],"date":"September 13th, 2018","excerpt":"Gardens seem vulnerable because they’re frequent victims of countless bites and pest infestations. But what’s often forgotten is your garden can protect not only itself from pests but also your home in general. This is all achievable by planting a diversity of insect-repelling plants. Here, we compiled a guide of plants that will be effective pest […]
\n","content":"Gardens seem vulnerable because they’re frequent victims of countless bites and pest infestations. But what’s often forgotten is your garden can protect not only itself from pests but also your home in general. This is all achievable by planting a diversity of insect-repelling plants. Here, we compiled a guide of plants that will be effective pest control for your home.
\nThis guide is sourced from the Farmer’s Almanac, the National Institute of Health’s database on herbs, and several gardening blogs.
\n\nThese small flowers carry a scent that deters common garden pests, which include aphids, squash bugs and tomato hornworms. Petunias exist in 20 different species, so planting these will bring a cascade of color to your garden. However, don’t plant these too close to all your produce because they attract caterpillars and slugs.
\nPlanting Tips: Many stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, sell petunia seeds and transplants. It’s recommended you buy transplants since they’re much easier to grow in your yard. They aren’t high maintenance and only need to be watered once a week.
\nChrysanthemums are a natural insecticide and keep away ants, ticks, cockroaches, and silverfish. Though avoid planting these in abundance because their scent may steer away some pollinators. Also, their flowers can be used to make the popularly made tea.
\nPlanting Tips: Chrysanthemums need dry climates because they’re susceptible to mildew. They need good exposure to sunlight. Remember to be patient though—these take over two months to bloom.
\nBorage flowers are helpful pest control if your garden has tomatoes or cabbages. They repel tomato hornworms and cabbage worms—but attract pollinators. So if you plant borage, expect blue, pink flowers to quickly pattern your garden.
\nPlanting Tips: Borage flowers need full sunlight to bloom well, but they take only 5 to 15 days to sprout from seeds.
\nThe bright purple petals of this herb not only will beautify your garden, but its potent and unique aroma will also repel ants from building nests and steer away mosquitoes. Lavender also attracts pollinators, so this herb is a useful ally to keep around your plants. It also can keep out moths if you dry and store some in your closet.
\nPlanting Tips: Lavender grows best in dry and warm climates. It doesn’t need much water to thrive, so if your area receives at least 15 inches of annual average precipitation, you’re in a good spot.
\nMint is great pest control for a broad array of bugs, including aphids, ants, mosquitoes, cabbage moths, and certain types of beetles. The scent is the main deterrent, and the herb itself grows easily because it needs little water. However, you should probably plant mint in a pot since it can overtake your garden if left unmonitored.
\nPlanting Tips: Mint is easily bought in many stores, usually in a pot and ready to be transplanted. Most grow well under shade. Add a thin layer of compost or organic fertilizer every few months. Aboveground pots will need winter protection in cold climates.
\nRosemary deters beetles, mosquitoes, flies, and cabbage moths. As one of the strongest aromas to plant, rosemary can mask the scents of surrounding plants and protect them from exploring pests.
\nPlanting Tips: Rosemary is easily found in stores. Both seeding and transplanting are easy methods. The herb requires little water and tolerates hot and cold temperatures well. It’s one of the most robust plants you can add to your garden.
\nBasil, interesting enough, is a great protector if you’re growing asparagus. The plant scares away asparagus beetles, and it’s also a broadly effective repellent for mosquitoes and flies. Although it requires quite a bit of water in hot climates, this household leafy herb is a useful agent against beetle populations, particularly asparagus beetles, mosquitoes, and houseflies.
\nPlanting Tips: Basil is also easy to find in stores, though the best method is through transplanting. Despite its ability to grow in hot climates, the herb will need a lot of water to sustain itself, so make sure the soil is always moist.
\nThyme drives away houseflies well. You should plant these not only in your garden but around your house, so these hard-to-swat pests don’t appear in the first place.
\nPlanting Tips: Thyme is easy to grow, either through seeding or transplanting. Make sure there is plenty of sun exposure. It takes two to three weeks to fully grow out, so it’s a longer wait than most other herbs.
\nCilantro is reliable pest control, particularly if you’re growing potatoes. The herb’s aroma repels potato beetles, usually the biggest threat to the crop. Cilantro also deters more common pests, such as aphids and spider mites. It’s an all-around good plant to surround your other plants with.
\nPlanting Tips: Cilantro thrives well under cold weather, however, you can find them in virtually any grocery store to seed or transplant yourself. Make sure this herb is under frequent sunlight.
\nGarlic, famous for its pungency, scares away pests by its smell—discouraging them to lay eggs nearby. They’re particularly effective in preventing root maggots from appearing, so if you have other root vegetables nearby, it’s worth adding these to your garden.
\nPlanting Tips: Garlic is best grown during the fall, and it can take up to 9 months to mature. Try to plant it in a place that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight and occasionally check if the soil is moist. Once it grow out, it’ll be one of most durable plants in your garden.
\nFeatured Image: Wikimedia Commons
\n","title":"10 Insect-Repelling Plants that Drive Away Nasty Pests","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5009380863039399,"src":"/static/56956ed668989008263cda20b7d73315/f2cbb/home-garden.jpg","srcSet":"/static/56956ed668989008263cda20b7d73315/107df/home-garden.jpg 320w,\n/static/56956ed668989008263cda20b7d73315/293e9/home-garden.jpg 500w,\n/static/56956ed668989008263cda20b7d73315/f2cbb/home-garden.jpg 800w","srcWebp":"/static/56956ed668989008263cda20b7d73315/98a65/home-garden.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/56956ed668989008263cda20b7d73315/67b76/home-garden.webp 320w,\n/static/56956ed668989008263cda20b7d73315/8df11/home-garden.webp 500w,\n/static/56956ed668989008263cda20b7d73315/98a65/home-garden.webp 800w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Insect-Repelling Plants that Drive Away Nasty Pests | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Gardens seem vulnerable because they’re frequent victims of countless bites and pest infestations. Here, we compiled a guide of plants that will be effective pest control for your home."}}},{"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":"f4009d0e-01ce-53fe-ac25-7ef50433ea55","slug":"yard-work-safety","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/yard-work-safety/","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":"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":"December 11th, 2019","excerpt":"There’s no place like home … to injure yourself. In much the same way that most car accidents take place within five miles of home, most of our injuries take place on our own properties. As people head outside to embark on various projects, some will end in aches, sprains, and worse. Here’s a list […]
\n","content":"\nThere’s no place like home … to injure yourself. In much the same way that most car accidents take place within five miles of home, most of our injuries take place on our own properties. As people head outside to embark on various projects, some will end in aches, sprains, and worse. Here’s a list of common back yard injuries and some yard work safety tips.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/mHCDDo725XPmdG9uaKXPGKLxG2lq6ubhwE8d-AVWPFz_iEt-vpy9ieHlDG7UdAk5cXUsk-lniGiXuER89clu2083pR9uRMAHC_0MKMDWIq1CJmbE8oRJVgBXNvbKErSKOft3OceL\")
Your lawn mower is the most dangerous tool in the shed. Both push mowers and lawn tractors feature motor-driven blades on a moving carriage. The risk of injuries ranges from carbon monoxide poisoning to burns to critical injury from blades. More than 80,000 people go to the emergency room each year because of lawn mower injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. While some injuries are minor, 70 of those injuries are fatal and 5,000 involve children. American Society of Plastic Surgeons president, Dr. Jeffrey Janis says more than 600 children lose a limb to lawn mower accidents every year. “Lawn mowing can unexpectedly become a dangerous activity, especially when children are near. It’s imperative that operators take proper precautions and eliminate all risks to reduce these traumatic injuries.”
\n\n\n\nThe Consumer Product Safety Commission warns you never to leave a motor idling in an enclosed garage, and always walk the area that you’re about to mow. Look for any debris or objects that could damage your blades and become flying projectiles. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes, and sturdy shoes with sure-grip soles, never sneakers, or sandals. They also advise small children not be allowed on a riding mower or near the lawn when the rotary mower is in use. Finally, READ the owner’s manual and make sure you’re familiar with all safety features
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yGiWveffb4WgsLkfE-oVmU5-0QExVgsWCBza52BOuxP907dFimaYPi089843RR09BulpYCSKU6xuxvsKorEEL_EUZDSxMLZmdhBSUK1e1zSV3TAjVIvcMu-xyl0tZhELfk31LvQD\")
Falls are the leading cause of at-home injuries, and once you add ladders into the equation, all bets are off. But a few precautions can keep you from becoming another statistic. Start with inspecting your ladder before you climb aboard. Look out for loose rungs or hardware, and don’t climb a ladder unless you are wearing footwear with a good grip. Be mindful of your ladder position: Place it on a firm, level surface out of the range of any swinging doors.
\n\n\n\nWhen you’re on a ladder, follow the “three-points-of-contact rule.” Always have at least two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder. When tackling a project like cleaning the gutters, ask someone to hold the ladder steady for you at the base. Don’t stand on the top rung of a ladder (the one that says “not a step”) and avoid facing outward from the ladder. Following these simple tips can help keep you safe no matter how high you climb.
\n\n\n\nNo one is likely to underestimate the potential for injury with outdoor power equipment. Yet every year, doctors see a huge influx of injuries after storms, when people are dealing with large numbers of downed trees. To avoid injury, operators should always wear gloves, long pants, shoes, and eye protection. Make sure your power tools are in good working order, and extension cords are secured.
\n\n\n\nOne major component of lawn care is aeration — the act of piercing your compacted lawn with a specialized piece of equipment to help your turf “breathe.” While this is arguably the best thing you can do to improve the quality of your yard’s life, your back might disagree. Aeration requires either a spike aerator or a core aerator. Both are heavy tools you must push across your lawn. If you’re not in great shape, lifting and pushing one of these beasts can leave you with a serious back injury. If you’re aerating this year, make sure you lift and move the aerator carefully (with help if you need it) and maintain a good posture at all times.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zURumFZisTmDD1TDX4xY101JdENHrcUHFF2v4qLn0sgqLiJg2_7Va3xdFRwcX98EVRt0snzf4DFdGAo6hxasv4zb8k0MyKL-p0_wAvEFrEkC_htyVbFcZxQlTpBUFPvj4sp0OSr4\")
Rakes are great for removing leaves, but you should be raked over the coals if you leave one outside when you’re finished. The sharp edges are especially dangerous around young children. A shovel, by itself, doesn’t pose many hazards, but before you go digging, it’s crucial that you call the utility company and make sure you’re not digging into a power line. One wrong move and you could be pushing up daisies instead of planting them.
\n\n\n\nAs innocuous as it might seem, pulling those pesky weeds when you’re a bit out of shape can really lay you out if you’re not careful. Practice good form, bend at the knees and use your legs to pull, rather than just your arms. Consider wearing knee pads to ease the stress on your legs. You may want to start out slow and easy — when the weeds are still small — and work your way up to the big guys as you get conditioned over time.
\n\n\n\nOne major component of lawn care is aeration — the act of piercing your compacted lawn with a specialized piece of equipment to help your turf “breathe.” While this is arguably the best thing you can do to improve the quality of your yard’s life, your back might disagree. Aeration requires either a spike aerator or a core aerator. Both are heavy tools you must push across your lawn. If you’re not in great shape, lifting and pushing one of these beasts can leave you with a serious back injury.
\n\n\n\nCreating a thick green lawn can also leave you with a black lung! Heavy doses of chemical fertilizers and insecticides have been known to cause cancer. Your best bet is using natural fertilizers. Grass clipping will provide your lawn with the nutrition it needs without hurting you or your pets. You can avoid using pesticides by planting native plants and flowers that repel pests.
\n\n\n\nSo when someone tells you, “It wouldn’t kill you to do a little yard work,” tell them it very well could! As excited as you may be to get started on your yard project this spring, don’t forget to take safety precautions to avoid any preventable injuries.
\n\n\n\n\n","title":"Yard Work Safety","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5505004549590538,"src":"/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/1789c/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/107df/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.jpg 320w,\n/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/293e9/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.jpg 500w,\n/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/f2cbb/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.jpg 800w,\n/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/1789c/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.jpg 960w,\n/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/d8e6a/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.jpg 1704w","srcWebp":"/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/1dd6e/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/67b76/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.webp 320w,\n/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/8df11/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.webp 500w,\n/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/98a65/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.webp 800w,\n/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/1dd6e/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.webp 960w,\n/static/c79d864cd43c28b67875a7af9a84ea5d/82e5d/landscape-gardener-trimming-shrub-on-ladder-e1576097351725.webp 1704w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Yard Work Safety | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"213933d2-ed3e-574f-a8cc-736198b678ca","slug":"new-neighborhood-checklist","path":"/home-garden/new-neighborhood-checklist/","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 8th, 2018","excerpt":"There is more to moving into a new home than just the actual house, townhouse, co-op or apartment. You are moving into a new neighborhood, and you may not be happy if you don’t like the community. The ideal thing to do is to visit the area at different times of the day to get […]
\n","content":"There is more to moving into a new home than just the actual house, townhouse, co-op or apartment. You are moving into a new neighborhood, and you may not be happy if you don’t like the community. The ideal thing to do is to visit the area at different times of the day to get a feel of what it’s like during odd times of the day. Plus, there are some tips below to help you check off your list some essential factors to consider.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/sidewalk-300x200.jpg\")
Photo: Flickr / Rupert Ganzer
\nSidewalks are an indicator that the neighborhood may be a busy one. With sidewalks, houses are connected for a friendly hello when you walk down the street. Plus, if you have children, it’s safer because the cars aren’t in the same space pedestrians are in.
\nCheck out the schools nearby whether you have children or not. A school district which is rated highly by parents is a high selling point if you want to sell your home eventually. Plus, if you do have children, you want to see how close it is to you and how your children will commute.
\nParks are strong selling points when within walking distance of your new home. Do your research prior and look for must-visit outdoor spaces close to the potential new home location. Parks are where you can take walks, enjoy nature and meet new friends. Too, if you do have children, parks are a wonderful place to take them to have fun and get outside in the fresh air.
\nShopping is another item to check on your list. Do you want something close enough to walk to if you need milk? Or, how close is the nearest grocery store so you know how long it will take you to run errands? What about restaurants, if you enjoy eating out, are they close to your home or will you have to spend a lot of time driving?
\nPlus, another tip mentioned above, is to check out the neighborhood at different times. When you are checking out a place to live in the middle of the day, it might be quiet and peaceful. But, what happens when everyone comes home? Are there bars nearby that will have late night traffic? Are there train tracks, a hospital or even a fire whistle nearby? Can you imagine moving into your new home and then finding out there’s a fire whistle which goes off in the middle of the night when a fire call comes into the fire department?
\nYou also might want to take a walk around the neighborhood and talk to the neighbors in the area where you want to live. Ask how they like the community, what don’t they like about it, and where local hot spots are. If they don’t talk to you, then you probably wouldn’t want them as neighbors anyways.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/playground-300x225.jpg\")
Photo: Flickr / GameTime
\nAnother point to consider is when you walk outside, what does it smell like? Is the air clean or do you smell bad odors? You don’t want to buy a home and then find out that there’s a garbage dump nearby which you can smell when the wind is blowing south.
\nAlso, see if the streets are well-lit at night, check out the crime rate in that area. Is there bumper to bumper traffic during rush hour? What about the homes nearby, are they well-kept? Are there homes which are abandoned or vandalized within the community you’re checking? What about a lot of for sale signs or places for rent? It could be that neighborhood is heading downhill, and the neighborhood’s value is decreasing.
\nThe last thing is to picture yourself and your family, if you have one living with you, moving to this neighborhood. Do you feel comfortable and does it meet your criteria? It could be a lovely neighborhood with the perfect home, but if something feels a little off–you’ll want to trust your gut..
\nBuying a new home isn’t just about the house but living in the neighborhood that it’s in as well.
\n","title":"New Neighborhood Checklist","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.499267935578331,"src":"/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/1789c/new-neighborhood-hero.jpg","srcSet":"/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/107df/new-neighborhood-hero.jpg 320w,\n/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/293e9/new-neighborhood-hero.jpg 500w,\n/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/f2cbb/new-neighborhood-hero.jpg 800w,\n/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/1789c/new-neighborhood-hero.jpg 960w,\n/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/a2a79/new-neighborhood-hero.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/1dd6e/new-neighborhood-hero.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/67b76/new-neighborhood-hero.webp 320w,\n/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/8df11/new-neighborhood-hero.webp 500w,\n/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/98a65/new-neighborhood-hero.webp 800w,\n/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/1dd6e/new-neighborhood-hero.webp 960w,\n/static/103e0cbcb6d904069383288e8799382d/7aa54/new-neighborhood-hero.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"New Neighborhood Checklist | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"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.
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\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mnVUl0CqyXWxp5wWfdziA96vh-8qjH5TECtrUDWiWRBvD8-FPqEIusBfQ5Jli3lIKpnjV1mI4MtRHIlS8jzEE6S2Bp_elqOKdL7TRp458YubkAgMQc14tRippU32mZo-DRdfDjdA\")
Grass 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":""}}},{"node":{"id":"90d1e743-1f33-5119-8043-e3d4eeb03789","slug":"50-best-gardening-blogs","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/50-best-gardening-blogs/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Carmen Dexter is a freelance journalist and teacher who enjoys growing her own organic food and recycling as much as possible.","name":"Carmen Dexter","id":"f23ec685-a615-5004-a3fd-c0bfe6b2c9ec","path":"/author/carmen-dexter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e37085a8a22d319f3383613d59d54c5f?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"dc5a6fd2-e7cc-55b0-9210-0271a38e33b8","name":"Garden Decor","count":4,"path":"/category/garden-decor/"},{"id":"52e12a37-ef3f-522d-9050-b4638c87aa4e","name":"Garden Design","count":10,"path":"/category/garden-design/"},{"id":"30471fa8-4345-5ffd-ba99-adeaf54ad75b","name":"Garden Dispatch","count":2,"path":"/category/garden-dispatch/"},{"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/"},{"id":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"}],"date":"May 13th, 2020","excerpt":"It takes more than a green thumb to grow a good garden: usually a lot of blisters, calluses, and dirt under the nails. It also helps to rely on the expertise of others — as long as they really are experts. To make things easier, Wikilawn has plucked the best gardening blogs for you. Our […]
\n","content":"\nIt takes more than a green thumb to grow a good garden: usually a lot of blisters, calluses, and dirt under the nails. It also helps to rely on the expertise of others — as long as they really are experts.
\n\n\n\nTo make things easier, Wikilawn has plucked the best gardening blogs for you. Our judges scanned thousands of blogs, looking for innovative ideas, eco-friendly advice, and the quality of writing. To win the Wiki-Wonder Award, the blog also had to have a presence on social media.
\n\n\n\n![\"Wiki](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2020-05-11.png\")
Here are the 50 top gardening blogs worthy of the Wiki-Wonder Award:
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Heather Rhoades, Staff
\n\n\n![\"Gardening](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7b06kCuEJAJosJmvL1PQDGkHSJCZHFIo5oQHyPPoCEC5OJx2ZXsF-REnyTSSuhITZIi6_92fzadDkBwrpl7j31SyfxOTdxdTkeywJJPgU-zlcH0xr99FEQ7iNy4rnr-4Nt8bH4o2\")
Gardening Know How started small after gardener Heather Rhoades had trouble finding user-friendly gardener websites and decided to focus on non-technical information that anyone could use. She wants folks to feel comfortable asking for gardening advice and not made to feel incompetent.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Dog-Friendly Vegetables: 7 Garden Veggies to Grow for Dogs
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Amy Andrychowicz
\n\n\n![\"Amy](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gxXjy9Gf2nVIgdKD09lSQ7FPyza85dy3FGBJ3jQRyZErRUjaYS1IF_2kuINRibJOuJL-A_53a8Ny4QeMov0wUMUWQz4u6ZYSrTpZmCJygGcARNNBLhSagLDloc4lAWaX-GQgIfEa\")
Amy Andrychowicz aims her blog at new gardeners, but Get Busy Gardening also has information for those with an experienced green thumb. Amy’s been gardening most of her life and has grown everything from trees and shrubs to flowers and fruit. If you want to get your hands in the dirt but don’t know where to start, Get Busy Gardening is for you.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Tips for Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden
\n\n\n\nFounders: Susan Harris, Elizabeth Licata, Michele Owens, Amy Stewart
\n\n\n![\"Garden](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0SQgYqlhLGTuK6GXg4TJmU-1D3gj07qot4xqY0H0iVLc4b0_bY692fBvtR7AdgJvMaDEV1fUMuPqj7TatQLGtavhXNRkkHEwRMIydXGgAyVhN2-J2RxRRLj6J6oSIjrKkKJqeb3_\")
Garden Rant isn’t your average, everyday gardening blog. Its writers take the word “rant” seriously! You’re not likely to find how-to’s on this site; instead, they may take a side on a gardening issue and rant or rave about it, usually with humor. Amusing conversations about gardening is what Garden Rant is all about.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: A Very Rocky Obsession
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Gary Antosh
\n\n\n![\"Plant](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XNySyIWvD1je_a-7wmxIOmt73ra_1qKkST6oTvUdzi-urotVMbsfJfYPFNbwoIx9r7rXLphFXQmoBoX55ANczXZkD-FwDdO9vKmln9rHj0x3IQIvOG-Ic5GQX5p7vGDddpYKepMi\")
Gary’s blog has been online for nearly eight years, but his journey into the world of plants started 47 years ago. Growing rare plants is his specialty. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced gardener, Gary says you’ll always find something to learn and something to share on Plant Care Today.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: 8 Mistakes Tomato Growers Make That Cause Problems
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Various Garden Experts
\n\n\n![\"Urban](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Xv0hwYDfraZtMLC-wmgv4CTEeH4yXq7dx-Xxi5aE2aY7BTiMKBR9OA_ZHLtWkmVGafoUq0KDoSJDZrzMomkyYANgMUNr8zLduS9Oi4Va_9_3aJiGhq3URbod8w24lcatcA5e2ysI\")
Interested in growing your own food? Urban Organic Gardener’s got you covered. These experts help you grow an organic, non-GMO garden year-round. UOG promises to get your hands in the soil and get you reconnecting with nature.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Gardening Projects Kids Will Love
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Margaret Roach
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J9u7ido4f4QaBTwOAet7HlNRJJ2jGnSOIXnf3oQNDKbZc1QO7f5qECNe5IjI99S1bsV8PH9fZZrIfIaKu76wOLaoWiFyUlwplF9_2E18F0nmOj26FUf84Qt5gBRlUS2qec3DoQ_O\")
Margaret Roach named her blog after a book she wrote early in her gardening career. She’s a retired newspaper and magazine garden editor, an organic-style gardener, and a vegetarian. According to Margaret, you should “always say no to chemicals and yes to great plants.”
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Growing Potatoes Organically: When and How to Plant, Hill and Harvest
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAuthor: Lucy M. Clark
\n\n\n\n![\"Garden](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dEqoN9gPvVJCqT1EsP8bXdPGdg1BSoKSfv27cf_I-IcFh6GSuajKI4ZDTnQ5s1hAT51v8bpTZDOay9pxKTdWLJjrLEe7MO4ktR_EfjT4FYXukJbQ9-qcVm7aXAo6uAX2gXHKXkt_\")
When Lucy started gardening about 14 years ago, she says she had no idea what she was doing! She spent a lot of time speaking to successful gardeners face-to-face. She hopes her blog allows you the same opportunities online. Garden Ambition is for wannabe gardeners who aren’t sure where to start.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: 8 Tips on How to Get Rid of Clover Naturally
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAuthor: Rachel
\n\n\n\n![\"Grow](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fuP7w6hsGHxJmTNFXE9KRLH7MkywUd6rwDKAQFWJq_W8ZIWMIj28pXqn8NOJ97jumfd3D0iiD1XaP06_DmnNJ_V8cJN3M5pPmzGnr0iI3sOtcEKvHl5Nr8NTotPIGbNPWaPpgwVV\")
Want to make some big changes in your life but not sure where to start? Rachel, creator of Grow a Good Life, says get back to basics: Grow organic food, preserve the harvest, and make delicious meals from fresh ingredients. Learn how to use a mix of sustainable gardening methods, end your reliance on grocery store produce and preserve what your grow, so you can eat it year-round.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Benefits of Crop Rotation for Your Vegetable Garden
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAuthor: Various Writers
\n\n\n\n![\"Espoma](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/nQ1kWKz1kdaAixmA8zCyxtBgUHLyChZFIHg58mIonglp3PiPh8x0HnEeEcxauo8N_l0m1s53H7rQtWEanJ-W_zX45SWbxgHiUOxeCL9yBOagvcpJDb5ZAFVrcpY627CiUQTKh1UG\")
The family-run Espoma Company’s been around for nearly 100 years and is the leading provider of organic fertilizers for the lawn and garden industry. The Espoma blog hasn’t been around nearly as long, but it’s quite popular, with more than a quarter-million followers on Facebook. You’ll find tips and information on flowers, plants, and mulching.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Gothic Gardening — The Darkest Plants
\n\n\n\nVarious Authors
\n\n\n\n![\"Gothic](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1zwxnQQS97E7KuM8z3FTR2cxwdmu4uRjDnrBAcSSdVHbk-ubR_Pi0doH-xMF8CCTopTMKS1EkzDSUxGwBJ_Paot6Nynvs0ni6HrEoO9f3BcriwFzUB57azcR9ek-R5JNtaOmlQeU\")
Writers and photographers for Gardener’s Path come from across the globe, bringing advice, troubleshooting tips, and in-depth reviews to its readers. You’ll find posts on a variety of plants, from annuals to edibles to ornamental. Gardener’s Path hopes to help you take your gardening skills to the next level.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: How to Grow and Care for Olive Trees
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Kevin Espiritu
\n\n\n\n![\"Epic](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3-aSrVXRMGZlftqAAT_JNXWHYFem8WwGfoklP2-5bSKFesBE11aYVqFveaDuqdKtvq8qnfAGBqLGMtRT-AuP_QXbnHPk2dNMBxMyh0LZkvc7GBsSvujPm6P-et4NQStFKfpCNOZF\")
Kevin Espiritu gets straight to the point when it comes to the goal of Epic Gardening. He wants to help 10 million people around the world learn how to grow plants. His blog blends science and nature to bring you the best information on growing your own food, preventing garden pests and diseases, and creative gardening techniques like hydroponics!
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Regrown Green Onions and Sprouted Onions
\n\n\n\nAuthor: David The Good
\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sjcWD4el9LFWKI5cBgXcNKTjDB0dzKQOronQuPElbwjBs4vt9CGkDbNYmACgnYGayssz1rOY273H5z7Ks5_h6mN4QmF8PLSaDCN9SK0ZsoowaqJaR2f7nx6_QmpH1KbB0nmCPstM\")
With more than 30 years of gardening experience, David The Good is about growing the most food with the least amount of work. He started his site eight years ago in Florida and has since gone international. The Survival Gardener focuses on old fashioned farming, natural ecosystems, and “lots” of experimentation.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Watermelons Growing in Sand
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Todd Heft
\n\n\n\n![\"Big](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RwJ5TV3BgA-4XIXScG-9jfslcVFWGtQ84-dTFzZ9fsu12uS8XqwtAmCvUxQ_odGrOWLxLl4ptSPeJOGhdIEdDLiQy7AfdkH3klSsCDibAhzYN_r4s2BkZ2poFeQ69d69TRbe6Sq\")
Flower gardens, vegetable gardens, lawns; you can find advice and information about all of them at Big Blog of Gardening. Founded 11 years ago by Todd Heft, the site centers around organic/sustainable gardening. Or, as Todd calls it, gardening and landscaping.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: A Short History of the American Lawn
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Stephanie
\n\n\n\n![\"Garden](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IDYe1TCroe4rNFFXsIh5Jn2tv5lg_Ifw3AIpEZDEtn6OUZAPallxyDDyHZwxrqghNBQWqh4nssMG84T_NNloCPEdG4fpRln6bFJbPBWTpIl2PYv2UXS554saHwH2Yn_P0VtluZV-\")
After illness kept her in bed for a year-and-a-half, Stephanie discovered gardening as a way to restore both her physical and mental health. Soon she was growing flowers and, after that, vegetables for food. She uses her blog to connect with others who spend time in the garden to heal.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: How to Start a Garden From Scratch Without Breaking the Bank
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Erin
\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jo6M0-qNkGh7trg0mEPw_6r3TyCqoE28jJKmrQNssWfnoEeH3sQOgwg1_k3Pe8uNXmI5sZJmxJqNF3bFmnZZSxujVnxKxc5NeIRhWuzFdMEtSB8npPfLqMAvuh6yPio8c3N30Dki\")
Erin started gardening when she was a toddler, at least according to family photos. Fast-forward to adulthood, where she filled an apartment patio with so many plants, no one could see or walk through it. That led to her buying a house with enough room for three gardens. The Impatient Gardener leads you through real-life gardening; the good, the bad, and the funny!
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Compost 101 (Just Do It)
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Christy Wilhelmi
\n\n\n\n![\"'Gardenerd'](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jgiTChaJlOX15OBAHJnAKlcSp2eWDqEPLWJDkYwlJv3f2Ws_gHg_3CS6foQlK1ghk-kjoswLxeBBetAZO7UwVN7pI3b67yf0on5RcAkXopnCoCLGzLcoJn4NIJJTvAkYAwHgTBLJ\")
Are you obsessed with gardening? Christy Wilhelmi wants you to visit her blog. Gardenerd offers up organic gardening advice such as how to turn land into a productive vegetable garden. Christy is convinced gardening combines physical activity and healthy food choices to provide “a grounding spiritual and creative outlet.”
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Recipe: Intro to Aquafaba
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Kathy Purdy
\n\n\n\n![\"Cold](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/LwstR5tLZR-M7bQjSfueVp98CQBoCbS6Qqe9MXP02e4HEfKU2g7FpHbNLPzF1TWM53Rrgfd8upohqoWxxriTgUh16kLw-7YIBqkGhEQjYd3akSLMwDn8a6QIhyjinoJFHixoDdvm\")
Living in a cold climate may not seem to lend itself to gardening. The trick, says Kathy Purdy, is to choose plants suited to the temperatures and the soil. Cold Climate Gardening is your site to find information on plants that survive the cold, particularly in upstate New York, where she’s gardened for more than 25 years. You’ll also learn how to grow climate-friendly vegetables, garden design, and hardscaping.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Worried for Your Plants With This Weather?
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Various Authors
\n\n\n\n![\"Park](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mHqsPwxdau2WQUWdBieMqgw8PZcOqwwIASLqmjntzsj20q_bOtpmCdXtO3Gdl8ec8cLBFb6eFxUMOIQUaOJvNLIzN7-wmNaxUPgb8bcOkmD5VW_sEjQiKSkeAIkpJ_69hXtw5Dbt\")
The blog is an offshoot of the Park Seed Company, which dates back to 1868. There have been a lot of advances in gardening since then and the blog reflects that. You’ll find posts on vegetables, herbs, flowers, germinating seeds, and tips on protecting your garden from predators. Park Seed is one of American’s oldest mail-order seed and plant companies and you’ll find info on pretty much all things gardening on their blog.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Rascally Rabbits: How to Stop Rabbits From Eating Plants
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Steve Albert
\n\n\n\n![\"Harvest](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pcK8a38Eyckc8swCl7F6Eai1A53MTcj9CITn8ybLHbbZfAGMLYKT8zJnnpUcUPU9gbrHA8qi7HnTeGXyB_nkjz4rb5slo7mX-bHeFONxsiAaZrJWHiCJD7dw5IdFVlI1xqc7CHyP\")
Steve writes his blog from his utility room with the door to the kitchen on one side and the door to the garden on the other. Appropriate, as he cooks and eats what he grows (and gives plenty away, too). Harvest to Table is for gardeners of all levels. The goal is to find easy solutions to common garden problems.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden
\n\n\n\nVarious Authors
\n\n\n\n![\"Seed](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mL5mz25ByVjTiawr2LE-wt4W1OjQOuyr9ErkN0oISRtAVNsFiM2YKlP1DC3c4n1l2ioNo61p7ZrDpEtJTwGcIR1WwWVlMClk1pK_asChfUEHdhzwdiiWATZ7PeevZDqZonFANUMx\")
This site originally focused on helping home gardeners. Today, it centers around supporting and helping finance public garden projects such as school, community, and homeless shelter gardens. Look for pieces on the value of home gardens, some how-tos on planting, and documentation of the projects Seed Money has worked on.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Roosevelt High School Urban Farm, Three Sisters Culinary Garden
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Gayla Trail
\n\n\n\n![\"You](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/wwMq5AbTldIVT_EDfrDvLr6z7XDfTc5x56XA-wmVCNgWE2q2QZ1Jh0Sfk7-DYCE-x96c4UdBnnMXXXFGO4GKAGU1zbrpmnBhLydoNjaR_i93Rm4d0YScagixLhVzKftMahcO4mmd\")
It’s been 20 years since Gayla launched her blog. It has grown into a site that seeks to change our relationship to plants. You Grow Girl takes a laid-back approach to organic gardening, looking at affordability, environmentalism and style. Gayla says her blog is for everyone from gardeners to cooks, to creators, to the just plain curious.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: The First Leafy Greens Harvest Of The Season
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Linda Ly
\n\n\n\n![\"Garden](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wgn8RociLOayNAdJte6UubQUjVvvILupzqIQxm_k6Fxh0N-LBmgod0eF-MbLVXi1WbMPwp3Tu1y4eEyBXewGKcJnd-k1uJpK9fPiCdGeDjSo_H-CtBX5KPxZixUxHq8MhR5qQNQT\")
Linda Ly started her site as a personal blog but it’s now one of the leading resources on gardening. The focal points of Garden Betty are modern homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring. Linda is also the author of the “No-Waste Vegetable Cookbook,” finding ways to use up all the veggies we grow or buy.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Defending the Dandelion: It’s Not Just Another Weed
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Helen Yoest
\n\n\n\n![\"Bee](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0LtPSUFdDw4sI9nP-rN-0sGIX0jTwkJy0Pm87UI45sraOv9Ivx16eLNmK275N0i-VuV0KARC8uz7CREuRncRzoK3LI3mtbs-BNn0z1nRjwSbF6s97f3jghS9V_FTgIn6ZxgJfME0\")
Helen Yoest wants to better the world, one garden at a time, by giving wildlife what it needs to survive. Bee Better Naturally teaches you how to select the best plants to sustain our birds, bees, and butterflies over their lifecycle. Linda emphasizes being pesticide-free, even from organic pesticides. You’ll learn to accept that there will be damage done to plants that host insects, and that’s OK.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: XX Days Lockdown During 2020 Pandemic: The Garden Never Looked Better!
\n\n\n\nVarious Authors
\n\n\n\n![\"Morning](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rhwfNl8SFX0KXLjmCsAyHQeWGgceaTRJ5C_JtAMrNGdd5hDVKwZesqLwaCP9jEXzrpniLeLjwz9IxevHT_dCH0l_sC-DIWAwLSMTqDr1MA3OyKZ183RudVMi4toB5yXDgQWT-x56\")
Created with the premise that it’s hard to find gardening guides you can trust, Morning Chores aims to bring you information and stories that help you grow a thriving garden, learn new skills, and save money. The writing team is scattered across the U.S. and around the world. The one thing they all have in common? Each one has experience in gardening, so they know their plants.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: 15 Easy Ingredient Substitutions if You Can’t Get to the Store
\n\n\n\nVarious Authors
\n\n\n\n![\"Garden](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LaZrmDDpotUTWFd7cL-pGa40MPL0Jw4Z2bwiQxlhu6DJx6Y5iOWcwlaeqYU5lGE-DZ-ZJJlCMiQyYUeqrbMr_Bwndia4ZzqBKrMBKlxlRvCk-dk-J9DB8wTUsN8DTdDZ8zxUFJ7B\")
This contemporary look at natural living with posts on herbal healing, seasonal foods, and the stories plants can tell. You’ll find categories such as “Nourish,” “Heal,” “Change,” and “Inspire.” With a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and hundreds of thousands of followers, Garden Collage uses influencers to bring their stories to social media.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: 5 Classic Fairytale Love Stories About Plants
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Pam Penick
\n\n\n\n![\"Digging\"](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qEYg9qxfGJ9PlhKziCufOyd9zc2Sl97wx8EHzG2TO4teVsxgVtqvgVPExtNFUED5XiZdk4oI6yGSgu99j9fvQlSbcIHGaOB1umV7YQoi39_CLiyfdJXK1gswiBNwpCU4L9bS60XH\")
Pam Penick is a Texan with a penchant for getting dirt under her nails. Digging is for folks who want to feel connected to nature, through real-life plant info, garden design, and virtual garden tours. Like Pam says, it’s for “dirt-under-the-nails types and armchair gardeners alike.”
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Grapey Gorgeous Texas Mountain Laurel
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Fran Sorin
\n\n\n\n![\"Gardening](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/SgZRF9ZYeP8-m0ApjlVnRXC5pWlkMYWnJASbmr1bnJU-E-jbweJB3eKA1J3P3-JQhhwsp5Rr1UFqd2IPJiUdzaI6atEEHWlBeyWB1Mn0ox7LeC0jIDbhcxjQl2RYwjr1qLQoijvM\")
Fran Sorin started her blog back in 2007, with an emphasis on how to create bold, organic, low maintenance and drought-resistant gardens. These days, you’ll still find those types of posts, along with more. Want to know how to effectively use color in your garden? Gardening Gone Wild’s got you covered. How about amazing photos of unique plants and flowers? Covered. You’ll also learn why gardening’s good for your health.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Can Landscaping Protect a Home From Fire?
\n\n\n\nVarious Authors
\n\n\n\n![\"Mother](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/72SJ1aXi6J6Bsom6EEdNV2mJDjupct9zoYNEk1slOC3_WxBK7hoyLkKgwTc1n5X9ZZXxM49waxcRlNVKjHGnRP2yHIDrxIm7ap4FOBSe_qhgptaSS3UAJ_mQqpYpBzShLzuBQ-hB\")
Living green is what it’s all about at Mother Earth News. It’s the longest-running sustainable-lifestyle magazine, and the advice on the pages carries over to the online posts. Organic foods, country living, green transportation, and natural health are some of the topics you’ll find. And if you’re wondering what to do with the veggies you just picked, Mother Earth News has recipes, as well.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Home Canning Guide: Learn How to Can Your Own Food
\n\n\n\nVarious Authors
\n\n\n\n![\"Urban](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1YdhRfn3JZfb1ENkT_U1y5dygdYsRKWi1xFfFN4ljjRV0jUsMLbP0lrds5HzUJ_lN_QnYzv5EXeVGeFoqJ_ahVF7TF5a1RVuGVLeZRG1cvCgNKy1neOXGe7gXOM7d9cI1uSO_247\")
City living doesn’t mean you can’t have a garden. Urban Gardeners Republic’s mission is to create 1000 gardens in 100 cities around the world over the next five years. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this blog aims to encourage you to grow your own food, teach your kids how to garden, and build a green space at home.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Indoor Garden Tips and Ideas For All Gardeners
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jan Johnsen
\n\n\n\n![\"Serenity](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iDOudVnzwQg8Tkbb8Z1oszcAX5ihoNwhVvQQg8mA4DBHf8kRRMss9V2cGBsku4E1hrERwZNFgYYCtyDuRuwm6Frn7VOcKEQp8rAkUBfm1L0gU_5PFdmIGMw8TfcHiNZCQ8DnES_A\")
Going green is what it’s all about for Jan, who designs landscapes and pools and writes books, including “Heaven Is a Garden – Designing Serene Outdoor Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection.” Serenity In The Garden aims to show you how to use a garden to enhance your wellbeing.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Milk Carton Gardens
\n\n\n\nAuthors: Jessica Walliser, Niki Jabbour, Tara Nolan
\n\n\n\n![\"Savvy](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cRgPvzckrdTayxUnETWe5BJEvAzPvv4H2isFq1C5mp6b4WhMb9zHxA6Gx_fUL3UawdXsq40OjQlVg9uE-CL4h6P_TH7mxvtt1WDtj9dh4oSi0hsCCb6kWm8h80GMcALh0xLNbJP7\")
Three voices of gardening expertise make up Savvy Gardening. Jessica, Niki and Tara want you to get out in your garden and experiment. The blog offers information on food, interactions between insects and plants, and ways to reconnect with nature.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Landscape Borders: Eye-Catching Edging Ideas
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Kathy Jantz
\n\n\n\n![\"Washington](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-roubdCJ8Dh9oQzQF_OEdYK0gcgQYsuRX1eVXixOwHG7B2lm3ksQk0UmH_AZnCLs95NRXITB4cAuVJ1UrGu0YEfFx0K6Ra0BK8VXYgH6BE1pwymv9wPZvo6J22pWEJ0On-2IwGLy\")
Kathy is determined to leave a very small environmental footprint behind and is committed to doing all she can to protect the planet. At Washington Gardener, they source 100% wind power and use vegetable-based inks and recycled paper for printing. In this blog, look for tips on building a garden, safety, and transitioning the kitchen garden from spring into early summer.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Plant Profile: Carex
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Isis Loran
\n\n\n\n![\"Family](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y2og6TXrWkJuE31xPeHQkf50s0MJkIUxXzvoXY6_oHRzVmRI0wkbcxXwqSGITLzQGow9PwvK80k51ToxM1tncyhJMWxOl9x4Oi0euVhpUJH4-m_YjzBNfvDd6OR-FZops6pMy4zW\")
When you grow your own food, you can control what you put into your body, whether it’s tea, herbs, wild foraged food, or fruits and vegetables. Isis loves growing heirlooms and experimenting with plants. Family Food Garden covers garden planning, homesteading and permaculture, such as growing a pollinator garden.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: How to Keep Your Greenhouse Cool in the Summer
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jeanne Grunert
\n\n\n\n![\"Home](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7lxZO7nsKlhibmJSY16WRa2dqHSUFwP6vIeYbxbza_zQVnmiBPOzTkgjHsXvLkAUIVQ1ihNdL-oZPrwne2kvYf1eSmOcgwo-UQKm1q6iML7nEkBHl8we82KraMoe_98PcHcLUFfk\")
On her voyage from a city slicker to farm girl, Jeanne moved from New York City to Farmersville, Va. Regardless of where she was living, plants and gardening were her thing. Home Garden Joy shares posts on how to grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs plus some surprising info like how to make a bee water station with things you find at the dollar store.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Asian Murder Hornets: What Gardeners Need to Know
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Melissa Caughey
![\"Tilly's](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3QBjGjCCvwKxsTNKIobyMk4a3KiEQjX7Ep8PLmKucaCadV3BX--2gmA6gRkxwvuObZ8YtApmTkOHJhTHWW8UcZtguH68EBHf4J8xxv6OGZq4R8rmVlEHnPA9IWBYNeWjFXHsnB-U\")
The first thing you notice about Tilly’s Nest is chickens. Lots of chickens. A second to the fowl is gardening. Melissa lives by the New England seaside and keeps you updated on chickens, gardening, bees, art, and food.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Spring Awakenings: Delights of the Season
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Marianne Willburn
\n\n\n\n![\"Small](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/71JejNFhVzmdKqSpv3218elWFjVAcz_I4a05i81wrRVlu7y5EuERscFU9bovKJx3xwrBjgLZKlHcElAG6rIN-m7g-wYn08rvYeuHl4w04bk30jPxO-tiytVoVVg1YQ01-OjW0CIF\")
Growing plants reminds Marianne how fulfilling it is to work with your hands. These days of digital living find some gardeners glued to Pinterest and other sites, collecting information but forgetting to do anything with it. Small Town Gardener helps you reconnect with the actual garden, whether it’s on your balcony, in your backyard, or on ten acres in your field.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Vegetable Gardening on a Smaller Scale
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Dee Nash
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/H34Ltk9U2G5UJ-ffRQOKNXYzNWEOnjb3--5ybs0eEpnezw2x8h1gp4rOk7flih1NjiWrnEIfM_h66vkUTLMZm52LBx4WyzYEezM62Fz5dBgyKsC_21SPs_fyElRb4VvWY8HsWzC0\")
Dee once grew 90 rose bushes and more than 200 daylilies. You might say she’s garden-obsessed. Oklahoma born and raised, she loves getting her hands in the red dirt. Her blog offers tips on how to grow your own transplants from seed, when to buy bulbs for spring flowers, and the basics of container gardening.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Heart-Shaped Plants
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Anna Hackman
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ORWxmwN3NWaxsVcCgYLXDIidwS0bfl2lzqybJ5kqtXmdwAAh7cWQLPLIMoE_pTIUFOCwHDcKLvmSpO6IBTEuk9iZX_B6OIOrWW5qwqmS_Xm56D5Ly3EJ2kPmPKXc1gS23wthHcNY\")
Green Talk began as a blog about green building, as Anna had just finished building an eco-friendly house. It’s evolved into a site about gardening, herbs, and food preservation, with some green living still sprinkled in. Anna promotes health, hope, and happiness, which she says you can achieve by growing and preserving your own food.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: How to Successfully Grow Indoor Seedlings Using the Right Light
\n\n\n\nAuthors: Chantal Aida Gordon, Ryan Benoit
\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_5ekLkx2ab5SD9wfVqNRSLm-81FhpWfPcObZvj64EthlW3tcJqrZYvcnnC9e_7zF5BTfvXIW9Y8v564UQ125Yr_we_zhuMW8uRpdWIfiCOnit2U3RzBP7wDnT0U5CjbpjrZj5rqQ\")
Chantal and Ryan created their blog seven years ago as newbies to gardening. As they experimented with plants and interviewed the experts, they shared everything they learned with their readers. Now, accomplished gardeners, they bring to The Horticult a guide to enjoying a plant-infused lifestyle, including how to serve up herb-garnished cocktails.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Show Thyme: How to Build an Outdoor Theater in Your Garden
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Carol Michel
\n\n\n\n![\"May](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/HtdGPwH6rboWOIrAnOHk5-kMiQTlEBRN_G0WVLc_mFvl0s-NgEsoueOcQ0tYGGDlmfPs6yWLNz3qj_AEMRMohPg93y_wwV-bNAWJFUKyWfS7yGYGtgqBgA6KYTVX0KO9m5JqKMpL\")
Carol calls herself an eccentric gardening geek. This Indiana gardener writes about how to select and use the right tools, gardening clubs you may want to join and, of course, house plants, outdoor plants, and colorful blossoms. May Dreams Gardens also encourages you to keep a garden diary. Who knows? Maybe you’ll start your own garden blog.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: The Garden Fairies May Need to Defend Themselves
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Eva
\n\n\n\n![\"My](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/izvZvsAW5ZIggPNfRfAXlNzFF_-E7Ib0veYr75OfP_44-Zukm0qzelZ3k4ZFCSTYbipr-z8RxJu1u4CK7SaoVgRwcWjtsuKOgHAvQZOdjfZyrd3WkKJiarZcleNiVPC5mTUxRhoN\")
My Desired Home describes itself as the place to go when home deco and DIY need inspiration, but the blog also focuses on gardening. Want to know the secret to growing tasty tomatoes in pots? Learn why bamboo is the new trend for your garden. Or read about DIY ideas to transform a tree trunk into a beautiful garden decoration.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Dipladenia, the Amazing Brazilian Jasmine in Your Pot and Garden
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jessica Lane
\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3PyptlLBYdTWVbuIL0sQYlDXyWgoDSIfpTDoYktHTuzfLMYmWlPAZ_KWfhLGIpCb4CISwCq2KQOWb928hYODCKDwqNGYaCKE_5yz24QxISpxKiACwwsuWB4wpCGM99q0FwU6VYE5\")
Jessica lives a nearly self-sufficient life with her three kids in Maine. She grows as much food as she can and what she can’t grow, she barters for. The 104 Homestead follows her journey into homesteading. If you want to be more self-sufficient but don’t know where to start, you’ll find the answers on this blog.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: There’s No Reason Not to Grow Your Own Food
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jenny
\n\n\n\n![\"Bees](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/i7pELAdyVkTwDzgnEMXvz9XIOEVHWAZxc_tpPj6RM2NL9mbJ14h77aW5NAycFa3yGbLRFCJHwacr6B3TdLmLIR1mCChkZfTAqQ6euuA_dzGdim8-VOVEIhnpLRyoJq-NSUgAFgrE\")
A certified master gardener, Jenny wants to tell you all she can about outdoor living. Whether it’s landscaping, planting trees, or flowers, Bees and Roses has what you need to be successful in the garden. Jenny’s posts include advice on creating permaculture designs for your backyard and tips for growing tomatoes upside down. That’s right. Upside down!
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Victory Gardens: a Blast From the Past
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jono Stevens
\n\n\n\n![\"Real](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LfSInuEAxob-dUj2oH-fCpXQzWFK71OthYXJW2IkCoVCLzC0znpKOBo4hzBJvTWOhcPEF4iqMDLhy9YKppqLedqF7H8dnVWyeSrSq_-UdsP7rH_FaOlCXPpH00RF3SV0yNulBa_r\")
Thirteen years ago, Jono took up gardening with his mom. He says a steady stream of tasty fruits and veggies have made their way to his kitchen ever since. You’ll find advice for beginning gardeners and tips for buying cheap seeds. Jono hopes his blog captures the joy of growing your own food and living within the seasons.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: 6 Tips for Composting Down Your Spent Crops
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Shawna Coronado
\n\n\n\n![\"Shawna](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8uTZUK5M5Wx8a9F4k8-nF5DHUlKBIgMEdBkxOW1Josr5E58tU1WyZqZlnGAItNEFj2I5tikhmCi9I0-8nMWrS1hUuViUDXnZnZIBASm-J1mXNK4-5acVSMpmsPcdRV1C5ZIlhLA_\")
When Shawna was diagnosed with a debilitating disease, she set out to find ways to decrease the pain. Focusing on growing organic produce and plants for food, while also sharing anti-inflammatory recipes, Shawna has a “make a difference” passion, zeroing in on wellness.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Purple Basil Is a Great Ornamental Edible
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Kate
\n\n\n\n![\"High](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zh9QZTBjxQVjs-y9fQlPvIcXFzKPekUDHAzS7Rxx1wlEmGnj6XqZpHRFN347Q7kX73SN-s7G1cOCRC3FdNacshfvNLmwpn2dmc2T14bmYdiziDoEpy11vz3XeIUdKDHqDBWJlBxX\")
Kate gardens in a high-plain desert at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Sound challenging? It is. This Utah blogger is a certified master gardener who plants native flowers to adapt to the dry, harsh conditions. High Altitude Gardening offers advice on which seeds to buy and which vegetables to plant.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: The Divine Inspiration of … Onions?
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Kathy
\n\n\n\n![\"Skippy's](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wuw6jUzkv0WCYxMXMzW6Yj5VdRddFA_fgfNxZ3H7xlxB8J9IpPK696cPq4bA0I0atSzFW5bwSnPSgB9BknWUEFFX7XxoyXrKk9Bc0kNeRaomNDNEZkd73oWIeO7rsu5yvs36qHHB\")
Kathy is a biochemist who gardens as a hobby. The blog is named after Skippy, her first dog who followed her through the garden. Though Skippy is no longer here, his memory lives on through the blog. Kathy shares advice from expert gardeners, including gardening projects you can do in your kitchen and templates for garden plans.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Growing Sprouts and Microgreens
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Robin Plaskoff Horton
\n\n\n\n![\"Urban](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LCtPsh06n9u638ddxmBxHJ3swQYu6NgsT8lYlLBvjEijXcf3ulshPDsG1C9R4npM4WVSawfbl2oBFXOkpmLwkBLD_-G_sfL-vrLT6ygegn3VwsTLBPXbktbhOK0luv1roirakUdC\")
Urban Gardens starts at the beginning, from planting and cultivating to harvesting. The blog combines urban style, design, sustainable living, and travel. Robin grew up in several countries and uses her experience on her blog, scouting the world for food and design trends.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Horticulture Therapy Cultivates Healing and Hope for Seniors
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Michelle
\n\n\n\n![\"Veg](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZnCnOGVWTmpffLBoYB427OJ7KaCcK6ktwgkK656ZPEqxFs_eVgBugWBNtyompLAyYqffnTLQ4W7o-OeBbwV_ejHiq_w2mhAmu_U-GQgI48yvhs0WIQvqKJqiuYC0UFO0UISD3KHD\")
Michelle doesn’t claim to be an expert gardener but she hopes you’ll find useful information in Veg Plotting. She writes about discovering things about gardening, cooking what you grow, and spotting spring flowers. The gardening bug didn’t really bite her until she was an adult, but she’s making up for lost time.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: It Started With a Lemon
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Lee Miller
\n\n\n\n![\"Landscape](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RgA6MJ4vnacjGsa0mpHWfs6ky3sksbFQtzdO0ux0JVu-pKA6DhXTteiQgKz5p91SvzuHenx_efXbUbrmC1ArjEHUD4CBDIdUI8I6r_a5GA5jApjhzt38tKGU67maDibhdyjm9nO3\")
ee says she’s had a shovel in her hand since age 5. She’s a lifetime gardener, book author and now a landscape designer. Lee stays current with horticulture practices and shares what she learns on her blog. You’ll also find gorgeous pictures of flowers and plants on her page.
\n\n\n\nFavorite Post 2020: Garden Bloggers Bloom Day & Foliage Follow
\n","title":"50 Best Gardening Blogs of 2020","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5515151515151515,"src":"/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/1789c/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/107df/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.jpg 320w,\n/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/293e9/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.jpg 500w,\n/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/f2cbb/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.jpg 800w,\n/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/1789c/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.jpg 960w,\n/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/a2a79/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/1dd6e/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/67b76/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.webp 320w,\n/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/8df11/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.webp 500w,\n/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/98a65/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.webp 800w,\n/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/1dd6e/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.webp 960w,\n/static/6bdcfb08eef3cd45b3286f91a10e07c1/7aa54/gardener-planting-flower-plant-man-tree-1586951-pxhere.com_.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"50 Best Gardening Blogs of 2020 | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"99a8a8a1-0eee-5669-b635-4a59bfaa7e90","slug":"how-to-prevent-repair-rock-salt-damage-on-lawns","path":"/lawn-care/how-to-prevent-repair-rock-salt-damage-on-lawns/","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":"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/"},{"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":"November 21st, 2019","excerpt":"The debate over rock salt is a slippery slope. More than 25 million metric tons of rock salt are dumped onto roads, sidewalks, and driveways every year to de-ice them. While these de-icing salts make life safer for motorists and pedestrians, they have the unintended consequence of damaging lawns. Most of the time, salt damage […]
\n","content":"\nThe debate over rock salt is a slippery slope. More than 25 million metric tons of rock salt are dumped onto roads, sidewalks, and driveways every year to de-ice them. While these de-icing salts make life safer for motorists and pedestrians, they have the unintended consequence of damaging lawns. Most of the time, salt damage is not apparent until spring, when snowmelt and warming temperatures reveal the dead grass.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NjGOu8zuJtv1iLsWaOawKFZkMeM88I6RMbT39KNWxyyP4HtkKpZ3FaM3z-QvKFOfPq_ruGVeQvxM4VYlm51XL_BWd4oUJp_7-eKeEKNVLH5FYFx7YXLEebmoYGqR3_sKplyNOfVl\")
If you live on a major roadway where crews use salt as a road de-icer, consider a little preventive and remedial lawn care to safeguard your lawn.
\n\n\n\nWhen rock salt is applied to icy surfaces, it melts the ice and then runs off or is sprayed by the tires of cars driving through the slush. That overspray can travel up to 150 feet, which means even if your yard isn’t directly affected, some mist may still reach your yard. Salt spray can cause injury to plant buds, leaves, and stems.
\n\n\n\nSalt draws moisture out of leaves, leaving them brown and dry. It also pulls moisture out of the soil, causes soil compaction, and exposes grass roots to chlorides. When chlorides build up to a toxic level, plants lose the ability to produce chlorophyll and eventually die.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/eMqSKQJMlPHs_fovZyFU86BptGtpjXzfRSIJMS6h5y6pAMvBZrj4YuQ9mChNNaxemCHLuKi8jEmxVrM6PsA9_4yeacUeQQgx6VnTAL1L6UlHuHOHT3ZraXxc6OK9hfElPEz_GXzZ\")
Rock salt has a corrosive effect on hard surfaces, often leaving white spots on natural stone walkways and patios. Concrete that isn’t sealed is porous and will soak up the briny water left behind from a de-icing treatment. That absorbed water will refreeze when the temperature dips below freezing, causing expansion. This process will eventually cause chipping, cracks, and flaking in concrete structures. The least expensive de-icing salts tend to be the most corrosive. Pricier de-icing agents are less harmful to grass and less corrosive to concrete and stone. Even if you use a cheaper, more corrosive de-icer, you can cut it with sand to reduce the volume of harsh chemicals.
\n\n\n\nSalt remains in the soil for years, and it accumulates over time until it creates an environment where grass can no longer thrive. Salt is leached out by rainfall, but it can take a while for this process to be complete. Speeding this process by irrigating deeply once the weather warms up will help. But the best solution is to avoid the accumulation of salt in the soil in the first place.
\n\n\n\nGenevieve Schmidt, owner of Genevieve Schmidt Landscape Design and Fine Maintenance in Humboldt County on California’s northern coast, recommends using calcium or magnesium acetates rather than chlorides to de-ice areas around yards and landscapes. She cautions, “When you see dieback and browning or yellowing of leaves, it’s evident there’s been salt damage. If you suspect salt has leached into your landscaping, it’s wise to rinse plants and soil with water as soon as the snow melts. Apply 2 inches of water over a two- to three-hour period, then repeat a few days later.”
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mzr4JokmArjex8fONGsriVGdlk7rogYtVDYn7Jn2p9p6dkkmm55B4mFZ5yBYIdX2jHnqwOIigim53_JN9OnlWXt497yNnHHE5MD4LtQ7cYwWqutEXbn5L5y8Ku7xq5axXtgrLMwm\")
There is little point in reseeding or overseeding a lawn that has a high level of salt buildup. Without flushing out the salt beforehand, the new grass will absorb the chlorides in the soil and eventually suffer the same fate as the grass you’re replacing. Once you’ve adequately flushed salt out of your lawn in the spring, take your time to reseed your lawn the right way. While salt damage in your yard is nothing to shrug off, it also isn’t the end of the world. With a little foresight and prevention, you can protect your lawn and treat the damage before it’s irreversible.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Michael Pereckas, CC by 2.0
\n","title":"How to Prevent, Repair Rock Salt Damage on Lawns","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.8311874105865522,"src":"/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/1789c/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/107df/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.jpg 320w,\n/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/293e9/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.jpg 500w,\n/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/f2cbb/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.jpg 800w,\n/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/1789c/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.jpg 960w,\n/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/356ef/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/1dd6e/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/67b76/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.webp 320w,\n/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/8df11/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.webp 500w,\n/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/98a65/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.webp 800w,\n/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/1dd6e/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.webp 960w,\n/static/b1ef5d85b3cc6b0c560dae1ef673f23e/93f70/1280px-Salt_truck_Milwaukee.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Prevent, Repair Rock Salt Damage on Lawns | 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.
Lawn grubs are a part of the ecosystem. And, of course, we want to preserve the ecosystem. But too much of anything can be a bad thing. Grub worms become a problem when there is a large grub population. They eat grass roots, weakening the bond between the grass and roots and ultimately killing the […]
\n","content":"\nLawn grubs are a part of the ecosystem. And, of course, we want to preserve the ecosystem. But too much of anything can be a bad thing. Grub worms become a problem when there is a large grub population. They eat grass roots, weakening the bond between the grass and roots and ultimately killing the grass. This article tells you how to get rid of grubs in your lawn using natural methods and conventional chemicals.
\n\n\nGrubs are the larvae of beetles like June bugs, Japanese beetles, and June beetles. After the beetles lay eggs, they hatch into larvae that feed on grass roots and need moisture to survive. They are slimy-looking, squishy, and C-shaped, with legs close to their brown heads.
\n\n\n![\"Japanese](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/aa92a5f5-8ab5-406e-a721-72ac486709fc.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez
\n\n\n\nThe eggs hatch, and the white grubs become active in the spring and summer. In the fall, they feed and tunnel further into the soil for protection against upcoming winter weather.
\n\n\n\nGrubs do more than make your grass look unhealthy. By weakening the bond between the grass and grass roots, grubs cause your grass to become unstable. When pulled, patches of grass come up easily and roll up like a carpet. Grass will quickly die once the roots are severed.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere are a few telltale signs of lawn grubs, like increased animal activity, as critters like skunks and raccoons flock to your yard to feed on the grub worms.
\n\n\n\nWhite grubs dig into grass roots and cause dead patches. Multiple dead patches that do not improve can be a sign of a grub infestation. Although brown patches can be a sign of lawn disease or drought, they are also a major indicator that grub control may be needed if the grass pulls up easily. Remember, patches of grass will roll up like carpet if there is grub damage.
\n\n\n\nBefore you start the process to get rid of grubs, test your yard to make sure grubs are the problem:
\n\n\n\n— In the suspected area, dig up 1 square foot that is about 3 inches deep.
— If you see 5 or fewer grubs, your lawn is normal. Treatment is unnecessary.
— Unhealthy grass will require grub control if there are five to 10 grubs in a single square foot.
— If you see more than 10 grubs, your infestation qualifies as severe, and you may need professional help to treat it.
You can kill grubs without injuring beneficial insects by using organic methods. Natural treatment can take several years, but you, your loved ones, and the environment will be safer for it.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"beneficial](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/85f15946-4a9d-4367-824e-fec8e65433b8.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: CSIRO / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nThese microscopic worms are natural parasites that kill grubs by releasing bacteria. They naturally live in the soil. Homeowners can purchase them at retailers like Walmart and even online from Amazon. Use them soon after purchase, before they die. Water the grass before and after you release the beneficial nematodes into the lawn. The best time to apply the worms is in the afternoon.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMilky spore comes in powder form and can be sprinkled on the lawn. It is a bacterial disease that only kills Japanese beetle grubs. It can take many years for this bacterium to get rid of grubs.
\n\n\n\nTypically, milky spore can be purchased at the same locations as beneficial nematodes. You can find them online at Home Depot and Amazon.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHomeowners can control grubs with a DIY neem oil solution. Neem oil naturally contains ingredients that act as pesticides, like Azadirachtin.
\n\n\n\nRecipe and Directions. Mix 1 teaspoon of pure Castile soap with 1 gallon of warm water. Add 2 tablespoons of raw 100% cold-pressed neem oil. Place the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray your lawn weekly until the grubs are gone, or the population is reduced to a normal level. Apply at dawn or dusk to keep from harming beneficial insects.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"bird](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/d5635a6c-233a-43ad-9848-d4f3f21986db.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Anmol Dash / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nGrubs are tasty little treats for birds like bluejays and robins. Put out birdhouses, birdbaths, and food for birds to attract them to your yard. They will eat your grub problem away while you sit back and watch.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you’re in an area where you experience droughts in the summer, take advantage of it. Dry out the soil even more by not watering your grass for three to four weeks. Since beetle eggs need moisture to live, drought will act as a natural pesticide and kill the eggs. The dry soil will decrease the subsequent year’s grub population.
\n\n\n\nSome grass types are more drought-tolerant than others, but most healthy lawns will green up when you start re-quenching the grass’s thirst.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nConventional grub control products, like other conventional lawn care agents such as herbicides and insecticides, come with risks to humans, pets, and the environment. Be sure to read product labels and follow the instructions, taking any necessary safety precautions.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCuratives eliminate larvae before they become pupae. They do not kill beetles when they are in their pupae stage, which is after they are larvae but before they become adult beetles. Products that have the ingredients carbaryl or trichlorfon are effective curative products for grubs.
\n\n\n\nCarbaryl kills grubs in about 10 to 14 days. It is more effective at eliminating certain types of grubs, like European chafer grubs, than trichlorfon. Beneficial insects, including bees, are also harmed by carbaryl.
\n\n\n\nTrichlorfon starts to kill grubs in about one to five days.
\n\n\n\nMow the lawn immediately before applying these chemicals to protect bees. Carbaryl and trichlorfon are toxic to these crucial pollinators. They can be harmed if they visit flowering weeds after the lawn is sprayed. Mowing removes the flowers. After the application of curative products, water the lawn with at least 0.5 inches of water.
\n\n\n\nTreat the grass in the early spring or fall with curative killers since this is when grubs are most vulnerable to pesticides. Do not apply curative treatments after mid-May because grubs are no longer feeding. Using carbaryl or trichlorfon in September will kill 20 – 80% of grubs. They will kill 20 – 55% when used in late October.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you already have a grub problem, preventative pesticides will not work. Preventative products are for homeowners who have had past grub problems or who have noticed that their neighbor probably has grubs. These pesticides will decrease your chances of a grub infestation and stop white grubs from invading in the future.
\n\n\n\nChoose preventative pesticides with the chemicals halofenozide or imidacloprid. Imidacloprid and clothianidin are effective on young grubs like European chafers and will kill them as they hatch.
\n\n\n\nPreventative chemicals are more effective at decreasing the grub population than curative methods. Products with these active ingredients can be used in late summer, fall, and early spring. These chemicals kill 75 – 100% of grubs when applied in early summer, in June or July. Be sure to irrigate immediately after application with 0.5 inches of water to get the optimal killing potential.
\n\n\n\nJust as you would with curative agents, mow the lawn immediately preceding the application of preventative pesticides to protect beneficial insects and to ensure the product reaches the grubs in the soil.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"dethatcher](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hand-scarifiers-g35cd23e32_1920-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: silver bullet66 / Pixabay / License
\n\n\n\nKeeping your lawn healthy will help prevent grubs from taking over and injuring your yard. Thriving turfgrass that is watered regularly (but not overwatered) can withstand five or more grubs per square foot without damage. You want to maintain your grass in a way that facilitates a deeper root system. These lawn care practices will establish the healthy lawn needed to prevent lawn grubs:
\n\n\n\nAre there insecticides that do not work on grubs?
\n\n\n\nYes. The chemicals listed below will not work on grubs unless they are combined with preventative chemicals that are effective for grub control. Do not use products that contain only these chemicals:
\n\n\n\n— Bifenthrin
— Gamma-cyhalothrin
— Lambda-cyhalothrin
— Deltamethrin
— Permethrin
— Cyfluthrin
When is it safe for children and pets to return to the grass after grub control treatment?
\n\n\n\nInsecticides and herbicides, in general, are harmful to humans, especially children, and pets. Wait until after you have watered the grass, and it has completely dried before allowing humans or pets into the affected area.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAre there any active ingredients safe for bees?
\n\n\n\nThe chemical chlorantraniliprole is safe for bees. This active ingredient can be found in some preventive conventional grub control products.
\n\n\n\nUnlike other preventives, it can be used on the lawn any time in the spring after green-up. It is not as effective as other preventive agents, but it will decrease grubs by 65 – 80%. You can apply it between early April and mid-July, but applying it before June ensures maximum killing potential.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDo grubs go away without treatment?
\n\n\n\nNo, they do not. They not only spread quickly, but they also cause both aesthetic damage and damage to grass root systems. Test for grubs or call a professional if you have signs, and start treatment immediately.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHow do you apply conventional curative and preventive grub control products?
\n\n\n\nBoth of these types of products come as liquid and dry granules. Read labels and follow application directions. Liquid pesticides can be applied with a hose spray bottle or a hose sprayer. Granules can be applied with a fertilizer spreader. Some granules need to be mixed with water and sprayed. Some grub control products come in attach-to-hose bottles where the water is automatically mixed upon application.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou have several options to manage a lawn grub infestation. Fortunately, a few grubs do not indicate a problem. A healthy lawn may contain about five grubs per square foot and not have any damage. Always do a test before starting treatment. For the most accurate analysis, call a lawn pest control professional.
WikiLawn can connect you to qualified lawn care pros in your area for all your lawn care needs, including grub detection and treatment.
Main Photo Credit: CSIRO / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n","title":"How to Get Rid of Grubs in Your Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.492537313432836,"src":"/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/1789c/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/107df/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/293e9/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/f2cbb/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/1789c/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/c26c2/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/1dd6e/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/67b76/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.webp 320w,\n/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/8df11/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.webp 500w,\n/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/98a65/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.webp 800w,\n/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/1dd6e/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.webp 960w,\n/static/7b4584f3d7073b53e65e07e0004481d5/3cc96/86d21984-83b9-45a1-baa5-3f965b05b661-1-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Get Rid of Grubs in Your Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Learn about natural living organisms that kill grubs, DIY solutions, and conventional chemicals that get rid of grubs from your lawn."}}},{"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!
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