![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DsPkopj6RHtdHE9HXf7RqbO-yXYwD86hdHCc0tsrSi6xzCct--93MLshKTLLinUp9WEWX8F_Iu-L70jTEGFkcs2mB6MWgb-8NJzK0bLeyNtaXvNb3P5FE9OWVaUfyjlPAnTfa_bxLicAq9n3hw\")
For many lawn owners in the Northern half of the United States, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is synonymous with the ideal lawn, and for good reason. When given its preferred growing conditions and proper care, this grass produces a lush, dense, and durable lawn that lives up to its historic reputation. Part of the charm […]
\n","content":"\nFor many lawn owners in the Northern half of the United States, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is synonymous with the ideal lawn, and for good reason. When given its preferred growing conditions and proper care, this grass produces a lush, dense, and durable lawn that lives up to its historic reputation. Part of the charm of a healthy Kentucky bluegrass lawn is its rich emerald to blue-green color. Add to that its medium to fine texture and a Kentucky bluegrass lawn is both beautiful to look at and comfortable for bare feet and outdoor activities.
\n\n\n\nOften referred to in the grass industry by its initials KBG, Kentucky bluegrass quickly rose to become a premier lawn grass throughout much of the country. While the state of Kentucky may be known as the “Bluegrass State,” Kentucky bluegrass did not actually originate there. Like many common turf grasses in the United States, this widely used grass is native to Europe and northern Asia (1). Its first use in the U.S. was as a pasture grass in locations such as Kentucky, where it still covers the state’s well known gently rolling hills. KBG is what is known as a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. This means it comes back year after year and grows most vigorously during the cool seasons of fall and spring. KBG has the greatest cold hardiness of all the common cool-season lawn grasses (2). It is used most extensively in northern climates where moderately warm summers and cold winters follow with its natural preferences and growth cycle.
Compared to tall fescue, traditional Kentucky bluegrass varieties have relatively shallow roots, which typically lead to lower tolerances for heat and drought (3). Historically, this has restricted the widespread use of KBG south of the climatically challenging ‘transition zone’, where higher heat and humidity favor warm-season grasses, such as Zoysia and St. Augustine grass.
\n\n\n\nUnlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a true self-spreading, sod-forming grass. Once established, it spreads readily by using underground stems (known as rhizomes) to form a dense and thick turf. This aggressive growth habit gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage. Depending on your grass growing region and your lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass may be a perfect choice for you. As with other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass growth slows significantly during hot summer months. During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant. However, it recovers quickly with irrigation and a return to normal conditions.
\n\n\n\nKBG establishes easily from seed, but it germinates more slowly than some other cool-season grasses. Fast-growing perennial ryegrass, for example, germinates in one-third the time of Kentucky bluegrass (1). Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas. Look on the seed tag label of many grass seed mixes, including shade and sun & shade mixes, and you’ll find KBG varieties mixed with other cool-season grasses. Fast-greening perennial ryegrass and shade-tolerant fescues complement Kentucky bluegrass’s strengths to create versatile, lush, cool-season lawns. Durable KBG is also a regular component of seed mixes for athletic fields.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass seed is better adapted to high foot-traffic and compacted soil. This makes the grass ideal for yards with children and dogs, park areas and sports fields. For the most part, Bluegrasses have the ability to recover from injury and disturbance due to their spreading rhizomes. This also gives them excellent winter hardiness. When properly watered during its growing seasons, bluegrass will grow back and fill-in after freezing, drought and periods of high-traffic.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass matures into a beautiful, sod-forming turf with a fine texture and blue-green blades that form dense, spreading mats. Regular mowing will help bluegrass become thick, lush and uniform lawns.
\n\n\n\nWhile Kentucky bluegrass is lovely for many reasons, it can not achieve its full beauty on its own. This grass actually requires a relatively high level of maintenance to look its absolute, but the results of the extra tender loving grass care can be worth it.
\n\n\n\nWith Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season lawn grasses, the best time to plant seed and do major lawn maintenance is during early fall, as KBG growth progress is at its peak. Because of KBG’s rhizomatous growth, the grass develops thatch easily, which can add to drought stress and potential for disease. Depending on your mowing and care practices, your KBG lawn may need dethatching every year or two.
\n\n\n\nWise water management is essential for Kentucky bluegrass lawns. Deep, thorough irrigation helps encourage deep root growth, while shallow, frequent watering discourages proper growth. During normal weather, a typical KBG lawn needs at least 1 inch of water weekly from irrigation or rainfall. During warmer weather and in the transition zone, 2 inches or more per week may be needed (1). While the relatively shallow roots of traditional KBG varieties historically required more water than tall fescue or most warm-season counterparts in similar situations, modern developments have greatly improved water efficiency.
\n\n\n\nLike other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass should be mowed higher than warm-season grasses. Warm-season Bermudagrass, for example, is routinely kept near 1 inch tall, but KBG should be mowed to 2 to 2 1/2 inches high. During periods of high heat and lower rainfall, recommended KBG mowing heights increase to 3 to 4 inches (1).
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass lawns typically require more fertilizer than tall fescue and other grasses. In alkaline soils, blades can lose their rich green color due to pH-induced iron deficiency. The optimal soil pH for KBG lawns is near 5.8 to 7.0. (2) Regular soil testing every three to four years can help you maintain a healthy pH balance and rich KBG color with the help of quality lawn fertilizers, soil amendments and mineral supplements (3).
\n\n\n\nWhile this might seem like a lot of maintenance items to keep up on, as we’ve shown the benefits of KBG can definitely outweigh the time and energy required to keep the grass at its peak.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass seeds will tolerate limited shade but grow best in full sun. Some varieties of bluegrass have been bred to be more tolerant of shading, but dense shade is a limiting factor to the vigor of a bluegrass lawn. KBG requires well-drained soil and consistent moisture for optimal health and beauty (3). Due to shallow roots, bluegrasses will quickly go dormant if subjected to extended drought or under-watering.
\n\n\n\nStill unsure of how to best care for your Kentucky Bluegrass lawn? Check out your state’s agricultural extension office for helpful tips and soil testing kits that will help you determine your best lawn care plan.
\n\n\n\nIf you live in the northern or central United States and your lawn needs call for a durable and wear-resistant cool-season lawn that can grow thick and lush, Kentucky Bluegrass may be the perfect solution providing you seasons of turfgrass.
\n\n\n\n\n\nSources:
\n\n\n\n1. Duble, R.L., “Kentucky Bluegrass,” Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.
\n\n\n\n2. Patton, A. and Boyd J., “Choosing a Grass for Arkansas Lawns,” University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension.
\n\n\n\n3. Cook, T., “Kentucky Bluegrass, Poa Pratensis L.,” Oregon State University Department of Horticulture.
\n\n\n\nTop Photo: Source
\n","title":"Everything to Know About Kentucky Bluegrass","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4987951807228916,"src":"/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/9461e/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/107df/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.jpg 320w,\n/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/293e9/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.jpg 500w,\n/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/9461e/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.jpg 622w","srcWebp":"/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/fb518/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/67b76/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.webp 320w,\n/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/8df11/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.webp 500w,\n/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/fb518/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.webp 622w","sizes":"(max-width: 622px) 100vw, 622px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Everything to Know About Kentucky Bluegrass | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"This is the comprehensive Kentucky Bluegrass guide. Read more to find out characteristics, maintenance do's and don'ts, and more!"}},"relatedPosts":[{"node":{"id":"bd23c7a6-56c1-5baf-b0d7-e3b495e7ae45","slug":"pre-emergent-herbicides","path":"/blog/pre-emergent-herbicides/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"LaShonda Tucker is a freelance writer, poet, and spoken word artist in Atlanta. She earned her masters from the University of Georgia and enjoys playing her violin.","name":"LaShonda Tucker","id":"f7fdb6d3-a89a-5295-963a-aac47afa7cee","path":"/author/lashonda-tucker/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce61747b62dbfb82f56a8611f2835988?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"August 7th, 2023","excerpt":"There’s nothing worse to a lawn fanatic than pouring time and effort into caring for your grass, only to find weeds popping out, ruining your lawn. After the money and effort you’ve put into maintaining your yard, no one would blame you for screaming at the top of your lungs at the sight of lawn […]
\n","content":"\nThere’s nothing worse to a lawn fanatic than pouring time and effort into caring for your grass, only to find weeds popping out, ruining your lawn. After the money and effort you’ve put into maintaining your yard, no one would blame you for screaming at the top of your lungs at the sight of lawn weeds. Don’t worry. We get it, and we got you. This article explains how and when to apply pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weeds from ever sprouting in your lawn again.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nThe timing of pre-emergent herbicide application is everything. Pre-emergents will not help you with pesky dandelions or foxtails that seem to be stalking you if they are already sprouting in your lawn. You must apply pre-emergent herbicides before the times of year when weed seeds begin to germinate.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpring pre-emergent herbicide applications prevent summer annual weeds, like goosegrass and crabgrass. Apply when the soil temperature is about 55 degrees or higher for 48 hours or longer.
\n\n\n\nThe month or time of the month you apply weed control will be determined by what part of the country you live in since climates and weather differ according to location. That’s why it’s better to sync your herbicide applications with the soil temperature rather than a specific date. You can find a soil thermometer online or at your local gardening supply store for less than $10.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nApplying pre-emergent herbicide in the early fall prevents winter annual weeds, like common chickweed and annual bluegrass. Apply when the soil temperature falls to around 70 degrees for three days or more.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lawn-Treatment-with-Herbicides.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bouillante / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUse the product as instructed on the package, including following the proper measurement amounts per area covered. It is also important that you protect yourself from these toxic chemicals.
\n\n\n\nProtective gear to wear when applying herbicides:
\n\n\n\nOnce you’re protected, you can apply pre-emergent herbicides in one of two ways, depending on whether the product you purchased is granular or liquid.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Professional](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Professional-Gardener-with-Lawn-and-Garden-Seed-Spreader.jpg\")
Photo Credit: welcomia / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGranules are applied by hand or via a shaker bag or spreader. A spreader is best when covering a large area. A cup can be filled with granules and then shaken out from the cup onto the lawn, but this method can take a while.
\n\n\n\nWater the lawn after spreading granules so the herbicide can penetrate the soil, allowing the active ingredients to attack the weed seeds.
\n\n\n\nTools needed:
\n\n\n\nSteps:
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Preparing-Pest-Control-Spraying-Equipment.jpg\")
Photo Credit: welcomia / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLiquid pre-emergents come in ready-to-use or concentrated forms. If the liquid is in concentrated form, it requires mixing with water, and a sprayer is used for application. Ready-to-use pre-emergents don’t need mixing and typically come in a spray bottle or sprayer.
\n\n\n\nTools needed:
\n\n\n\nSteps:
\n\n\n\nIf you’ve been doing your homework and researching weed control solutions, you have come across both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent seeds from germinating. They do not kill weed seeds that have already germinated or actively growing weeds.
\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, post-emergent herbicides control weeds that have sprouted and are growing.
\n\n\n\nA few herbicides contain chemicals that perform as both a pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicide. Products with Dithiopyr are examples.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Watering-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe active ingredients in pre-emergents are triggered when watered, which allows the chemicals to penetrate the soil. The chemicals form a barricade on the top of the soil which stops seeds from germinating. Depending on the chemicals in the product, they may stop the roots from growing, prevent seed cell division, or inhibit growth enzymes.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt’s important to make sure you get the right type of pre-emergent herbicide for your specific weed problem. Otherwise, you might end up hurting your lawn, too, and not just the weeds. The two categories of pre-emergent herbicides are selective and nonselective.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSelective herbicides control specific weeds without adversely affecting other plants. Most pre-emergent herbicides used for home lawns fall into this category.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNonselective herbicides kill all plants. Because of this, nonselective herbicides are used to spot-treat specific plants rather than being applied to the whole lawn or garden. Don’t apply nonselective herbicides around the same time you seed new grass, or they will prevent the grass from growing.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPre-emergents should only be used on turfgrass that has been established for at least one year. Grass can be damaged if pre-emergents are applied too soon after reseeding or overseeding the lawn.
\n\n\n\nSome cool-season grasses that can be injured by pre-emergent applications after the grass has been seeded are tall fescue and ryegrass. Warm-season grasses adversely affected are Bermudagrass and centipedegrass.
\n\n\n\nExamples of grasses that can be damaged by pre-emergent herbicides after sodding or sprigging are the warm-season grasses St. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNot all weed killers kill all weeds. So, knowing the type of weed that is growing is important. Make sure you are identifying the weed correctly. Some weed killers destroy broadleaf weeds like spurge, clover, and ragweed. Others are chemically formulated to control grassy weeds, like foxtail and barnyardgrass.
\n\n\n\nAlso, knowing your grass type is important. As previously explained, certain weed killers are recommended for use on certain types of grass seed, while some come with a warning to never be used on specific grass types.
\n\n\n\nSome products are weed killers and fertilizers in one. But homeowners should only fertilize plants and lawns when they are growing actively. Therefore, using a weed and feed product may not be a good idea. Homeowners should never use a two-in-one herbicide on warm-season turfgrasses like Zoysiagrass and Bermudagrass.
\n\n\n\nHere are some examples of active ingredients in pre-emergent herbicides and what grass types or kinds of plants on which they can be used safely:
\n\n\n\nAtrazine:
\n\n\n\nBenefin:
\n\n\n\nDithiopyr:
\n\n\n\nIndaziflam:
\n\n\n\nProdiamine:
\n\n\n\nWait at least eight to 10 weeks after using weed killers to reseed your lawn, or the seeds can be killed by the weed control chemicals.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCorn gluten meal can be used on henbit in early spring to inhibit seed germination. If the seeds have already germinated, applying the meal can cause the weed to grow. Apply corn gluten meal when it is going to be dry for at least two days; roots in moist soil can absorb nutrients that activate weed growth. Monthly reapplications may be necessary.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGrass that is not properly maintained can result in weed growth. Lawns need to be mowed at the correct heights, fertilized regularly, and watered at the proper frequency to grow thick enough to crowd out weeds. Thin or bare turfgrass can promote weed growth.
\n\n\n\nIn gardens, new weed seeds can be introduced by mowers used on grass that had weeds. However, most weeds in gardens are from seeds that developed in previous years in the garden. Weeds can also emerge when plants are spaced too far apart.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere are some things you can do to manage weeds:
\n\n\n\nHere are some proactive weed management tips:
\n\n\n\nWhile dinitroanilines control some broadleaf weeds, they do not control perennials, like nutsedges, for example.
\n\n\n\nHerbicides can contain chemicals that both attract and harm pets. Animals can be adversely affected by eating plants treated with herbicides and by inhaling the toxins from treated plants. Some tips to keep pets safe are:
\n\n\n\nBeing one step ahead of weeds is the only way to prevent them. If you know when weed seeds are germinating, you can apply pre-emergent herbicide to keep them from ever sprouting in your lawn. And if you prevent weeds, you’ll never have to pull them.
\n\n\n\nWhen it comes down to it, weed management can be a pain. You have to keep up with a regular schedule, and if you miss just one herbicide application, you could end up with a lawn full of weeds in no time. If you prefer to let someone else manage your lawn care, we can connect you with lawn care professionals in your area who can keep your lawn pristine and weed-free.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Henfaes / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"How and When to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides ","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4388489208633093,"src":"/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/1789c/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/107df/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.jpg 320w,\n/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/293e9/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.jpg 500w,\n/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/f2cbb/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.jpg 800w,\n/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/1789c/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.jpg 960w,\n/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/c26c2/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/1dd6e/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/67b76/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.webp 320w,\n/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/8df11/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.webp 500w,\n/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/98a65/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.webp 800w,\n/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/1dd6e/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.webp 960w,\n/static/a9cff12360d0219e3e098f024fd52344/3cc96/Gardener-horticulturalist-spraying-weed-killer-on-lawn-garden-maintenance.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How and When to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Find out how and when to apply pre-emergent herbicides, including examples of which chemicals prevent which weeds and answers to FAQs."}}},{"node":{"id":"53e3700b-c3ef-578e-9ab5-2cbee2ccab48","slug":"cool-season-grasses","path":"/blog/cool-season-grasses/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Mel Childs","id":"5e563fe7-34e1-5dc2-bc00-a1e777e5dfd5","path":"/author/melisha-childslawnstarter-com/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8fb37d81bb775d323e0028ec06cb650f?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"August 1st, 2023","excerpt":"Not all grass is the same. There are variations in grass types across the country, which can affect the best way to care for your lawn. If you live in the northern part of the U.S., you likely have a cool-season grass type growing in your yard. What does that mean? This cool-season grass growing […]
\n","content":"\nNot all grass is the same. There are variations in grass types across the country, which can affect the best way to care for your lawn. If you live in the northern part of the U.S., you likely have a cool-season grass type growing in your yard. What does that mean? This cool-season grass growing guide will teach you about these grass types and the best ways to maintain them.
\n\n\n\nIn this guide:
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses are grasses that grow mostly in the spring and fall in the northern regions of the U.S. These grasses include tall fescue, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. They grow and thrive during cooler temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees, and they withstand extremely cold temperatures well.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses are perennials. Therefore, they will come back year after year if they are cared for properly. Although they thrive in cool regions, some of these grasses are also drought-tolerant and can thrive in hotter regions. However, when it is hot, they tend to become dormant until the weather cools. Sometimes, they develop lawn diseases in extreme heat and drought.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMost cool-season grasses are native to northern regions of the U.S. See the map below to find out if you live in the cool-season grass growing zone, the warm-season grass growing zone, or the transition zone, where both cool-season and warm-season grasses can thrive.
\n\n\n![\"cool-season](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cool-season-and-warm-season-grass-map.jpg\")
Illustration by Juan Rodriguez
\n\n\n\nHere are some states where you can expect cool-season grasses to grow:
\n\n\n\nIf you reside in one of these states, you most likely have cool-season grass growing in your yard. For more help identifying the grass your lawn is made of, you can contact your local Cooperative Extension Office.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs you already know, cool-season grasses thrive in areas where the temperatures are much cooler throughout the year. Warm-season grasses, on the other hand, grow best in hot summer temperatures, so they tend to grow in the South.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses grow most actively in temperatures from 75 to 95 degrees. They become dormant below 55 degrees. Popular warm-season grasses include centipedegrass, Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Bahiagrass.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe most popular cool-season grass types for lawns in the northern U.S. include:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tall-Fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton / Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program
\n\n\n\nIf your grass is a medium to dark green color and grows out of the ground as a wide blade that ends at a point, like a ribbed sword, it is likely you have tall fescue grass growing in your yard. It is a very coarse grass that grows in bunches.
\n\n\n\nThis grass type can handle drought and foot traffic well, but it is a high-maintenance grass. While it may not need fertilizer and water as much as other cool-season grasses, it will require frequent mowing because it grows pretty fast.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fine-Fescue-Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton / Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program
\n\n\n\nWhen you have fine fescue growing on your lawn, you know it because it is a slender, green-bladed grass type that tends to wilt as it grows. It is not grass that sticks upward like tall fescue. Because it is much thinner, it has a low tolerance for foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nOn a brighter note, this grass can tolerate drought well, and you may see fine fescue in the transition zone. Another excellent quality is that this particular grass doesn’t require mowing as often as other cool-season grasses. There are four common types of fine fescue, including creeping red fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue.
\n\n\n\n![\"Backyard](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\nWhen observing your grass, if you notice that it has a moderate to dark green hue and is a thin blade with a canoe shape, you probably have Kentucky bluegrass. This grass is sturdy and can grow well in the transition zone. But it will go dormant when temperatures rise above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
\n\n\n\nThis type of grass can tolerate high foot traffic, making it great for recreational use. However, it is also high maintenance since it needs frequent mowing and lots of irrigation.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nIf you have perennial ryegrass growing in your yard, it tends to be pale green in color and is slender in shape and pointed as it grows. One of its best qualities is that it can stand plenty of foot traffic. It is often combined with Kentucky bluegrass.
\n\n\n\nThis grass type will require lots of cutting and irrigation. It will also need plenty of sun.
\n\n\n\nSo, you’ve determined that you have one of the common cool-season grasses on your lawn. That’s a great first step in improving your lawn’s health! Knowing your grass type means you can tailor your lawn care practices to your grass’s specific needs.
\n\n\n\nHere are some ways to keep your cool-season grass healthy and ensure a green lawn.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/24445181093_9f2de37aff_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aqua Mechanical / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to watering cool-season grasses, it is ideal to water less often for longer periods so that the water can penetrate the root system. Deep irrigation once a week, ensuring that the grass gets about 1 to 1.5 inches of water, is ideal.
\n\n\n\nOnly water the grass when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit to minimize the chances of water freezing on the grass blades. Also, water the grass in the morning, preferably before 8 a.m., as watering in the middle of the day leads to excess evaporation, and evening watering may encourage the growth of lawn diseases.
\n\n\n\nKeeping up with a proper lawn irrigation schedule – especially if you want to water the lawn early in the morning before you typically wake up – can be much easier if you install an in-ground lawn sprinkler system with an automatic timer.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/solar-panels-working-8-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: groveb / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nNature provides a majority of what cool-season grasses need to thrive. However, fertilizers can help make your lawn healthier and protect it. Not all fertilizers are the same, however. You must choose the right one for your cool-season grass.
\n\n\n\nIt is ideal to fertilize your lawn at least once a year, preferably in the fall. Overfertilizing your grass can damage it or even kill it, especially if you fertilize in the middle of summer when your cool-season grass is dormant.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/8704115339_808a6b275c_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Oregon State University / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nWhen growing cool-season grasses, lawn aeration is also important. This is the process of taking a spike or plug aeration tool and sticking it into the soil to loosen up compacted soil. Aeration allows fresh air, nutrients, and water to penetrate deeper into your grass for better health and growth.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll only need aeration once a year, if that, and it should be done in the fall for cool-season grasses.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Dethatcher2-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Agri-Fab / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\nOver time, as you water, mow, and fertilize your grass, a small layer of dead and living organic matter called thatch will develop close to the soil. This can make it difficult for water and nutrients to penetrate through the soil to your grass’s roots and can also attract lawn pests.
\n\n\n\nIf this thatch buildup becomes more than one inch thick, it is time to dethatch your lawn using a dethatching rake or mechanical dethatching tool. Cool-season grasses should be dethatched in fall during their most active growth period.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lawn-Mowing.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Prasannanossam3 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nMowing will vary according to the type of cool-season grass you have in your yard or want to plant. Fine fescue doesn’t require mowing as often as other cool-season grass types. When mowing your grass, make sure that you avoid cutting more than one-third of its height at once.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grass will grow the fastest and need the most frequent mowing in spring and fall. In summer, it’s best to allow your cool-season grass to grow as long as you’re willing to. Longer grass means deeper roots, which means increased drought tolerance. Tall grass also shades the soil and helps it retain water, which is crucial for cool-season grasses in the summer heat.
\n\n\n\nFor best results, ensure that your mower’s blades are sharp to keep the grass from becoming vulnerable to disease and pests. Additionally, make sure the lawn mower blades are clean after previous clippings so that you won’t inadvertently spread disease around the yard from infected blades.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDiseases and pests are two destructive elements that can attack cool-season grasses. Keep in mind there isn’t a one-size fits all process for eliminating disease or pests from your grass. You must identify the specific pest or disease destroying your grass to ensure you use the right fungicide or insecticide. Otherwise, the treatment won’t be effective at all.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Hands](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/crabgrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Sergii Petruk / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nAnother problem you may encounter is weeds. Unfortunately, they can compete with your cool-season grass for resources. Some of the most common lawn weeds affecting cool-season grasses include but are not limited to the following:
\n\n\n\nTo eliminate these weeds, you’ll have to make sure you treat them properly. Treatments include pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThese types of herbicides will block weeds from growing in your yard. They prevent weeds from growing by interrupting the growth process at the start. Ideally, it’s good to use such herbicides when temperatures are between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors. Pre-emergent herbicides will do nothing to stop weeds that are already growing in your yard.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThese types of herbicides are used to treat weeds that are currently growing in your yard. They may be liquid or granular. It is critical that you use such herbicides when it is less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors. Following manufacturer guidelines for application is best.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDamage to your grass can be corrected when you overseed your lawn. This is the process of spreading grass in bare spots to encourage a healthier lawn.
\n\n\n\nIf you have recently had a disease on your lawn or you have damaged your grass with fertilizer, adding grass seed helps fill in the thinning grass. For cool-season grasses, overseed in fall at least 45 days before the first frost.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFind specific lawn care tips for every season in this cool-season lawn maintenance calendar.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses prefer the cooler regions of the Northern U.S. However, it is possible for cool-season grasses to grow in warmer climates in the transition zone.
Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass that can grow in warmer regions. If it gets too hot for this grass to grow, dormancy will set in.
For cool-season grasses, the dormant period typically begins in winter when temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for the year. In northern regions, this can be in the fall.
Cool-season grasses may also go dormant in summer if the temperatures stay above about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If this happens, the grass will turn brown to conserve energy, but it will spring back to life come cooler weather.
The best time to plant cool-season grasses is in the early fall when temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
If maintaining grass isn’t your favorite thing to do, consider hiring a local lawn care pro who will help maintain a healthy lawn and keep it vibrant throughout the growing season. Local pros will know how to deal with all kinds of cool-season grasses, including the specific type in your yard.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: mccawleyphoto / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"Guide to Cool-Season Grasses","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/1789c/cool-season-grass.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/107df/cool-season-grass.jpg 320w,\n/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/293e9/cool-season-grass.jpg 500w,\n/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/f2cbb/cool-season-grass.jpg 800w,\n/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/1789c/cool-season-grass.jpg 960w,\n/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/c26c2/cool-season-grass.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/1dd6e/cool-season-grass.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/67b76/cool-season-grass.webp 320w,\n/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/8df11/cool-season-grass.webp 500w,\n/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/98a65/cool-season-grass.webp 800w,\n/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/1dd6e/cool-season-grass.webp 960w,\n/static/6bb53906aecae0b2f560fb01db951992/3cc96/cool-season-grass.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Guide to Cool-Season Grasses | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"If you live in the northern U.S., this guide to cool-season grasses can help you identify your grass type and take care of it properly."}}},{"node":{"id":"8c5d3c4f-0706-52a1-a0f2-f523b637de35","slug":"how-to-dethatch-your-lawn","path":"/blog/how-to-dethatch-your-lawn/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Tanaka Muvavarirwa","id":"9b6ee454-b0ed-521f-b6c4-0850843dc6ad","path":"/author/brendalawnstarter-com/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8cb72a46100b4d9c5fbf051a736aa16b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"July 29th, 2022","excerpt":"Are you finding clumps of dead grass and debris in your lawn? We’ll teach you how to dethatch your lawn to keep your grass green all season long. This guide contains everything you need to ensure your lawn remains thatch free. Contents: What Is Thatch How To Dethatch Your Lawn What Causes Thatch How To […]
\n","content":"\nAre you finding clumps of dead grass and debris in your lawn? We’ll teach you how to dethatch your lawn to keep your grass green all season long. This guide contains everything you need to ensure your lawn remains thatch free.
\n\n\n\nContents:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThatch is a combination of dead and living material that forms from dead stems, mulch, and plant material and clumps together over time. These clumps usually appear as thick patches on the surface of your lawn.
\n\n\n\nThatch has adverse effects on your lawn, attracting pests and harmful bacteria, making your yard less drought-tolerant over time.
\n\n\n\nPower rakes are effective tools for dethatching small lawns. Use a rake with rotating wire tines to cut through clumps of grass.
\n\n\n\nFor larger lawns with a thick layer of thatch, it’s better to use a mower. Vertical mowers contain blades that are perpendicular to the grass. The verticutter will rip through thatch as you go without damaging the grass blades, minimizing the presence of thatch on your lawn.
\n\n\n\nYou may need to trim your yard down further than you were expecting. If that’s the case, you’ll need to overseed your grass to make up for the thin layer of grass left behind.
\n\n\n\nAeration is an essential part of lawn maintenance. Aerators dig holes into your soil, allowing your grass to breathe. Aerating your lawn reduces clumping and minimizes the presence of thatch.
\n\n\n\nLiquid dethatchers such as Nature’s Biological Dethatcher are easy to use. Simply apply the solution to the surface of your lawn, and it will break up thatch over time.
\n\n\n\nAdd compost or soil over the top of your yard to break down thatch over time and revitalize your grass.
\n\n\n\nTrowels are small hand tools you can use to dig out the thatch. They’re best for small amounts of thatch and soil buildup.
\n\n\n\nYou can save yourself time and work by preventing thatch before it occurs.
\n\n\n\n1. Monitor soil levels: Test your soil frequently for changes in the pH and alkaline levels. High pH levels are often telltale signs of excessive thatch.
\n\n\n\n2. Sensible fertilization: It can be easy for an aspiring green thumb to over-fertilize their lawn. Only use as much fertilizer as you need for a healthy lawn and limit the use of nitrogen-based lawn fertilizers.
\n\n\n\n3. Reduce chemical Use: Using too many chemicals like bug spray can kill the earthworms that naturally control soil compaction. Try to limit the number of chemicals you use on your lawn.
\n\n\n\n4. Water regularly: A well-hydrated lawn prevents soil compaction, which leads to thatch.
\n\n\n\n5. Maintaining a regular lawn care routine: Make sure to mow your lawn regularly and use weed killer to eliminate weeds that can lead to thatch.
\n\n\n\nOne of the main causes of thatch build-up is over-fertilization. Too much nitrogen causes the grass to grow too quickly, often resulting in thatch.
\n\n\n\nThe type of grass in your yard may be a factor too. Some grasses are more prone to thatching, including Kentucky bluegrass, zoysiagrass, creeping red fescue, and creeping bentgrass.
\n\n\n\nDethatching your lawn is a straightforward process and will help promote the overall growth of your lawn. Make sure to include dethatching in your seasonal landscaping routine.
\n\n\n\n1. Which grass types don’t produce as much thatch build-up?
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass and tall fescue tend to bunch up and don’t produce much thatch.
\n\n\n\n2. Do grass clippings produce thatch?
\n\n\n\nNo. Contrary to popular belief, grass clippings do not cause thatch to accumulate on your lawn. In fact, the grass clippings are an excellent fertilizer and will prevent thatch because you won’t have to use a nitrogen-based fertilizer.
\n\n\n\n3. When should I remove thatch?
\n\n\n\nRemove thatch in the cooler months; late spring for warm-season grasses, early spring or late fall for cool-season grass types. Avoid removing thatch when your grass isn’t healthy, such as during a drought, as this can cause lasting damage to the turf.
\n\n\n\n4. Are there certain chemicals to avoid to reduce thatch?
\n\n\n\nYes. Fungicides, pesticides, and insecticides have a detrimental effect on your lawn. They kill microorganisms and earthworms and can promote thatch.
\n\n\n\nNot up for DIY lawn work? We can help you find a lawn care pro near you to dethatch, aerate, and mow your lawn, so you’ll have more time to enjoy it.
\n\n\n\nMain photo credit: Wikimedia | CC0-1.0
\n","title":"How to Dethatch Your Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4993742177722154,"src":"/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/1789c/rsz_dethatcher2.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/107df/rsz_dethatcher2.jpg 320w,\n/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/293e9/rsz_dethatcher2.jpg 500w,\n/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/f2cbb/rsz_dethatcher2.jpg 800w,\n/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/1789c/rsz_dethatcher2.jpg 960w,\n/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/8f507/rsz_dethatcher2.jpg 1198w","srcWebp":"/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/1dd6e/rsz_dethatcher2.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/67b76/rsz_dethatcher2.webp 320w,\n/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/8df11/rsz_dethatcher2.webp 500w,\n/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/98a65/rsz_dethatcher2.webp 800w,\n/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/1dd6e/rsz_dethatcher2.webp 960w,\n/static/b5014c321ac828dbd92d7cb6acbc1fac/2a554/rsz_dethatcher2.webp 1198w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Dethatch Your Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Dethatching a lawn is crucial to its health. We’ll show you how to dethatch your lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"dc9d69b9-4c83-5b51-a60d-e92c73f52fc7","slug":"when-to-overseed-a-lawn","path":"/blog/when-to-overseed-a-lawn/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Alison is a Midwesterner through and through, and loves to spend her time baking and reading. Always at home in the dirt, as a kid, Alison raised a vegetable garden with her dad, and flower gardens with her mom.","name":"Alison Hoover","id":"2d4efd75-80f4-58b0-b715-bcefffb32f2f","path":"/author/alison-hoover/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54d52d00b8587655742aec8164f06427?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"July 29th, 2022","excerpt":"Overseeding is most effective when your lawn is growing most actively. Deciding when to overseed your lawn depends on whether your existing grass is a warm or cool-season type. Experts recommend overseeding most lawns in the late summer or early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost. The rules change for when to […]
\n","content":"\nOverseeding is most effective when your lawn is growing most actively. Deciding when to overseed your lawn depends on whether your existing grass is a warm or cool-season type.
\n\n\n\nExperts recommend overseeding most lawns in the late summer or early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost. The rules change for when to overseed a lawn in southern areas where grass grows more actively in the spring.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\nPopular in the northern states, cool-season grasses grow most actively in spring and fall. These grasses should be overseeded in late summer or early fall. This way the seeds will have time to germinate before your lawn comes out of dormancy in the spring. Most weeds have stopped growing by fall, so your new grass seed will have less competition.
\n\n\n\nIdeal conditions for growing cool-season grasses are when the soil is between 50 and 65 degrees. You can use a soil thermometer to check this out.
\n\n\n\nThere are many varieties of cool-season grasses, but the most common ones include:
\n\n\n\nAnother thing to consider when overseeding is when you expect the first frost. It’s important to overseed at least 45 days before the ground freezes so the new seeds have time to take root. Any closer to the first frost than that, and the grass seeds may die.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses are most active in late spring and early summer and best for lawns in the southern United States. It’s best to overseed with warm-season grass seeds in the late spring or early summer when soil temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees. These types of grasses prefer prolonged temperatures around 75 degrees and lie dormant during winter.
\n\n\n\nThe most popular kinds of warm-season grasses are drought-tolerant. They include:
\n\n\n\nYou may want to overseed your warm-season grass with a cool-season variety such as ryegrass. This will help your lawn stay green longer into the winter season. If this is your goal, you need to overseed in the fall, ideally when the soil temperature is between 50 and 65 degrees.
\n\n\n\nAnnual ryegrass will provide winter color in the far South, while perennial ryegrass is better suited to lawns in the middle of the country. Perennial varieties will lie dormant through the summer and return next fall. The extreme temperatures in the South are not hospitable to perennial ryegrass, so you’ll want to overseed with annual ryegrass each autumn.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll want to consider blending grass types in states near the Mason-Dixon line. Summers tend to be too warm for cool-season grasses, but winters are too cold for warm ones.
\n\n\n\nHome supply stores typically sell grass seed mixes, especially for the transition zone. You’ll find overseeding with this mixture is a great way to keep your lawn green and healthy year-round.
\n\n\n\nTransition zone grasses should be overseeded in the first few weeks of spring when the existing lawn first turns green.You want to overseed when your lawn is at its most active, but you also want to be sure you have enough time to complete the process.
\n\n\n\nMost lawns will require overseeding every couple of years, but you may want to make it an annual chore if your lawn suffers from:
\n\n\n\nYou’ll find valuable information on the seed packaging specific to each type of grass. The labels will indicate how much seed to apply per square foot, as well as other tips for attaining a healthy lawn.
\n\n\n\n1. How much grass seed should I use when overseeding?
\n\n\n\nApply 6 to 8 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet on bare soil. Using too little will leave bare spots and patches. Too much seed will force the grass to compete for water, light, and other nutrients. Read the directions on the seed package.
\n\n\n\n2. Should I mow the lawn before overseeding?
\n\n\n\nYes. Before overseeding, cut your grass shorter than usual and bag the clippings. It’s important to loosen the top layer of solid and remove any dead grass or thatch so the grass seed can easily take root and germinate.
\n\n\n\n3. Should I use a weed treatment while overseeding?
\n\n\n\nThis is a big no-no. Pre-emergents herbicides work by preventing germinating seeds from establishing roots. These products don’t know the difference between weed seeds and grass seeds. You also want to hold off on post-emergent weed treatments since they can kill young grass seed.
\n\n\n\n4. How long after overseeding will I see grass start to grow?
\n\n\n\nIt takes two to three weeks for germination to begin. With proper watering, you should see the grass sprout within four weeks. It will take about eight weeks to see a fully established lawn.
\n\n\n\n5. How soon and how often should I water the lawn after overseeding?
\n\n\n\nWater the overseeded area lightly right away, for about half an hour, to force the seed into the soil. A light spray is best so as not to wash away the grass seed. You’ll want to water two or three times a day for the first week, and then once a day for the next three weeks.
\n\n\n\nOverseeding is easy enough to do as a DIY project. But you might not want to spend your time checking soil temperatures, dethatching, and aerating. We can help you find a lawn care professional near you who will overseed your lawn and help it grow.
Main Photo Credit: Pxhere
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\n","content":"\nThe 2018 Community Cultivator Awards recognize the top gardening blogs of 2018.
![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zupWsS_c1ZNb_kp7eDlCdRI5WebLPZtcsj2u8BPWBbL4j9ceyE6erFquHWVCijlIEZeVFDyHqvN4F0AmtIg7t_4OuDwqzFxqsewbJcE_Y6Dltl9wXbr96P31L69234SrjLZ7CzJT\")
Editor’s Note: We would like to give a big thanks to all members of the gardening community! Please keep up the hard work as we enter the new year. Winners of our award may display our Community Cultivator Award badge on your favorite blog post, home page, or however you see fit. If you have any feedback for us, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to us.
Gladwell’s 10,000-Hour Rule states that anyone can become an expert in their field if they dedicate 20 hours of work per week for 10 years.
Certainly, this list of gardening bloggers met and beyond exceeded Gladwell’s Rule. They are leading experts in their fields, or more accurately, their garden beds.
It wasn’t easy, but we scoured the internet to find the 50 best gardening blogs of 2018 to continue reading in 2019.
\n\n\n\nWe know that gardening goes beyond our own individual gardens, and that’s what the Community Cultivator Award is all about! Bringing our online gardening community together.
Here’s the deal, there are literally thousands of incredible, hard-working gardeners who share their stories, photos, and expertise with the online community every day, but we couldn’t possibly include them all.
Therefore, our Editorial Team has spent countless hours searching for what we think are the most interesting gardening articles on the internet, and of course the blogs that created them.
Our selection of the top 50 gardening blogs is based on the following criteria:
\n\n\n\nBy sharing stories of their successes and failures, these bloggers help keep the online gardening community thriving, and ensure a community for future gardeners.
Best of all, you can help us strengthen the online gardening community by sharing this article with your friends, and leaving your comments below.
But now, let’s find out who the winners are…
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Carla Weir
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gaia-s-organic-garden.jpg\")
Gaia’s Organic Gardens is Carla Weir’s dream blog. She encourages other gardeners to grow their own food and use sustainable living practices, while offering encouragement and advice on how to avoid pesticides and toxins in your garden. If your goal is to have an organic lifestyle and be aware of your environmental impact, Gaia’s will offer you a plethora of advice.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How to Make a Wicking Bed
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Urban Gardeners Republic Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/urban-gardeners-republic.png\")
Urban Gardeners has a mission to create 1,000 gardens in 100 cities in the next 5 years. Wow! What a goal! Their goal is to inspire people and provide the knowledge necessary to start these gardens. They want to write DIY posts and build a community of urban gardeners that can help readers locally. That is a mission, and a blog, that most readers can appreciate.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Indoor Herb Garden for Herbs Nerds
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Linda Ly
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/garden-betty.png\")
Linda is the woman behind Garden Betty, and she focuses her blog, growing her own food and using that food for great meals for her family. Her blog also features information on backyard chickens, parenthood, outdoor adventures, and more. Many of these topics fascinate gardeners as well. She offers information for new gardeners and those with more experience.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Boost Your Brainpower: Sniffing Rosemary Can Make You Smarter
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Ann Katelyn
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/sumo-gardener.jpg\")
Ann, the owner of Sumo Gardener, loves gardening, and her goal for her website is to offer the best guidance for readers. She offers advice for experienced and beginning gardeners; you can find something for everyone on Sumo Gardener!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How to Level a Bumpy Lawn
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Erin Schanen
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-impatient-gardener.png\")
If anyone has a passion for gardening, it’s Erin. She is a DIY gardener on 1.3 acre of property. She gardens in southeastern Wisconsin, in zone 5. The Impatient Gardener is all about real-life gardening. You can find the ugly truth and the amazing beauty in her blog. She talks about the funny things and the goof ups – because they happen. At the same time, you’ll find information and inspiration.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Treat your pruners right with a spring spruce-up
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Cottage Life Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cottage-life.png\")
Perhaps you’ve heard of Cottage life before. It is a well-known home and gardening magazine that began in 1988. The Cottage Life blog has agricultural information along with style ideas for your outdoor living spaces. If your goal is to become a master gardener, Cottage Life is for you.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Gorgeous gazebos we’d love to take shelter in this summer
\n\n\n\nAuthor: SeedMoney Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/seed-money.png\")
Gardening and cooking experts go hand in hand, and Seed Money offers that. Their goal is to provide financial support for public food garden projects. This is important work, particularly in areas without access to healthy produce. You also can find delicious recipes that utilize the fresh produce grown in the gardens.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Planting Garlic in the Fall
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Alaska Master Gardener Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/alaska-master-gardener.jpg\")
Growing a garden in Alaska isn’t the easiest feat considering the drastically cold temperatures and short growing season. Alaska Master is a place where gardeners can share their knowledge and expertise in Alaska gardening. The gardeners talk about the challenges they face in different parts of the state and how they overcome these challenges. It’s helpful for those who live in this climate and inspirational for those of us who don’t. Plus, the pictures shared are lovely.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Interior Gardeners: Like Ducks to Water
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Pam Dawling
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/sustainable-market-farming.jpg\")
Pam is the author of two books – Sustainable Market Farming and The Year-Round Hoophouse. On her blog, you can read about her farming at Twin Oaks, her farm for the past 25 years. Her blog gives you an insider’s viewpoint on the happenings of the farm and how they manage the three and half acre gardening space. She offers tons of photos, as well as links and resources to help you along your journey.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Alliums for November: Plant garlic, sow onions in a hoophouse, eat leeks
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Elien Lewis
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/home-grown-happiness.jpg\")
Ellen, the author behind Home Grown Happiness, lives in New Zealand with her family and garden. Homegrown Happiness is where she shares how she grows as much homegrown and homemade food as possible. Not only does she share gardening tips and advice, like how to use manure in gardens, but she also provides delicious recipes that she makes for her family. Some of the recipes even include awesome videos!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Healthier Homemade Ginger Beer
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Carol Bartlett
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-sunday-gardener.png\")
Carol has over 20 years of gardening experience in New England. Her diverse garden includes herbs, wildflowers, and other plant life. The Sunday Gardener is a garden guide with plenty of information for gardeners, on topics such as flowering plants or climbing plants.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Why Deadheading is Important
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Ann T.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/keeper-of-the-home.jpg\")
Keeper of the Home is more than just a gardening blog. It’s a one-stop blog for people who like to live a natural lifestyle. The writers share homemaking and family advice, natural remedies, real food recipes, and ways to reduce the toxins in your household. Many people who garden also are interested in these topics, so it’s a nice mix of encouragement and information.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Teach Your Child to Love Vegetables: Gardening with Children
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jay
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-scientific-gardener.jpg\")
Do you want to grow melons? The Scientific Gardener is a melon master, and he grows everything from cucumbers to Caroselli. The blog provides tips from creating the best soil to how to control diseases on these plants. Chances are you’ve never seen many of the melons that are featured on this blog. It can be quite fascinating, especially because he provides ample pictures!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: The Tondo Tarantino Melone
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Roger Brook
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/no-dig-gardener.jpg\")
Roger is a gardener addict with years of experience. The No Dig Gardener gives Roger a place to spread his gardening knowledge. What he offers is beyond the basic information for those who are ready to dig deep into gardening. He doesn’t want to recycle information, so what you find here is often fascinating.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Don’t Fluff Up Your Soil
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Gayla Trail
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/you-grow-girl.jpg\")
Gayla Trail started You Grow Girl in 2000, and the blog has continued to grow over the years. It is a space for gardeners and do-it-yourself lovers to learn how to explore growing plants. She offers a different approach to growing plants and enjoys breaking traditional molds.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Tomato Growing Guide
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jeanne Grunert
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/home-garden-joy.jpg\")
Jeanne is a Master Gardener from Virginia, and her advice can be found in publications such as Mother Earth News and the Virginia Gardener. She offers expert advice about gardening and organic solutions, as well as a, peek into her own garden. You can’t help but love the recipes she includes as well!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Organic Solutions to Control Squash Bugs
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Lee Miller
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/a-guide-to-ne-gardening.jpg\")
Lee Miller is a well-experienced gardener, and A Guide to Northeastern Gardening gives those who live in this area of the country advice and help. She includes expertly researched articles that include everyday gardening tips as well as advice for those growing rarity plants. If you love her blog, Lee also published two gardening books – A Guide to Northeastern Gardening and Landscape Design Combinations.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Deer Resistant Plants in the Landscape
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Lisa Steele
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fresh-eggs-daily.jpg\")
Any chicken owner and lover know the blog Fresh Eggs Daily. Lisa is a master gardener and an herbalist who strives to raise her animals as naturally as possible. She offers practical advice and inspirational pictures that will make you want to go get a whole flock of chickens right now.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Plant an Edible Flower Garden for Your Chickens
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Keri Byum
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/miss-smarty-plants.jpg\")
If the name of this blog doesn’t make you smile, the information that author, Keri, gives to her readers sure will! Keri is a Florida expert in gardening, and she works as a horticulture expert for a large theme park in Orlando. Miss Smart Plants provides easy-to-follow advice for gardening, as well as lawn care! All of the images on her site are her own, which really helps you connect to the articles she writes.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How to Help Your Lawn Look Its Best This Summer
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Dee Nash
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/red-dirt-ramblings.jpg\")
Dee Nash, an Oklahoma native, has an eye towards color and a passion for gardening. Red Dirt Ramblings offers guides for different plants and gardening techniques. Her articles are made even more enjoyable by the gorgeous pictures she includes of her gardens and plants.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Best Summer Plants for Containers
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jessica Lane
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/104-homestead.jpg\")
Jessica Lane is the author behind The 104 Homestead, and she is on a journey to learn how to become self-sufficient. On her blog, you can find new and traditional methods of homesteading. You can use these methods and advice to help start your self-sufficient homestead, even if you live in the city.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Composting Guide for Beginners
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Caro Shrives
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-urban-veg-patch.jpg\")
Caro Shrives is an outdoor adventurer and a home cook who watched her grandparents in their gardens as she grew up. Her childhood encouraged her to begin her own garden. Urban Veg Patch is where you can learn about the food-growing process and see the process. You learn how to grow the veggies and then how to use them in the kitchen.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Timely Tips for a Heatwave Garden
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Erin Benzakein
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/floret-flowers.jpg\")
Chris and Erin Benzakein are the brainchildren behind Floret Flowers. They run a small flower farm that will take your breath away with their inspiring colors. The Benzakeins won the 2014 Martha Stewart America Made award.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: “Other” Fun Fall Bulbs
\n\n\n\nAuthor: One Green Planet Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/one-green-planet.jpg\")
As you might imagine from the name of the blog, One Green Plant focuses on compassion for the environment. One of the goals of One Green Plant is to help homeowners understand how to avoid water waste and pollution of the natural surroundings. The gardening advice offered on this blog is eco-friendly and “green.”
Our Favorite Post of 2018: An Overview of Square-Foot Gardening: How to Do It and Why You Should
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Helen Johnstone
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/patient-gardener.jpg\")
If you love gardening, The Patient Gardener will feed your soul. Helen, the blog’s founder, works outside of the home, but she uses this blog as a way to pen her own personal notes from her garden. Best of all, Helen offers solid tips and advice about seasonal gardening.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: End of the Month View – October 2018
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Helen and Sarah
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/toronto-gardens.jpg\")
Living in such a cold climate means that growing plants, particularly flowers and veggies. Toronto Garden features two writers – Sarah and Helen. Both are witty and produce high-quality gardening advice. If you live in such a cold climate, Toronto Gardens will help you learn how to ensure your garden survives in such cold temperatures. It’s a good read!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: On Ants, Aphids, and Mutualism
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jean McWeeney
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i0.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/dig-grow-compost-blog.jpg?fit=896%2C1024&ssl=1\")
Jean is a biology major from the University of Texas, and she has a love and fascination for gardening. She is a full-time “Natural Garden Coach, helping others have their dream garden. Her blog is worth reading especially with her 40 years of experience!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: What is it about Austin Gardens?
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Alea Milham
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/premeditated-meals.jpg\")
Alea Milham shares her love for cooking and living intentionally on her blog She shows readers how to save time and money, allowing them to have more resources to devote elsewhere. She shows readers how to grow vegetables at home, and shows them delicious recipes for the veggies!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How to Prepare Your Flower Beds in the Fall for Next Spring
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Emma Cooper
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-unconventional-gardener.jpeg\")
Emma loves edible and useful plants, and The Unconventional Gardener is where she puts all of her information that she knows. Emma has a lot of background knowledge, so you will learn plenty by reading her articles. You will learn how to protect your crops from pests, but you may also journey with Emma to some different parts of the country.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: The Elephant (Hawk Moth) In the Garden
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Simon Eade
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/garden-of-eaden.jpg\")
The Garden of Eaden began in 2008, and it’s a leading gardening blog in the UK. The Garden of
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Growing Your Own Food From Seed
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Claire Jones
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-garden-diaries.jpg\")
Claire, the writer behind The Garden Diaries, has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Style Magazine. Her blog focuses on her passion as a garden designer. She also offers insight on how-to gardening posts and beloved fairy gardens. In fact, some of her designs have been featured on Houzz!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: DIY Birdseed Ornaments
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Jessica Wood
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rusty-duck.png\")
The Rusty Duck follows the author, who decided to move to a simpler life in the country. They purchased a cottage that needs to be updated and a garden. It’s a fascinating blog where you can also see their wanderings and places that they visit.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: The First Day of Spring
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Alexandra Campbell
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-middle-sized-garden.jpg\")
Is your garden a bigger than a courtyard but smaller than an acre? Then the Middle-Sized Garden blog is for you! The author, Alexandra Campbell, covers everything from composting, gardening books, and garden decorations. Her blog focuses on showing readers how to save time, money, and effort in their middle-sized garden. She wants to make your life easier, and we think that’s pretty awesome.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: The 25 Best Self-Seeding Plants to Save You Time and Money
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Marianne Willburn
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/small-town-gardener.jpg\")
We love The Small Town Gardener and her insights into gardening. You can find posts about whether or not you should clean up your fall garden and if weeding during the winter is a good idea. Marianne Willburn, the author, talks about her favorite plants and the maintenance required in her garden. Her pictures are inspirational and lovely!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Growing a Beautiful, Not Just Edible, Vegetable Garden
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Sunita Mohan
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-urban-gardener.jpg\")
Sunita Mohan, the author behind The Urban Gardener, covers a lot of flowers and ornamental gardening that readers value. Her pictures are lovely, and her blog has won several awards such as the Best Asian Blog and The Best Garden for Wildlife Blog. You’ll love all of her insights!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Choices for a Gardener
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Lisa K. Wagner
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/natural-gardening.jpg\")
Lisa Wagner is the writer behind Natural Gardening, and her blog covers three gardens in different locations – Quebec, North Carolina, and South Carolina. She focuses on planting native plants that are homes to birds and insects from the regions. Most of her posts are small segments that may cover something she is thinking about that day or a recipe she found for the day. All of her posts have lovely photos that might be from her walk in one of her gardens or preparing for the gardening season ahead.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Weeding Overgrown Beds
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Darren Sheriff
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-citrus-guy.jpeg\")
Darren Sheriff, a Master Gardener, uses The Citrus Guy blog to teach and educate his readers about gardening. He talks about growing citrus fruits, ordering seeds, and taking care of his native plants. Darren recently wrote a new book too, so if you love his blog, check out his book!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Citrus Freeze Damage and What You Should or Should Not Do
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Shawna Coronado
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/shawna-c.jpeg\")
Shawna is a wellness lifestyle advocate who is a photographer and author. Her blog covers a multitude of topics from healthy recipes and travel, along with gardening. Most of her gardening posts a simple how-to blogs that her readers find helpful, like how to get rid of Japanese beetles and how to grow a shade vegetable garden.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Best Chocolate Avocado Smoothie Recipe
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Luke Marion
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MIgardener.jpg\")
MIgardener is the brainchild of Luke Marion, where he focuses on giving great gardening advice along with top gardening products. He sells non-GMO seeds and fertilizers, along with other items. The blog is an awesome source of information, like how to use grow bags and gardening with dogs.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Garden Barefoot with These 5 Amazing Living Ground Covers
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Lynn Hunt
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-dirt-diaries.jpg\")
Lynn Hunt loves gardening, in particular, he loves roses. Her blog focuses on her garden outside of her North Carolina cottage, which has a lot of roses. She loves roses so much she is called The Rose Whisperer, and she is an award-winning writer. Lynn doesn’t write posts too often, but when she does, they’re eloquently written with lovely pictures and plenty of inspiration.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Birds I Have Known
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Gardening Wizards Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gardening-wizards.png\")
Gardening Wizards cover a variety of topics, and they offer several buying guides. Looking for the best bug zapper or the best electric log splitter? They have a guide to help you with thoroughly written reviews for the best products. You’ll also find plenty of how-to posts like how to grow turmeric and how to grow a yield of potatoes!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How Long Does It Take to Grow Potatoes
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Garden Collage Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/garden-collage.jpg\")
If you like to look at pictures of beautiful gardens, Garden Collage is for you. Take a peek at some gardens in Paris or stroll through a New York Botanical Garden. The authors take you around the world to see different gardens and gain inspiration.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How to Use Face Oils
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Garden Reviewers Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i2.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/garden-reviewers.png?fit=1024%2C176&ssl=1\")
Garden Reviewers has an abundance of posts from buying guides to gardening infographics. They offer articles like The Best Wheelbarrow of 219 and tips for winterizing your lawn. You can find creative gardening ideas or how to create a pet-friendly garden. So, the Garden Reviewers is a place to check for a variety of information and posts.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Health Tips for Those People Who Love to Garden and Work around the House
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Rhonda Gales
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/mother-2-mother.png\")
Rhonda is the mother behind Mother 2 Mother and she really blogs about everything from adult education and parenting tips to recipes and gardening. Mothers can truly relate to her blog since it’s a collection of things we do every day. We love her gardening category because it includes a bit of everything like gardening projects for kids and how to clean up a fall garden. Rhona has a bunch of goodies for her readers!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How to Start a Sweet Potato Vine from a Cutting
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Gardening Know How Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gardening-know-how.jpg\")
Gardening Know How offers tips for all gardeners, whether you grow herbs, vegetables, or native plants. You can find something useful on this blog. They share posts like The Best Greenhouses and the Top 5 Orchids. Gardening Know How shares a lot of how-to posts as well for new and experienced gardeners.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How to Soak Seeds Before Planting and The Reasons for Soaking Seeds
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Isis Loran
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/family-food-garden.jpeg\")
Isis is the main author behind Family Food Garden, and her goal is to grow as much food for her family. She is a modern homesteader. Her blog doesn’t just stop with vegetable gardening. She also includes tips for indoor gardening and flower beds. Isis talks about family life, homesteading, and home remedies. You’ll find great posts like how to grow a year-round garden and a homesteading task list month-by-month.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Cheap Mini Greenhouse for Seed Starting
\n\n\n\nAuthor: The Farmer’s Wife
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-real-farmhouse.png\")
Are you interested in a farmer’s life? Check out The Real Farmhouse. They share posts like how to grow food for profit and why you should use heirloom seeds. Her posts often are very actionable with tips and tricks you can use and apply now.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: The Perks of Living on a Farm
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Kevin Espiritu
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/epic-gardening.jpg\")
Kevin, the author behind Epic Gardening, helps thousands of people become expert gardeners. His posts are full of knowledge and tips. Some of his recent posts include things such as how to use cornmeal in the garden and what to feed your worm compost!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: How to Grow Spinach The Right Way
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Linda Lehmusvirta
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/central-texas-gardener.jpg\")
Central Texas residents should take a look at Central Texas Gardener. It’s full of resources and interesting blog posts. All of the articles are related to what Central Texas residents might experience, such as dealing with drought and picking the right fruit trees for the region.
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Lessons from Urban Farmers to Grow in Heat
\n\n\n\nAuthor: Savvy Gardening Team
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/savvy-gardening.png\")
Savvy Gardening has several writers that share their gardening expertise and tips. They have sections on ornamentals, edibles, insects, and more. You can find information about growing tomatoes and different houseplants. They post articles about fertilizers and drying herbs and flowers. It’s a collection of awesome info!
Our Favorite Post of 2018: Shade-Loving Perennial Flowers: 15 Choices
That’s all folks! Once again, thank you to all memebers of the gardening community, featured in this list or not. Let’s keep it up in the new year!
\n\n\n\nPlease visit our Lawn Care page if you’re looking for lawn care advice or visit our Home & Garden section for gardening articles of our own.
\n","title":"The 2018 Community Cultivator Awards","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The 2018 Community Cultivator Awards | Top Gardening Blogs | WikiLawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"8163e4ac-da46-5939-9869-d4112710a127","slug":"post-emergent-herbicides","path":"/blog/post-emergent-herbicides/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"LaShonda Tucker is a freelance writer, poet, and spoken word artist in Atlanta. She earned her masters from the University of Georgia and enjoys playing her violin.","name":"LaShonda Tucker","id":"f7fdb6d3-a89a-5295-963a-aac47afa7cee","path":"/author/lashonda-tucker/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce61747b62dbfb82f56a8611f2835988?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"August 7th, 2023","excerpt":"Home is where the heart is, not the weeds. But sometimes homeowners end up sharing their space with these annoying plants. Keep reading to find out how and when to apply post-emergent herbicides to give your yard the makeover it deserves. No matter what kind of weed is growing in your yard, there’s a post-emergent […]
\n","content":"\nHome is where the heart is, not the weeds. But sometimes homeowners end up sharing their space with these annoying plants. Keep reading to find out how and when to apply post-emergent herbicides to give your yard the makeover it deserves. No matter what kind of weed is growing in your yard, there’s a post-emergent herbicide to help you get rid of it.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nThe best time to apply post-emergent herbicides is when weeds are young and actively growing. This is when they are most vulnerable to the active ingredients.
\n\n\n\nTime of Year: Applying in the fall or late spring is best. It is easier to manage perennial weeds and several types of annual weeds during these times of year. Perennial weeds with deep root systems are best treated in the early spring. Homeowners should be aware that herbicides are most effective on weeds that are actively growing.
\n\n\n\nTemperature: Apply post-emergent weed control when the air temperature is less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the soil temperature is higher than 55 degrees. You can purchase a soil thermometer online or at your local garden supply store for less than $10 to check the soil temperature.
\n\n\n![\"woman](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Weed-killer.jpg\")
Photo Credit: karenfoleyphotography / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nWhen Not to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides:
\n\n\n\nPost-emergent herbicides before rain? Read the product label to determine how soon a treated area can be exposed to water. Some herbicides require water to be activated and kill the plant. On the contrary, rain or watering can render other herbicide products ineffective. Instead of activating ingredients, the water can wash them away.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRefrain from mowing the lawn about three days before and after using herbicides so weeds can grow enough to absorb the chemicals. Be sure to protect yourself, your family, and your pets. Wear the proper clothing and keep children and pets away from the treated area until it is dry.
\n\n\n\nProtective Apparel to Wear While Applying Herbicides:
\n\n\n\nThis method allows you to target weeds specifically, not your grass or surrounding plants. It’s a good option when there is not a large infestation and/or when you’re using non-selective herbicides that can kill plants other than weeds.
\n\n\n\nHow to Prepare the Herbicide: Read the label and combine the post-emergent herbicide with water (and a surfactant, if needed) as instructed. A surfactant increases the effectiveness of herbicides by helping the chemicals absorb into the weeds better. If the herbicide does not have a built-in surfactant, the label will inform you that you must add it.
\n\n\n\nHow to Apply Spot Treatments: With your mixture, spray each weed individually and thoroughly. Do your best not to get herbicide on the surrounding grass and plants, especially if you’re using a non-selective formula.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen you have many weeds that have taken over your yard, a blanket treatment will allow you to treat the area more efficiently than spot treatments.
\n\n\n\nHow to Prepare the Herbicide: You can use a liquid post-emergent or granular post-emergent herbicide. Mix the liquid product with water as per the label’s instructions. Use a sprayer to apply. For granules, apply using a granular spreader.
\n\n\n\nHow to Apply a Blanket Treatment: Go back and forth over the entire lawn with the sprayer or spreader, applying the herbicide evenly. For granules, it will take about half an inch of water for the herbicide to be activated, so be sure to water your lawn after application.
\n\n\n\nFor any post-emergent treatments, reapply as per the product’s label to maintain weed control.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: eleonimages / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nPost-emergent herbicides are used to treat weeds post-growth or after they are sprouting and growing.
\n\n\n\nIf you get to the weeds before they sprout, a pre-emergent herbicide can be used to prevent the weed seeds from germinating in the first place.
\n\n\n\nDithiopyr is a chemical that acts as both a pre and post-emergent herbicide, preventing weeds from germinating and killing them after they are actively growing.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnlike pre-emergent herbicides that target weed seeds, post-emergent herbicides attack plant parts, like stems, leaves, and the plant’s root system. Not all post-emergent weed killers work the same way. There are two types: contact-based and systemic.
\n\n\n\nContact-Based Post-Emergent Herbicides: This type of herbicide kills only the plant parts it comes into contact with. It may take several applications. Contact-based herbicide applications typically only target the parts of plants above ground, like the weed’s foliage. It can kill the targeted parts of the plant quickly.
\n\n\n\nSystemic Post-Emergent Herbicides: Systemic herbicides kill weeds completely, even if the herbicide only comes into contact with part of the plant. The chemicals are absorbed and travel throughout the entire plant, attacking its vascular system. This method allows the active ingredients to reach and kill different parts of the plant, like the stems, leaves, and root system, killing the pesky weed.
\n\n\n\nIt’s also important to know that not all herbicides work on all weeds. There are both selective and non-selective post-emergent herbicides.
\n\n\n\nSelective Post-Emergent Herbicides: This type of herbicide targets specific weeds without harming other plants. Selective products list on their labels whether they kill grassy weeds, like crabgrass and goosegrass, or broadleaf weeds, like chickweed and dandelions. You must accurately identify the weed in your yard to choose the right selective herbicide.
\n\n\n\nNon-selective Post-Emergent Herbicides: These herbicides kill all plants they touch, so a sprayer is usually used to apply non-selective herbicides to give weeds a targeted spot treatment that affects the weeds and not other plants.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMake sure you are correctly identifying the weeds in your yard. Certain weed killers are for specific weeds and may be ineffective on other types of weeds. The type of herbicide you choose should also be labeled for use on your turfgrass type. Otherwise, it may kill your grass along with the weeds.
\n\n\n\nHere are some common active ingredients in post-emergent herbicides, along with the weeds they kill and the grass types they’re safe for.
\n\n\n\nGlyphosate (Roundup):
\n\n\n\nImazaquin (Image):
\n\n\n\nForamsulfuron (Revolver):
\n\n\n\nSulfentrazone (Dismiss):
\n\n\n\nWeed and feed herbicides are pre-emergent and post-emergent products that also contain fertilizer. Several granular herbicides come with fertilizers. Make sure you are getting the weed and feed product that is best for your grass.
\n\n\n\nBut be aware of when it is best to apply the herbicide and when it is best to fertilize your grass. Because the two may not coincide, weed and feed products can be bad for your lawn.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNo, they do not kill weeds that have already sprouted. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent seeds from germinating.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIndaziflam provides pre-emergence control for goosegrass. Fenoxaprop is a post-emergence for goosegrass. The name-brand product Dismiss also inhibits the growth of goosegrass.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProdiamine is a selective pre-emergence herbicide that can be used on most cool and warm-season grass types. Halosulfuron and sulfentrazone are post-emergent chemicals for use on most cool and warm-season grasses.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere are some DIY pet-safe weed killers. Some are non-toxic to humans and pets, like a salt solution or boiling water. A mixture of borax and water is considered a less harmful natural weed killer; borax is toxic in its concentrated form.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe best way to treat lawn weeds is to prevent them before they occur with appropriate lawn care. This includes treating your lawn for diseases, providing the correct amounts of water and fertilizer at the recommended intervals, and mowing the lawn at advised heights.
\n\n\n\nThe next step is to catch weeds before you see them by treating them with a pre-emergent herbicide. But if you don’t have that kind of foresight and end up with weeds in your lawn, you can use post-emergent herbicides to kill them.
\n\n\n\nFortunately, you can treat weeds yourself using products from your local home improvement store or Amazon. But it can be a lot of work, especially if you end up having to hand-pull a yard full of weeds. If you’d rather leave your lawn care needs to professionals, we can connect you with lawn care pros in your area who can help with weed control and other lawn maintenance, such as mowing and fertilization.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Mihajlo Maricic / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"How and When to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides ","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/1789c/weed-killer-spray.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/107df/weed-killer-spray.jpg 320w,\n/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/293e9/weed-killer-spray.jpg 500w,\n/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/f2cbb/weed-killer-spray.jpg 800w,\n/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/1789c/weed-killer-spray.jpg 960w,\n/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/c26c2/weed-killer-spray.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/1dd6e/weed-killer-spray.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/67b76/weed-killer-spray.webp 320w,\n/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/8df11/weed-killer-spray.webp 500w,\n/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/98a65/weed-killer-spray.webp 800w,\n/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/1dd6e/weed-killer-spray.webp 960w,\n/static/d36c026e50c74fee1a373f4b7b33f258/3cc96/weed-killer-spray.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How and When to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Read to discover how and when to apply post-emergent herbicides, how they work, and which chemicals kill specific weeds."}}},{"node":{"id":"ff5060d1-0b95-5566-8d4f-fdefd13e6b51","slug":"how-to-grow-bahiagrass","path":"/blog/how-to-grow-bahiagrass/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Most comfortable with soil under her fingernails, Amanda has an enthusiasm for gardening, agriculture, and all things plant-related. With a master's degree in agriculture and more than a decade of experience gardening and tending to her lawn, she combines her plant knowledge and knack for writing to share what she knows and loves.","name":"Amanda Shiffler","id":"458fa7a4-b709-56ae-8d79-9dc400e34ff1","path":"/author/amanda-shiffler/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0048ef20c97263b5f26951aa210d62c8?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"June 22nd, 2023","excerpt":"Looking for a low-maintenance turf option for your Southern lawn? Do you have predominantly sandy or low-fertility soil that doesn’t support Zoysiagrass or buffalograss? If either of these questions hit home with you, it may be worth a shot to try growing a Bahiagrass lawn instead, and we’ve got all the information you need! Bahiagrass […]
\n","content":"\nLooking for a low-maintenance turf option for your Southern lawn? Do you have predominantly sandy or low-fertility soil that doesn’t support Zoysiagrass or buffalograss? If either of these questions hit home with you, it may be worth a shot to try growing a Bahiagrass lawn instead, and we’ve got all the information you need!
\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low — needs full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Tolerates most soils, does well in sandy loam
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 3-4 inches
\n\n\n\nDrought resistance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: With a moderate to high growth rate, it needs frequent mowing
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\nInsect pest tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Bahiagrass is grown along the Gulf Coast and in the Southeastern U.S. It does best in acidic soils and is not the best grass if your soil is naturally alkaline. It doesn’t tolerate salt water well.
\n\n\n\nWhile this may come as a surprise to many, Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is used mainly as a pasture grass and for hay production across the southeastern United States. However, selected varieties—Argentine and Pensacola, especially—work well as turfgrass species for lawns. Behind St. Augustinegrass, Bahia is the second most common turfgrass across much of the southeastern United States, and for a good reason.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass is well-adapted to low-fertility soils and is excellent for homeowners wanting a low-maintenance, low-input lawn. It puts down a deep root system that spreads via underground rhizomes. This root system makes it great for areas prone to drought or lawns without an irrigation system. However, Bahia doesn’t form the same dense carpet as other warm-season grasses that spread using above-ground stolons.
\n\n\n\n![\"lush](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bahiagrass-lawn.jpg\")
Bahiagrass is not the best choice for every Southern lawn, but it is ideal in many situations, especially if you have many acres of property to cover.
\n\n\n\n✓ Low water needs
\n\n\n\n✓ Low fertilizer requirements
\n\n\n\n✓ Lower maintenance than many other grass types
\n\n\n\n✓ Deep root system
\n\n\n\n✓ Does well in sandy and other low-fertility soils
\n\n\n\n✓ Minimal insect and disease problems
\n\n\n\n✓ Thatch is generally not a concern
\n\n\n\n✓ Establishes from seed or sod
\n\n\n\n✗ Does not form a dense carpet
\n\n\n\n✗ Seed head stems dull mower blades quickly
\n\n\n\n✗ Seed heads need regular mowing, or they become an eyesore
\n\n\n\n✗ Only a few varieties are available for home lawns
\n\n\n\n✗ Open growth habit leaves space for weeds to grow
\n\n\n\nIf you’re considering switching your lawn to Bahiagrass or using it to start grass at a fresh build, you have the option of seeding or laying sod.
\n\n\n\nHowever, some crucial differences between the two methods must be considered when choosing.
\n\n\n\nThere’s no denying that planting grass from seed is by far the cheaper of the two options and is much easier labor-wise to “install.” For homeowners with economic constraints, this makes seeding attractive. On the flip side, if you opt for seeding, the grass needs considerably more babysitting during the establishment process and takes quite a bit of time to grow into a beautiful lawn.
\n\n\n\nLaying sod comes with a pretty hefty price tag, and the process is back-breaking – even more so for Bahiagrass sod, as it tends to fall apart unless you spend extra money for sod with a netting material to hold it together. That being said, once you get it down, you automatically have a nice green lawn, and it doesn’t take micromanaging to get it established like seeding does.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass Seed: Depending on where you purchase seed from, expect to pay $100-$110 for a 25 lb bag of Pensacola Bahiagrass seed.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass Sod: A 400-square-foot pallet of Bahiagrass sod costs approximately $113 to $134.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass Seed: Getting grass seed down in late spring or early summer is best. Warm-season grasses like Bahia grow the most when the air temperatures hit a whopping 85 to 95°F, so you want to plant just before temps climb this high. This helps your grass establish as quickly as possible, putting down a sound root system so it is well-prepared to go dormant and survive the winter.
\n\n\n\nNote: Not all grass seeds you scatter will germinate; some Bahiagrass seeds lay dormant and may sprout later in the season.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass Sod: Sod is a little more forgiving timing-wise and can be put down whenever you have time to tackle the project. However! You’ll have a much easier time getting it established if you do it in the spring or fall when temperatures are more moderate.
\n\n\n\nSince Bahia grows a little more sparsely than other turfgrasses, you can overseed your lawn annually with more Bahiagrass seed to keep it as thick as possible. Remember that no matter what you do, it will never grow as thick as Zoysia or other turfs with dense growth habits.
\n\n\n\n![\"sparse](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sparse-Bahiagrass.jpg\")
Yes, I’ve said that Bahiagrass is low-maintenance, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need your attention at all. Here are the basic rules of Bahiagrass lawn maintenance to follow.
\n\n\n\nIt was mentioned that Bahiagrass is fantastic for large acres and properties without irrigation. This doesn’t mean it will stay green regardless of how little or how much water it gets.
\n\n\n\nWhen you’re growing Bahiagrass without irrigation, it will go into a state of dormancy and turn brown during long periods of drought. Once the rain returns, the grass greens back up and resumes growing. In climates such as Florida, where it rains most days, you may not ever need to give a Bahia lawn supplemental water.
\n\n\n\nIf you can water your lawn, it’s best to keep an eye on it and watch for signs it needs water. You’ll see folded grass blades, a color change, and footprints will remain on the grass after you walk across it. So, if you see these things, turn on the sprinklers and give your grass one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water to get it green and perky.
\n\n\n\nFertilizer specifics will depend on the soil in your yard and how you’ve managed it before. You need to account for soil type, organic matter content, if you’ve mulched clippings back into the lawn, etc. To get an exact recommendation, perform a soil test before seeding or laying sod.
\n\n\n\nAs a general rule of thumb, apply 1 to 4 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet of yard annually.
\n\n\n\nAlways check local guidelines for lawn fertilizer blackout dates or ordinances regarding its application.
\n\n\n\nDuring the summer, Bahia is known for its characteristic Y-shaped, two- or three-branched seed heads. To keep them in check and your grass looking nice, expect to mow your lawn every one to two weeks. During the hottest parts of summer, you may need to cut it a little more frequently unless you don’t mind the seed heads, but you’ll want to keep your grass 3 to 4 inches tall.
\n\n\n\nThe seed head stems are tough on mower blades, so you may need to sharpen them more frequently than with other grasses. Keeping mower blades sharp will help give you an excellent crisp cut when you mow instead of tearing the tops of the grass off with dull mower blades.
\n\n\n\nKeeping a Bahiagrass lawn weed-free is a challenge since Bahia doesn’t grow as thick or dense as some grass types. Weeds love to come in and reside in those bare spots and compete with your grass for essential nutrients, water, and sunlight. The best defense against weeds is to maintain a healthy lawn.
\n\n\n\nTo do this, keep your grass mowed to the proper height, irrigate when you see signs of drought stress, and fertilize throughout the growing season. You can also consider periodically overseeding to help fill in some bare spots where the weeds like to hang out.
\n\n\n\nWhen proper lawn management doesn’t succeed in weed control, pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides are available in both chemical and organic formulations. Just stay away from products containing atrazine and metsulfuron because they damage Bahiagrass.
\n\n\n\nFortunately, Bahia lawns experience very few insect and disease problems. Watch for mole crickets, Bahiagrass billbugs, and fall armyworms, as they may cause issues in Bahiagrass lawns.
\n\n\n\nThe two classifications of turfgrass are distinguished by where they have adapted to grow the best. Warm-season grasses prefer hot summers and mild winters and grow in the South. Cool-season grasses like temperate summers and can tolerate brutal winters; they grow mainly in the northern United States.
Bahiagrass is a warm-season grass.
Bahiagrass is typically grown on sandy soils in coastal areas, so there isn’t a need to aerate, as these soils don’t compact. Also, it isn’t a grass type that develops a lot of thatch, so dethatching isn’t usually necessary.
Sometimes, when it’s growing where it isn’t wanted, Bahiagrass is considered a weed rather than a turfgrass. If Bahiagrass is a weed in your book, and it’s overrunning your lawn, see our guide on how to get rid of Bahiagrass.
\n\n\n\nIf you think a Bahiagrass lawn is a good fit for your landscape, contact one of our highly-qualified local lawn professionals. They can help get your lawn started or care for your established turf, giving you more time to spend doing what matters most to you – without sacrificing the quality of your lawn.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"Everything You Need to Know About Growing Bahiagrass","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/1789c/Bahiagrass.jpg","srcSet":"/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/107df/Bahiagrass.jpg 320w,\n/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/293e9/Bahiagrass.jpg 500w,\n/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/f2cbb/Bahiagrass.jpg 800w,\n/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/1789c/Bahiagrass.jpg 960w,\n/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/c26c2/Bahiagrass.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/1dd6e/Bahiagrass.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/67b76/Bahiagrass.webp 320w,\n/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/8df11/Bahiagrass.webp 500w,\n/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/98a65/Bahiagrass.webp 800w,\n/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/1dd6e/Bahiagrass.webp 960w,\n/static/915b1bf34215a32d9ee781638fc388f5/3cc96/Bahiagrass.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Everything You Need to Know About Growing Bahiagrass | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Bahiagrass is a great, low-maintenance grass for Southern lawns with sandy soils. We have all the information you need if you’re looking to grow it!"}}},{"node":{"id":"cbcbc672-7fb2-51a1-a118-834cceeaaa1b","slug":"how-to-use-salt-kill-weeds","path":"/blog/how-to-use-salt-kill-weeds/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"LaShonda Tucker is a freelance writer, poet, and spoken word artist in Atlanta. She earned her masters from the University of Georgia and enjoys playing her violin.","name":"LaShonda Tucker","id":"f7fdb6d3-a89a-5295-963a-aac47afa7cee","path":"/author/lashonda-tucker/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce61747b62dbfb82f56a8611f2835988?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"August 7th, 2023","excerpt":"Surely there is another way to kill stubborn weeds than using dangerous chemicals or expensive organic herbicides, right? Right. This article discusses how to use salt to kill weeds. It turns out you can get rid of weeds in a way that does not pose a health risk to you and your loved ones. And […]
\n","content":"\nSurely there is another way to kill stubborn weeds than using dangerous chemicals or expensive organic herbicides, right? Right. This article discusses how to use salt to kill weeds. It turns out you can get rid of weeds in a way that does not pose a health risk to you and your loved ones. And it’s right in your kitchen cabinet!
\n\n\n\nKeep reading to learn how to kill weeds with salt instead of toxic chemicals like Roundup.
\n\n\nWho knew sodium chloride, aka regular ole table salt, could be so useful in the yard? Even if all you have is the salt you use to season your food, you can use it to eliminate weeds.
\n\n\n\nIf you live in a location where it gets icy regularly, you may also keep rock salt, the salt placed on the ground to eat away ice in winter, in the house. It can also be used to kill weeds.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"table](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/table-salt-spilled-out-on-a-table.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Sebalos / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nWhat you need:
\n\n\n\nSolutions more concentrated with salt can disrupt the soil composition and hurt other plants you want to keep. So, a 1-to-2 salt-to-water mixture is best in a flower bed or on your lawn. You can start with a 1:3 salt-to-water ratio and increase the salt content daily until it starts killing the weeds.
\n\n\n\nIn areas where soil health preservation is not important, like cracks in the driveway, a 2:1 or 3:1 salt-to-water ratio can be used to kill the weeds more quickly and with fewer applications.
\n\n\n\nAdd a little white vinegar and liquid dish soap to make the salt solution more effective.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"rock](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/rock-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: BWFolsom / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nWhat you need:
\n\n\n\nThere are a couple of ways to apply rock salt as a post-emergent weed killer.
\n\n\n\nEasy No-Mix Rock Salt Weed Killer: Sprinkle a little rock salt on the ground at the base of the weed. This is a fast method for controlling weeds sprouting in driveways and walkways and between pavers. The pesky plants will die within about a week and a half. Rock salt will also kill grass and other plants and stop anything from growing where it has been sprinkled, giving it a pre-emergent herbicidal quality. Rain will eventually dissipate the effects.
\n\n\n\nRock Salt Spray Recipe: Add 1 cup of rock salt to 1 gallon of hot water. Mix until the salt is dissolved. Put the combination into a spray bottle. This solution is a good way to kill weeds in grass and flower beds because you can spray it directly on weeds and keep it from coming into contact with the plants you want to keep.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/using-spray-to-kill-a-weed-in-mulch-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: killerb10 / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nOnce you’ve mixed your salt spray, spray it directly onto the weeds you want to kill. Be careful not to get too much salt water on your grass or ornamental plants. After five days, respray the weeds. Wait another five days and reapply. If there is torrential rain, it could dilute the salt, and you may have to reapply it sooner than five days.
\n\n\n\nYou don’t want to saturate your soil with salt water. It can harm the soil and nearby plants. So, after spraying weeds with salt water, thoroughly water the roots of any nearby vegetation to dilute any salt solution that made contact with grass or ornamentals.
\n\n\n\nOverall, a salt spray is best for small-scale weed problems.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe type of salt used is important. It must be rock salt or sodium chloride to kill weeds. Table salt that is iodized or non-iodized will work. Avoid using sea salt and magnesium sulfate, which is also known as Epsom salt.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSalt is so effective at killing weeds that it can kill other plants and disrupt the soil composition so that nothing grows for a few years. As previously stated, this prevention of regrowth gives salt a pre-emergent herbicidal quality.
\n\n\n\nSalt contains acetic acid, which pulls out moisture. The way salt kills weeds is by dehydrating them and disrupting the plant cells’ internal water balance. Weeds absorb this natural weed killer more when water is added to the salt. Salt burns the foliage and prevents the plant from getting sufficient water.
\n\n\n\nWhite vinegar also has acetic acid, so adding a little of it to your salt solution will increase the moisture extraction effects.
\n\n\n\nAdding a little liquid dish soap to your solution can also make the salt more effective because dish soap is a surfactant, meaning it reduces the water’s surface tension, enabling the plant to absorb more of the solution.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"salt](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/salt-being-poured-from-someones-fingers.jpg\")
Photo Credit: taffpix / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nSalt is not toxic like chemical herbicides. However, applying salt as a weed killer does come with advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at some:
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\n✓ Does not cause health risks that herbicidal chemicals containing ingredients like 2,4-D and glyphosate are linked to, such as endocrine disruption and cancer
✓ Cheaper weed killer than commercial herbicides
✓ Children and pets do not have to stay off the grass to avoid toxic exposure
✓ Effectively kills smaller weeds
✓ Can be used near edible plants without exposing them to dangerous chemicals
Cons:
\n\n\n\n✗ Large quantities can change the pH level of the soil and make it sterile
✗ Can kill nearby plants and grass
✗ May not work on salt-tolerant plants
✗ Not as effective on large plants
✗ Should be used for weed killing on a small scale
Salt is not the only homemade weed killer that can effectively replace toxic chemical herbicides.
\n\n\n\nBoiling water has some of the same benefits and disadvantages as a salt solution. Surrounding plants can be damaged if boiling water splashes on them. On the other hand, boiling water will not disturb the chemical composition of the soil and damage it or prevent future growth.
\n\n\n\nVinegar solutions usually include adding salt, but the amount of salt is less. The most effective vinegar mixtures are made with vinegar that is 20% acetic acid, also known as herbicidal vinegar. These weed killers, like salt, can change the soil composition.
\n\n\n\nUltimately, the decision of which homemade weed-killing method to use is up to you. To salt or not to salt? That is the question. All of these non-toxic herbicides are safer for pets and humans than their commercial herbicide counterparts.
\n\n\n\nIt typically takes about 10 days for a salt and water solution to kill existing weeds.
Practicing good lawn care management regularly will help prevent weeds in the first place. It is difficult for unwanted plants to sprout in a well-kept lawn or garden. Here are some tips for preventing weeds in your landscape:
● Use mulch in gardens and on the lawn. Mulch stops weed growth. Apply organic mulch to decrease weed germination. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing is a natural way to fertilize the grass and suppress weeds. However, leaving clippings when you have lawn weeds will spread the seeds.
● Check for weeds regularly so you can eliminate them when they are young and few.
● Plant grass seed adapted to your area, which will thrive in your climate and more easily outcompete local weeds.
● Mow, water, and fertilize the grass as recommended for your grass type. See recommendations for cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses in our guides.
● Treat the lawn for diseases and insects to keep the grass healthy and weed-resistant.
● Pull up weeds with a tool or by hand and remove the taproot to prevent regrowth.
● Plant ground cover. These ornamentals spread quickly, providing a dense carpet that smothers and suppresses weeds.
Pulling weeds by hand or with a tool is an eco-friendly method that doesn’t affect the soil or other plants. It is easier to manage weeds this way when there are only a few of them and they are young. Wet the soil to remove weeds more easily. Ensure you have removed the entire root system to prevent regrowth.
Having a way to manage weeds that is cheaper and more convenient than commercial herbicides is nice. Having a way to manage weeds that is safer for your family, fur babies, and the environment is priceless. Salt is both!
\n\n\n\n
But if you need a break from DIY landscape maintenance, there is a way you can have your cake and eat it, too. Enjoy a beautiful, thriving yard and some leisure time by connecting with qualified lawn care professionals in your area to do all the work while you chill.
Main Photo Credit: ac_bnphotos / Canva Pro / License
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\n","content":"\nBeautiful front yard landscaping creates an excellent first impression for your guests and increases your property value. Whether you hire a landscaper or choose to DIY your next project, these 11 front lawn landscaping ideas will boost your curb appeal.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover flower beds, water features, outdoor lighting and much more – and highlight the pros and cons of each front yard landscaping idea.
\n\n\n\n![\"Rock](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_28452073635_931898775a_c.jpg\")
Whether you want to save water or you just have a brown thumb, rock gardens are a low-maintenance front lawn landscape design that can survive in harsh environments. Rocks and pebbles work as a lawn substitute or as a focal point for your front yard. Stone will complement flower beds, ornamental grasses, succulents, and herbs.
\n\n\n\nVertical gardens are perfect for small front yards with limited garden space as they allow you to maximize even the smallest of patios, balconies and front porches. There are numerous vertical garden designs to choose from, including shelves, window boxes, hanging pots, and stackable planters.
\n\n\n\n![\"Flower](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_garden-and-front-stoep.jpg\")
Flower beds add colors and curb appeal to your front yard. Researchers at Texas A&M found people associate colorful landscapes with a better quality of life and improved moods. You can also save on buying floral arrangements by cutting your own flowers.
\n\n\n\nGround covers prevent erosion, prohibit weed growth, and also provide greenery and pops of color. Ornamental grasses offer texture and greenery.
\n\n\n\nEdible landscaping creates a beautiful and functional yard. Add color by planting an assortment of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Penn State University has numerous front yard landscaping ideas for edible landscaping. Many flowers like alliums, marigolds, and honeysuckles are edible.
\n\n\n\nAdds color – Fruit trees and squash provide flowers before producing mature fruits. Berries and peppers provide a pop of color. Salad greens and herbs provide greenery.
\n\n\n\nAdds interest – Beans and other vining plants grow on arbors and fences and create interest with differing heights.
\n\n\n\n![\"landscape-lighting\"](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/outdoor-landscape-lighting-hero-shot-1024x670.jpg\")
Highlight a focal point in your garden with landscape lighting. Small solar lights will accentuate your front lawn landscaping and won’t raise your power bill.
\n\n\n\nThere’s a wide array of water features available for front yard landscaping. You’ll find simple fountains online or in stores that you can place on the front porch or nestle in your flower beds. You can add a koi pond to your front lawn landscape, if you’re willing to spend anywhere between $5,000 to $20,000, but a DIY fountain won’t cost much.
\n\n\n\n![\"Our](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_concrete_retaining_wall_in_walnut_creek_ca_built_by_retaining_wall_experts.jpg\")
Sloped lawns are prone to erosion. Researchers at Oregon State University recommend retaining walls to help manage soil and water runoff. They can be built to accentuate a flower bed, to make sloping lawns usable, or as borders along homes and patios.
\n\n\n\nAdding a pergola to your front yard gives you additional living space. These lattice-topped structures come in a number of styles and provide a cover for your patio, without completely blocking out the sun. Pergolas range in price depending on whether you build it yourself or have it custom-built.
\n\n\n\nPatios are great at providing an outdoor living space. They can be made from various materials, including concrete, wood, or pavers.
\n\n\n\nDurable – A concrete patio will last from 20 to 30 years. A paver patio that expands and contracts in the winter and summer can last up to 50 years. Consider the cost of installation and maintenance when choosing materials for a patio.
\n\n\n\nAdds Value – A well-designed and built patio can add up to 10% to a home’s value.
\n\n\n\nNeed maintenance – Patios are an additional space that will need routine cleaning via power-washing. If not properly installed, patios can easily crack.
\n\n\n\nCost – A patio for the average home runs about $4,000, depending on its size. The price can go up to as much as $8,000 for higher-end stone and pavers.
\n\n\n\n![\"landscape-path-pathway-grass-lawn-walkway\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_landscape-path-pathway-grass-lawn-walkway-1149050-pxherecom.jpg\")
Paths and walkways allow access to different areas of your yard without trampling on grass or flower beds. If these walkways are well-lit, you don’t have to worry about stepping on any critters at night – or breaking your ankle or leg in a fall.
\n\n\n\nCreate paths and walkways throughout your front lawn using pavers, concrete, stones, bricks, gravel, or mulch.
\n\n\n\nAdds to front yard design – A pathway will accentuate your front yard landscaping, leading people to the focal points.
\n\n\n\nMost are easy to install – Gravel, stepping stones, and mulch pathways are easy DIY projects that you can complete in a day. Poured concrete paths are harder to install but make it easier to shovel snow in the winter.
\n\n\n\nWeeds – Weeds grow between bricks and stepping stones. Concrete and pavers are more labor intensive, but it’s easier to remove weeds between sections.
\n\n\n\nErosion – Mulch and gravel may wash away in heavy rains. Pavers and stone are more durable but sometimes become slippery when wet.
\n\n\n\nCan Crack – Fluctuating temperatures in the winter can cause concrete and some brick pavers to crack.
\n\n\n\nThese 11 front-yard landscaping ideas will boost your property value, but they will require upkeep and maintenance.
\n\n\n\n1. Does front lawn landscaping increase my home’s value?
\n\n\n\nYes. Researchers at Virginia Tech found that landscaping significantly increases the value of homes, resulting in a higher selling price, anywhere from 5.5 to 11.4% These increases varied by geographic location and landscaping projects.
\n\n\n\n2. When is the best time of year to begin front lawn landscaping?
\n\n\n\nPlanting trees, shrubs, and perennial plants in the fall allows them to establish their roots before spring. Installing non-organic landscaping, such as hardscaping, can take place any time during the year. Winter isn’t a good time to install retaining walls because ice and snow may affect the integrity of structures like retaining walls.
\n\n\n\n3. Will my front yard provide curb appeal only in spring and summer?
\n\n\n\nNot necessarily. Choose plants with different bloom cycles and foliage colors to create front lawn landscaping that’s visually stimulating year-round.
\n\n\n\nEvergreens like boxwood provide greenery year-round. Tulips, daffodils, zinnias, roses, and hydrangea bloom in the spring and summer. Aster, begonias, pansy, and hellebores bloom at different times in the fall and winter.
\n\n\n\nNeed more ideas to increase your curb appeal? We can help you find a landscaping professional near you to help.
Main photo credit: pxHere | CC0 1.1
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":"240ef13d-10c0-55ef-a3ea-abcbbb9a9bc7","slug":"lawn-fertilizer-schedule","path":"/blog/lawn-fertilizer-schedule/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Taha Javed is a freelance writer and business student in Lahore, Pakistan. She loves swimming, reading, and playing with her dog.","name":"Taha Javed","id":"0531d17c-e9c8-5153-a6fb-6e2994f71716","path":"/author/taha-javed/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/877749883781783414fae4d0b98beb69?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"July 27th, 2023","excerpt":"Fertilizer is like the fuel that your grass requires to thrive, providing it with essential nutrients to keep it alive and healthy. But fertilizer is only effective if you apply it at the right time of year when your grass is able to absorb those nutrients. Follow this ideal lawn fertilizer schedule to maximize the […]
\n","content":"\nFertilizer is like the fuel that your grass requires to thrive, providing it with essential nutrients to keep it alive and healthy. But fertilizer is only effective if you apply it at the right time of year when your grass is able to absorb those nutrients. Follow this ideal lawn fertilizer schedule to maximize the benefits of fertilization and enhance your grass’s growth.
\n\n\n\nIn this guide, we’ll walk you through developing the best fertilization schedule for your grass type’s specific needs. Let’s get started!
\n\n\n\nLearn about:
\n\n\n\nIllustration by Juan Rodriguez
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDifferent grass species have different development patterns, so you must customize your fertilization schedule accordingly. Always apply fertilizer during your grass’s active growth period and never when it’s dormant. Dormant grass cannot absorb nutrients, so any fertilizer you apply during dormancy goes straight to the weeds lurking in your lawn.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses and warm-season grasses grow at different times of the year, so they require different fertilization schedules, which you will find below.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue, do best in regions with cold winters and mild summers. They typically grow in the northern third of the US and somewhat in the central portion of the country, known as the transition zone.
\n\n\n\nThese grasses benefit from a fertilization schedule that includes the following applications:
\n\n\n\nEarly Spring: Early spring, around late March and early April, is an ideal time to apply the first round of fertilizer as cool-season grasses emerge from winter dormancy. Choose a fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen for speedy green-up and healthy root development. Aim for a balanced nitrogen-to-potassium ratio to assist overall growth and stress tolerance.
\n\n\n\nSummer: Cool-season grasses can experience obstacles such as heat stress and restricted water supply during the hot summer months. To combat drought stress, adjust your watering plan and avoid fertilizing during periods of excessive heat. Consider using a light application of a slow-release or organic-based fertilizer with low nitrogen content in late summer, as the growth period might kick start. If your grass goes dormant and turns brown in summer, do not apply fertilizer until it greens up again.
\n\n\n\nEarly Fall: As temperatures decrease in the early fall, cool-season grasses enter the period of their most vigorous growth. It is an ideal time for a proper round of fertilization. Use a higher potassium content fertilizer to boost root growth and improve winter hardiness and disease resistance. A balanced nitrogen-to-potassium ratio is still necessary to promote healthy growth during the growing season and prepare the grass for winter.
\n\n\n\nLate Fall: Apply a winterizing fertilizer developed specifically for cool-season grasses in late fall, at least six weeks before the first expected frost in your area, around late October or early November. These fertilizers contain a higher potassium content, which helps to strengthen the grass’s cell walls and increase its resistance to harsh winter conditions. Winterizing fertilizers also aid in the early spring green-up of grass when it emerges from dormancy.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses like Bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass prefer warmer temperatures and grow most actively in spring and summer. They begin to slow their growth in fall when the temperatures drop, and they enter winter dormancy earlier than cool-season grasses.
\n\n\n\nBecause they prefer hot summers, warm-season grasses grow mostly in the South. They can also grow in the transition zone, but they typically struggle in any place with severe winters.
\n\n\n\nThe best times to apply lawn fertilizer for warm-season grasses are the following:
\n\n\n\nEarly Spring: Early spring is an excellent time for the first round of fertilization since warm-season grasses emerge from dormancy and begin their active growth phase. To stimulate vigorous growth, use a fertilizer high in nitrogen content. Look for a slow-release or controlled-release fertilizer that consistently supplies nutrients over time, assuring the grass’s continuous nourishment.
\n\n\n\nLate Spring/Early Summer: Warm-season grasses grow steadily throughout the summer and may require ample fertilizing to remain lush. However, it is important to be cautious when fertilizing during this time. High temperatures and drought can stress the grass, leaving it more vulnerable to fertilizer burn. To reduce the chance of damage throughout the hot summer, use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer around the end of May or the beginning of June when the heat isn’t too extreme yet.
\n\n\n\nEarly Fall: As summer gives way to fall, warm-season grasses slow their growth. A round of fertilizer application is best done in the early fall, at least 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost in your area. Use a fertilizer with a slightly greater potassium content to increase root growth and improve the grass’s winter hardiness. This application will aid in the recovery of the grass from any summer pressures and prepare it for the cooler months ahead.
\n\n\n\nDo not fertilize warm-season grass in late fall, as it is either preparing to enter winter dormancy or has already gone dormant.
\n\n\n\nLearn more about the best lawn fertilizer practices for cool-season and warm-season grass types in our guide: When and How to Fertilize Your Lawn.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe amount of fertilizer your grass needs can affect how many times you fertilize throughout the year. Each grass type has its own nutrient requirements, so it’s important to identify your grass type before trying to make a fertilization schedule.
\n\n\n\nFind the proper amount of nitrogen fertilizer recommended for your grass type in the table below.
\n\n\n\n| Grass Type | Application Rate Per Year |
| Bermudagrass | 2-4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft |
| Zoysiagrass | 2-3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2-4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft |
| Centipedegrass | 1-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft |
| Tall fescue | 2-3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft |
| Fine fescue | 1-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft |
| Ryegrass | 2-3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft |
You should never apply more than 1 pound of nitrogen to your lawn at one time. So, if your grass type requires 2 pounds of nitrogen every year, you should spread the fertilizer across at least two applications and possibly more applications of less than 1 pound. If your grass type requires 4 pounds of nitrogen annually, you will need to spread it out across four applications of 1 pound each. Don’t fertilize your lawn more than four times a year.
\n\n\n\nBase the timing of these applications on the cool-season and warm-season lawn fertilization schedules above.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/solar-panels-working-19.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Galeanu Mihai / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSoil testing is a valuable tool for optimizing your fertilizer schedule. When it comes to lawn fertilization, more than a one-size-fits-all strategy is needed. Soil testing enables you to identify nutrient deficits or excesses in your soil. It identifies the nutrients your lawn requires for its best growth, allowing you to fine-tune fertilizer selection and application.
\n\n\n\nTo perform a soil test, buy a DIY soil testing kit or send a soil sample to your local Cooperative Extension office for a more in-depth test.
\n\n\n\nThe soil test results provide essential information regarding your soil’s nutrient level. You’ll get a detailed report outlining the levels of primary nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, as well as secondary and micronutrients. The report also contains the pH level of your soil (ideally between 6.0 and 6.5), which is critical for nutrient availability at the grassroots.
\n\n\n\nBased on your soil test results, you can choose the right fertilizer for your grass, which will make your fertilization schedule even more effective.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close-up](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Close-up-of-Female-Gardeners-Hand-with-Iron-Bucket-of-Granular-Fertilizer.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Valerii Honcharuk / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSelecting the right fertilizer for your lawn can significantly impact its overall health and look. There are a few crucial aspects to consider while choosing the right fertilizer, including:
\n\n\n\nTo learn more about these factors and how they affect your lawn, see our guide to choosing lawn fertilizer.
\n\n\n\nThe type of fertilizer you select can impact your fertilization schedule. For instance, immediate-release fertilizers only remain in the soil for 4-6 weeks, so they will need to be applied more often for sustained results, while granular fertilizers remain in the soil for 6-8 weeks and will require fewer applications throughout the year.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt is generally recommended that you water your lawn lightly after fertilizing. Watering aids in dissolving fertilizer granules, allowing nutrients to infiltrate the soil and reach the grassroots. However, be careful not to overwater, which might wash out nutrients or lead to runoff. Plan to fertilize when the weather forecast is clear of heavy rainfall for a few days.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFertilizing during the dormant season, when the grass is not actively growing, is generally discouraged. Fertilizing during this time may result in nutrient runoff and waste. It can also encourage weeds to take over your yard while your grass is not growing. Not to mention, it’s a waste of your time, energy, and money.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOrganic fertilizers have longer-lasting effects on your soil by far. For one, they take longer to break down into the soil, which means nutrients are released gradually over time instead of all at once. The organic content in these fertilizers also improves the soil’s texture and overall health, whereas synthetic fertilizers can actually damage the soil and kill important microorganisms.
\n\n\n\nThe tradeoff is that organic fertilizers take longer to show visible results in your grass, while synthetic fertilizers can offer a quick green-up and boost of growth. So, you have to decide if you’re more concerned about the long-term or the short-term benefits.
\n\n\n\nSee our guide to organic lawn fertilizers to learn more.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCaring for your lawn means providing the appropriate nutrients at the right time. A well-planned fertilization schedule ensures your grass receives the nutrients it requires all year, supporting healthy growth and vivid greenery.
\n\n\n\nAre you tired of doing all this on your own? Don’t worry; we are here to help. Connect with a local lawn care pro through WikiLawn to help you establish a healthy, bright lawn that will make your neighbors envious.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: welcomia / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"The Ideal Lawn Fertilizer Schedule","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5463917525773196,"src":"/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/1789c/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/107df/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.jpg 320w,\n/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/293e9/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.jpg 500w,\n/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/f2cbb/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.jpg 800w,\n/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/1789c/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.jpg 960w,\n/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/c26c2/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/1dd6e/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/67b76/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.webp 320w,\n/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/8df11/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.webp 500w,\n/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/98a65/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.webp 800w,\n/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/1dd6e/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.webp 960w,\n/static/f57bf0a461823f2fd0483caa825dc1ff/3cc96/Gardener-with-Push-Spreader-Fertilizing-Residential-Grass-Lawn.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Ideal Lawn Fertilizer Schedule | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"What is the right time to fertilize your lawn? Learn all you need to know from our lawn fertilizer schedule, including when and how much to fertilize."}}},{"node":{"id":"17457154-501f-5fec-a746-d6ffe7372caa","slug":"how-to-keep-rabbits-out-of-yard","path":"/blog/how-to-keep-rabbits-out-of-yard/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Alison is a Midwesterner through and through, and loves to spend her time baking and reading. Always at home in the dirt, as a kid, Alison raised a vegetable garden with her dad, and flower gardens with her mom.","name":"Alison Hoover","id":"2d4efd75-80f4-58b0-b715-bcefffb32f2f","path":"/author/alison-hoover/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54d52d00b8587655742aec8164f06427?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"August 4th, 2022","excerpt":"Rabbits can cause a lot of damage to your lawn and garden pretty quickly. There are a lot of ways to keep rabbits out of your yard, including natural deterrents, store-bought remedies, and preventative measures. In this article, we’ll talk about solving the big problems caused by these small animals. Table of Contents: Natural Methods […]
\n","content":"\nRabbits can cause a lot of damage to your lawn and garden pretty quickly. There are a lot of ways to keep rabbits out of your yard, including natural deterrents, store-bought remedies, and preventative measures.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll talk about solving the big problems caused by these small animals.
\n\n\n\nTable of Contents:
\n\n\n\nYou likely have a lot of products in your home right now that should help keep bunnies away and minimize your rabbit problems.
\n\n\n\nDue in part to their strong sense of smell, rabbits will keep away from all three of these substances. Sprinkle any of these on their favorite plants, and they’ll steer clear.
\n\n\n\nThis tried and true method takes just a little prep work and offers non-toxic protection. Take a bar of Irish Spring and shave it using a cheese grater or something similar. Place the shavings into small mesh pouches and place them throughout your flower or vegetable garden.
\n\n\n\nRabbits don’t like the pungent smell or taste of these crops. By planting these around tastier veggies, such as carrots and lettuce, you can create a barrier to dissuade bunnies. Asparagus, rhubarb, leeks, and tomatoes are also viable options.
\n\n\n\nPlant flowers that rabbits naturally dislike. Geraniums, wax begonias, vincas, and salvia also make the list of unappealing plants while adding color and vibrancy to flowerbeds.
\n\n\n\nIt’s important to note that a hungry rabbit will eat what it can find, and not all rabbits have the same tastes. While these options are likely to work, They certainly aren’t a guarantee.
\n\n\n\n![\"Deter](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rsz_rabbit-1543716_960_720.jpg\")
If you’re headed to the home supply store, you’ll find lots of options to repel rabbits and protect your lawn and garden.
\n\n\n\nThe most effective way to protect your garden and vegetation is by building a fence, and it’s something you can probably DIY in an afternoon. Keep in mind: Rabbits can jump about 2 feet high and squirm through tight spaces. You need to consider this when installing your fence.
\n\n\n\nChicken wire or mesh with openings of less than an inch work best. You can also use hardware cloth if you prefer. The fencing needs to be at least 2 feet high and either secured closely to the ground or inset by about 2 inches. This will prevent burrowing critters from sneaking in underneath.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rsz_1img_1665.jpg\")
Various sprays, powders, and additives are available to keep all garden pests at bay. It’s crucial to read the packaging carefully and follow the directions for how much to apply, where, and when.
Dried blood meal is another option, but you’ll need to reapply it after each rain. Similar to many of the natural ways noted above, rabbits may become accustomed to these remedies. You may want to rotate the products you use.
A final option is live trapping. This isn’t for everyone, and it may not be viable depending on where you live. However, this humane option may be your best bet.
\n\n\n\nPlace traps near popular food sources. You can also add a carrot, apple, or lettuce inside the trap as bait. Check the traps daily. Release trapped rabbits in safe areas several miles away to prevent them from finding their way back.
\n\n\n\nNote: Traps don’t discriminate, and you may find yourself with a variety of other animals as well.
\n\n\n\nThe easiest way to deal with any problem is to prevent it in the first place. You can keep rabbits out of your yard by eliminating areas for them to shelter. This, combined with the other remedies noted above, will be your most effective plan.
\n\n\n\nRabbits aren’t picky about where they burrow and nest, as long as it provides warmth, cover, and quick access to food sources.
\n\n\n\nDeer, chipmunks, moles, groundhogs, opossums, and about a dozen other animals could be responsible for the damage to your yard. Before getting started with rabbit-focused solutions, inspect the damage to ensure rabbits are the cause.
\n\n\n\nRabbit damage to trees and shrubs will be within 2.5 feet off the ground, as that’s about as far as the critters can reach when standing on their hind legs. Most telling are the smooth, straight cuts. Other animals leave jagged edges on plants, but rabbits will leave sharp edges on flowers, branches, and vegetables.
\n\n\n\nIf the damage you’re inspecting is to ornamental grasses and plants, it’s probably not a rabbit problem.
\n\n\n\nLike other wild animals, rabbits increase the presence of endangered birds and insects. However, in the process, rabbits damage many of the plants you’ve spent a lot of time nurturing.
\n\n\n\nRabbits aren’t picky eaters, and so they will destroy almost any plant they can reach. Grasses are a primary food source for rabbits, but they also enjoy flowers, weeds, sprouts, vegetables, fruits, and even bark.
\n\n\n\nWithout intervention, rabbits will nest, nibble, reproduce, and wreak utter havoc.
\n\n\n\n1. Are rabbits dangerous or just annoying?
\n\n\n\nRabbits are just annoying. They don’t pose any harm to humans, and most domestic pets are seen as predators.
\n\n\n\n2. What is the most effective way to get rid of rabbits?
\n\n\n\nYour best bet is a combination of exclusion practices and repellents or fencing. If you’re raising a vegetable garden, sound fencing is key. If you’re growing flowers or trying to protect your landscaping, repellents should do the trick..
\n\n\n\n3. What is the fastest way to solve my rabbit problem?
\n\n\n\nRemove their nests and burrows. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk. In the afternoon, when you’re likely to be doing yard work, rabbits will be lying low in their dens.
\n\n\n\n4. Are cottontails the same as domesticated rabbits?
\n\n\n\nNo. Cottontails are wild animals that cannot be bought or sold as pets. Domesticated bunnies come in various breeds, most of which look nothing like the cottontails in your yard.
\n\n\n\nIf you’ve had enough cottontails in your garden, it might be time to call in a lawn care or pest control professional to help. Give the rabbits the boot and get back to enjoying your outdoor space.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Brenda Stuart | Wikilawn
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