![\"compost](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/compost-and-soil.jpg\")
Organic lawn fertilizers are a natural and sustainable way to nourish your lawn while causing the least environmental harm. These fertilizers give essential nutrients to the soil by utilizing organic materials and natural substances, fostering healthy development and sparkling green grass. What are Organic Fertilizers? Photo Credit: melGreenFR from Pixabay / Canva Pro / License […]
\n","content":"\nOrganic lawn fertilizers are a natural and sustainable way to nourish your lawn while causing the least environmental harm. These fertilizers give essential nutrients to the soil by utilizing organic materials and natural substances, fostering healthy development and sparkling green grass.
\n\n\nPhoto Credit: melGreenFR from Pixabay / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nOrganic fertilizers are derived from natural sources and are minimally processed. They are often made up of plant material, animal byproducts, or mineral deposits. These materials decompose or compost, producing nutrient-rich substances that can be applied to lawns and gardens to offer necessary nourishment.
\n\n\n\nCompost, animal manure, bone meal, blood meal, fish emulsion, broken shell, and kelp meal are all examples of organic fertilizers. Because of their natural composition and slow-release nature, they provide a more balanced and environmentally conscientious approach to lawn care.
\n\n\n\nThere are a few essential things to consider while looking for organic fertilizers for your lawn, including:
\n\n\n\nConsidering these aspects, you can choose the best organic fertilizer for your lawn and create a healthy, vibrant, and environmentally friendly landscape. You can also get assistance from our guide on choosing lawn fertilizer to make the right choice for your lawn.
\n\n\n\nOrganic fertilizers and synthetic fertilizers both have pros and cons, but how do they stack up against each other? Take a look at our comparison.
\n\n\n\n| Pros of Organic Fertilizer | Pros of Synthetic Fertilizer |
| ✓ Slow-release for longer-lasting, more consistent results ✓ Improves soil composition and microbial health ✓ Don’t pollute the soil or local bodies of water ✓ Fewer health risks than synthetic chemicals | ✓ Immediate release for faster results and quick green-up ✓ Formulated with specific nutrient formulations to compensate for individual soil deficiencies ✓ More affordable than organic options |
| Cons of Organic Fertilizer | Cons of Synthetic Fertilizer |
| ✗ Takes longer to see results ✗ More expensive than synthetic fertilizers | ✗ More likely to cause fertilizer burn or lead to nutrient imbalances ✗ Can harm beneficial microorganisms in the soil ✗ Runoff contributes to water pollution ✗ Results don’t last as long, so more frequent applications are necessary ✗ More dangerous for pets and children who might accidentally consume harmful chemicals |
Organic fertilizers use natural processes to slowly release nutrients and promote soil health gradually. On the other hand, synthetic fertilizers are manufactured chemically, containing concentrated amounts of specific nutrients quickly released into your soil.
\n\n\n\nSynthetic fertilizers provide rapid nutrient availability to plants but can also lead to nutrient imbalances, leach into bodies of water, and cause soil degradation. These fertilizers have the potential to harm beneficial soil organisms and contribute to water pollution, whereas organic fertilizers improve the soil’s structure, moisture retention, and nutrient cycling.
\n\n\n\nOrganic fertilizers are comparatively more expensive than traditional chemical fertilizers and may take longer to give you results. But their long-term benefits and lower environmental impact make them an excellent choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.
\n\n\n\n![\"compost](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/compost-soil-near-vegetation.jpg\")
Photo Credit: schulzie / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nOrganic lawn fertilizers provide multiple benefits, making them an appealing alternative for ecologically conscious lawn owners. Let’s examine the benefits of using organic fertilizers and why going natural is the best option.
\n\n\n\nOrganic lawn fertilizers have varying NPK ratios, representing the percentage of nitrogen (N; encourages leaf growth), phosphorus (P; stimulates root development), and potassium (K; fortifies plant cells and increases disease resistance) they contain. Here are some common NPK ratios you may encounter with organic fertilizers:
\n\n\n\nConsider your lawn’s nutrient requirements when selecting an organic fertilizer, and choose a product with a suitable NPK ratio.
\n\n\n\nJust remember that organic fertilizers have lower ratios than synthetic ones because they release nutrients slowly. Understanding the NPK ratio enables you to provide the proper nutrient balance, resulting in a lush and vibrant lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"cool-season](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cool-season-and-warm-season-grass-map.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez
\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to applying organic fertilizer, appropriate techniques and timing are essential. Fertilizers are best used in one to two applications for a healthy lawn, but timing differs for cool-season grass and warm-season grass.
\n\n\n\nLearn more about the timing of fertilization for different grass types with our ideal lawn fertilizer schedule.
\n\n\n\nCombine organic fertilizer application with proper lawn care procedures for the best results. Mow your lawn at the appropriate height regularly, water it properly, and deal with any weed or pest problems as soon as possible. Follow our detailed guide on when and how to fertilize your lawn to do it correctly.
\n\n\n\n![\"full](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/full-compost-bin.jpg\")
Photo Credit: piotr_malczyk / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nBefore diving into the best organic lawn care practices, let’s get familiar with organic lawn care. Organic lawn care refers to maintaining a healthy green lawn using natural and environmentally friendly methods. It involves avoiding chemicals, such as synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, and instead focusing on organic alternatives.
\n\n\n\nPopular organic lawn care practices to use in tandem with organic lawn fertilizers include:
\n\n\n\nGrow the grasses that thrive in your locality without competition. For instance, cool-season grass is better for regions with cold winters and mild summers, while warm-season grass is better for regions with hot summers and mild winters.
\n\n\n\nFor an even lower maintenance and more eco-friendly lawn, ditch traditional turfgrasses altogether and plant native grasses from your region, such as switchgrass, blue grama, buffalograss, or bushy bluestem. Native grasses thrive with less irrigation, fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide, which is better for your schedule, your wallet, and the environment.
\n\n\n\nEmbrace the power of composting by creating your own compost out of kitchen scraps or purchasing organic compost. Apply a light layer of compost to your lawn yearly to strengthen the soil, increase its ability to retain water, and enrich it with nutrients.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/17218096280_40c673bc1f_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Tony Webster / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nTo promote healthy root growth and shade out weeds, raise the height of your mower blades and cut the grass taller. Keep the grass trimmings on the lawn since they serve as an organic mulch and add nutrients to the grass. Taller grass needs less water, which is critical for water conservation.
\n\n\n\nTo promote healthy root development, water deeply but less frequently. This forces your grass’s roots to grow deep into the ground to reach the water, which makes your lawn more drought-tolerant. Drought-tolerant lawns use less water.
\n\n\n\nUse an Integrated Pest Management strategy, which emphasizes avoiding pest problems rather than eliminating them with harmful pesticides. To prevent lawn pests naturally, keep your lawn free of dead leaves, excessive thatch, and other organic matter. It’s also a good idea to attract predatory insects, birds, and other natural predators which feed on those pests.
\n\n\n\nFocus on maintaining a weed-free lawn by regularly watering and mowing at the correct height. Reduce the need for chemical herbicides by pulling weeds by hand or making your own eco-friendly homemade weed killer.
\n\n\n\nOrganic lawn fertilizers may have an upfront price greater than synthetic fertilizers. However, when the long-term benefits of healthy soil, lower environmental impact, and healthier grass growth are considered, investing in organic lawn care can result in cost savings over time.
\n\n\n\nYes, organic lawn fertilizer is suitable for all varieties of grass. Organic fertilizers are available to suit the unique nutrient requirements of both cool-season and warm-season grasses. Simply choose the proper organic fertilizer formulation for your grass type and apply it in the prescribed amounts.
\n\n\n\nYou can make your own natural lawn fertilizer from regular household items and natural ingredients. Kitchen waste, grass clippings, and mulched leaves can all be composted to create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your lawn. You may also produce compost tea by steeping compost in water and use it as a liquid fertilizer.
\n\n\n\nMost homeowners these days are environmental enthusiasts–it’s necessary in a world of climate change and spiking pollution. More and more people want to eliminate chemical-based products like synthetic fertilizers from their lawn care regimen to support their local ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nOrganic fertilizers are an important part of any eco-friendly lawn care routine. If you’re one of these newfound eco-warrior lawn enthusiasts, learning everything you can about organic lawn fertilizer is a good first step.
\n\n\n\nIf you find it challenging to schedule fertilizer applications properly or need clarification about picking the right organic fertilizer for your lawn, don’t worry. You can always turn lawn fertilization over to the pros. Find a local lawn care pro who specializes in “green” lawn care on WikiLawn today.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Elena Photo / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"A Guide to Organic Lawn Fertilizer","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/1789c/compost-with-pitchfork-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/107df/compost-with-pitchfork-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/293e9/compost-with-pitchfork-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/f2cbb/compost-with-pitchfork-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/1789c/compost-with-pitchfork-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/c26c2/compost-with-pitchfork-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/1dd6e/compost-with-pitchfork-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/67b76/compost-with-pitchfork-1.webp 320w,\n/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/8df11/compost-with-pitchfork-1.webp 500w,\n/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/98a65/compost-with-pitchfork-1.webp 800w,\n/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/1dd6e/compost-with-pitchfork-1.webp 960w,\n/static/517b9011da36a0613d7bcdb931647b65/3cc96/compost-with-pitchfork-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"A Guide to Organic Lawn Fertilizer | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"In this guide, you can explore the benefits of organic lawn fertilizer, how to choose the right one, and tips for achieving a lush, chemical-free lawn."}},"relatedPosts":[{"node":{"id":"40e62fa1-78b2-5e3f-badb-a12f7e359f03","slug":"ten-pet-safe-weed-killers","path":"/blog/ten-pet-safe-weed-killers/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Raven Wisdom is a screenwriter from West Texas and a proud mom of two in an autism family. Self-described as \"half-feral but mostly harmless\", Raven loves houseplants, a good laugh, and furry friends.","name":"Raven Wisdom","id":"4fb83156-96f1-58f1-8074-4a6c5c50eaaa","path":"/author/raven-wisdom/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a2813f63a6af9d07a7a5bb212b5645db?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"}],"date":"August 4th, 2022","excerpt":"Removing weeds by hand is time consuming, and many weed killers are dangerous to pets who come into contact with them. Here are 10 pet-safe weed killers that will squash those pesky weeds while keeping your furry friends healthy and happy. Contents: 5 Commercial Pet-Safe Weed Killers 5 DIY Pet-Safe Weed Killers Dangers Of Herbicides […]
\n","content":"\nRemoving weeds by hand is time consuming, and many weed killers are dangerous to pets who come into contact with them. Here are 10 pet-safe weed killers that will squash those pesky weeds while keeping your furry friends healthy and happy.
\n\n\n\nContents:
\n\n\n\nMost of the products we’ve picked are certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), a nonprofit group that reviews and certifies organic products.
\n\n\n\nHere are our top five picks for pet-friendly herbicides you can buy online or in most home improvement stores.
\n\n\n\nGet Sunday’s Weed Warrior is certified organic by the USDA and made with OMRI-listed ammonium soap and fatty acids. It’s a non-selective weed and grass killer, meaning it will kill all weeds.
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nOMRI certified as an organic weed killer, Green Gobbler is designed to kill both weeds and the grass growing between sidewalk cracks and pavers. It works on all types of weeds, including dandelions and crabgrass.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nDoctor Kirchner Natural Weed & Grass Killer is a biodegradable weed control that’s made from ocean salt water, vinegar, and soap. The University of Florida found Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed and Grass Killer to be effective in eliminating more than 250 common weeds.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nMade with salt water and concentrated commercial grade white vinegar, Natural Elements is glyphosate-free. It’s effective against common weeds like clover, dandelions, chickweed, crabgrass, thistle, and broadleaf weeds.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nPreen Weed Preventer is a pre-emergent weed control, meaning it stops weeds before they sprout, so you have to think ahead and apply it before you see the first weed. It’s safe to use around pets, established flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetables. It is made from corn gluten meal and does not contain glyphosate.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nA good rule of thumb is to keep your pets off the lawn for 24 hours after applying both pre-emergents and weed killers. Many of these products dissipate with water, so to be certain it’s safe, water your lawn the next day before letting your kids, cats, and dogs play on it.
\n\n\n\nPet parents can make several homemade pet-safe weed killers and avoid exposing their dogs and cats to harsh chemicals.
\n\n\n\nMake a weak solution with three parts water and one part salt. Dissolve rock or table salt in water and pour it into a sprayer. A shot of dish soap will increase its effectiveness.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nPour boiling water over the weeds. Cover the area with cardboard or a tarp for four to six weeks to prevent seeds from germinating.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nLayer a cup of sugar around the base of the weeds, making sure to cover the area surrounding the roots. You may need to reapply another cup in a few days if the weeds are persistent.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nMix 1-cup of borax powder and 2 gallons of warm water in a sealable container. Stir until dissolved and let it rest for at least an hour before pouring it into a spray bottle. Apply it directly to the weeds.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nBoil 2 cups of water and add 10 drops of clove essential oil. Mix well, let cool, and pour into a spray bottle to treat weeds. Sunlight decreases the efficacy of clove oil, so it’s best to spray weeds after sundown.
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nUsing the wrong products while trying to kill weeds could cause serious harm to your four-legged friends. A common active ingredient in chemical weed killers, like Roundup, is glyphosate which is a toxin often overlooked by pet owners.
\n\n\n\nA Purdue University study concludes that common lawn and garden chemicals may increase the risk for cancer in dogs. Those chemicals include dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4 -chloro-2.
\n\n\n\n1. How long does it take for my pet to show signs of poisoning?
\n\n\n\nTwo to 36 hours, depending on how much your pet ingested.
\n\n\n\n2. How long does it take for weed killer to dry?
\n\n\n\nSome products dry within 3 hours, however, it’s best to wait for at least 24 hours before allowing pets or people into the treated area. Humidity can affect drying time.
\n\n\n\n3. What do I do if my pet comes in contact with poisonous weed killers?
\n\n\n\nVeterinarians recommend you separate your pet from the poison, make a note of the weed killer they ingested, and contact your vet.
\n\n\n\n4. My vet is closed. What should I do?
\n\n\n\nCall ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) and the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) for expert advice or contact your local 24-hour emergency vet.
\n\n\n\n
Got a yard full of weeds but little time to get rid of them? We can help you find an eco-garden pro or lawn care professional who can handle the problem while you and your furry friend relax.
Main photo credit: Rawpixel
\n","title":"10 Pet-Safe Weed Killers","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/1789c/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/107df/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.jpg 320w,\n/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/293e9/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.jpg 500w,\n/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/f2cbb/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.jpg 800w,\n/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/1789c/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.jpg 960w,\n/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/c26c2/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/1dd6e/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/67b76/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.webp 320w,\n/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/8df11/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.webp 500w,\n/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/98a65/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.webp 800w,\n/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/1dd6e/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.webp 960w,\n/static/b1ee74c3e342e5f9c98c06a0595ef1a2/3cc96/rsz_image-from-rawpixel-id-6022016-jpeg.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Pet-Safe Weed Killers | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Keeping your lawn beautiful and weed-free while protecting your pet’s health can be a challenge. We’ll look at 10 pet-safe weed killers."}}},{"node":{"id":"fc01ca95-4faa-5ce8-8ef3-c9a4548de41e","slug":"when-to-water-after-weed-and-feed","path":"/blog/when-to-water-after-weed-and-feed/","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":"Watering your lawn at the correct time interval after applying weed and feed ensures the product actually works. The type of weed and feed used determines the time frame in which the grass should be watered after administering the product. This article covers when to water the lawn after applying weed and feed, depending on […]
\n","content":"\nWatering your lawn at the correct time interval after applying weed and feed ensures the product actually works. The type of weed and feed used determines the time frame in which the grass should be watered after administering the product. This article covers when to water the lawn after applying weed and feed, depending on the specific type.
\n\n\n\nKeep reading to find out how to get it right the first time.
\n\n\nWhen to water your lawn after applying weed and feed products is just as important as knowing how and when to apply weed and feed. Watering your grass too soon or too late can result in ineffective weed control and keep the fertilizer from creating a healthy lawn full of green grass.
\n\n\n\nFind out below when to water the lawn after applying the different types of weed and feed products.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/solar-panels-working-20.jpg\")
Photo Credit: groveb / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nPre-emergent weed and feed products require water to help them penetrate the ground to be effective. You can water the grass 12 to 24 hours after application. For the best results, wait at least 24 hours before watering.
\n\n\n\nRain: The rain can help soak the herbicide into the soil. However, do not water the lawn if it rains after you apply weed and feed. Too much water can wash away the treatment.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Lawn](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lawn-Fertilizer-spreader-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dean Clarke / Shutterstock / License
\n\n\n\nHomeowners should use post-emergent weed and feed products when it will be dry for a few days. These products are more sensitive to watering than their pre-emergent counterparts.
\n\n\n\nWait two days before watering the lawn to give the herbicide portion of the weed and feed time to absorb into the leaves of the weeds. If watered before 48 hours, the chemicals are washed away and will not work.
\n\n\n\nRain: Be sure to check the weather forecast and pick a time to apply weed and feed when it is going to be dry for a few days.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"fertilizer](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/fertilizer-for-the-lawn-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: ronstik / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nFor granular fertilizer to work, it must be watered into the ground to release the lawn food that makes grass healthy and gives you a green lawn. If the fertilizer does not receive water, it can burn the grass if it sits on the lawn during the summer.
\n\n\n\nWait 12 to 24 hours before watering your lawn after applying granular pre-emergent weed and feed.
\n\n\n\nGrass treated with granular post-emergents should not be watered for at least 48 hours.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnlike granular products, liquid weed and feed does not require watering to work. And you do not have to wait as long to water the lawn. As a rule of thumb, waiting at least 24 hours is best. Too much watering can render the chemicals ineffective, so be mindful of this when you turn on the sprinklers.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe chemicals in these two different types of weed and feed do not mix well. Therefore, homeowners are advised not to use both a pre-emergent and post-emergent at the same time. Here are some reasons why:
\n\n\n\n— They should be watered at different times after application.
— They should be applied at different times to work. Pre-emergents should be used in early spring. Post-emergents should be applied in the late spring.
Weed and feed is a combination of chemicals to treat weeds and fertilize the grass. The lawn fertilizer – the “feed” part – contains nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, important plant nutrients. The weed control portion can be either a pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicide.
\n\n\n\nPre-Emergent Weed and Feed: Pre-emergent weed and feed products have herbicides to stop weed seeds from germinating. Pre-emergent products do not kill weeds. Depending on the ingredients, pre-emergent weed and feed inhibits cell division, prevents root growth, or stops enzyme growth to keep weeds from growing in the first place.
\n\n\n\nPost-Emergent Weed and Feed: Post-emergent two-in-one products have chemicals that kill weeds that are already growing. Contact-based products kill the plant parts they come into contact with, which is typically the parts above ground. Systemic post-emergents can be sprayed on any part of the weed and are absorbed into the plant, destroying its entire vascular system.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/e7e9bd22-a137-4af7-8800-a8c9ed2b9213.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Srinuan Hirunwat / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nPre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent: If you want to prevent weeds from growing, you’ll want a pre-emergent weed and feed. A post-emergent weed and feed is best in yards already held hostage by weeds.
\n\n\n\nLiquid vs. Granular: If you want to spot-treat weeds, liquid weed and feed products allow you to target individual weeds. Granular weed and feeds use a spreader to apply to a larger area. If you have a lot of weeds throughout your yard and want to apply chemicals quickly, a granular product may be best.
\n\n\n\nGrass Type: The type of grass is also a part of the decision of which weed and feed to select. Weed and feed labels list which types of grass they can be used on and at what stage. For example, pre-emergents should never be used on turfgrass recently seeded.
\n\n\n\nSome chemicals can be used on warm-season grasses but not on cool-season grasses and vice versa. Scotts Turf Builder is an example of a weed and feed that can be used on both.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWeed and feed products are conveniently available and can be found at many home improvement brick-and-mortar locations and online stores like Amazon. However, weed and feed can be bad for your lawn for the following reasons:
\n\n\n\n— The best time to fertilize your lawn and the best time to treat weeds are often different.
— The chemicals in weed and feed are dangerous for children and pets.
— Weed products are often only needed in specific areas, while fertilizer is required all across the lawn.
— The harsh chemicals in weed and feed can leach into the surrounding environment.
— Weed and feed can sometimes harm plants other than weeds, including grass, shrubs, and trees.
How long should you wait before mowing the grass after using weed and feed?
\n\n\n\nGive the product time to work. Wait at least three days before you mow the grass.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen can you aerate your lawn after applying weed and feed?
\n\n\n\nYou should wait four weeks after applying weed and feed before aerating your lawn.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAre liquid and granular weed and feed applied differently?
\n\n\n\nYes. Liquid weed and feed products are applied using a sprayer. Granular weed and feed chemicals are disbursed using a drop-type spreader, rotary spreader, or broadcast spreader.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShould you water your grass before applying weed and feed?
\n\n\n\nWatering the lawn before applying granular products is helpful. It can help the granules stick to the weeds. Be sure to follow the product’s instructions.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen is it safe for children and pets to come back on the lawn?
\n\n\n\nWait until after a heavy rainfall before allowing your loved ones back on the grass. You can also water your lawn for a few days in a row to be sure the residual from the chemicals is washed away.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHow soon can a lawn be reseeded after applying pre-emergent herbicide?
\n\n\n\nHomeowners should wait at least 8-10 weeks after applying weed control to reseed a lawn, or the herbicide could kill the grass seeds.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGetting the timing right on when to water your grass after applying weed and feed will determine if the chemicals work. It will also affect whether you end up with an attractive, healthy lawn.
\n\n\n\nKeeping up with when to water the grass takes time and effort. You could end up spending more time and money correcting your mistake if you do not get it right.
\n\n\n\n
If you prefer to let someone else handle your lawn care chores and eliminate the risk of you messing up the timing, WikiLawn can connect you with lawn care professionals in your area who can help control weeds and maintain your grass for an appealing, healthy lawn.
Main Photo Credit: nenovbrothers / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"When to Water the Lawn After Applying Weed and Feed ","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/1789c/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/107df/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/293e9/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/f2cbb/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/1789c/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/c26c2/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/1dd6e/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/67b76/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.webp 320w,\n/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/8df11/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.webp 500w,\n/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/98a65/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.webp 800w,\n/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/1dd6e/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.webp 960w,\n/static/86558436837abaae95cbb804d09a1484/3cc96/f7585bd1-0824-425a-aba5-552b640c3d8a-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"When to Water the Lawn After Applying Weed and Feed | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Learn when to water the lawn after applying weed and feed so that weed seeds do not germinate, weeds are killed, and the lawn fertilizer works, too."}}},{"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":"f725b102-82bb-57be-a1bc-8bf8c58376b0","slug":"best-grass-types-houston","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/best-grass-types-houston/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Emaley Baxter is an expert landscaper who loves writing in her free time. She enjoys research and exploring the great outdoors.","name":"Emaley Baxter","id":"c006aa66-4cfc-59dc-b3ce-5c07b0f83ff0","path":"/author/emaleybaxter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/889dbc1c9ea88d564723019ac6c9b47b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"July 29th, 2022","excerpt":"Want a lush, green lawn that will last most of the year? The key is selecting the grass type that will grow best in our humid, subtropical climate. Here’s a list of the four best grass types for Houston: Bermudagrass Seashore Paspalum St. Augustinegrass Zoysiagrass 1. Bermudagrass Popular for its sun-loving, salt-tolerant makeup, Bermudagrass has […]
\n","content":"\nWant a lush, green lawn that will last most of the year? The key is selecting the grass type that will grow best in our humid, subtropical climate. Here’s a list of the four best grass types for Houston:
\n\n\n\nPopular for its sun-loving, salt-tolerant makeup, Bermudagrass has a coarse to a medium-fine texture. Its wide leaf ranges in color from light green to dark green, depending on the cultivar (or type).
\n\n\n\nClassification: Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass.
Spreads by: Stolons (above-ground stems) and rhizomes (below-ground stems).
Shade tolerance: Bermudagrass prefers full sun at all times.
Drought tolerance: High. Regular rainfall should be enough to water it. This type will go dormant during extended dry periods.
Foot traffic tolerance: Its sturdiness withstands high levels of foot traffic.
Maintenance needs: High. Bermudagrass requires monthly fertilization during the summer. Water as needed to the top 4 to 6 inches of soil. Thatch buildup is a threat.
Recommended mowing height: Mow to a height of 1 to 2 inches once or twice a week to keep up with its incessant growth rate.
Also resilient in saltwater environments is seashore paspalum. Great for waterfront properties, this type is low-growing and has pointy, medium-coarse blades and a blue-green hue.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass.
Spreads by: Stolons and rhizomes.
Shade tolerance: Prefers full sun, but can withstand shade better than Bermudagrass.
Drought tolerance: Low. Seashore paspalum prefers very moist growing environments. Due to its high saline tolerance, you can use saltwater in irrigation.
Foot traffic tolerance: High. Seashore paspalum’s dense turf stands up well to heavy foot traffic.
Maintenance needs: Requires little fertilization throughout the growing season. Over-fertilizing can lead to scalping, which exposes the grass’s roots, opening it up to disease, stress, and stunted growth.
Recommended mowing height: For a well-manicured, dense lawn, mow to a height of 1 inch.
With its dark green color and curved, wide leaf, St. Augustinegrass is another favorite among Houstonians. This salt-resistant grass is one of the most selected options for lawns in the Houston area.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass.
Spreads by: Stolons.
Shade tolerance: Unlike most other warm-season types, St. Augustinegrass is able to thrive in shade.
Drought tolerance: Some degree of drought tolerance, but will begin to show stress during long periods of dryness.
Foot traffic tolerance: Light. Regular lawn foot traffic is no problem.
Maintenance needs: Fertilize every eight to 10 weeks and recycle grass clippings to help provide nutrients to this type of lawn. If rainfall isn’t enough, water to a soil depth of 6 inches when the grass is showing signs of dullness and stress. Over-watering and over-fertilizing can lead to thatch problems.
Recommended mowing height: Mow to a height of 2.5 inches.
Zoysiagrass is a popular choice because of its low-maintenance nature. There are many varieties, but Zoysia japonica is one of the best grass types for Houston Lawns. It has a high salt tolerance, pointy leaf blades, and a light- to medium-green color. It turns brown in early winter, going dormant soon after the first frost in November.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass.
Spreads by: Stolons and rhizomes.
Shade tolerance: Moderate shade won’t bother this turf, but it does grow best in full sun and temperatures of 80 degrees or hotter.
Drought tolerance: Zoysia can withstand periods of drought, but as a dry period lingers, it will go dormant and turn brown. Once watered, it will revert to its green color once again.
Foot traffic tolerance: Zoysiagrass grows well in high-traffic areas.
Maintenance needs: Low. Fertilize with about two pounds of nitrogen a year, and water about 1 inch a week during the growing season.
Recommended mowing height: Keep mower blades sharpened to tackle these stiff leaves, and cut to a height of 1 to 2 inches weekly.
1. When is the best time to plant grass in Houston?
\n\n\n\nEarly March to late May, when the temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees. This is the best time for warm-season grasses to germinate and become established in time for the first frost.
\n\n\n\n2. Can I plant a cool-season grass in Houston?
\n\n\n\nYes, but you should wait until September when the ground is a bit cooler (about 50 degrees.) Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue will give you a greener lawn in the winter, but will not do well in the heat and humidity of the summer.
\n\n\n\n3. Is there such a thing as a no mow grass for Houston?
\n\n\n\nYes, buffalograss is one of the easiest grasses to care for. It’s one of the best grass types for Houston since It only needs occasional mowing and is extremely drought-tolerant.
\n\n\n\nIf you don’t have the time or energy to replant or reseed your lawn, we’ll find a local lawn care pro to get the job done for you.
\n","title":"4 Best Grass Types for Houston Lawns","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1789c/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg","srcSet":"/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/107df/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 320w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/293e9/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 500w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/f2cbb/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 800w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1789c/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 960w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1ff5b/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.jpg 1290w","srcWebp":"/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1dd6e/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/67b76/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 320w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/8df11/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 500w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/98a65/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 800w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/1dd6e/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 960w,\n/static/54e8af60c1e796e0b283f6da408afff4/bdec4/houston-house-1290-pxfuel.webp 1290w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"4 Best Grass Types for Houston Lawns | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Want a gorgeous lawn that will stay lush and green most of the year. We list the four best grass types for your Houston lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"0cae6c7f-d05a-55a4-9bf8-5213acbf89bd","slug":"victory-garden","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/victory-garden/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Brenda Stuart is a radio journalist and content manager whose goal is to have the greenest lawn and prettiest garden on the block.","name":"Brenda Stuart","id":"fcad9a7b-532b-583f-832f-0cffbbcfa0a3","path":"/author/brendastuartryangmail-com/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5e5ae7b8ac8b21db046b4f507fbec2aa?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"}],"date":"April 14th, 2020","excerpt":"How a Modern-Day ‘Victory Garden’ Can Help You Through the Coronavirus Pandemic As the coronavirus pandemic progresses, a growing number of state governments are requiring people to stay at home and make only minimal trips to stores for necessities. Besides making sure their households have enough hand soap and sanitizer, people are also trying to […]
\n","content":"\nAs the coronavirus pandemic progresses, a growing number of state governments are requiring people to stay at home and make only minimal trips to stores for necessities. Besides making sure their households have enough hand soap and sanitizer, people are also trying to lay in enough food, water, medicine, disinfectants, and other supplies to last for several weeks of self-isolation.
\n\n\n\nDuring uncertain times like these, it’s natural to wonder whether you could practice social distancing and simultaneously minimize your long-term dependency on the grocery store by growing food and natural remedies in your own backyard. The answer is yes — with plenty of planning, effort, and time (which, if you’re stuck at home, you’ll have more of than usual). Here are things to think about, plus tips for preparing, planting, and maintaining a garden that can help you survive an emergency.
\n\n\n\nYou don’t have to become a full-blown prepper or try to survive exclusively off the land. Think of it more like the victory gardens your grandparents or great-grandparents may have planted. You can grow some herbs and vegetables in pots on a balcony or convert a large portion of your yard to staple crops, or anything in between. Either way:
\n\n\n\nAnyone! Obviously, the space you have and the time you’re willing to spend will determine the scale. Few people can completely support themselves, especially right away — but anything you grow helps your budget and saves a trip to the store.
\n\n\n\nEspecially if you’re new to the gardening game, it can help to:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ajPU9FrhuAjKC-fQLjorDE1Vor0MHxPQqBa8Q9l0T-sG2jnvW9tG5b3pS30SEzuT-nwjcTJXJgAGF5p5JAmmpFgm--1oJFdPCXGymEU8A6Csz8DBImQLpd7cyF1LONqtRLpJ8uJZ\")
If you want good results, you can’t just start sticking plants in the ground. Gardening depends on a lot of factors, and you need to consider them first. (THEN you can start sticking plants in the ground!)
Think about:
\n\n\n\nThe country’s median garden size is about 96 square feet (8 feet by 12 feet). That’s very close to 100 square feet — the ideal size for a summer vegetable garden that can fill the needs of one person.
\n\n\n\nSo, how much food can a space like that yield? One gardener writing for Mother Earth News calculated her 100-square-foot plot’s annual yield at 77.5 pounds of tomatoes, 15.5 pounds of bell peppers, 14.3 pounds of lettuce, 2.5 pounds of basil, and 126 pounds of zucchini!
\n\n\n\nAlso pay attention to the amount of sun and shade your intended plot will get, so you can decide which plants should go where. Lots of gardening websites offer garden planners to help you visualize and design your plot.
\n\n\n\nA clean water supply is important, of course. Unless your area gets a lot of rainfall, you’ll probably be watering from your household water supply by hand, hose, or sprinkler. It’s easy to install a water filter to prevent chlorine, salts, and other chemicals from getting into your soil and your food — there are filters that screw right onto your garden hose!
\n\n\n\nYou’ll also need fertile soil that’s been tilled or loosened and is free of rocks and debris. If you’re converting a yard from turf, turning the soil for the first time will be one of the most time- and labor-intensive steps in the process. Prepare yourself now!
\n\n\n\nYou can learn things about your soil in the process, including its history of pesticide, herbicide, or fertilizer use. You’ll also get to know the consistency of the soil texture — what proportions of sand, silt, clay, or loam it contains — plus how much rock you’ll need to remove.
\n\n\n\nA garden will take up as much time as you give it, but most sources seem to agree that once plants are in the ground and growing, you’ll devote at minimum 5-10 hours per week to planting, watering, weeding, fertilizing, etc.
\n\n\n\nAlso, when starting a survival garden, you probably want the period from planting to harvest to take as little time as possible, so consider sowing some fast-growing plants in your first crop. (See 17 Fastest-Growing Backyard Crops, below, for suggestions.)
There are some basic tools every backyard gardener needs to begin with, including:
\n\n\n\nOnce your garden starts growing and you get a little deeper in, you also might need:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FCQrAn04mB_snbI5J9SjwmYuTLmEicgYhZF9N0T6y1cl_h2p4XyTEf-acUONsMvrIsACQPGYgYJ4s6K_if6UsVvKi3QNmBLrONRS3rdQp_N7JFdA-zW_2Mo9ThUqh4iTc4bWeAN2\")
When it comes to selecting crops for a survival garden, everybody has different needs and tastes. Here’s a basic example of the types of staple crops you can plant:
\n\n\n\nThese veggies have different growing seasons, which can allow you to start a few kinds of plants at a time and focus on establishing them before it’s time to get the next crop going. (Just make sure to plan your garden layout with enough room for everybody.) This also means there should be something new that’s ready to harvest throughout most of the year.
\n\n\n\nThere are plenty of different lenses to help you focus your plant choices. You can consider growing time; ease of cultivation; protein, calorie or vitamin content. Luckily, many plants show up on multiple lists and grow well in your area. If you like to eat them (and bonus: if your kids like to eat them), then give them a try in your victory garden!
\n\n\n\nRemember growing bean sprouts in school? There’s a reason kindergarten teachers everywhere choose them: The seeds sprout and turn in visible results in almost no time.
| Food | Average days from sowing to harvest |
| green onions | 20-30 days |
| radishes | 25 days |
| spinach | 30 days |
| arugula | 30 days |
| carrots | 30-50 days |
| lettuce | 30-45 days |
| summer squash/ zucchini | 35 days |
| bush beans | 60 days |
| bok choy | 45-60 days |
| cucumbers | 50 days |
| beets | greens: 30 days / roots: 50 days |
| okra | 50-55 days |
| kale | 50-65 days |
| snow peas | 60 days |
| broccoli | 60 days |
| turnips | greens: 40 days / roots: 60 days |
Start your first survival garden season with some of these fast-growing crops, and you could be harvesting dinner within a few months.
Some crops are just easier than others. First-timer? You might want to stick with the crops easiest to grow in your area. Got some dirt under your nails? Go for the more finicky varieties.
\n\n\n\n| Easier-to-grow crops | Harder-to-grow crops |
| cucumbers | arugula |
| garlic | bok choy |
| green beans | broccoli |
| kale | cauliflower |
| lettuce | eggplant |
| peas | mustard greens |
| potatoes | onions |
| radishes* | radishes* |
| summer squash/ zucchini | spinach |
*Wondering why radishes show up on both the easy-to-grow and hard-to-grow lists? Because it’s easy to get radishes sprouted and growing, but not always easy to keep this cool-weather plant from bolting (prematurely flowering and going to seed before producing food) in warm weather. The same is true for many on the hard-to-grow list.
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If you’re trying to keep your family fed in a crisis situation, calories (boosting them, that is — not cutting them down!) may become more important than you ever thought possible. These are among the most calorie-dense crops you can plant.
| Food | Average calories |
| sunflower seeds | 700 kcals per cup (shelled) |
| avocado | 370 kcals per cup (puréed) |
| soybeans | 300 kcals per cup |
| potatoes | 260 kcals each (medium) |
| lima beans | 210 kcals per cup |
| corn | 130 kcals per ear |
| sweet potatoes | 130 kcals each (medium) |
| pinto beans | 80 kcals per cup |
| Source: USDA Food Data Central |
Protein is also important for maintaining proper health. There are plenty of ways to get protein into your garden and onto your plate.
| Food | Average protein per cup |
| soybeans | 68 grams |
| pumpkin seeds | 36 grams |
| pinto beans | 28 grams |
| quinoa | 24 grams |
| buckwheat | 22 grams |
| peanuts | 16 grams |
| chickpeas | 14 grams |
| broccoli | 2.5 grams |
| Source: USDA Food Data Central |
Besides legumes and grains, many green veggies are high in protein — such as broccoli, which contains more protein per calorie than steak. (You’d just have to eat many more mouthfuls of greens to get the same number of calories as you’d get from the animal products.)
A smart way to reduce food waste and get more of the crops you already like to eat is to regrow food from cuttings. This also saves unnecessary trips to the store or garden center. If you’ve never done this before, now is a great time to start. Here are some foods you can regrow.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/foods-grow-from-cuttings-424x1024.png\")
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Both in the soil and in your home, vegetables in your survival garden will be complemented by other plants. Medicinal herbs can replace store-bought supplements or pharmaceuticals in healing injury and relieving illnesses, and other plants can help you replace household items.
\n\n\n\nSelf-sufficiency is always a great feeling, but it’s of much greater importance during a crisis. If store-bought pharmaceuticals are unavailable, you might be able to harvest something from the garden to help relieve an injury or malady. These are some conditions that have been treated using medicinal herbs:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/medicinal-gardening-plants-515x1024.png\")
For centuries, people have made tea from the leaves of various plants to relieve certain ailments. Here are some plants that make herbal teas believed to offer health benefits:
\n\n\n\nBecause of their natural antiseptic and pain-relieving benefits, these plants can be made into topical applications — oils, ointments, washes, poultices, or salves — to relieve skin irritation, inflammation, or muscular pain, as well as heal cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns.
\n\n\n\nSome medicinal plants look like other plants that can be toxic or even deadly, so make sure you pay attention. (And remember: This is by no means a comprehensive list!)
\n\n\n\nAlso, some plants have similar names. For example, don’t confuse black cohosh — used for easing menstrual cramps and hot flashes — with blue cohosh, which can cause miscarriage in pregnant women. The raw berries also can cause vomiting and diarrhea in children if ingested.
Hopefully, you won’t run out of toilet paper or any of the next-most-useful replacements like tissues, napkins, or paper towels. But if you get to the point of looking for rugged, old-school solutions, leaves are your best bet. Check your backyard. The following trees and plants are good candidates because of the size, softness, thickness, and durability of their leaves. As a bonus, they also generally don’t contain any skin-irritating chemicals.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/leaves-toilet-paper-530x1024.png\")
If you don’t already have access to any of these, it might not be a bad idea to plant a few — just in case. Mullein, mallow, lamb’s ear, and asters do well in gardens across the U.S. Corn lily and thimbleberry are mountainous and grow best at higher altitudes. (Remember: It’s important to make sure you know exactly what a plant is before you use it on any part of your body.)
Of course you’ve stocked plenty of rope among your supplies. But what happens if it gets lost, stolen, or somehow compromised? You make your own rope, of course — armed with know-how, plenty of time, immense patience, no small amount of labor, and any of these plants.
![\"\"](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/plants-to-use-for-rope-792x1024.png\")
Some of these fibrous plants will work better than others in your garden. Milkweed complements mainstream garden life, encouraging butterflies that help with pollination. Conversely, because of their unfriendly properties, dogbane and stinging nettle require a more out-of-the-way spot.
The United States is immense, so there’s no single typical growing season or harvest period. Instead, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has designated “plant hardiness zones” to guide planting all across the country. The zones are determined by the lowest winter temperatures (historically averaged) as they occur across the geographic areas of the U.S.
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Hardiness zone maps are also accessible by state or by region. Using them to figure out the specific temperature range for your area can help you gauge which plants will grow best and last longest.
\n\n\n\nOnce you know your zone, you can begin to figure out a timetable that will work for gardening in your area. Several websites provide a planting and harvest calendar for each zone, as well as suggestions for vegetables and general planting advice.
\n\n\n\nOnce you’ve decided what to grow and planned where and when to grow it, it’s finally time for the how: Get your hands dirty and dig into the soil!
\n\n\n\nRaised beds
\n\n\n\nOne of the most common gardening methods, planting in raised beds involves turning the bed soil, then adding more soil and compost on top. Beds can be contained in boxes where the entire surface is raised, or soil can be formed into mounds or rows above the original surface. A raised-bed design can offer several advantages:
\n\n\n\nHills
\n\n\n\nYou’ve heard the expression “doesn’t amount to a hill of beans?” Yep, beans grow best in hills. Planting in hills (or mounds) works well for vining plants like beans, squash, cucumbers, and melons. Often they’re planted with a vertical frame for the vines to climb.
\n\n\n\nRows
\n\n\n\nTraditional gardens planted in rows can be especially useful for supporting large crops like corn, canning tomatoes, potatoes and other produce that takes up a lot of room.
\n\n\n\nWhen your food is coming from it, you want to make sure your soil is as clean, chemical-free, and nutritious as possible. If you or previous land occupants have used pesticides or herbicides in the bed soil, you’ll probably want to make raised beds and add organic soil and compost. After that, adding an annual layer of compost adds nutrients and continually improves the soil.
\n\n\n\nFertilizers From the Kitchen
\n\n\n\nYou’re also probably looking for a shorter timeline than it takes for a compost pile to “ripen” for use, so meanwhile, you can divert these classic compost ingredients directly into the soil as DIY fertilizers:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/things-to-add-to-soil-compost.png\")
Vegetables and other plants vary in the forms they best grow from: seeds or seedlings. Here’s an overview of each type, plus some advice on getting them started:
\n\n\n\nTo grow some vegetables, you can just stick a seed in the ground, let it germinate, and cultivate it from there. Easier than cuttings, and cheaper than seedlings! These plants include:
\n\n\n\nThe basics of planting seeds, of course, are the much the same as for any type of planting:
\n\n\n\nCreative planting tip: Did you know you can sprout seeds in eggshells? Simply take several clean, empty shells, carefully poke a drainage hole in the bottom of each, then set into an egg carton. Fill each shell with some potting soil, sprinkle a few seeds of your choice, then lightly rake a little soil over them. Set in a sunny spot and keep moist with a mister until leaves sprout. Then, you can plant the entire thing into a pot, and the eggshell will fertilize the plant it helped sprout! This can also be done with hollowed-out citrus peels.
\n\n\n\nSome plants are notoriously hard to germinate from seeds and/or keep alive. Seedlings are more mature and stronger (as well as more pest-resistant) when they’re transplanted, so you’re less likely to lose plants at the beginning. Plants grown from seedlings also mature faster, getting you to harvest sooner.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/EvElFSghgX6CRJsBbzhdgW8IBwqB2VQdCWHX82pxMRbEMLUZ2xKkrbPyO2RRH-sP__hp1iw3HS_ZOS7aPx0QSCPsHKlOHY6dJsT5IZ8DMPUoLv0VOF574z4yYHiaZ6YAFFyAi6aU\")
Once they’re in the ground and doing their thing, your job is to keep watch over your plants and protect them from all the things that can cause them harm. Fortunately, there are several creative gardening hacks to help you tend your plants and help them grow. Here are just a few.
\n\n\n\nThese are the planting seasons for vegetables, some fruits, and herbs in different parts of the country.
\n\n\n\n| What and When to Plant in the U.S. | ||||
| Region | Spring (March-May) | Summer (June-Aug) | Fall (Sept-Nov) | Winter (Dec-Feb) |
Pacific Northwest (USDA Hardiness Zones 4b-9a) | apples, artichokes, arugula, asparagus, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, collards, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, greens, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, onions, parsnips, peas, pears, pole beans, potatoes, pumpkins, raspberries, radishes, scallions, shallots, snap peas, snow peas, strawberries, spinach, sorrel | bush beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, eggplants, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, peppers, radishes, rutabaga, spinach, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips, winter squash, parsley, rhubarb | fava beans, garlic, mustard greens, peas, radishes, shallots, spinach, turnips, chives | |
West Coast (USDA Hardiness Zones 4b-9a) | beans, beets, blackberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, kale, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, squash, strawberries, tomatoes, turnips, basil, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary | beans, beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, corn, cucumbers, onions, peppers, radishes, squash, tomatoes | beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, peas, spinach, squash | |
South Central and Southwest (USDA Hardiness Zones 3b-11a) | asparagus, beans, beets, blackberries, bok choy, cantaloupes, carrots, chard, collards, corn, cucumbers, figs, garlic, cherry tomatoes, melons, okra, onions, peanuts, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, scallions, snap peas, spinach, tomatoes, watermelons, cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley | beans, beets, cantaloupes, chard, collards, corn, cucumbers, gourds, kale, lettuce, melons, mustard greens, okra, peanuts, peas, tomatoes, tomatillos, turnips, beans, sweet peppers, hot peppers, watermelon, basil, cilantro, dill | arugula, beets, bok choy, carrots, chard, collards, garlic, kale, leek, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsnips, radishes, shallots, spinach, turnips, cilantro, dill, parsley | beets, bok choy, carrots, chard, collards, lettuce,snow peas, potatoes, radishes, rutabaga, spinach, cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley |
Midwest (USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-7b) | apples, arugula, beans, beets, blackberries, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, carrots, chard, cherries, corn, cucumber, edamame, endive, fava beans, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, lima beans, parsnips, peaches, peas, pears, persimmons, potatoes, radishes, radicchio, scallions, spinach, squash (summer and winter), strawberries, turnips, watermelon, basil, chives, cilantro, fennel, parsley, sorrel, summer savory, witch hazel | arugula, beans, beets, cantaloupe, carrots, chard, collards, corn, cucumber, edamame, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, parsnips, radishes, rutabaga, peas, pumpkin, scallions, squash (summer and winter), turnips, watermelon, basil, cilantro, parsley, sorrel | arugula, broccoli, cabbage, collards, endive, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, peas, radishes, shallots, spinach, turnips | |
| Southeast (USDA Hardiness Zones 5b-11a) | broccoli, blackberries, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, chard, collards, corn, eggplant, figs, lettuce, okra, onions, peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, squash, strawberries, sweet potatoes, basil, cilantro, dill, lavender, oregano, thyme, witch hazel | beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, kale, lima beans, pole beans, tomatoes, watermelon, winter squash | chard, kale, onions, pumpkins, rosemary, turnips | |
| Northeast (USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-8a) | beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, lettuce, kale, kohlrabi, melons, sweet peppers, snap peas, squash, tomatoes, watermelons, zucchini, basil, chamomile, ginger, mint, parsley, witch hazel | beets, bok choy, broccoli, cantaloupe, cabbage, carrots, chard, corn, greens, cucumbers, lettuce, kale, kohlrabi, pole beans, snap beans, snap peas, snow peas, spinach, squash, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelons, zucchini, arnica, basil, borage, chamomile, dill, fennel, marshmallow, oregano, parsley, purslane, skullcap, thyme | arugula, beets, broccoli, garlic, greens (mesclun, rapini, mache, frisee, etc.), kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes, shallots, spinach, turnips,cilantro, chamomile, echinacea, holy basil, lemon balm, oregano, purslane, skullcap, sorrel, thyme | arugula, kale, lettuce, basil, cilantro, dill(start indoors in pots) |
Aerating – Loosening soil or compost to allow air to circulate
\n\n\n\nAnnuals – Varieties that complete their life cycle in one year or less, requiring sowing every year. Annual flower varieties often bloom profusely and over a long period of time.
\n\n\n\nBiennials – Varieties, both flowers and vegetables, that complete their life cycle in two years, usually just showing only leaf growth the first year, and flowers the next
\n\n\n\nCompanion planting – Planting different plants together that benefit one another. For example, sowing a plant that attracts pollinators next to a plant that requires pollination; corn, squash, and beans are common companions.
\n\n\n\nCutting – Developing a new plant by cutting a piece of leaf, stem, root, or bud from a parent plant, then inserting it into a growing medium (water or soil) to form roots
\n\n\n\nComposting – Using decomposed plant material to replenish soil nutrients while reducing landfill waste
\n\n\n\nFertilizing – Adding organic or synthetic material to soil or plant to improve the nutrient value and help plants grow stronger
\n\n\n\nGermination – The moment when a seed begins to grow
\n\n\n\nHydroponics – Growing plants in water instead of soil
\n\n\n\nPlanting/ sowing – Putting seeds in soil and allowing them to germinate and grow
\n\n\n\nPerennials – Varieties that grow and flower for two or more years. These can be evergreen or may die back to the ground but will grow again the following season.
\n\n\n\nPollination – The fertilization of a flower by wind, insect, birds, etc., resulting in a seed, sometimes surrounded by an edible fruit
\n\n\n\nSeedling – Tiny plant developing from a germinated seed, ready for planting
\n\n\n\nThinning – Reducing the number of seedlings so remaining plants are spaced properly to grow
\n\n\n\nTransplanting – Transferring a plant to a different growing space or medium
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones – Zones designated for planting as determined by the historical, average, lowest winter temperature in specified geographic areas of the U.S.
\n\n\n\nVariety – A species that has naturally formed a unique characteristic distinguishing it from similar plants (For example, kale and kohlrabi each adapted unique characteristics that differ from cabbage, the original species from which they came.)
\n\n\n\n\n","title":"Social Distancing in Your Backyard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5086792452830189,"src":"/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/1789c/social-distancing-backyard.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/107df/social-distancing-backyard.jpg 320w,\n/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/293e9/social-distancing-backyard.jpg 500w,\n/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/f2cbb/social-distancing-backyard.jpg 800w,\n/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/1789c/social-distancing-backyard.jpg 960w,\n/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/19c60/social-distancing-backyard.jpg 1999w","srcWebp":"/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/1dd6e/social-distancing-backyard.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/67b76/social-distancing-backyard.webp 320w,\n/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/8df11/social-distancing-backyard.webp 500w,\n/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/98a65/social-distancing-backyard.webp 800w,\n/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/1dd6e/social-distancing-backyard.webp 960w,\n/static/4697d7c41b2492787ca191a3565dd6d1/acfdf/social-distancing-backyard.webp 1999w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Social Distancing in Your Backyard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"ef21a10f-8aef-5c89-be52-99e4dfd2bfa1","slug":"columbus-ohio-lawn-care-lawn-mowing-guide","path":"/lawn-care/oh/columbus/columbus-ohio-lawn-care-lawn-mowing-guide/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Bob Greenly has been mowing and caring for lawns since he was 12 years old. His summer job turned into a permanent career after college when he opened his own landscaping company.","name":"Bob Greenly","id":"86622de6-1450-5165-836f-e7397d91491b","path":"/author/bob-greenly/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/38ceb71a8b949ee91fe8f7d81c04ccde?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"5eab8b19-684d-573f-929d-53dda702846c","name":"Columbus","count":9,"path":"/category/lawn-care/oh/columbus/"},{"id":"0f8c37b8-25e8-5e78-8d84-fa2b0ffd84d3","name":"Ohio","count":23,"path":"/category/lawn-care/oh/"}],"date":"August 8th, 2022","excerpt":"We take pride in our lawns in Columbus. The grass that covers your landscape is like a cover to a book. People will assume the inside of your home is just as pristine as your yard. That’s why this quickstart guide to lawn care in Columbus is crucial. Contents: The 4 Most Popular Grass Types […]
\n","content":"\nWe take pride in our lawns in Columbus. The grass that covers your landscape is like a cover to a book. People will assume the inside of your home is just as pristine as your yard. That’s why this quickstart guide to lawn care in Columbus is crucial.
\n\n\n\nContents:
\n\n\n\nSince we get more than the average amount of precipitation (more than 56 inches a year), lawn care in Columbus is relatively easy. We still need to water occasionally and mow often. How often you should mow, and water depends on the type of grass covering your landscape.
\n\n\n\n![\"tall](\"http://lawnstarter.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/tall-fescue.jpg\")
Tall fescue grass is perfect if you don’t want to spend a lot of time watering and maintaining your lawn. This variety is drought-resistant and will survive a hot, dry summer. It also holds up well during our cold winters.
\n\n\n\nIt does grow quickly and will need mowing at least once a week. It looks best when mowed between 3 and 3½ inches.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZJelm3O3DzG-doQdR0rekiXL7qGVKJkSrPMH5HtEnRlFQG1syvtDf97LmhStDSawKjpyNspADimLJDukiJt27dgNso9M6DtmZ149IM6dducfpnoF_YFeAlbSUpRE0mOR-BKOpiaO\")
This is the most common grass you’ll see on Columbus lawns. Kentucky bluegrass is an eye-catching shade of deep green, but in the spring, the bluish-purple buds tint the landscape blue.
\n\n\n\nAs a cold-season grass, Kentucky bluegrass holds up well to winters here. It’s long-lasting and resilient to heavy foot traffic, It’s also more resistant than other grasses to disease. If you’re planting a new lawn, keep in mind bluegrass takes one to three months to establish itself, so it’s best to plant it in the spring or fall. We recommend mowing this grass to a height of 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vzmTOQphoueWk2oivJZRNZ0nObnaicYDQED1O7Pkx_t6faunOvLpkDV07otpxZ4I801ugNHs1nBw_yCFJeamA6ZerGu-TMWtXd8WxmfCCxEd-Q5jq8q-VQSXgoyhNnuMpHH2mtUy\")
Got kids and pets? Perennial ryegrass is perfect for your yard. As one of the toughest sods, it can stand up to heavy foot traffic and hot and cold weather. Like Kentucky bluegrass and fescues, it continues to grow in poorly drained soil. It’s best to keep this grass shorter, 1½ to 2½ inches.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rsz_pixnio-4149-2560x1920-1.jpg\")
Buffalo grass is a North American native turf you can plant and almost forget about. It’s extremely versatile and doesn’t require a lot of attention. It’s also durable and can bounce back after a heavy snowfall and a lot of foot traffic. You should mow Buffalo grass at a height of 2½ to 3½ inches.
\n\n\n\nNever cut more than one-third of the height of your grass. If you cut too much off at once, your grass becomes vulnerable to pests and diseases. Got an overgrown lawn? Sorry: Do multiple mows, taking off one-third each time. Most turfs need a weekly mow until late fall when the growth slows down or stops. Vary the pattern and direction each time you mow. It reduces compaction of the soil and stops your grass blades from leaning in one direction, making the cut uneven. Leave the clippings in the yard as you mow. They will decompose and fertilize your lawn. If you hire a lawn service professional, make sure to remind this person.
\n\n\n\nMaintaining your lawn mower is an essential part of lawn care in Columbus. A poorly maintained mower can damage your lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rsz_11pixnio-46676-6144x4096-1.jpg\")
Dull mower blades will tear the grass instead of cutting it. Shredded grass blades are ugly — and less disease-resistant. With sharp mower blades, you cut efficiently and put less strain on your mower’s engine. Many hardware stores can sharpen them for you, or you can do it yourself in less than an hour. Just make sure you disconnect the spark plug or cord first.
\n\n\n\nYou can adjust the cutting height by raising or lowering the mower’s wheel. Look on the side of your lawnmower and find a knob or lever that adjusts the height for your grass type.
\n\n\n\nClean the blades often, so you don’t spread fungus and other lawn diseases throughout your yard. The same goes for pruning shears and other gardening tools.
\n\n\n\nOnce you put the mower away, you’ll need to make sure your lawn stays thick and green once it comes out of dormancy in the spring. You can do this by preparing it in the fall.
\n\n\n\nYour lawn will start to look tired and worn out after a summer of use. By raking up all debris and thatch and spreading fresh seed, you can replenish some of those bare patches over the fall and winter. A thinning lawn is an invitation for weeds and pests. You can spread seed over the smaller areas by hand, or rent a seed spreader for the entire lawn.
\n\n\n\nYour soil can become compacted after a summer full of heavy traffic. Poking tiny holes in the lawn, or aerating, gives the grass a chance to take in more moisture and nutrients. It also raises the lawn’s resistance to diseases and pests. Do this in the fall, just before you add fertilizer. Fertilizing the lawn at the end of September will help it make it through the cold winter. Before deciding which fertilizer to use, find out what your lawn needs. You can get a home soil test kit at your local home improvement store. The extension office at The Ohio State University can recommend labs in your area to test the soil for you.
\n\n\n\nYour lawn may need a little more moisture before it goes dormant over the winter. Keep your sprinkler ready until the first frost. A few good soakings will give the roots of the grass the strength it needs to make it through the winter. You also want to make sure the new seeds and fertilizer work their way into the soil. Check with the city or Wikilawn’s post for lawn watering restrictions in your area.
\n\n\n\nWhile you won’t be mowing in the winter, you can’t completely forget about your lawn after it goes dormant in fall. It’s crucial that you rake up the leaves, or mulch them finely with your mower. Wet leaves that pile up will suffocate your lawn and invite disease. Be sure to remove any lawn furniture from the grass and avoid walking on the lawn when it’s covered with snow or frost. This could damage the lawn when it’s dormant.
\n\n\n\n1. How do I clean my lawn mower blades?
\n\n\n\nLay the lawn mower on its side and spray down the mower casing and blade with a high-pressure hose to remove all the grass and debris. It’s crucial that you empty the gas tank and disconnect the spark plugs first.
\n\n\n\n2. Will lawn decorations harm my grass?
\n\n\n\nYes, especially if those ornamental decorations are heavy. Avoid heavy holiday decorations to save your grass from mold and tearing. As far as those garden gnomes? Look for smaller ones and place them at the edge of your yard. You may also want to move them around every so often to allow the sun and water to reach those covered spots.
\n\n\n\n3. Will long periods of snow in the winter damage my lawn?
\n\n\n\nIt can. When the snow and ice melt, your lawn becomes vulnerable to snow mold, a fungus that can affect cool-season grass types. You can prevent snow mold by avoiding walking on your snow-covered lawn and by fertilizing in the fall, before the first frost.
\n\n\n\nDon’t have the time or energy to keep your lawn looking pristine? We’ll help you find a lawn care and landscaping professional who can handle the work for you while you sit back and enjoy your yard.
\n\n\n\nMain photo credit: Rawpixel
\n","title":"Your QuickStart Guide to Lawn Care in Columbus, Ohio","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5247776365946633,"src":"/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/1789c/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/107df/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.jpg 320w,\n/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/293e9/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.jpg 500w,\n/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/f2cbb/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.jpg 800w,\n/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/1789c/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.jpg 960w,\n/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/c26c2/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/1dd6e/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/67b76/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.webp 320w,\n/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/8df11/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.webp 500w,\n/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/98a65/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.webp 800w,\n/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/1dd6e/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.webp 960w,\n/static/7cd9ef2ce2f7b7cc97bf1a5993e08a4f/3cc96/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Your QuickStart Guide to Lawn Care in Columbus, Ohio | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Want a lawn that will turn your neighbors green with envy? Our Columbus, Ohio lawn care & mowing guide will help you keep your lawn green and lush."}}},{"node":{"id":"108d3f5e-a2af-5ae6-8c3c-5bbf9ceeacda","slug":"how-to-choose-lawn-fertilizer","path":"/blog/how-to-choose-lawn-fertilizer/","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/"}],"date":"July 27th, 2023","excerpt":"Lawn fertilizers are one of the key ingredients for good soil because they supply essential nutrients that encourage the healthy development of your grass. But the challenging part is choosing the right lawn fertilizer that will work well for you. For this purpose, you must investigate your lawn’s nutrient requirements and decide which fertilizer will […]
\n","content":"\nLawn fertilizers are one of the key ingredients for good soil because they supply essential nutrients that encourage the healthy development of your grass. But the challenging part is choosing the right lawn fertilizer that will work well for you. For this purpose, you must investigate your lawn’s nutrient requirements and decide which fertilizer will fulfill your soil’s specific needs.
\n\n\n\nThis guide provides all the information you need to buy the best fertilizer for your lawn.
\n\n\nYou can give your grass the push it needs to thrive and become the envy of every passerby by choosing the right fertilizer. So, let’s dive into the world of lawn fertilizers and discover the most important aspects to consider while choosing.
\n\n\n\n![\"man](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-reading-fertilizer-bag-in-store.jpg\")
Photo Credit: JackF / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nWhen exploring lawn fertilizers, you’ll frequently encounter a three-number combination on fertilizer labels known as the NPK ratio. NPK stands for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which are three critical elements for the growth and health of your lawn. The NPK ratio on the fertilizer label represents the relative amounts of these nutrients in the product.
\n\n\n\nEach nutrient has a distinct purpose:
\n\n\n\nA fertilizer with a ratio of 10-5-5 comprises 10% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, and 5% potassium. The numbers are always in this order. Multiply the percentages by the amount of fertilizer contained in the package to know how many pounds of each nutrient are in that fertilizer.
\n\n\n\nFor example, consider a 50-pound bag of fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 15-4-10. The nutrient calculation will go as follows:
\n\n\n\n15% (0.15) nitrogen x 50 pounds of fertilizer = 7.5 pounds of nitrogen
\n\n\n\n4% (0.04) phosphorous x 50 pounds of fertilizer = 2 pounds of phosphorous
\n\n\n\n10% (0.10) potassium x 50 pounds of fertilizer = 5 pounds of potassium
\n\n\n\nUnderstanding the NPK ratio is similar to deciphering a secret code that tells you how much of each essential nutrient your grass will receive. Depending on your lawn’s requirements, you can select a fertilizer with the proper NPK ratio to correct deficiencies and provide the necessary nutrition.
\n\n\n\nTo know what NPK ratio goes best with your lawn, you must assess your soil and figure out which nutrients it’s lacking, as well as consider the requirements of your specific grass type.
\n\n\n\nDifferent lawns have different nutritional requirements. Finding out exactly which nutrients will benefit your grass the most is essential when choosing a lawn fertilizer. The main two factors to assess your lawn’s nutritional needs are:
\n\n\n\nInfographic by Juan Rodriguez
\n\n\n\nOnce you know what type of grass is growing in your yard, you can also figure out the best time of year to fertilize it with our guide, When and How to Fertilize Your Lawn.
\n\n\n\nBased on the soil test results and your grass type, you can choose a fertilizer with the proper nutrient ratios to treat deficiencies and keep your soil healthy. For instance, if the test shows your soil lacks the recommended amount of nitrogen for healthy growth of your grass type, you’ll have to purchase a high-nitrogen fertilizer.
\n\n\n\nThere are various options of lawn fertilizers available on the market, and you have to know what they all are before you can decide which is right for your lawn. Following are the primary different types of lawn fertilizers with their specifications to help you make the right decision.
\n\n\n\n![\"fertilizer](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/fertilizer-for-grass-growth-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: RossHelen / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nGranular fertilizers are solid, pellet-like fertilizers that are popular among homeowners. They are available in various formulations, including slow-release and quick-release, which provide controlled or quick nutrient delivery. The steady release reduces the risk of overfeeding and helps your grass maintain a consistent growth rate.
\n\n\n\nGranular fertilizers are beneficial for more extensive areas because you can distribute them evenly across the entire lawn. The granules also pose less risk of fertilizer burn than liquid fertilizers, and the results last longer because the little specks take longer to break down into the soil. You can apply them using a fertilizer spreader.
\n\n\n\n![\"hand-held](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rsz_114848000106_62e914cb15_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jerry Norbury / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
\n\n\n\nLiquid fertilizers are available in a concentrated liquid form and must be mixed with water before applying them to the lawn. Many of them come in ready-to-spray bottles that attach directly to the end of your garden hose, so you don’t have to dilute them yourself.
\n\n\n\nThese liquid fertilizers are quickly absorbed by the grass roots and foliage, providing a nutrient boost right away. Liquid fertilizers are beneficial for targeted applications or spot treatments, as they let you address specific regions needing extra care. You can also use them for foliar feeding, which involves spraying nutrients directly onto the leaves for rapid absorption.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: melGreenFR from Pixabay / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nOrganic fertilizers are made from natural materials like compost, manure, and plant waste. Because of their sustainable and eco-friendly nature, they have acquired favor among ecologically aware lawn enthusiasts.
\n\n\n\nOrganic fertilizers improve your soil’s structure and moisture retention while nourishing it with nutrients. They slowly and steadily release nutrients over time, ensuring a steady supply to your lawn. This mild feeding method eliminates the possibility of nutrient imbalances or burns. Learn more about organic fertilizers by visiting our detailed guide to organic lawn fertilizers.
\n\n\n\n![\"liquid](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/liquid-fertilizer.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Moyano / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nSynthetic fertilizers are chemically prepared and often have higher nutrient concentrations than organic ones. They are designed to give rapid fertilizer release, resulting in immediate benefits for your grass. Synthetic fertilizers are simple to use and provide exact control over nutrient levels, allowing you to adapt the fertilizer to the specific needs of your lawn.
\n\n\n\nHowever, using synthetic fertilizers with caution is critical, as excessive use can result in nutrient runoff, water contamination, and harm to vital soil organisms.
\n\n\n\nSlow-release fertilizers offer your lawn a gradual and consistent delivery of nutrients over time. They are typically made of coated granules or pellets that degrade slowly and release nutrients in stages as they break down.
\n\n\n\nThis controlled-release mechanism guarantees that your grass receives a consistent supply of nutrients, resulting in even growth and a lower chance of nutrient runoff. Slow-release fertilizers are a fantastic alternative for homeowners looking for ease and consistency. However, they will not have the same immediate effect as quick-release fertilizers.
\n\n\n\nQuick-release fertilizers provide your grass with a rapid burst of nutrients. They are designed to have an immediate impact and frequently contain higher nutritional concentrations. When you need quick results or want to address specific issues, such as greening up your lawn before an event or correcting nutrient shortages, quick-release fertilizers are a great choice.
\n\n\n\nHowever, overapplication can result in excessive growth, increased mowing frequency, and probable nutrient runoff. Quick-release fertilizers are also more likely to cause fertilizer burn.
\n\n\n\nThese fertilizers serve your lawn’s specific needs. Special lawn fertilizers include:
\n\n\n\nWhile not necessary, testing your soil can provide vital information about your soil’s nutritional content, pH levels, and any deficiencies. A soil test allows you to make more educated fertilizer decisions by addressing particular nutrient imbalances and avoiding over- or under-fertilization.
\n\n\n\nThe frequency of lawn fertilization depends on factors such as grass type, fertilizer type, climate, and general lawn health. Cool-season grasses benefit from fertilization in the early spring and fall, while warm-season grasses may require fertilization throughout the spring and summer.
\n\n\n\nFor more informed fertilizer applications, you can follow our lawn fertilizer schedule.
\n\n\n\nWhether you choose organic or synthetic fertilizers depends on your preferences and the environment around you. Organic fertilizers are a part of eco-friendly lawn care and have natural composition. In contrast, synthetic fertilizers comprise chemical formulation, providing precise nutrition control and immediate effects.
\n\n\n\nAbsolutely! Lawn clippings and compost are rich in nutrients and are excellent lawn food. After mowing, you can recycle nutrients into the soil by leaving grass clippings on the lawn. You can also use compost generated from yard waste, kitchen leftovers, and other organic materials to fertilize the lawn naturally. Just make sure the compost is well-aged and decomposed before using it.
\n\n\n\nA beautiful, healthy lawn that makes the rest of the neighborhood jealous takes more than just regular watering and mowing to create that ideal green paradise. Your lawn requires proper fertilization to thrive all year round. Choosing the right fertilizer for your lawn is essential for promoting healthy growth and maintaining a vibrant, lush appearance.
\n\n\n\nWith a variety of options available, selecting the best lawn fertilizer can be a daunting task. If you’d rather leave fertilization in the hands of a professional so you can enjoy your weekends without worrying about the lawn, connect with a local lawn care service through WikiLawn today.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: evgenyb / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"How to Choose Lawn Fertilizer","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/1789c/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/107df/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/293e9/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/f2cbb/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/1789c/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/c26c2/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/1dd6e/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/67b76/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.webp 320w,\n/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/8df11/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.webp 500w,\n/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/98a65/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.webp 800w,\n/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/1dd6e/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.webp 960w,\n/static/4ec88ed585d8ab3b9691840ff7bc3897/3cc96/fertilizer-for-grass-and-soil-1-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Choose Lawn Fertilizer | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Which fertilizer is best for your lawn? Find your answer in this detailed guide on how to choose the right fertilizer for your lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"67ed9cbc-c09f-5357-a042-1509dfc3ac68","slug":"signs-of-lawn-grubs","path":"/blog/signs-of-lawn-grubs/","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":"Homeowners could be experiencing lawn problems for a few reasons. It is important to identify the issue so you can properly eliminate it and take preventative measures once your lawn is healthy again. Because grubs are one of the most common lawn problems, we will explore the signs of grubs in your lawn. If you […]
\n","content":"\nHomeowners could be experiencing lawn problems for a few reasons. It is important to identify the issue so you can properly eliminate it and take preventative measures once your lawn is healthy again. Because grubs are one of the most common lawn problems, we will explore the signs of grubs in your lawn. If you see these signs in your lawn, you can begin the process of grub control before they get worse.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/a55f7129-514d-4685-ac60-c0b55cc3a38a.jpg\")
Photo Credit: VIKAS KUMAR / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nFirst, the good news: having a few grubs in a healthy lawn does not indicate a problem. If you see C-shaped larvae or think you may have grubs, grab a shovel and dig a few small holes in the suspected area.
\n\n\n\nNow, the not-so-good news: after you dig, if you see more than five grubs per square foot, your yard may have a grub infestation. You do not want to apply grub control products to your grass unless necessary, but waiting to start treatment to get rid of grubs can worsen your grub problem and grub damage. Calling a professional to be sure your lawn needs treatment is always a viable option.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe grub problem starts when adult beetles choose your lawn in their search for a healthy habitat to lay their eggs. If you see flying beetles hovering over your grass, your yard could be at the top of their list for a food source and home for their future babies.
\n\n\n\nOnce beetles lay their eggs, it’s only a matter of time before the eggs develop into larvae. In the larval stage, they feed on your grass’s root system. With the nourishment they receive from your lawn, they eventually become adult beetles.
\n\n\n\nHovering beetles do not definitively mean you have grubs, but their presence, combined with other symptoms, could be a pretty sure sign.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Brown_Patch-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\nBrown patches or yellow spots are signs your yard may be victim to an unwanted grub population. These irregular patches typically appear in late summer, around August.
\n\n\n\nBrown spots or patches can be caused by many things, like lawn disease or drought. If you have other indicators of grubs, test for grubs yourself by digging up 1-square-foot portions of the lawn or call a pest control company.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen grubs tunnel into your grass’s roots, they can kill the grass completely, causing dead spots. Multiple dead spots that do not improve are strong indicators of grubs.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"bird](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/d5635a6c-233a-43ad-9848-d4f3f21986db.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Anmol Dash / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nGrubs may be despicable little creatures to us, but to some in the animal kingdom, they are a delectable treat. Armadillos, raccoons, skunks, and birds feed on grubs. If you notice increased animal activity in your yard, it is a sign that your lawn may need a grub treatment. These animals become additional lawn pests, as they cause more damage by digging to get to the white grubs.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGrubs cause damage underground. They eat plant roots and weaken the bond between the roots and grass. The result is grass that feels loose, springy, or spongy when you walk on it. It may feel like you have just laid sod.
\n\n\n\nHomeowners can test for the possibility of grubs by pulling up patches of grass. Grass that rolls up like unsecured carpet indicates you may have lawn grubs.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGrubs are beetles that have not become adult beetles yet. When beetles like Japanese and June beetles lay eggs, the eggs advance to the next step in their life cycle, which is larvae. Larvae, also known as white grubs, are squishy and C-shaped, with legs close to their brown heads.
\n\n\n\nGrubs live underground and feast on the roots of your grass and other organic matter in the soil, which kills sections of the grass. If you don’t attack grub problems before it is too late, your grass will not be stable and firmly attached to the ground. Because the bond between the grass and roots has been weakened, the grass can become very easy to pull up and roll up like a blanket.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYes. There are both natural ways and chemical methods to get rid of grubs. Natural ways take longer, but they are healthier for you and the environment than non-organic chemical pesticides and insecticides. You can purchase beneficial nematodes, which are microscopic worms that naturally live in the soil. They release bacteria that kill grubs.
\n\n\n\nYou can also put the bacterium milky spore on the lawn to kill Japanese beetle grubs. This bacterium comes in a powder.
\n\n\n\nHomeowners can also make a neem oil solution with neem oil, water, and Castile soap, and spray it on the lawn.
\n\n\n\nSee our article How to Get Rid of Grubs in Your Lawn to learn more.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnfortunately, grubs do not go away on their own. They spread quickly and can cause severe damage to your lawn. If you have signs of grub activity, test for them or call a professional to test and start treatment as soon as possible.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGrubs thrive in excess moisture. Be mindful not to overwater your grass in the summer. The more you water, the more you increase the chances moisture will soak deep into the soil layer where grubs live.
\n\n\n\nGood lawn care habits and healthy lawn characteristics that create thriving grass also generate an ideal environment for grubs, like aeration and rich soil. A few grubs are normal, and a healthy lawn can withstand the little slimy creatures. Grubs become a problem when you have too many. When the grub population in your yard becomes too large for your lawn to sustain, you will start to see the signs discussed above.
\n\n\n\nWhether you have lawn grubs you need to eliminate or you just want a professional to maintain your grass, WikiLawn can connect you to qualified lawn care pros in your area to keep your grass healthy and green.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Peter Shaw / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"Signs of Grubs in Your Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/1789c/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/107df/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.jpg 320w,\n/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/293e9/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.jpg 500w,\n/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/f2cbb/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.jpg 800w,\n/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/1789c/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.jpg 960w,\n/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/c26c2/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/1dd6e/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/67b76/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.webp 320w,\n/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/8df11/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.webp 500w,\n/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/98a65/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.webp 800w,\n/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/1dd6e/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.webp 960w,\n/static/a128c1fe35e18b166bdc213aa78ffd0e/3cc96/1b759c9d-82f6-41af-ba7a-a55890b0f410.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Signs of Grubs in Your Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Find out how to identify grubs, determine if they are ruining your lawn, and how to do a DIY test. FAQs cover prevention and elimination tips."}}},{"node":{"id":"19ba5d3d-1386-51f8-84a6-73cafabb2318","slug":"create-safe-sensory-friendly-backyard-landscape-special-needs-child","path":"/blog/landscaping/create-safe-sensory-friendly-backyard-landscape-special-needs-child/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Danielle Bradley is a botanist who experiments with native plants from every region in the U.S. She’s dedicated to companion planting without the use of pesticides. Her own garden is filled with a variety of colors and textures.","name":"Danielle Bradley","id":"7329a804-3158-5b9f-94fc-835a4923557a","path":"/author/danielle-bradley/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a840af9ee5b616963d15a622658e9612?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"}],"date":"February 24th, 2020","excerpt":"Playing outside is one of the greatest joys of childhood. There are extra considerations when your child has special needs, but time outside still can offer tremendous therapeutic benefits, especially for children with autism or similar conditions. But it’s possible to create a sensory-friendly backyard landscape for your child with special needs. If you’re looking […]
\n","content":"\nPlaying outside is one of the greatest joys of childhood. There are extra considerations when your child has special needs, but time outside still can offer tremendous therapeutic benefits, especially for children with autism or similar conditions. But it’s possible to create a sensory-friendly backyard landscape for your child with special needs.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking to create a safe and sensory-friendly outdoor sanctuary where your children can enjoy themselves and learn through nature-based sensory play, it’s imperative first to approach the design and construction with an understanding of your child’s specific needs — including sensory, cognitive, visual, or auditory impairments, as well as issues with fine and gross motor skills.
\n\n\n\nThis guide will focus on techniques to use in creating a sensory-friendly backyard for your child with special needs. You can design a haven that offers plenty of stimulating activities to engage all the senses. At the same time, you can take steps to address accessibility barriers, common behavioral and environmental risks, and potential safety hazards.
\n\n\n\nYou might wonder, what’s the point of creating an outdoor space for my child? Are the potential benefits worth the work? Yes, they overwhelmingly are, says pediatric occupational therapist Christine Sadecki. “Outdoor play can address many challenges for children with sensory processing disorders and/or autism. It can be calming or alerting.” Studies show hands-on sensory play can help kids operating on the autism spectrum or experiencing low vision, as well as those working to develop fine motor skills.
\n\n\n\n“Outdoor play encourages listening skills, executive functioning, motor planning, and body awareness, as well as self-control and social development,” says Sadecki. “It also encourages participation in the senses such as touch, sound, sight, vestibular, and proprioception, which can be challenging areas for children with sensory processing disorder or autism.” Playing outdoors helps promote kids’ strong, sustained, physical development in a number of ways:
\n\n\n\nMany children with autism face vision issues, such as a lazy eye or crossed eyes. A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that 40% of children with autism and related conditions have some issue with their eyes.
\n\n\n\nVisual stimulation can help kids with low vision improve their understanding of what’s around them and feel more comfortable with their surroundings. Outdoor landscapes can offer a variety of visual stimuli not available indoors, from flowers and trees to the sky overhead. And they can offer the added benefit of helping even a child with visual impairment become familiar with more organic shapes and colors than are found in manufactured environments.
\n\n\n\nBecause there’s more to see outdoors, there are more reasons for your child to stay engaged. Did you see that bird that just flew past? What was that in the bushes? A squirrel? The wind makes the trees seem to dance as it rustles through the leaves.
\n\n\n\nOutdoor environments are constantly changing, constantly inviting engagement and attention. Just being out in nature can increase a child’s attention span, and there’s more room on your back lawn to create new adventures than the indoors could ever provide.
\n\n\n\nThe sun’s ultraviolet rays can stimulate the production of vitamin D. Why is this important? Vitamin D helps the body absorb the calcium it requires to maintain strong bones. It’s also important to muscles and nerves, and it’s part of the immune system’s defense against viruses and bacteria.
\n\n\n\nYou can find vitamin D in food supplements, although the most direct source is sunlight. Be sure, though, that your child is protected from the sun if they’re outside for an extended period. The body can only produce so much vitamin D at one time, and spending prolonged periods outside without protection can increase the risk of skin cancer. For kids with sensory issues, try using fast-application sprays or sun-protective clothing.
\n\n\n\nKids need to develop gross motor skills — the kind they need to walk, jump, and climb — before they can learn to master finer motor skills that require more patience, such as holding a pencil or opening a package. Developing gross motor skills is no easy task. If you’ve ever seen a child learning to walk, you know the amount of concentration and physical effort it takes.
\n\n\n\nA backyard lawn can give your child a big, safe place to exercise these skills. A large, flat surface with a soft landing space is a lot better than a hazardous environment such as a staircase or a hard tile floor. An accessible space outdoors provides your child with a safe, fun place to develop balance and coordination.
\n\n\n\nThe more room your child has to roam, and the safer the environment, the more she’ll be able to exercise. It’s as simple as that. And the more exercise she gets, the more physically fit she’ll be overall.
\n\n\n\nThis is important because children with autism are at higher risk of obesity than other kids. They also face greater challenges when it comes to balancing or catching a ball because they pay more attention to their own muscles than to watching what’s happening around them. Having a safe backyard play area gives them the space they need to work on their motor skills, while at the same time keeping them physically fit.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/autism-child-backyard-630x1024.jpeg\")
Safety is, of course, the paramount consideration when designing and creating play and learning environments for any kids. Extra measures must be taken when designing outdoor spaces to accommodate children with special needs.
\n\n\n\nYour backyard landscape will consist of living and nonliving elements. The first is called softscape, comprising primarily horticultural elements: grass, flowers, trees, plants, hedges, vegetable gardens, and so forth. Nonliving or hardscape elements, by contrast, can include the following:
\n\n\n\nIt’s important to incorporate both softscape and hardscape elements when designing an outdoor play space for your child with special needs.
\n\n\n\nAccessibility and safety considerations to keep in mind include:
\n\n\n\nBuild or widen walkways to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. According to the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), pathways should be at least 6 inches wider than a wheelchair, or a total of 36 inches. Entries and gates should be at least 32 inches wide.
\n\n\n\nEmphasize the openness of the outdoors. Even if your child does not use a wheelchair, pathways should be wide to emphasize the feeling of openness and freedom a garden can provide. This is not a place to feel cramped or crowded. It’s an expansive place to explore! Still, paths should have clear boundaries, so your child knows where the walkway ends and the garden begins. If your child is sensitive to light, install non-glare surfaces and make sure they’re smooth and easy to navigate.
\n\n\n\nAdd wheelchair ramps. ADA standards require that the grade for wheelchair accessibility ramps rise no more steeply than 5% — and, at most, 2% at entrances and steps.
\n\n\n\nEliminate surprises. Visual aids and signs can help children with special needs feel secure. If they are nonverbal, a system of pictures can help them feel safe. A child who feels lost can grow anxious and worried, and he won’t feel safe enough to explore and enjoy his backyard wonderland. Make sure they always know where they are and consider creating orientation maps to help them get where they want to go next, easily and directly.
\n\n\n\nInstall handrails or handholds along paths, on decks, and in seating areas. Handrails should be installed on both sides of a pathway. When installing handrails for kids, the ADA calls for heights to be measured at a 90-degree angle from directly above the walking surface. Handrails shouldn’t be more than 28 inches high and should be at least 9 inches apart so kids don’t trap their heads or hands between the uprights.
\n\n\n\nInstall tactile features on or alongside walkways. Tactile features include raised bumps, lines, and patterns. They aren’t to help traction. Instead, they accommodate special needs by helping those with impaired vision know when they’ve entered a new path or they’re about to leave the path they’ve been on.
\n\n\n\nStrive for consistency. Once you’ve created the layout of your backyard, keep it constant. Try not to change the location of a bench, water fountain, or bird feeder, for example, unless it’s necessary for safety or functionally essential reasons. Once a child is familiar with his surroundings, you can make small, incremental changes to challenge them as part of the learning process. Children with special needs feel safer when they know what to expect. They’ll blossom in an environment they know they can count on.
\n\n\n\nCreate transitions. Gradual transitions are much easier for children with special needs to process than abrupt changes. Give them space and time between activities, and provide them with visual and verbal cues to alert them when something new is about to happen. Preparing kids for change helps them accept it and feel safer than springing a new situation or activity on them without warning.
\n\n\n\nEnclose play areas with fencing or railings. It’s important to make your backyard as safe as possible. One study found that nearly half of children on the autism spectrum wander from a safe place at some point. Enclosures can help keep this from occurring. Fences improve safety by keeping children from wandering into an area where they shouldn’t be, like a flowerbed or hedge. They also can help them stay focused on the adventure you’ve created. Fences should be at least 5 feet high and shouldn’t provide handholds that kids can use to climb. Smooth surfaces are best.
\n\n\n\nLabel play areas with Braille or textures to help a child with low vision find the location they’ll be visiting next or the activity you’ve planned for them.
\n\n\n\nFeatures worth adding can include:
\n\n\n\nHazards to avoid:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/unsplash-child-sandbox.jpeg\")
According to the STAR Institute, kids with conditions that hinder them from readily processing sensory input may have a hard time knowing where their body is in space. The results can include poor posture, weakness, motion sickness, awkwardness, and clumsiness. So it’s important to identify the sensory activities that can best help your kids learn, improve their motor skills, and focus on their environment without getting frustrated or distracted. Here are a few sensory play ideas for backyard activities designed to engage your child’s senses:
\n\n\n\nHands-on sensory-based play is one of the best ways to capture a child’s attention and provide much-needed tactile sensory input.
\n\n\n\nSwinging: Nearly all kids love to swing, and the benefits include an enhanced response to proprioception, better coordination and balance, stronger muscles, and a boost in positive mood. A repetitive back-and-forth motion also can be soothing and calming for kids with autism.
\n\n\n\nSadecki, the pediatric occupational therapist, recommends careful attention and assessment to help your child get the most out of swinging: “Swings stimulate the fluid in the inner ear, which activates the vestibular senses. It lets your child know they are moving, and it can also impact the brain’s ability to process and use sensory information in their environment.
\n\n\n\n“However, the amount of vestibular input needed varies by child,” explains Sadecki. “Some crave movement to feel more centered in order to focus and attend to the world around them. Others may be movement-sensitive, which makes things difficult such as riding in a car, so swinging can be used to help desensitize them to movement. Vestibular input as part of a sensory diet should be monitored by an occupational therapist.”
\n\n\n\nWater activities: Water is a versatile element that offers so many hands-on sensory possibilities, limited only by your imagination.
\n\n\n\nPlaying in sand and soil: Who says you need the beach to build sandcastles? With a bag of sand and a little water in a small enclosure, that can happen right in your backyard! Otherwise, your child can enjoy the fun of getting their hands dirty by digging and planting in soil.
\n\n\n\nClouds: Invite your child to lie down in the grass with you and stare up at the clouds as they pass by. What shapes does she see? What do they remind her of?
\n\n\n\nLeaves: Collect fallen leaves with her and point out their different shapes, as well as the colorful reds and golds and oranges they turn in autumn. Look for birds that share their various colors. Study the effects of wind and water after a spring rain.
\n\n\n\nDay and night skies: Take your child out at daybreak to see the sunrise or at dusk to witness the sunset. Make a wish on the first evening star you see. Look up at the night sky and point out the moon, the stars and the constellations. Find out when the next meteor shower is expected and see how many shooting stars you and your child can count.
\n\n\n\nScavenger hunt: For a more-organized activity, consider a scavenger hunt. Remember how much fun you had getting up early on Easter Sunday for an egg hunt? See how many things your child can find in your backyard. Give him a list and accompany him on his quest for specific plants, birds, animals or perhaps for items you have hidden.
\n\n\n\nTreasure hunt: Another possibility is a treasure hunt. Get your child a special treat and hide it in the garden, then make a pirate’s map and help her follow it to discover the secret treasure.
\n\n\n\nBird calls/ insect sounds: Help your child become conscious of sounds we often miss in the background (or take for granted) by listening for bird calls and insect sounds. What does a blue jay sound like? What about a crow, a lark or a sparrow? That high-pitched humming is a cicada; let’s see if we can find it! What’s that rapid rat-a-tat-tat coming from that tree trunk over there. Could it be a woodpecker? Learn about birds and insects yourself. You might want to pick up a book on birdwatching that identifies different species in your area, or listen to recordings of bird calls online. Then point out which birds and insects make which sounds and help your child learn to identify them.
\n\n\n\nGarden flavors: Plant a vegetable garden or fruit trees and let your child taste what you’re growing there. What does a tomato taste like? A strawberry? An apple? You can illustrate the concept of growing food like this: Accompany your kids around your garden and pick samples from vines and trees, showing them the difference between ripe and unripe fruit. Wash the fruit off with then and prepare it as part of a sandwich or simple meal, then make a picnic trip back out to the yard and eat it underneath the tree that shared its fruit with you. Your children will be able to follow the journey of the meal you’ve created from tree to table — or, in this case, picnic basket.
\n\n\n\nNature’s aromas: Help your child learn to recognize the many smells of your yard by getting close to the source of each scent. Let them sniff different flowers and herbs, saying the name for each so they can associate the word with the smell. And this goes for not-so-pleasant outdoor smells, too: Help them find the wild onions, or sniff the recently spread mulch. In other seasons, point out the crisp, clean scent of snow, or that particularly lovely scent in the air just after a spring rain begins.
\n\n\n\nSensory garden: You can engage all your child’s senses by creating a sensory garden. Include plants that will attract wildlife like crickets, buzzing bees, and chirping birds; maybe plant some bamboo stems so your child can hear the sound they make in the wind. Set up a birdbath or birdhouse to attract some feathered friends or a hummingbird feeder for those faster-than-the-eye-can see winged wonders. Water fountains and wind chimes can enhance your child’s auditory experience, too.
\n\n\n\nFind plants with fragrant scents such as gardenia and honeysuckle, as well as those with a variety of tactile sensations, from moss to jade trees to lamb’s ear. (No roses, cacti or other thorny plants, though!). Also, seek out plants with a variety of forms, from creeping vines to woody stems to soft grasses.
\n\n\n\nConsider dividing these sensory-friendly environments into two areas — one for playtime and another for relaxing and unwinding. If you can, put brightly colored flowers with red or yellow petals in one area of the garden, and provide a shaded area in the other. A pergola or shade trees can provide a haven from the bright sun and vivid colors that provide stimulation but can be overstimulating if your child doesn’t have a calm place of refuge in which to retreat.
\n\n\n\nAnother possibility: an outdoor speaker system that plays soothing background music on occasion. Just don’t leave it on all the time. You want your child to notice the natural sounds all around her in your backyard.
\n\n\n\nTo help your child feel at ease, think about creating a theme for your garden that she’ll enjoy: maybe a fairytale character, a favorite game, or an animal.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pexels-photo-1661818-man-carrying-child.jpg\")
The best outdoor spaces are inclusive, welcoming kids and grown-ups alike with a variety of capabilities, considerations, and objectives. When designing a backyard play space, keep in mind any of your child’s special requirements and build in features to accommodate them. Here are some elements to consider for safe sensory learning environments for kids with different conditions:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/photo-unsplash-dogs-1555897209-208b67f652c5.jpeg\")
Most people think of eloping as running away to get married, but the word literally just means to run, or lope, outward. In the case of children with special needs, it indicates wandering or running away from a caregiving environment — and it’s a common hazard for people on the autism spectrum.
\n\n\n\n“Studies show that 50% of kids with autism spectrum disorder elope, but it is still unclear as to why,” says Sadecki. “Many parents believe that their child simply enjoys running and exploring, but it could also be because they are escaping anxious or overstimulating sensory situations.”
\n\n\n\nThe more strongly children are impacted by autism, the more likely they may be to elope. Parenting styles aren’t a factor; most parents in a survey about the phenomenon said their child just enjoyed running and exploring.
\n\n\n\nThis makes it all the more important to provide plenty of sensory stimuli for children with autism. The more you give them to explore right in their own backyard, the more likely they are to stay focused on the adventures you’re providing — and the less likely they will be to wander off.
\n\n\n\nEven so, it’s important to repair or install continuous fencing, as well as out-of-reach locks or latches on gates and doors to keep your kids inside where they belong. As mentioned before, this is particularly important if you have a pool. Secure fencing and locking gates are important for all young children. Similar gates and fences should be in place around other potentially hazardous areas, such as dog runs, thorny bushes, or rock gardens.
\n\n\n\nStepping in poo is a perfect way to start a meltdown. Minimize the possibility of your child’s coming into contact with pet waste (which is toxic in some cases and unpleasant in all cases) by designating a separate area for your pet, and/or diligently picking up after their bathroom time.
\n\n\n\nPlastic bags and pooper-scoopers can make this odious (and odorous) task a little more painless. There are even high-tech, dog poop vacuums that pull up pet waste, which can then be ejected into a trash bag or toilet.
\n\n\n\nFertilizer can be an irritant — a toxic one, if it contains pesticides or other chemicals. Use fertilizer according to the directions and keep it contained appropriately when not in use. Don’t assume a fertilizer is safe for kids just because it’s labeled as “organic” or “natural.” Also be aware that fertilizers in powder form can drift into other areas on a windy day, so apply them when the air is calm and be sure to sweep any excess away from paths and other areas your child might frequent.
\n\n\n\nStanding water not only invites messes, just waiting for kids to reach or step in, but it also can be a health hazard, depending on the organisms growing in it. If left around long enough, pools of standing water can attract breeding mosquitoes. Take care to empty any uncovered containers with standing water in them. If you find standing water remaining at a low spot in your yard for any length of time, make sure you find a way to drain it away.
\n\n\n\nPrickly or toxic plants can puncture skin with spines, cause rashes with irritating secretions, initiate a sneezing fit with pollen, or poison a person who ingests any part of them. Make sure your outdoor area is free of poison ivy, poison oak, stinging nettle, and other allergenic plants.
\n\n\n\nHow do you recognize toxic plants? Poison ivy and poison oak each have three leaves growing off a main leaf stem (giving rise to the saying, “leaves in three, let it be.”) Their leaves also alternate on the stem or branch, never growing directly across from one another. Stinging nettle leaves are heart-shaped, prickly-looking, and tapered at the end.
\n\n\n\nPlants can be poisonous in two ways: They can irritate the skin if touched, or they can be toxic if ingested. Some very pretty plants, including oleander and monkshood, can be dangerous. Be sure you have a medical kit. You can look up information from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 if you think your child has eaten a toxic plant.
\n\n\n\nAlso be on the lookout for mushrooms, which aren’t technically plants, but fungi. Those with scales, warts or white (not brown) gills are likely to be hazardous. Other red flags: a bulb-shaped base, or a ring around the upper or lower stem. The vast majority of mushrooms aren’t toxic, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you notice mushrooms in your yard, remove them immediately.
\n\n\n\nMove cactus, agave, and other spiny plants out of traffic areas. Keep fencing around rose gardens so kids can’t wander or stumble into their thorns.
\n\n\n\nLoud noises are a potential problem outside, where barking dogs, heavy equipment, or a backfiring car nearby can trigger a child’s noise sensitivity. Creating areas buffered from ambient noise with fences, walls, high bushes, or shrubs can help protect your child from overstimulation by sound.
\n\n\n\nIn an age when kids are often glued to their phones or gaming systems indoors, an outdoor adventure can be (literally) a breath of fresh air. Sadecki says electronics should be limited for all children, especially those with special needs. “There have been lots of recent studies done that have shown the impact of too much electronics on kids. Children who spend more than 2 hours a day on electronics are more likely to have emotional, social, and attention problems. They also develop shorter attention spans because their brain develops the need for constant stimulation by bright, fast-paced programming. It makes it more difficult for them to connect to and focus on people and things in their environment that don’t provide that constant stimulation.”
\n\n\n\nWe as adults often spend most of our days indoors, too, whether we’re working at the office or around the house, and it’s easy to forget how important it can be to get out of the house. The outdoors can be a forgotten resource to check our worries at the back door and enter a land of refreshment and adventure.
\n\n\n\nAdults need a break from highly structured indoor settings, and so do children with special needs. Why not offer them a safe backyard playground with an expansive lawn and fascinating sights, sounds and smells to explore? It will open up a whole new world to them. And that can make a world of difference!
\n\n\n\nAll the tips in this article were reviewed by licensed pediatric occupational therapist Christine Sadecki, OTR/L, owner of Reach for the Stars Therapy Services, LLC, in Lake Worth, FL. The strategies reflect widely accepted therapeutic practices, however, for specific advice, you should always consult a medical professional.
Unlike delicious mushrooms in your marinara sauce, the fungi growing on your lawn could make your kids and pets sick. They could also trigger an allergic reaction. So how do you get rid of mushrooms in your yard? You can pull them up, use natural methods, or resort to chemicals. This guide explores ways to […]
\n","content":"\nUnlike delicious mushrooms in your marinara sauce, the fungi growing on your lawn could make your kids and pets sick. They could also trigger an allergic reaction. So how do you get rid of mushrooms in your yard?
\n\n\n\nYou can pull them up, use natural methods, or resort to chemicals. This guide explores ways to eliminate mushrooms and keep them from coming back.
\n\n\n\nContents:
\n\n\n\nYou can avoid using harmful chemicals on your lawn with these natural methods.
\n\n\n\nYou can hand pick all the mushrooms and toss them in the trash. It’s important to wear gloves to avoid an allergic reaction, and it’s crucial that you dispose of them immediately. Put them in a plastic bag, as even carrying them across the yard to your garbage can spread the mushroom spores onto other parts of the lawn.
\n\n\n\nVinegar works after you’ve removed the mushrooms by hand. We’re not talking about the vinegar in your pantry, but rather a concentrated horticultural vinegar (a good alternative to glyphosate) that you will have to dilute.
\n\n\n\nMix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle and coat the mushrooms. Wear gloves when you spray this solution onto the area, because vinegar can burn your skin.
\n\n\n\nBaking soda won’t burn your hands, but you must dilute it so it won’t burn your grass. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a gallon of water and pour lightly over the mushrooms and in the area where the lawn fungi may be living.
\n\n\n\n![\"Chemical](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_screenshot_12.jpg\")
When natural methods don’t do the trick, you may have to use stronger chemical treatments to keep the mushrooms out of your yard.
\n\n\n\nFungicides stamp out mushrooms at the source. They don’t kill mushrooms but rather eliminate the fungus. Most fungicides such as Lustre or Spectrum work by destroying fungal cell membranes to stop them from producing.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll still have to hand pick the mushrooms before you apply the fungicide to the area, but they will keep the mushrooms from coming back. Therefore, it’s a good idea to remove the mushrooms first. You may have to use the fungicide several times to get the desired results.
\n\n\n\nThe same nitrogen fertilizer you use on your lawn is great for preventing mushrooms. It doesn’t kill the fungus, but it speeds up organic decomposition. Therefore, mushrooms won’t have an opportunity to grow on your lawn.
\n\n\n\nSpray a solution of dish soap and water to disrupt the lifecycle of the fungus that’s growing underneath the mushrooms you removed.
\n\n\n\nRemoving the mushrooms from your yard is only half the battle. The fungus that causes the mushrooms is still present in the soil. Here are seven ways to minimize the fungus and keep new mushrooms from growing.
\n\n\n\n![\"Mushroom's](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_frank-eiffert-_zsw5aeb4ee-unsplash.jpg\")
Like plants, mushrooms are the “flowers” or fruiting bodies that result from the hyphae or fungus in your lawn’s soil. If you don’t remove the mushrooms immediately, they will reproduce by spreading spores around your yard via air or pests.
\n\n\n\nSome common reasons you are starting to see more mushrooms growing in your yard?
\n\n\n\nDon’t automatically assume mushrooms in your yard are a threat. There are very few poisonous mushrooms that can grow on your property, but even the non-toxic mushrooms are unsightly and a magnet for dogs who like to dig.
\n\n\n\nThey can be. The destroying angel and the autumn skullcap are two fatal types of mushrooms that could grow on your lawn.
\n\n\n\nThe destroying angel mushroom is white with a white stalk and white gills that could turn green or grayish as the mushroom matures. The autumn skullcap has a yellow-brown tint on its cap and brownish gills.
\n\n\n\nNo, unless you’ve purchased mushroom plants from the store and are growing them in your vegetable garden. Unless you’re an expert at identifying wild mushrooms, it’s best to toss the mushrooms you find in your yard.
\n\n\n\nYes. Mushrooms are a sure sign your soil is healthy and has the nutrients for other plants, trees, and flowers. Some plants will actually benefit from the fungus in the soil.
\n\n\n\nDon’t have the time or find it gross to remove the mushrooms from your yard? We can find a lawn care pro near you to remove them and keep the fungus at bay. They can also mow, weed, edge, and dethatch to keep the mushrooms from coming back.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Pixabay | Michal Jarmoluk
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\n","content":"\nHave you ever considered hydroseeding your yard to grow a new lawn? This seeding method is more expensive than traditional seeding, but it’s more cost-effective than laying sod. Most homeowners pay 8 to 20 cents per square foot for hydroseeding services.
\n\n\n\nAlso called hydraulic mulch seeding, hydroseeding works by spraying a slurry mixture of seeds, water, fertilizer, and mulch; sometimes, it also has tackifiers (binding agents), lawn-friendly green dyes, and soil amendments. This mixture is applied to your yard with a machine called a hydroseeder.
\n\n\n| Average Cost Range | $0.08 – $0.20 per sq. ft. |
| Low-End | $90 total |
| High-End | $1,000 total |
Most homeowners across the country pay an average of 8 cents to 20 cents per square foot to get their lawns hydroseeded. Depending on your lawn size, that could come out to as little as $90 or as much as $1,000 – or even more, if we’re talking about a huge property.
\n\n\n\nThese prices include the hydroseeding slurry, hydroseeding equipment, and labor costs. There are other factors that can influence the cost of hydroseeding aside from these, which we’ll cover later in the article.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe biggest cost factor influencing how much you’ll pay for professional hydroseeding is the size of the area to be hydroseeded. Many hydroseeding companies charge for their services by square footage. You can expect a higher price tag if your lawn is quite large.
\n\n\n\n| Lawn Size | Cost of Hydroseeding |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $90 – $200 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $160 – $400 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $240 – $600 |
| 4,000 sq. ft. | $320 – $800 |
| 5,000 sq. ft. | $400 – $1,000 |
If the prices above are alarming you as someone with acres of land, there’s some good news. While it’s still more expensive the more land you need hydroseeded, many hydroseeding companies offer discounts when hydroseeding by the acre.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"hydroseeded](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/84f6c9af-3c98-423b-98eb-fb3b0783d485.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Sue Thompson / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
\n\n\n\nWhile lawn size is the biggest cost factor when calculating the price of hydroseeding services, it’s not the only factor. Your yard’s condition, the type of grass, and the type of equipment used can all influence the cost of hydroseeding.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIs your lawn on a slope? Typically, the steeper the slope of the yard, the higher the hydroseeding cost. Your sloped yard might need more slurry — up to twice as much — and it might need some added ingredients like tackifiers, too.
\n\n\n\nYou might also pay more if your yard is bumpy or uneven, as it’s more difficult to work with. In that case, you might need to have your yard professionally re-graded, which can add quite a bit to your hydroseeding costs.
\n\n\n\nLastly, if your yard’s soil quality is poor, you’ll most likely need to pay more to add soil amendments like lime to improve your soil so the seeds will grow successfully into a new lawn.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHomeowners should always choose a grass type that matches their area’s climate. Typically, this means cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue up North and warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia down South. Some grass seeds and seed mixes are more expensive than others, increasing the cost of the hydroseeding slurry.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnother factor that can drive up the cost is the type of equipment the lawn care pro will use to hydroseed your lawn. There are many types of hydroseeding equipment, such as hand-held sprayers, hydraulic pumps, and mechanical rotors. Landscapers that use specialized hydroseeding machines typically charge more for their services.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHydroseeding is only one method of adding grass to your lawn. How does it compare to laying sod and traditional seeding in terms of cost?
\n\n\n\n| Hydroseeding | $0.08 to $0.20 per sq. ft. |
| Sod | $0.87 to $1.76 per sq. ft. |
| Seeding | $0.09 to $0.17 per sq. ft. |
Each service has its own pros and cons. For example, seeding is typically the cheapest, but it’s the most tedious and takes the longest time for the lawn to be fully established. Sod gives you a beautiful lawn instantly, but it’s very expensive. Hydroseeding balances cost and convenience with a slightly shorter (but not instant) wait time for established grass.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Hydroseeding-of-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: BanksPhotos / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nAt $240 to $600 for a 3,000 sq. ft. lawn, it’s typically cheaper to hire a pro to hydroseed your lawn than to do it yourself. Chances are that the average homeowner doesn’t have the necessary equipment or knowledge for DIY hydroseeding.
\n\n\n\nTo DIY hydroseed, you’d need a hydroseeder, which can cost thousands of dollars to buy. You can rent or make your own, but renting costs more than $200 per day, and homemade hydroseeders aren’t as reliable.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll also need to calculate the right amount of slurry for your lawn. Using too little or too much slurry will most likely end in disaster. That’s assuming you used a good ratio of the hydroseed slurry components, too. You can avoid the hassle of figuring out all these logistics by hiring a pro to hydroseed your lawn instead.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere are some of the advantages of hydroseeding:
\n\n\n\nSeed germination is typically faster with hydroseeded lawns. Expect to see new grass within a week.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHydroseeding is usually performed in spring or fall; summer can work, but you’ll need a lot more water to keep your new, green lawn moist. However, since you’re growing grass from seed, it’s better to hydroseed during the growing season of your chosen grass type(s).
\n\n\n\nA light rain shouldn’t pose a threat to your slurry, especially if it includes a tackifier. Heavy rainfall might be a bit more concerning, but your hydroseed should be fine for the most part.
\n\n\n\nIf you see what seems to be washed away slurry after rainfall, don’t be too alarmed. The slurry may have just been pressed deeper into the ground by the rain.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhile it’s not perfect, hydroseeding is quite a good option to seed your lawn. It’s faster and more convenient than traditional seeding but not as expensive as sod, even when working with large areas. If you’re ready to grow the lawn of your dreams, then why not hire a pro to hydroseed your lawn for you?
Connect with a lawn care pro near you through Wikilawn today so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your weekends without the back-breaking work of planting and maintaining your new hydroseed lawn.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: BanksPhotos / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"How Much Does Hydroseeding Cost?","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/1789c/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/107df/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.jpg 320w,\n/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/293e9/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.jpg 500w,\n/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/f2cbb/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.jpg 800w,\n/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/1789c/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.jpg 960w,\n/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/c26c2/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/1dd6e/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/67b76/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.webp 320w,\n/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/8df11/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.webp 500w,\n/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/98a65/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.webp 800w,\n/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/1dd6e/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.webp 960w,\n/static/ddc5b9a3460ce2c1591f5bf2db104cf0/3cc96/Hydroseeding-of-a-lawn.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How Much Does Hydroseeding Cost? | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Want to grow a new lawn without breaking the bank? Check out how much hydroseeding costs to see if it’s a viable seeding option for your yard."}}},{"node":{"id":"0f0be98b-9879-5e0b-8848-40350eef9b40","slug":"pampas-grass-when-to-plant-it","path":"/blog/pampas-grass-when-to-plant-it/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Sara Pali","id":"4d4f2af5-a178-5520-b6e1-404b933024b2","path":"/author/sara-pali/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dfe0834fb23b5aba6b496b1b6a9774d7?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":"Pampas grass is an ornamental grass with dramatic foliage that produces beautiful showstoppers in landscapes and floral arrangements. Before learning how to plant and grow pampas grass, you need to understand the plant’s needs and when to plant it. This article will show you: When to plant pampas grass How to plant pampas grass […]
\n","content":"\nPampas grass is an ornamental grass with dramatic foliage that produces beautiful showstoppers in landscapes and floral arrangements. Before learning how to plant and grow pampas grass, you need to understand the plant’s needs and when to plant it.
\n\n\n\nThis article will show you:
\n\n\n\nThe best time to plant pampas grass is in early spring, between March and May. This warm-season ornamental grass grows best at temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
\n\n\n\nYou can grow pampas grass from seed in three easy steps.
\n\n\n\nIt takes 2 to 3 years from planting the pampas grass seeds until their feathery plumes form. If you don’t want to wait, garden nurseries and hardware stores often sell more mature plants in 1-gallon and 3-gallon containers.
\n\n\n\nPampas grass grows best in full sun. It tolerates partial shade, so climates in the USDA zones 7-11 are ideal. You’ll find it along the coast of California, the Central Valley, Western Transverse Ranges, and the Mojave Desert. Pampas grass prefers moist, well-draining soil preferring temperatures 75 degrees or higher and high humidity levels.
\n\n\n\nPampas grass tolerates salt spray and high winds, often growing as high as 6 feet in one year. When growing pampas grass from seed, the plant will take from 2 to 4 years to reach full maturity. Because of its size, it needs a lot of space. If creating a hedge, leave 6 to 8 feet between each plant.
\n\n\n\nYou will need to water occasionally if planting pampas grass in a container, but once in the ground, pampas grass is low maintenance. No need for additional watering since it thrives on natural rainfall. Applying mulch around the root zones should keep out weeds and keep the soil moist.
\n\n\n\nPampas grass requires yearly pruning in late winter. Use shears to cut the plant as close to ground level as possible.
\n\n\n\nOver time pampas grass becomes overcrowded, and the center of the plant dies. Propagation keeps the grass healthy and grows new plants. You can do this in the spring by slicing clumps of grass and planting them in another location.
\n\n\n\nPampas grass prevents soil erosion with its strong root system. Once established, it has very few pest problems, and deer don’t find it appealing. Since it’s drought-tolerant, it makes an excellent grass alternative.
\n\n\n\nLike all plants, pampas has its downsides.
\n\n\n\nPampas grass has grass-like foliage and feathery plumes that come in a variety of colors, including white, cream, lavender, and pink. This ornamental grass also comes in several varieties.
\n\n\n\nDwarf varieties of pampas grass are the smallest and shortest of the species. Reaching a height of 3 to 6 feet and a width of 3 to 4 feet, dwarf pampas grass grows in zones 6 to 10. It has green foliage and white, feathery plumes.
\n\n\n\nGold band pampas grass grows in zones 7 to 11. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. Its foliage is green with a lengthwise yellow stripe, and its feathery plume is white.
\n\n\n\nAndes silver pampas grass grows 5 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. Grown in zones 6 to 10, it has a silvery-white, feathery plume and gray-green foliage.
\n\n\n\nSilver comet pampas grass has a creamy-white, feathery plume. Its foliage is green with two white stripes on each blade’s edges. Grown in zones 7 to 10, silver comet pampas grass grows to a height and width of 4 to 6 feet.
\n\n\n\nPurple pampas grass is also known as Andean pampas grass. It’s the tallest and largest on this list, growing to heights of 15 to 20 feet tall and up to 19 feet wide. With deep green foliage and purple or pink feathery plumes, purple pampas grass grows in zones 7 to 11.
\n\n\n\nMale and female flowers differ in pampas grass, with the female plants displaying more color. Male plants lack the silky hairs that cover the flowers and make pampas grass so dramatic. Pampas grass is often propagated by separating the female and male clumps.
\n\n\n\n1. Does pampas grass come back every year?
\n\n\n\nYes. Pampas grass is a perennial plant that grows from spring through fall. It goes dormant in the winter.
\n\n\n\n2. Is pampas grass poisonous to dogs?
\n\n\n\nNo. According to the ASPCA, pampas grass is non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, but the sharp edges can sometimes cut their paws.
\n\n\n\n3. When does pampas grass bloom?
\n\n\n\nPampas grass blooms in late summer through early fall. In warmer climates, it can bloom throughout the winter.
\n\n\n\n4. How do I dry pampas grass to use in a floral arrangement?
\n\n\n\nWrap the stems together with some string and hang them upside down in a dry place for about three weeks. Use care when handling the dry stems to keep the plumes from shedding.
\n\n\n\n5. How do I care for pampas grass in a floral arrangement?
\n\n\n\nYou’ll need to cut pampas grass’s feathery plumes when they become fluffy before they begin to shed. Inspect plumes for insects and lightly shake to remove. To prevent further shedding once cut, lightly spray with aerosol hairspray. Hang to dry.
\n\n\n\nWhen indoors, keep pampas grass plumes away from direct sunlight and high humidity. Pampas grass’s feathery plumes last up to 2 years when dried.
\n\n\n\n6. How do I remove pampas grass?
\n\n\n\nRemoving pampas grass can be labor-intensive. UC Master Gardeners of Napa County recommends removing the plant by hand when the soil is moist, before its feathery plumes bloom. You’ll need to remove the roots as well.
\n\n\n\n
If you love the feathery plumes but don’t want to deal with pampas grass’s sharp blades, we can help you find a landscaping professional near you who will plant and prune your plants.
Main Photo Credit: Moshe Harosh | Pixabay
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