![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Flowering-Dogwood-Cornus-florida.jpg\")
Water is one of our most precious natural resources, that’s why many cities and counties put restrictions on lawn watering. The lawn watering restrictions in Raleigh are based on current drought conditions and often change, depending on the current weather patterns. The majority of Raleigh’s water comes from Falls Lake Reservoir in northern Wake County. […]
\n","content":"\nWater is one of our most precious natural resources, that’s why many cities and counties put restrictions on lawn watering. The lawn watering restrictions in Raleigh are based on current drought conditions and often change, depending on the current weather patterns.
\n\n\n\nThe majority of Raleigh’s water comes from Falls Lake Reservoir in northern Wake County. The water is treated at the E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant, which process and distributes more than 48 million gallons of water per day.
\n\n\n\nOur area has had a few years of plenty of rainfall along with two watersheds for our community. As of mid-2019, there are no watering restrictions in Wake County, but that could change if we see some of the dry conditions plaguing the southern end of the state. Check the U.S. drought map regularly to see which areas are hurting. The city will also update its website if it becomes necessary to issue restrictions.
The city encourages everyone to practice permanent conservation measures. Under these measures, lawn watering anytime is permitted, but landscapes should receive only 1 inch of water per week. These voluntary guidelines should keep the reservoir from falling to a dangerously low level:
\n\n\n\nThe city has a series of trigger points for imposing restrictions, based on the level of the Falls Lake Reservoir and the time of year. For example, if levels drop below 65 percent of capacity in June, the city will put stage 1 restrictions in place. That means you’ll only be able to water your lawn once a week on a day designated by whether your address ends in an odd or even number. If the reservoir levels should fall below 30 percent in June, stage 3 restrictions go into place. In that case, all lawn watering (even the city’s athletic fields) is off limits.
\n\n\n\nViolating the city’s water restrictions could cost you a fine of up to $500.
\n\n\n\nThe city also offers a reuse water program that treats wastewater into reclaimed or nonpotable water. This helps lower the effect of a drought for homeowners who use this water for their lawns and gardens. The reuse water is not for human, pet, or livestock consumption.
\n\n\n\nYou can get recycled water at the Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility, in Southeast Raleigh, or at the facility at Little Creek WWTP in Zebulon. The reuse water is free, but you’ll have to complete a certification training before picking it up.
\n\n\n\nTaking advantage of the city’s reuse water program is a great way to keep your lawn hydrated even during a severe drought. Cutting down on your lawn size and choosing to xeriscape is another way to decrease your water consumption. Remember, in times of drought, you can do without.
Interested in more information about gardening or lawn care in Raleigh? Visit our Raleigh, N.C., lawn care page.
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\n","content":"\nUnlike many other cities across the United States, Kansas City is in a fortunate position when it comes to water supply. The Missouri River provides an abundance of water flowing through the metropolitan area — more than enough to provide for Kansas City’s drinking and irrigation needs, without the need for water restrictions.
\n\n\n\nBut during hot, dry summers and periods of unexpected drought, the KC Water division will put the kibosh on your watering plans. While the city can usually handle its water needs, you’ll want to keep your eyes and ears open for news of any watering restrictions in Kansas City, Mo.
\n\n\n\nThe city treats and distributes water to 170,000 residences and businesses in greater Kansas City, as well as 32 wholesale customers in the metro area. The water division is now working on system development plans for expected growth within the region.
\n\n\n\nMunicipalities within a short drive from KC are likely to have watering restrictions when water treatment facilities hit their near-capacity for several days in a row. This sometimes happens in Gardner, Kansas. When the Hillsdale Water Treatment Facility operates at more than 90 percent capacity for five days straight, Gardner will issue the following mandatory water cutbacks:
\n\n\n\nLawn watering and car washing for even-numbered addresses are OK in Gardner before 10 a.m. and after 9 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Homeowners whose addresses end in odd numbers may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. When it comes to refilling a swimming pool, you can do that only one evening a week after sunset. Want to completely fill a privately owned pool? That will have to wait until the city lifts the watering ban.
\n\n\n\nNearby Cameron, Mo., has seen its share of drought during the last few summers. Even with four reservoirs, mandatory water restrictions go into effect during these droughts and high usage. Cameron is part of the Tri-State Water Resource Coalition, which is building new water lines for surrounding areas.
\n\n\n\nIt’s easy to forget that water is a precious resource. There are several ways to preserve this liquid gold:
\n\n\n\nA single person uses about 100 gallons of water a day to drink, bathe, perform personal hygiene, and clean their house. That number goes up significantly when you water the lawn or fill the swimming pool.
\n\n\n\nThe best reason to conserve water is so that we don’t run out. This is a community-wide effort because it’s easy to assume the tap will continue to flow, even in severe drought. Your water company does its best to fulfill demand, but it cannot control the weather. Another reason to cut back on water and energy usage is more tangible. Who doesn’t want lower utility bills?
\n\n\n\nYour water division is working on long-term projects to improve the water main lines. Updating the infrastructure of KC includes improving sewers and wastewater treatment. The city gets its drinking water from the Missouri River and surrounding floodplain. It’s cleaned and sanitized from lawn fertilizers, oil, dirt, pet waste and whatever other pollutants it picks up along the way.
\n\n\n\nIf you have questions about Kansas City tap water, or if there are restrictions in place, the division is open during regular business hours.
\n\n\n\nDo you have questions about lawn care and gardening in Kansas City? Visit our Kansas City lawn care page.
So, you just installed a new lawn. What next? How about choosing plants to finish off your landscaping? But not all plants are ideal for DC’s climate, which ranges from cold and snowy in the winter to steamy in the summer. Consider going with native these nine plants that look great and are well-adapted to […]
\n","content":"\nSo, you just installed a new lawn. What next? How about choosing plants to finish off your landscaping? But not all plants are ideal for DC’s climate, which ranges from cold and snowy in the winter to steamy in the summer. Consider going with native these nine plants that look great and are well-adapted to our four seasons in Washington.
\n\n\n\nThe top candidates are:
\n\n\n\nNative plants have adapted to the our climate, meaning they don’t need as much maintenance as non-native plants. They also come with the following benefits:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nFound in gardens and yards throughout the DC area, the flowering dogwood is a popular and well-recognized small tree. White, showy, fragrant flowers bloom in the spring (which attract pollinators like bees and butterflies), giving way to red berries in the fall.
\n\n\n\nWhile stressed, flowering dogwoods are susceptible to diseases like powdery mildew, although none are life-threatening.
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Grows best in partial shade but can tolerate full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nSoil: organically rich, moist, acidic soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 15 to 30 feet, sometimes reaching 40 feet.
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-Redbud-Cercis-canadensis-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nWith its beautiful pink and purple spring flowers and heart-shaped leaves, the eastern redbud is a DC favorite. It’s used as a garden accent under larger trees. Wildlife love the pods that release seeds in the fall.
\n\n\n\nThe eastern redbud’s stems can come down with canker (a fungus), but pruning them eliminates the infection.
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial sun, full shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Dry or moist soil
\n\n\n\nSoil: Any moist, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 to 30 feet tall, with a 25- to 35-foot spread.
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Serviceberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Morefield / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nIf you need a small tree for your garden, consider the serviceberry. This early flowering tree has edible fruits (similar to blueberries) and, in the fall, brilliant orange-red foliage. Its flowers provide pollen and nectar to beneficial insects and birds.
\n\n\n\nServiceberries are vulnerable to diseases, which can make their fruit inedible to people (but not wildlife). Disease severity varies from year to year, partially due to weather conditions.
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Acidic, moist, and well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 15 to 25 feet tall, with a 15- to 25-foot spread.
\n\n\n\n![\"File:Viburnum](\"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Viburnum_dentatum_3zz.jpg/800px-Viburnum_dentatum_3zz.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nNo matter the season, the arrowwood viburnum offers something of interest. White flowers bloom in late spring, followed by blue and black drupes (fruits) in the summer and fall, which birds and small animals love. In the fall, arrowwood viburnum turns yellow, orange, or red.
\n\n\n\nArrowwood viburnum prefers dry, moist, or wet soils and full to partial sun. It grows in an irregular, rounded shape.
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Dry, moist, or wet soil
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam or sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6 to 10 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Winterberry-Ilex-Verticillata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for a shrub that provides beauty in the winter months, the winterberry holly is a good choice. In the fall, it loses its leaves and grows bright red berries that birds and moths love.
\n\n\n\nWinterberry holly is dioecious, meaning there are male and female flowers on separate plants. The females produce berries, while the males provide the pollen the females need.
\n\n\n\nSome winterberry hollies bloom earlier than others. The more overlap between male and female blooms, the better the pollination and berry production.
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moist or wet soil
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, well-drained, acidic (doesn’t like neutral or basic soils)
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6 to 12 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"berries](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Callicarpa_americana.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Korall / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nYou would expect a plant with “beauty” in its name to be beautiful, and the American beautyberry delivers on that front. Lavender flower clusters appear in the summer, giving way to magenta fruit in the fall.
\n\n\n\nIf you want the best fruit, plant the American beautyberry in full sun and dry, acidic soils. However, this shrub manages just fine in partial shade.
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 7 to 11
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low (one inch per week)
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4 to 8 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Partridge-Berry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nAnother favorite of winter gardens, partridge berry has deep, dark-green leaves and scarlet berries. In late spring, pairs of white flowers bloom. Both flowers in each pair need pollination before a single berry appears.
\n\n\n\nPartridge berries prefer shade but accept the morning sun. When planted in the garden, they’ll form a thick ground cover and only demand you keep garden debris away from them.
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to deep shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Acidic, good drainage, moist, occasionally dry
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moist or wet soil
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 inches
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Swamp-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nWant pollinators? Plant swamp milkweed. This plant attracts numerous beneficial insects, hummingbirds, and native bees. It grows flat clusters of pink and white flowers, and exudes a milky juice when broken.
\n\n\n\nSwamp milkweeds thrive in any type of garden soil as long as it doesn’t completely dry out, especially in the spring. Because of this, it’s a great addition to a native plant garden.
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay or loam
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moist or wet soil
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red_Columbine_3630187830-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nContinuing with pollinator favorites, we have the red columbine. Its nodding, red, bell-like flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It generally lives 3 to 5 years and doesn’t need to be divided. However, it needs sun to partial shade and dry and moist soil.
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, silt, or sandy soil that’s well-drained, moist, dry-ish
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Weekly or whenever the soil is completely dry
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nYou can plant perennials as early as February. If you have any annuals, plant them in April.
Invasive plants are non-native plants that can cause economic, environmental, and health harm. They don’t have natural predators, produce many seeds, and grow aggressively.
It isn’t recommended, as poaching seeds and plants from wild areas will deplete these areas of the seeds they need to be self-sustaining. Nurseries will raise these native plants or ensure they weren’t stolen from the wild.
Take a look at your backyard. You might have some of these plants growing there. If you don’t, or if you want to buy more, the nation’s capital has plenty of nurseries to buy them, such as:
\n\n\n\nOnce you buy your fill of native plants, your lawn is next. Outfit it with some of the best grass types in Washington, DC, to ensure the healthiest lawn possible. However, you don’t need to lift a finger, unless it’s to pick up your cell phone and call one of Wikilawn’s local pros to do the work for you.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: cultivar413 / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
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\n","content":"\nBoston is known for its Emerald Necklace, defined by the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed system of green spaces. You can have a little bit of the Emerald Necklace in your landscape with the correct selection of the best grass types for your Boston lawn. These are recommendations for seed or sod.
\n\n\n\nIn this article
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kentucky-Bluegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ethan2039 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nWant a lawn that feels perfect under bare feet? Something soft, able to withstand kid’s play or lounging on the lawn? Kentucky bluegrass is the way to go. Although it requires a little more maintenance, Kentucky blue is one of the top choices in lawns throughout the country.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance includes regular irrigation, mowing and fertilization to retain its bluish-green good looks, even in winter. Pay particular attention to irrigation. Adequate nitrogen application is important, too. Always read and follow the label directions.
\n\n\n\nIf it gets too hot and dry and there’s no irrigation, Kentucky bluegrass will go dormant. Cooler weather, rain or renewed watering the lawn will revive it quickly, unless it went more than about six weeks without water.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Perennial Ryegrass
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Unlike Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass is a good low-maintenance alternative for your Boston landscape. Perennial rye can handle foot traffic and child play, and is great for relaxing on the deep green turf.
\n\n\n\nThe blades of perennial ryegrass are medium textured rather than fine like Kentucky bluegrass. Because it germinates quickly, it sometimes is mixed in with other grass types for overseeding or to fill bare spots. Although a clump grower, it may compete with other grasses to create an odd-looking mix in the lawn. Use about a 20% perennial rye when mixing with Kentucky blue or fine fescue.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass is susceptible to fungal diseases like red thread and dollar spot. Several cultivars of perennial ryegrass contain beneficial fungal endophytes. These internal compounds help protect plants and enhance growth.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fine-leaf-Fescue.jpg\")
Fine-leaf Fescue
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
This type includes creeping fescue, chewings fescue and hard fescue. Each can be used alone or mixed with other grasses. Fine fescues have medium to dark green narrow leaves. They tolerate acidic or low pH soil and also tolerate shade and drought.
\n\n\n\nFine fescues do not like hot humid conditions, heavy fertilization or excess foot traffic, however. These may also get fungus disease, such as red thread. Although considered low maintenance, fine fescues do best when irrigated and mowed regularly.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tall-Fescue.jpg\")
Tall Fescue
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
As a rough-and-tumble lawn grass, tall fescue is at the top of the list. It is rooted in lawns throughout the country and appreciated for its low maintenance and durability. It tends to grow quickly in spring and fall, especially in open, sunny areas.
\n\n\n\nAlthough slow to establish, tall fescue requires little fertilizer and resists many pests and diseases. This makes it ideal for Boston homeowners who don’t want lawn worries. The leaf color ranges from medium to dark green with a bit of a rough. texture. Newer varieties have been developed with finer textures.
\n\n\n\nThe only warm-season grass that is winter hardy in the Boston area is zoysiagrass. It is available in the market, but homeowners should give it some thought before planting it.
\n\n\n\nAlthough it has many attributes, they may not offset other zoysia habits. For instance, zoysiagrass turns brown as soon as temperatures drop and returns to medium green when the warm season returns. In cold climates, zoysiagrass tends to be brown for a longer period than it is green.
\n\n\n\nZoysia also spreads by under- and above-ground stems (rhizomes and stolons). It readily creeps out of its space to gardens and landscape beds and the neighbor’s yard. Your neighbor will hate it.
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass withstands heat, drought and foot traffic, but will thin in shade. It rarely needs to be mowed. It does need regular aeration, however. Also on the plus side, its dense growing habit discourages weeds.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses like zoysiagrass grow most actively in late spring and summer when temperatures are around 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. They perform best in the Southern United States.
\n\n\n\nA good lawn and garden center will stock the type of seed that is best for your Boston lawn, but it’s important to understand that most turf grass seed is a blend of seeds. The reason there are mixes is to get a fast-germinating seed to come on first to hold soil in place while slower-germinating seeds start to grow. Usually, a mixed seed selection can be used broadly in the landscape, from moderately shady locations to full sun. Grass seed also is sold as individual types.
\n\n\n\nBuy the best grass seed you can find. Grass is inexpensive compared to other plants in your Boston landscape. Current grass seed products are much improved over what your parents or grandparents sowed.
\n\n\n\nNewer products have been perfected with coatings that ensure good germination, such as a mini dose of fertilizer and enough moisture to get the seed growing.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses grow most actively in early spring and fall when temperatures are around 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re well-suited to northern climates with distinct seasons and cold winters.
\n\n\n\nThe best time to sow grass seed is from mid-August to mid-September. The soil still retains summer warmth to help the seed germinate. Rains in fall also help grass seed take root and grow.
\n\n\n\nEven overseeding – sowing seed to fill in bare spots or thicken the lawn – is best down in early fall.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re a busy bee and want to save time, opt for perennial ryegrass and fescues.
Fine fescue is the best option for lawns with abundant shade.
Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass can withstand a lot of foot traffic. Zoysiagrass is also good for a busy lawn.
Fine fescue doesn’t require as much watering as other grass types. Zoysia also needs little watering.
Don’t have time to keep up with your lawn care duties? Hire a Boston lawn care pro to turn your lawn into an emerald jewel.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Unsplash
\n","title":"The Best Grass Types For a Boston Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4943960149439601,"src":"/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/1789c/Grassy-Lawn-3.jpg","srcSet":"/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/107df/Grassy-Lawn-3.jpg 320w,\n/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/293e9/Grassy-Lawn-3.jpg 500w,\n/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/f2cbb/Grassy-Lawn-3.jpg 800w,\n/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/1789c/Grassy-Lawn-3.jpg 960w,\n/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/c26c2/Grassy-Lawn-3.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/1dd6e/Grassy-Lawn-3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/67b76/Grassy-Lawn-3.webp 320w,\n/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/8df11/Grassy-Lawn-3.webp 500w,\n/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/98a65/Grassy-Lawn-3.webp 800w,\n/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/1dd6e/Grassy-Lawn-3.webp 960w,\n/static/86e6d238eeb89cef0308e3c00537bc4e/3cc96/Grassy-Lawn-3.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Best Grass Types For a Boston Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Reseeding some bare patches in your grass or putting in a new lawn? Here are the grass types that thrive best in Boston."}}},{"node":{"id":"a4e75d9b-f16b-507e-bfdc-4cc2b8c2df04","slug":"best-grass-types-rochester","path":"/lawn-care/mn/rochester/best-grass-types-rochester/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Farah Nauman is a freelance writer and an accountant based in Pakistan. She spends most of her time combating the South Asian heat and being a mom to her three fluffy cats and a dozen little Aloe Veras in her house.","name":"Farah Nauman","id":"26059a96-5dc7-50a2-8fe4-f35b865ab4a8","path":"/author/farah-nauman/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6ec8e652d318d98583d29f520928b219?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"559d4c6e-5b85-5b4a-86c3-1f1a5351df4b","name":"Minnesota","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mn/"},{"id":"81c547d6-a94b-5762-9dfb-75324fbdf17a","name":"Rochester","count":1,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mn/rochester/"}],"date":"April 11th, 2023","excerpt":"In Rochester, we get to enjoy all four seasons to the fullest. So do our plants. Yet some homeowners here struggle with grim, dull, or worn-out lawns. It might be your grass itself. It’s essential to choose a grass type for Rochester that can thrive in our tough climate and tolerate all types of soil […]
\n","content":"\nIn Rochester, we get to enjoy all four seasons to the fullest. So do our plants. Yet some homeowners here struggle with grim, dull, or worn-out lawns. It might be your grass itself. It’s essential to choose a grass type for Rochester that can thrive in our tough climate and tolerate all types of soil conditions.
\n\n\n\nSo if you’re changing your lawn, building one from scratch, or repairing tired sections, these grasses will primp it up.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nGrass comes in an array of colors and textures, and each has different properties that allow it to thrive in certain conditions. It’s important to know the differences and then apply that knowledge to build a great, enduring lawn because your grass has a major impact on the overall appearance and health of your landscape.
\n\n\n\nAll grasses come in two categories – warm-season and cool-season grasses. Each of these has unique characteristics.
\n\n\n\nIn stands to reasons that cool-season grasses will hold up better in Minnesota’s bitter cold. Here are the best.
\n\n\n\n![\"Backyard](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpeg\")
This cool-season grass species is best adapted to cool-weather conditions. Kentucky bluegrass is winter-hardy and grows in a variety of soil conditions. It thrives in the moist, cool weather of Rochester, but gets a tad bit slower during hot and dry summers. This grass is excellent for Minnesota’s lakeshore regions since it loves sandy soils.
\n\n\n\nTypically, it is mixed with perennial ryegrass to encourage germination speed – taking the average 1 to 3-month germination and establishment period for Kentucky bluegrass to only a few weeks.
\n\n\n\nWith Kentucky bluegrass in your yard, you get a beautiful dark-green color that won’t fade with damage or extra foot traffic. It’s quick to recover from injury, resilient to traffic, and spreads rapidly.
\n\n\n\nThe only downside to planting Kentucky bluegrass in your lawn is its poor tolerance of drought and shade. Plus, the year-round maintenance required to keep it sharp might not be every Rochester resident’s cup of tea.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes (underground stems)
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low, prefers sunlight
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: High
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2 – 2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Vulnerable to catching diseases such as dollar spot, leaf spot, and necrotic ring spot
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones: 2 – 7
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tall-Fescue.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ty Haller / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAnother hardy option for Minnesota’s cold winters, tall fescue isn’t bothered by drought or heat, owing to deep roots. that allow it to survive harsh weather and heavy foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue turf is dark green and has a rougher look than bluegrass and ryegrass because of its wide blades. These tough grass blades handle stress well, which is why tall fescue is commonly used in playgrounds. The tall fescue grass type is also resistant to pest problems and diseases.
\n\n\n\nThe best thing about tall fescue is that it’s a great natural weed controller because of its competitive growth rate. It’s super low-maintenance and recommended for beginners and people with pets and children who love to use the lawn.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunches, sometimes rhizomes
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High; it grows back quickly after suffering damage
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2 to 3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones: 2 to 7
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nWith strong defenses and a rapid growth rate, perennial ryegrass is popular with homeowners who prefer low-maintenance lawns. This grass type has a very fast germination rate but spreads somewhat slower than other grass varieties.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass prefers medium fertility levels and well-draining soil. If you’re considering ryegrass for your lawn, make sure you know the difference between common and improved varieties of this grass species. Common perennial varieties don’t tolerate cold too well, so it’s not an ideal pick for a Rochester lawn. Improved perennial ryegrass is more winter-hardy and offers rapid coverage and erosion protection.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunches
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1.5 to 2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High, susceptible to red thread, brown patch, and rust
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones: 2 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/3881264882_501698f330_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nVery similar to perennial ryegrass, annual ryegrass germinates, grows, and establishes fast. It is also known as wintergrass or Italian ryegrass in some parts of the U.S. It’s a less commonly used solution for controlling erosion in lawns and for adding quick color to a dull yard. This makes it a great choice for thinning lawns.
\n\n\n\nThis grass type is an ideal pick for winter overseeding of warm-season lawns because of its qualities. Annual ryegrass is very hardy, resists disease, and withstands foot traffic. It has shallow roots, which means annual ryegrass won’t do great in drought-like conditions. You can spot this grass type from its lime-green, shiny, and coarse grass blades. It thrives in sunny conditions and will die in late spring to early summer.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunch type
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1 to 3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones: 5 to 6
\n\n\n\n![\"Blades](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3820997510_5ae18bbfb3_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nAn excellent choice for golf courses, creeping bentgrass is a commercial-grade turfgrass with fine-textured, bright green leaves. The leaves are narrow, flat, and rolled in the bud. Creeping bentgrass stays a low-growing grass even after complete development. It has a shallow root system that makes it less tolerable to drought.
\n\n\n\nCreeping bentgrass is a very high-maintenance grass type because it needs frequent mowing, watering, aeration, lots of fertilizer, and dethatching.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Very high
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 0.125 to 0.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones: 3 to 6
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis is a great option for homeowners looking for a low-mowing, low-maintenance turfgrass. Fine-leaf fescue can grow in acidic, infertile soils and maintains a dense appearance, especially in varieties such as chewing fescue. Creeping red fescue grows more finely in comparison, but all varieties are easy to grow.
\n\n\n\nFine fescue thrives in full sunlight but can grow in shady areas too. It tolerates drought and diseases but doesn’t do well with poorly drained soils.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes and stolons, depending on the variant
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2 inches and higher
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones:
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are quite low-maintenance grasses and are easy to grow, even for beginners.
Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are quite low-maintenance grasses and are easy to grow, even for beginners.
Early fall is a good time to plant grass seeds because consistent rainfall and warm soil temperatures at that time of the year encourage fast seed germination and better root development.
Now that you know the appropriate grass types your Rochester garden can grow, you have the knowledge to make the right choice. Make sure you choose the grass type according to your lifestyle and the level of maintenance you’re willing to put in.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re putting together a garden, make sure you consider planting the best native plants for Rochester that will cope with the climate conditions here and grow well with little maintenance.
\n\n\n\nSelecting the perfect grass type is just the first step. Build and maintain a healthy lawn with the help of Wikilawn’s pros, who are just a few clicks away.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: House, Rochester, Minnestoa / Bobak Ha’Eri / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5
\n","title":"6 Best Grass Types for Rochester, Minnesota","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/1789c/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/107df/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/293e9/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/f2cbb/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/1789c/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/c26c2/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/1dd6e/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/67b76/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.webp 320w,\n/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/8df11/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.webp 500w,\n/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/98a65/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.webp 800w,\n/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/1dd6e/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.webp 960w,\n/static/b67a77e68738ae5b1c44d03c390627f2/3cc96/2010-1014-PillHillRHD-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"6 Best Grass Types for Rochester, Minnesota | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Trying to fix your sad little Rochester lawn? Your grass might not be hardy enough to withstand Minnesota's weather extremes. Try these"}}},{"node":{"id":"0cfc9f93-8f67-5c81-bd98-61c8dd8b922d","slug":"best-native-plants-idaho","path":"/lawn-care/id/best-native-plants-idaho/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Michelle Selzer is a web developer, technical writer, and Linux enthusiast from the hills of Tennessee. Her hobbies include collecting toys, hiking to waterfalls, and writing short fan-fiction stories.","name":"Michelle Selzer","id":"ce795c2b-f287-56e6-a311-f91628ed456a","path":"/author/michelle-selzer/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05a59712d75dec705cc9870b2f909e7?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"227d70eb-59e2-5d7e-9a56-f6dd9d5025be","name":"Idaho","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/id/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"May 14th, 2023","excerpt":"Idaho is known for its beautiful landscape, which includes mountains, rivers, and valleys. Throughout the terrain grows many native plant species, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The best native plants for Idaho are attractive, low-maintenance, and great for the local ecosystem. So, we researched and compiled a list of Idaho’s most sought-after vegetation. In this […]
\n","content":"\nIdaho is known for its beautiful landscape, which includes mountains, rivers, and valleys. Throughout the terrain grows many native plant species, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The best native plants for Idaho are attractive, low-maintenance, and great for the local ecosystem. So, we researched and compiled a list of Idaho’s most sought-after vegetation.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_5039631314_ddce7f9f0e_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Peter O’Connor aka anemoneprojectors / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nCommon yarrow is a flowering plant native to rocky hillsides throughout South and Central Idaho. Its white, yellow, or pink flower clusters sit beside green fern-like leaves. Although it’s deer-resistant, an occasional deer may come for the fresh juicy stems that emerge in spring. Additionally, butterflies and ladybugs love its nectar.
\n\n\n\nAside from its beauty and wildlife support, many homeowners grow yarrow for home remedies that treat indigestion, heartburn, or menstrual cramps. Some people call yarrow “soldiers” or “woundwort” because, during the Civil War, its leaves treated bloody wounds. In addition, Native Americans used yarrow tea to treat headaches and toothaches.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well drained soil, Prefers sandy loams
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Spicey
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium, Drought tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Continuous ingestion may cause a skin rash. Some people are allergic to its sap.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Regularly prune and deadhead.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Golden-Currant.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Morefield / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nGolden currant is a flowering shrub native to hillsides and river valleys throughout Idaho. It’s an attractive plant that supports local wildlife and is often grown as hedges. In early spring, yellow flowers bloom that will later turn orange. Beside its flowers are light green leaves and orange, black, or red berries. Pollinators feast on golden currant’s nectar, while birds eat its seeds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, organically rich
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Spicy and sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March-July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, Drought-tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 – 10 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: They are non-toxic, but some people get a headache or upset stomach if they eat too much.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Mulch helps them thrive.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/7283693140_bf740f092e_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: born1945 / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nLewis’ mock orange, also called syringa, is Idaho’s state flower. It natively grows throughout North, Central, and Southwest Idaho and is most notable for its fragrant white flowers. The delightful orangey scent attracts many pollinators, such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumble bees.
\n\n\n\nOverall Lewis’ mock orange is a lovely shrub that smells delicious. Its big beautiful flowers are complemented by green oval leaves that turn yellow in the fall and small green fruit. However, be careful if you have sensitive skin because touching it may give you a rash.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rocky, nutrient-rich, and well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, orangey, citrus scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early spring and summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium; water in the absence of rain
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4.5 – 9 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: If you have sensitive skin, it could give you a skin rash.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; prune old stems to encourage new growth
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Chokecherry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nChokecherry, or bitterberry, is a native tree with spectacular shade tolerance that forms thickets throughout Idaho. It has attractive clusters of white flowers complimented by red or purple fruit. Although bitter, its fruit is edible and makes tasty jams and sauces. In addition, many animals enjoy snacking on chokecherry fruit through the summer.
\n\n\n\nOverall, chokecherry is easy to grow and maintain, but be aware of its downfalls. Parts of the tree contain toxins that can harm livestock, and its leaves can sometimes cause death when ingested. Additionally, chokecherry is susceptible to insects and diseases.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 2-7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist limestone-based, sand, loam, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Bittersweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – Medium, Drought tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 – 30 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Its leaves, bark, stem, and seed pit are poisonous and harmful to livestock.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: The best time to prune is late winter to early spring.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Big-Sagebrush.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nBig sagebrush is an evergreen shrub native to North Central, Central, and South Idaho. Recognized for its silvery leaves, many Idaho homeowners grow it as hedges or groundcover. In addition, some people use its highly flammable branches as firewood.
\n\n\n\nIt is effortless to care for and provides food and shelter for many animals, including sage grouse, antelope, and rabbits. Big sagebrush is exceptionally drought-tolerant and resistant to deer and most pests and diseases. However, it can get root rot from overwatering.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry, rocky soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – November
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium, Drought-tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3-15 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: They are very flammable.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Leave 4-5 sets of new branches when you prune.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Arrowleaf-Balsamroot.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lunar Magpie / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nArrowleaf balsamroot is an herb native to hillsides throughout Idaho, and you can find it in many wildflower seed mixes. Its large yellow flowers typically grow one per stalk and look similar to sunflowers. Beside its flowers are big arrow-shaped leaves that have a striking silvery-green color.
\n\n\n\nParts of arrowleaf balsamroot are edible for people and wildlife. Native Americans ate its seeds, roots, and shoots, and herbivores like deer and elk enjoy its leaves, stems, and flowers. Additionally, birds feed on its seeds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist sandy or gravelly soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Mild, spicy chocolate
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 8-24 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: They are intolerant to disturbances and don’t transplant well.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: It may need occasional deadheading.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/common-snowberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nCommon snowberry is a bushy shrub found in dry prairies throughout Idaho. It has white and pink flowers, dark green leaves, and showy white fruit. Although common snowberry will grow in partial shade, it bears more fruit in full sun.
\n\n\n\nAside from its looks, snowberry is a vital winter food for many animals, including chipmunks and deer. It also nourishes several birds, including songbirds, quail, and pheasants.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Adadbtabe
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Berries, mint, and cinnamon
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to 6 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: The berries are toxic to humans and some pets.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Early spring is the best time to prune.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rocky-Mountain-Maple.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Walter Siegmund / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe Rocky Mountain maple is a dainty tree native to Idaho’s canyons, mountains, and wetlands. Many Idahoans choose the Rocky Mountain maple because it’s attractive and low maintenance. Its yellow and green flowers bloom in the spring, and its shiny green leaves turn breathtaking shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, well-drained, rocky soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Strong
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – May
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to 30 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It is moderately flammable and should be at least 50 feet from your home.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Keep the soil moist, especially during summer to avoid scorching leaves.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bush-Penstemon.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Walter Siegmund / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nBush penstemon, or shrubby penstemon, is a native herb that is easy to transplant and effortless to maintain. Its showy lavender, blue, and violet flowers sit beside dark green leaves that turn reddish in the fall. It grows wider than tall and attracts moths, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rocky, sandy or regular garden soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Rose-like
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6 – 16 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It is non-toxic, but unhealthy for pets to eat.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Requires little to no maintenance.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bluebunch-Wheatgrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nBluebunch wheatgrass is a native cool-season grass found in Idaho’s mountains and valleys. It grows well from seeds and is quick to establish. Both livestock and wildlife enjoy grazing on it. However, it takes about two growing seasons to be strong enough for feeding, and bluebunch wheatgrass never gets the strength to handle heavy grazing.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry rocky soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – August
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, Drought tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 – 3 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It is a mild allergene.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low maintenance
\n\n\n\nWhen choosing native plants for Idaho, please consider the following:
\n\n\n\nThe best native plants for Boise foothills include the following:
● Big Sagebrush
● Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
● Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa)
● Netleaf hackberry (Celtis laevigata)
The best native plants for North Idaho include the following:
● Chokecherry
● Golden Currant
● Common Snowberry
● Bush Penstemon
● Bluebunch Wheatgrass
● Saskatoon Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
● Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
● Bunchberry Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
● Conifer Broomrape (Orobanche pinorum)
In addition to the plants on our list, homeowners in Central Idaho should consider these native plants:
● Creeping Oregon Grape (Mahonia repens)
● Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
● Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii Pursh)
● Conifer Broomrape (Orobanche pinorum)
The best native plants for Twin Falls include:
● Chokecherry
● Golden Currant
● Big Sagebrush
● Arrowleaf Balsamroot
● Bluebunch Wheatgrass
● Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
● Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
You can purchase idaho native plants at the following nurseries:
\n\n\n\nAnd you can view native plants at the these nature preserves and gardens:
\n\n\n\nThe best way to maintain a pristine landscape is to hire a lawn care pro near you. Experienced professionals know what it takes for your lawn to thrive. In addition to maintaining the lawn, a lawn care pro can tidy up your yard, trim your bushes, and edge native garden beds. Then, with the time you save, you can visit Yellowstone National Park or Perrine Memorial Bridge.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Cory Maylett / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Idaho","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4796547472256474,"src":"/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/1789c/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg","srcSet":"/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/107df/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 320w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/293e9/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 500w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/f2cbb/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 800w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/1789c/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 960w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/c26c2/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/1dd6e/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/67b76/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 320w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/8df11/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 500w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/98a65/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 800w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/1dd6e/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 960w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/3cc96/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Idaho | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"The best native plants for Idaho are attractive, low-maintenance, and great for the local ecosystem. They include trees, shrubs, and wildflowers."}}},{"node":{"id":"065e2a35-ea48-5bf5-932c-bcfd21221180","slug":"low-maintenance-landscaping-ideas-virginia","path":"/lawn-care/virginia/low-maintenance-landscaping-ideas-virginia/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Based in the south of France, Jeffery holds a master of science degree from the International University of Monaco. His hobbies include hiking, cycling, and traveling across Europe.","name":"Jeffery Keusseyan","id":"75c05140-c87e-540a-8d34-da174527f4cc","path":"/author/jeffery-keusseyan/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12a7b239a959b7f6feee4e4b9495d63f?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"ddd20ffd-f767-55d6-8823-27520167ef7e","name":"Virginia","count":20,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/"}],"date":"May 15th, 2023","excerpt":"We all have plenty of reasons to love life in the Old Dominion, from its moderate climate to the stunning work of mother nature. We would rather spend our free time exploring the state parks, botanical gardens, or arboretums. However, spending hours on landscape maintenance and backyard chores will take up most of that time. […]
\n","content":"\nWe all have plenty of reasons to love life in the Old Dominion, from its moderate climate to the stunning work of mother nature. We would rather spend our free time exploring the state parks, botanical gardens, or arboretums. However, spending hours on landscape maintenance and backyard chores will take up most of that time. Spend your weekends relaxing with 7 low-maintenance landscaping ideas for Virginia.
\n\n\n\nWith a low-maintenance landscape design, you can reduce the amount of work, watering, weeding, and mowing required to upkeep your lawn. From hardscape features to automatic irrigation systems, we have come up with a list of ideas for an attractive yard while reducing the amount of maintenance required.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we will cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"Hardscaped](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hardscaping.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHardscapes are naturally low-maintenance landscaping features that improve your outdoor space functions. Given they are non-living elements, hardscaping features won’t require any watering, pruning, or fertilizing.
\n\n\n\nHowever, they would still require the occasional cleaning and care. Consulting a professional landscaping company or hiring a pro will help you pick the right feature, and ensure minimal maintenance throughout the year.
\n\n\n\nSome examples of low-maintenance hardscaping features include:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of hardscaping:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: The cost depends on the project size and the type of feature you choose. Expect to pay between $2,100 and $6,000 for a pergola, $5,365 and $9,025 for a gazebo, $1,140 and $3,690 for a water feature.
\n\n\n\n![\"Xeriscaped](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Xeriscape-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: teofilo / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe aim of xeriscaping is to use as little water as possible, while still maintaining an attractive and eco-friendly landscape. It helps you create a beautiful and cost-effective backyard with barely any chores to complain about.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, xeriscaping is a wildlife-friendly approach, as it can attract beneficial insects and pollinators. If you have enough experience, you can save money by making it a DIY project, but installation can be back-breaking work.
\n\n\n\nXeriscaping has become very popular over the years, helping you reduce the amount of water used by 50% to 75%.
\n\n\n\nBelow are some examples of xeriscaping:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of xeriscaping:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: On average, the cost of xeriscaping ranges from $5 to $20 per square foot.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4608457413_921dff2b0e_c-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Rachel Kramer / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nApplying mulch is an easy, cheap way to keep your garden healthy and hydrated. It is used to suppress weeds, retain moisture in the soil, and keep the soil cool. It can also help make your garden bed look more attractive. Fortunately, spreading mulch around your plants is a simple DIY task. There are two types of mulch for you to choose from:
\n\n\n\nOrganic mulch:
\n\n\n\nInorganic mulch:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of mulch:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: The amount you spend on mulch depends on which type you choose. Wood mulch costs between $3 to $5 per 2 cubic foot bag, while landscape gravel costs between $4 to $30 per 0.5 cubic foot bag.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Salicyna / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNative plants grow naturally in Virginia, as they are accustomed to the state’s climate and soil conditions. They usually need little care to survive, though may require the occasional pruning. Native plants help keep the local ecosystem healthy, and provide a source of food for critters and wildlife. Be sure to conduct thorough research before selecting plants for your lawn, such as the area’s plant hardiness zone.
\n\n\n\nThere are plenty of Virginia-native plants, including low-maintenance shrubs, for you to choose from. Below are some examples:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of native plants:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Depending on the plant’s type and size, expect to pay between $600 and $3,000 per flower bed, $150 and $3,000 per tree, $25 and $50 per shrub.
\n\n\n\n![\"Eastern](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Eastern-Redbud.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Plant Image Library / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPerennials are a great way for you to obtain a low-maintenance landscape. Unlike annuals or biennials, perennials live for several years and require little care once established. In addition to adding beauty to your landscape, these plants will prevent you from having to buy new plants every year!
\n\n\n\nVirginia lies between USDA plant hardiness zones 5a and 8a. Be sure to pick the right plants that can thrive in your region.
\n\n\n\nSome perennials for your low-maintenance lawn:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of perennials:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: The cost of perennials depends on the plant’s size, type, and whether you hire a pro to complete the landscaping project. On average, a perennial plant will cost you between $10 and $100.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/24445181093_9f2de37aff_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aqua Mechanical / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis type of irrigation system is programmed to automatically water areas of the yard with a specific amount of water. You may also set a specific time and duration for the system to switch on. With this type of technology, you can maintain a healthy lawn without manually watering the grass or plants yourself.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of automatic irrigation systems:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Hiring a landscape contractor to install an irrigation system will cost you between $2,000 and $4,900, depending on your yard size and the system you choose.
\n\n\n\n![\"Artificial](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Artificial-Grass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Nick Bastian / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere may not be a clear winner in the debate between synthetic and natural turf, but synthetic grass will stay green all year round with minimal work. Over the years, artificial turf has become a popular low-maintenance landscaping option. It can withstand heavy foot traffic, and reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Synthetic grass may appear very life-like that your envious neighbors won’t be able to tell the difference!
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of artificial turf:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: On average, the cost of getting artificial turf professionally installed ranges from $5 to $20 per square foot.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to boosting the local ecosystem, a low-maintenance landscape may benefit homeowners just as much. Native plants such as trees will absorb CO2 and release oxygen into the air, contributing to a better quality of air. Low-maintenance landscaping may also help reduce allergens, such as mold and pollen.
Groundcovers are low-growing plants that are a valuable addition to your low-maintenance landscape. They keep your yard green and full. Replacing turfgrass areas with groundcovers means less time spent on watering, mowing, and other maintenance work, just like low-maintenance plants or native trees.
Advantages of groundcovers:
• Retain moisture in soil, help prevent erosion
• Attract beneficial insects
• Reduce the use of chemical herbicides
• Improve your lawn’s visual appeal
• Lower maintenance requirements than grass
Here are some Virginia-native groundcovers for your low-maintenance garden:
• Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum)
• Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
• Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)
• Eastern teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens)
Virginia lies in the transition zone, so it’s tough to pick one grass type for every lawn in the state. Both cool- and warm-season grasses can thrive in this state, given its hot summers and moderately cold winters. However, we will recommend two low-maintenance grass types based on which region in Virginia you reside in.
If you live in a warm region, such as Tidewater, then centipedegrass is the best way to go. This warm-season grass is called ‘lazy man’s grass’ because it requires less maintenance and mowing than other warm-season turfgrasses.
On the other hand, tall fescue is a bunch-type grass that can thrive in almost every region across the state, such as Northern Virginia. It is the most heat-tolerant cool-season grass, and has a decent heat and drought tolerance. It does not produce significant thatch, though may still require the occasional mowing.
Check out our guide on the best grass types for Virginia to learn more about the grasses that thrive in your region.
\n\n\n\nWith all of the ideas mentioned above, it may seem like the right time to transform your backyard into a low-maintenance landscape. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before getting started on the project. Always consider the local climate, soil type, native plants, and other key factors to get a beautiful and sustainable backyard.
\n\n\n\nSome hardscaping features may have a high initial cost, but they will prove to be a worthwhile investment over time. Low-maintenance landscaping can save you plenty of time, support the local ecosystem, and improve your home’s curb appeal.
\n\n\n\nYour lawn might still require the occasional mowing, pruning, or trimming. Looking for a Virginia lawn care pro near you? We have trusted lawn care pros in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Richmond, Alexandria, and many more cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Michel Rathwell / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"7 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Virginia","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/1789c/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/107df/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.jpg 320w,\n/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/293e9/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.jpg 500w,\n/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/f2cbb/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.jpg 800w,\n/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/1789c/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.jpg 960w,\n/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/c26c2/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/1dd6e/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/67b76/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.webp 320w,\n/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/8df11/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.webp 500w,\n/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/98a65/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.webp 800w,\n/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/1dd6e/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.webp 960w,\n/static/6009045a3a45c3c588ba5047dd336b89/3cc96/Black-eyed-Susan-Flowers.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"7 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Virginia","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Spend less time worrying about outdoor chores and get creative with these 7 low-maintenance landscaping ideas for Virginia."}}},{"node":{"id":"36ce7c7b-d94e-58a3-a1f6-1eab325ec71f","slug":"fall-lawn-care-checklist-murfreesboro","path":"/lawn-care/tn/murfreesboro/fall-lawn-care-checklist-murfreesboro/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Kimberly Magerl enjoys growing fruits and vegetables in her garden. When she isn't gardening, Kimberly enjoys trying new recipes and cooking with her home-grown herbs.","name":"Kimberly Magerl","id":"bdf803c6-4d01-5c0e-88b1-1ea590340a8a","path":"/author/kimberly-magerl/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45ebe89479badde7ee7cb5108a96462c?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"27e940f6-30a2-50ad-939d-b73973245b23","name":"Murfreesboro","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tn/murfreesboro/"},{"id":"5b679b70-01bd-54c3-aa31-693dd631b9f5","name":"Tennessee","count":11,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tn/"}],"date":"May 25th, 2023","excerpt":"Pumpkin spice lattes, fans flocking to watch the Blue Raiders, and hiking trails full of changing fall leaves are just a few of the `Boro’s fall favorites. With temperatures in the 70s and college football just around the corner, the last thing you want to do is mow your lawn. However, successful spring lawn care […]
\n","content":"\nPumpkin spice lattes, fans flocking to watch the Blue Raiders, and hiking trails full of changing fall leaves are just a few of the `Boro’s fall favorites. With temperatures in the 70s and college football just around the corner, the last thing you want to do is mow your lawn. However, successful spring lawn care begins in the fall, and September is a crucial month for fertilizer. Follow our fall lawn care checklist to maintain your lawn and prepare it for the winter playoff season.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nResidents love Tennessee’s mild autumns. The southern state is in the transition zone, and both warm and cool-season grass varieties grow well in its soils. Proper fall lawn care from September through November sets the foundation for your landscape during the winter months and spring green-up. Proper maintenance during these cool transition months helps your lawn grow deeper, stronger roots.
\n\n\n\nFall lawn care benefits include:
\n\n\n\n![\"dethatcher](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hand-scarifiers-g35cd23e32_1920-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nMurfreesboro’s mild fall gives way to a short, cold, and wet winter, causing some cool-season grass cultivars and most warm-season grass cultivars to go dormant, developing thatch. Thatch is the tight, intermingled layer of dead grass, living grass blades, and roots that accumulate above soil level but below eye line visibility. Thatch insulates grass roots and makes your turfgrass more resilient, but too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
\n\n\n\nDense thatch causes:
\n\n\n\nDethatch your lawn during its active growing season using a dethatcher, also known as a lawn scarifier. Watch for thatch that is a half inch or more thick, spongy turf, footprints, increased pest activity, and active diseases. Dethatchers work like a complex rake to remove thatch, bringing it to the surface of your lawn for collection. Always remove the loose layer of thatch immediately to avoid suffocating your turfgrass.
\n\n\n\nIt is important to identify your grass variety. Tennessee cool-season grass cultivars like Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass actively grow in the fall and early spring. Warm-season varieties such as bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and centipedegrass hit their green-up phase in late spring and summer. Dethatch your cool-season lawn in early fall and save your warm-season cultivar dethatching session for spring.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/8704115339_808a6b275c_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Oregon State University / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nOxygen allows your turfgrass to establish deep roots and a dense appearance. Aeration is a common method to introduce this element back into struggling lawns with restricted root growth, allowing for water and nutrients to permeate more easily.
\n\n\n\nThere are two types of common aeration: core aeration and spike aeration. Aim to aerate your Murfreesboro lawn to stimulate root growth following your dethatching schedule: early fall for cool-season varieties like fine fescue, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass and mid-spring to early summer for warm-season grasses like bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and centipedegrass.
\n\n\n\nCore aerators extract cores of soil to create small holes so the soil can breathe. This method leaves leftover cores of soil on the surface of your lawn, adding beneficial nutrients and microorganisms to decrease thatch naturally.
\n\n\n\nCore aeration is the best method for the middle Tennessee region with its well-drained loam, limestone, or clay-based soils. These alkaline soils retain less moisture, heat more quickly, and have an abundance of phosphorus. Core aerators do a better job of breaking up sand or rock particles, reducing compaction, increasing air exchange, and improving water and nutrient access.
\n\n\n\nSpike aerators poke small holes in the ground with a rotating punch. This method does not remove material from the soil, so there is no chance of natural de-thatching.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_soil.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures
\n\n\n\nEarly fall is one of the best times to test your soil to ensure it has all the nutrients it needs to thrive. Middle Tennessee is home to many soil types and some are nutrient deficient. It is important to understand exactly what nutrients your grass is lacking. Murfreesboro homeowners should send in a soil sample for testing in September.
\n\n\n\nSimply send in a one-cup core sample to receive your results detailing amendments you can make to improve your soil. Common amendments include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium applications and lime for soil pH imbalances.
\n\n\n\n![\"Thick](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/green-lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures
\n\n\n\nLate summer and early fall are the best times to seed your cool-season lawn in Murfreesboro, while spring is the best time to seed warm-season cultivars. The active growing season encourages fresh growth, filling in thin and patchy areas.
\n\n\n\nOverseeding involves spreading new grass seed over existing turfgrass to fill thin areas. Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass are cool-season cultivars that respond well to fall overseeding.
\n\n\n\nPrepare to seed your cool-season Tennessee lawn in late August or early September. Spread 0.5 to 1 pound of seed per 1,000 square feet.
\n\n\n\nDepending on your turfgrass cultivar, a fall fertilizer application promotes deep roots and sets your grass up for success during its fall green-up or winter dormancy period. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing can harm your landscape, so it is important to start with a soil test. The best time to apply fertilizer depends on your turfgrass cultivar, while the best type of fertilizer for your lawn depends on your unique soil sample test results.
\n\n\n\nFertilizer comprises three primary nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Labels have three numbers, such as 5-10-5, which means the fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 5% potassium. Select a fertilizer ratio to satisfy your soil test results.
\n\n\n\nFall is the best time to fertilize cool-season grass cultivars like fine fescue, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass as they hit their active growing season. Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn on Sept. 1, Oct. 15, and Nov. 15 to improve root depth and turf density. Be sure to select a fertilizer that satisfies your soil test results with the proper N-P-K ratio.
\n\n\n\nA fall fertilizer application helps warm-season turfgrasses like centipedegrass, Zoysiagrass, and bermudagrass resist winter weeds and improves turf color and spring recovery rates. Fertilize your warm-season lawn with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn around Sept. 1. Pay attention to the potassium and phosphorus needs on your soil test results and select a low-nitrogen, high-potassium or phosphorus blend, if needed.
\n\n\n\nLime is a fall soil amendment like fertilizer composed of limestone rock ground into powder. It contains calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. The addition of lime to your turfgrass increases nutrients and soil alkalinity, spreading beneficial bacteria. The ideal pH for your soil depends on the type of turfgrass in your landscape. Apply lime in September, October, or November if your soil test recommends it.
\n\n\n\n| Grass Type | Ideal pH Range |
| Bermudagrass | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| Centipedegrass | 5.0 – 6.0 |
| Fine Fescue | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| Tall Fescue | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| Zoysiagrass | 6.0 – 6.5 |
![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mow-More-Cut-Less.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere
\n\n\n\nThe `Boro’s subtropical climate and four distinct seasons make for interesting weather, especially in the fall. The city’s autumns are warm with a 49% chance of cloud cover and give way to short, wet, and cold winters. Your grass variety determines your unique mowing schedule and lawn height.
\n\n\n\nUnfortunately, it is tempting to mow your lawn short and make less work for yourself, but most grass types benefit from longer grass blades in the fall. Cutting your grass short leaves it vulnerable to injury, weeds, and cold stress. Taller grass blades develop deeper roots, setting your lawn up for winter success and a better spring green-up.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season cultivars like bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and centipedegrass benefit from higher mowing heights in the fall to increase insulation and encourage deeper roots before winter.
\n\n\n\nRaise the height of your cut by a half inch in mid-September. Continue mowing through fall until the first frost. To avoid injuring your lawn, never mow low or scalp your lawn in the fall, and never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade.
\n\n\n\nYou should mow every seven to 14 days within the recommended range for your grass type. Do not collect clippings unless you see large clumps on your lawn. Always aim to cut less, more often.
\n\n\n\nCool-season Tennessee grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass hit their active growth phase in the early fall after summer dormancy
\n\n\n\nMow cool-season grasses to their recommended heights every seven days during fall. Aim to decrease mowing frequency to every 14 days in mid to late spring when growth has slowed.
\n\n\n\n| Grass Type | Recommended Mowing Height |
| Bermudagrass | 0.75 – 1.5 inches |
| Centipedegrass | 1 – 2 inches |
| Fine Fescue | 1.5 – 2.5 inches |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 1.5 – 2.5 inches |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 1.5 – 2.5 inches |
| Tall Fescue | 2 – 3 inches |
| Zoysiagrass | 0.75 – 1.5 inches |
No matter what variety of turfgrass your lawn has, Murfreesboro lawns seldom need daily irrigating in the fall unless it is brand new. Water as needed early in the morning throughout fall. Winters in the `Boro are usually wet, providing more than enough precipitation for your plants and turfgrass.
\n\n\n\nYou will know it is time to water your turfgrass when you notice a dark blue-gray color, footprinting, or wilted, folded, or curled leaves. Water all Tennessee turfgrass varieties twice per week if it hasn’t rained, aiming for a half inch of water per session to moisten the top 4 to 6 inches of soil and encourage deeper roots.
\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 1.0
\n\n\n\nYour best defense against lawn disease is routine maintenance, including watering, fertilization, and proper mowing heights. Tennessee’s mild fall temperatures and subtropical climate create the perfect environment for lawn diseases and fungi, including large patch, dollar spot, helminthosporium diseases, rust, nematodes, and stripe smut.
\n\n\n\nLarge patch is a fungus that appears as brown, circular patches several feet in diameter. This disease affects bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue. It does not respond well to fungicides. The most effective control and prevention method is proper lawn maintenance.
\n\n\n\nMonitor patches and improve drainage and air movement. Limit fertilization in affected areas and avoid over-watering.
\n\n\n\nDollar spot is caused by a Tennessee soil-dwelling fungus that thrives in the warm, moist weather of spring and fall. It affects bluegrass, ryegrass, bermudagrass, and Zoysiagrass. Watch for circular brown or yellow spots that look like dollar coins.
\n\n\n\nLike most fungi, treat dollar spot with proper lawn maintenance. Maintain nitrogen levels by applying a nitrogen-based fertilizer and minimize moisture stress by ensuring proper drainage. Always water deeply and infrequently in the early morning to reduce foliage wetness.
\n\n\n\nFairy rings, caused by mushroom or puffball-producing fungi, affect all Tennessee turfgrasses. Be on the lookout for an arc or ring of dead grass surrounded by healthy grass. Many infections also produce mushrooms or puffballs around the ring.
\n\n\n\nLike large patch, fairy rings do not respond well to fungicides. Till or remove the soil around the affected area and reseed for severe infestations. For mild infestations, remove thatch, aerate, and perform routine maintenance, ensuring proper irrigation.
\n\n\n\nHelminthosporium diseases affect all turfgrass species. Numerous fungi species cause these leafspot diseases, affecting grass blades, crowns, or roots. Watch for dark, circular lesions that expand to light-brown dead turf. Most diseases affect roots and crowns, causing turf thinning and fading, especially during cool, moist fall weather, but occur year-round in Murfreesboro.
\n\n\n\nCombat infections with proper lawn maintenance. Improve air circulation by removing thatch. Avoid fertilization and post-emergent weed killers while the disease is active. Monitor and fix drainage issues and avoid over-watering to prevent active and future infestations. Apply a fungicide at the first signs of infection.
\n\n\n\nNematodes affect all Tennessee turfgrasses. These unsegmented roundworms need moisture to survive, and populations peak in the fall. The best prevention method is proper lawn maintenance to develop dense roots.
\n\n\n\nWatch for yellowing and thinning turf, especially during dry periods. Apply nematicides like Indemnify to affected areas alongside routine lawn maintenance and proper yard drainage.
\n\n\n\nRust is a tissue-dwelling fungus affecting Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and Zoysiagrass. Spores germinate through moisture and dew, and active infections pop up throughout spring into fall. Be on the lookout for yellow flecks and raised areas on grass blades and thinning, wilting turf.
\n\n\n\nTreat rust using a fungicide, and prevent this Tennessee turfgrass disease with proper lawn maintenance. Improve drainage, reduce thatch buildup, and increase the time between irrigation sessions to minimize leaf moisture.
\n\n\n\nStripe smut is a fungus affecting Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. It is a serious fall disease causing stunted root growth, stiff and erect leaf blades, and a yellow and brown appearance.
\n\n\n\nOnce an outbreak occurs, smut fungus grows rapidly in fall temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Treat the turfgrass disease with proper lawn maintenance, including infrequent but deep waterings and proper fertilization. Fungicide applications can help reduce active infections.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Common-Chickweed.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Lazaregagnidze / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nWeeds love Murfreesboro’s subtropical climate. These pests signify an underlying problem with your lawn’s health, including low-nitrogen levels, imbalanced pH, and thinning turf. Weeds siphon vital nutrients, water, and sunlight from your turfgrass and spread pests and diseases. Two common methods of weed control include post-emergent and pre-emergent herbicides.
\n\n\n\nAll cool-season Tennessee turfgrasses, including tall fescue, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass benefit from a fall application of pre-emergent herbicide designed to kill seeds before germination. Additionally, both Zoysiagrass and bermudagrass benefit from a September pre-emergent herbicide application to control annual bluegrass, a common Tennessee weed.
\n\n\n\nWhile these herbicides will not control existing perennial weeds, they will help control the emergence of new winter annual and perennial broadleaf and grassy weeds.
\n\n\n\nCommon winter grassy weeds in Murfreesboro:
\n\n\n\nPost-emergent herbicides disrupt the growth of winter broadleaf weeds that become a nuisance during Murfreesboro falls. Always apply the herbicide directly to the active weed. Wait 30 days between applications, and never apply more than two applications per year.
\n\n\n\nCommon winter broadleaf weeds in Murfreesboro:
\n\n\n\n![\"raking](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pxfuel.com-4-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nLocations with four seasons like Murfreesboro attract many homeowners with promises of warm summers, changing fall foliage, and a chance for a white Christmas. Watching leaves change from green to autumn gold, bronze, and red is something to look forward to as you sip your pumpkin spice latte and gear up for Friday night football. Unfortunately, the colorful leaves drop to the ground, creating a fluffy and crunchy layer over your lawn.
\n\n\n\nLeaves block out the sun, trap moisture, reduce airflow, and lead to dead spots of turfgrass. They increase pest problems and spread disease, so be sure to remove them as soon as possible. Wait until the leaves are dry to rake and prepare to rake your lawn before the first frost.
\n\n\n\nBe sure to remove the leaves and layer of thatch left behind. It does not matter if you rake as your leaves fall or wait until all the leaves in your yard have fallen.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMost homeowners can stop mowing their warm-season Murfreesboro lawns in mid-October. These cultivars include bermudagrass, centipedegrass, and Zoysiagrass.
Homeowners with cool-season varieties, including Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and fine fescue, can typically stop mowing after the first frost in early December.
Warm-season turf gasses like bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and centipedegrass will go dormant during the end of fall and the beginning of winter. These cultivars dry out and turn brown.
The best way to determine if your grass is dormant is by pulling on it. If the grass comes out of the ground easily, it is likely dead. However, if there is resistance from deep roots when you pull on your grass, it is dormant.
No. While some homeowners overseed their warm-season grass with perennial ryegrass to maintain a year-round green lawn, it is not recommended for healthy warm-season turfgrass. The ryegrass slows spring green-up, competing with your warm-season turfgrass and stealing vital nutrients. It is best to allow your warm-season grass to enter natural dormancy during the cold winter months. Warm-season Tennessee turfgrasses include Zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and centipedegrass.
Mild fall weather creates a prime environment for routine yard work that will set your lawn up to take on the wet, cold Tennessee winter and prepare it for a better green-up in the spring. Be sure to check out our spring lawn care tips to get a jump start on what you can expect from your long-term maintenance plan.
\n\n\n\nIf you are short on time and would rather watch football or hit the trails, contact a Murfreesboro lawn care pro to help your lawn establish deep roots so it can survive the winter.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Tarpely Farm-Murfreesboro / rossograph / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n","title":"Fall Lawn Care Checklist for Murfreesboro, TN","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.606425702811245,"src":"/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/1789c/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/107df/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.jpg 320w,\n/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/293e9/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.jpg 500w,\n/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/f2cbb/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.jpg 800w,\n/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/1789c/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.jpg 960w,\n/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/c26c2/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/1dd6e/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/67b76/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.webp 320w,\n/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/8df11/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.webp 500w,\n/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/98a65/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.webp 800w,\n/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/1dd6e/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.webp 960w,\n/static/6c339f5887a463f982079d568b2f34fe/3cc96/Searcy_%25E2%2580%2593_Matthews_%25E2%2580%2593_Tarpley_Farm_-Murfreesboro_TN.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Fall Lawn Care Checklist for Murfreesboro, TN | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover 11 valuable tips for maintaining a fall lawn in Murfreesboro and prepare your grass for the cold Tennessee winters."}}},{"node":{"id":"5270115d-cf39-5d28-9b40-ac24a6e9ec35","slug":"6-best-grass-types-for-northern-virginia","path":"/lawn-care/virginia/northern-virginia/6-best-grass-types-for-northern-virginia/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Based in the south of France, Jeffery holds a master of science degree from the International University of Monaco. His hobbies include hiking, cycling, and traveling across Europe.","name":"Jeffery Keusseyan","id":"75c05140-c87e-540a-8d34-da174527f4cc","path":"/author/jeffery-keusseyan/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12a7b239a959b7f6feee4e4b9495d63f?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"5dd0bcb4-bbab-5a8b-9920-c939eab0b702","name":"Northern Virginia","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/northern-virginia/"},{"id":"ddd20ffd-f767-55d6-8823-27520167ef7e","name":"Virginia","count":20,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/"}],"date":"April 30th, 2023","excerpt":"Located close to our nation’s capital, Northern Virginia boasts distinct character and historical gems. From Old Town Alexandria to the Sky Meadows State Park, there are plenty of charming locations for locals to be proud of. But after having too many adventures, what if you feel like relaxing in your own backyard? By exploring the […]
\n","content":"\nLocated close to our nation’s capital, Northern Virginia boasts distinct character and historical gems. From Old Town Alexandria to the Sky Meadows State Park, there are plenty of charming locations for locals to be proud of. But after having too many adventures, what if you feel like relaxing in your own backyard? By exploring the best grass types for Northern Virginia, you will transform that grim-looking turf into a lush, green lawn.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we will cover
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith a wide variety of grass types to choose from, it is important to distinguish between warm- and cool-season grass. Here are some of their main differences:
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses thrive when temperatures range from 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. They actively grow in late spring and summer, entering dormancy as temperatures drop in winter. Warm-season grasses have low frost-tolerance, enjoy high temperatures, and require less water than cool-season grasses. They include Zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, centipedegrass, and St. Augustinegrass.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses thrive when temperatures range from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They tolerate frost and lower temperatures, actively growing in spring and fall. Cool-season turfgrasses include tall fescue, creeping red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass.
\n\n\n\nSituated between Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah Valley, the Northern Virginia region lies in the transition zone. It is situated in plant hardiness zones 6b to 7b. What matters the most for turfgrasses is the fact the transition zone allows for cool- and warm-season grasses to thrive.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses tend to grow better in Northern Virginia, with a couple of warm-season varieties able to thrive in the area.
\n\n\n\n![\"Tall](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/3863142192_bea9f90f09_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nArguably the best turfgrass for Northern Virginia, tall fescue is quite versatile and valued for its adaptability to a wide range of climates. It has greater heat tolerance than other cool-season grasses. It also has a decent shade and drought tolerance, mainly due to its extensive root system. Tall fescue grows in clumps, which may limit its ability to repair itself after damage.
\n\n\n\nThis grass seed can easily grow in Northern Virginia, providing you with a green and aesthetically pleasing lawn.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height to 2 inches when grass reaches 3 inches tall.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is a rhizomatous plant that is popular among homeowners and gardeners. It produces a dense sod, and forms a dark green turf with good leaf density. This is what helps make it very comfortable to walk on barefoot. This turfgrass can withstand heavy foot traffic, and has an excellent capacity for self-repair due to its aggressive growth habit.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is known for its little to no tolerance for shade, with other varieties such as fine fescue more suitable for shady lawns.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_1perennial_rygrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Levin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nAnother popular species in the area, perennial ryegrass is a key component in cool-season grass seed mixes for northern and transition zone lawns. It flourishes where summers are moderate and winters are cool. This cool-season turfgrass grows in clumps and spreads through vertical shoots rather than rhizomes.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass prefers sunny conditions, but can tolerate lightly shaded lawns. In addition to cool-season grass mixes, it can be used to overseed warm-season turfgrasses to extend the lawn’s winter green period.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Has a bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch is not significant.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height to 1.5 to 2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High. Common diseases include gray leaf spot, red thread, and leaf spot/melting-out.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8, but prefers between 6 and 7.
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers good drainage and fertility, but can tolerate some poor drainage.
\n\n\n\nFine fescue is a drought-resistant, cool-season turfgrass that is popular for home lawns, commercial properties, and golf courses. It has one of the finest leaf textures of all turfgrasses. Fine fescue is distinguishable by its narrow leaf blades, and comes in five subspecies including creeping red. You can plant this grass seed in different types of soil, it will thrive with no issue.
\n\n\n\nWith lower maintenance requirements than Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue is a perfect choice for homeowners with shady lawns.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Creeping red fescue spreads by rhizomes, while other fine fescues are bunch-type grasses, such as Chewings, hard, and sheep fescues.
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low to Moderate, depending on species
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 4 inches, depending on species.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate. Common diseases include red thread, leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, and powdery mildew.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Will not perform well in wet soil conditions. Prefers drier soils and tolerates a wide range of soil types and fertility.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/zoysiagrass-4.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Russbach / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nWith several species and cultivars available, Zoysiagrass is one of the most cold-tolerant warm-season grasses you can grow. It is suitable for the transition zone, including Northern Virginia. This grass type may establish itself slower than other varieties, but it will form a dense carpet of grass beneath your feet. It also has thick, deep roots that help it withstand periods of dryness.
\n\n\n\nFortunately, Zoysia is among those you can overseed with perennial ryegrass for a green winter color. If your family loves playing lawn games and throwing barbecues, Zoysiagrass is a great option for you.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High, but recovers slowly from damage
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low nitrogen fertilization requirements, although, it’s prone to thatch build-up.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 1 and 2 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good disease tolerance overall
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Well-draining, some cultivars more tolerant of a wide range of soils than others
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bermudagrass-3.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson / Flickr / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is a warm-season grass that is more sensitive to cold than Zoysia. It spreads quite rapidly by both above- and below-ground runners. It also has excellent drought, wear, and salt tolerance. Unfortunately, this grass type has a very poor shade tolerance, meaning it cannot thrive underneath tree canopies. Bermudagrass is very difficult to control within flower beds, and is susceptible to insect and disease problems.
\n\n\n\nOverall, it is well-adapted to most soils and can be used in athletic fields, tennis courts, and high-quality lawns.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low; thrives in full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Needs frequent mowing due to fast growth rate; develops thatch easily; needs regular fertilization
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set the mowing height between 0.5 and 1.5 inches for hybrid Bermudagrass cultivars. Mow common Bermudagrass down to 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good resistance to disease, although diseases are common; low resistance to insects
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Tolerates most soil types
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass takes the lead as the fastest growing warm-season turfgrass, allowing it to recover quickly from damage. There is a downside to this, as it can become a very invasive plant in gardens and flower beds. So unless you’re in a rush, there are better varieties such as tall fescue to choose from.
To learn more about other grass types that can thrive in different parts of the state, you can visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension website.
Invasive or non-native plants are a nuisance to any region across the United States. Northern Virginia suffers from one of these invasive species, called the Japanese stiltgrass. It has fast-growing stems that allow it to shade out other native plants or vegetation. It can invade lawns, vegetable gardens, and landscape beds.
If you would like to help clear out these invasive species from Virginia State Parks, you can visit their official website for more information.
Lemongrass is a citrusy plant that is used to flavor Asian cooking such as curries. It can also be infused into essential oils. You can grow this Asian herb in northern parts of Virginia, and they are available to purchase at local international markets.
The best grass types for Central Virginia include:
• Tall fescue
• Perennial ryegrass
• Kentucky bluegrass
• Fine fescue
• Zoysiagrass
• Bermudagrass
Some homeowners wish to limit lawn maintenance and backyard chores, while other families tend to enjoy plenty of lawn games and outdoor activities. Depending on your personal preferences and lifestyle, be sure to pick the right type of grass seed mix that will meet your needs.
\n\n\n\nThere are other ways to spruce up your backyard and create the ultimate outdoor space. Consider low-maintenance landscaping ideas for your Virginia lawn, including native wildflowers and xeriscaping features.
\n\n\n\nLooking for a Virginia lawn care pro near you? We have trusted lawn care pros in Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria, and many more cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Alexandria, Virginia / Farragutful / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"6 Best Grass Types for Northern Virginia","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/1789c/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/107df/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/293e9/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/f2cbb/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/1789c/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/c26c2/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/1dd6e/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/67b76/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.webp 320w,\n/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/8df11/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.webp 500w,\n/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/98a65/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.webp 800w,\n/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/1dd6e/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.webp 960w,\n/static/81420d1abdb0f373ca6685a0c093aead/3cc96/Rosemont_Historic_District_Alexandria_Virginia_04-1-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"6 Best Grass Types for Northern Virginia | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"To avoid confusion with the transition zone, explore the best grass types for Northern Virginia for a healthy, green lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"e0328510-44ac-530d-bfa1-b4c6fabe6e4c","slug":"11-best-native-plants-tennessee","path":"/lawn-care/tn/11-best-native-plants-tennessee/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Judith Gallova","id":"8e48e42f-071a-5523-a889-6dab4c49dd54","path":"/author/judith-gallova/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/537ca09b018493e40c3fb0df17ebacbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"5b679b70-01bd-54c3-aa31-693dd631b9f5","name":"Tennessee","count":11,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tn/"}],"date":"May 15th, 2023","excerpt":"Tennessee is home to unconquered natural beauty, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi River. Against this stunning backdrop, it would be a shame to have a bare, dull yard when you could incorporate some of that natural beauty into your own outdoor space with these 11 great native plants of Tennessee. In this […]
\n","content":"\nTennessee is home to unconquered natural beauty, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi River. Against this stunning backdrop, it would be a shame to have a bare, dull yard when you could incorporate some of that natural beauty into your own outdoor space with these 11 great native plants of Tennessee.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nNative plants grow naturally in Tennessee, so they have a number of advantages over non-natives, such as:
\n\n\n\nTennessee is a diverse state consisting of different regions that vary in climate, hardiness zone, and elevation. Your area may impact your choice of plants. The different regions include:
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Spicebush-Lindera-benzoin-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nSpicebush peaks in the fall when it produces yellow leaves and bright red berries that attract a variety of birds. If you find yourself missing flowers late in the year, don’t worry. In late winter, spicebush flowers with small yellow blooms.
\n\n\n\nAlthough spicebush naturally lives in wet and shady areas, it’s often planted in full sun, where it grows denser. If you’re getting multiple spicebush plants, you’ll need both male and female plants to produce berries.
\n\n\n\nThere aren’t any known toxic effects of the spicebush, but it’s always better to practice caution anyway.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
Sun: Full sun, partial shade
Water needs: Moderately moist
Soil: Prefers fertile, loamy soil but tolerates sandy loam as well
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 6 to 12 feet
Potential hazards: None known, but practice caution in any case
![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Wild-Azalea-Rhodefondron-Canescens.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\nWild azalea grows visually appealing white and pink flowers that bloom from March to April and complement a variety of landscapes. If you decide to plant it, don’t fertilize it and don’t let its leaves get wet. Provide it with well-drained soil to avoid potential problems, and be sure to lay mulch to maintain the plant’s moisture.
\n\n\n\nNote that the wild azalea may scorch in full sun and that it’s susceptible to diseases and insect pests, so be sure to take care of it if you want to keep it looking pretty. However, the plant doesn’t only look great; it also benefits local ecosystems by serving as food for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nYet, take note: the plant is severely toxic, and its ingestion can be fatal. You should never eat it or feed it to animals.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
Sun: Full sun, partial shade
Water needs: Moderate moisture
Soil: Prefers soil with a high organic matter content but tolerates sandy and loam soils; the soil must be acidic
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 6 to 8 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Large-Tickseed-Coreopsis-Major.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxFuel
\n\n\n\nLarge tickseed has bright yellow, showy flowers that will bring vibrancy to your yard year after year. The plant is native to Middle and East Tennessee, so if you’re from either of these regions, it may be a great addition to your garden.
\n\n\n\nLarge tickseed spreads easily, isn’t invasive, and attracts pollinators. It also feeds birds, who like to snack on its seeds, which look like ticks (hence the plant’s name).
\n\n\n\nThe Coreopsis species are listed as non-toxic on the ASPCA website, but there are some reports of toxicity in some Coreopsis varieties. Also note that the plant is susceptible to diseases to some extent.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
Sun: Full sun, partial shade
Water needs: Dry or moderately dry
Soil: Will tolerate most soils, but sandy or rocky preferred
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: No data reporting toxicity for this variety, but practice caution in any case
![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cardinal-Flower-Lobelia-cardinalis-1.jpeg\")
Photo by: ALAN SCHMIERER / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\nCardinal flower’s vibrant, red flowers will make your garden a real showstopper when they bloom in the summer. Because the plant thrives in wet conditions, you’ll want to mulch to retain moisture in the soil. It’s an ideal plant for rain gardens, too. The cardinal flower also provides food for pollinators like butterflies.
\n\n\n\nHowever, take note: this plant is severely toxic, and ingesting it can be fatal. You should never ingest it or feed it to animals.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
Sun: Partial shade
Water needs: Needs to stay moist at all times
Soil: Prefers moderately wet to wet soil that is rich and mildly acidic; likes to live next to streams or in moist meadows or woodland habitats
Duration: Perennial; divide every three years to perpetuate this flower
Mature height: 2 to 4 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Wild-Blue-Phlox-Phlox-Divarcicata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nWild blue phlox, also known as woodland phlox and wild sweet William, produces delicate flowers that range between white, pink, and blue in color. It forms strong colonies over time that are sure to complement any Tennessee yard.
\n\n\n\nFurthermore, wild blue phlox provides a natural habitat for various species and enhances local biodiversity. You may need to protect your phlox plants from rabbits by elevating them or installing a net.
\n\n\n\nPhlox plants usually aren’t toxic, but it’s best to always practice caution anyway. Also, don’t confuse the wild sweet William with sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) or another toxic species that may look similar or have a similar name.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
Sun: Partial shade, full shade
Water needs: Tolerates medium-dry to medium-wet soils
Soil: Widely adapted, but prefers soil with lots of organic matter
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: Up to 1.5 feet
Potential hazards: None known, but practice caution in any case
![\"American](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/American-Beautyberry-Callicarpa-Americana-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nAmerican beautyberry is a shrub mainly found in Eastern Tennessee, although it sometimes appears in Western Tennessee, too. It especially lives up to its name in the fall, when it produces clusters of bright, purple berries. It doesn’t typically have any major pest problems, and it tolerates drought to some extent, too. To control your American beautyberry’s size and keep it looking beautiful, you can prune it in the spring before new flowers begin to grow.
\n\n\n\nBeautyberries serve as a great source of food for various wildlife. Some sources report it as non-poisonous to humans as well. Others, however, claim that it may have mild toxic effects. You can speak to a professional about any dietary changes. There’s a lack of data regarding the plant’s toxicity to domestic animals, so avoid letting them eat it.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Low
Soil: Clay, loamy, sandy, moist, well-draining, rich in organic matter; tolerant of various soil types as long as it gets good drainage
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 3 to 8 feet
Potential hazards: Mild toxic effects reported; a lack of data regarding toxicity to pets
![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Flowering-Dogwood-Cornus-florida-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Hippopx
\n\n\n\nFlowering dogwood is a small tree that produces delicate flowers in the spring and red berries in the fall. If you want to provide food or habitat for local animals, this plant is a great choice. The tree is enjoyed by various wildlife, like pollinators and birds, and bees and butterflies even use the flowering dogwood to lay eggs.
Despite the appearance and name of the flowering dogwood berries, be warned: they’re very poisonous, so neither humans nor pets should ever eat them, or any part of the tree. Instead, allow wildlife that won’t harm itself to snack on it.
Plant type: Small tree
Sun: Full sun, partial shade; prefers partial shade
Water needs: Can handle occasional dryness; prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil
Soil: Prefers high organic matter content; will tolerate sand, loam, and clay mixes
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 12 to 30 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tulip-Poplar-Liriodendron-Tulipifera.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dcrjsr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe tulip poplar is the state tree of Tennessee. It adds beauty to any landscape with its tulip-shaped flowers. If you like a little color variety in your yard, you’ll appreciate that these unique blossoms are green and orange in the summer and turn bright yellow in the fall. Birds and pollinators like to snack on the tulip poplar, too.
Don’t let the tulip poplar’s size intimidate you; although it can reach a height of 120 feet, there are smaller cultivars, like Little Volunteer, that are easier to maintain in backyards.
\n\n\n\nWhile ASPCA lists this tree as non-toxic to some domestic animals, take note that some sources report that this tree is toxic to both people and pets. It’s always better to be cautious.
Plant type: Large tree
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Moist or occasionally dry in well-drained soil
Soil: Slightly acidic loam
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 70 to 120-plus feet
Potential hazards: Some reports of toxicity
![\"Bunch](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Black-eyed-Susan-Rudbeckia-hirta-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan adds a yellow pop of color that is not only attractive to humans but also to pollinators such as butterflies. Although it takes around a year to see the first blossoms, once they appear, they’ll accompany your yard for months.
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan is mainly present in Middle and Eastern Tennessee but can also be found in Western Tennessee. It’s easy to care for and tolerates various conditions, including heat, drought, and cold.
\n\n\n\nHowever, black-eyed Susan is also toxic to animals, so be sure to keep them away. Although the data regarding its toxicity is limited, we know it can also cause allergic reactions and asthma in humans. Don’t consume or touch it, and use protective gloves while handling it.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Water needs: Moderate
Soil: Average, well-draining, acidic
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Brown](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Little-Bluestem-Schizachyrium-Scoparium.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nIf you want your yard to pop even more, you might want to add some ornamental grass, like little bluestem. This grass is bluish in the summer and orange-red in the fall, adding the extra touch of vibrancy you may be looking for.
\n\n\n\nMoreover, little bluestem is a great food source for birds and is also beneficial to butterflies that lay eggs in it. The grass thrives in hot, humid conditions and grows well on hillsides. Once established, it tolerates drought and needs little maintenance. To keep it looking beautiful, cut it back in late winter or early spring.
\n\n\n\nLittle bluestem doesn’t have known toxic effects, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution anyway.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Ornamental grass
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Occasionally; dry to moist
Soil: Any type (clay, loam, sand, rocky) but must be well-drained
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 2 to 4 feet
Potential hazards: None known, but practice caution in any case
![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Common-Yarrow-Achillea-Millefolium.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jitaeri / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nYou’ve probably seen the fragrant common yarrow during a stroll in the park, but why not make this easy-care plant a part of your yard? You can get a pink, white, or yellow variant, depending on which one’s the best fit for your outdoor space. No matter which color variant you pick, your common yarrow will attract pollinators and birds, providing them with nectar and seeds to snack on. Starlings even like to use common yarrow to build their nests.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to encourage more blooms on your common yarrow, be sure to cut off its dead flowers. Even though the plant is tolerant of various conditions, you may need to treat its common problems, such as mildew and root rot. It can also become weedy in poorly managed areas.
\n\n\n\nTake note, that common yarrow is toxic and should never be ingested by you or your pets. Touching the plant may cause irritation.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
Sun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
Water needs: Once established, usually survives on natural rainfall; water no more than once a month in summer
Soil: Tolerates most soil types
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 1 to 3 feet tall
Potential hazards: Toxic
As you can see, there’s a broad selection of native plants that can thrive in your Tennessee landscape. When- picking the ones that are right for your yard, consider factors such as:
\n\n\n\nOf course, if you want a beautiful yard, there’s more to it than planting flowers, shrubs, or trees. You also need to maintain your yard regularly by mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, removing weeds, and watering.
\n\n\n\nNeed a hand? Don’t hesitate to contact one of WikiLawn’s lawn care pros.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo by: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"11 Best Native Plants for Your Tennessee Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/1789c/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.jpg","srcSet":"/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/107df/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.jpg 320w,\n/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/293e9/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.jpg 500w,\n/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/f2cbb/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.jpg 800w,\n/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/1789c/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.jpg 960w,\n/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/c26c2/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/1dd6e/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/67b76/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.webp 320w,\n/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/8df11/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.webp 500w,\n/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/98a65/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.webp 800w,\n/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/1dd6e/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.webp 960w,\n/static/583329a1dc15f1dc90da0a75ac9a9db7/3cc96/Best-Native-Plants-for-Your-Tennessee-Yard.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"11 Best Native Plants for Your Tennessee Yard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"It would be a shame to have a bare yard in the midst of the natural wonders of Tennessee, so here’s a guide to11 popular native plants of the region."}}},{"node":{"id":"49cf8025-44ed-5c88-aaea-764b824e85e4","slug":"lawn-watering-restrictions-denver-front-range","path":"/lawn-care/co/denver/lawn-watering-restrictions-denver-front-range/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Tina Hill is a landscape designer who stages homes before they go on the market. She recently remodeled her own backyard to include covered hardscaped areas along with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace.","name":"Tina Hill","id":"05b33636-8a93-5cbe-a32e-4d72278ff06f","path":"/author/tina-hill/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8f78fd5fd50db11dcceecbeb20de206e?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"be8bb3a1-b40c-57ba-87f7-ff69490271a0","name":"Colorado","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/co/"},{"id":"29926219-60e0-5bc5-88dc-c08300a10daf","name":"Denver","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/co/denver/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"cf022cec-2912-5ff7-87bc-908171ba79ae","name":"Zone 5a","count":3,"path":"/category/zone-5a/"},{"id":"be239975-2b22-5eb4-94d4-09c009503181","name":"Zone 6a","count":3,"path":"/category/zone-6a/"}],"date":"June 25th, 2019","excerpt":"In Colorado, beer is for drinking, water is for fighting! That’s why most communities along the Front Range have lawn watering restrictions in place. These restrictions help preserve the Colorado River Basin and reservoir levels, so there’s enough water for agriculture and recreation. Denver Lawn Watering Restrictions From May 1 to Oct. 1, Denver Water […]
\n","content":"\nIn Colorado, beer is for drinking, water is for fighting! That’s why most communities along the Front Range have lawn watering restrictions in place. These restrictions help preserve the Colorado River Basin and reservoir levels, so there’s enough water for agriculture and recreation.
\n\n\n\nFrom May 1 to Oct. 1, Denver Water allows lawn watering three days a week, and not between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. There should be no water spraying on the asphalt or pooling in gutters or streets. Any leaking hoses or sprinkler systems must be repaired within 10 days.
\n\n\n\nThe watering rules extend to car-washing. Do-it-yourselfers must use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve.
\n\n\n\nThe city makes an exception if you’ve planted new seed or sod. You can water as necessary for up to 21 days, but you must call Denver Water and request a watering exemption.
\n\n\n\nYou may water vegetable gardens and flower beds by hand — by way of a watering can or hose with a shut-off nozzle — during restricted lawn watering hours.
\n\n\n\nAurora
\n\n\n\nThe rules in Aurora and Denver mirror those in Denver, but Aurora Water goes a step further by fining homeowners who break the rules. The first mistake will result in a warning. From there, the fines go up to as much as $250 and even a possible summons. Don’t even think about wasting water in Aurora.
\n\n\n\nLakewood
\n\n\n\nLakewood citizens get their water from Denver Water through third party providers, and they generally follow Denver Water’s rules.
\n\n\n\nThanks to a late spring snowfall, Greeley, Boulder, and Broomfield don’t have mandatory restrictions in place this year, but Larimer County continues to ask residents to practice xeriscaping and plant native flowers that don’t require much maintenance or water.
\n\n\n\nA healthy lawn in the metro area requires attention to detail. Irrigation is only half the battle. Regular mowing and weeding will keep your grass healthy. It’s also best to plant Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass will thrive in our summers and survive our cold winters. Fine blended fescue is also great for lawns along the Front Range since it needs little watering and holds up well. You should only need to water two days a week, three at the most. All three varieties only need about 2.5 inches of water a week. Keep in mind, perennials and shrubs need about half as much water as grass. Too much water will drown or rot root systems and can deprive the soil of needed oxygen.
\n\n\n\nSpeaking of soil, the pH balance of it will also determine the health and lushness of your lawn. Your lawn and garden soils are acidic if they test below 7.0, and alkaline if the number is above that. In Denver, Lakewood and Aurora, soil tends to be alkaline and needs to have composting material added to bring it down to a pH level in which grass will thrive. Your local extension office can test a soil sample for you.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEven if your city has only enacted voluntary lawn watering restrictions, you can still abide by them and have a verdant, lovely lawn all summer and into the fall. As long as you’ve aerated in the spring and fall, two or three deep waterings should be enough to keep the roots hydrated. There’s a reason the city asks you to refrain from turning on the sprinklers between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Watering during the heat of the day causes the moisture to evaporate too quickly, thereby wasting water. Watering at night is also a bad idea since the moisture will sit on the lawn too long, inviting pests and disease. Find the right balance, so there’s enough water left for our crops and rafting.
\n\n\n\nWant to learn more about creating a lush, green lawn in the Metro area? Visit our Denver, CO Lawn care page for more guides and information.
\n","title":"Lawn Watering Restrictions for Denver and the Front Range","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.499267935578331,"src":"/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/1789c/sprinklers.jpg","srcSet":"/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/107df/sprinklers.jpg 320w,\n/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/293e9/sprinklers.jpg 500w,\n/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/f2cbb/sprinklers.jpg 800w,\n/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/1789c/sprinklers.jpg 960w,\n/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/a2a79/sprinklers.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/1dd6e/sprinklers.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/67b76/sprinklers.webp 320w,\n/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/8df11/sprinklers.webp 500w,\n/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/98a65/sprinklers.webp 800w,\n/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/1dd6e/sprinklers.webp 960w,\n/static/9c3c8cebf8cd55af0f2dea1d9dfc537a/7aa54/sprinklers.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Lawn Watering Restrictions for Denver and the Front Range | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Water is Colorado's most precious resource. Check out the latest lawn watering restrictions for Denver and the Front Range and the fines for ignoring them."}}},{"node":{"id":"140abc31-182b-57f8-8fa0-71482628b9f4","slug":"spring-lawn-care-tips-ocala","path":"/lawn-care/fl/ocala/spring-lawn-care-tips-ocala/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Kimberly Magerl enjoys growing fruits and vegetables in her garden. When she isn't gardening, Kimberly enjoys trying new recipes and cooking with her home-grown herbs.","name":"Kimberly Magerl","id":"bdf803c6-4d01-5c0e-88b1-1ea590340a8a","path":"/author/kimberly-magerl/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45ebe89479badde7ee7cb5108a96462c?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"af08368f-1b05-5608-9f05-085fc802e26c","name":"Ocala","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/ocala/"}],"date":"April 3rd, 2023","excerpt":"Dangling Spanish moss and meandering pathways bordered with tall oak trees create a picturesque scene in the heart of horse country. Tucked away in North Central Florida, Ocala’s spring temperatures range from 74 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Take advantage of the pleasant weather and implement our nine spring lawn care tips to help prepare your […]
\n","content":"\nDangling Spanish moss and meandering pathways bordered with tall oak trees create a picturesque scene in the heart of horse country. Tucked away in North Central Florida, Ocala’s spring temperatures range from 74 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Take advantage of the pleasant weather and implement our nine spring lawn care tips to help prepare your yard for the humid Florida summer just around the corner.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpring in Ocala feels like summer to most of the United States. Average March temperatures of 79 degrees Fahrenheit gradually increase to 90 degrees by the end of spring in May. Like most of Florida, residents tend to lawn care year-round.
\n\n\n\nFrom March to May, Floridians care for their warm-season grasses hoping to encourage fresh growth before the extreme heat and humidity take over in June. Spring lawn care in Ocala is more than watering and mowing. As your yard goes through its most active growing season beginning at the end of March, you need to be on the lookout for diseases, pests, and bare spots that need some TLC. With the proper spring maintenance plan, your lawn will be ready to take on the tough summer.
\n\n\n\nSpring lawn care benefits include:
\n\n\n\n![\"pitchfork](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rsz_garden-ga772b33a8_1280.jpg\")
Photo credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nOxygen is the secret weapon for establishing deep roots and dense turfgrass. Aeration is a common lawn method to introduce oxygen back into struggling lawns with restricted root growth. There are two types of common aeration: spike aeration and core aeration. Aerate your lawn in mid-spring to nourish your grass and stimulate root growth before the long, hot summer.
\n\n\n\nA core aerator removes plugs of soil to create small holes so the soil can breathe. This method leaves leftover plugs of soil on the surface of your lawn, adding beneficial nutrients and microorganisms to decrease thatch naturally.
\n\n\n\nCore aeration is the best method for North Central Florida soils. Sandy soils retain less moisture, heat more quickly, and lack the nutrients of other soil types. Core aerators do a better job of breaking up the soil, creating airflow, and improving water and nutrient access.
\n\n\n\nSpike aeration is less effective than core aeration. Spike aerators create small holes in the ground with a rotating punch. Unlike core aeration, this method does not remove material from the soil, so there is no chance of natural de-thatching.
\n\n\n\nYou cannot bake a cake without preheating the oven, and the same goes for your spring lawn. Soil preparation is crucial to the success of your Florida landscape. It provides nutrients for your grass to thrive. Unfortunately, Ocala soils are notoriously sandy and nutrient deficient, requiring fertilization and other nutrient applications. Residents should send in a soil sample for testing in March.
\n\n\n\nSimply collect samples from different areas of your landscape and combine them to create a one-cup sample. Send this sample in to receive your unique results detailing amendments you can make to improve your soil. Common amendments include lime for soil pH imbalances and nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus applications.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close-up](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lawn-Mowing.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wallpaperflare
\n\n\n\nYour lawn feels stressed, just like you. While mowing more is the last thing you want to hear, every time you mow your lawn, you stress your turfgrass, leaving it more susceptible to insects, disease, drought, and sunscald. Taller grass blades develop deeper roots and a more dense appearance.
\n\n\n\nOcala’s subtropical climate requires year-round lawn maintenance. The city’s warm springs lead to early active growing seasons beginning in March. Your grass variety determines your unique mowing schedule and lawn height. To avoid injuring your lawn, never remove more than ⅓ of the leaf blade regardless of your cultivar.
\n\n\n\nAlways aim to cut less, more often. You should mow weekly within the recommended range for your grass type and leave clippings unless you see large clumps on your lawn.
\n\n\n\nGrass growth peaks in March thanks to Ocala’s warm spring temperatures. Bahiagrass is the most low-maintenance warm-season variety. Aim to mow every seven to 14 days to maintain a height of 3 to 4 inches, encouraging deeper roots and a more dense and resilient turfgrass.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is the lowest-growing warm-season grass and the most high-maintenance, requiring weekly to twice weekly mowing sessions. Mow to a height of 1 to 2 inches to encourage deep roots and a better appearance.
\n\n\n\nThe most popular Florida turfgrass requires very particular mowing heights and is prone to scalping and sun scalding. Mow St. Augustinegrass to heights of 3.5 to 4 inches to encourage deep roots and decrease insect activity.
\n\n\n\nThe more frequently you mow this dense turfgrass, the less likely your lawn will develop a buildup of harmful thatch. While some thatch is a good thing, too much is harmful, blocking out light and water.
\n\n\n\nMow Zoysiagrass weekly, aiming for heights of 1.75 to 2.5 inches. Zoysiagrass leaves contain larger amounts of lignin and silica, making them more resistant and difficult to mow.
\n\n\n\n| Grass Type | Recommended Mowing Height |
| Bahiagrass | 3 – 4 inches |
| Bermudagrass | 1 – 2 inches |
| St. Augustinegrass | 3.5 – 4 inches |
| Zoysiagrass | 1.75 – 2.5 inches |
The best watering method for Florida turfgrasses is as needed early in the morning. Unless your lawn is brand new, all varieties respond well to typical drought conditions. It is time to water your turfgrass when you notice a dark blue-gray color, footprinting, or wilted, folded, or curled leaves.
\n\n\n\nWater these warm-season varieties as needed. Aim for ⅔ to ¾ inch of water per application. Each application will moisten the top 8 inches of soil, saturating the roots of your turfgrass.
\n\n\n\nThe roots of bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass are more shallow than other cultivars. Aim to apply ½ to ¾ inch of water per application to moisten the top 4 to 6 inches of soil.
\n\n\n\n![\"Bermudagrass](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/what-is-dollar-spot_800-2.jpg\")
Photo credit: Scot Nelson / Flickr / Public domain
\n\n\n\nThe subtropical climate in Florida creates the perfect environment for lawn diseases and fungi. The best defense against these lawn invaders is a healthy lawn and routine maintenance, watering, and fertilization. Some of the most common diseases affecting Florida turfgrasses are large patch, pythium root, gray leaf spot, take-all root rot, dollar spot, and spring dead spot.
\n\n\n\nLarge patch is a fungus affecting St. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass in winter through the end of spring. Watch for brown, circular patches several feet in diameter. The most effective control and prevention method is proper lawn maintenance, and most infestations do not respond to fungicide applications.
\n\n\n\nImprove drainage and air movement. Monitor patches and limit fertilization in affected areas. Be sure to avoid over-watering.
\n\n\n\nSlow-growing, thinning turf with irregular bleached patches of yellow grass is a sign of the water mold pathogen pythium root. Pythium root occurs in poorly drained or over-watered soils and commonly affects St. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass year-round.
\n\n\n\nAvoid spreading the infection by reducing mowing and watering frequencies. Combat current and future infections by improving drainage and increasing sunlight exposure, if possible. Apply a blend of phosphorus, potash, and nitrogen to the soil to combat active infections.
\n\n\n\nGrey leaf spot is another turfgrass fungus affecting St. Augustinegrass in Ocala beginning in April through the end of summer. Watch for grass that appears yellow, mottled, or scorched. Treat gray leaf spot with proper lawn maintenance.
\n\n\n\nImprove air circulation by reducing or removing thatch. Avoid fertilization and post-emergent weed killers while the disease is active. Monitor and fix drainage issues and avoid over-watering to prevent active and future infestations.
\n\n\n\nTake-all root rot is a soil-dwelling fungus active in spring through early summer. Be on the lookout for yellow or brown grass blades, wilting, horizontal stems, and dark brown roots.
\n\n\n\nTreat the warm-season turfgrass disease using fungicide labeled for take-all root rot. Apply to the affected area in 14-day intervals during spring. Prevent the fungus with proper lawn maintenance by improving drainage, reducing thatch buildup, and increasing the time between irrigation sessions.
\n\n\n\nDollar spot affects bermudagrass and bahiagrass. It is extremely common in the Southeast and is caused by a fungus living in Florida soils. Keep an eye out for circular brown or yellow spots that look like dollar coins.
\n\n\n\nTreat dollar spot with proper lawn maintenance. Maintain nitrogen levels by applying a nitrogen-based fertilizer. Minimize moisture stress by ensuring proper drainage and watering deeply and infrequently in the early morning to reduce foliage wetness.
\n\n\n\nSpring dead spot is another soil-dwelling fungus affecting bermudagrass in Ocala. Watch for circular patches of dead grass ranging in diameter from 6 inches to several feet. The easiest way to spot spring dead spot is to monitor your lawn during its active growth phase in March. Areas affected by spring dead spot will not go through the growth process.
\n\n\n\nTreat spring dead spot by removing thatch and aggressively aerating affected areas to relieve soil compaction and increase airflow.
\n\n\n\nOcala’s subtropical climate creates the optimal habitat for plant growth, including weeds. Weeds invade your lawn, signifying an underlying problem with its health and maintenance plan. These plants thrive in low-nitrogen soils, imbalanced pH, and thinning turf with damaged roots.
\n\n\n\nWeeds steal nutrients, water, and sunlight from your warm-weather grass and spread pests and diseases. The best control and prevention method is optimal lawn health from routine maintenance. However, supplemental chemical methods work in tandem with proper maintenance. Chemical methods include post-emergent herbicides and pre-emergent herbicides.
\n\n\n\nPre-emergent herbicides minimize the number of weeds in your yard by killing seeds before germination. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in March when soil temperatures reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit to control grassy weeds.
\n\n\n\nLook for solutions containing benefin, bensulide, oryzalin, or prodiamine. Wait 60 days and apply a second application of pre-emergent herbicide.
\n\n\n\nCommon grassy weeds in Ocala include:
\n\n\n\nBroadleaf weeds are a year-round problem in Florida. Post-emergent herbicides target annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, disrupting their growth. Use these herbicides year-round to target weeds you can see.
\n\n\n\nDo not use post-emergent herbicides if your lawn is moisture stressed or if temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, be sure to wait a few days after a fresh mow before applying chemical treatments.
\n\n\n\nCommon perennial and annual broadleaf weeds include:
\n\n\n\n![\"an](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Person-spraying-pesticide.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixnio
\n\n\n\nInsects love the year-round warm weather as much as Floridians, and like the seasons, different insects invade particular cultivars at different times. The most common Ocala springtime pests include chinch bugs, hunting billbugs, and nematodes.
\n\n\n\nChinch bugs are the largest threat to your lush St. Augustine lawn. These foliage-seeking insects suck vital plant juices from your turfgrass with peak activity occurring in March and April. Watch for yellow spots in sunny locations, signifying chinch bug activity.
\n\n\n\nDIY collect chinch bugs using a coffee can with both ends removed to create a hollow pipe. Insert the can into the soil inside the affected area. Fill the can with water and leave it for a few days. Chinch bugs will float to the top of the can for removal. If you notice more than 15 chinch bugs per square foot, it is time to call a professional.
\n\n\n\nHunting billbugs are a year-round problem for homeowners with Zoysiagrass. Watch for irregular-shaped patches of dead turf. Hunting billbugs feed on the roots of Zoysiagrass.
\n\n\n\nLike chinch bugs, activity peaks in the spring, and infestations are often misdiagnosed as dormancy. Treat billbugs with an insecticide application containing bifenthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, or imidacloprid.
\n\n\n\nNematodes affect most warm-season turfgrasses and are one of Florida’s most prolific pests. The best prevention method is proper lawn maintenance to develop dense roots. Nematodes are unsegmented roundworms, and unfortunately, Florida is home to numerous types.
\n\n\n\nWatch for yellowing and thinning turf, especially during dry periods. Nematode populations peak in mid to late spring, and nematodes need moisture to survive. Apply nematicides like Indemnify to affected areas alongside routine lawn maintenance and proper yard drainage.
\n\n\n\nSpring is the best time to seed or replant your lawn in Florida. The active growing season beginning in March encourages fresh growth, filling in thin and patchy areas.
\n\n\n\nOverseeding involves spreading new grass seed over existing turfgrass to fill thin areas. Both bermudagrass and bahiagrass are low-maintenance cultivars that respond well to overseeding.
\n\n\n\nPrepare to seed your Florida lawn in early March. Spread 0.5 to 1 pound of seed per 1,000 square feet for bermudagrass and bahiagrass varieties.
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass do not respond to overseeding. Instead, plan to replant large bare areas using sod plugs in March, April, or May. Space plugs 6 to 12 inches apart and water well daily. Keep crabgrass at bay by applying a root-safe pre-emergent herbicide.
\n\n\n\n![\"man](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Person-spreading-fertilizer.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixnio
\n\n\n\nFertilizer promotes healthy growth, and the best time to apply this lawn food in Ocala is in mid-April before the Florida summer heat sets in. The type of fertilizer for your lawn depends on your turfgrass cultivar and your unique soil sample analysis results.
\n\n\n\nFertilizer comprises three primary nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Labels have three numbers, such as 15-10-5, which means the fertilizer contains 15% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 5% potassium. Select a fertilizer ratio to satisfy your soil test results.
\n\n\n\nKeep in mind that Florida’s sandy soil is high in phosphorus, so it is often unnecessary to apply fertilizer containing this chemical. Apply 0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in mid-April, but keep in mind that shaded grass requires less fertilizer than grass growing in full sun.
\n\n\n\nThe Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule mandates that slow-release nitrogen fertilizer applications cannot exceed 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, and quick-release, soluble nitrogen fertilizer applications cannot exceed 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn.
\n\n\n\nUse sprinklers or an automatic irrigation system to apply water in 10- to 20-minute segments, twice per day, until the seeds have germinated. The germination process typically takes seven to 10 days in Florida.
Organic mulch provides moisture retention and nutrients for your plants. Florida residents can take advantage of the year-round warm weather and lay down new mulch anytime. However, the optimal time to lay mulch is in the spring or fall.
Irrigate your lawn in the early morning hours to cut down on evaporation and potential mold growth, which can lead to lawn pests and diseases.
Florida homeowners spend a lot of time outdoors and take pride in their lawns. With the proper spring lawn care schedule, you can enjoy your Ocala yard year-round and protect its lush, green color from the summer heat. Consider planting some Florida native plants alongside your warm-season turfgrass to complete your oasis.
\n\n\n\nIf you need help controlling your active spring lawn, contact an Ocala lawn care pro to help your turfgrass establish deep roots to survive the hot summer.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Ocala Historic District FK1027 / Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"9 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Ocala, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/1789c/Lawn-in-Ocala.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/107df/Lawn-in-Ocala.jpg 320w,\n/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/293e9/Lawn-in-Ocala.jpg 500w,\n/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/f2cbb/Lawn-in-Ocala.jpg 800w,\n/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/1789c/Lawn-in-Ocala.jpg 960w,\n/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/c26c2/Lawn-in-Ocala.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/1dd6e/Lawn-in-Ocala.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/67b76/Lawn-in-Ocala.webp 320w,\n/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/8df11/Lawn-in-Ocala.webp 500w,\n/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/98a65/Lawn-in-Ocala.webp 800w,\n/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/1dd6e/Lawn-in-Ocala.webp 960w,\n/static/c005d8e398ad0b0f46ae9fb2c440417b/3cc96/Lawn-in-Ocala.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"9 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Ocala, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover 9 valuable tips for maintaining a lush spring lawn in Ocala and prepare your grass for the humid Florida summers."}}},{"node":{"id":"77191444-d893-50f4-921f-e7c9fd3e7eeb","slug":"worst-backyard-pests-kansas-city","path":"/lawn-care/mo/kansas-city/worst-backyard-pests-kansas-city/","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":"05d0f445-881a-5277-b62a-ce38f7c7af9f","name":"Kansas City","count":6,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/kansas-city/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"}],"date":"August 1st, 2019","excerpt":"If you have pests in your Kansas City backyard — and chances are you do — you can take these steps to zap them or send them scampering off.
\n","content":"\nFleas, ticks, wasps, ants, spiders, mosquitoes — you name the pest, and Kansas City has it. The same balmy summers that make for thick lawns and backyard barbeques come with the unwanted byproduct of bugs. The worst backyard pests in Kansas City have six legs (or more), can sting or bite or, at the very least, look disgusting!
\n\n\n\nIf you have backyard intruders — and chances are you do — you can take steps to zap them or send them scampering off. Let’s look at the worst of the lot.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sRuIDQ728DZkPno9fMw9DnM0E2w1J-U1s44Q6hd8bEqYXLsEzh2gbH77-l_oV_yuzMXJG9fFWdOZw4dxxE2-cAX-ZsXFYTYmnPfBs-enLhKWQPOj5uCWhobFf3I9j3lr8jLnvTiu\")
This bloodsucker makes the top of the list because ticks transmit more diseases to humans than any other insect — and Missouri has them. The most common here, the American dog tick, carries Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and other infections. Ticks can make pets sick and kill them, and as temperatures warm, we’re seeing more of them. The CDC reports double the cases of tick-borne diseases in the past 10 years. Keeping them out of your yard is a top priority. Bifen IT, Onslaught, and Permethrin help control ticks outdoors. Keeping a well-maintained yard is also crucial.
\n\n\n\nThey buzz, and you swat. They land, and you slap. Beyond being irritating, this flying insect also carries disease. West Nile Virus, though relatively rare, can be deadly. Add to the list zika, malaria, and dengue fever, and it’s no wonder mosquitoes rank as the deadliest creature on the planet. The best preventative steps are to keep your yard clean and do not leave standing water where larvae hatch. Consider a commercial spray that contains sodium lauryl sulfate. DEET products work on skin and clothing.
\n\n\n\nWant to avoid chemicals? Surround your patio or deck with mosquito-repelling plants. The scent of petunias, mint, lavender, and chrysanthemums really bugs mosquitoes. They also hate rosemary, thyme, cilantro, and garlic.
\n\n\n\nUsually mentioned in the same breath as ticks, this tiny parasite likes the shady and moist areas of your yard. Because they feed on any warm-blooded creature, they will quickly attach to your dog, your cat, you, your kids, and your backyard guests. Left untreated, fleas can kill your pet. Flea-transmitted disease in people is rare in the U.S., but doctors are seeing more of them. This lowliest of creatures was responsible for wiping out half the population of Europe in the Black Death of the 14th century. Sprays, powders, pet collars, and ointments are readily available. Look for ones containing carbonyl.
\n\n\n\nWhen these armed insects are around, we don’t care if they’re a wasp, a hornet, a yellow jacket, or a dirt dauber. We just know they sting, it hurts, and we don’t want them on our property. They belong to the insect order of Apocrita and 58 varieties call Missouri home. The best way to be rid of them is with sprays containing tetramethrin. The task is best left to the bravest and fastest member of the family because when the spray hits the nest, they’re going to come out, well — mad as a hornet.
\n\n\n\nA word about bees and wasps. Although bees are from the same family as wasps, they’re less aggressive unless their hives are threatened. Otherwise, they’re content buzzing around and performing the crucial job of pollinating flowers. Since these bugs are essential to our food chain, it’s best to call a beekeeper if you find a hive. The aggressive Africanized or “killer” bee has not made its way to Missouri. And while wasps may bug you, they also eat the pests that feed on your vegetable plants.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Yi3CxzB1LG2HfbUuN95nw1cVBz_ZOcjC2qRFuOhDeU8YVcMxmNDfcYOm5rjfzv_NqgcTWUJ6FxvLWwxdaYpdoGhAKRRLez8RsuKNGukdJs_ZBydETaYKroZk5OT3aBaun_p58xmc\")
Like Rodney Dangerfield, spiders “don’t get no respect.” Even though most of them rid our yards of flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches, their reputation is sullied by a few bad eggs. Think the black widow and the brown recluse, which bite can hurt you. The black widow is common across Missouri and likes to hide under rocks, logs, and in your garden shed. The brown recluse, which also calls Missouri home, prefers to hang out in your closet or sock drawer. A direct shot of commercial bug spray will kill a spider, but because they’re arachnids rather than insects, routine bug sprays won’t keep them away. A smack with a flyswatter does just as good.
\n\n\n\nYou can control the worst backyard pests in Kansas City with pesticides and with some homemade natural remedies. But when you feel your family’s health is at risk — call in the pros!
Looking to learn more about lawn care and gardening in Kansas City? Visit our Kansas City Lawn Care page.
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![Source](\"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/CSIRO_ScienceImage_1739_Testing_soil_pH.jpg\"){kind=link}