Care and How-To - Lawn and Turf
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Learn how to manage and repair lawn damage caused by skunks and raccoons searching for grubs. Explore effective strategies including grub control, exclusion methods, repellents, and lawn repair techniques.
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Effective methods to get rid of ground ivy in lawns and gardens. Discover non-chemical options, herbicide recommendations, and lawn care tips to manage this persistent weed and maintain a healthy landscape.
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There are many things to do to the lawn starting in mid-August through October. To keep lawns healthy and thriving, adjust mowing height, aerate, seed or overseed new and thin lawns, remove fallen leaves, water as needed, and fertilize.
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Bumpy, rough, uneven lawns are annoying, difficult to mow, and potentially dangerous. Learn about the factors that cause rough, bumpy lawn and how to manage them.
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Tall fescue is a popular, low-maintenance grass choice in Iowa. It has the highest heat, traffic, and drought tolerance of the cool season grasses. It is well adapted to wet soils, partially shaded sites, and is often used where a low-maintenance lawn is desired. This type of grass turns green in mid-spring and maintains color into late fall.
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Overseeding improves lawn density by sowing grass seed into thin established turf. Best done in late summer or early fall, it involves good seed-to-soil contact and proper care post-seeding.
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Fall garden cleanup helps prepare for winter and the coming spring. When possible, leave the leaves and plant debris to build better soils and support insects and other wildlife.
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Late summer and fall are great times for planting trees, shrubs, bulbs, perennials, lawns, and veggies in Iowa. Follow these tips to establish new plants in your landscape between mid-August and October.
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Most of the time, when we see ants, there is no need to worry; they are quite beneficial. However, if their mounds become a nuisance in the lawn or garden, then there are some steps you can take to manage the mounds (and keep the ants).
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Recommended fertilizer rates can be used to determine the amount of fertilizer to apply to a garden area or lawn. Use these simple calculations to determine the amount of fertilizer needed.
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Core aeration is a great way to improve the health of your lawn. Aeration relieves soil compaction, improves water and nutrient movement in the soil, and prevents thatch accumulation. Aeration improves the growing conditions for the turfgrass plants and results in a healthier, more vigorous lawn.
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When Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season grasses begin to green-up in spring, some home gardeners are dismayed to see brown spots in the lawn. In some cases, the brown spots are dead patch.
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A lush green lawn is a goal for many homeowners, but getting a lush green carpet of turfgrass requires a lot of money and time spent on chemicals, mowing, watering, seeding, weeding, and other chores. While a well-maintained lawn provides a great space for recreation as well as a perfect backdrop for your home and garden beds, turfgrass is not the only option. Beautiful landscapes can also include a lawn created from many other plants that can provide a more interesting mix of color and textures as well as food and habitat for pollinators. All of this while requiring fewer inputs!
Below are several alternative lawn options to consider.
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Watering is one of the most frequent tasks performed in any garden or landscape. Proper watering utilizes water responsibly, reducing evaporation and runoff. There are many ways to make the process easier and better for the gardener and the plants. Use the tips below to water the perennials, annuals, containers, hanging baskets, lawns, trees, shrubs, and vegetables in your landscape.
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Crabgrass is a difficult to manage weed in the lawn. Learn about control of this annual weed, including when to apply preemergent herbicide for the best control.
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Managing a lawn looks different than managing the plants in other parts of the landscape. Below are all the resources you need to grow a beautiful lawn.
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Pollinator Lawns, Bee Lawns, Freedom Lawns
All of these terms refer to the same idea - creating a lawn that is more friendly for insects. -
Learn effective weed management for your garden. Discover types of weeds, their impact, and tips for controlling them to maintain a healthy landscape.
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Establishing a new lawn requires careful planning and effort. Learn the best seeding times, turfgrass selection, site preparation, and maintenance tips for a thriving lawn!
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Corn gluten meal is an organic herbicide and fertilizer that prevents weed seed germination. To be most effective, proper timing and use are essential. Learn more about using corn gluten meal as a herbicide.