Dormant Sodding in Fall/Winter: Risks and Best Practices

In the Southeast, trees and ornamentals are routinely transplanted dormant (late fall/early winter) because root balls are deep enough for continued root growth in cool soils. For turfgrass sod, where roots originate at

Lawn Leveling: Fixing Low Spots and Ruts the Right Way

A neighbors new bermuda sod was laid in March. By May, a checkerboard of weeds filled 1-inch gaps between poorly butted sod pieces. Tire ruts from installation added to the problem. Lumps and low spots plague new and est

Nutsedge Identification: Purple vs. Yellow Nutsedge

Nutsedge is one of the toughest lawn weeds. Two types exist: purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge. The type determines control strategy. Key Differences Yellow vs. Purple Nutsedge Purple nutsedge – forms a chain of rhiz

Take-All Root Rot in St. Augustinegrass: Identification and Home Treatment

My St. Augustine lawn has performed well despite winter freeze predictions, spreading nicely in moderate shade. But a serious threat emerged in 1991 in Florida/Texas: take-all root rot, which can destroy St. Augustine la

Soil Temperatures and Pre-Emergent Timing

Summer weeds like crabgrass need several consecutive days above 55°F to germinate. Surface seeds warm quickly; deeper seeds take weeks. To know if its too late for pre-emergent, check recent soil temperatures. Use an in

Mowing Height Calculations: The 1/3 Rule to Prevent Scalping

When a homeowner reported scalped bermudagrass in fall, I consulted UGA turf specialist Dr. Clint Waltz. The primary issue: mowing frequency. The 1/3 Rule Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade in a single mowing

Homeowner Experiences with 'Thermal Blue' Bluegrass in Georgia

When turf companies market new grasses without long-term university trials in Georgia, its hard to know whether to recommend them. In summer 2005, I collected radio listeners experiences with ThermalBlue bluegrass. This

Lawn Aeration: Why, When, and How to Do It Right

Atlanta soil is heavy clay, easily compacted by rain, foot traffic, and mowing. After a hot summer, it can feel like brick. Digging up the whole lawn isnt practical – but aeration is. Why Aerate? Aeration mechanically p

2005 Homeowner Feedback on New Grass Varieties

In 2005, I asked homeowners to share experiences with newer grass varieties. These responses are not scientific and should only supplement your own research when choosing a grass. Varieties Evaluated Princess bermudagr

Soil Preparation for a New Lawn: The Foundation of Success

Turfgrass establishment has three phases: soil preparation (most critical), planting (seeding, sprigging, or sodding), and 2–4 weeks of post-planting care. Soil prep is the same regardless of planting method. Steps for

Watering New Sod: Establishment Schedule and Techniques

Best watering time: morning before noon, allowing grass to dry before nightfall. Account for rainfall. Check restrictions at www.georgiadrought.com. How to Measure Sprinkler Output Place six identical containers random

Beware of False Lawn Advertisements: Miracle Grasses Don't Exist

Ads promise Lush green lawn guaranteed! Miracle sod! Even grows in impossible spots! Is there truth to these claims? Like most ads, theres some truth – but the devils in the details. Zoysia Plug Ads They truthfully sel

How Much Light Does Your Lawn Need? Turfgrass Sun Requirements

Choosing the right grass starts with assessing sunshine and water availability, plus your willingness to invest labor. Grass Categories Cool-season: Tall fescue – stays green year-round. Warm-season: Bermudagrass, zoysi

Leveling Low Spots in Your Lawn: Two Effective Methods

Even with careful preparation, lawns develop low spots. Best time to level: during vigorous growth (fescue: fall; warm-season grasses: early summer). Two methods work well: Method 1: Topdressing Mix 1 bag dry topsoil w

Growing Grass in Shade: Strategies for Success

After five years of watching grass fail under dense cherry tree shade, I gave up and planted shade-loving perennials – hydrangea, impatiens, hosta, and ivy. The area looks better than ever. This experience underscores a

St. Augustinegrass Fertilization: Warm-Season Schedule and Tips

St. Augustinegrass fertilization follows standard warm-season practices. Fertilizers supply nitrogen (urea, ammonium nitrate, urea formaldehyde, ammonium phosphate). Granular lasts up to 3 months; slow-release is better

Fescue Fertilization: Fall-Focused Schedule for Cool-Season Lawns

Fescue is a cool-season grass with productive growth from September through June. Fertilizer applications should concentrate in fall, winter, and early spring. Base rates on a soil test (details here). Without a test, u

Choosing Lawn Fertilizer: Liquid vs. Granular, Cost vs. Convenience

When a gardener asked about the best fertilizer form for bermudagrass – liquid or granular – I realized the answer comes down to basic math and the convenience versus cost tradeoff we face in many decisions. The Big Pic

Bermudagrass Fertilization: Complete Guide for Home Lawns

Lawn fertilizers supply nitrogen (urea, ammonium nitrate, urea formaldehyde, ammonium phosphate) which bermudagrass needs in abundance. Granular forms last up to 3 months; slow-release products are superior to quick-rele

Zoysiagrass Fertilization Schedule and Best Practices

Lawn fertilizers vary by manufacturer, but all supply nitrogen (from urea, ammonium nitrate, urea formaldehyde, ammonium phosphate) which rapidly-growing lawns need most. Granular products last longer (up to 3 months) th