Alfalfa Meal on New Seed Bed

QuestionHi Charlotte, First of all thank you for your help! I wanted to clarify and make sure it is safe to put down alfalfa meal on new seeds and young emerging grass? Is it as safe as the sugar I have

black spots on grass

QuestionQUESTION: We have black spots on our grass and my brother lives around the corner and is having the same problems. Its a black spot it wipes off the grass easy and fells like oil. We have seen something whit

Summer lawn

QuestionQUESTION: If one is not supposed to fertilize cool season grass lawns, what is one to do at the end of June when the lawn is browning out and in need of a boost? ANSWER: Irrigate. Though some soil structure

organic question about creeping Charlie

QuestionQUESTION: Is there a safe (i.e. organic) way to eliminate Charlie from my lawn? ANSWER: Creeping Charlie -- Glechoma hederacea to botanists -- also called Ground Ivy, is one of those delightful little weedy

St. Augustine

QuestionHello, I have a yard where the grass is not really growing lushly at all and seems to be stuck in neutral. I saw that you recommeded using sugar and thought that was a strange suggestion since I have n

brown or scorched areas

QuestionMy lawn was sodded in Oct. of 06. This spring it has taken very well, as it is very thick and lush. However, in the last couple weeks I have notice some areas that are brown or possibly even scorched.

new lawn and weeds

QuestionWe had a new lawn put in about 6 weeks ago. Right now, I have mowed the lawn a least 3 times. I have a lot weeds throughout. How can I control the weeds without destroying the new grass? I live in Pennsylvan

AZ. nut grass

QuestionI am having a nightmare trying to get rid a grass here in Az. we call nut grass. This I suspect is a weed as it has been taking over my freshly laid sod. I need help getting rid of this weed. &nb

Fescue turning yellow

QuestionI have read previous answers to similar questions, but not sure the fit for my situation. Established Fescue lawn in Charlotte, NC; I water about 20 minutes 2x week; last fertilized with Scotts in mid-

brownspots on bermuda grass

QuestionI live in San Antonio TX. Last fall Bermuda grass from sod was planted in my front yard. Our soil is clay and rocky and no top soil was put down. The grass looked great until we mowed for the first tim

little flying insect in the lawn

QuestionWhen ever we walk on the lawn we are greeted by a swarm of little bugs (gnat like), that do bite AnswerHi Joe; They could be mosquitos.When I lives in Wyoming, (one summer and one winter only) the mosquitoe

Freshly Planted Grass

QuestionAbout a month ago I planted grass seed in my entire yard. It is now about 3 high. When do mow the grass? Also when is it okay to walk on the grass. I noticed that there are a few patchy spots, should

New Sod installation problem

QuestionI recently was given a free pallet of sod and tried to take advantage of the gift. However, I was given the Sod (which was cut Monday morning), but was unable to install it until saturday morning. &nbs

removing grass yard overtaken by crabgrass

QuestionWe live in Phoenix, ARIZONA --- (HOT and DRY). Our front lawn is about 40 x 50, and has been overtaken by resistent crab grass. Can we just remove the entire yard and start all over? What is the best and eas

Clay Soil Problem

QuestionQUESTION: I have a fairly decent lawn but I notice that the soil seems to be very hard. I do not do any fertilizing mainly because I am pretty lazy but I was wondering if you could help me with this. I

chemicals

QuestionI wish I had read your article earlier.I have tried corn gluten with unsatisfactory results. However, I resorted to using Scotts turf builder 2 to kill a chronic struggle with my weeds. I sense I applied too

Buying organic

QuestionHey Charlotte, Im a small time lawncare guy and have just started a quiet passion with lawns. Ive been reading up on the organic ways of this site, and Im sold. I managed to get over to a local f

Horticultural cornmeal

QuestionI have been looking to purchase horticultural cornmeal but neither the garden centers or the nurseries or the feed stores in my area carry it. The other option is the Internet but the shipping comes as much

controlling wild onions in the lawn organically

QuestionDo you know of an organic way -- no chemicals -- to get rid of or at least to avoid catching wild onions in the lawn? I have a friend who has them everywhere and I thought I would know a solution. But I can

Organic Fertilizer

QuestionQUESTION: I have seen some Craigs List postings about free manure for picking it up. I have every reason to believe these are legitimate postings. Do you have any opinions on using this free manu