When summer turns to fall, cooler temperatures, more frequent rain storms and a few other changes follow along. In order to maximize turf performance and recovery from summer stressors, consider these management actions:
Category: Lawns
Mysterious Eggs are Fall Armyworms (Outbreak 2021)
Wondering what all those fuzzy white masses are all over your house, fence, furniture, lawn ornaments, pergola, shed, etc. These are the eggs of the fall armyworm!
Fertilizer Time!
It’s the first of September…that means for cool season lawns such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, it’s time to fertilize. After a long summer of heat, drought and pests, it’s time.
Fall army worms rearing their ugly heads throughout the US and Nebraska
Many of you may recall the devastating outbreak of Fall army worms in Nebraska decades ago. Well, put your tray tables on the upright and locked position and fasten your seat belts!
Billbugs – Our #2 Lawn Insect
The lawn looks “splotchy brown”…what could it causing it? As you think through all of the possibilities, you are probably also thinking about what you’ve done and haven’t done this year in terms of yard care – fertilizer applications, keeping the turf roots moist, weed control, 3 inch mowing height, sharpened the mower blade – but what about bugs?
Mushrooms in the Lawn
What’s that in the middle of the lawn? They look like mushrooms. If you’ve had a tree cut down in the past few years, they probably are.
Lawns, Kids & Pets
Many families that have a lawn to care for also have children and pets. Are they mutually exclusive? In short, no. However, if you want the 3 of them to thrive and the kids/pets to be safe, there are some common sense guidelines to follow.
Aerating vs. Power Raking
One of the most common questions we get in the horticulture department of Nebraska Extension is “hey, should I aerate or power rake my lawn?”. We hate to answer the question with “it depends”, but that’s really the answer, because each procedure is done for a different reason.
Watering During Turf Establishment
If damage from voles, skunks, ice, cold temperatures or other factors have left your lawn a bit on the thin side, mid-spring is a good time to thicken up the stand.
Spring Lawn Care
Spring has sprung and cabin fever is high. Not just cabin fever; COVID-19 cabin fever. As we start venturing outside and focus attention on the lawn and landscape, here are some spring lawn care tips to keep in mind: