how to rehab your yard

How do I bring my yard back to life?

Understand the Issue. Looks can be deceiving. ... Prepare Your Lawn. Early spring and fall are ideal times for restoring "dead" lawns to life. ... Apply Lawn Booster. All-in-one Lawn Booster combines everything your "dead" lawn needs to spring to life: premium seed, fertilizer and soil enhancer. ... Water Consistently. ... Follow Through.

How do you fix a struggling yard?

2:5011:10How to FIX an UGLY Lawn with RESULTS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThings that can just take forever to get done you can aerate your yard generally in a day. AndMoreThings that can just take forever to get done you can aerate your yard generally in a day. And finish this step in its entirety. With your weeds under control and your aeration.

When Should I aerate my lawn?

You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly—think early spring or fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses. If you have high-traffic areas or heavy clay soil, you will want to aerate every year.

What is Concern Weed Prevention Plus?

An all-natural organic weed and feed for use on lawns. Derived from corn gluten meal, bone meal and potassium sulfate, Concern® Weed Prevention Plus (8-2-4) provides a fast green-up and will not burn. Prevents crabgrass, dandelions and many other common weeds. Each 25 lb bag covers 1500 square feet.

What is soil texture?

In soil science, texture refers to the size of the ground-up rock particles in soil. Texture focuses on the mineral content, ignoring the organic material. As with soil structure, you can get a feel, literally, for your soil texture by picking up a bit.

How deep should I dig my grass for water?

Shallow roots cannot reach as many nutrients as can deep ones and cannot reach water for as long after a rainfall. With a sharp, narrow trowel, dig out a “core sample” from your lawn — a grass plug about six inches deep — and look at the root depth.

How long does it take to repair a lawn?

Rebuilding a damaged lawn takes about two years, so figure on investing a fair amount of energy on planning in the early days. There are three steps to this process: finding out what you’ve got, figuring out what you want, and then planning how to get from the one to the other.

What are the three nutrients that plants need?

Some soil test kits available at gardening stores can test for the three primary nutrients needed by all plants, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Beyond that, though, you will need professional help. Your county extension office (again) will be able to put you in touch with soil analysis resources.

How thick is a sandpaper?

It’s a good thing as long as it’s only about a quarter to half an inch thick, as it helps slow evaporation from the ground, provides organic matter to the soil, protects both soil and roots from summer’s heat, and to some extent slows seed germination, thus providing a minor barrier against weeds.

How to sketch a yard?

Start by mapping your current yard. Distances don’t need to be precise, so “sketch” might be a better term, except that there’s no need here for artistry. Note what plants are located where, and sketch in existing structures, trees, shrubs and grass. Also, figure out how much sun different sections of your yard gets.

How many square feet does a 40 lb bag of fertilizer cover?

Pro tip: A 40-lb. bag covers 4,000 square feet. Note: You could give your lawn a third application of fertilizer, but chicken manure works even better because it contains more nitrogen, which gives the grass a healthy, green look (there's hardly any odor).

How to get rid of dog urine in yard?

Plant new grass seed in the bare spots and keep it watered. Note: Gypsum and water are the antidotes for dog spots in your yard. Gypsum neutralizes the dog urine, and the water soaks the area for new grass seed.

What is the best time to water a lawn?

The timer controls the sprinkler, so you'll be sure the lawn gets the proper amount of water. Pro tip: The best time to water is early morning, when the sun starts to rise.

What is thatch in soil?

Thatch is a layer of stems, roots and other dead organic matter that accumulates near the soil surface. A thick layer of thatch suggests overuse of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, since these tend to kill off the micro-organisms that help organic matter to decompose.

Why do people rake clippings?

Clippings often get blamed for thatch, and people rake clippings because they don’t want to contribute to thatch build-up, but this is a false problem with a non-solution. Clippings only contribute to thatch if they are excessively long, or if the thatch layer is so deep that it keeps clippings from decomposing.

Why is weed fabric called weed fabric?

Weed fabric is called for because this will be a permanent installation, and cloth will allow microbes, water, and air to travel freely between the different soil levels. Plastic, on the other hand, seals off the upper layer of soil from the lower one, preventing the interchanges that keep soil healthy.

What to do if you have weeds under evergreens?

If your weed patch is under evergreens in an obscure corner of your garden, you have built-in landscaping: pine- needles. Rake away a heavy layer before putting down the newspapers or weed cloth, then rake the needles back without disturbing the weed cover.

How to get rid of thatch?

For everyday thatch of less than half an inch in depth, use a rake or a tool designed for removing the matted material. Top-dressing (adding a thin layer of soil or compost) can also be helpful, as the soil dressing contains microorganisms which will help the thatch to decay.

What to do with black plastic in garden?

The simplest option is lay down wood chips, pebbles, or bark, but it’s also possible to plant in the midst of the covered weed patch, or to establish a small garden on top of it.

What material is used for solarizing?

The two materials used most often are black plastic mul ch or a weed cloth, but a thick layer of newspaper (12-15 sheets), either on its own or in combination with the weed fabric, is another option. Plastic has the advantage of heating up the soil underneath, so it works well for short term summer solarizing.

What is the most common broadleaf weed?

Dandelions, clover, and creeping Charlie are some of the most common broadleaf weeds you'll encounter, but plenty of other plants can invade quickly and spread relentlessly. To keep them in check, you may decide to use a granular weed-and-feed product or spray an organic liquid broadleaf weed killer.

How does grass use up nutrients?

As grass (or any plant) grows, it uses up nutrients in the soil. When you mow and bag up clippings, over time all the soil nutrients will get used up so you'll need to add fertilizer. If you let clippings decompose back into the soil instead, that will help a little, but you may still need to replenish available nutrients once in a while. A soil test every year will show you how much you may need to add. When you feed your lawn is important, too.

Do weed preventers germinate before germination?

Why timing matters: Weed preventers are not effective against weeds that have already begun to grow, so you must apply them before germination to gain any benefit. Crabgrass, the primary target of lawn weed preventers, normally germinates just after forsythia blooms, so take your cue from Mother Nature.

Can you aerate and mow your lawn?

You can aerate, weed, water, and mow in the correct way and still have a lawn that's struggling. Whether you rely on do-it-yourself lawn treatments or hire professionals, it's important that your grass gets what it needs to thrive during the optimal time frame.

When is the best time to feed grass?

Augustine, late spring and summer are the prime growing times. In addition, cool-season grasses benefit from feeding in late fall (October or November), when growth has slowed but the grass is still green.

Do you need to water your lawn during dry spells?

No matter where you live or what type of grass you have, your lawn will probably need at least some irrigation to keep it green during extended summer dry spells.

Can you water your lawn if it is wet?

If the grass isn't wet, you'll be wasting your time and money. Warm temperatures often help liquid treatments work faster, too. However, if you've been having a hot but dry summer, you'll want to water your lawn first. applying weed treatment to yard. Credit: Scott Little.

How do I scarify my lawn?

Power rakes spin metal tines at high speed to scarify and loosen the soil as well as break up the aerator plugs. They also lift thatch from your lawn. Go over the whole lawn from two directions. Rake up and remove dead debris if it completely covers the ground and might prevent seed from contacting the soil. Step 5.

What is the best way to kill weeds in a lawn?

A hose-end sprayer with concentrated weed killer is the fastest and easiest application method (photo with Step 1). But if your lawn is hopelessly bare or completely covered with weeds, it’s best to go “scorched earth” and kill all the vegetation with a nonselective herbicide and start over.

How to spread seed with a broadcast spreader?

Spread seed with a broadcast spreader in large areas away from gardens. Use half the recommended drop rate to spread the seed in one direction.#N#Pro tip: When using the broadcast or drop spreader for the open areas, make two or more passes from different directions for even distribution. This is especially true when you’re using a drop spreader so you don’t wind up with a striped lawn. If you don’t own a broadcast spreader, buy one — don’t rent it. You’ll need it to keep your new lawn in tip-top shape after it’s established.

Why use a broadcast spreader?

In most cases, a broadcast spreader is the best choice because it evenly distributes seed or fertilizer for thorough coverage. If you have a large yard bordered by flower beds or vegetable gardens, use a drop spreader to spread the seed near them before doing the majority of the yard with a broadcast spreader.

How do I get rid of weeds in my lawn?

Kill the Weeds. Use a hose-end sprayer to spray the lawn with a broadleaf weed killer at least three weeks before you plant the new grass seed. Wear eye protection, gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, long pants and waterproof shoes.

How do aerators work?

Aerators pull small plugs from the soil and deposit them on the surface. That loosens the soil, making it easier for roots to grow deep into the soil. The plugs will be pulverized in the next step — power raking — to form loose soil for the seeds to germinate in.

Why is phosphorus not allowed in lawn fertilizer?

Distribute the Fertilizer. Fertilizers used to contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. But due to water pollution concerns, many states no longer allow phosphorus in ordinary lawn fertilizers. However, phosphorus is helpful for root development, so it’s important for starting new seed.

What happens to mosquitoes when they hatch?

As the eggs hatch, they will become larvae. As they grow, they will mature to the pupae and eventually the adult mosquito emerges from the mature pupae. The life cycle of the mosquito depends on the sex, species, weather conditions and much more.

What to put on yard to repel mosquitoes?

However these methods aren’t very effective on windy days. Natural Plants: If you’d rather not jump to pesticides, try planting Citron ella, catnip, rosemary or marigolds on your property.

What to do after it rains?

Areas around property that puddle after a rain. Open trash cans or buckets. Bird baths. Anything that will hold water after a rain. Burgess added that if you go out after a rain to inspect your property, be sure to dump any standing water to prevent any potential mosquito breeding grounds.

When to use seasonal mosquito control?

Seasonal Service: Service that is conducted every few weeks for the months of May through September to help reduce the number of mosquitoes in your backyard. Before you call a professional pest control company for mosquito control, determine what your needs are.

Where do mosquitoes lay their eggs?

Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, marshes, swamps or anywhere that has sufficient moisture for their eggs. Where the females prefer to lay their eggs varies by species.

Where do Asian Tiger mosquitoes lay their eggs?

Other species may lay their eggs above the water line, where they will remain until a rain raises the water level, submerging the eggs and causing them to hatch. This last method is typically used by the Asian Tiger mosquito, which can be abundant in your yard because there are many places that females can lay their eggs.

Is mosquito treatment cumulative?

The treatments for mosquitoes are not cumulative like with many other pests. “The prices will go down for a seasonal treatment as the summer progresses because we won’t be coming out to treat as often,” Cooper said. “Once you start the treatment it works, regardless of when you start.