Master the fundamentals of turf management with our technical lawn care guides. Discover precise mowing heights, optimized watering schedules, and seasonal maintenance routines designed to promote deep root growth, prevent environmental stress, and maintain a resilient yard year-round.
Milorganite is a slow-release, organic nitrogen fertilizer that feeds soil microbes and promotes steady grass growth over 8 to 10 weeks. Ironite is a fast-acting mineral supplement delivering a quick dose of iron to turn yellowing lawns deep green in days without triggering rapid growth. Choose Milorganite for foundational long-term turf health and Ironite for … Read more
Covering exposed tree roots with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch is the safest and most effective solution. Cutting surface roots destabilizes mature trees and creates entry points for disease. If you cannot use mulch, planting shade-tolerant ground cover is the best alternative. Never bury exposed roots under thick layers of topsoil. Identification Guide … Read more
To drain standing water from your yard, you must identify the primary low spot and force the water elsewhere using gravity. For minor surface pooling, aerating the turf and applying topdressing often restores absorption. For severe flooding, you need to dig a trench, install a catch basin or a French drain lined with landscape fabric, … Read more
A catch basin handles heavy, fast-moving surface water by collecting it at a single low point through a top grate and directing it into a solid underground pipe. A French drain manages slow-moving, subsurface water over a wide area, using a gravel-filled trench and a perforated pipe to absorb moisture from the surrounding soil and … Read more
You can get rid of an old lawn mower by taking it to a local scrap metal yard, a municipal recycling center, or a small engine repair shop. If the machine still works, consider donating it or selling it online for parts. Always drain the gas and oil before transport, as waste facilities reject equipment … Read more
Your lawn mower is blowing white smoke because engine oil has entered the cylinder or muffler and is actively burning off. This almost always happens when you overfill the oil reservoir or tilt the mower incorrectly while cleaning the deck. In most common cases, the smoke will clear on its own after running the engine … Read more
The best time to apply Scotts Turf Builder is in early spring (typically between February and April) right as your grass breaks dormancy and soil temperatures reach 55°F. If you are using a weed and feed formula containing 2,4-D or Dicamba, apply it to a damp lawn when daytime highs are consistently between 60°F and … Read more
You must apply Scotts GrubEx between mid-spring and early summer (April to late June) before beetle eggs hatch. The active ingredient, Chlorantraniliprole, requires several weeks to break down in the soil and protect your lawn. Applying it once grubs are fully grown in the fall is a waste of time and money. Identification Guide: Signs … Read more
The exact time to weed and feed the lawn depends entirely on your soil temperature and grass type. To get straight to the point: apply spring weed and feed when soil temperatures consistently hit 55°F for a few days, and apply fall treatments when daytime temperatures drop back below 85°F. Applying these chemicals at the … Read more
Yes, you can put top soil on top of grass, a professional practice known as topdressing. When applied correctly at a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch, adding high-quality soil directly over your turf smooths out uneven terrain, improves soil structure, and encourages deeper root growth without smothering your existing lawn. Dumping heavy layers of … Read more
