Those fortunate enough to live by a shoreline have inherited a special responsibility along with spectacular views: Your landscaping habits can either help your gorgeous waterway — or harm it. Summer has become algae outbreak season, with the thick scum coating the surface of lakes, rivers and ponds — and […]
Dirt is dirt, right? It gets under your nails, it gets tracked into your house and it creates a lot of laundry if you have young children. Most people don’t give topsoil a second thought other than to grumble about the mess it makes. But your soil deserves respect. It […]
The Green Bay Packers, the winningest team in pro football, kicked off their 100th birthday Aug. 11 by dispersing souvenir seeds of the Kentucky bluegrass turf now under (spiked) foot on legendary Lambeau Field for fans to plant around the world to inspire the next generation of “cheeseheads.” Hours before […]
Your lawn was meant to be used — but maybe you have used it too much. Maybe it has become: A staging area for that van you’ve been trying to sell. Where you practice your short game. Basepaths where your kids re-enact the World Series, every day. Your dog’s workout […]
Well-cared landscaping not only can bring oohs and aahs from family and friends, but it can also bring you more money when you go to sell your home. Landscape improvements recoup 100 to 200 percent of their cost when a house is sold, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects […]
Always water early in the morning That’s the first piece of advice that comes to mind from Lorence R. Oki, who earned a doctoral degree in ecology through the University of California, Davis. He also holds degrees in plant sciences and ornamental horticulture. His specialty is water management — namely, […]
We’ve all been in this situation: That overgrown grass needs to be cut, but the summer showers keep coming. Conventional lawn care wisdom says mowing a lawn when wet is bad. But you might have to use a machete before those rains are finished! You really don’t have to wait […]
Do you get “green-eyed” when you view the perfectly cut stripes on a soccer field or ballpark? If alternating lines, checkerboards and diamond patterns would convert your lawn into a personal field of dreams, you can — with extra work — cut the same patterns in your own home turf. […]
For many people, enjoying the great outdoors is one of their favorite pastimes. However, that enjoyment can be tempered by the appearance of some unwanted guests: flies. To combat these pests, folks turn to bug sprays and insect repellents. DEET, around since the 1940s, is one of the most popular […]
You want your lawn to look thicker and feel more comfy on bare feet. You don’t have to hire a professional for help. It’s as simple as contacting your local Cooperative Extension Service to get free advice. They offer their expertise and educational programs for the area in which their […]