It’s frustrating when you begin to mow your lawn, only to discover that grass is sticking to the deck. Located underneath the main part of a lawnmower, the deck is a large and open area where the blade spins. Normally, a lawnmower will dispense the cut grass in a removable bag or out the mulching chamber. There are times, however, when grass may build up inside the deck. So, how do you prevent grass from sticking to the deck of your lawnmower? Clean It If your lawnmower’s deck is clogged with grass, you’ll need to clean it. With the motor turned off and the spark plug removed, carefully lift y ..read more

Can’t decide whether to seed your lawn with Fescue or Bermuda? Although there are dozens of varieties of lawn grasses, Fescue and Bermuda are among the most popular. They both produce a clean, uniform-looking lawn that can enhance your home’s curb appeal. Fescue and Bermuda aren’t the same, however. While similar in appearance, there are some key differences between them that shouldn’t be ignored. What Is Fescue? Fescue is a turfgrass that’s characterized by ultra-fine leaves. When compared to Bermuda, Fescue has thinner blades of grass. As it grows, Fescue’s ultra-fine blades will help to fil ..read more

Aphids are an all-too-common pest in gardens and landscapes. Also known as greenflies and blackflies, they feast on sap. Because of their small size, however, aphids often go unnoticed. When fully grown, aphids are only about one-eighth of an inch long. While you can’t easily spot them from afar, there are other ways to tell if large trees are infected with aphids. Sticky Leaves If you believe aphids have infested a large tree in your landscape, look at the leaves to see if they are sticky. As previously mentioned, these otherwise small pests feast on sap. They’ll suck the sap the sap out of l ..read more

Is your hometown currently experiencing a drought? While some regions in the United States generate more rain than others, droughts can occur anywhere. Characterized by a prolonged period of little or no rain, droughts can wreak havoc on your lawn. Unfortunately, you can’t control the weather, but there are ways to keep your lawn healthy during a drought. Keep Mowing, But Raise the Blade Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t stop mowing your lawn during a drought. If you don’t mow it, invasive weeds will grow unchecked. Like grass, weeds require water. Many invasive weeds, however, consume ..read more

Can’t seem to grow plump and juicy tomatoes to matter how much time you spend gardening? The berries of the Solanum lycopersicum plant, tomatoes are a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of culinary dishes. Of course, large tomatoes are preferable over small tomatoes. If you’re tired of harvesting cherry-sized tomatoes, you should check out the five following tips to grow bigger tomatoes in your garden. #1) Space at Least 2 Feet Apart Don’t make the mistake of overcrowding your tomato plants. Without an adequate amount of space, they won’t be able to develop plump and juicy tomat ..read more

When researching techniques to improve the appearance of your lawn, you may come across aeration and verticutting. When used correctly, they can both promote a cleaner, as well as greener, lawn. However, aeration and verticutting aren’t the same. They each work in a different way, and they are each designed for a different purpose. So, what’s the difference between aeration and verticutting? What Is Aeration? Also known as aerification, aeration is a landscaping technique that involves punching holes into the soil. It’s typically performed using a walk-behind aerator tool. As you push the aera ..read more

Regardless of your lawn’s size, you’ll need to mow it regularly to keep the grass, as well as weeds, in check. Neglecting to mow your lawn for just a few weeks can result in a messy landscape that harms your home’s curb appeal. With that said, you should avoid the five following mistakes when mowing your lawn. #1) Mowing Wet Grass Never mow your lawn when the grass is wet. Moisture will weigh down the grass, causing them to bend rather than stand up straight. When you run your lawnmower over wet grass, the heavy and bent grass will clump out. You can avoid this problem, however, by waiting unt ..read more

If you’ve discovered one or more bare patches of grass in your lawn, you might assume that letting your lawn go to seed will fill the bare patch or patches. Grass is a plant, and like most plants, they reproduce by developing and releasing seeds. By intentionally neglecting your lawn, your grass will develop new seeds to fill bare patches – a process known as “going to seed.” While letting your lawn go to seed may sound harmless, it’s typically a bad idea for several reasons. Weeds You can expect more weeds in your lawn if you let it go to seed. Mowing your lawn doesn’t just cut the grass; it ..read more

Is your lawn overrun with henbit weeds? While Texas is home to dozens of weeds, few are as common as henbit. And with its ability to grow over 1 foot tall, it’s a major nuisance for homeowners in The Lone Star State. The good news is that there are ways to eliminate and control henbit weeds. What Is Henbit? Lamium amplexicaule, or what’s more commonly known as henbit, is a type of annual weed that emerges from the soil during the fall season and begins flowering in the spring season. When flowering, henbit produce colorful flowers with fuzz-covered leaves. Because of its ability to grow over 1 ..read more

Birds are typically a welcome addition to a landscape – but not if you’re planting grass seed. Whether it’s fescue, St. Augustine, Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda, birds love to feast on nutrient-rich grass seed. Unfortunately, sowing your lawn won’t do any good if birds devour the seed. There are several precautions you can take, however, to stop birds from eating your grass seed. #1) Plant Deeper in Soil Planting your grass seed deeper in the soil will lower the risk of it being devoured by birds. Most birds spend their time scavenging food on the ground. They generally won’t dig very deep int ..read more