Lawns Archives - Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

Lawns

What are recommendations for low maintenance, ecologically sound replacements for lawns?

Question: What does recent research recommend as alternative, low-maintenance, ecologically sound replacements for lawns. Is there recommended ground covers for shady areas or extra dry areas that can be planted to reduce lawn area? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Some common groundcover alternatives to turfgrass include creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), creeping phlox (Phlox […]

Is there a lawn weed killer that would be safe for the clover growing in my grass?

Question: I wanted to get a lawn weed killer that would be safe for the clover growing in my grass…any recommendations? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Unfortunately, there aren’t great chemical options for weed control in turfgrass that will leave clover unaffected. Most lawn pesticides are targeted at broad-leaved plants, while leaving grasses unaffected. […]

What is a native plant that can be used to replace lawn turfgrass?

Question: We’re looking to replace our lawn grass with a low-growing, low-maintenance native plant. The area is about a quarter of an acre, in full sun. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Common groundcover alternatives to turfgrass include creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera), bearberry (Arctastaphyllos uva-ursi), and Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens), […]

Is “No-Mow May” beneficial?

Question: I heard that “No-mow May” is more harmful than reducing the amount of mowing, or “Low-mow May”, which would increase the number of pollinator plants in the lawn. Which is correct? Answer: Lynne Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional The answer to your questions of no-mow vs low-mow May is that “It depends.”. The purpose […]

Is it harmful to water lawns with water that contains low levels of chlorine?

Question: I am looking at reseeding my lawn. I have a lot of places that have died and turned to dirt. Watering is obviously essential. However, I have a water filtration system on my house. Filtering massive amounts of water will kill my filtration system. However, if I turn the filters off, the water has […]

How do you get rid of moss that is taking over the lawn?

Question: Sphagnum moss is taking over our lawn, especially in shady areas. I have tried changing the soil pH with wood ashes and lime, but no success thus far. Is there a better way without laying down poisons? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Moss in the lawn can be very frustrating, and is almost […]

Is white clover suitable for lawns?

Question: Please confirm or update what I have heard about white clover: It is more drought tolerant than regular lawns (fescue mix for example)? Do bees like it? Will dog urine not kill white clover unlike a regular lawn that leaves dead patches? How tall does it grow? How frequent do you have to mow? […]

What are some low maintenance groundcovers to replace a turf lawn?

Question: In front of my home on a city street, there is a smallish patch of lawn facing south and east that I would like to get rid of. Can you recommend a few low-maintenance, easily spreading groundcovers and flowering perennials? What is the easiest way (and the best time) to remove the grass? I […]

Would nematodes be helpful in combatting the grubs that crows are ripping up the lawn to get?

Question: We have crows tearing up our lawn in one part of the yard. Some websites have suggested getting “beneficial nematodes” to combat this. We have organic raised beds in the area and are careful not to taint them. Would the nematodes be helpful and safe? Are the crows doing us a favor by getting […]

What is the latest time in the summer that one should plant grass seed?

Question: What is the latest time in the summer that one should plant grass seed? Answer: Donna R. Coffin, Extension Professor Our factsheet on establishing home lawns suggests “spring (May) or late summer (August 15 to September 15)” is the best time. If you live in Aroostook County, I would suggest early September as a last date […]

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