Why renovate a lawn? You may want to consider renovating a home lawn if: The lawn species or variety is frequently attacked by disease or insects and it has caused the lawn to thin out, The landscape has become increasingly shady over time and the original lawn is thin and unhealthy, The lawn…
Learn why grass cliping are excellent to recycle nutrients. This article was written by the Rocky Mountain Sod Growers Association. Proper lawn care requires regular mowing and produces large quantities of heavy grass clippings. Disposal is inconvenient and expensive and takes up space in landfills. An alternative is to leave clippings on the lawn,…
Have you wondered where to begin to give or increase your curb appeal, hence increase your property value? Front lawns are usually the first part of any property that is noticed by guests. It is for this reason that homeowners pay special attention to the landscaping in the area. Good front landscaping often attracts…
Can we really prevent dog spots with food supplements? • Dog spots can be prevented by using food supplements that acidify a dog’s urine. FALSE. Dog spots do not occur because a dog’s urine is alkaline. Products advertised to “naturally” reduce urine alkalinity (including the amino acid, dl methionine, also known as methioform) may cause…
Is there a relation between dog spots and their urine being alkaline? • Dog spots occur because urine is alkaline (has a pH above 7.0). FALSE. Dog spots occur because a high concentration of N and salts has been deposited in a very small area of the lawn. In some cases, the added N…
Do certain breeds of dogs cause more damage? • Dog spots are more common with certain breeds of dogs. MOSTLY FALSE. Dog spotting is more likely to occur (or be more obvious) with larger dogs, since they produce larger amounts of urine. Dog spots can occur with smaller breeds, especially if the dog tends…
Trees in the Rocky Mountain region must be pruned properly to thrive. Shade trees should be pruned to keep them healthy, to control insects and disease, for safety and to reduce their canopy. Pruning a tree can be thought of as cleaning; broken, dead or diseased branches should be removed. These branches are like open…
Trees and shrubs growing in their natural habitat survive very well without supplemental fertilization. Leaves, needles and fallen branches decompose on the ground and recycle nutrients. In the urban environment, landscapes are kept neat, and leaves and branches are removed. Soil is packed by human and vehicular traffic. Buildings often reflect heat, creating additional stress…
Research from the 1970’s proves that wound dressings applied after branch removal do not prevent decay in woody plants. Some even delay development of callus tissue or “woundwood”. The apparent function of wound dressings is cosmetic, perhaps driven by the perception that tree wounds should be treated like human wounds. Some asphalt-based “sealers” are used…
Canada thistle, a noxious weed common in Colorado, is an aggressive and creeping perennial that spreads from its root system. Shoots become 1 to 3 feet tall and its purple flowers are about the size of a dime. It can also be recognized by its spiny leaves and stems. Hand pulling Canada thistle isn’t an…
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is a common problem in Colorado lawns in summer. Bindweed and other weeds don’t compete well in a dense, healthy, well cared-for lawn. This deeply-rooted perennial member of the morning glory family will quickly take over unhealthy, malnourished lawns suffering from drought stress or poor irrigation coverage. The first steps towards…
Field bindweed is a noxious perennial weed that is difficult to kill because of it’s extensive root system. It has distinctive arrowhead-shaped leaves and white or pink flowers. Bindweed grows along the ground until it encounters an object that it can climb, such as fences or other plants. Hand-pulling well-established bindweed generally does not kill…
