Extension Master Gardener Joyce Hylton describes how to improve lawns and the underlying soil, and outlines steps for ensuring a beautiful weed-free lawn, with an emphasis on sustainable practices and minimizing the impact to our native pollinators and wildlife.
Zoom session, recorded August 26, 2022
Video of Presentation
Chapter Breaks
- 0:00:00 Introduction & Overview
- 0:02:11 Understanding Grasses & Lawns
- 0:07:19 Importance of Soil / Soil Tests
- 0:12:54 Soil Preparation & Fertilizers
- 0:28:24 Determine Fertilizer Needed – Decision Time
- 0:33:58 Questions
- 0:35:17 Grass Roots – The Underground Story
- 0:37:44 Seeds & Seeding
- 0:39:54 Mowing Heights
- 0:41:13 Irrigation Basics
- 0:43:34 Controlling Weeds
- 0:47:00 Questions
- 0:48:44 More on Weed Control
- 0:50:31 Questions
- 0:51:10 Lawn Problems – Recap
- 0:52:48 References & Final Questions
Additional Resources for Lawn Care
These two publications are among the best for providing clear, in-depth guidance for starting and maintaining your lawns, either cool-season (fescues, rye, Kentucky blue) or warm-season (zoysia, bermuda).
- “Spring and Summer Lawn Management: Considerations for Cool-Season Turfgrasses.” http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-532/430-532.html
- “Spring and Summer Lawn Management: Considerations for Warm-Season Turfgrasses.”
https://mgnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/warm_season_lawn_430-533_pdf.pdf
This publication provides thorough coverage of Fall Lawn Care for both Cool and Warm Season Turfgrasses.
Learn about the need for and process of core aeration.
This handout covers the most environmentally sensitive way to use fertilizers.
- Lawn Fertilization in Virginia J.M. Goatley, et.al.
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/CSES/CSES-135/CSES-135-pdf.pdf
Here is an overview of weeds and techniques for management.
- Master Gardener Virtual Classroom
Weed ID and Management
The Soil Test Report (and related supplemental Soil Test Notes) will help you assess your plant’s need for fertilizer and lime.
- Explanation of Soil Tests
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/452/452-701/SPES-75.pdf
This handout explains practices that can effect weed control in lawns – from the 2020 PMG.
- Weed Suppression in Lawns
https://mgnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Weed-Suppression-in-Lawns-–-2020-PMG.pdf
This chart indicates the response of broadleaf weeds to 5 chemical combinations – from the 2022 PMG.
- Broad Leaf Weed Control
https://mgnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Broadleaf-Weed-Control-Va.-PMG.pdf
Here is a compilation of resources on common lawn diseases from the University of Maryland Extension.
Learn about this new way to combat weeds in Iron-based Herbicides: Alternative Materials for Weed Control in Landscapes and Lawns.
- Iron-based Herbicides
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/iron-based-herbicides
This Cornell University Extension publication goes over the management of perennial broadleaved weeds, such as ground ivy, dandelion, henbit, and plantain with iron-based herbicides.
- Iron-based Herbicides for Broadleaf Weed Management in Lawns
https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/f/575/files/2015/12/Iron_based_herbicide_for_broadleaf_weed_management_in_lawns-za6cd9.pdf
This type of turfgrass may help meet demands for reduced pesticide use in maintenance of turf and production of sod.
- Endophyte-Enhanced Grasses
https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/fact-sheets/pdf/endophyte_grasses.pdf
These useful calendars provide references for when to provide certain care for your lawn.
- Maintenance Calendar for Cool-Season Lawns in Virginia
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-523/430-523.html - Maintenance Calendar for Warm-Season Lawns in Virginia
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-522/430-522.html