Fountain grasses are popular annual grasses that thrive in Southern Appalachian gardens (USDA zones 6 and 7). The new cultivar ‘Fireworks’ is totally spectacular. The mid-vein of the grass blade is burgundy red and edged in hot pink. Fireworks displays three seasons of awesome foliage color before dying off in the fall. Red plume foxtail flowers bloom [...]
Archive for the ‘Lawn Care’ Category
‘Fireworks’ Pennisetum
Posted by Hugh on April 23rd, 2012
All About Crabgrass
Posted by Hugh on March 8th, 2012
Crabgrass is an annual grassy weed which dies out around the first autumn frost. Seeds dropped last summer germinate when the soil warms up from early spring through summer. When spring soil temperatures reach 55-60 degrees (the forsythia shrub is blooming), apply a pre-emergent crabgrass preventative. These herbicides are very effective applied in late winter [...]
Galinsoga -The Gardener’s Weed
Posted by Hugh on July 13th, 2011
Thirty plus years ago a gardening friend passed along this tidbit: “galinsoga (Galinsoga parviflora) is the gardener’s weed”. Galinsoga grows only in cultivated soils such as in your vegetable and/or flower garden from part shade to full sun. It prefers moist soil but grows almost anywhere, even between cracks in a sidewalk. Its thin leaves may wilt [...]
July Lawn Care
Posted by Hugh on June 28th, 2011
Around July 4th it’s time for a second (and last) application of crabgrass preventative. The herbicide which you applied in late winter is likely worn off. The basic herbicide preventative product tradenames (and active ingredients) are: Barricade® (prodiamine), Dimension® (dithiopyr), Echelon® (prodiamine + sulfentrazone), Pendulum® (pendimethalin), and Ronstar® (oxadiazon). Irrigate (1/2 inch water or 1 1/2 hours watering with an [...]
Wild Onion or Wild Garlic?
Posted by Hugh on April 5th, 2011
Often called “wild onion”, many gardens (including mine) from late winter into spring in eastern Tennessee, western NC and southwest VA are instead plagued by wild garlic (Allium vineale). Wild garlic forms a rounded blade (stem) while wild onion (A. canadense) has a flattened blade. When freshly cut, the hollow stem of wild garlic is easily visible. Both lawn weeds [...]
Act Now for Crabgrass-free Lawn This Summer
Posted by Hugh on March 9th, 2011
What grows there? Hopefully, it’s not crabgrass this summer. Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) is an annual weed grass that devour lawns, shrub beds and flower gardens. There are lots of effective crabgrass preventatives sold at garden shops, hardware stores, and farm supply centers. There are numerous trademarked products. It is important to read and understand package instructions. [...]
Posted in Crabgrass control, Garden Problems, Lawn Care, Southern Appalachian Region 
Tags: Lawn Care 
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