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Has anyone found any great training or tutorial for caring for the lawn by yourself? I'm talking quality in-person training or video tutorial not just some blog or article? Thanks in advance for your inputs.
Considering that the country has very distinct regions where certain plant materials thrive and/or die, you should really look locally for advice.
Start with the county/state extension service, from there you can probably find local "master gardeners"- a few of them maybe quite versed in landscaping/turf care, maintenance, and propagation.
Considering that the country has very distinct regions where certain plant materials thrive and/or die, you should really look locally for advice.
Start with the county/state extension service, from there you can probably find local "master gardeners"- a few of them maybe quite versed in landscaping/turf care, maintenance, and propagation.
Agree, whatever you read or fine, ensure they are talking about your climate.
In Miami, I have heard many times people thinking everything will grow here great because it is "warm and sun year all year". That is not true at all, there are many plants that will not grow here, or need great assistance at doing so. Lilacs for example actually need a winter/low temp cycle to grow successfully.
Don't forget the local garden center (NOT Home Depot).
Or, walk down the street on Saturdays and Sundays, mid-morning, and when you see a homeowner with a great looking yard doing their maintenance, strike up a conversation and ask questions.
Most likely your local public library has books on gardening and lawn care that will be specific to your area. In North Texas the "bibles" for many years have been Neil Sperry's guide to Texas Gardening and Howard Garrett's guide to organic Texas gardening. I'm sure there is something similar for your area.
Make sure to check with your local city as well. Where I live they will pay you to remove your lawn and replace it with environmentally friendly alternatives.
Good lawns start with good soil. Good soil has the best texture, mineral exchange capacity, water holding ability, microbiology, etc. With tiny lots it might be useful to consider adding several inches of healthy soil on top of that mystery brown stuff the builder has leveled out. Ask your experts to consider this too.
...it might be useful to consider adding several inches of healthy soil on top of that mystery brown stuff the builder has leveled out. Ask your experts to consider this too.
Sure! If you like short-lived or stunted growth landscaping. Adding to the top only promotes shallow root systems- plantings become dependent on artificial watering and roots can become exposed when hard rains wash away that "top soil".
"Amending" soil- adding organic material, and loosing hard pack/clay soils to depths of at least 12" is usually best.
Needless to say- the "experts" will just kinda chuckle at that one-
Don't forget the local garden center (NOT Home Depot).
Or, walk down the street on Saturdays and Sundays, mid-morning, and when you see a homeowner with a great looking yard doing their maintenance, strike up a conversation and ask questions.
Most likely your local public library has books on gardening and lawn care that will be specific to your area. In North Texas the "bibles" for many years have been Neil Sperry's guide to Texas Gardening and Howard Garrett's guide to organic Texas gardening. I'm sure there is something similar for your area.
It's not exactly rocket science.
Now we're cooking with Crisco! ...you're so awesome Turf3. A million hugs
Has anyone found any great training or tutorial for caring for the lawn by yourself? I'm talking quality in-person training or video tutorial not just some blog or article? Thanks in advance for your inputs.
You should also go to an Ace Hardware and get a soil sample kit and either they will for you or you can mail directly to your local cooperative extension who will test the soil. The detailed results will be mailed to you and it will clearly indicate what fertilizers are needed to help establish a healthier lawn and root system. This report will also help and advise regarding your trees and shrubs.
It’s really inexpensive and is the best first approach before stating with any fertilization process.
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