Did you realize that lawns have tons of benefits? Not only do they provide a beautiful backdrop for your landscape, they also absorb sound, produce oxygen, trap dust particles, prevent soil from eroding and fight pollution. Not to mention the fact that a well-maintained lawn can significantly increase a homes value.

This website is designed to simplify every facet of lawn care. Learning all the aspects of lawn maintenance and how they interrelate improves your ability to care for your lawn. We present plans to grow the perfect lawn, but we also understand that this is not the mission for all home owners.

We discuss different types of lawn mowers, how often you should mow and the correct height to mow your lawn. Other important lawn care phases covered include site preparation, lawn soil testing, and the type of lawn grass to choose for your lawn.

A step-by-step guide is given for a do-it-yourself installation of a lawn irrigation system. You can expect to learn the ins and outs of watering your lawn within these pages.

Any lawn looks better than having no lawn at all, but a well-kept lawn is more than worth the effort. Well-kept lawns maintain a certain charm that attracts people for different reasons. Maybe it is the comfortable playground it provides for kids or the enchanting setting it gives to a landscape.

Future Lawn Fanatic

The caliber of lawn maintenance depends a great deal on convenience and the amount of time you have to employ on yard care. When you apply lawn fertilizer or mow your lawn all depends on when time permits. These tasks do not have to deflate the pleasure obtained from lawn care. Many homeowners exude a clear pride in being able to grow an attractive lawn, but who can say whether the lawn connoisseur or the occasional weekend mower receives more enjoyment?

Organic lawn care has really made a splash in the last few years even though it isnt anything new. There are definitely some advantages to pursuing the natural way of growing a perfect lawn.

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Lawn Care Tips & Maintenance

Lawn Care by T. Koski and V. Skinner * (3/12) Quick Facts... Proper watering can promote a deeply rooted, healthier turf. Let grass species and health, soil conditions, and weather conditions dictate irrigation practices, not the number of days between waterings. Mow bluegrass, ryegrass, fescue and wheatgrass to a height of 2 to 3 inches. Buffalo-grass and blue grama lawns can be mowed to this height, but also do well unmowed. Core cultivation is essential for all lawn areas, especially those that are thatchy or subject to high traffic.

Before planting a lawn, decide on the desired quality, how the lawn will be used, and how much time and money you are willing to invest. Have your soil tested. Contact your Colorado State University Extension county office for information on soil testing. Soil amendments can easily be added before planting. High quality sod or seed also helps ensure a satisfactory lawn.

Many factors influence lawn water requirements, and no two lawns are exactly alike. A healthy, high-quality bluegrass or ryegrass lawn may need up to 2.25 inches of water per week under hot, dry, windy summer conditions. It may require much less when the weather is cool or cloudy. Turf-type tall fescue may perform well with less water than a bluegrass lawn, if it can grow a deep root system. In many cases, however, tall fescue requires as much water as bluegrass to look good. Buffalograss and blue grama lawns can remain green for weeks without watering, even during the hottest summer weather.

Shady lawns and areas protected from the wind require less water over the growing season than more exposed turf. However, the roots of mature trees and shrubs also need water. You may have to water more in mature landscapes where the roots of many plants compete for water. Healthy turf, encouraged by proper mowing, fertilizing and cultivation, uses water more efficiently.

Each time you water the lawn, apply enough water to moisten as much of the root zone as possible. Use a soil probe or shovel to determine what the average rooting depth is in your lawn. If the roots grow down 6 inches deep, water so the soil is moistened to that depth.

If the soil is mainly clay, apply 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water to moisten the root zone to a 6-inch depth. A sandy soil can be moistened to 6 inches by as little as 1/2 inch. It is important to know not only how deep the turf roots grow, but also how deep your irrigation water penetrates. Watering too deeply, especially on sandy soils, wastes water and allows it to percolate past the root zone.

Based on the above, grass that grows on sandy soil must be watered more often than the same grass growing on clay or loam soils. Even after a thorough watering, sandy soils hold little plant-available moisture. They require more frequent irrigation with smaller amounts of water. Conversely, turf growing on a loamy-clay soil can be irrigated less frequently, with larger quantities of water. Watering less often means more efficient water use because of less loss to evaporation. It can also reduce the number of weeds that appear in the lawn.

With most soils, do not apply all the water in a short period of time. If applied too quickly, water often runs off of thatchy turf, from sloped areas, or from turf growing on heavy clay or compacted soils. In these cases, it is more effective to apply only a portion of the water and move the sprinkler or switch to another station to water another section of the lawn. This allows water to soak into the soil rather than run off. An hour or so later, apply the rest of the water. Core cultivation (aeration) can resolve some infiltration problems by reducing thatch and compaction. Wetting agents may enhance water movement into the soil, but they should not be considered a cure-all, especially when compaction or thatch are problems.

A sure sign that turf requires irrigation is a wilted appearance. One symptom is "footprinting," footprints on the lawn that do not disappear within an hour. This symptom is soon followed by actual wilting, where the turf takes on a grayish or purple-to-blue cast. If only a few such spots regularly appear in the same general location, spot water them to delay watering the entire lawn for another day or so. These indicator spots help predict when the entire lawn needs watering. A hardened or toughened lawn, attained through less frequent, deep irrigation, often withstands minor drought and generally has fewer disease problems. It is important, however, that the turf not be allowed to become overly drought-stressed between waterings. This weakens the turf and makes it more susceptible to insect and disease damage and to weed invasion.

During extended dry periods from late fall to spring, it may be necessary to water every four to six weeks if the ground is thawed and will accept water. Pay particular attention to exposed slopes, sites with shallow soil, and south- or west-facing exposures.

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Lawn Care - Colorado State University

A landscaping contractor accused of failing to deliver lawn care services and accepting hundreds of dollars in advance payments has been served with a lawsuit from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

Dewines office alleges that Israel Alex Barrett, of Cape Coral, Florida, violated consumer law by taking cash payments for work that was never completed. In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks consumer restitution and civil penalties.

The AGs office says at least 12 consumers have complained about the business. According to the lawsuit, Barrett had a principal place of business in Goshen, Ohio. He used various business names, including Pleasant Plain Lawn & Landscape, Alexs Elite Lawn Care, and Elis Lawn Care, which are not registered with the Ohio Secretary of State.

According to a release from the AGs office, heres how the business worked:

Barrett allegedly contacted homeowners door-to-door and accepted about $300 each from consumer. His six-step lawn treatment program was supposed to last from early spring to early winter. He reportedly offered a complimentary aeration and one free treatment as part of the offer.

Barrett reportedly closed his operation in Ohio in March, 2014. He notified customers that he was closing, but he did not find another landscaping contractor to apply the lawn treatments, nor did he provide refunds, according to the lawsuit.

We wont tolerate businesses that take advantage of Ohio consumers, Attorney General DeWine said. This contractor went door to door signing up customers but left town before providing the promised services.

The Attorney Generals lawsuit was filed in the Warren County Court of Common Pleas. It charges Barrett with violating Ohios Consumer Sales Practices Act and Home Solicitation Sales Act by failing to deliver services, performing shoddy work, and failing to provide proper notice of consumers right to cancel a home solicitation sale.

The AGs office encourages consumers who believe they have been treated unfairly to contact them at 800-282-0515 or visit ohioattorneygeneral.gov.

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AGs office sues lawn company

Vanderbilt Relay For Life will be held this Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to midnight on Vanderbilt Universitys Alumni Lawn. Relay For Life is the the American Cancer Society (ACS)s signature fundraiser where students take turns to walk around Alumni Lawn to raise money for cancer research.

The ACS donates millions of dollars every year to cancer research at the Vanderbilt Medical Center. This year, the ACS donated $5.5 million to Vanderbilt Medical Center to fund research in cancer treatments and cures.

According to a press release from Vanderbilt Relay For Life, $84,000 was raised at last years relay. To date, they have raised $83,139 for this years relay and hopes to raise $90,000.

ACS uses its funds to provide research grants and programs for prevention, patient support, detection, treatment and the construction and operation of Hope Lodges, facilities in which a cancer patient and a caregiver may stay at while traveling to receive treatment, according to a statement from Vanderbilt Relay for Life.

Beyond the amazing work the ACS does, the organization represents hope for thousands of cancer patients nationwide, as well as their families and friends, said Matthew massman, Relay For Life Co-President. Thats why we relay here on Vanderbilts campus every fall. We want to show our support and let people know that Vanderbilt cares, and that we will make a difference.

This year is Vanderbilt Relay For Lifes eighth year organizing the relay, and it has made several changes to encourage student participation. They have moved the relay from Vanderbilts Wellness and Recreation Center to Alumni Lawn to make it more convenient for students. They also changed the time of the event to 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., rather than 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. The event is twelve-hours long to represent the idea that cancer never sleeps.

708 participants and 56 teams are currently signed up. The event will feature various sports tournaments, a climbing wall, eating competitions, music and dance performances from campus student groups and three local Nashville bands.

There will also be food deliveries every hour from Nashville eateries such as Zoes Kitchen, Jets Pizza, Chuys and Krispy Kreme.

The website to make or join a team, or to donate to Relay For Life is relay.org/vandy.

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Vanderbilt Relay for Life to be held Saturday

Lawn Treatment: Lawn Rehab Before and After
The lawn rehab I did in Naperville IL 3 weeks ago - here #39;s a quick followup. Pretty decent results on a very big lawn with just one day #39;s work. Imagine what ...

By: The Lawn Care Nut

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Lawn Treatment: Lawn Rehab Before and After - Video

By SEAN MURPHY Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Authorities took a man into custody Friday after they say he admitted driving a car onto the Oklahoma Capitol grounds overnight and into a disputed granite monument of the Ten Commandments, smashing it to pieces.

The man was detained after he showed up at a federal building in Oklahoma City Friday morning, rambling and making derogatory statements about the president, and admitted destroying the monument, said David Allison, an agent with the U.S. Secret Service in Oklahoma City.

"He claimed he got out of his car, urinated on the monument, and then ran over it and destroyed it," Allison said. "He said Satan told him to do it, and that he was a Satanist."

The man was turned over to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for questioning, Allison said. A spokesman for the patrol didn't immediately return a phone call seeking information about the man.

The 6-foot-tall monument was erected in 2012 with the blessing of Oklahoma's conservative Legislature. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has been suing to have it removed, arguing that it violates the Oklahoma Constitution and could be seen as a state endorsement of a religion.

"We consider this an act of violence against the state of Oklahoma," said Republican state Rep. Mike Ritze, of Broken Arrow, whose family spent nearly $10,000 having the monument erected.

"We are obviously shocked and dismayed, but we're not discouraged," he said, vowing to have it rebuilt.

Gov. Mary Fallin called it an "appalling" act of vandalism and volunteered to help raise private funds to restore it.

The ACLU sued on behalf of a Norman minister and others who allege the monument's location violates the state constitutional ban on using public property to support "any sect, church, denomination or system of religion."

Read more here:
Disputed Oklahoma Ten Commandments statue smashed

By JOHN ROGERS Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - When gay marriage became legal in Pennsylvania earlier this year, Elissa Goldberg was ready to say "I do." Her longtime partner's reaction, however, was "I'm not so sure."

The couple had been together more than 20 years, which Anndee Hochman figured already made them good as married. They owned their Philadelphia home together, kept their money in a joint bank account and were both named as parents on their 13-year-old daughter's birth certificate.

"I didn't really see what the additional benefits would be," says Hochman, a freelance writer.

But deep down, she acknowledges, there was another reason.

"It had to do with coming out as a lesbian at a time when there was a certain pride in living outside the box," said Hochman, 52, adding she wasn't ready to give up a lifestyle she'd come to embrace.

That's the kind of conundrum facing gay couples across the country as marriage barriers many thought might never fall have come crashing down in the wake of this month's Supreme Court refusal to take up the issue.

"We thought once upon a time that it would be much later - if we ever saw it in our lifetime," said Steve Martin of Boise, Idaho, who watched in awe as his state joined some 30 others earlier this month in allowing same-sex marriage.

The gay rights organizer and his longtime partner had held a commitment ceremony in 1998, a non-binding civil ceremony in 2001 and, finally, a wedding in Washington last year after gay marriage became legal there. Now that it's legal in their home state they aren't going to bother.

"Four might be pushing it," Martin says, laughing.

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With gay marriage comes question: I do or I don't

By JONATHAN PAYE-LAYLEH Associated Press

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) - Even as Liberians fall ill and die of Ebola, many beds in treatment centers are empty because of the government's order that the bodies of all suspected Ebola victims in the capital be cremated, authorities have determined.

Cremation violates values and cultural practices in the western African country. The order has so disturbed people that the sick are often kept at home and, if they die, are being secretly buried, increasing the risk of more infections.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia decreed in August that the bodies of Ebola victims in the Monrovia area be cremated. The government brought in a crematorium and hired experts. The order came after people in neighborhoods of the capital resisted burials of hundreds of Ebola victims near their homes.

A recent analysis of bed space at Ebola treatment units concluded that out of 742 spaces, 351 were occupied and 391 were vacant, said Assistant Health Minister Tolbert Nyenswah, who heads the government's Ebola response.

"For fear of cremation, do not stay home to die," Nyenswah urged Liberians at a news conference.

In her statement declaring the state of emergency and the cremation order, Sirleaf said: "Ebola has attacked our way of life."

That way of life includes honoring deceased ancestors.

In March, the second Wednesday of the month is National Decoration Day, a public holiday during which people flock to cemeteries to clear brush from the graves of relatives, and scrub and decorate headstones.

Cremations in the capital, and burials of Ebola victims in body bags outside Monrovia without relatives present, means there won't be a place to honor deceased relatives. Decoration days will come with many people not knowing where the remains of their loved ones are, or knowing they were cremated and that their ashes were not recovered.

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Beds at Ebola treatment units empty in Liberia

Lawn signs an eyesore

Editor of the Reformer:

When we moved to Vermont, one of the most attractive things about our new home state was the ban on billboards and other large signs. Nonetheless, year after year we see hundreds of those hideous lawn signs that clutter our town. When people wrote complaining about the theft of their lawn signs, I wanted to hug the thief or thieves.

For the life of me, I cannot understand their purpose. Ive said it before and Ill say it again: If anyone can prove to me that someone changed their vote based on a lawn sign, I will not only no longer complain, but will welcome anyone to place them on my lawn at my home or my office. Any takers? If not, please remove those damnable eyesores.

Bob Fagelson,

Brattleboro, Oct. 20

We expect better

Editor of the Reformer:

When veteran state legislators join selectboards, they bring experience of higher levels of power, responsibility and decorum. Serving on legislative committees, legislators summon and question officials, also contacting them personally on constituents behalfs, as do members of selectboards. All walk the line between equal and special treatment in our small-town world, where constituents may also be colleagues, friends or relations. Decorum, however, is never optional.

Citizens and journalists rightly challenge any actual or apparent crossing of this line, when public acknowledgment of and apology for their concerns is an option.

The rest is here:
Letter Box

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) - Twenty-one Asian nations have signed on to a China-driven initiative to create a new development bank for Asia that's aimed at boosting infrastructure investment of all kinds. Beijing sees that as a way to raise its international standing, but Washington opposes the move as an unnecessary and potentially damaging rival to established institutions such as the World Bank.

- WHO'S IN THE GROUP?

Members are overwhelmingly developing nations, with Singapore the only advanced economy. The others range from economic powerhouses India and China to smaller but economically dynamic nations such as Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines and Mongolia. A few are drawn from among the poorest nations including Laos, Cambodia and Oman.

Others taking part are Uzbekistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia and Myanmar.

Just as important is who's not in the group: Solid American allies Japan, South Korea and Australia, although they, along with the U.S. may enter at a later date if the venture proves to be a success. Although Singapore is a close U.S. ally, its officials say entering now will give them a chance to make a positive impact on the way the bank plans to do business.

- SO WHAT'S WASHINGTON'S VIEW?

The U.S. is concerned that the new bank will introduce laxer standards for lending when it comes to environmental and labor protection, transparency of the project bidding process, and human rights. Washington worries that could undercut existing institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank that have sought to impose standards to promote good governance, fair labor practices and a clean environment.

Naturally, Washington is also concerned about any move by China to shift attention away from institutions that it and its allies dominate. The world's first and second biggest economies deeply distrust each other and are locked in a ceaseless competition for pre-eminence in Asia, where the U.S. is the dominant military power but China's massive economy carries enormous heft.

- HOW MUCH CAN IT LEND?

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China, 20 other countries initiate new Asian bank