A - Moss in a lawn is usually a cultural problem. Conditions such as too much shade, poor fertility, thatch build-up, soil compaction, and over-watering contribute to moss growth. The first step is to evaluate and correct any of these conditions. If chemical treatment is necessary for severe moss infestation, rake out as much moss as possible and apply a moss control product containing ferrous sulfate. Chemical control will be temporary unless underlying cultural conditions are corrected.

Determine if the cause is shade, poor drainage or poor nutrition. Undo the cause. (i.e. cut down the trees, improve the drainage and fertilize. See similar questions...

Gophers are a very common rodent found in most areas of North America. They live exclusively underground where they can destroy plants by consuming the roots or pulling the whole plant down into their burrows. The most effective method of removing gophers is through trapping. Specialized traps are available at most hardware stores. Also available are poisoned baits, which are placed within the gopher burrow, though it is often difficult to find a bait attractive to your particular gopher. See similar questions...

This fungal disease occurs in cool, moist regions and is particularly common in western Washington. The disease develops rapidly during periods of high moisture and cool temperatures; fall through spring. Fescue and perennial rye grasses are most commonly affected, as can other grass types. Symptoms will be water-soaked, darkened irregular patches from 2 - 24 inches in diameter. They gradually become bleached or tan-colored. See similar questions...

Horsetail control is difficult. The best management for it in lawn is constant mowing that keeps the plants down. This does leave the problem of the altered texture in the lawn where the horsetails come up, but short mowing will reduce that. In theory, if the plants are constantly mowed, they weaken. They are, however, long-lived and persistent no matter what measures are taken. There are no chemicals registered to control these weeds in a lawn. See similar questions...

Answer: Perfect lawns require lots of work. As well as treating the lawn you will need to scarify regularly. Leaving the grass a bit longer say 1.5" or 35 - 40 mm minimum will also help no end. See similar questions...

It is therefore important that you consider a two-pronged attack based around a programme of moss controllers and aeration. The first eradicated the existing moss grwoth; the second helps prevent its immediate return. See similar questions...

If you see volcano-shaped hills of dirt up to 24 inches tall in your yard, golf course or field, you most likely have a burrowing mole on your property below the surface setting up a den. (Moles don’t usually create holes on the surface of your grass, like gophers and armadillos do.) Just because there are many of these dirt clods doesn’t mean you have many moles. One mole can do a lot of yard damage. See similar questions...

Could be one of several factors such as low pH, lack of fertility, compacted soil / poor drainage or too much shade. See one of Merrifield Garden Center's plant specialists for guidance. See similar questions...

Dollar weed, also known as pennywort, often grows in an over-watered lawn. Lawns are frequently over watered in the summer in central Florida. To prevent this weed in the future, make sure your sprinkler system is calibrated to water the lawn no more than one inch per application, once or twice a week depending on rainfall. If your lawn is St. Augustine, November is the time to use the herbicide atrazine, with a repeat application three to four weeks later. See similar questions...

Moles are very difficult to control. They forage through your lawn in search of insects and earthworms that they feed on. Mechanical traps are the most effective way to control moles,but require patience and skill to effectively trap. Controlling grubs will not prevent mole damage of lawns. No, in most cases the leaves browned due to winter conditions. Once plants resume growth in the spring, this damage is often covered over with new leaves. Some pruning may be necessary. See similar questions...

Quackgrass is a perennial weed that propagates by long roots called tillers. It has a long, tapered, blue green blade that wraps around the stem of the plant in a claw like formation. A persistent weed, it is virtually impossible to pull quackgrass out by hand. A selective herbicide such as Lawn WeedOut® will not control quackgrass. See similar questions...

Generally not. Moss growth is influenced by other conditions, such as shade, poor drainage, soil compaction, poor fertility (although moss grows quite well on fertile lawns) and very acid soils. Although lime will neutralize soil acidity, the other factors that promote moss growth remain the same. Several chemicals are available for moss control. Follow label recommendations for rate and method of application. See similar questions...

Some are relatively easy to remove. Check out my links page for guidance. Others are more troublesome, and seem to keep coming back no matter what you do. If you’re experiencing any of the above problems, please consider using our services. We’re happy to help. See similar questions...

Like any application made to the lawn, It is subject to weather conditions such as rain. Moisture can effect how long the preemergent is effective. If you apply a preemergent in early Spring and still have a problem in the Summer with crabgrass, it would be a good idea to make a second application about a month after the first to help control it. Even under the best circumstances, a preemergent is about 85% effective. See similar questions...

Many people enjoy hearing the sounds of geese honking, seeing it as a sign of a season change. But geese honking all day outside your home or business can be just as loud and intrusive as the barks of an alarmed dog. adult goose will drop two pounds of fecal matter on your lawn and pathways daily. While eating, a goose will relieve itself every six to eight minutes. Goose droppings not only look horrible on benches, buildings, cars and lawns, but they also speed deteriogeeseion. See similar questions...

Carpet grass, as it is commonly referred to, is actually Blanket Crabgrass. This annual weed can be a real problem in many home and commercial lawns. Crabgrass usually invades areas of the lawn that have become weak or died out from disease, insect or other forces. Since crabgrass is a grass just like St. Augustine it is difficult to control selectively in a lawn. Crabgrass, however, is an annual plant that dies in the winter but re-grows from seed in the spring. See similar questions...

Our National Gardening Association friends have answered similar questions about invasive plants and weeds. Go to our Weeds FAQ to find out how to best get rid of this plant. You can also use Weed Away, which is a low-toxic broadleaf weed killer that will not kill grass. See similar questions...

In the meantime, you can try the Kyoto spores available at many nurseries. You can get a tree that already has moss on it (hopefully, locally grown). You can try transplanting moss from other locations, such as a damp and shady spot on the other side of your house. You can set your pots near a bonsai that has moss growing on it and hope that the wind will carry viable spores to your trees. See similar questions...