Adopt six or seven cats. Seriously, though, cover the seed with one quarter inch of topsoil, pat down or roll gently. The faster it sprouts, the more you keep and the less the birds eat. You can also slit an old tennis ball and force it over the end of a six- to seven-foot piece of old garden hose. Draw two mean eyes and a nasty mouth, and place yellow strips of tape like Xs down the hose. Let this lie on the seeded area until the seed sprouts. Why? The birds think it’s a snake.

To establish a lawn in western Washington, choose a combination of turftype tall fescue grasses and turftype perennial rye grasses. A mix that adds up to about 90% of these two grass seed types will grow well in either sun or light shade in western Washington. Turftype perennial ryegrass takes full sun and stands up to traffic. Turftype tall fescues are adapted to shadier locations. In combination, the mix works for a lawn in average light conditions. See similar questions...

In this area the best time to put grass seed down is in the spring during the months of April and May and in the fall during the month of September. See similar questions...

Why not? Remember, just before a snow, top dress with a light sprinkle of soil so the birds don’t think you’re a horticultural philanthropist. See similar questions...

It is recommended that you email siteops@etree.org and inform the other site operators that you have a new show that needs mirroring, and give them a special "mirror login" to your site. Once the site operators have had a chance to mirror, then you can inform the announce list. This is especially important for the high demand shows. See similar questions...

We recommend removing exotic birds from the newly carpeted areas until the smell is gone. Ventilating the carpet for approximately 48 to 72 hours. See similar questions...

Tall Fescue is the most popular turfgrass in the mid-Atlantic region. It is a very adaptable grass, which grows in full sun or part shade. It is also the most heat and drought tolerant of the cool season grasses. Merrifield Tuff Play is a Tall Fescue blend mixed with a small amount of Kentucky Bluegrass. This combination of grasses develops a dense, wear resistant lawn for sun or part shade. Merrifield Shady Lawn Grass Seed is for use in heavy shade. See similar questions...

Spring and fall are excellent times to plant grass seed. For Kentucky bluegrass, temperatures should be around 80 degrees F. For details on how to plant grass seed, see our How To section. See similar questions...

None, really. That’s not exactly true, but then they haven’t developed an Astroturf seed yet. There is no true shade grass; all grasses like some sun. However, the best of the bunch that can get along with less sun than the rest is Poa trivialis. Kentucky 31 tall fescue, Zoysia, Japonica, Zoysia matrella, Astoria bent, Highland and Penncross bents, as well as creeping red, Illahee, and Chew-lugs fescue, all will tolerate light shade. See similar questions...

Black-oil sunflower seed is the most universally eaten seed at bird feeders. But there are many other seeds and foods to offer to birds. What is most popular with your birds depends on where you live and what birds are present. For more bird feeding tips, check out our backyard booklet Enjoying Bird Feeding More. See similar questions...

Different types of birds eat different types of birdseed. Birds with big, strong bills can crack the shells of large seeds, like striped or black oil sunflower. Birds with smaller bills eat smaller seeds, like milo or safflower seed. The American Goldfinch, our state bird, eats tiny seeds called Niger (or thistle) seed. Mixed seed in a feeder can attract a variety of different birds, from Northern Cardinals, to the beautiful gray Tufted Titmouse, to the chattery little Carolina Chickadee. See similar questions...

Yes- in fact grass tends to grow greener and faster under the trampoline as the mat still allows some sunlight through. When mowing your lawn, simply drag your trampoline out of the way. See similar questions...

Ryegrass can be mixed with fertilizer and applied to the pasture through the fertilizer spreader or it can be spread with a three point whirly bird type seeder. It can also be planted by a drill with a small seed box but care should be taken to not plant it deeper than ¼ inch. With broadcast seeding, pulling a chain harrow over the pasture after seeding will increase germination and survival of the plants. See similar questions...

Answer: Yes, grass seed application rates do vary according to soil type and aspect. On average, seeding of a general landscaping mixture containing Perennial ryegrass is around 25g per metre square. For soils which are heavier in texture such as clay loams, or soils with extreams of acidity or alkalinity, then seeding rates should be increased to between 35-50g per metre square. This helps to compensate for seedling mortality. See similar questions...

Dormant seeding is fine; however, seed should be planted so there is good seed to soil contact. In the event we get early snow, do not plant the seed over the snow. In warmer regions seeding is better done in the spring. See similar questions...

Burning off weeds only kills the tops and the new seed, but the roots will return to haunt you again. See similar questions...

Plastic, concrete, and iron, none of which is available yet. In the South you can count on U-3 Bermuda grass, and in the North, Kentucky 31 tall fescue. I want to caution anyone who is planting a play area not to be tempted to add clover seed to these areas to fill in spots as it can cause injuries. Clover is slippery, and when running feet try to stop quickly, clover won’t cooperate. See similar questions...

As a rule, none. It’s not that many grasses won’t grow and hold on hillsides; it’s your safety I’m concerned with. More accidents occur from falls and severe cuts from mowers on hillside maintenance than anywhere else. For your own safety, I would prefer that you plant any of the low- or no-maintenance ground covers. See similar questions...

Inverted wire brushes set in concrete and painted green. For something softer, you can depend on Kentucky 31 or Alta, coarse, or Meadow coarse fescue. See similar questions...