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Good Earth Green House

Do you have a question about gardening or yard work? Ask Good Earth Landscaping Horticulturist Gregg Curtis for his expert advice. Previous questions are posted below. Click a question to see Gregg's answer.

Lawn Questions

Where do I start in re-doing my garden?
We purchased our house in 2005. Because of a disability, I have not worked at all on the lawn/yard. This is the first year I am able to do anything and when I looked at the lawn, it is a mess. As I am not a native Arkansan, I don't know where to begin. It looks like it needs to be re-sodded but we cannot afford that. Also, I would like to plant some bushes/plants around our front door but don't know the best time of year for planting. Could you please help by advising on where to begin? Thank you.
Joanne, Benton
How do I get rid of grass stickers on my lawn?
How do I get rid of grass stickers on my lawn?
Can garden Hedges and grass survive in sand?
Just relocated to the United Arab Emirates. My question is can garden Hedges and grass survive in sand or does it need a mixture of soil mixed in with the sand.
Susan, Abu Dhabi
What can I do to get rid of unnecessary weeds?
I had a flower bed put in professionally. I had weed control put down but still have unneccessary weeds in my flower bed. What can I do?
Yolanda, Little Rock
How do we remove English Ivy?
Help....the house we just purchased has a front lawn covered with English Ivy with a big oak tree right in the middle. How do we remove the ivy....we love the tree.
Linda, Broken Arrow
What can I do for brown spots in my lawn?
In the spring i fertilize with a weed and feed and the lawn looks great. But as soon as some warmer weather hits i get large brown dead patches of grass even after all the rain we have had this season. What can I do?
Thanks,
Dean, Loudon
How can I get rid of the brown patches in my Fescue?
My lawn was looking great until 90 plus degrees set in, now I'm getting brown patches almost like thatch buildup. I need tips on when to thatch and what fertilizers to use. I have zoyzia and fescue. The fescue is what looks bad.
thank you,
John, St. Louis
How do you kill spurweeds?
we have lots of spurweeds(stickers) in our yard,what can I put on the lawn to kill them this time of the year?
Pat, Benton
What are the black spots in my yard?
There are some black spots in the yard that started a few weeks ago. The first time we just cut over it and now its back. It looks oily until you get up on it, its kind of powdery. What is it?
Tamera, El Campo
My St. Augustine grass has been very seedy. Can I stop that?
I live in Houston, TX. and my St. Augustine grass has been very seedy the past 2 years. I would like to see the grass without all the seed steam. Any Ideas?
Ken, Houston
My lawn is very patchy
My lawn is very patchy what can I do? I winterized it then spread the Scotts Spring Fertlizer. Is there something that I can I do to get all around green?
Despertly seeking grass,
Maria, Fall River
What is the best way to get rid of wild sweet onions?
What is the best way to get rid of wild sweet onions? When we moved into our home, we had an inground pool installed. At that time, additional top soil was needed to level the landscape. This soil was not screened, & as a result, we are growing wild sweet onions. We tried pulling them out, covering the pool landscape with weed barrier, & then with pine nuggets. Through all this, they continue to grow. Unfortunately, they are now spreading throughout our backyard lawn. When the lawn is cut, the odor is so strong & offensive. Is there a non-toxic way to get rid of these sweet onions that will be safe for my two dogs? Please advise. Thank you! Marianne, Mt. Juliet
What would be the best product to put under a portable storage shed before it is constructed to prevent grass/weed growth?
What would be the best product to put under a portable storage shed before it is constructed to prevent grass/weed growth? Is there anything natural/organic? Denise, Cabot
Are there any plants that would soak up help dry out an area?
Our house faces the west. The north side between our house and the neighbors sees almost no sun at all. Therefore it stays soaked with water. I wanted to know if there are shrubs I might can plant that would help soak up the water or some other kind of landscaping I can do to dry out this area. Robert, Maumelle
What would be good to use in flower beds to kill weed and grass,BUT not the flowers?
What would be good to use in flower beds to kill weed and grass,BUT not the flowers? Donald, Ward
My lawn is showing no signs of life should I be concerned?
Its mid March, and my lawn (sod)has no signs of any life yet. MY neighgors yards are already showing some life. Do I have reson to be concerned? I did furtilized with a spreader last fall. Wayne, Milton
What can I do about my weeds that look like green onions?
I live on 5 acres in Ferndale, I have some zoyza grass in some area. Each year and right now I have weeds that pop up that look like green onion tops. What can I Do? Martha Little Rock
What kind of grass do I need to plant that has alot of shade trees and where do I need to plant a hydrangea plant?
I would like to know what kind of grass do I need to plant that has alot of shade trees and where do I need to plant a hydrangea plant? I have heard that you need to plant them at the north side of the house! Is this true? Thank you! Sue Fairfield Bay
Will zoysia grass come back in the spring?
We have Zoysia grass and a the lawn caught fire in the winter and burned the entire lawn. Will the Zoysia come back in the spring or should it be resodded? Ken Cumming
Will St. Augustine grow in a sandy yard?
My front and back yard is very sandy. When you walk you sink in alot of places. Can I get St. Augustine to grow?? I have dirt everywhere and sick of it. Help! Mindy Stephenville
How can I get rid of the bermuda grass?
I sodded my front lawn with zoyzia in the spring, it was loaded with bermuda grass. The company replaced the sod with new, I am again finding bermuda throughout, I know you can't kill it so I've been pulling it out. Will my zoyzia fill in the bare spots or am I fighting a losing battle. My neighbors think I'm crazy canvassing my lawn every day but I don't know what else to do, I don't think the sod company would replace it again. Please advise. Melody Violet
Topsoil or red dirt?
Is it better to use topsoil or red dirt for seeding a new lawn? We live in North Carolina. Charlie Belews Creek
How do I get rid of stickers in the yard?
How do I get rid of stickers this time of the year Sept 2008. Carlton, Dallas
Why is my lawn two shades of gree?
About 4 months ago I bought a pallet of bermuda grass planted in checker board. It already grew in and looked beautiful. Now its two shades of green all over the yard..WHY?? Julian Aransas Pass
Can I do lawn thatching now?
Can I do lawn thatching now? HELEN Manchester
How much top soil do I need to start new seeding?
I have a yard I want to put top soil on it's 18FTL/18FTW how much top soil do I need to start new seeding I live in VA NE. Charlie
What can I do about foxes?
I have a new lawn and foxes at night keep pulling it up it is onley a few days old is there any help you can give me regards Peter. Peter London
When is the best time to prune holly, how can I get better control of my lawn?
Greg, We have spirea, holly and burning bushes that have gotten out of control. Is it OK to cut them back and when is the best time? Also, my lawn is looking like it is all growing at different lengths. Some low, where looking from the house it looks like a hole and then everything in between. Any idea how to correct this? Thanks, Janice Clinton
Why are the front lawn and back lawn so different?
I have St. Augustine grass. My front yard is nice and green and lush. The back yard grass has seeds in the top of the blades and is very uncomfortable to walk on barefooted. There is virtually no shade at all. I water in the early morning before sunrise. Why is there so much difference between the good looking front and the poor back. (Note) There is a couple of small patches of lush lawn growing in the bad lawn area. Les Houston Tx.
How can we get rid of the wild grass in our lawn?
We have lots of grass that look like some type of wild/prairie grass. How can we get rid of it? Linda Dyer
What is the best way to grow a new lawn?
I moved into new construction. The builder did not seed the lawn except around the house. It was formerly a field and has all kinds of weeds, clover, etc. Do I need to start over or can I use a product to kill weeds and then overseed with grass seed. THANKS. Joyce Abingdon, VA
How long does week and feed stay active in my lawn?
I put down some weed an feed an it also put lg. brown patches on my grass...i dug up all the dead grass an applied new dirt an seed an fertilizer...will that re-grow my grass? And how long does this weed an feed stay active in my lawn? Kathy
How do we grow grass in out difficult lawn?
We cannot get grass to grow in our back yard. We bought an older home seven years ago and have brought in soil and seeded seveal times. There are 3 large pines, 1 large pinoak and a pecan tree. There is more sun now that when we first bought because we have cut limbs but we still cannot grow grass. Do you have any suggestions? We don't want to have to sod right now if at all possible. Thanks Pam Conway
What is the best way to get rid of the weeds in my lawn?
I have two questions for you. 1. I have St.Augustine grass in my front yard that has some small broadleife weeds growing in it that I would like to get rid of without damaging the St.Augustine. The St. Augustine seems to get stronger and seemingly chokes out a lot of the other spring weeds as the growing season continues. 2. I have a blend of grasses in my backyard and have found some stickers that I would like to get rid of. Can you advise me on how to go about treating these two different problems? Curran Little Rock
How do I get rid of the sickers in my front yard?
I have these little green stickers all over my front yard..how do I get rid of them without them comming back twice as much next year? My daugether loves to play outside untill she falls..Please help me if you can..thanks Jennifer Alexander
Is there any way to "tame" a slope without installing a retaining wall?
Is there any way to "tame" a slope without installing a retaining wall? Michelle Little Rock
How can I get all the posion ivy out of my yard?
How can I get all the posion ivy out of my yard? We just had alot of dirt work done. I planted bermuda grass and the old fence line area was roots and roots of ivy. Will the new grass kill the ivy like I have been told? Lori, Lake Charles
How can I revive a dead patch of grass in my lawn?
Last week while spraying my Bermuda Lawn for weeds I inadvertently sprayed one patch of grass (200' x 12') with a herbicide(8.0% Glyphosate, 1.5% Oxyfluorfen, 0.1% Diquat). Well, it obviously did a great job killing the weeds, but also killed this patch of grass. I know that this is also in the soil and will probably prevent seeds from germinating for at least a month, but I wanted to know if it would be beneficial for me to bring in a couple of inches of new dirt and lay on top of the old "dead" sod and re-seed? John, Little Rock
How can I control the weeds in my lawn?
I have zoysia grass that was sodded about 3 years ago. I've never had much problem with weeds until last summer. What can I do as a preemergent to stop weeds without hurting zoysia? I also have a patch of bermuda about the size of a coffee table that has sprung up in one area. Any suggestions about that? Thanks Russell Shirley, Arkansas
How can i get rid of stickers in the lawn?
Greetings Greg,
I have a new home and last summer when we moved in the wild grass took over and so did the stickers, I tried to cut the grass as close to the ground as possible to help control the stickers. It helped for a while but the still came out. Now that its winter and spring is coming can you advise me as to when and what to put down to get rid of the stickers? Please advise.
Thanks
Paul, Weatherford
How can I get my Crape Myrtles to bloom?
Gregg,
I have had 3 crape myrtles in my yard for 3 seasons. I live in western NC. each winter they dye down to groung and comne out in spring and grow approx 4 feet. How do I fertilize, mulch, and winterize them hopefully to stop this problem. I've never seen them bloom.
Thank you
Betty, Clyde
How can i get rid of sandspurs?
I have nothing but sandspurs in my lawn. How do I get rid of them? Do I just need to dig up my entire lawn? Theresa, Clearwater
How can i turn my lawn into a lush paradise?
I have a big back yard with decent lawn. Unfortinuately it is compleetly infested with crab grass, thin and brittle. I am looking for a cost efective and pet friendly solution to turn my so-so lawn in to a lush paradise. Please Help... thank you Janet, Marana, AZ
Do you think Irish Moss can grow with dogs walking on it?
Do you think that Irish Moss can grow even with dogs walking on it? Laura, Little Rock
How can I help my patchy lawn?
I weed and feed and fertilize. I don't know if I have water problems or not, but large patches of our grass is like straw and no grass. I've dug in certain areas and don't see grubs. We do have some standing water. Now I'm digging about 4" down in the soil and removing medium to large rocks. Can this be causing our lawn problems. Help! We have the worst lawn in our subdivision.
MaryAnn
How can I control Crab grass?
When should I apply pre emergence to control crab grass, chickweed,and other weeds common to lawns in our area.
Leland, Stuttgart
How should I care for my St. Augustine?
I planted st augustine 5 weeks ago and it has started to seed, 3-4 inch stalks, what is my next step? cut? let it grow? it has turned so beautiful and dark green, it is so much darker than the existing grass I have! advise please! Viejo, Ausitn
What is causing my grass to like like straw on the tips?
It has been about a week since I have mowed my lawn and it is getting long (haven't had the time due to schedule and weather)...however, I have noticed that at the end of each grass blade it looks like straw does at the end (almost a feathered type of look). I am wondering what is causing this, is it because the grass it long (not over 4-5 inches long) or is this some sort of disease or fungus?
Nathan, Waterford
What is making holes in my arbor?
I have noticed small piles of saw dust under areas of my two arbors. There are perfectly round holes in the wood of the arbors upper boards directly above the piles of sawdust. Could this be a beetle? How do I get rid of it
Nita, North Little Rock
What can I do to make my lawn grow?
I just had a landscaper thatch our lawn. He told us that after thatching he would seed slice our lawn becuase there were a few spots that were killed over the winter. He did not seed slice the lawn becuase he said the thatching scratched the lawn and he only spread the seed over the lawn by hand. Stating that the seed would fall into the scratch marks made by thatching. Is this so and if not what should I do to make sure my lawn grow grass in the affected areas.
Robert, Peabody MA


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