Lawn Care Glossary

Aeration: Perforating soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps alleviate soil compaction.

Broadleaf Weeds: Weeds with wide leaves, as opposed to grasses, which have narrow, blade-like leaves. Examples include dandelions, clover, and plantain.

Compost: Decomposed organic matter used as a natural fertilizer and soil amendment. It improves soil structure, drainage, and nutrient content.

Cool-Season Grasses: Grass varieties that thrive in cooler temperatures, typically found in the northern parts of the United States. Examples include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescue.

Dethatching: The process of removing thatch, a layer of dead grass and organic matter that accumulates between the grass.

Fertilizer: A substance that provides essential nutrients to plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It comes in various forms, including granular, liquid, and slow-release.

Grubs: The larvae of various beetles, which can damage lawns by feeding on grass roots.

Mulch: A material, such as wood chips, bark, or straw, spread over the soil surface to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature.

Overseeding: The process of spreading grass seed over an existing lawn to thicken it or fill in bare spots.

pH: A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity. Most grasses prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-7.0).

Pre-Emergent Herbicide: A weed control product applied before weed seeds germinate to prevent their growth.

Post-Emergent Herbicide: A weed control product applied to kill existing weeds.

Topdressing: The process of spreading a thin layer of soil, compost, or other material over the lawn to improve soil quality, levelness, and drainage.

Warm-Season Grasses: Grass varieties that thrive in warmer temperatures, typically found in the southern parts of the United States. Examples include Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, and St. Augustine grass.

Grass Types:

• Cool-Season Grasses:
  • Kentucky Bluegrass: Fine-bladed, dense, and rich green. Popular for lawns in the northern US.
  • Perennial Ryegrass: Fast-growing, good for overseeding, often mixed with bluegrass.
  • Fine Fescues: Tolerates shade and drought, often used in seed mixes.
  • Tall Fescue: Deep-rooted, durable, good for high-traffic areas.
• Warm-Season Grasses:
  • Bermuda Grass: Dense, fine-textured, needs full sun. Popular for southern lawns.
  • Zoysia Grass: Low-maintenance, dense, but slow-growing.
  • St. Augustine Grass: Coarse-textured, shade-tolerant, common in the deep south.
  • Centipede Grass: Low-maintenance, light green, not as wear-resistant.

Fertilizers:

• Types:
  • Granular: Slow-release, good for long-term feeding.
  • Liquid: Fast-acting, good for quick green-up.
  • Organic: Natural ingredients, good for soil health.
• Nutrients:
  • Nitrogen (N): For green growth.
  • Phosphorus (P): For root development.
  • Potassium (K): For overall health and disease resistance.
  • Micronutrients: Iron, manganese, etc., for specific needs.
• Fertilizer Schedule: Varies by grass type and region. Generally, fertilize in spring and fall for cool-season grasses, summer for warm-season grasses.

Sprinkler Systems:

• Types:
  • In-ground: Permanent, efficient, but costly to install.
  • Above-ground: Portable, less expensive, but less efficient.
• Components:
  • Sprinkler Heads: Pop-up, rotor, etc., deliver water in different patterns.
  • Controllers: Programmed to water at specific times and durations.
  • Valves: Control the flow of water to each zone.
  • Rain Sensors: Prevent watering during or after rainfall.