Turf problems can be categorized as cultural (man-made), environmental or pest-related. Often two or more of these factors contribute to the problem.

Our warm-season grasses don’t like low temperatures. Some may show off colors because of chilling injury. Don't confuse this with disease and don't make it worse.

A lawn can be as functional as it is beautiful if planned properly. Recommended varieties, degree of shade, planting and establishment and other site considerations are included.

Bermudagrass sod is a tough, fine-textured, aggressive, warm-season turf that's just perfect for a pretty lawn or well-performing athletic turf. It does not tolerate shade, so overhangs and trees are a big problem.

Having a lawn under shade trees is not always a compatible mix. Even so, you may be able to choose shade-tolerant grasses and manage them to get the best turf cover for that level of shade. Use this publication to choose the best variety and cultural practices for your lawn.

This publication provides an easy and simple-to-understand method to determine when and how much irrigation water is needed. (PDF Format Only)

Efficient watering practices are important to all homeowners who want to conserve water, maintain a healthy turf and reduce maintenance costs. (PDF Format Only)

Although the earth’s crust is about 5% iron (Fe), we still see iron deficiency in plants. This may be because of a problem with the plant roots, soil and/or environment. This publication includes tips on how to care for your turfgrass.

Iron chlorosis results when green chlorophyll in leaf tissue fails to develop properly. Iron chlorosis first develops in new growth and as the condition worsens, leaves appear yellow or almost white.

You can trim and edge mechanically with a string trimmer or edger... or chemically with a non-selective herbicide. Dr Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station, says each method has advantages and disadvantages.

It is called the “lazy man’s grass” because it thrives with less care and requires less mowing than many other grasses.

Grass clippings are a constant in yard maintenance, but fall introduces leaves into the mix. This year the nuisance is worse because hurricanes and storms have defoliated more trees.

The cultural activites for lawn care may be the same on warm-season and cool-season grasses, but they are often 180 degrees opposite in timing. This chart covers the entire state of Louisiana with its two cold hardiness zones. Recommended cultural activities in north vs. south Louisiana will vary by 2 to 4 weeks in when they start and end because of the start of spring and fall seasons.

The cultural activites for lawn care may be the same on warm-season and cool-season grasses, but they are often 180 degrees opposite in timing. This chart covers Louisiana with its two cold hardiness zones. Recommended cultural activities in north vs. south Louisiana will vary by two to four weeks in when they start and end because of the start of spring and fall seasons.

That ‘southern living lawn’ does take a proper game plan and work, but it can be an outstanding landscape feature.

Without good irrigation and resources to do so, allowing your turf to go dormant during extended summer drought may be the best management practice.

(Distributed 09/10/08) One sure vestige of a hurricane or bad blow is a large, dead area of the lawn. It usually is located near curbside where yard debris is piled up for many days.

Mole crickets cause millions of dollars in turf and grass damage each year. Their burrowing in the soil breaks up the soil and causes roots to dry out. Identification, life cycle and control included.

Fall is the time to treat for brown patch, the most common disease on warm-season turfgrasses.

(Distributed 08/29/07) To winterize Southern, warm-season lawns, apply a fertilizer with more potash than nitrogren. Potash is represented by the third number on a fertilizer bag, while nitrogen is shown as the first.

Bermudagrass may be the plague of flower beds and gardens, but is an important turfgrass species, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

Soil salts affect turf mostly by withholding moisture from plant tissues. They may also compete for uptake of nutrient ions. Try these suggestions to manage a soil salinity situation.

A beautiful lawn doesn't happen by chance. It requires planning and some elbow grease.

A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth.

All warm-season grasses can thrive in Louisiana. This collection of photos and descriptions can help the home gardener select the right species.

Fertilizers come in different strengths and blends, with the three numbers on the bags showing the percentage by weight of the three major nutrients. Understanding the numbers on a bag of fertilizer helps you apply the right amount and ratio your yard or garden needs.

The analysis or "formula" listed on the fertilizer bags tells you what is inside. This information lets you apply the proper amount of fertilizer.

Unwise suburban lawncare can provide a direct surface route for fertilizer nutrients and other surface pollutants to enter bayous and bays.

Layering of very different soil types creates root problems. If you can, always avoid sodding a sand-based root-zone area with native-soil-based sod.

Weeding and feeding are two different operations. Sometimes they can be done in combination, but not always and not for best results.

Dry conditions often persist in most parts of Louisiana this time of year and into the summer, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske says there are actions you can take to avoid the lawn problems associated with drought.

Nitrogen is the chief nutrient and controller of plant growth in average soils. It is provided in several commercial fertilizer forms.

A sharp mower blade produces a prettier cut with less stress on the turf plant. Sharpening a reel mower blade assembly is difficult and best left to a professional, but sharpening a common rotary mower blade is not a big problem.

Zoysias can be the most beautiful and slow growing lawns, but they can also be big problems. These lawns are very dense and uniform in appearance.

"A patch of dead grass, even a small one, in an otherwise acceptable lawn can be an eyesore and a weed magnet," says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Use turfgrass to patch the lawn. It’s easy, immediate and permanent and checks soil erosion.

Varying your mowing pattern can cause you to spend a little more time mowing, but the result will be a greatly improved appearance in your turfgrass.

Controlling and trapping moles require a little time and patience. Your success with controlling moles depends on locating active runways and the proper placement of a trap.

Many wonder if newly laid sod should be quickly fertilized to help speed establishment.

It takes some knowledge and research to select turfgrass species and varieties that are adapted to your site and that will perform well under their intended use and time of planting.

Centipedegrass is a popular lawn grass in Louisiana. Although centipede is a low maintenance grass, proper management is still important. This publcation covers factors that contribute to centipede decline: improper plant nutrition, cultural practices, and soil and water conditions.

This publication includes information on the life cycle, damage and control of slime mold on turfgrass.

Here is a chart of hebicides for home lawn use.

We often see lawns with mushrooms or doughnut rings of dying or dark green grass. These are referred to as "fairy rings." This publication includes information on how to control fairy rings in your lawn.

Herbicides listed in our weed control guide for home lawn use with general application.

Weed science priciples and weed control products for homeowners found at garden retail outlets.

The surge of salt water brought inland by a hurricane can cause a lot of damage to turfgrasses. Follow these suggestions to help overcome saltwater damage to your turf.

St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is one of our two most popular lawn grasses in Louisiana. It is widely adapted to the humid Deep South.

Fall is not a time to do much to your Louisiana lawn – mow, remove fallen leaves and irrigate as needed. Warm-season grasses are slowing down and trying to go dormant. "We must let them do so," says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

Louisianians who winterize their lawns in October need to be especially careful at reading the nutrient label on the fertilizer bag, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

Mid-spring through summer is the best time for sodding, but dormant-season sodding can be successful, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Planting dormant grass is simply riskier.

Information on how to reduce nonpoint source pollution using research-based horticultural best management practices. (PDF Only)

When attempting to determine the cause of dying patches of grass during the summer, always check the soil first.

Following the best management practices (BMPs) given here should help keep your lawn in good condition. A healthy and properly cared for lawn will resist weeds and other pest problems; thus, a minimum of pesticide products will be needed. Basic lawn care consists of proper fertilizing, watering and mowing and appropriate pest management, as needed.

Turfgrasses provide functional, economic, recreational, health and safety, environmental and aesthetic benefits to Louisiana.

Of all the reasons for solid sodding a new lawn, some of the best ones are those everyone can appreciate.

Acidic soils (low pH) cause more gardening problems in Louisiana than any other soil factor. They affect so many other soil factors in both pest management and soil fertility.

Proper fall lawn preparation can mean reduced turf loss to winter kill.

Starting a lawn from seed is a tough proposition even when all things are done right. Poor fertility, too much or too little moisture, rain washouts, ants, weeds and disease all can cause havoc during establishment.

We are all familiar with low-growing, running grasses like the St. Augustine and centipede used to cover lawn areas, and, in most gardeners’ minds, all other grasses are simply weeds. Ornamental grasses, however, are an often overlooked group of herbaceous perennials that thrive in our climate and will grow beautifully with minimal effort.

(Distributed February 2005) Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) has become the most popular grass type in Louisiana. It is the major grass produced on Louisiana sod farms, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

Landscapes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita can be revitalized. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about what can be done to repair the damage.

LSU AgCenter experts say soil contamination in Jefferson and Orleans parishes from flooding after this summer’s hurricanes may not be as serious as originally feared. Initial results of tests conducted in October indicate no need for special preparations to the soils prior to planting and that there should be no danger for individuals digging or planting in the soil.

Even though Louisiana falls are usually dry, rain eventually comes. After long, extended wet periods, a sinister looking fungus or slime may appear, attacking lawns in the cooler season ahead.

Will the grass come back and how long will it be before vegetable gardens can be planted were questions on the minds of LSU AgCenter faculty members who recently toured the New Orleans area.