Soil & Feeding
Fall Soil Testing: Why Now Beats Spring
A soil test is the cheapest way to stop guessing on lime and fertilizer. Why fall is the best time to test, how to take a good sample, and what to do…
The Library
Lawn-care guides, from seed to snow mold.
Golf Course Know-How
How Golf Courses Put Greens to Bed for Winter (and What Homeowners Can Steal)
What a superintendent does to get greens through a northern winter: raising mowing heights, fall feeding, topdressing, snow mold prevention, covers. Plus the parts that work at home.
Lawn
Dormant Seeding: Sowing Grass in Late Fall for a Spring Lawn
Missed the September seeding window? Dormant seeding puts seed down in late fall so it sprouts on its own in spring. When to do it, which grasses work, and what to expect.
Weeds & Pests
Fall Broadleaf Weed Control: Why October Beats Spring
Dandelions, clover and creeping Charlie are easiest to kill in fall, when they're pulling food down to their roots. Timing, temperatures, and how to do it safely.
Trees & Shrubs
Water Your Trees Before the Ground Freezes
A dry fall sends trees and evergreens into winter thirsty, and winter burn follows. How much to water, how deep, which trees need it most, and when to stop.
Fall & Winter
Blowing Out Your Irrigation System Before the Freeze
Water left in sprinkler lines freezes, expands and cracks pipes, valves and heads. When to winterize, the blowout method step by step, safe air pressure, and when to call a pro.
Fall & Winter
Leaves on the Lawn: Mulch Them, Don't Rake Them (Mostly)
Mowing fallen leaves back into the lawn feeds the soil, saves hours of raking, and university research even linked maple leaf mulch to fewer dandelions. How to do it right and when…
Fall & Winter
The Late-Fall Fertilizer Application Golf Courses Swear By
The most useful fertilizer feeding of the year for northern lawns comes after the last mowing. When to apply it, how much nitrogen, what product, and the mistakes to avoid.
Fall & Winter
When to Stop Mowing for the Season (and How Low the Last Cut Should Be)
When to put the mower away for winter in the northern US, how to tell the grass has stopped growing, and how low the final cut should go without scalping the crowns.
Lawn
Understanding Rhizomatous, Stoloniferous, and Bunch-Type Grasses
Different grasses spread in different ways. Understanding these habits helps you pick the right mix and set realistic expectations for how quickly your lawn will fill in and repair damage. Related: Overseeding…
Lawn
Tall Fescue vs Kentucky Bluegrass: Which is Better for Most Northern Homes?
This is the question I get most often. The short answer: for the majority of properties outside the far north (Zones 3–4, where bluegrass’s winter hardiness wins) in 2026, tall fescue (or…
Lawn
Starting a New Lawn from Scratch in Heavy Clay Soils: Complete Guide
Starting fresh on heavy clay is very doable — but it requires more soil work upfront than most people expect. Skip the shortcuts and you’ll have a lawn that performs for 20+…