Yard Answers

Quick, practical fixes for the yard problems homeowners ask about most.

• How do I get rid of crabgrass?Prevent crabgrass with a pre-emergent applied in early spring when soil reaches about 55°F (around forsythia bloom). For crabgrass already growing, spot-treat young plants with a quinclorac weed killer or pull them by the root before they drop seed.
• How do I get rid of dandelions?Pull dandelions with a stand-up weed puller to remove the full taproot, or spot-spray a broadleaf herbicide in fall when plants pull energy down to their roots. A thick, well-fed lawn is the best long-term prevention.
• Why does my lawn have brown patches?Brown patches usually come from drought or heat stress, grubs, fungus (like brown patch or red thread), or dog urine. Tug the brown grass: if it lifts like carpet, check for grubs; circular rings with dark edges point to fungus; scattered spots that green up after watering are drought.
• Why is my grass turning yellow?Yellow grass most often means low nitrogen or iron, a soil pH problem, overwatering, or dull mower blades. Test soil pH first (aim for 6.0–7.0), then fertilize based on the results rather than guessing.
• How do I fix dog urine spots on grass?Dog urine spots are nitrogen burn. Flush the spot with water right after your dog goes, rake out dead grass, and reseed with a tough tall fescue or perennial ryegrass blend.
• Should I aerate or dethatch my lawn?Aerate when soil is compacted (water puddles, hard ground, heavy foot traffic). Dethatch when the spongy thatch layer is thicker than ½ inch. Cool-season lawns should be aerated in early fall, ideally followed by overseeding.
• When should I overseed my lawn?For cool-season lawns (most of the Northeast and Midwest), overseed from late August to late September, when soil is warm and air is cooling. Keep the seed consistently moist for 2–3 weeks until it fills in.
• How do I get rid of moss in my lawn?Moss signals shade, acidic soil, compaction or poor drainage. Rake it out, test pH and lime if it's low, aerate, and thin out branches to bring more light — or switch shady spots to shade-tolerant fescue or a ground cover.
• How do I fix heavy clay soil?Improve clay soil by core aerating annually and top-dressing with ¼ inch of compost. Over a few seasons, organic matter loosens the structure. Avoid adding sand alone — it can make clay set like concrete.
• How do I fix standing water in my yard?Find the source first: downspouts dumping near the house, low spots, or compacted clay. Extend downspouts at least 10 feet, regrade low areas, aerate compacted soil, and consider a French drain or dry well for persistent problems.
• How do I know if I have grubs?Peel back a square foot of brown turf. More than 8–10 C-shaped white grubs means treatment is warranted. Preventive grub control goes down in early summer; curative products work in late summer while grubs are small.
• How do I keep deer from eating my plants?Combine methods: motion-activated sprinklers, rotating repellent sprays, deer-resistant plants (boxwood, lavender, ornamental grasses), and an 8-foot fence for vegetable gardens. Deer adapt, so switch tactics every few weeks.
• How do I keep rabbits and groundhogs out of my garden?Use a fence buried 6–12 inches deep with an outward bend for groundhogs, plus motion sprinklers for surprise. Remove brush piles and hiding spots, and protect young plants with mesh cloches.
• How do I get rid of moles and voles?Moles make raised tunnels while hunting grubs and worms; voles make surface runways and chew plant roots. Trapping is the most reliable fix for moles; for voles, mow short, remove thick mulch near plants, and use repellents.
• What's digging holes in my lawn at night?Small cone-shaped holes overnight are usually skunks or raccoons hunting grubs. Set up a trail camera to confirm the culprit, treat grubs, secure trash, and use motion-activated lights, sprinklers or repellers.
• How do I kill spotted lanternflies?Squash adults and nymphs, scrape egg masses from fall through spring, and use circle traps (not sticky bands that catch birds) on trees. Removing tree-of-heaven, their favorite host, cuts populations dramatically.
• How do I get rid of mosquitoes in my yard?Dump standing water weekly (buckets, gutters, saucers), keep grass mowed and brush trimmed, and use mosquito dunks in water you can't drain. For heavy pressure, barrier sprays by a licensed pro reduce numbers for 3–4 weeks.
• How do I stop Japanese beetles?Hand-pick beetles into soapy water early in the morning, protect high-value plants with netting, and treat lawn grubs to reduce next year's population. Avoid bag traps near gardens — they attract more beetles than they catch.
• How short should I mow my grass?Mow cool-season grass at 3–4 inches and never remove more than one-third of the blade at a time. Taller grass shades out weeds, holds moisture and builds deeper roots. Keep blades sharp and leave clippings on the lawn.
• How often should I water my lawn?Give established lawns about 1 inch of water per week, including rain, in 1–2 deep early-morning sessions. Deep, infrequent watering trains roots to grow down; frequent shallow watering invites disease and weak roots.
• When should I fertilize my lawn?For cool-season lawns, the most important feeding is early fall, with a second in late fall and a light one in spring. Skip summer nitrogen in heat. A soil test tells you whether you also need lime or phosphorus.
• How much mulch do I need?Multiply bed length × width (feet) × depth (inches) and divide by 324 to get cubic yards. A 2–3 inch layer is ideal. One cubic yard equals about 13.5 bags of 2-cubic-foot mulch. Keep mulch pulled back from tree trunks.
• What should I do with fall leaves?Mulch leaves into the lawn with your mower when the layer is light — it feeds the soil. For heavy cover, shred and use them as free mulch in beds or compost. Don't leave thick wet mats on grass over winter.
• When should I trim trees and shrubs?Most trees and shrubs are best pruned in late winter while dormant. Prune spring bloomers (lilac, forsythia, azalea) right after they flower. Large limbs, dead trees or anything near power lines should be handled by an insured tree pro.
• How do I kill creeping Charlie?Tough lawn weeds like creeping Charlie, wild violet and wild garlic respond best to fall herbicide applications containing triclopyr or similar actives, often repeated. Improve sun and turf density so grass can crowd them out.
• How do I test my soil?A home meter gives a quick pH and moisture reading; a home kit or extension lab test adds nutrient levels. Sample 4–6 inches deep from several spots, mix, and test before fertilizing or liming.
• Pavers or concrete for a patio?Pavers cost more upfront but flex with frost and are easy to repair; stamped concrete is cheaper but can crack and needs resealing every few years. For freeze–thaw climates, properly installed pavers usually last longer.
• How do I attract birds to my yard?Offer food, water and cover: a feeder with black-oil sunflower seed, a shallow birdbath, and native shrubs or trees for shelter. A camera feeder lets you see and identify visitors from your phone.