http://www.yardsmarts.com/ en-us Copyright 2010 Mon, 21 May 2012 08:51:35 CST Mon, 21 May 2012 08:51:35 CST info@yardsmarts.com http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Pressure%20Washer%20Maintenance/Replacing%20Orings%20and%20Screens/ O-rings keep the spray wand and hose connections tight and leak free, while screens help prevent debris from clogging hoses and damaging the water pump. Through normal operation of the pressure washer these parts may become clogged, worn, or damaged and should be cleaned or replaced before the unit is operated. Step 1 - To replace an O-ring, use a small flathead screw-driver to pry off the worn or damaged O-ring and discard. Install an O-ring in the same … Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:09:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Pressure%20Washer%20Maintenance/Spray%20Wand%20Maintenance/ Prior to use, always test the spray gun to make sure it works properly. To begin, make sure the hose connection to the spray gun is secure, then test the spray-gun assembly by pressing and releasing the trigger. The trigger should spring back into place when it is released. Next, engage the safety latch, and test the trigger. You should not be able to depress it. If the trigger is loose, or can be depressed while the safety latch is engaged, or water is leaking around the gun handle, the … Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Pressure%20Washer%20Maintenance/Spray%20Wand%20Maintenance/ Prior to use, always test the spray gun to make sure it works properly. To begin, make sure the hose connection to the spray gun is secure, then test the spray-gun assembly by pressing and releasing the trigger. The trigger should spring back into place when it is released. Next, engage the safety latch, and test the trigger. You should not be able to depress it. If the trigger is loose, or can be depressed while the safety latch is engaged, or water is leaking around the gun handle, the … Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Pressure%20Washer%20Maintenance/Preventative%20Pressure%20Washer%20Maintenance/ Taking the time to examine and clean your pressure washer and accessories, both before and after each use, will help you avoid performance problems and save money on parts and repair. Refer to your owner's manual for special guidelines appropriate to your pressure washer make and model. Prior to Each Use Step 1: Check the Oil Check engine oil and fuel levels: Top off both oil and fuel if low, or change oil if needed using a manufacturer-recommended oil. Consult … Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:52:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/How-To/Articles/Equipment/Water%20Pump%20Maintenance/ Pressure washer water pumps need relatively low maintenance. The two main concerns are keeping contaminants out of the pump and changing the pump oil on schedule. (Some pumps do not need oil changes.) Purge the water pump to remove impurities and debris and change the pump oil every 50 hours of use or once a year, whichever occurs first. Use only oil recommended by the manufacturer, as specified in the owner's manual. (Purchase pre-measured bottles of pump oil for water pumps without … Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:17:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Pressure%20Washer%20Maintenance/How%20to%20Replace%20a%20Foam%20Air%20Filter/ A Briggs & Stratton genuine foam filter element is designed to properly fit your engine and will keep dust particles from getting into your engine. How to Replace a Foam Air Filter Your foam filter requires replacement every 3 months or after 25 hours of use, whichever occurs first, more often under dusty conditions. How To Change a Foam Air Filter: Remove air filter screw. Carefully remove air filter assembly and discard … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:42:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/Choosing%20Spark%20Plugs/ Get Started with Briggs & Stratton For consistent, easy starting, change your spark plug every 100 hours or every season, whichever comes first. Replacing your spark plug: Ensures consistent spark More reliable starting Improves fuel economy It’s very important that you choose the right spark plug for your engine. Due to the variety of engines and equipment configurations, please refer to your operator's manual for more … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:01:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/Changing%20Spark%20Plugs/ For consistent, easy starting, change your spark plug every 100 hours or every season, whichever comes first. Replacing your spark plug: Ensures consistent spark More reliable starting Improves fuel economy Step 1: Remove existing spark plug 1. Disconnect the spark plug lead. Then, clean the area around the spark plug to avoid getting debris in the combustion chamber when you remove the plug. 2. Remove the spark plug using … Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:13:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/Choosing%20Spark%20Plugs/ Get Started with Briggs & Stratton For consistent, easy starting, change your spark plug every 100 hours or every season, whichever comes first. Replacing your spark plug: Ensures consistent spark More reliable starting Improves fuel economy It’s very important that you choose the right spark plug for your engine. Due to the variety of engines and equipment configurations, please refer to your operator's manual for more … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:01:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20a%20Lawn%20Mower/ There are several things to consider when you decide to purchase a new lawn mower. Here are some tips to help you get the perfect mower to match your needs, The Engine. Purchase a mower with a quality engine, one suitable for the size job you expect it to do. Briggs & Stratton engines can be found on several brands of lawn mowers. They power mowers ranging from small walk-behinds to large zero-turn mowers and garden tractors. Your Briggs & Stratton dealer can … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:19:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/Changing%20Spark%20Plugs/ For consistent, easy starting, change your spark plug every 100 hours or every season, whichever comes first. Replacing your spark plug: Ensures consistent spark More reliable starting Improves fuel economy Step 1: Remove existing spark plug 1. Disconnect the spark plug lead. Then, clean the area around the spark plug to avoid getting debris in the combustion chamber when you remove the plug. 2. Remove the spark plug using … Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:13:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/Storing%20Your%20Equipment/ Perform some simple seasonal storage and startup maintenance in the spring, fall or whenever you store your equipment for prolonged periods of time. Use our handy equipment storage checklist to help you store your equipment properly. Equipment Storage Checklist Fuel Top off the fuel tank before storing. Filling the tank helps prevent moisture from condensing in your fuel tank, and stops rust and scale before it starts. … Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:53:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/Tune-Up%20Schedule/ Spring is a great time to tune up your lawn mower before the heavy mowing season begins. Whenever you choose to tune up, be sure to do it once a year.   *Change oil after first 5 hours, then after every 50 hours or every season. **Service more often under dusty, heavy load operating conditions. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:25:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/How%20to%20Change%20Oil/ Steps to Better Engine Maintenance For optimum performance, you should change the oil in your small engine after the first five hours of use and then annually, or every 50 hours of use (whichever comes first). Changing Oil Guide Step 1: Getting Started Start the engine and run it until it is warm. Stop the engine. WARNING: Be sure to disconnect the spark plug wire, and secure it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:52:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/How%20to%20Replace%20a%20Dual%20Element%20Air%20Filter/ A Briggs & Stratton genuine dual air filter element will help extend the life of your engine. If you have a combination air filter with pre-cleaner, replace pre-cleaner every 25 hours or every season, and replace cartridge every 100 hours. If you do not have a pre-cleaner replace cartridge every 25 hours or every season, more often under dusty conditions.   How to Replace Dual Element Air Filter: Remove knob(s) and … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:32:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/My%20Snow%20Blower%20Wont%20Start/ Okay: Hopefully you’re reading this before getting caught in a snowstorm, rather than facing mounds of heavy snow without the help of your fine winter weather friend – your snowblower. Fact is, for your snow blower to work its best – and consistently – regular attention to snow blower parts is required, just like with your lawn mower. And (not that we’re scolding), it’s something you should think about way before the first snowfall – when winter comes to an end and you’re storing your snow … Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Wash%20Before%20Winter/ Pristine is easy with a pressure washer. Between Mother Nature and extra outdoor activity, a lot happens between spring and fall to make even the best-kept property downright dirty. And while it may be tempting to look the other way (and hope a fresh coat of snow will cover the worst), you’ll thank yourself when it’s time to get outside again if you tidy up now. Before the heavy sigh, take heart: With the right tool, you can take care of … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/Environmental%20Tips/ 5 Ways You Can Help in Your Yard: There are many ways we can help the environment right in our own backyards. Yard care offers lots of opportunities to do things in a way that will help care for our air and natural resources. Let these ideas get you started! Tune-up your lawn mower once a year. This simple-to-do task takes 30 minutes or less and cuts your mower's emissions by up to 50 percent and fuel consumption up to 30 percent. … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:43:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Divide%20and%20Conquer%20How%20to%20Divide%20Perennials%20Successfully/ Your seedlings have all grown up. You’ve nurtured them for years. They’ve peaked in beauty before your eyes. And now they’re in full abundance, once with room to spread – but, hmmm – now seemingly snuffing each other out. Before it gets ugly, it’s time to divide your beloved perennials. You may be a little nervous before digging in. But think of it as this: Whether you replant your perennials to accent empty landscape or pass them along to friends in garden need, you’re spreading the … Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:11:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Summertime%20and%20the%20Giving%20is%20Easy/ Just check out our yard care gift guide. Winter months might be best known as gift-giving season. But when you think of all the activities and events when the weather warms up, spring through summer has to be a close second. Parties. Weddings. Mother’s and Father’s Day. Plus, more babies are born in July, August and September than any other time of the year1 , which explains the flurry of summer birthdays. Also, spring is prime time for home purchases, which means … Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/The%20Best%20Pressure%20Washer%20Accessories/ If you own a power washer, chances are you’re already charged at how much faster and easier tough outdoor cleaning chores can be taken care of. A remarkably versatile cleaning tool, you can make just about anything sparkle with minimal muscle power: your home’s siding or brick, concrete drives, paths and garage floors, gutters, decks and fencing, even your car, truck or boat. If that doesn’t give you the idea, check out Five Ways to Use Your Pressure Washer Now. With a power … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:05:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Natural%20Transformation-Turn%20Yard%20Waste%20Into%20a%20Wreath/ When you’re clearing your lawn of twigs before mowing, pruning your bushes or raking your landscape, give your yard debris a second look before tossing it to the curb. It’s likely you have the makings of a perfectly wonderful door wreath that you can put together in no time – and for pretty much nothing. It's a fun way to put your creative nature into practice, while making good use of natural resources that would normally go to waste. See what suits your style and sarroundings, and … Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/How%20I%20Got%20Over%20My%20String%20Trimmer%20Phobia/ It started with string trimmer denial: Do I really need to invest in a new piece of equipment in a quest for landscape perfection? Wasn't it enough to keep my lawn mowed to the right height? Were some overgrown stragglers in hard-to-reach areas all that bad?But then came the next phase: String trimmer envy. As I nonchalantly observed my neighbors using their trimmers to effortlessly whisk away grass around trees, rocks, fences, garden beds and the edges along pavement, the craving … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/Lawn%20Maintenance%20Equipment%20Just%20Like%20New/ How to revive yard care hand-me-downs Score! You've spotted an impassable deal at a garage sale. Or maybe you were gifted lawn maintenance equipment from a relative or friend who was upgrading. Getting a great deal on "pre-owned" yard care equipment (or better yet, getting it for free) is no doubt a bonus. But chances are those giveaways didn't receive needed TLC before being passed along. To make sure inherited yard equipment does the good it should to your landscape, … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/Lawn%20Mower%20Window%20Shopping/ What to know before you buy How much is that mower in the window? According to Consumer Reports, the price of a walk-behind self-propelled mower can vary from $185 to a whopping $3,100. Generally speaking, the more features a lawn mower possesses, the more it will cost. But, Consumer Reports and equipment gurus from Popular Mechanics both say in the case of lawn mowers, high price and loads of features doesn't necessarily guarantee high performance.A smarter (and more … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/Its%20Lawn%20Mower%20Tune%20Up%20Time/ Why now it's easier than ever to DIY Two confessions: I've had my car tuned up once in the five years I've owned it. And the same goes for my lawn mower. The rationale is consistent. "Oh, it's working just fine. It can go another season." I'd place a bet that the other 33 million lawn mower owners who let tune ups slip use that same excuse at the beginning of each mowing season. If you're one of them, join me in facing reality this year. The fact is, regular spring … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/Troubleshooting%20Your%20Lawn%20Mower/ Now that you have been mowing the lawn for a few weeks, you know if your mower is operating smoothly or not. If you have a hard time starting your mower, the cause may be old gasoline. Gas goes stale in about 30 days. Use a fuel preservative in the gas tank, or use a FreshStart® Gas Cap, which automatically drips the correct amount of preservative into the tank all season long. Poor starting may also mean that the spark plug is fouled. If you did not tune up your mower this … Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/The%20Importance%20of%20Pre-Season%20Pruning/ If your sole reason for pruning is overgrowth, then late winter, early spring is the time to get out those pruning shears. Most trees and shrubs benefit from annual pruning to improve their shape, get rid of dead, damaged, and diseased wood, and encourage new growth. But pruning at the wrong time of year can result in less flowering, leafing and fruits on your greenery. To promote optimal health and appearance, March through April is the best time for pruning trees, shrubs, plants … Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/When%20Lawn%20Thatch%20Has%20Got%20to%20Go/ In early spring, before serious grass growing begins, it’s a great time to see if you need to get rid of grass thatch. What is thatch and why can it be bad? Thatch is the layer of grass stems, roots, clippings and other debris that naturally build up on your lawn over time. It’s that grayish-brown matted stuff that forms between grass blades and grass roots. The presence of thatch is perfectly normal for lawns; it’s when there’s too much thatch that it can post a problem. How much … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:05:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20do%20a%20Soil%20Test/ By having your soil analyzed before planting a garden or even fertilizing your lawn, you will know exactly what nutrients you should be adding. You also will determine the pH level of your soil-how acid or alkaline it is. Ideally, the pH level should be neutral to slightly acid for plants to easily absorb water-soluble nutrients. Your county agricultural extension office can provide mail-in soil test kits. You also can purchase test kits at home and garden centers. When … Wed, 09 May 2007 15:42:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Eliminate%20Plant%20Allergens%20in%20your%20Yard/ If you are an outdoor allergy sufferer, you may want to consider allergy-free landscaping in your yard. Some plants and trees are less likely than others to trigger allergies. There also are some yard care practices that will help your allergic reaction. Here are some things to consider when trying to eliminate plant allergens in your yard: Trees that have long periods of bloom will disperse lots of pollen, triggering allergic reactions. Shredded mulch that … Wed, 09 May 2007 11:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Deal%20with%20your%20Lawn%20During%20a%20Drought/ The lack of rainfall in many areas of the country has been making the news in recent weeks. Here are some reminders and tips on how to deal with a drought situation. Remember, grass is resilient. It can handle weather extremes in many cases. If it turns straw-colored and looks withered, there is a good chance it will come back when conditions are better. Just leave it alone and wait. The worse thing you can do is to give your lawn a sip of … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:11:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Choose%20the%20Best%20Landscape%20Trees%20and%20Plants%20for%20Your%20Yard/ Fall is a great time to update your landscaping. It's the perfect season for planting trees and bushes, and perennial plants are on sale. So go ahead - make some changes! Choosing the right trees and landscape plants will make a huge difference in the appearance of your yard. Choose correctly, and you'll be amazed by the park-like beauty you can create in a yard of any size. Choose poorly, and you will be laboring to make corrections - or living with bad landscaping - for years … Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:09:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Grow%20Grass%20in%20the%20Shade/ Growing grass in shady areas can be challenging, but as long as some sunlight reaches the ground, it is possible. Here is what you should do: Buy a high quality grass seed mix for shady areas from a local garden or home center, which will sell grass varieties that grow well in your area. Do your best to match the grass type you already have in the rest of your lawn or ask for assistance.  For best results, seed the shady area (and overseed shady areas where … Wed, 09 May 2007 13:31:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Plant%20a%20Tree%20and%20Make%20a%20Positive%20Environmental%20Impact/ Feel like an end-of season landscape addition you can enjoy from now through next spring – and for  years to come? The time is prime for tree planting. Fall and spring are the best times of the year to plant trees. And you won’t be doing a favor for your property alone. Planting trees is one of the best things you can do in your yard to help the environment – in your local community and even across the globe. That’s because every tree produces oxygen and removes carbon dioxide and … Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:32:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/How-To/Articles/Yard%20Care/How%20to%20Protect%20Your%20Yard%20from%20Deer%20Damage/ Has watching deer dine on your trees, shrubs and plants driven you to the point of writing a “Dear Bambi letter?” Something along the lines of, “While I shall forever love your gentle beauty, I can no longer tolerate the damage caused by your ravenous appetite for my plantings.” You don’t want to hurt the deer, but instead just keep a healthy distance between their mouths and your morning glories. Not to worry. There are many safe methods to keep deer from destroying all … Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Mow%20Your%20Lawn%20Correctly/ Mowing your lawn may seem like a simple task - start the mower and cut the grass. But there is a correct way to mow - and mowing the right way will help your lawn grow thick and stay healthy. Here are the three top tips for mowing: Never cut more than 1/3 the grass height when you mow. In this way, you leave enough of the grass blade intact so it can capture sunlight and build strong roots. This helps your lawn squeeze out weeds and defend itself against disease … Fri, 08 Jun 2007 16:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/How-To/Articles/Equipment/How%20to%20Maintain%20your%20Mower%20Engine/ Tune-up: Learn how to tune-up your engine. Tuning up is good for your engine and the environment. It will also save you money. Our interactive demo walks you through four easy steps for tuning up your mower. It is even easier with a Briggs & Stratton Maintenance Kit. According to environmental impact data, a properly tuned and maintained lawn mower makes a big difference: Reduces mower emissions by up to 50% Reduces … Wed, 09 May 2007 16:33:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/How%20to%20Make%20a%20Simple%20Rain%20Gauge/ The average lawn needs about one inch of moisture per week. Over-watering not only can be harmful to your lawn, but it's not environmentally conscious. So, how do you know how much water your lawn is getting from either Mother Nature or your sprinkler? Check it with a simple "rain gauge" you can make. Take an empty tuna can or can of similar size and measure and mark the one inch level on the inside of the can. Place one or more of these cans - space them about 15 feet apart - … Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:38:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Choose%20a%20Tree%20for%20Your%20Yard/ When choosing a tree for your yard, you are making a decision that you will live with for many years. Do your homework and choose carefully. Here are some questions to ask when you shop for a tree: How tall will the tree grow? Will it have seeds or nuts that will drop (and I'll have to clean up)? Is it appropriate for the place I want to plant it? Do I want a tree - or trees - for shade, an ornamental focal point, privacy? How quickly … Wed, 09 May 2007 13:26:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/How-To/Articles/Yard%20Care/How%20to%20be%20Environmentally%20Conscious%20in%20Your%20Yard/ Anyone can - and should - try to be a little more "green" in their yard as well as inside their home. There are several things you can do that are related to yard care that will help you be kind to the environment. Here are some tips: Tune-up your lawn mower once a year. It only takes about 30 minutes and will extend the life of your equipment, make it start more easily, consume less gas and emit fewer emissions. Be careful when fueling your … Tue, 22 May 2007 21:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Be%20Safe/How%20to%20be%20Safe%20in%20Your%20Yard/ Are You Safety-Smart? Did you know that thousands of people are injured each year while caring for their yards? In 2002, the Consumer Products Safety Commission reported an estimated 250,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to lawn and garden equipment. To make sure you are being safe in your yard, it is helpful to use take a few preventative safety measures. Check out Lawn Mower Safety Tips for a comprehensive list of measures you … Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:42:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Choose%20a%20Hedge/ A hedge can create a great sense of privacy in your yard. To choose the right hedge, consider the following: What purpose do you want the hedge to serve? If your hedge is simply an attractive landscape addition you may choose different plants than if you want to create a tall, nearly impenetrable border. What style is your home? For a traditional or modern style home, a more formal hedge will look great. A more casual grouping of bushes used … Wed, 09 May 2007 11:44:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/How%20to%20Choose%20a%20String%20Trimmer/ Next to lawn mowers, string trimmers are the outdoor tool you will find most often in every garage or garden shed. In fact, it's hard to imagine the "old days" when people actually had to use hand clippers to trim around trees, bushes and other landscape additions. The string trimmer saves time and makes your yard look great. But to limit your frustration with this tool, choose it carefully and understand how to use it properly. Ask yourself these questions to be sure you are … Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:27:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Choose%20a%20Garden%20Hose/ Everyone needs at least one water hose. Whether you are watering your lawn or flowerbeds, washing your car or rinsing your trash cans, a good quality hose will provide you with years of service.Here are some hose selection tips: To determine the length of hose you need, consider the furthest point from your outdoor faucet where you will expect the hose to reach, then factor in a foot or two of slack. A rubber hose will last longer than most PVC … Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:21:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/How-To/Articles/Equipment/How%20to%20Buy%20a%20New%20Mower/ If you are a first-time buyer, take heart. With so many choices in the market today, buying a lawn mower can be overwhelming. Briggs & Stratton is here to help make this experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Before You Go Mower Shopping Determine the type of mower that suits your yard the best -view our lawn mower purchase checklist. Then answer these questions to help guide the selection process: Do you have a specific brand in … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:42:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Water%20your%20Lawn%20Correctly/ Most homeowners water their lawns too much rather than too little.   For the health of your lawn, and to conserve water, you want to try to provide the amount of water that your grass needs to thrive – no more, no less. Grass needs about one inch of water per week.  How do you know how much water you are providing?  The only precise way is to measure it.  You can buy a rain gauge or make a simple one from a tuna can.  Mark one inch in depth on the empty can, then place it in … Tue, 22 May 2007 12:58:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/How-To/Articles/Yard%20Care/How%20to%20Read%20a%20Fertilizer%20Label/ On the back of a bag of fertilizer, you will find three numbers. These three numbers tell the percentage of the primary ingredients in the fertilizer. Take a basic lawn fertilizer, for example, with a label that contains: 20-5-10 These numbers stand for the "big three" nutrients that your lawn needs to thrive. They always appear in the same order: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. They tell you how much of these nutrients, by weight, you are getting in the fertilizer. … Wed, 09 May 2007 15:46:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/How%20to%20Tackle%20the%20Five%20Worst%20Summer%20Lawn%20Care%20Issues/ Summer lawn care can mean dealing with issues and making quick fixes to keep your lawn and yard looking nice. Weather extremes, kids, pets - all can contribute to a stressed lawn in one way or another. Let's take a look at the five worst summer lawn care issues and you can do about them now to help your lawn look good. 5. Dull and tired looking lawn - Does your lawn need a wake up call in time for the big weekend you have coming up? Solution: Keep a bag of … Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:52:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Understand%20Plant%20Sunshine%20Requirements/ You may be adding some perennials to your garden this summer or freshening up your containers and flower boxes as annuals go on sale. If you have had some difficulty growing flowers in the past, it may be because your plants have received too little - or too much - sunshine.Here are common definitions for sunshine requirements you will find on garden center tags: Full Sun: The plant needs sunshine for at lease seven hours each day with no shade at all. … Wed, 09 May 2007 17:11:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Start%20a%20Compost%20Pile/ Anyone with a backyard can start a compost pile rather easily. A compost pile makes use of yard and kitchen waste while ultimately creating an excellent mulch for your flowers and vegetable garden. Here are some composting basics: You may want to create a simple, three-sided compost box to contain your compost or just create a compost pile. For your compost pile to heat up properly so organic matter can decompose, it should be at least three feet square and three feet … Wed, 09 May 2007 17:15:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Start%20a%20Container%20Garden/ Potted flowers are great, but why not plant something edible right outside your door, too?Container gardening allows anyone with limited space and time to enjoy home grown vegetables. It's much easier to create and tend to a few pots of vegetables than an entire garden. The containers take up little space and can be as decorative as you would like them to be, adding to your outdoor decor. Planting in pots also allows you to easily manage the amount of sunlight and water your plants … Tue, 29 May 2007 17:06:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Dry%20and%20Mighty%20Tips%20for%20a%20Drought%20Tolerant%20Lawn/ Can’t bear the sight of your once-sturdy grass starting to wilt and fade to brown because of a long period of dry weather? First, find relief in knowing that grass is tougher than you think, and will likely return to its green and lush state once conditions improve (and more little league games get cancelled). But while you wait for Mother Nature to do her part, you can do your own thing to bring on more lawn-favorable conditions – and encourage drought resistant grass. When to … Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:11:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/When%20and%20How%20to%20Weed%20and%20Feed/ Ready to weed and feed your lawn? If not, you should be! When the weather warms up with the coming of spring, your grass wakes up and starts growing – and do those weeds. Feeding your lawn with a fertilizer and weed control blend gives your grass a boost of important nutrients to help it stay healthy throughout the season, while also getting rid of weeds to keep your landscape looking its best. Here’s how to weed and feed to get your grass started off strong. Wait … Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/How-To/Articles/Equipment/Wash%20Before%20Winter/ Pristine is easy with a pressure washer. Between Mother Nature and extra outdoor activity, a lot happens between spring and fall to make even the best-kept property downright dirty. And while it may be tempting to look the other way (and hope a fresh coat of snow will cover the worst), you’ll thank yourself when it’s time to get outside again if you tidy up now. Before the heavy sigh, take heart: With the right tool, you can take care of grunge-banishing business in no … Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:57:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Fertilize/How%20to%20Read%20a%20Seed%20Label/ The label on the seed bag is a valuable tool when selecting grass seed. It contains important information that indicates its level of quality. Always review the label before purchasing grass seed to make sure you're getting the right type of grass, with as few weeds as possible, from a reputable source. Here's an example of a seed label with tips on how to decipher it. PURITY: Purity is the percentage of seeds of a certain type of grass in the bag that you're buying. … Tue, 08 May 2007 12:57:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/Oil%20Lifeblood%20of%20Your%20Engine/ Engine oil is something many homeowners overlook when it comes to their outdoor power equipment. But it is very important to check the oil in your equipment and add the right kind of oil when you need it. Here are the basic rules when it comes to oil: If you just bought a new mower or other piece of equipment, add oil before you start the engine. These products are shipped without oil. Even if the product is delivered to your home fully assembled, check to be sure … Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:23:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/Riding%20Mower%20Engine%20Tune%20Up%20Guide/ We understand. There’s a certain bond you have with your weekend turf warrior companion: your riding mower. So, of course, you don’t want to drive it into the ground. For smooth mowing all season long, a spring tune up and ongoing maintenance – like oil changes and cleaning – will take both of you far. And you won’t have to part with your backyard buddy; it’s not that difficult to give your riding mower a tune up yourself. Just follow this step-by-step riding mower tune up guide. … Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:55:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Compost%20Tea%20-%20A%20Recipe%20for%20a%20Healthier%20Lawn%20and%20Garden/ For inexpensive, environmentally-friendly and highly effective fertilizer, it’s tough to beat compost. But there is one contender: compost tea fertilizer. It is what it sounds like – compost steeped in water. And it is one of the best ways to quench your lawn and garden’s thirst for nutrition. By using compost tea, you can: Add extra nutrients and … Fri, 27 May 2011 16:47:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Pour%20Your%20Lawn%20a%20Drink/ Water is the magic ingredient for a healthy lawn! Watering the lawn is both an art and a science. The science comes from the integral role water plays in benefiting plant growth and development. The art encompasses volume, timing and frequency, all of which can change based on environmental conditions. The following watering guidelines will help create a great-looking yard now and throughout the season. Just an inch will do How much water does a lawn need to … Wed, 09 May 2007 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/4%20Resolutions%20to%20Stick%20To/ As we look forward to spring’s awakening, why not make room among those tired New Year’s resolutions for four little somethings you can really dig into? This year, make some simple yard care promises that are easy to do (and so easy to keep) to achieve the lush, green landscape of your dreams. Resolve to test your soil. Start the growing season confident that your grass and garden plantings will get the nutrients they need to flourish. For about $10 - $15, a … Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:53:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Hole%20Up%20-%20Aerating%20a%20Lawn%20this%20Fall/ Even with proper watering, mowing, fertilizing and weed control, a warm weather season’s worth of getting out in the yard can take a toll on your lawn. Foot traffic, child’s play and pets pouncing on your grass can create hard, compacted soil, making it difficult for air, moisture and nutrients to reach the roots of your turf. Plus, chances are that thatch has built up during the growing season – making it even more difficult for your grass to get what it needs to thrive. … Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Getting%20Smooth%20with%20a%20Lawn%20Roller/ If the pursuit of landscape perfection is the way you roll, there’s a piece of yard care equipment you may want to check out. Lawn rollers (or grass rollers) can be a great way to keep your lawn looking better than ever by smoothing the surface under the grass for the ultimate even finish. What a lawn roller does If you’re establishing new turf with sod or seed, a using a roller for your lawn creates a level surface and proper drainage pattern for better growth … Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:54:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20a%20String%20Trimmer/ A string trimmer will help you give your yard a well-groomed look around trees, fence posts and other landscape objects. Choose a quality trimmer that is comfortable to carry and use. The Engine Purchase a string trimmer with a quality engine, designed for the job you expect it do. The Briggs & Stratton Fource™ 4-cycle engine can be found on several brands of string trimmers. Your Briggs & Stratton dealer can help you select a trimmer that is both … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:25:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20a%20Pressure%20Washer/ A pressure washer lets you clean a variety of things faster, better and easier. Pressure washers remove built-up mold, mildew, dirt and grime to restore surfaces to like-new condition, Gas vs. Electric Don't just get it wet. Get it clean with a gas-powered pressure washer. Gas pressure washers are more powerful than electric pressure washers so they can get the job done more efficiently. Cleaning Power is Key The cleaning power of a pressure … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:30:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20a%20String%20Trimmer/ A string trimmer will help you give your yard a well-groomed look around trees, fence posts and other landscape objects. Choose a quality trimmer that is comfortable to carry and use. The Engine Purchase a string trimmer with a quality engine, designed for the job you expect it do. The Briggs & Stratton Fource™ 4-cycle engine can be found on several brands of string trimmers. Your Briggs & Stratton dealer can help you select a trimmer that is both … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:25:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20a%20Pressure%20Washer/ A pressure washer lets you clean a variety of things faster, better and easier. Pressure washers remove built-up mold, mildew, dirt and grime to restore surfaces to like-new condition, Gas vs. Electric Don't just get it wet. Get it clean with a gas-powered pressure washer. Gas pressure washers are more powerful than electric pressure washers so they can get the job done more efficiently. Cleaning Power is Key The cleaning power of a pressure … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:30:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Generator%20Safety%20and%20Use/Portable%20Generator%20on%20the%20Job%20Site/ Whether it's repairs and renovations around the house or everyday duties on site, you'll need the right tools for the job. Whatever the project you have planned, we can help you get prepared. Finding the Correct Wattage Generator If you're planning a construction project you'll need to make sure you are using the correct wattage generator for the task. Staying Safe on the Job Whatever the task, it is important to stay safe when working with … Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:53:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/How%20To%20Select%20a%20Generator/ You’ve seen what can happen during natural disasters, storms and power outages. You know you want an alternate power source for your home. To determine how much power you require, follow these steps:What do you need to power? Make a list. Ask yourself what you will need to power during an electrical outage: just appliances and lights? Computers and home electronics, too? Some families have in-home medical equipment that is a priority, while others need to ensure they have enough power to … Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:47:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20the%20Right%20Snow%20Blower/ Finding the snow blower to suit your needs is a function of three basic considerations: 1) the snowfall typical for your area, 2) the space you plan on clearing and 3) the room you have available for storing yard equipment. Snow blowers range from small electric units to gasoline-powered “snow cannons” capable of projecting snow 40 feet or more. Clearing widths range from 22 inches to 38 inches or more. Single-Stage Snow Blowers are Compact, … Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20a%20Generator/ Power for home, work, or play, a portable generator keeps you in control by providing power for use during power outages, on the jobsite, at the campgrounds or anywhere you need power. Determine the Size You Need Selecting the right size generator (running watts and starting watts) depends on what you want to power. Running, or rated watts, are the continuous watts needed to keep items running. Starting watts are extra watts needed for two-to-three seconds to … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:33:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Chipper-Shedder%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need A Chipper/Shredder? Many homeowners use chipper/shredders every fall and spring for yard cleanup.Is your yard full of sticks or acorns? Need to clean up leaves and twigs and branches? Chip up branches and brush with a gas-powered chipper/shredder. Clean up your property, and turn yard debris into useful mulch. Chipper/shredders come in stationary models, towable models, and mobile push models that include vacuums to clean up a yard full of leaves by … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:01:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20the%20Right%20Snow%20Blower/ Finding the snow blower to suit your needs is a function of three basic considerations: 1) the snowfall typical for your area, 2) the space you plan on clearing and 3) the room you have available for storing yard equipment. Snow blowers range from small electric units to gasoline-powered “snow cannons” capable of projecting snow 40 feet or more. Clearing widths range from 22 inches to 38 inches or more. Single-Stage Snow Blowers are Compact, … Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Choosing%20a%20Generator/ Power for home, work, or play, a portable generator keeps you in control by providing power for use during power outages, on the jobsite, at the campgrounds or anywhere you need power. Determine the Size You Need Selecting the right size generator (running watts and starting watts) depends on what you want to power. Running, or rated watts, are the continuous watts needed to keep items running. Starting watts are extra watts needed for two-to-three seconds to … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:33:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Chipper-Shedder%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need A Chipper/Shredder? Many homeowners use chipper/shredders every fall and spring for yard cleanup.Is your yard full of sticks or acorns? Need to clean up leaves and twigs and branches? Chip up branches and brush with a gas-powered chipper/shredder. Clean up your property, and turn yard debris into useful mulch. Chipper/shredders come in stationary models, towable models, and mobile push models that include vacuums to clean up a yard full of leaves by … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:01:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Cool%20Snow%20Blower%20Features/ Operating Today’s Machines can be a Wintery Blast Today’s snow blower is no longer the bare-bones yard machine of yesteryear. There are several features to help you do a more effective job and be more comfortable doing it. First things first: Always read and understand the Operator’s Manual that came with your equipment. A well-equipped snow blower can be such a pleasure to operate, don’t be surprised if you clear your own sidewalk, then help out your neighbors—the … Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Riding%20Mower%20Buying%20Guide/ How To Find The Perfect Riding Mower For Your Needs When purchasing a riding lawn mower, it’s important to consider numerous factors like the size of your lawn, type of terrain, and number of obstacles (trees, bushes, flower beds) within your yard. That’s why before you buy, you’ll want to consider a variety of riding mower types to determine what is the best fit for you. To find the right mower to meet your needs, follow the tips we’ve assembled for you in this helpful … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:01:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Snow%20Thrower%20Buying%20Guide/ Choosing the Right Snow Blower Finding the snow blower to suit your needs is a function of three basic considerations: 1) the snowfall typical for your area, 2) the space you plan on clearing and 3) the room you have available for storing yard equipment. Snow blowers range from small electric units to gasoline-powered “snow cannons” capable of projecting snow 40 feet or more. Clearing widths range from 22 inches to 38 inches or more. Single-Stage Snow Blowers are Compact, Lightweight … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Push%20Mower%20Buying%20Guide/ How To Find The Perfect Push Mower For Your Needs Buying a lawn mower may seem like a routine task. But to ensure that you buy the lawn mower that best meets your specific needs you’ll want to factor in the size of your yard, whether your yard is hilly or flat, the number of trees or other obstacles to mow around, as well as the needs of the person doing most of the mowing. There are many different lawn mowers on the market to meet a variety of lawn mowing needs. A mower … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:31:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/String%20Trimmer%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need a String Trimmer? String trimmers are handheld gardening tools used to get into places that a lawn mower can’t reach. They are perfect to help you cut down brush, weeds and longer grass on steep inclines. String trimmers are also used to edge or trim for a noticeably “finished” yard.Gasoline powered string trimmers offer power, and cord free operation at a competitive price. This is attractive for maintaining large yards, tall grass and weeds, or clearing brush. … Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:19:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Make%20Snow%20Blower%20Safety%20Job%20No%201/ Any yard machine is only as safe as the operator at the controls. While modern snow blowers are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed industry standards for safety, equipment that is misused or not properly maintained can result in danger. But knowing the following basic rules of safe operation is step one in steering clear of accidents and injuries. Always use common sense. And if you’re at all uncertain whether the task you’re about to undertake can be safely performed with the … Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Maintaining%20Your%20Snow%20Blower%20Year%20Round/ Briggs & Stratton engines are built to the most precise tolerances in order to perform efficiently under the toughest circumstances. Whether moving a light dusting of powdery snow or huge drifts from the season’s roughest storm, your Briggs & Stratton-powered snow blower will serve you well with a little bit of regular maintenance throughout the season. Before taking a stab at any maintenance project, carefully study your operator’s manual. Make sure your workspace is … Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Pressure%20Washer%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need a Pressure Washer? Clean hundreds of items faster, better and easier! Simply put, pressure washers make outdoor cleaning faster, easier and more fun! A pressure washer cleans everything from decks and driveways to siding, garage floors and cars. They deliver up to 75 times more power than an ordinary garden hose, giving you the power to blast away built-up mold, mildew, dirt and grime to restore surfaces to like-new condition in a fraction of the time it would normally take. … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:44:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Tiller%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need a tiller? Gardeners love tillers because they help to start new beds, cultivate weeds, and work-in compost. If you own property that requires that you “plow” in order to plant gardens, lawns, or other landscaping on a regular basis, you will want a gas-powered garden tiller. Using gas-powered tillers makes preparing a garden … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/The%20Latest%20in%20Fuel%20Treatment%20Technology/ Protect your engine against the corrosive effects of ethanol and maintain fuel stability for up to 3 years. Super Concentrated Formula treats up to 80 gallons Triple antioxidant protection Dual corrosion inhibitors guard metal engine parts against corrosion Metal De-Activator stops chemical reactions caused by dissolved metals in fuel Detergent ingredients prevent gum and varnish build-up on engine parts Water … Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:06:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Generator%20Safety%20and%20Use/What%20is%20Backup%20Power/ Using your Generator for Standby Power Blackouts. Brownouts. Thunderstorms. Snow & sleet. Ice storms. Floods. High winds. Whether it's caused by a utility power interruption or weather disasters, power outages are frequent occurrences throughout the country. Buying a generator for standby power can be the first step to regaining control over protecting your family and possessions from harm. And, using a generator is as simple as operating any household appliance. After … Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:03:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Water%20Pump%20Buying%20Guide/ @font-face { font-family: UniversLTStd-BoldEx; } @font-face { font-family: UniversLTStd; } @font-face { font-family: UniversLTStd-Bold; } @page Section1 {size: 8.5in 11.0in; margin: 1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin: .5in; mso-footer-margin: .5in; mso-paper-source: 0; } UNKNOWN { FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; panose-1: 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset: 2; mso-generic-font-family: auto; mso-font-pitch: variable; mso-font-signature: 0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:41:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Air%20Compressor%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need an Air Compressor? An air compressor is a versatile tool that can perform a variety of tasks when attached to air tools, also known as pneumatic tools. Air tools have several advantages over electric power tools: they have more torque and power than conventional power tools, more durability because of fewer moving parts, and they’re easy to use. You can use a compressor with air tools for maintenance and craft projects around the house, repair jobs in the … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:08:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Lawn%20Mower%20Tune-Up/How-To%20Tune-Up/ Whether you’re a steadfast do-it-yourselfer, or want to start saving time and money by becoming one, tuning up your lawn mower is a great place to start. In just four steps, and spending only about a half hour, you can tune up your mower yourself. Here's how: The Four Easy Steps Step 1: Change the air filter. Briggs & Stratton engines use one of three types of air filters: foam, paper, and a combination of foam and paper. Click on the type of filter you have … Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:55:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Generator%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need a generator? Hurricanes. Ice storms. Wind storms. You’ve seen the after-effects: entire communities without power. A home generator will ensure your … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:31:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Garden%20Tiller%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need a Tiller? Gardeners love tillers because they help to start new beds, cultivate weeds, and work-in compost. If you own property that requires that you “plow” in order to plant gardens, lawns, or other landscaping on a regular basis, you will want a gas-powered garden tiller. Using gas-powered tillers makes preparing a garden much easier, faster, and less back-breaking than using a shovel or a hoe. Tillers are useful in gardens over 100 square feet, and can be … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:16:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Equipment%20Know-How/Choosing%20Equipment/Portable%20Generator%20Buying%20Guide/ Why Do You Need a Generator? Hurricanes. Ice storms. Wind storms. You’ve seen the after-effects: entire communities without power. A home generator will ensure your family has the power needed when faced with unexpected outages. Two types of generators are available: portable generators and permanently installed home generatorsystems.Portable solutions will power your home appliances during blackouts, your recreational toys when you’re camping or outdoors, and/or tools on … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:09:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Lose%20Your%20Fear%20of%20Fertilizing/ "How do I pick the right lawn fertilizer?" "How often should I fertilize?" "What's the best spreader method?" "What if I apply too much and burn my lawn?" Have thoughts like these put you in proper lawn care paralysis? For years, I was haunted by these questions - to the point where I'd forgo fertilizing my lawn altogether rather than … Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Reveal%20Your%20Curb%20Appeal%20Personality/ Take Our Quick 10-Question Quiz! Want to make sure your front yard reflects the real you? This quiz might give you more insight into your unique outdoor identity. Then, get some tips on how to create more curb appeal, while putting your personality in plain view. Your wardrobe consists mostly of: Bright colors and bold patterns Neutrals in solids and subtle patterns Both of the above The … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/Think%20Torque%20if%20Youre%20Buying%20a%20New%20Mower/ Think Torque if You're Buying a New Mower If you are like many homeowners, spring is the time to shop for a new lawn mower. Briggs & Stratton measures the power of its walk-behind lawn mower engines in terms of torque. Torque measures rotational power - the power that makes the blade rotate - which is the most appropriate measure of power for these engines. How do you know how much power you need to get the job done? Any Briggs & Stratton dealer … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:20:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Going%20Green/Collecting%20Rain%20in%20a%20Rain%20Barrel/ Making - or purchasing - one or more rain barrels will help you conserve water and prevent at least some run-off from your homes roof into the storm water system. This is a perfect project if you like to garden.Making a rain barrel is a simple project once you have assembled your tools and hardware. You will need:55 gallon plastic, food quality barrelDrill with various drill bitsPlumbing/hose hardware: overflow adapter pipeFaucet/spigotWater proof caulkSeven-inch square piece of … Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:31:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Container%20Gardening%20Four%20Rules%20to%20Success/ Container gardening is fun and easy. Whether you are adding colorful accents to your home or growing an entire vegetable garden in pots, container gardening offers both pleasure and versatility. Follow these rules for great container gardens and then discover out your container garden personality". The Rules: Use the right size pot for the job. Don't squeeze too much into one pot - a large clay pot (12 inches in diameter) is ideal for three to four plants, … Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Contemporary%20Twists%20on%20Long%20Loved%20Landscapes/ No longer considered "so yesterday," there are front and back yard traditions that are totally back in vogue. And for good reason. Each addresses today's homeowners' hot buttons: time, money and sustainability. Take a minute to consider three favorite twists on tradition. A little bit of retro might be right for you. The Formal Garden Here's a surprise: A formal garden style doesn't have to be a strain on your time - or look stiff and stuffy. The key? … Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:38:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Choose%20the%20Right%20Herbicide%20to%20Kill%20Dandelions/ The time to kill dandelions is rapidly approaching. That's right - fall is when you want to go after them for the very best results. Dandelions are classified as broadleaf weeds. Other broadleaf pests include Creeping Charlie, Plantains and Oxalis. Before you purchase your herbicides, understand that the very best way to have a healthy, nearly weed-free lawn is to mow, fertilize and water properly. If you need additional weed control, herbicides can help. For broadleaf weed … Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Do%20a%20Quick%20Tune-up%20in%204%20Easy%20Steps/ Tuning up your mower now means you will have one less task to do in spring. You can do it yourself in a few easy steps. You can also take your mower to a dealer to avoid the spring rush for service. Step 1: Change the oil. Roll your lawn mower to a well-lit and level outdoor location. Have your operator's manual on hand to refer to. Run the mower for two or three minutes to circulate the oil and remove any small particles that may have settled within the engine. Then … Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:36:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Date%20night%20Make%20it%20picnic%20perfect/ Looking for something different than the typical dinner and a movie? Take your date night outside! An old-fashioned lawn picnic is easy, economical, and best of all - downright romantic. Cook up something special or take it out: It doesn't matter. The sights, scents and sensations of the open air will make for a most memorable evening. Here's how you can make a great night of it. Choose - and improve - your spot. Don't just plop down anywhere. Look for the place … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:21:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Create%20a%20New%20Garden%20Bed%20Now%20Part%201/ There’s always something you can improve or change in your yard. In fact, that’s at least half the pleasure of having a yard! Adding a new garden bed is one of those landscape improvements that not only can add value to your home but also can provide you with a fun and fulfilling hobby. This is the first in a two-part series on how to create a garden bed. Why start a garden bed now, in the middle of summer? Creating a garden bed takes time. If you start now, you can take your … Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Say%20Goodbye%20to%20Brown%20Patch/ Are you feeling brown-beaten? At any time of year, seeing brown patches take over your lawn is downright disheartening. But you can fight back and get back the green you’ve grown to love. Because where there’s a problem, there’s usually a simple solution. Can you blame it on the dog? The nitrogen contained in dog urine can burn your lawn and can cause a widespread brown patch problem – especially if Fido loves to wander. The best solution is to train your dog … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/Selecting%20A%20Mower/ Need help buying a mower? Let us help! Here are a few things you should reference to help you select the right mower: Our handy mower diagram, is a reference to help you understand the various parts of a typical lawn mower. Find out about your engine's parts and how they work together by looking at our engine diagram. Determine the type of mower that suits your yard the best. Reference our lawn mower purchase checklist and answer the questions to help guide the … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:21:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Shady%20Lawn%20Issues/ Autumn is the ideal time to deal with shade issues in your yard. After a summer of yard care, you'll know where the grass struggles to grow due to limited sunshine. Now is the time to do something about it. If you are determined to have grass beneath the trees, at least thin out the tree crowns to allow for some more sunlight to penetrate to the ground. Depending upon the size of your trees, this job is generally best for tree pruning experts. Call an arborist or … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:39:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Pruning%20Part%202%20When%20to%20Prune%20and%20How%20to%20Do%20it/ In our last issue, we reviewed several types of pruning tools you should have on hand to handle all kinds of pruning jobs around your yard. In this issue, we will look at how and when to prune.Reasons to prunePruning is done to improve the appearance and health of your bushes and trees, and sometimes the safety of your home (removing tree branches that overhang your roof, for example). Prune to remove dead or diseased branches; tree branches that are too crowded or touching one … Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Pruning%20Part%201%20The%20Tools%20You%20Need/ Pruning trees and plants will make your yard look better while also improving plant health and growth. In this article, we'll discuss the tools to have on hand to prune more easily and correctly. In part two in the next newsletter, we'll discuss when and how to prune.The tool you'll use depends on the size of the branches you will trim and the amount of pruning you will do. As with all lawn and garden equipment, buy the best quality you can afford and then be sure to maintain the … Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:41:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Soil%20PH/ So What do you Need to Know about Soil PH? What does the soil in your yard have in common with a glass of wine? The answer: pH. These two letters describe how acid or alkaline something is. Anyone who wants to grow something in their yard, from a lawn to tomatoes to prize-winning dahlias, should know the basics of soil pH.The pH scale makes it easy to understand. The scale runs from 0 to 14. Neutral is right in the middle - 7 on the scale. Any number below 7 means acidic, or … Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Make%20Your%20Outdoor%20Enjoyment%20Last/ C'mon - Stay Out a Little Longer Those morning frosts might have arrived, but cooler temperatures shouldn’t keep you from opening the door and savoring the changing scenery. There are easy enhancements you can make to your yard that will warm you up to the idea of stepping outside, even straight into winter. Heat it up. A basic fire pit or electric patio heater won’t recreate a balmy summer day, but they will help keep you toasty for a brisk al fresco dinner, … Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:57:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Managing%20Mushrooms%20in%20Your%20Yard/ Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi which are in your soil. When you see them in your lawn, they are usually a sign of excessive organic matter in the soil. This can come from a variety of sources, such as a rotting tree stump, buried debris, compost and even certain types of organic fertilizers. The mushrooms appear more readily in these cases when there is excess moisture. Mushrooms reproduce via airborne spores, thus trying to kill them with herbicides is fruitless. … Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:07:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/Make%20a%20Compost%20Bin%20in%20Minutes/ If you think composting is a bunch of garbage, think again. By collecting yard and kitchen waste you’d toss anyway, you can create a nutrient-rich, organic material that works wonders when added as a fertilizer, mulch or conditioner for garden beds and lawns. It can even be used as potting soil in planters. As a soil amendment, compost can boost the health of your plants and grass. And, mixing compost into soil can help improve drainage when there’s a lot of clay, or help sandy soil … Wed, 30 Mar 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Must%20Sees%20The%20Yard%20Doctors%20Top%20How%20To%20Video%20Picks/ Okay, we admit it: Gone with the Wind they're not. But if you want to be rid of your lawn problems, you'll want to give these videos a watch. In fact, our own Yard Doctor has given them two thumbs up. Read his reviews of his top four favorites. Then click, press play and get ready to improve your home plot. Weed Control Made Easy - This video exposes the truth about why weeds spread, but has a happy ending: Proper lawn care will take care of the problem. And you won't … Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:48:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Mow%20Right%20Your%20Mowing%20Checklist/ Sure, you mowed lawns back in high school. Maybe even picked up a few dollars doing it. But now it's your lawn. And that makes it different. You want your new lawn and yard to look great, so you want to mow right. There's more to mowing than pulling the starter cord and cutting the grass. First, there are safety tips to protect you and your family from things that can happen when a sharp mower blade meets things other than your lawn. And there also are ways to help keep your … Wed, 21 May 2008 16:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Going%20Green/Maintain%20Your%20Equipment%20for%20Cleaner%20Air/ Briggs & Stratton wants you - and every one of the other 40 million-plus mower owners - to maintain your lawn mower's engine. Why? Because it is the environmentally friendly thing to do - not to mention it will save you money in the long run because your mower will likely last longer with good care. While our engines run cleaner than ever before, it is important to keep them that way. An annual tune-up, which takes 30 minutes or less, can significantly cut emissions and … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Lose%20Your%20Fear%20of%20Fertilizing/ "How do I pick the right lawn fertilizer?" "How often should I fertilize?" "What's the best spreader method?" "What if I apply too much and burn my lawn?" Have thoughts like these put you in proper lawn care paralysis? For years, I was haunted by these questions - to the point where I'd forgo fertilizing my lawn altogether rather than … Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Light%20it%20Up%20Get%20Creative%20with%20Backyard%20Lighting/ You enjoy your backyard during the day. Why not set the mood for some evening enjoyment as well? Outdoor lighting continues to grow in popularity as people choose to enjoy their patios and yards well after sunset. From purely functional to decorative, outdoor lighting can add to the ambience of any home. When choosing outdoor lighting, first consider its purpose. Are you setting a mood for relaxation? Or do you just want to see where you are walking? Purpose is key to … Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:21:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Looking%20for%20Privacy%20Plant%20Something/ Remember the old saying, "fences make good neighbors?" It's true for hedges and screen plantings, as well. You can create a border, barrier or hide a view you find less than desirable by choosing appropriate plants for a softer, green "fence" that will add interest to your yard. A hedge and a screen planting differ in that a hedge generally is made up of one type of plant, planted in a row with the same height and depth throughout. A screen planting incorporates more than one … Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:55:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Planting%20Flowers%20for%20Fragrance/ If you're a yard and garden enthusiast, you probably have flowers somewhere in your outdoor space. People plant flowers for their beauty, but you also can choose blooms for their unique fragrance to liven up the landscape.Fragrance is an interaction between volatile chemicals produced by the flower that evaporate into the air. Some flower varieties have a much stronger and more distinctive scent than others. When planting flowers for their fragrance, don't overdo it. This is … Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:16:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Be%20Safe/Prevent%20Storm%20Stories%20Be%20Prepared%20for%20Spring%20Storms/ It seems that every day another weather story makes the news. From flooding rains and high winds to that final ice storm that knocks out the power - weather can affect us wherever we live with very little warning. The good news is, there are ways to prepare for severe weather before it happens. Here are some tips on what you can do before and after the storm to limit the affect weather will have on your yard, home and lifestyle. Consider purchasing a … Wed, 09 May 2007 19:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Open%20Up%20Your%20Home%20with%20an%20Outdoor%20Room/ It wasn't too long ago that a backyard gathering meant pulling out the folding chairs, placing a plastic tablecloth over the picnic table, and firing up the Smokey Joe. But as more of us opt to spend leisure time at home, rather than going out, this classic backyard retreat has been taken to a new level. The trend to bring the comforts of the indoors to the outside is at an all-time high. How to make an instant impact in your garden. From full-blown kitchen areas to outdoor … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/Perfect%20Your%20Rose%20Bush%20Pruning/ When you notice your much-beloved rose bushes looking a little gnarly, naturally it’s a thorn in your side. But with a bit of seasonal rose bush pruning (early spring is best), you can prevent a tangled mess and promote blossoms so beautiful you’ll blush. And it’s really blooming easy. Here’s what to do. Arm up. Avoid a hurtful experience: Don’t even think about getting started without the right garden gloves. Pick up a pair specially designed for pruning thorny bushes so you can … Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:02:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Outdoor%20Entertaining/ Once May arrives, you know the summer outdoor entertainment season can't be far behind. It's time to take a few hours and spruce up your outdoor space so it looks its best by Memorial Day Weekend. Here are some tips on making things look great for that weekend get-together - even if you feel pressed for time. Pressure Washer: Your New Found Friend If you have a pressure washer, you already know how many yard care chores it can handle for you. This piece of … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Growing%20Trends/ Seeding your lawn this season? There's good news for you. Leading producers of lawn and garden products are listening to homeowners' growing concerns about time, money and the environment, and creating new ways to establish a beautiful lawn while helping you save on all three.For instance, this just popped up: grass seed coated with polymer to keep it wet longer. That means you'll spend less time watering, enjoy lower water bills and conserve vital natural resources. And all this … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Get%20your%20yard%20and%20yourself%20into%20tiptop%20shape/ It's double duty with the yard work out. Always wanted a home gym? Before you invest a couple grand for a treadmill, miracle weight lifting system, and assorted late-night TV paraphernalia, take a look inside your garage or garden shed. Got yourself a push lawn mower? A string trimmer? How about rakes, hoes, shovels, watering cans and a wheelbarrow? Surprise: You have yourself a home gym - fully equipped!That's because when it comes to physical activity, yard work … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Fall%20Is%20Ideal%20Time%20For%20Your%20Yard/ Fall is the perfect time to think creatively about your yard and what you would like to add, change or simply do differently next year. You can start this process anywhere, even in your favorite chair. Put your feet up and page through the home and garden magazines. Make a list of projects you've seen that you would like to try in the future. Maybe you've always wanted to build flowerboxes for you windows or add a garden shed. Jot down some notes and tear out pictures you find as … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/It%20Can%20Be%20Done%20Curb%20Appeal%20That%20Costs%20Practically%20Nothing/ The exterior of your home, including your front yard, creates a strong first impression. And if you neglect these areas, you can turn off visitors, prospective buyers - and your own enjoyment - no matter how nice the interior. But in this instance, you can change a first impression. In fact, you can change your curb appeal easily - and at practically no cost. Here are simple things you can do for instant, positive impact. Pick it up. Make sure your landscape looks … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/Fall%20for%20Autumn%20Colors/ 5 easy ways to add them to your yard Part of the beauty of a well-planned landscape is being able to admire the special scenery unique to the changing seasons. If you want to enjoy the bold, intense colors of autumn by stepping outside your door (rather than taking to the road) consider these 5 simple ideas. 1.       Plant fall flowers. Keep your blooms going longer with autumn classics like chrysanthemums and marigolds, which can stand up … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Your%20Crab%20Grass%20Primer/ It's that time the year again - the best time to go after crab grass. The trick to good control is timing. Crab grass is a summer annual weed  it goes through an entire lifecycle between spring and fall, just like your annual flowers do. The big problem is that when crab grass dies, it leaves behind thousands of seeds ready to pop up the following year. So tackle this intruder before it has a chance to mature. Here's how: Purchase a pre-emergent herbicide to kill crab … Wed, 21 May 2008 22:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Converting%20a%20Garden%20into%20a%20Lawn/ Why and how to do it When I first purchased my home I inherited a beautiful perennial garden at the foot of my front yard... well, I'm sure it was beautiful at one time. The previous owner clearly had lofty ambitions at first: the bed was jam-packed with every perennial possible. But it hadn't been properly cared for, and what I faced when I moved in was an out-of-control mess with limp, pale plants that were now food for pests and had become way outnumbered by … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/At%20Your%20Service/ Get to Know Your Service Dealer to Start Off the Mowing Season Right Proper and regularly-scheduled maintenance of your lawn care equipment is key for peak performance and the long life of your push mower. You can tune up your mower yourself - it's really not hard. But there's no shame in admitting you'd rather spend your time beautifying your landscape instead of messing with your mower. Your service dealer is at-the-ready all year to be your maintenance … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/7%20Easy%20to%20Avoid%20Yard%20Care%20Mistakes/ There’s a lot to learn as a new homeowner. So why not learn from the mistakes of others instead of making your own? Take a look at seven so-typical landscaping snafus and save yourself from headaches, backaches – and a yard that’s an eyesore. 1. Skimping On Tools “Use the right tool for the job.” It’s age-old advice, and for good reason. Equipping yourself with essential yard care gear will help you work more efficiently – saving … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/15%20Fall%20Yard%20Projects%20in%2015%20Minutes%20or%20Less/ Feeling bittersweet about summer’s end? After all that fun in the sun, it’s only natural. But there’s plenty to look forward to in the autumn days ahead: crisp weather perfect for backyard fires, a break from pesky mosquitoes –  and a landscape you can spend more time enjoying rather than working on.  While there’s still yard maintenance that lasts into fall, this season’s to-do list is far shorter than spring’s. In fact, we’ve assembled a list of easy fall projects here. Best … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/YardSmarts%20Boot%20Camp/ You could be a recruit! Are you a first-time homeowner who needs some serious help getting your yard in shape? Enter for your chance to win a coveted spot in the first-ever Yard Smarts Boot Camp! If selected, you'll be drilled on the basics of growing a great lawn and creating an inviting outdoor space that'll have your neighbors standing at attention. No yelling. No pushups. Just good, green fun. Ten contest winners will be treated to personal instruction … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Yard%20Smarts%20Boot%20Camp%20Wraps%20Up/ At Ease! After an October weekend trip to Boston, 12 lucky Yard Smarts Boot Camp recruits (drafted due to their yard woes) returned home victorious – and ready and willing to take on their own landscape challenges. During the two-day Boot Camp, “Drill Sergeant” Trey Rogers, Ph.D. and Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor, along with Garden Expert Susan Gruber, gave the group a really-not-so-tough lesson on the essential duties of yard care. Starting from the beginning … Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:23:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Yard%20Care%20Etiquette/ How not to tick off your neighbors You might not be the type who is obsessed with impressing the neighbors. But you probably don't want to offend them, either. Yet, when it comes to property maintenance, it can be surprisingly easy to unintentionally irritate those around you. That's why, in the spirit of goodwill toward all neighbors, we wanted to share some basic tips on yard care etiquette. Here are three top areas where a bit more sensitivity to your practices can … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Reveal%20Your%20Curb%20Appeal%20Personality/ Take Our Quick 10-Question Quiz! Want to make sure your front yard reflects the real you? This quiz might give you more insight into your unique outdoor identity. Then, get some tips on how to create more curb appeal, while putting your personality in plain view. Your wardrobe consists mostly of: Bright colors and bold patterns Neutrals in solids and subtle patterns Both of the above The … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/Make%20Your%20Backyard%20Wedding%20Blissful/ You've chosen your yard (or someone else's) as the perfect venue for your big day. Check! You've determined the space is large enough to accommodate your guest list. Check! You're ready with rentals for outdoor decor, seating, dining and dancing. Check! You have a plan in place if the weather doesn't quite cooperate. Check! Congratulations. Now you just have a zillion other details to think about. But here's a nice surprise for you: Getting your lawn in the pristine condition your … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Run-down%20Lawn%20When%20to%20Call%20a%20Do%20Over/ Season after season, the joy of spring also brought deep sighs of frustration. No matter what I did to try to repair my problem lawn - reseeding, patching bare spots, fertilizing, applying weed control products - in the end I was always left with the mess I inherited when I purchased my home. And, as mostly dirt and dandelions, it was far from a yard I could be proud of. So after one last hard look at my lawn, I knew it was time for a renovation.If you suspect you're in the same … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Six%20Easy%20Ways%20to%20Perk%20Up%20a%20Blah%20Backyard/ Sure, you mow your lawn and your grass is in good shape, but does it still feel like your yard is lacking personality? Truth is, you're closer to making a statement than you think; having an expanse of healthy lawn is half the battle. With proper care and maintenance, lush, green, grass sets the perfect stage for an inviting outdoor space. Then, with a few finishing touches, it's easy to add more interest. Here are some suggestions. Don't think straight. … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/Top%20Dressing%20for%20Success/ What is top dressing? Top dressing (or lawn dressing) is when you add a fine soil mixture to your lawn’s surface. Top dressing is a great way to give grassy areas an extra boost and elevate your landscape’s appearance. By top dressing your turf, you’ll not only fill in dips to even out lumpy terrain; you’ll also be treating your grass to a number of benefits by improving soil quality. And that means creating a lush, smooth landscape that’s barefoot running worthy. Top benefits of … Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Top%20Five%20Fall%20Tips%20for%20Your%20Lawn%20and%20Yard/ Fall yard care means putting your yard to rest for the winter so that it will come back looking better than ever next spring. Here are the top five things you need to do this fall to have a great lawn and yard next year. Mowing and fertilizing for the last time Mow your lawn as long as it is actively growing. Continue to follow the one-third rule - cut only one-third off the height of your lawn each time you mow. Your final fertilizer application is typically … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:56:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Top%20Five%20Must%20Have%20Tools%20For%20Your%20New%20Yard/ Your first home with a yard means taking on some yard care tasks to keep everything looking great. When it comes to yard care, it helps to have the right tools and equipment. Here are the top five items you should have in your garage right from the start. Purchase the best quality you can afford. Do your research before you go shopping for big ticket items and ask questions. If you buy quality to begin with and take care of your equipment, it will last for years of use. … Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:45:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Equipment%20101/Think%20Torque%20if%20Youre%20Buying%20a%20New%20Mower/ Think Torque if You're Buying a New Mower If you are like many homeowners, spring is the time to shop for a new lawn mower. Briggs & Stratton measures the power of its walk-behind lawn mower engines in terms of torque. Torque measures rotational power - the power that makes the blade rotate - which is the most appropriate measure of power for these engines. How do you know how much power you need to get the job done? Any Briggs & Stratton dealer … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:20:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/The%20Truth%20About%20Turf%20Care/ If you want a great looking lawn, you have to face facts. And what’s the number one truth about turf care? It doesn’t have to be tough to maintain strong, healthy grass. What it does require is a growing-season-long commitment to just a few simple lawn care practices. From spring through fall, here’s all you really have to do: Fertilize Your Lawn Turf Truth: You can’t skip the lawn fertilizer. As a turf grass builder, you just can’t beat sticking to a regular fertilization schedule. … Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/What%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20About%20Soil/ The type of soil you have in your yard is important to know if you want to grow a healthy lawn or start (or improve) a garden. Most people know whether they have a heavy, clay soil or an easily cultivated loamy soil. But what does this mean for your chances at successfully growing plants? And how can you improve poor soil? There are three basic types of soil particles: Sand is the largest particle in soil. Soils that are predominantly sandy are well … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:46:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Yard%20Care%20Offers%20Plenty%20of%20Health%20Benefits/ For exercise and stress relief, your yard offers plenty of possibilities.The most obvious benefit of yard care - aside from achieving a beautiful yard - may be the exercise it provides. Whether you are walking behind your mower, pruning a hedge or planting a garden, you are not only improving your landscape but also burning calories.According to the National Gardening Association, the following chart provides the number of calories burned by a 180 pound person doing the activity … Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:07:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Want%20more%20splash%20in%20your%20garden%20Just%20add%20water/ For an enchanting addition that can transform your yard into a tranquil oasis, water features are growing evermore popular. If you like the idea of the serene sights and sounds only water can offer - but think it sounds a bit intimidating - think again. Today there are nearly endless options to fit any lifestyle and budget. And once you finish your set-up, water gardens are surprisingly easy to maintain. Here are a few tips to consider when planning your project. Then come on in - … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:05:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Create%20a%20New%20Garden%20Bed%20Now%20Part%202/ In our last issue, we learned how to choose a garden bed site and remove the sod from the area. In this issue we'll prepare the soil, control weeds from the onset and choose our plants wisely. Preparing the soil. Once you have removed the sod from your bed site, you will need to prepare the soil. The easiest way to do this is to rent a garden tiller if you don't already own one. If you conducted a soil test, now is the time to make the recommended soil amendments. Till … Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:03:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/Creating%20a%20Bird-Friendly%20Backyard/ Calling “here, birdie birdie” is a start. But if you want more bird action to fly in your backyard, you need to provide some basics as a welcome home mat for the winged. After all, who doesn’t need food, water and shelter? Food If you want to observe the beauty of birds up close, the most obvious first step is to provide them with food sources. Hang bird feeders from trees or shepherd’s hooks, and soon you’ll see a steady stream of visitors. It’s best to … Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:02:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Creating%20Privacy%20Fence%20or%20Hedge/ Your yard is an extension of your living space - a big, green room with lots of possibilities! As you begin to create the yard you really want to have, you may decide a little more privacy is in order. Maybe your neighbors are a little too close. Or maybe you just want to define your space or create a more secure area for you kids and pets. Here's a look at both fences and hedges to help you make the choice that works best for you. Fences for secure privacy Fences … Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:48:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Going%20Green/Create%20Your%20Own%20Rain%20Garden/ A rain garden is good for the environment because it captures water that would otherwise run off into the storm sewer system, collecting oils and pollutants on the way. Water that flows into your rain garden instead is absorbed and purified the way Mother Nature intended. Anyone can create a simple rain garden. And any rain garden is better than none at all. Why? Because capturing some of the water that would normally run off your property is better than letting it all go down … Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Create%20a%20Yard%20Scrapbook/ Many of us create a scrapbook to record special family events. Why not do the same to remember your yard improvements? A scrapbook or outdoor diary can be a lot of fun to create and look back on as the seasons change each year. It will also make a welcome family keepsake for future generations. It can be as simple as a lined notebook where you jot down notes and add an occasional photo. You can also create a detailed album, complete with artistic touches such as pressed leaves … Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Create%20Curb%20Appeal%20in%20One%20Weekend/ Yes, it can be done! Whether you're in the mood to freshen up the look of your home and yard permanently or just dressing it up for last minute guests, you can add the Wow factor in one weekend. If you only have a couple of hours, give your home impact with pots brimming with brightly colored annual flowers. If you have the whole weekend, why not go for it? Create a flowerbed, add flowerboxes or even build a stone walkway. Check out the Instant Impact for Your Home … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:15:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Going%20Green/12%20Green%20Ideas%20for%20your%20Lawn%20and%20Yard%20in%202012/ You don’t have to wait for warm weather to see green. Whether you do it right now or start planning for doing it later, there are plenty of ways to conserve resources and reduce the environmental impact of lawn care and yard work year-round. Here’s one idea for every month of 2012 to get this year started smarter…and friendlier. January: Reuse plastic milk jugs, yogurt cups or soda bottles for planting when indoor seed-starting. February: Make good use of … Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/10%20Landscape%20Makeover%20Tips/ It’s the middle of summer. You’re surveying your landscape. You throw up your hands, sigh heavily and exclaim, “I need a total yard makeover!” You came to the right place. With these top lawn and yard makeover tips, you can enjoy instant (or nearly instant) improvements to your outdoor space – and savor them late into the season. Mow high . If you’re mowing too low, or “scalping” your lawn thinking you won’t have to mow as often, chances … Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Avoid%20a%20Slippery%20Slope%20-%20Use%20Ice%20Melt%20to%20Make%20Your%20Pavement%20Safer/ Oh yeah. You’ve just taken on the latest snowfall, bringing it down to size with your best winter weather friend – your snowblower. But after you’re done admiring your clear pavement, clean lines and the fact that you didn’t throw any snow into your neighbor’s driveway, there’s one more step to achieve sheer perfection – and most importantly – safety: deicing. Even after the most meticulous snow removal, a thin layer of dangerous ice can still develop, and does often during … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Bad%20Lawn%20Bad%20Lawn%20Whatcha%20Gonna%20Do/ You're not the only one keeping an eye on your yard. Neighbors and passers-by are giving it the once-over, too. Is your landscape an unsavory influence? Call in the Lawn Police! Our own official, Dr. Trey Rogers (a.k.a. the Yard Doctor), has identified some common offenses that a few of our Ugly Lawn Contest winners have confessed to. Learn from their mistakes as we share his tickets to better looking lawns. The Ticket: Get It Green and Growing To go … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Add%20Flavor%20to%20Your%20Landscape%20with%20a%20Vegetable%20Garden/ Plant a vegetable garden! Think an outdoor vegetable garden is only for others? Think again! It really doesn’t take much labor to enjoy the fruits. With a just a little planning, preparation and pampering, it’s easy to grow goodies for a fresh summer salad or healthy sides for those backyard barbeques. And if the delicious factor isn’t enough to get you vegetable gardening, consider all those trips to the store you’ll save when you can just step outside and take … Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:53:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Adding%20Color%20to%20Your%20Yard%20with%20Flowering%20Shrubs%20and%20Trees/ Ahh spring time! You love the look of your neighbor's flowering dogwood or the beautifully scented lilac hedge you remember from childhood. This is a good time to add flowering bushes and trees that will fulfill the promise of more color in your yard next year.How do you choose the right flowering tree or bush? "Right" is often more a matter of taste than anything else. If you like a particular flowering tree or shrub and it grows well in your area, add it and enjoy it for years to … Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:30:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/How%20to%20Choose%20and%20Use%20Bark%20Mulch%20for%20your%20Garden%20Beds/ Organic mulches, such as popular shredded bark or wood chip mulches, can be healthy for your plants while also decreasing yard work. Mulch holds moisture for your plants, helps prevent weeds from germinating and gives your flower beds, trees and other landscape features a uniform, finished look. When it comes to choosing bark mulch, you will find a variety of choices in tree species in various shades of brown. Choose the mulch that you think will look best where you are going to use it. … Wed, 09 May 2007 11:26:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Be%20Safe/Helpful%20Disaster%20Action%20Tips/ The weather is always unpredictable, but it's very helpful to know what to do when you're facing a disaster. Here are some tips on how you should react in extreme circumstances. ScenarioAction Before the Storm Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. Indoors During a Tornado If you are inside a structure, put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Vehicles & Mobile Homes If in a vehicle or … Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:44:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Help%20My%20Leaves%20are%20Falling/ Fall certainly is the perfect nickname for autumn! Falling leaves mark the curtain closing on the colorful show our trees give us as we approach the threshold of winter. Dealing with them is the small price we must pay for the performance. Raking is the tried and true option for managing leaves. It's a great autumn tradition, one the entire family can get involved in. It's a chance for everyone to stretch their muscles and burn a few calories. Turn this annual … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:16:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Irrigation%20Basics%20Watering%20your%20Lawn/ Okay, you set the sprinkler on the lawn, give the faucet a half turn and walk away.  When you remember, you turn the water off again.  Lawn watered. Well, not quite.  There’s a little more to watering than that if you want a great looking lawn.  Let’s take a look. How much water does your lawn really need?  About an inch a week – either from rain or from your faucet.  Want to check to see if you’re measuring up?  Read our article on how to make a simple rain … Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:51:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/It%20is%20Not%20Fall%20Without%20Falling%20Leaves/ If you have trees in your yard, it's time for your annual fall ritual of leaf removal. The key to leaf management is to avoid procrastination. Instead of waiting for all of the leaves to fall, schedule two or three raking (or leaf blowing) sessions during the season. Don't allow wet leaves to layer on your lawn because they will cut off oxygen and sunlight and eventually will kill the grass. Here are some leaf management tips: Raking is the tried and true standby for … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:55:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Going%20Green/Its%20Easy%20Being%20Green/ Didn't think it's possible to be environmentally conscious without even thinking about it? When it comes to lawn care, you can reduce your impact on the environment just by following the basics - must-do's you should be doing anyway to keep your lawn healthy. By simply maintaining your lawn properly, you can reduce emissions, conserve water and prevent dangerous run-off of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Here's how you can put your environmental consciousness … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:59:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Kids%20and%20Pets%20Let%20Em%20Loose%20and%20Relax/ Ah, the backyard. Go on and dream it's your retreat. Hope you don't mind sharing, though. Because the backyard is a magnet for child and pup play. So how do you protect your hard yard work against summer sprinkler hopping, soccer games and endless fetch with Fido? Here are some basics for family-friendly yards. Protect your turf. If you want to compete with the rough and tumble, start with some tough turf. For high traffic areas, species such as Perennial … Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:39:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Growing%20Plants%20in%20the%20Shade/ Shady yards can be delightful. Trees help cool your home in the summer and add interest and beauty to your yard. However, that same shade can pose challenges when it comes to growing your lawn and other plants. If you're determined to have a uniformly beautiful, green lawn throughout your yard, shade can destroy your efforts. Full shade, whether it is just beneath a favorite tree or the result of too much foliage, can hamper grass growth. You may need to reseed … Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:35:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Fall%20is%20Ideal%20Time%20For%20Your%20Yard/ Fall is the perfect time to think creatively about your yard and what you would like to add, change or simply do differently next year You can start this process anywhere, even in your favorite chair. Put your feet up and page through the home and garden magazines. Make a list of projects you've seen that you would like to try in the future. Maybe you've always wanted to build flowerboxes for you windows or add a garden shed. Jot down some notes and tear out pictures you find … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:09:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Five%20Ways%20to%20Use%20Your%20Pressure%20Washer%20Now/ If you have a pressure washer, you know how useful this piece of equipment can be around the home and yard. If you don't own one - or have never used one - this may be the season to check out how much help a pressure washer can be. Here are five ways you can use a pressure washer to speed up a job that would otherwise take hours, if not days: Restore your weathered deck. With a pressure washer, you can clean your deck in a fraction of the time it would … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Fertilizing%20101/ Ahh, your new yard! The grass is growing, you're mowing every week and things are looking pretty good. Now, let's keep it that way! Learn the basics of fertilizing because feeding your lawn at least once a year is going to be an important key to keep it looking good. If you want to go beyond the basics, check out the Yard Doctor section for more info or watch this how to fertilize video. Why you should fertilize Fertilizing gives your lawn the nutritional boost that it … Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Edging%20Around%20Garden%20Beds/ Nothing finishes off your landscaping and defines your garden spaces like good edging. From stone and wood to plastic or a simple natural-cut edge, there is edging for every budget. Edging does two main things: It separates areas in your yard (preventing grass or plants from going beyond where you want them to stay) and adds an attractive, finished look to your landscape.Let's look at some edging options: Plastic or metal edging These may not be the most attractive … Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:43:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/Grow%20a%20Sunflower%20House%20for%20the%20Kids/ A sunflower house is a classic outdoor project for your family. Your kids - or grandkids - help "build" this natural playhouse, which they will enjoy as their special hideout by mid- to late summer. Here are the steps to creating this fun project: Select a place in full sunlight to grow your sunflower house. You will need some space - at least five square feet, larger if you prefer. Loosen the soil in a narrow line (about two-to-three inches) along the perimeter … Wed, 21 May 2008 22:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Going%20Green/Green%20Ideas%20for%20Your%20Yard/ Going green seems to be on everyone's mind these days. The following are some good ideas to consider when working outdoors that will help make our planet a better place, regardless of where you fall on the organic scale: Skip the Phosphorous When you Fertilize. Fertilizing your lawn can be environmentally friendly provided you choose your fertilizer carefully and apply it correctly. As far as your lawn is concerned, the nutrients in a synthetic fertilizer are really no … Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:54:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Going%20Green/Green%20Tips%20for%20Your%20Lawn%20and%20Yard/ Looking for ways to go green in your yard? Check out some neat stuff you can do. Before you toss anything away, think of what else you could use it for. Yogurt and similarly sized cartons are perfect as next year's seed starter pots. A gallon milk jug with the bottom cut off on an angle makes a great scoop for fertilizer, potting soil or driveway salt in winter. You can create a "wind chime" from aluminum cans and hang it on a stake in your garden to shoo away … Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Get%20Invasive%20Plants%20Out%20of%20Your%20Yard%20and%20Garden/ Do you have invasive plants growing in your yard or garden? If you do, you will do America a big favor by getting rid of them! An invasive plant species is one that has been introduced to the United States, either on purpose or accidentally, and has essentially grown out of control, pushing native species out. They range from pampas grass and bamboo to buckthorn and purple loosestrife, and they are devouring the countryside in many areas. Garlic mustard, for example, was originally … Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:22:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Going%20Green/Grass%20is%20Yellow/ So you’re out surveying your lawn, and something doesn’t seem quite right: Your yard has lost that vivid green feeling – and somehow your grass is yellow. Why, oh why? Lawns can turn yellow for a number of reasons, and if it makes you feel you any better, it’s not all that uncommon. In fact, early summer is prime time for patches of yellow grass to appear, or even an entire lawn’s worth of yellow. Take heart, once you understand the why behind the yellowing, you can learn how to restore your … Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Watering%20Your%20Lawn/ Why more isn't better Watering your lawn is essential to keep it thick, green and growing, so it’s no surprise that many homeowners tend to overdo it. But it’s important to realize that too much water can actually harm your lawn – creating overly wet conditions where fungal diseases can thrive.[1]  Bigger picture: Excessive watering can increase the amount of fertilizer and pesticide runoff, impacting your local water quality.[2]   During typical weather, … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Take%20Control%20of%20Damage-Causing%20Insects/ Although more than 800,000 different species of insects creep and crawl across the Earth, the vast majority do not harm turfgrass. However, there are a select few that prefer to feast on a lush, green lawn. The following suggestions can help homeowners reclaim their lawns from these unwelcome dinner guests. Outnumbered, but not Outsmarted With an estimated 40 million insects in a typical acre, it's impossible to completely eradicate them. And that's good, as most … Fri, 01 May 2009 17:08:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Southern%20chinch%20bug%20-%20Blissus%20insularis/ What do they look like? Looking, for all intents, like the hairy chinch bug, this Southern cousin has the same Halloween coloring, minuscule dimensions, and big appetite for taking the juice right out of a healthy lawn. How do we know we've got them? Use the double open-ended can trick, which works so well in detecting hairy chinch bugs. Make sure you water for at least 20 minutes to ensure a thorough test. Take extra care if you have St. Augustine grass; … Fri, 01 May 2009 17:03:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Sod%20webworm%20-%20Several%20species/ What do they look like? Sod webworms are small caterpillars living in silk-lined tunnels threaded through the thatch and soil. The adults become light-colored moths, which will hover around the lawn at nightfall. Maybe their rooting for the caterpillars do more damage. There are more than 20 different species, with 2-3 species in each geographic region. How do we know we've got them? The best way to know if you have sod webworm is to get on your hands and … Wed, 09 May 2007 16:59:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Stadium%20Fields%20Can%20You%20Achieve%20this%20Perfection/ When you're watching a game, do you catch yourself comparing your lawn to sports stadium turf? Wondering how it stays so green and pristine - even through sliding catches and double plays? Here's a secret: Professional field managers use the same Prescription for a Healthy Lawn that our Yard Doctor suggests, but on a much larger scale, and pumped up with a few professional extras. Here's what they do and how they do it. Mowing Most field managers will mow every … Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:06:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Leaf%20spot%20-%20Dreschlera%20spp%20and%20Bipolaris%20spp/ What does it look like? Leaf spot makes your bluegrass blue, as in sad, by covering it with brown to purple lesions that can move to the crown of the plant if conditions persist. On Tall fescue and ryegrasses it appears as red specks. When is a lawn susceptible? Leaf spot is most severe in spring and fall during prolonged periods of overcast and cool weather. Leaf spot also can be active in winter periods when the right conditions persist. How … Fri, 01 May 2009 21:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Recycle%20Smart_How%20to%20recycle%20lawn%20mower%20oil/ Change your lawn mower oil the right way Good work, Do-It-Yourselfer. By changing your lawn mower's engine oil you're not only keeping your lawn mower in peak working condition; you're also helping it run cleaner - and protecting the environment by reducing exhaust emissions. Now keep the good work going by disposing of used oil the sustainable, smart way.Your used lawn mower oil is sustainable. No matter how gloppy and dirty it's gotten, it can be recycled and used again. … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Brown%20patch%20-%20Rhizoctonia%20solani/ What does it look like? Brown patch is a common summertime disease that has almost circular patches ranging from 3 inches to several feet in diameter. Symptoms include leaf tip browning and leaf lesions. In turf cut below 1 inch, the outer edge of the brown patch may develop a bluish ring called the smoke ring. The smoke ring is not apparent in higher-cut lawns. When is a lawn susceptible? The much-hated brown patch forms in the summer, when … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Bermuda%20grass%20scale%20-%20Odanaspis%20ruthae/ What do they look like? Bermuda grass scales are among your lawns smaller threats (1/32 - 1/16 inch), but that's in size, not potential damage. They have a whitish cover that looks like a miniature clam shell. The hungry insect underneath the cover is pinkish and soft. How do we know we've got them? Damage from Bermuda grass scale is easy to mistake for drought stress, but a closer look shows infected areas that are encrusted with the tiny … Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Bluegrass%20billbug%20-%20Sphenophorous%20parvulus/ What do they look like? The many common and hybrid types of Bermuda grass share a low-growing profile and fine-pointed leaves. How do we know we've got them? Billbug damage is often mistaken for drought stress or disease. Their hallmark damage shows up in summer as small (2-3 inch) dead patches of turf, which resemble the disease dollarspot. Left unchecked, they will spread to create large dead areas. These larger patches look like grub damage, but … Wed, 09 May 2007 15:42:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Creeping%20Bent%20grass/ Identification & Culture:Creeping bentgrass is primarily used as a high maintenance, low-mow grass for golf course putting greens and fairways. It spreads aggressively via stolons (aboveground runners or stems) and appears very “puffy” if left to grow to lawn heights (2-4 inches) as it builds up a thick thatch layer. Creeping bentgrass will often form large patches or thatchy mats in lawns that dry out or go dormant in the summer heat. You can distinguish creeping bent grass from other … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Bermuda%20grass%20mite%20-%20Eriophyes%20cynodoniensis/ What do they look like? Bermuda grass scales are among your lawns smaller threats (1/32-1/16 inch), but that's in size, not potential damage. They have a whitish cover that looks like a miniature clam shell. The hungry insect underneath the cover is pinkish and soft. How do we know we've got them? Damage from Bermuda grass scale is easy to mistake for drought stress, but a closer look shows infected areas that are encrusted with the tiny white … Wed, 09 May 2007 15:37:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Annual%20Bluegrass%20Pao%20Annua/ Identification & Culture: Annual bluegrass (not to be confused with the desirable northern plant called Kentucky bluegrass) can be one of the most troublesome weeds, especially on golf courses and athletic fields. Sometimes referred to as Poa annua (its genus name), it has a distinct yellowish color when seen growing among greener species. Annual bluegrass can form obvious patches in your lawn which grow in diameter each year. Because it has a relatively … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Soils/Be%20Kind%20to%20Earthworms%20Theyre%20Kind%20to%20Your%20Yard/ Earthworms play an important role in keeping the soil in our yards healthy. An acre of good, relatively undisturbed soil can contain millions of earthworms, busily at work making our soil better. How do they do this? By the nature of their underground lifestyle, as well as their digestive process. You can think of earthworms and their smaller cousins, red worms, as natural burrowers that aerate the soil - letting in oxygen and moisture. At the same time, their digestive process … Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Hairy%20chinch%20bug%20-%20Blissus%20leucopterus%20hirtus/ What do they look like? These tiny orange and black guests are no treat for your lawn. Their Halloween coloring is a dead giveaway that your lawn has something unwanted living in it. Not even 1/16-of-an-inch wide, they feed on your lawn whether they're in immature nymph form, or full-grown, full-color, full-time pest form. How do we know we've got them? You might think the brown patches mean your lawn isn't getting enough water. And if your lawn responds … Wed, 09 May 2007 16:17:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Common%20Chickweed/ Identification & Culture: Common chickweed is an annual broadleaf weed that has small, bright green, spade-shaped leaves and white, 10-petal flowers (there are actually five petals that are so deeply lobed they look like 10). Chick weed grows in bunches or a mat. You’ll find it growing in thin lawns or filling in bare patches, as well as in mulched flowerbeds and tree skirts, especially if these areas are watered. Common chickweed germinates in late … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Brown%20patch%20-%20Rhizoctonia%20solani/ What does it look like? Brown patch is a common summertime disease that has almost circular patches ranging from 3 inches to several feet in diameter. Symptoms include leaf tip browning and leaf lesions. In turf cut below 1 inch, the outer edge of the brown patch may develop a bluish ring called the smoke ring. The smoke ring is not apparent in higher-cut lawns. When is a lawn susceptible? The much-hated brown patch forms in the summer, when … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Buckhorn%20Plantain/ Also known as narrow-leaf plantain Identification & Culture: Buckhorn plantain is often confused with its close cousin, broadleaf plantain. However, buckhorn plantain has much longer, narrower leaves that often originate from the center of each plant, while other leaves may attach to a very short stem. Buckhorn plantain produces a long seed stalk with the seeds surrounding nearly the entire stalk. Like its broadleaf counterpart, buckhorn plantain is a … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Broadleaf%20Plantain/ Identification & Culture:   Broadleaf plantain is a very common weed in lawns, next to dandelion and white clover. It is an annual plant that will reproduce from a taproot much like dandelions as well as from seeds. As its name suggests, broadleaf plantain has very broad, spoon-shaped leaves at the end of small, celery-stalk-like stems. In fact, if you pull these stems apart, fibrous threads will hang from the ends just like celery. Left to grow, … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Bermuda%20grass%20scale%20-%20Odanaspis%20ruthae/ What do they look like? Bermuda grass scales are among your lawns smaller threats (1/32 - 1/16 inch), but that's in size, not potential damage. They have a whitish cover that looks like a miniature clam shell. The hungry insect underneath the cover is pinkish and soft. How do we know we've got them? Damage from Bermuda grass scale is easy to mistake for drought stress, but a closer look shows infected areas that are encrusted with the tiny … Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Bluegrass%20billbug%20-%20Sphenophorous%20parvulus/ What do they look like? The many common and hybrid types of Bermuda grass share a low-growing profile and fine-pointed leaves. How do we know we've got them? Billbug damage is often mistaken for drought stress or disease. Their hallmark damage shows up in summer as small (2-3 inch) dead patches of turf, which resemble the disease dollarspot. Left unchecked, they will spread to create large dead areas. These larger patches look like grub damage, but … Wed, 09 May 2007 15:42:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Buffalo%20grass%20-%20Buchloe%20dactyloides/ What does it look like? This was the grass of the Buffalo herds that once roamed the Great Plains, growing with low, narrow leaves in abundance. It is the only turfgrass truly native to North America. How does it grow? Buffalo grass spreads by stolons. It can be established by seed or sod. Buffalo grass has both male and female plants. How does it rate for the average homeowner? Buffalo grass is well-adapted to areas that do not … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:25:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Caring%20for%20Your%20Lawn%20the%20Natural%20Way/ Spring is a good time to think about the environment and what we can do right in our own backyards to make it a little better. Briggs & Stratton encourages all homeowners to Strive for Five - find at least five ways inside and outside your home that you can help the Earth. Let's look at what we can do in our yards. "Seedlings" (Tips for Beginners) Interested in employing organic lawn care practices, but without a lot of effort? Chances are, you might already … Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Centipede%20grass%20-%20Eremochloa%20ophiuroides/ What does it look like? This yellow-green grass grows low with coarse leaves and takes its name from its short, upright stems, which resemble the namesake insect. How does it grow? Centipede grass spreads by stolons. It can be established by seed or sod. Some improved varieties like Oklawn and Tennessee must be established vegetatively. How does it rate for the average homeowner? For those who would rather hang in the hammock than walk … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Dandelion/ Identification & Culture: The dandelion is probably the most recognizable weed in the United States, if not the world. Its bright yellow flowers eventually turn to white, fuzz ball seed-heads where each dandelion seed is attached to a feather-like structure (pappus) that can float a long distance on a breeze. Dandelions have deeply serrated, symmetrical leaves. A perennial weed, dandelions come back each year, with new plants emerging from a … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Dallis%20grass/ Identification & Culture: Dallisgrass is a warm-season grass, which means it is primarily found in southern states. This weed has a relatively wide leaf blade and grows in clumps that gradually increase in diameter. It will produce a long seed-stalk, if not regularly removed by mowing, that can produce 3-10 fingerlike spikes that often droop near the top of the flower-head. Dallisgrass can germinate from seeds and spread via rhizomes (belowground runners or stems). It is conspicuous in … Wed, 09 May 2007 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Creeping%20red%20fescue%20-%20Festuca%20rubra/ What does it look like? The calling card of Creeping red fescue is a red color at the base of very thin, upright leaves. How does it grow? This grass spreads by short rhizomes or by tillering, and it establishes quickly from seed compared to Kentucky bluegrass. How does it rate for the average homeowner? A common component of many lawn mixes used in the Northern United States, this grass is prized for its performance in the dry, … Mon, 14 May 2007 14:41:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Dealing%20with%20Weather%20Extremes/ From Deluge to Drought  Weather is one thing we still can't control. And when we have to deal with extremes like drought or flooding rains, we realize just how little control we have. We just have to make the best of it. While drought is a serious matter and certainly an inconvenience, storms and flooding rains are downright dangerous. Preparing for storms is something we all can do while there often isn't much we can do about drought. Let's look at some … Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:11:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Dealing%20with%20Bare%20Spots%20in%20Your%20Lawn/ Have you been waiting for winter to end only to see bare spots peppering your lawn? Don't worry, even the best green keepers and gardeners can't always prevent small areas of grass from dying in their yards. This article will take you through the steps required to solve this common lawn care problem: Determine the cause of the bare spots and solve any lawn care problems contributing to them. Consider variances between warm vs. cool season grasses. Know … Wed, 09 May 2007 23:02:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Creeping%20Bent%20grass/ Identification & Culture:Creeping bentgrass is primarily used as a high maintenance, low-mow grass for golf course putting greens and fairways. It spreads aggressively via stolons (aboveground runners or stems) and appears very “puffy” if left to grow to lawn heights (2-4 inches) as it builds up a thick thatch layer. Creeping bentgrass will often form large patches or thatchy mats in lawns that dry out or go dormant in the summer heat. You can distinguish creeping bent grass from other … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Crabgrass%20Fighting%20Lawn%20Cares%20Enemy/ For all the fear "crabgrass" strikes in homeowners, it is a relatively simple plant to control. The secret to fighting crabgrass involves learning its modus operandi and applying control strategies before and after it strikes.  Read on to find out how to win the crabgrass battle. The Enemy's Profile Crabgrass is a summer annual plant, which means it reproduces from seed each year. Two main crabgrass types likely appear in homeowners' yards - large crabgrass … Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Crab%20grass/ Smooth and Large Also known as crowsfoot, summer grass. Identification & Culture: Smooth and large crabgrass look very similar and for purposes of control, the same methods are used. You can identify crabgrass by its light-green color. It looks distinctively different from your lawn when it pops up in mid-to-late summer, with short leaf blades growing from stems that fan out and around the center of the plant. Crabgrass is a summer annual, which means its seeds germinate in early spring. … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Controlling%20Critters%20in%20Green%20Spaces/ Does your lawn more closely resemble a putting green at Augusta or the course on "Caddy Shack?" If it's the latter, chances are that little critters are tearing up the lawn. These small undomesticated animals will seek out the yard as a source of food and a place to hibernate, but won't damage the grass itself.  Understanding the eating and living patterns is essential to controlling critters.  Here are some tips on managing the worst yard offenders, including moles, gophers, skunks and … Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:47:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Say%20Goodbye%20to%20Grubs/ Japanese and European Chafer Beetle Control Insect-related lawn problems can be frustrating, but the most troubling are insects that dodge the homeowner's radar and feast on grass roots. Because they reside below the surface, root-feeding insects are difficult to detect, and once signs of invasion are evident, the damage is already done. Two species, Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) and European Chafer beetles (Rhizotrogus majalis) are the most challenging for homeowners … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:53:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Rust%20-%20Puccinnia%20spp/ What does it look like? Similar to its metallic namesake, rust begins as small yellow spots on leaves and stems and develops into bubble-like pustules full of reddish spores. The red spores will stick to your finger if touched, and they have a distinct rusty appearance. When is a lawn susceptible? Kentucky bluegrass, Perennial ryegrass and Zoysia grass are the most susceptible to rust. It will appear after prolonged periods of damp, overcast weather, or … Fri, 01 May 2009 21:43:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Smooth%20crabgrass%20-%20Digitaria%20ischaemum/ What does it look like? The enemy of barefoot walks across your lawn, smooth crabgrass is a warm-season, annual grass weed. It is light green and has a prostrate growth pattern. When, where, and how does it grow? Smooth crabgrass is a wide-spread summer weed. It starts to grow in the spring, when soil temperatures reach 55°-58°F for 4-5 consecutive days. It's also tenacious, returning each year to identical locations after leaving a prolific … Fri, 01 May 2009 11:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Simple%20Tests%20to%20Check%20the%20Health%20of%20Your%20Lawn/ Is it time to give your lawn a check-up? There are several easy tests that will give you greater insight into the health of your lawn. They will help you diagnose problems you already have, as well as give you a heads up when things may be tilting in the wrong direction. So grab some simple tools and let's hit the turf! Insect Invasion Check-up If you think you have an insect pest problem in your lawn, get down to their level and check what's going on. One … Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:20:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Prostate%20spurge/ Identification & Culture: As its name suggests, prostate spurge grows low to the ground. It’s a stemmy plant with small, oval-shaped leaves which sometimes have white spots in their centers. If you pinch a stem, you’ll notice a milky, latex-like liquid inside. This weed is classified as a summer annual, germinating fairly late in summer. Prostrate spurge weed often invades mulched areas, especially if these areas aren’t watered. Also watch for it to grow in thin lawns, bare patches and … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Quack%20grass%20-%20Agropyron%20repens/ What does it look like? A weed that loves the winter, quack grass actually spreads its rhizomes during the winter. With spring, this dull-green ugly duckling sprouts coarse grass. When, where, and how does it grow? Favoring cool climates, quack grass flourishes in under-fertilized stands. It can quickly spread from neighboring yards, but it often hitches along with nursery stock, or contaminated mulch and topsoil. The rhizomes survive for … Wed, 09 May 2007 11:26:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Red%20thread%20-%20Laetisaria%20fuciformis/ What does it look like? Like the name implies, red thread appears as tangles of red, thread-like fungus in patches 2-10 inches in diameter. When is a lawn susceptible? Red thread weaves itself out during periods of cool, overcast, and rainy weather. Poorly nourished lawns are setting themselves up for red thread. How can we get rid of it? As long as the temperature is warm enough, a good program of nitrogen fertilization will stimulate … Fri, 01 May 2009 21:38:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Quack%20grass/ Identification & Culture: Many grassy weeds look similar. You can identify quackgrass by its wide leaf blades which are bluish-green in color. It has tiny, claw-like appendages (auricles) where the mature leaf blades meet the stem. Quack grass spreads through underground runners called rhizomes, emerging in patches several feet from the mother plant. If the grassy weed in question is growing only in one clump, you can generally rule out quack grass. Especially in northern states, it’s … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Putting%20Your%20Lawn%20Mower%20to%20Rest%20for%20Winter/ Your lawn mower has been a faithful fair weather companion. So at the end of the mowing season, give it the attention it deserves. Spend just a little time prepping your mower for storage over the winter, and you’ll enjoy a happier reunion in spring. Here are some tips on what you can do now to be sure your mower will start easily next spring. Make sure your operator's manual is on hand for quick reference when you work on your mower.   Remove … Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:55:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Soils/Putting%20Your%20Soil%20to%20the%20Test/ A simple test that can help your lawn make the grade is a soil test. At the beginning of spring, many homeowners start a lawn from scratch or renovate an existing lawn. The first step for either activity is to perform a soil test to determine the physical and chemical makeup of the soil, allowing homeowners to appropriately modify their lawn care practices, depending on the results. Who Needs One, Who Doesn't How do homeowners know if they need to conduct a soil … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:37:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Summer%20patch%20-%20Magnaporthe%20poae/ What does it look like? This disease starts as a 2-3 inch, straw-colored circle and grows to large, circular or crescent-shaped patches. A spot of healthy turf in the center often gives it the nickname "Frog-eye." When is a lawn susceptible? Summer patch primarily affects Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and annual bluegrass lawns. It is a summertime disease and is present on close-cut turf (less than 2 inches) and wet soils. How can we get rid … Fri, 01 May 2009 21:45:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Summer%20Lawn%20Care%20Tips/ Handle Your Biggest Summer Lawn Care Problems Summer days mean lots of sun, fun and hopefully a yard that will hold up to the weather as well as outdoor gatherings. If you are like most of us, you want to know how to have a nice lawn all year, and especially during the summer when you spend more time there. The following are some of my best tips for keeping your lawn healthy and looking great throughout the summer months. Raise the mowing height a little … Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:17:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Soils/Successful%20Seeding%20Tips%20for%20your%20Lawn/ If you are creating a new lawn this spring, or just filling in some bare patches, assure your success by following these steps: Prepare the soil. Loosen the soil an inch or more deep and level/smooth it with a rake. This will become the foundation for the new lawn you're seeding. If you leave it lumpy and uneven now, that is how it will be after the grass grows in. Place seed uniformly with a drop spreader for large areas and a hand-held spreader … Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:45:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Tall%20fescue%20-%20Festuca%20arundinacea/ What does it look like? This grass grows in tall, upright bunches, especially in a weedy or unmanaged situation. It sports a wide leaf blade compared to other cool-season grasses, with an appearance that is downright coarse. New varieties, however, have recently been produced with leaf widths similar to Kentucky bluegrass. How does it grow? Tall fescue has a fairly deep root system and spreads only by tillers. It is slow to establish compared to … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:11:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Supina%20bluegrass%20-%20Poa%20supina/ What does it look like? Another bright green grass, Supina bluegrass grows low with a medium-textured, glossy-bottomed leaf. How does it grow? Supina bluegrass has shallow roots and spreads by aggressive stolons. It establishes from seed similar to Kentucky bluegrass. How does it rate for the average homeowner? A newcomer on the American lawn scene, this grass forms a nice, dense turf in areas where the conditions are adequate. … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:06:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Take%20Control%20of%20Damage-Causing%20Insects/ Although more than 800,000 different species of insects creep and crawl across the Earth, the vast majority do not harm turfgrass. However, there are a select few that prefer to feast on a lush, green lawn. The following suggestions can help homeowners reclaim their lawns from these unwelcome dinner guests. Outnumbered, but not Outsmarted With an estimated 40 million insects in a typical acre, it's impossible to completely eradicate them. And that's good, as most … Fri, 01 May 2009 17:08:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Spotted%20spurge%20-%20Euphorbia%20maculata/ What does it look like? This summer broadleaf weed spreads rapidly to form dense mats on bare areas of ground. It gets its name from the dark red spots found in the middle of the leaves. When, where, and how does it grow? This weed is common in high-traffic areas and is a good indicator of compacted soil. Spotted spurge will even grow in the cracks of sidewalks if it has enough moisture. It thrives throughout the spring and summer and will die with … Fri, 01 May 2009 11:48:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Southern%20chinch%20bug%20-%20Blissus%20insularis/ What do they look like? Looking, for all intents, like the hairy chinch bug, this Southern cousin has the same Halloween coloring, minuscule dimensions, and big appetite for taking the juice right out of a healthy lawn. How do we know we've got them? Use the double open-ended can trick, which works so well in detecting hairy chinch bugs. Make sure you water for at least 20 minutes to ensure a thorough test. Take extra care if you have St. Augustine grass; … Fri, 01 May 2009 17:03:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Sod%20webworm%20-%20Several%20species/ What do they look like? Sod webworms are small caterpillars living in silk-lined tunnels threaded through the thatch and soil. The adults become light-colored moths, which will hover around the lawn at nightfall. Maybe their rooting for the caterpillars do more damage. There are more than 20 different species, with 2-3 species in each geographic region. How do we know we've got them? The best way to know if you have sod webworm is to get on your hands and … Wed, 09 May 2007 16:59:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Spring%20Forward/ Need a little fresh thinking to liven up your outdoor living space? Whether new on the scene or tried and true, here are some ideas to make this landscaping season your best ever. Even better, they're all designed to save you time and money. Plant more perennials. Pick up some extra perennials this year and you'll gain a lot of ground. Planting perennials is an economical way to produce plants season after season. Plus, you'll save time on replanting each … Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Standing%20Up%20to%20Standing%20Water/ Tackling Lawn Drainage Issues HEAD ON! Soggy sod usually indicates a serious lawn care problem – standing water. Standing water strikes fear in the hearts of homeowners and professionals alike due its root cause, a drainage problem. Improper drainage leads to waterlogged soils that are prone to disease and compaction, which creates conditions not conducive to gardening, games or backyard barbecues. On the surface, the solution seems logical – control the … Wed, 09 May 2007 12:25:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Projects/Starting%20From%20Scratch/ How to Establish a New Lawn from Seed...In 10 Simple Steps! One might think that establishing a new lawn is done by simply placing seeds in the ground and watching them grow into beautiful green turf. If that were the case, then everyone would have a showpiece lawn. Here are 10 easy steps that will transform that soil into a lush, lavish lawn. Bear in mind that establishing a yard from seed is a holistic process - sort of like brewing a cup of coffee. … Wed, 09 May 2007 14:07:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Stadium%20Fields%20Can%20You%20Achieve%20this%20Perfection/ When you're watching a game, do you catch yourself comparing your lawn to sports stadium turf? Wondering how it stays so green and pristine - even through sliding catches and double plays? Here's a secret: Professional field managers use the same Prescription for a Healthy Lawn that our Yard Doctor suggests, but on a much larger scale, and pumped up with a few professional extras. Here's what they do and how they do it. Mowing Most field managers will mow every … Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:06:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/St%20Augustine%20grass%20-%20Stenotaphrum%20secondatum/ What does it look like? This medium-green grass can be identified by its low-growing leaves, which are very coarse and twisted. How does it grow? St. Augustine grass spreads by stolons. It must be established by springs or sod. How does it rate for the average homeowner? St. Augustine grass is popular for homeowners along the Gulf Coast and similar subtropical areas. It has superior best shade tolerance, but will not tolerate … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:00:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Pros%20and%20Cons%20of%20Lawn%20Care%20Services/ If you own your home with a yard and have a telephone, chances are you have been approached by someone who wants to provide you with lawn care services. Determining the benefits versus the costs associated with these services can be confusing and even frustrating. Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to hire a service or doing it yourself. Not all lawn care services are alike. This may seem obvious in terms of abilities and competence, but … Wed, 09 May 2007 12:13:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Mole%20cricket%20-%20Scapteriscus%20vicinis%20and%20S%20borellii/ What do they look like? Hands down, this is the most destructive lawn pest in the Southeastern United States. The reason is that these critters burrow beneath the ground because they'd rather eat your lawn's roots. There are several species of mole crickets, but the two most damaging are Tawny (S. vicinus) and Southern (S. borellii). Mature mole crickets are about 1-1.25 inches long, with a dark color range. How do we know we've got them? That spongy … Wed, 09 May 2007 16:29:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Mow%20Your%20Way%20to%20a%20Better%20Lawn/ The Magic of Mowing – Getting a Perfect Cut Every Time Of all the lawn care practices homeowners use throughout the year, mowing is the most vital to achieving an attractive, problem-free turf.  Proper mowing height and frequency is the cornerstone of all yard care programs, from the tiniest of lawns to the home of the U.S. Open Golf Championship. It is estimated that 70 percent of lawn care problems can be attributed to improper mowing techniques.  Deviation from … Wed, 09 May 2007 10:08:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Leaf%20spot%20-%20Dreschlera%20spp%20and%20Bipolaris%20spp/ What does it look like? Leaf spot makes your bluegrass blue, as in sad, by covering it with brown to purple lesions that can move to the crown of the plant if conditions persist. On Tall fescue and ryegrasses it appears as red specks. When is a lawn susceptible? Leaf spot is most severe in spring and fall during prolonged periods of overcast and cool weather. Leaf spot also can be active in winter periods when the right conditions persist. How … Fri, 01 May 2009 21:24:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Learn%20More%20about%20Herbicides%20to%20Control%20Lawn%20Weeds/ When you go to the lawn and garden store to buy weed control products, it can be a bit daunting. Let's try to simplify your choices for controlling the vast majority of weeds that can spring up in your yard. Then we will review the timing of herbicide applications. There are two kinds of weeds we all target - broadleaf (dandelions) and grassy (including crab grass). For broadleaf weed control, you can count on a three-way combination of ingredients: Mecoprop (MCPP), 2, 4 D, and … Wed, 09 May 2007 10:55:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Large%20crabgrass%20-%20Digitaria%20sanguinalis/ What does it look like? The big brother of smooth crabgrass, this weed is just as unappealing, and perhaps a bit more difficult to deal with. It is a warm-season, annual grass weed, light green in color with a prostrate growth pattern. When, where, and how does it grow? Large crabgrass is found throughout the country, growing in the spring when soil temperatures reach 55°-58°F for 4-5 consecutive days. It is very hardy, returning each year from the … Fri, 01 May 2009 10:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Lawn%20Care%20Myths/ When it comes to lawn care, there are several myths you should be aware of. Lawn care myths usually take a short cut around science and proven facts - so don't let them become a part of your good yard care practices. Here are a few of my favorites: If you scalp your grass it won't grow back as fast. Grass grows when it has moisture, fertilizer (nutrients) and a temperature conducive to growth. If these three critical elements are present in the right amounts, … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Let%20Your%20Garden%20Grow%20On%20You/ There's nothing so rewarding as enjoying the fruits of your labor... or as frustrating as watching your hard yard work go wasted. Here are a few tips to help your outdoor retreat reach its fullest potential, so you can stand back and feel fully satisfied. Prep your soil. Turning your soil allows it to breathe and prepares it for plant cultivation. For accelerated turnaround, use a long-handled spade or fork. (Tillers powered by a Briggs & Stratton® engine are … Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:02:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Lumpy%20Lawn%20What%20to%20do%20about%20it/ Does your lawn have a case of the lumps? When you walk across your yard, do you feel the unevenness beneath your feet? If you have a riding mower, has mowing become a tooth-rattling experience? This season, let's do something about it! Many people think that the cure for a lumpy lawn is to drag the roller out of the corner of the garage, fill it with water and get to work. Unfortunately, using a roller really won't have much effect on the lumps and bumps in your yard. Why? … Wed, 21 May 2008 10:01:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Made%20in%20the%20Shade/ The secret to growing grass in shady areas... Ever try picnicking or lying under a shady tree in the yard, only to wind up covered in mud or dirt? Growing grass in shaded conditions is one of the biggest challenges of lawn maintenance. (The task even baffles professionals, as grass would have been grown in domed stadiums years ago.) The key to growing grass in shaded areas is to choose the correct species of grass for the region and then provide the best possible … Tue, 08 May 2007 15:20:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Powdery%20mildew%20-%20Erysiphe%20graminis/ What does it look like? This unwelcome dusty disease appears as grayish or white growth on upper surfaces of grass leaves. While all grasses are susceptible to powdery mildew, it is most apparent on Kentucky bluegrass. When is a lawn susceptible? Powdery mildew is most likely to occur in areas with low sunlight, high humidity, low air movement, and warm temperatures. Lawns that are shaded are predisposed to powdery mildew. How can we get rid of … Wed, 09 May 2007 21:35:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Problem%20Lawn%20Take%20this%20Approach/ Problem Lawn? Take this Approach A "problem lawn" typically has more than one problem, which can give you a feeling of helplessness. You just don't know where to start to fix the problems. The key is to step back and break the "big picture" into a series of small ones. Create a list of what your problems are, as well as things you would like to change. Walk through your yard and write down in detail what you need to do.Is your lawn brown in spots or not … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:52:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Proper%20Pest%20Management/ In a perfect world, we would all have a pristine, weed and pest-free blanket of green grass around our homes. There would be no brown spots, no straggly-looking crab grass encroaching - nothing but beautiful, healthy green grass - with minimal effort. Of course, we don't live in that perfect world. There is no question that good cultural practices - correctly doing all of the basics like such as mowing, watering and fertilizing - are the best way to maintain a healthy, green … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:38:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Plant%20Now%20for%20Fall%20Color%20Next%20Year/ Autumn is the perfect time to see if your yard needs a little extra fall and winter landscape appeal - that certain "something" that makes your yard stand out during these seasons. By adding both color and texture to your yard with plants, trees and even hardscape elements, you can turn your yard into a major attraction for every season. The first step to adding beauty during the winter and fall months is to use what you already have. What are your favorite aspects of your yard … Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/New%20Ways%20to%20Save%20on%20Weed%20Prevention%20Products/ Whether they're dandelions (broadleaf weeds) or crabgrass (grassy weeds), nothing irks lawn and garden lovers like these stubborn sprouters. Now your best ammunition against your outdoor enemies just got easier. Patents on some of the most effective weed prevention products have expired, so the same formulas can be sold as other brands or using generic names. That means more impact on weed elimination with less confusion for your yard. The Big ThreeThe most effective herbicide for … Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:57:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Necrotic%20ring%20spot%20-%20Leptosphaeria%20korrae/ What does it look like? This disease is unmistakable, with large rings, often a foot or larger, filled in with dead, brown grass. Its favorite hosts are Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue turf. When is a lawn susceptible? This disease sets in during the cool, wet weather of spring or fall. The large rings form during hot, dry summers. If your lawn is close to a wooded area, its more susceptible to necrotic ring spot. And while it favors sodded lawns, it … Fri, 01 May 2009 21:27:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Pink%20snow%20mold%20-%20Microdochium%20nivale/ What does it look like? This mold grows in patches 3-8 inches wide and is ringed by a pinkish circle. It's a pretty color, but also a pretty annoying affliction for your lawn. When is a lawn susceptible? This mold loves cool temperatures and low light, which means it thrives under snow cover. Any lawn subject to prolonged snow cover is susceptible. How can we get rid of it? Fortunately, pink snow mold fades when the grass starts … Fri, 01 May 2009 21:31:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Perennial%20ryegrass%20-%20Lolium%20perenne/ What does it look like? The glossy-bottomed leaves of this grass have a medium- to fine-textured leaf blade that comes to a point. The plant is often red at the base or crown, which distinguishes it from Kentucky bluegrass. It has a wide range of green color, depending on variety. How does it grow? Perennial ryegrass has shallow roots and spreads only by tillers. It establishes from seed very quickly, taking less than a month to set up. … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:54:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Organic%20Lawn%20Care/ From hybrid cars to organically grown food, the movement towards environmental consciousness and all things "green" is on the rise. It's only natural that some people are asking about organic lawn care. The first step to organic lawn care is to define what you mean as it relates to your lawn. Organic in most cases means using natural products, and doing without chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. The decision on whether to include fertilizer on your "can not use" … Mon, 21 May 2007 11:47:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Projects/Get%20Ready%20Get%20Set%20Get%20Organized/ How to prep your garage for winter storage For so many of us, organization and procrastination seem to go hand-in-hand. And when it comes to getting the garage in order to store yard care equipment during the off-season, it’s mighty tempting to skip that task with the intention of dealing with it next spring. If this sounds familiar, consider this: Focus your efforts for one day now, and you can create a garage space that will be a joy to face next season, rather … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Projects/Is%20Your%20Yard%20Ready%20for%20Some%20Football/ Host a tailgate right outside your door. Fall colors and football games. Could there be a better combination? For good autumn fun, we don’t think so. That’s why we’re suggesting a natural alternative to traditional tailgating: Rather than surrounding yourself with cars, crowds and concrete, why not “tailgate” amidst the fall beauty of your backyard? It’s so easy to host a football tailgate party right outside your door – and save on ticket prices to boot. Here are some … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Landscape%20Mistakes%20to%20Avoid/ You can add beauty and value to your home just by maintaining a nice lawn and landscape - and avoiding the most common landscaping blunders homeowners tend to make.There's no reason why your yard can't have the curb appeal you would like it to have. If youre creating a yard for a new home, you have the advantage of being able to plan and do things right the first time. Those of us who buy older homes or have been living in the same place for a few years will likely find we have to … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Zoysia%20grass%20-%20Zoysia%20spp/ What does it look like A lawn sidewinder, Zoysia grass is a dense, low growing grass with fine pointed leaves. It goes dormant in the winter, turning tan until the spring restores its familiar green. How does it grow? Zoysia grass is a warm-season Perennial that spreads by rhizomes and stolons and has deep roots. It has been established primarily by plugs or sod, but newer varieties can be established by seed. How does it rate for the … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:19:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Yellow%20Wood%20Sorrel/ Also known as oxalis Identification & Culture: Woodsorrel has three leaves per stem, like white clover and black medic, for which it’s often mistaken. Yellow wood sorrel is a summer annual, germinating from seed present in the soil in spring and during hot summer months. It’s very recognizable by its heart shaped leaves, three per stem, each with a vertical crease in the center which allows the leaves to close up during the night and early morning. Wood sorrel produces small … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Yellow%20Nutsedge%20and%20Purple%20Nutsedge/ Identification & Culture: Yellow and purple nutsedge, as their names imply, are distinguishable by their color. These grassy weeds also have some other distinguishing characteristics, including solid, triangular stems (compared to most grass stems which are hollow), and leaves with a waxy surface that can make it difficult for herbicides to penetrate. Nutsedges are unique weeds because they produce tubers that look like peanut-sized potatoes in the soil. One plant is … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Zoysia%20patch%20-%20Rhizoctonia%20solani/ What does it look like? This disease appears as large patches up to 10 feet in diameter. Its odds of appearing increase when your mowing height is too low, 1 inch or lower, and during cool, wet falls and springs. When is a lawn susceptible? A combination of low mowing height and cool, rainy periods are ideal for Zoysia patch. The Meyer variety is particularly susceptible, as are poorly drained areas of any lawn. How can we get rid of it? … Fri, 01 May 2009 21:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Projects/Create%20a%20Serene%20Outdoor%20Space/ Then sit back and relax. Want to make it easy to get a little R & R? With a few special touches to your backyard, you can simply step outside for a relaxing retreat. Consider these ideas for the ultimate outdoor tranquility. Keep your yard private. It's not easy to relax when you feel you're on display. For a more intimate outdoors, a fence, arbors, trellises, tall shrubs, vines or even flowers hanging from shepherd hooks can help … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Weeds%20Get%20on%20the%20Unwelcome%20Wagon/  In his book, Lawn Geek, our own Trey Rogers, Ph.D., (a.k.a. the Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor) makes an admission that might reduce a little pressure in your quest for absolute lawn perfection. About weeds, he writes, "No way will you get rid of them all...A weed-free lawn is virtually impossible." But that certainly isn't the end of the story. And it definitely doesn't mean you're destined to have a weed-ridden lawn.The Yard Doctor goes on to explain that for professional … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Whats%20Your%20Yard%20Care%20Style/ 8 Tell-All Questions Looking outside your window might give you the lay of the land on your landscaping habits. But if you're looking for a bit more insight into your yard care personality — and how to make some improvements — start by taking our quiz. It's designed to be fun, but you'll get some helpful tips, too!1.What yard care equipment do you own?a. The bare essentials: Lawn mower, rake, hose and sprinkler.b. Basic beautifiers: Lawn mower, rake, string trimmer, … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/World%20View/ How to bring your backyard abroad If you fancy yourself a world traveler, but it's more fantasy than reality, take heart: While it might not be possible to book your flight today, it is possible to bring your dream destination to your backyard - and enjoy time abroad every day. With the right additions to your landscape, you can satisfy your wanderlust right at home. Here's how. Create a European countryside Ah, this is the stuff of … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Recycle%20Smart_What%20to%20do%20with%20an%20old%20mower/ You've had a good, long run together. But even with the best of lawn mowers, there comes a time when you have to move on. Whether your mower has aged beyond its useful life or you're ready for an upgrade, make sure your old lawn mower goes to greener pastures - and doesn't end up in a landfill somewhere. To be smart about recycling your lawn mower, check out these helpful resources:Earth911.com - This site provides an extensive database of lawn mower recycling centers across the United … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Recycle%20Smart_What%20can%20go%20into%20a%20compost%20bin/ Two keys to composting correctly Compost, or decayed yard, food and other waste, may not sound pretty. But more people are seeing the beauty of using compost as an inexpensive, nutrient-rich and environmentally-friendly fertilizer that does wonders for lawns and gardens, while reducing garbage that ends up in landfills. In fact, compost piles and bins are popping up in backyards everywhere, where homeowners can create a ready source of chemical-free plant food lawn and … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Recycle%20Smart_How%20to%20recycle%20lawn%20mower%20oil/ Change your lawn mower oil the right way Good work, Do-It-Yourselfer. By changing your lawn mower's engine oil you're not only keeping your lawn mower in peak working condition; you're also helping it run cleaner - and protecting the environment by reducing exhaust emissions. Now keep the good work going by disposing of used oil the sustainable, smart way.Your used lawn mower oil is sustainable. No matter how gloppy and dirty it's gotten, it can be recycled and used again. … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Top%205%20Yard%20Care%20Questions%20for%202010/ Common issues and their solutions What's on your mind this yard care season? We've reviewed landscaping questions from homeowners like you, and these five rose to the top of the pile. Find the answers to the fastest growing questions here. Want more? Read our full list of FAQs. 1. What's the best way to start a new lawn: seed or sod? Both seed and sod are viable options for starting a new lawn or renovating a worn lawn - and each has its pluses and minuses. But when … Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:04:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Projects/Yard%20Care%20on%20a%20Dime%20How%20to%20Get%20the%20Look%20for%20Less/ Trying to conserve some of your own green this season? It is possible to cut your landscaping budget without skimping on the appearance of your great outdoors. Here are 10 tips to help save you money and still make your yard a beautiful asset. Take care of what's there. Removing dead or diseased grass, plants, shrubs and trees can be costly. So be sure to protect what already exists to avoid having to remove and replace. Survey your yard and make sure your … Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:26:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Top%202%20Steps%20for%20Garden%20Slug%20Control/ When faithful gardeners are fast asleep, creatures are lurking (or should we say, sliming) in their yards, trailing through well-tended plantings, ready for a large leafy feast. Ick – garden slugs! In fact, slugs are one of the most common and destructive garden pests around, with big … Mon, 30 May 2011 08:33:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Time%20Saving%20Lawn%20Care%20Tips/ Time-strapped homeowners take heart - you can have a great-looking lawn without spending the whole weekend on it. If you start with a plan, you can dedicate less than two hours a week to the average lawn and still produce great results. The most common lawn care problem homeowners face is finding time to keep everything looking nice. The best way to overcome this problem is to prioritize your lawn and yard care tasks when busy schedules create a time crunch. Basic lawn … Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:07:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Three%20Lawn%20Culprits/ Algae, moss and fungi are unattractive organisms that can cause damage to your lawn. To eliminate these problems from your lawn, you must be able to identify the organisms, understand what factors contribute to their development and take the appropriate steps to remove them. This article will explore each issue separately and focus on preventing future occurrences Algae: A Slimy Addition to Your Lawn While most people think of algae as associated with aquatic … Tue, 29 May 2007 14:59:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Trees%20and%20Your%20Lawn/ Trees are a wonderful addition to any landscape plan and fall is an ideal time to plant them.  You may already have beautiful trees adding value to your property, or you may just be starting out and wondering what to plant.  Either way, trees and your lawn have to co-exist in your yard.  Here are some tips that will allow both to thrive, contributing to the beauty of your yard and home. Select your trees with your lawn in mind If you want grass to grow beneath your … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:06:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Top%20Penny-Pinching%20Lawn%20Care%20Tips/ Save Money on Lawn Care & Still Have a Nice Yard If you're looking for ways to stretch your dollar and still have a green and beautiful yard, take heart. There are some penny-pinching projects and tips that will help you save a dollar or two while still maintaining a nice yard. Some of them involve your time and energy, but they'll pay off nicely in the future. Others involve doing basic things right or foregoing some frills. Let's take a look at what you can … Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:25:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Three%20Important%20Fall%20Lawn%20Care%20Tips/ As the days get a little cooler, we're entering an important lawn care season. Don't be tricked into thinking your lawn needs less care. Now is the time to prepare so that you start next spring with healthy green turf. Keep mowing as long as your lawn is actively growing. Depending upon where you live, your mowing season may go on for several more weeks. Don't mow the lawn too short when you mow for the last time. If anything, leave it a little bit longer. Don't … Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:52:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/The%20Look%20-%20Spring%20Lawn%20and%20Landscape%20Assessment/ Spring is the perfect time for some fresh thinking when it comes to making your landscape just that much more beautiful. Start by taking an honest look around and pinpoint what's spoiling your view. Then choose your plan of action for adding more style to your yard this year. But remember: While looks are important, taking care of the basics first is best. Make sure to correct any lawn care issues before tackling the aesthetics. Here are some common landscape complaints and … Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:32:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Fertilize/The%20Right%20Way%20to%20Feed%20Your%20Hungry%20Lawn/ Early summer is a good time to discuss your lawn's nutritional needs. I get lots of questions about fertilizing and fertilizer. Everything from "Do I really have to fertilize?" to "What's the best type of fertilizer I can use - organic or synthetic?" Let's take a closer look at the ins and outs of fertilizing, from what to use, when to use it and how to get it to the roots of your lawn where it will do some good. Why do I need to fertilize? Fertilizing your lawn, combined … Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:43:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/The%20Straight%20Talk%20on%20Garden%20Stakes/ If you’re thinking straight about garden stakes, you may want to think again. Most people think of plant stakes simply as tools to keep flowers, plants, shrubs and young trees growing straight and in the right direction. But today, you can stake a claim to a lot more options. The functional Even if you’re using garden stakes for purely practical purposes, you have many materials to choose from to add a bit of personal style along the way. When using … Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/The%20Yard%20Doctors%20Most%20Popular%20Questions%20and%20Answers/ By Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor, Trey Rogers Maintaining a nearly flawless lawn can sometimes feel like a bit of a mystery - but it doesn't have to be. I've addressed your top Frequently Asked Questions here. Want to be a great neighbor? Forward this on when you're finished and soon the whole neighborhood will be seeing green. How often should I water my lawn? With light but frequent watering you'll not only save water, but you'll also get the … Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:50:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/The%20Yard%20Doctor%2010%20Step%20Lawn%20Care%20Plan/ To give your lawn its best shot at thriving, keep this script on hand. Simply follow the Yard Doctor’s 10-Step Lawn Care Plan to ward off weeds, disease and bare spots, and maintain thick, healthy, green grass all season. Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade during any one mowing. By following this rule, the remaining two-thirds of the plant will develop deep roots and spread out, eventually creating a dense, healthy turf. Using this … Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/White%20Clover/ Identification & Culture: Sometimes recognized as the Irish symbol, the shamrock, white clover has three leaves per stem—unless you find a four-leafed clover. Each leaf usually has a faint white jagged line on its surface. Its flowers are creamy white to pink. White clover spreads through stolons, which are aboveground runners or stems, forming a mat in your lawn. As a member of the family of plants called legumes, white clover has the unique ability to pull the … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/What%20to%20Do%20During%20a%20Drought/ Long stretches of warm, sunny days might be good for your mood and weekend plans, but they can wreak havoc on your lawn. Even if you have to watch your once-green grass fade when the rainfall fails to appear, it is possible to make it through droughts without spoiling your sunny disposition - or facing sky-high water bills. Here's how: Cut grass higher. Drought periods have more impact on bare or poorly protected soil than soil protected by shade and tall … Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:30:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Winter%20Preparation/ Let's Do That Final Yard Preparation for Winter As autumn sends us chillier days, it's time to think about giving the lawn a final cut and putting your yard to rest for the winter. Let's focus on clean-up and protecting your landscape for the colder days ahead. The scope of your yard clean-up efforts will certainly be determined by the number of trees you (or your neighbors) have that can scatter leaves on your lawn.  Depending upon the weather in your area, you … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:10:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Fertilize/Why%20Overfertilizing%20Harms%20Your%20Lawn/ A Lawn Care Don't! The old saying, "the more, the better," does not apply to lawn fertilization. Fertilizer is a plant's food, so twice as much is not twice as good. Rather than providing too much fertilizer to a lawn, the trick is putting down the correct amount of fertilizer so healthy, green grass grows in your yard. This article will explain why overfertilizing harms a lawn and how to avoid the resulting problems by applying the correct amount of fertilizer. … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:11:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/White%20Grubs%20and%20What%20to%20do%20About%20Them/ What do they look like? White grubs, sometimes called grubworms or grubs, can vary in size from a few millimeters in length to close to 1 inch. Regardless of length, however, the shape and color are all similar. They have brown heads with large jaws, and plump, cream-colored bodies. The back part of their abdomen is often dark from ingesting roots and soil. They tend to take a C-shaped position, so if you see a mass of fat, white insects aligned like that letter, you've … Wed, 09 May 2007 17:20:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/What%20to%20do%20About%20an%20Uneven%20Lawn/ When you are riding or walking behind your lawn mower, nothing can be more frustrating or teeth-jarring than a bumpy or uneven lawn. What can you do about this less than pleasant mowing experience? Unfortunately, using a roller won't have much of an effect on the bumps and dips in your yard because the soil is anchored by roots from your lawn and other landscaping. It's a little like trying to shift concrete around. Rolling can move soil downward if it is not already … Tue, 13 May 2008 15:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Virginia%20Buttom%20weed/ Identification & Culture: Primarily a problem in the South, Virginia buttonweed sprouts in early summer and grows until a frost. It is a low-growing perennial weed with long, pointed leaves that grow opposite one another along its stem. Its white flowers resemble a four-pointed star. This weed roots into the ground at nodes along its stem, and spreads through rhizomes, which are below-ground runners or stems. It produces hairy, oval-shaped seed-pods, each containing two seeds. Control: … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Turf%20and%20the%20Three-legged%20Stool/ As the Yard doctor, I am constantly thinking of ways to relate the importance of good lawn care practices (mowing, fertilization, and irrigation) to the goal of the homeowner: a nice, dense green lawn that isn't full of weeds. Think of a three-legged stool! A simple design that can provide many functions, but must have all its parts in order or it will fail. The legs need to be sturdy and equal in length. Anything out of balance will lead to instability. We'll use this … Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:42:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Turn%20Your%20Yard%20into%20a%20Vacation%20Destination/ Right along with summer vacation fever, saving money is top-of-mind for just about everyone this season. So why not stretch that vacation dollar by creating a home "staycation" retreat you can enjoy every weekend...or every day, for that matter? With a few simple additions, you can make your own backyard your perfect great escape. Just choose where you'd like to go. Then stay as long as you like! A Rustic Retreat Love the thought of getting away from it all in a … Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Landscape%20Mistakes%20to%20Avoid/ You can add beauty and value to your home just by maintaining a nice lawn and landscape - and avoiding the most common landscaping blunders homeowners tend to make.There's no reason why your yard can't have the "curb appeal" you would like it to have. If you're creating a yard for a new home, you have the advantage of being able to plan and do things right the first time. Those of us who buy older homes or have been living in the same place for a few years will likely find we have … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:21:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Bermuda%20grass%20mite%20-%20Eriophyes%20cynodoniensis/ What do they look like? Bermuda grass scales are among your lawns smaller threats (1/32-1/16 inch), but that's in size, not potential damage. They have a whitish cover that looks like a miniature clam shell. The hungry insect underneath the cover is pinkish and soft. How do we know we've got them? Damage from Bermuda grass scale is easy to mistake for drought stress, but a closer look shows infected areas that are encrusted with the tiny white … Wed, 09 May 2007 15:37:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/4%20More%20Lawn%20Care%20Myths/ It happens to all of us: Well-meaning friends, family and neighbors pass along less-than-wise lawn care advice that we put into practice, then wonder why it's not working. Our own Yard Doctor, Trey Rogers, Ph.D, brought to light his five favorite turf untruths in his article, "Lawn Care Myths". And to keep more misconceptions from spreading like weeds, we've brought you four more here: For a lush and tough turf, you should apply new grass seed to your lawn. … Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Annual%20ryegrass%20-%20Lolium%20multiflorum/ What does it look like? A vivid, candy-apple green color is this grass' hallmark, and it features a wide leaf blade that comes to a point. Its leaves are glossy on the bottom side, and the plant is often red at the base or crown. How does it grow? Annual ryegrass has shallow roots and spreads only by tillers. It will establish itself often in little more than 20 days. How does it rate for the average homeowner? Its ability to … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:49:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Armyworm%20-%20Pseudaletia%20unipuncta/ What do they look like? These hairless, striped caterpillars give new significance to insect lawn invasion by moving in and assaulting turf in hordes. They attack from nearby crop areas and often appear in surprisingly large numbers overnight, hence the name armyworm. Their sporadic outbreaks are most evident in warm-season grasses. How do we know we've got them? The signs of the armyworm are unmistakable; the caterpillars are easy to spot in … Wed, 09 May 2007 15:33:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Annual%20Bluegrass%20Pao%20Annua/ Identification & Culture: Annual bluegrass (not to be confused with the desirable northern plant called Kentucky bluegrass) can be one of the most troublesome weeds, especially on golf courses and athletic fields. Sometimes referred to as Poa annua (its genus name), it has a distinct yellowish color when seen growing among greener species. Annual bluegrass can form obvious patches in your lawn which grow in diameter each year. Because it has a relatively … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Soils/Be%20Kind%20to%20Earthworms%20Theyre%20Kind%20to%20Your%20Yard/ Earthworms play an important role in keeping the soil in our yards healthy. An acre of good, relatively undisturbed soil can contain millions of earthworms, busily at work making our soil better. How do they do this? By the nature of their underground lifestyle, as well as their digestive process. You can think of earthworms and their smaller cousins, red worms, as natural burrowers that aerate the soil - letting in oxygen and moisture. At the same time, their digestive process … Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Bermuda%20grass%20-%20Cynodon%20spp/ What does it look like? The many common and hybrid types of Bermuda grass share a low-growing profile and fine-pointed leaves. How does it grow? Bermuda grass spreads by aggressive rhizomes and stolons. Common Bermuda grass can be established by seed, as well as, sod, plugs, or springs. Hybrid Bermuda grass can only be established through the latter methods, not through seed. How does it rate for the average homeowner? This grass … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:19:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Bahia%20grass%20-%20Paspalum%20notatum/ What does it look like? Bahia grass is an open, coarse textured grass that produces a low-to-medium quality turf. It produces seed stalks 1-3 feet tall throughout the growing season. How does it grow? Bahia grass spreads by short rhizomes and stolons. How does it rate for the average homeowner? This low maintenance grass does well in hot, humid areas and can thrive even on poor, infertile soils. While it forms a good cover, the … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:01:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Soils/Aerate%20Give%20Your%20Lawn%20a%20Breath%20of%20Fresh%20Air/ When asked how to achieve and maintain a beautiful lawn, I advise employing basic lawn care practices such as properly mowing, fertilizing and watering. I also suggest aeration, which is the least familiar practice, but can be an extremely vital element to a healthy lawn, if warranted. CPR for Your Soil Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:21:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Hairy%20chinch%20bug%20-%20Blissus%20leucopterus%20hirtus/ What do they look like? These tiny orange and black guests are no treat for your lawn. Their Halloween coloring is a dead giveaway that your lawn has something unwanted living in it. Not even 1/16-of-an-inch wide, they feed on your lawn whether they're in immature nymph form, or full-grown, full-color, full-time pest form. How do we know we've got them? You might think the brown patches mean your lawn isn't getting enough water. And if your lawn responds … Wed, 09 May 2007 16:17:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Know%20When%20to%20Apply%20Herbicides/ Now that you understand a little more about the active ingredients in weed control products, it's good to also review the timing of herbicide applications. This will help you get the most bang for your buck while providing the control you expect. You want to control weeds while they are young. Mature weeds are very resistant to herbicides and you will only have limited success going after them. Fall is the very best time to control broadleaf weeds such as … Fri, 01 May 2009 10:46:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Grasses/Kentucky%20bluegrass%20-%20Poa%20pratensis/ What does it look like? Kentucky bluegrass gets its name from its rich, blue-green color. The grass is medium- to fine-textured with canoe-shaped blade tips. How does it grow? Kentucky bluegrass has shallow roots, which spread below ground via tillers called rhizomes. How does it rate for the average homeowner? Kentucky bluegrass has shallow roots, which spread below ground via tillers called rhizomes. In what kinds … Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:47:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Its%20Summer%20Party%20Time%20Get%20the%20Yard%20Ready/ May marks the beginning of outdoor party season for lots of homeowners. From weddings and graduations to a fun Memorial Day weekend, there are lots of reasons to spruce up the yard and have your best summer entertainment season ever.Here are some tips on preparing your lawn, patio or deck and yard for some fun. Start preparing early. At least a week before your gathering, sit down and make a comprehensive list of all of your to do's, then assign them to … Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:43:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/How%20to%20Store%20Your%20Tools%20for%20Winter/ Preparing your garden spade, shovels, hand tools and lawn mower for winter storage will help preserve their life for many growing seasons to come. Follow these basic steps to cleaning and organizing your tools for storage: Scrape dirt from garden tools, wash them with your hose and dry them thoroughly. Remove light rust with a piece of steel wool. Rub metal parts with an oiled cloth, and then store these items in a dry place. Hanging them is best - it … Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:48:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Fall%20Yard%20Care/ Ahh Fall! It's the Perfect Time to "Think Spring" The summer holidays are behind us, and the days are getting cooler - now is the perfect time to "think spring" when it comes to caring for your yard. The few extra hours you invest in your yard over the next month or two will pay off next spring and summer in the form of less work and a better-looking lawn. Here are some yard care projects you can tackle now: If you are establishing a new lawn or just filling … Thu, 03 May 2007 16:40:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Projects/Family%20Fun%20-%20All%20in%20a%20Days%20Yard%20Work/ Think you have to go it alone when it comes to keeping up your yard? You may be surprised at how easy it is to get your little ones (and bigger ones) to chip in on the chores - especially when you make it a fun family activity. From tiny tots to teenagers, there are plenty of ways kids can participate in yard work, and enjoy fresh air, exercise and a sense of accomplishment along the way. Of course, safety comes first. So check out the Yard Work Safety Rules for Kids website … Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:52:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Fall%20Checklist%20Weekend%20Projects%20To%20Get%20A%20Great%20Yard%20Next%20Spring/ The summer holidays are behind us and the days are getting cooler - now is the perfect time to "think spring" when it comes to your yard. The few extra hours you invest this fall will pay off next spring and summer in the form of less work and a better-looking lawn. Tackle any of these projects on a fall weekend: Seed your lawn now. If you have cool season grass. this is the best time to fill in those bare patches and grow in the shade. The warm soil … Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:27:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Fertilize/Feeding%20Your%20Lawn/ Just as the human body requires vitamins and minerals to function properly, grass needs about 16 known nutrients for growth and survival. However, lawns need higher amounts of certain nutrients than what are naturally present in the soil. This raises three commonly asked questions about fertilizing: What type of fertilizer should I use? When should I fertilize my lawn? How do I apply fertilizer? The Right Food for Healthy Grass … Tue, 01 May 2007 13:02:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Five%20Common%20Lawn%20Mistakes/ A beautifully manicured yard is something all of us can appreciate and certainly something most of us would like to have. Achieving that beautiful yard may seem illusive, but it really does not have to be that difficult. Avoid these five lawn care mistakes and you will be well on your way to achieving a great yard. Scalping the grass – Cutting the grass too short may be the number one lawn care problem. People tend to do this so they can cut their grass less … Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:19:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/First%20Impressions/ A Great Landscape Plan Begins with a Healthy Lawn My real estate friends all tell me how critical a good lawn is when it comes to selling a home. I am not surprised. After all, it's the first thing people see when they come to your house. You only have one chance to make a great first impression, and your lawn is that first impression. Let's take a look at what goes into creating a healthy lawn and making it blend in with the landscape around it so you can assure … Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:37:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Field%20Bind%20weed/ Identification & Culture: Field Bindweed is a perennial vine anchored by a deep tap root. It can grow throughout a yard or landscape bed, extending its long stems which produce symmetrical, arrow-shaped leaves with pointed lobes on both lower sides. The plant produces trumpet shaped white and pink flowers that look much like Morning Glory blooms. If bind weed gains a foothold in your lawn it can be difficult to control. Generally, it’s usually found growing along un-mowed fencerows or … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Fairy%20ring/ What does it look like? This disease brings everything but the kitchen sink, being caused by more than 60 species of fungi. It will materialize as formations of dead rings or arcs varying from as little as 2 feet up to a whopping 200 feet in diameter. The presence of mushrooms is a tell-tale sign, as is a dark-green band backed by brown, dying grass. Within the perimeter, weeds quickly take hold as well, adding insult to injury. When is a lawn susceptible? … Wed, 09 May 2007 16:58:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Early%20Spring%20Tasks%20Around%20your%20Yard/ It's springtime, and you're anxious to get outdoors and work in your yard. The ground may still be too wet and the nights not yet frost-free. What's a yard care enthusiast to do? Here are a few things you can do now to get started until those first nice days when you can really get your hands dirty. Be prepared to fight crab grass. Crab grass is a summer annual weed. The trick to controlling it is good timing. You want to stop this weed before you ever see it … Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:58:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Easy%20Landscape%20Fixes%20That%20Add%20Value%20To%20Your%20Home/ When it comes to your lawn and yard, you can add beauty and value to your home by practicing good yard care techniques and correcting a few problems. Best of all, these ideas can be done economically in less than one weekend. If you want curb appeal that adds value to your home, paying attention to the basics goes a long way. These suggestions will help everyone from the first-time homeowner to someone who finally wants to take the time to just get things right. Needless to … Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:31:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Dog-gonit%20Solving%20Pet-Related%20Lawn%20Problems/ Pet owners love their pets for companionship and loyalty. However, on occasion, pets can unintentionally cause bare spots and wear down areas of your grass. Dogs are among the biggest culprits and will be used as an example in this article, which provides suggestions for dealing with spots caused by dog urine and dog paths in yards. See Spots All Over the Yard? Dog urine contains nitrogen and other salts that, when applied directly to the grass, result in bare … Fri, 01 May 2009 15:58:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Dollar%20spot%20-%20Sclerotinia%20homoeocarpa/ What does it look like? This two-bit mold-affect appears in circular patches, 1-5 inches in diameter. Symptoms include a water-soaked appearance, followed by a straw-colored grass. Hourglass shape lesions also appear on the grass blades, and white threads of mold can be visible in the morning. When is a lawn susceptible? Almost any lawn can pick up dollar spot, especially during warm days and cool nights of the spring and fall. Lawns that are … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:55:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/Easy%20Yard%20Improvements/ A summer weekend is the perfect time to set aside time to make some inexpensive yard improvements that will help make your house look great. When it comes to lawn and landscape, it is the first thing people see when they approach your home. Whether you are trying to sell your home, dress it up a bit for company or you just enjoy making your outdoor space look its best, you may want to add these "quick fixes" to your weekend "to do" list. Prune - or … Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:05:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/European%20crane%20fly%20-%20Tipula%20paludosa/ What do they look like? Those huge mosquitoes you see from time to time might look like a jumbo bloodsucking pest, but they'd rather enjoy your lawn than you. Adult crane flies, which do look like giant mosquitoes, often exceed 1 inch in length. The larvae are also about 1 inch long, with an olive to greenish brown color. They curl into tiny balls when disturbed. How do we know we've got them? The real culprits are the larvae, so crane fly damage … Wed, 09 May 2007 16:07:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/End%20of%20Season%20Yard%20Care%20Projects/ Autumn is a perfect time to look back on how your yard weathered the summer months and to make plans for next year. Perfect projects for fall include planting trees, repairing hardscape items such as trellises, flower boxes and garden border edging; and cleaning and maintaining your tools and equipment. Let's take a look at some projects you can tackle this weekend: Plant trees now Fall is the ideal time to plant trees. Visit http://www.arborday.org to learn about the … Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Yard%20Care/End%20of%20Season%20Checklist/ Each day brings us closer to winter. Depending upon where you live, that can mean anything from chilly rain or an occasional frost to a few feet of snow on the ground - and it's all right around the seasonal corner. The month of November provides many of us with the "last chance" to prepare our yards for winter. This preparation assures a great start to the growing season next year. Here is a checklist of outdoor projects for November that will prepare you for spring: … Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:07:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Goose%20grass/ Also known as silver crabgrass or wiregrass Identification & Culture: Goosegrass is an annual grass that germinates, similarly to crabgrass, in the spring and dies with the first frost. Goosegrass is more of a problem in mid-to southern regions of the country, although it can dominate any area if given the chance. Goosegrass is able to withstand very compacted soils, such as soccer field goal mouths or turf areas that receive daily foot traffic. This weed has a very fibrous root system that … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Insects%20-%20Pests/Good%20Bugs%20Bad%20Bugs/ Your Lawn Plays Host to Both My entomologist friends (yes, the people who actually study bugs for a living) are always quick to point out that there are over 800,000 species of insects in the world, and well under 1 percent of them (less than 8,000) are pests to mankind. Of those 8,000 potentially pesky insects, only about 100 are considered turf pests. That's not very many when you consider it. When it comes to turf insects, it's important to understand that eradicating … Fri, 01 May 2009 16:11:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Giving%20Perennial%20Weeds%20a%20One-Two%20Punch/ No matter how hard you pull, how often you spray or how loud you scream, some weeds always seem to pop up in your lawn. These are most likely perennial weeds, which live more than one year (much like grasses) and can be quite difficult to eliminate. Here are some tips on how to control the top five "perennial pests," including ground ivy, quackgrass, yellow nutsedge, torpedograss and dallisgrass. Ground Ivy Also known as creeping charlie, gill-over-the-ground or … Fri, 08 May 2009 10:01:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Diseases/Gray%20snow%20mold%20-%20Typhula%20incarnata/ What does it look like? Gray snow mold is a patchy lawn affliction, highlighted by blotches of tan or light-gray grass, 2 inches to 2 feet in diameter, with a pink tinge around the edge. When is a lawn susceptible? Similar to pink snow mold, it forms during extended periods of snow cover, especially when snow covers unfrozen ground. Any lawn that endures a prolonged snow cover is susceptible. How can we get rid of it? Gray snow mold … Wed, 09 May 2007 21:21:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Ground%20Ivy/ Also known as Creeping Charlie, chain of coins, gill on the ground. Identification & Culture: A member of the mint family, you’ll notice a minty scent when you break or crush a leaf or stem of ground ivy. The stem is also square – you can feel four edges if you roll it between your fingers. Ground ivy produces long runners, called stolons, that march across your yard, developing new roots from nodes all along their stems. Look for small white or purple flowers in spring and again in fall. … Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:18:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Soils/Get%20your%20soil%20right%20this%20year/ Mark your calendar in the next few weeks to take soil samples from your garden beds as well as any problem areas in your lawn. It takes no more than 20-30 minutes, depending upon the size of your yard. You can use these samples to figure out your soil's pH level and nutrient levels. Then you will be able to make the necessary adjustments to have a better lawn, more beautiful flowers and bigger vegetables. Here's what you can do: Purchase a soil sample kit at your … Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:31:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Weeds/Get%20Those%20Weeds%20Under%20Control/ Weeds are, by simplest definition, plants out of place. They're growing where we want other things - like a nice lawn - to grow. While there are hundreds of different types of weeds that can turn up in a lawn, they are classified into three rather broad categories: grassy, broadleaf and sedge. Weed life cycles are either annual (they emerge from seed each year) or perennial (they live more than one year). Once you get a handle on the types of weeds in your lawn, you will be … Fri, 01 May 2009 09:57:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Projects/Get%20Your%20Landscape%20Party-Ready%20in%205%20Days/ Preparing for a party should be fun. But we all know it can be a source of anxiety. And now that summer is here, outdoor entertaining is at its peak. If you're uneasy about exposing your outdoors to your guests, don't worry. Just follow these easy tips for a healthy, beautiful party yard - ready to show it off in just five days. Mowing should be at the top of your list before an outdoor party. But don't put it off until the day before guests arrive. Try mowing every … Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:02:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Get%20Ready%20for%20the%20Growing%20Season/ As the last blustery winds of winter fade and the days grow longer, it's time to prepare for those first warm days when you can roll up your sleeves and get back in the yard. While you are waiting, prepare your spring yard care checklist so you will be ready to get a head-start on the season. Here is one to get you started: Inventory the items in your garage and garden shed. Check your tools and supplies and make a list of anything you need to add, replace or … Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:23:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/Yard%20Doctor/Articles/Lawn%20Care/Get%20a%20Head%20Start%20on%20a%20Beautiful%20Lawn/ Whether they live in the North or South, homeowners can get a head start on lush, green lawns next spring by properly preparing their yards this fall. Weed control, fertilizing, mowing, raking and aerating are all important steps to ensure a desirable lawn in the year to come. Weed Control Many broadleaf weeds that bombard lawns in the spring, like the dreaded dandelion, actually germinate during the fall. That means the best time to control these … Tue, 08 May 2007 12:14:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Projects/Big%20Benefits%20of%20Small%20Fruit%20Gardens/ Want the best chances of success growing your own trees with fruit at home? Think small! While you might imagine yourself stepping outside your door to pluck perfectly ripe apples from a tree, tricky pollination, cultivation, maintenance and pest control can make tending to fruit trees a tall order. Not to mention, you might be short on yard space – and yard work time – for traditional orchard trees. If you want to enjoy homegrown fruit, but need to scale back on space and labor, small fruits … Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:28:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Be%20Safe/Lawn%20Mower%20Safety%20Tips/ Lawn mowers are a common lawn care tool, but they still need to be handled with safety in mind. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 60,000 injuries are treated by hospital emergency rooms each year because of unsafe operation of power lawn mowers. Kids under the age of 15 are especially vulnerable to injury from lawnmowers. Following are important considerations for safe lawn mower operation. Equipment Safety … Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:33:00 http://www.briggsandstratton.com/Yardsmarts/New%20Home%20Owner/Articles/Yard%20Care%20101/Why%20Its%20Important%20to%20Plan%20Your%20Garden%20Design/ If there’s one big mistake beginning (and even beyond) gardeners make, it’s this: picking out a bunch of plants that look great at the nursery and then digging right in, without first coming up with a garden layout. Best case you end up with a garden goulash that lacks real impact. Worst case you’ve wasted a lot of money picking plants that won’t thrive in your yard. Truth is, plants have to be carefully selected for the best garden design – taking into account important … Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:08:00