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Lawn & Landscape Problems

Every lawn and landscape has its share of problems that appear from time to time. If you don’t see the problems, it’s because you’re not sure what to look for. Likewise, if you see a problem and don't identify the actual cause, you could be making things worse if your treatment doesn't address the cause.

Landscape gardening isn’t difficult and doesn’t need to be expensive, unless you start treating for every little thing that pops up. Then lawn and landscape problems can become very expensive.

It’s a matter of understanding what’s going on on your property and what’s really happening when things don’t look right.

With a little knowledge, a sense of timing and a few helpful hints, even beginners can achieve results that will have the neighbors seeking their advice.

Basically, lawn and landscape problems fall into 3 categories:

Soil Problems:
(too much water, soil compaction, excess thatch build-up, nutritional imbalances)

Insect Problems

Lawn & Landscape Diseases

When you see something that doesn't appear to be right there's some questions you might want to consider in trying to diagnose the cause.

First question: Has anybody done anything different in the last month?
For example, you’ve got a large dead spot in the exact same place you spilled gasoline filling the mower 2 weeks ago. The cause and effect is obvious. You won’t go out and buy grub control because you thought grubs had killed your lawn there. You wouldn’t suddenly start watering the area because you thought it was from lack of water. The spilled gasoline killed the lawn.

Weather extremes?

• Did you have any extreme weather conditions over the last 6 - 12 months?

• Did you have an extremely cold winter that may have killed some plants?

• Did you have an extremely mild winter with a few sudden cold spells?

• Most plants in the cooler climates go into a natural dormancy period, but when temperatures are mild, the plants may think spring is here and time to start growing, yet it's still mid winter. If the plants start the re-awakening process with sap starting to flow, and then the temperatures suddenly drop well below freezing, damage can occur. Freezing temperatures cause liquids to expand and if the plant's sap has started to move up through the roots and into branches, and then freezes, cell ruptures occur which will kill off the plant.

• Extreme weather conditions in previous years can weaken plants, especially trees and shrubs, and they may not show any signs of stress until the following year or two.

Insect infestations

You'll also want to look for insect infestations. For ornamentals with woody stems, this will mean tiny holes bored into the stems. These can be extremely difficult to see at first glance. But careful inspection around the primary trunk of the plant will reveal them.

Usually leaf eating insects will cause unsightly damage, but they rarely result in the death of the plant. Most plant death resulting from insects are those that actually get inside the plant. A good example of this is the current infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer that is occurring in the upper midwest.

Grubs and chinchbugs are common lawn pests found in many parts of the country and can cause extensive lawn damage if left untreated.

Lawn and Landscape Diseases

Diseases can also create problems. This is usually a much longer term problem. You may have noticed that the plant in the last year or two hasn't been performing as expected. It may have dropped leaves throughout the previous summer. While this may not have been the ultimate cause of the plants demise, it could have weakened sufficiently so the plant wasn't able to survive other problems that normally would not have killed the plant. It may be the combination of problems: insect infestations, untreated diseases, and warm / cold winter that ultimately doomed the plant.

Look for the most obvious cause.

If there is no obvious cause, then look at the scope of the problem area.

Is there just one dead spot, or are there many dead spots? Do they seem to be where your new puppy frequents? Are the spots just in the backyard, or are they in front and back equally?

These are likely signs of insect damage. Do some excavating to see if you can find any grubs. As grubs begin to mature their appetite grows and they chew at the roots, so do sod webworms. If you find these insects, then treat accordingly. In this instance, when grub damage is apparent, it's too late to treat for them at this time. But it's not too late to prevent the same thing happening next year. Read more about grub control to determine when is the best time to treat for them.

If the lawn isn’t obviously dead brown, are there other visible changes: yellowing, orangish-red tinge, spots on the leaf blades? These are all signs of a fungal attack.

If weeds are taking over, this is a sign there's a soil problem. Have nutrients been applied to the lawn on a regular basis? Is the soil compacted? Is there a too thick layer of thatch? Is the soil dried out from lack of water?