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PAGE 14
PRESS & DAKOTAN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015
YARD
GARDEN
&
Going after grubs in your lawn
tion. Grubs are a type of pest
that can cause considerable
damage to lawns, and while
many homeowners have no
doubt heard of grubs, they
might want to learn more
about these pesky pests so
they know what to do should
grubs ever appear in their
yards.
Landscaping is a rewarding hobby for many homeowners. Men and women
with green thumbs often
take pride in their lush lawns
and gardens, feeling a sense
of accomplishment as their
landscapes spend spring and
summer returning to form
and making yards more inviting spaces to spend relaxing
summer nights.
But even the most wellmaintained lawns are not
immune to problems that
can compromise all the hard
work men and women put
into their lawns. One such
problem many homeowners
encounter is a grub infesta-
What are grubs?
Grubs are insects that
live in the soil, where they
feed on grass and roots.
Many grubs are the larva of
Japanese beetles, and those
beetles typically lay their
eggs in sun-drenched areas
of lawns in midsummer.
What are signs of
grub damage?
Grubs not only damage
lawns on their own, but they
serve as food sources for
local wildlife as well, attracting wildlife, which can do its
own damage to lawns.
Lawns can turn brown
for a variety of reasons, and
grubs are just one of many
potential culprits behind the
browning of once-luscious
landscapes. Grubs feed on
roots, so homeowners who
suspect their lawns have
fallen victim to grub infesta-
tions can pull up the areas
where grass has turned
brown to see if there are
any grubs, which look like
worms.
Landscapes that have
suddenly become popular
among local wildlife that is
digging up lawns may also be
infested with grubs. Skunks
and raccoons feed on grubs,
and may dig up lawns where
grubs are present.
Damage resulting from
grub infestation is most
visible from late summer to
early fall.
Can grub damage
be prevented?
Preventing grub infestation typically requires
homeowners to keep watchful eyes on their lawns. Pay
particular attention to areas
that begin to brown, especially areas that are turning
brown in spite of adequate
watering. An early indicator
of a grub infestation is small
grubs around the roots of
grass. In such instances,
applying insecticide may be
enough to prevent a small
grub problem from spreading.
Insecticides also can be
an effective preventative
measure for homeowners
looking to avoid grub infestations. Speak with a local
landscaping professional
for recommendations about
which insecticide to apply
and how best to apply it.
What can I do about
grub damage?
Attempting to treat grubs
in the spring may be ineffective, as grubs are large
and no longer feeding in
spring. So homeowners dealing with grub infestations
should address the situation before they retire their
green thumbs for the winter.
Remove debris from grub infestations with a rake before
watering the affected areas.
Watering can help some
damaged roots recover, but
areas that have been especially damaged may need to
be reseeded.
Grub infestations can be
a nuisance to homeowners
who put lots of time and
effort into their lawns. But
homeowners can take steps
to treat such infestations and
prevent them from returning
the following summer.
Metro Creative Connections
Watering tips to produce healthy lawns
Summer is a season for landscaping, and homeowners
who live in regions that get especially hot in the summertime often worry that their lawns won t make it through the
dog days of summer looking lush. But lawns don t have to
succumb to the sizzling summer sun. Oftentimes, the right
watering strategies can help homeowners nurse their lawns
through the hottest months of the year, ensuring the lawns
make it to autumn looking as green as they did back at the
height of spring.
Reconsider your sprinkler. If you can t afford an inground irrigation system, which many landscaping professionals feel is the most effective and efficient way to water
a lawn, then you likely will rely on a sprinkler to keep your
lawn looking lush through the summer months. When choosing a sprinkler, look for one that shoots water out horizontally as opposed to vertically. A vertical sprinkler system
is more vulnerable to wind and evaporation than one that
shoots water out horizontally, so make sure your sprinkler
system is sending water into your lawn and not into summer
breezes.
Avoid overwatering. How much water your lawn needs
in the summertime depends on a host of factors, including
where you live and how often rain falls in that region. Overwatering can promote the growth of fungus and adversely
affect your lawn s root system, making it difficult for roots
to grow deep. Speak with a local landscaping professional to
determine how often you should water your lawn each week.
Keeping a lawn lush and green at the height of summer
requires homeowners to adopt effective strategies. Such a
strategies can make the difference between a lush landscape
and one that succumbs to summer heat.
Metro Creative Connections
Complete Yard Care and
Landscape Specialists
And so much MORE!
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FROM INDOORS!
Did you know?
Damage to a lawn may be indicative of various problems. Everything from insects to rodents to the family pet
may be responsible for causing burnt patches, holes and
other eyesores. Getting to the bottom of the problem is the
first step in remediation. Burning and discoloration of the
lawn is often a result of high concentrations of dog urine
pooling in one area. Diluting the urine by hosing down
areas of the lawn can clear up many problems. Birds, raccoons, skunks, moles, and other rodents may feed on grubs
that reside just under the thatch of the lawn, and animals
may tear up lawns in search of this delicacy. Treating the
grub problem usually alleviates damage caused by animals.
Mole crickets are another common lawn destroyer. These
insects resemble crickets, but they burrow beneath the turf
to feed on plant roots. The mole crickets can push up channels of turf as they burrow, exposing roots to the elements
and causing the grass to die. Getting rid of the insects can
revitalize the lawn.
Metro Creative Connections
Veggie garden
tips for beginners
Planting a vegetable
garden can be a worthwhile
endeavor for anyone who
has an available patch of
land. Gardens need not take
up much space, and even
apartment dwellers without yards can plant small
gardens in containers they
place on terraces or window
boxes.
One of the first decisions
novice gardeners must make
is which crops to grow. This
will help determine how
much land you will need
and which supplies or soil
amendments will be necessary. According to The Old
Farmer s Almanac, a common error for beginners is
planting too much and more
than anyone could ever
consume, so it s best to start
small and be proud of that
small garden.
Locate your garden in
an area that gets adequate
sun. Many vegetables need
between six and eight hours
of sunlight per day. Without
enough light, they will not
bear as much and could be
susceptible to insect infestation. Vegetables and fruit
also need plenty of water
because they re not very
drought-tolerant, so keep
gardens close to a water
source.
Soil preparation is also
key. Till the soil and remove
debris like rocks, sticks and
hard clumps of dirt. Work
with organic material, such
as manure or compost.
Apply mulch after planting
to help maintain moisture
levels in the soil.
Plant the tallest crops at
the rear of your garden bed.
Work forward with shorter
crops. Try to leave a foot or
more between planting rows.
It s easy to get a garden
started and enjoy fresh food
for many months to come.
Metro Creative Connections
Yankton Nurseries
Complete line of
plant material
May Hours
9am-8pm Monday-Friday
9am-5pm Saturday
Noon-5pm Sunday
Find it all at...
PRO Series
with new window treatments.
hatch
FURNITURE
Home Design Center
109 East Third, Yankton, SD 57078
Monday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-5,
Closed Sundays, Evenings by Appt.
www.hatchfurniture.com
2901 Broadway | Yankton | 605-665-7861
Locally Owned
M-F 9-6:30 | Sat 9-6 | Sun 11-4
