Growing grass in the shade is a problem for which there are no easy answers. Grass is a full-sun plant and when planted in shaded areas (defined as a site that receives less than 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight daily) it performs poorly. The filtering effect of trees significantly reduces the amount and quality of light grasses receive. This has an adverse effect on photosynthesis, the process that produces energy needed for the grasses to grow. What we see from this effect are grasses that are thin, weak, and have a lower tolerance to disease, drought, and foot-traffic stress.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Lawns
PETScaping: Tips for Creating the Perfect Landscape for You and Your Dog
On Wednesday, February 16, the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays presents a training on PETScaping with Sharon Flynt, Horticulture Agent in Scott County. The webinar begins at 12:30 pm EST/ 11:30 am CST.
Register for the meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/22FEBHWW
See what other webinars are coming this season here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-three/
View Season Two webinars here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-two/
View Season One webinars here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-one/

Soil Basics
On Wednesday, August 4, the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays presents a training on Soil Basics with Alexis Sheffield, UK Horticulture Agent in Boyle County. The webinar begins at 12:30 pm EST/ 11:30 am CST.
Register for the meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/HortWWAug
See what other webinars are coming this season here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-two/
View Season One webinars here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-one/

Mossy Lawns
Moss in a lawn is not necessarily a bad thing. Usually moss becomes established in lawn areas where turf is thin or nonexistent. This may be a shady or full-sun site that remains wet for long periods of time. Areas with poor surface drainage, like low spots that collect water, or poor air circulation found next to buildings or wooded lots may also have moss. In these cases, it is not so much that the moss is crowding out the grass but rather the moss is filling in as the grass thins out.
Continue readingSummer and Fall Lawn Care
On Wednesday, April 28, the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays presents a training on Summer and Fall Lawn Care with Ray Tackett, UK Horticulture Agent in Bourbon County. The webinar begins at 12:30 pm EST/ 11:30 am CST.
Register for the meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/UKYHortWebWed21
See what other webinars are coming this season here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-two/
View Season One webinars here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-one/

Rain Gardens
On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays presents a training on Rain Gardens with Adam Leonberger, County Extension Agent for Horticulture in Franklin County. The webinar begins at 12:30 pm EST/ 11:30 am CST.
Register for the meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/UKYHortWebWed21
See what other webinars are coming this season here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-two/
View Season One webinars here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-one/

Spring Lawn Tips
Fescue lawns in Kentucky can struggle by the end of the summer with drought, disease, and even insect problems. Often our fescue lawns are thin and needing some nitrogen by the time fall arrives. September and October are the best times to overseed and fertilize your lawn but some maintenance practices can be done in the spring.
Continue readingStarter Fertilizer and Lawn Establishment
On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays presents a training on Starter Fertilizer and Lawn Establishment with Brad Lee, Extension Specialist for the University of Kentucky. The webinar begins at 12:30 pm EST/ 11:30 am CST.
Register for the meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/UKYHortWebWed21
See what other webinars are coming this season here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-two/
View Season One webinars here: https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/season-one/

Learning Science from the Garden
All the mechanisms of life are represented in a garden: respiration, nutrition, circulation, reproduction and maturation. As such, it’s a perfect science laboratory where students can hone their math and observational skills and creativity.
Continue readingGrowing Grass in the Shade
Growing grass in the shade is problem for which there are no easy answers. Grass is a full-sun plant and when planted in shaded areas (defined as a site that receives less than 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight daily) it performs poorly. The filtering effect of trees significantly reduces the amount and quality of light grasses receive. This has an adverse effect on photosynthesis, the process that produces energy needed for the grasses to grow. What we see from this effect are grasses that are thin, weak, and have a lower tolerance to disease, drought and wear stress. Continue reading