Alternatives to Lawn: Groundcovers

Groundcover plants are low growing perennials that spread by trailing stems and cover an area of the ground. Groundcovers provide an excellent alternative for turfgrasses in shade and other tough areas in the landscape. Established groundcovers require relatively low maintenance, outcompete weeds, reduce soil erosion, provide habitat for pollinators, and enhance aesthetic beauty in the landscape.

What’s the deal with “No Mow May?”

Have you heard about “No Mow May?” Many people have committed to not mowing their yards in May, allowing flowering plants to grow to help provide food for pollinators. Before you stow away your mower for May, let’s look at what options you can take to help pollinators this Spring.

Fall “Lawndry” List

By: Paul Koch, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology Fall is a good time of year to give your lawn some TLC. In this video, learn about lawn fertilizer requirements and recommendations for this time of year, aeration and overseeding, and the basics of weed control. Fall is the best time of year to work […]

Best Practices for Watering Yards and Gardens

By: Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Outreach Specialist Proper watering of your plants can help them grow well and prevent problems. In this video, you will learn about the water requirements for most plants, how proper watering practices can prevent plant diseases, and different ways to conserve water for your yards and gardens. How much water plants […]

Japanese Beetle

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, is a significant pest of landscape trees and shrubs, vegetable and fruit crops, and turfgrass. This factsheet describes the lifecycle of this beetle along with management and control options.

Wisconsin Lawn Care Calendar

The following lawn care calendar provides an overview of home lawn maintenance. Not all lawns require every maintenance activity. Be sure to customize the care of your lawn to its specific problems and needs.

Lawn Maintenance

Fertilizing, watering, and mowing all help you maintain a healthy lawn. This publication covers these, plus how to deal with lawn problems such as diseases, weeds, soil compaction and renovation of old lawns.

Organic and Reduced-Risk Lawn Care

More and more people wish to move in the direction of creating an organic lawn, or what some people call a natural lawn. This publication helps them decide which route to follow: organic lawn care or reduced-risk lawn care.

Organic Lawn Fertilization

Interest in organic, sustainable gardening has grown to include lawn care practices, including use of organic fertilizers derived from natural sources. Learn how organic and conventional fertilizers differ here.

Degree Day Calculation

Degree Days incorporate temperature and time to quantify the rate of plant and insect development. This useful tool helps predict events such as flowering, harvest, and pest outbreaks.

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