Urban Legends About Urine Damage Colorado State University Dog urine damage is a common problem for home lawns, and one that has generated numerous home remedies and commercial products claiming to be cures for the spots. This lawn problem is misunderstood when it comes to causes and cures. Dog spotting on turfgrass is caused by the deposition of a high concentration of nitrogen (N)-containing compounds and associated salts on a small area in the lawn. These de

St. Augustine grass has become more popular as a lawn grass in our area over the past several years. As with any species of grass, it has its advantages and disadvantages. It is very salt tolerant, and relatively shade tolerant. The color is dark green when compared to other grasses, and it is vigorous, allowing it to quickly recover if a portion of the lawn becomes damaged due to pests. Along with all of the good characteristics, there are some shortcomings. It is a heavier

Many centipede lawns are in bad shape this spring. Dead and yellow patches are common and, in some cases, as much as half of the lawn is dead. Much of this damage is due to the use of improper maintenance practices. J. Bryan Unruh, UF/IFAS We are literally killing our centipede with kindness, especially where fertilization is involved. Until recently this species of grass was known as the “poor man’s grass,” because it is known to require less fertilizer and water than most

Irrigation is quite a controversial topic in horticulture. Far too often, clients come into the office with struggling grass or detrimental fungal concerns in their gardens. The “go-to” conversation concerns the cultural practices being utilized in the landscape. Cultural controls include the homeowner’s landscaping and gardening practices. These can cover several topics, including proper fertilization, dealing with garden waste, and, of course, irrigation. While all these t