VOLUME 2, ISSUE 21
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Spotlight on Real Estate, Friday, August 06, 2021
How to address moss in the lawn
Lawn care can be a labor of love. Maintaining a pristine lawn is no small task, but it’s one that many homeowners proudly take on, knowing that all the hard work and time spent outside on sunny summer afternoons is well worth the sweat equity. After putting in so much effort to create a lush, green lawn, it’s understandable if homeowners react with disbelief when something threatens the health of their turf. Moss is one such threat. Recognizing the threat moss poses is the first step to corralling it before it overtakes a lawn. EXPLAINING MOSS Moss can be especially menacing because its green appearance allows it to blend in with grass rather easily. As moss spreads, it becomes more noticeable. According to the turf care experts at Scotts®, moss is a plant with shallow roots that spreads by spores and rootlike structures called rhizoids. Moss is opportunistic, and it will grow where turfgrass is thin and weak. However, moss does not kill the grass. Rather, the
conditions that promote the growth of moss can kill the grass. Such conditions may include compacted soil or excessive thatch, acidic or infertile soil, excessive shade, and insufficient or excessive watering.
HOW CAN MOSS BE CONTROLLED? Penn State Extension notes that the first step to controlling moss is to test the soil. Soil test kits are inexpensive and available at most home renovation stores. Test results will reveal if the soil is lacking nutrients or if lime needs to be applied and when to apply it. Such a report also will indicate when to fertilize the lawn, which can help restore the turfgrass so it’s more capable of competing with the moss. If the underlying cause of moss is shade and/or moisture in the yard, homeowners can speak with landscaping professionals to discuss their options. Replacing existing turf with one that is well-suited to shade and/or moisture may prevent mold from overtaking the lawn in the future. Penn State Extension notes that some turfgrasses may
Signs that voles are invading your garden All sorts of uninvited guests can compromise the look and vitality of a garden. Some gardens are trampled by foot traffic, while others are plagued with weeds. Still others are plagued by small, tunnel-building rodents known as voles. Voles are often confused with moles. While they do bear some similarities, namely that both travel through lawns and gardens via tunnels, voles and moles are not one and the same. In fact, moles are not even rodents. The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that voles eat mainly vegetarian diets. That makes vegetable gardens prime targets for these small rodents that some mistake for mice. But Pests.org, a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to learn about pests and the threats they pose, notes that voles’ eyes and ears are considerably smaller than the eyes and ears of mice. In addition, voles’ tails are much shorter than the tails on mice. Correctly diagnosing issues is essential to maintaining a healthy garden, and identifying vole infestations is no exception. The following are some signs that typically indicate a lawn or garden has been infested with voles.
• Shallow tunnels throughout the property: Voles create shallow tunnels between one and two inches wide, and these tunnels can typically be found all over the lawn. Grass stems and blades are part of voles’ diets, so don’t just look to the garden for signs of vole infestation. • Markings on bark and plants: Pests. org notes that voles may leave small gnaw marks on bark and plants. A careful inspection of trees and other plants may be necessary to uncover this symptom. • Partially eaten root vegetables: Voles may eat root vegetables like carrots and potatoes by pulling them down into their tunnels. The result is partially eaten vegetables in the garden. • Damaged trees and shrubs: Voles don’t limit their victims to grass and root vegetables. Young trees and shrubs that are leaning over may have fallen victim to vole infestations. Homeowners can employ various strategies to control and prevent vole infestations. But first they must be certain the unwanted guests tunneling their way through their lawns and gardens are, in fact, voles. - Metro Content
be best-adapted to shaded, well-drained soils, while others may be more likely to thrive in shaded, moist soils. A local landscaping professional can help homeowners find a turf that will not only thrive in the conditions in their yards, but also in their local climates.
Moss can quickly take advantage of conditions that make it difficult for turfgrass to grow. Homeowners who recognize that moss is overtaking their lawn can address it in various ways. - Metro Content
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Spotlight on Real Estate, Friday, August 06, 2021
3
5 outdoor projects that add value Exterior renovations can enhance the appearance of a property and make it more enjoyable for homeowners. Certain renovations have the potential to add value to a home, while others may do the opposite. Learning which one have the largest return on investment can help homeowners select features that will have the most positive impact. Curb appeal goes a long way toward attracting potential buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors, first impressions of a property have a strong influence on buyers. Landscaping and external features can do much to influence such impressions. . • Lawn care program: Investing in a lawn care program that consists of fertilizer and weed control application and can be transferred over to a subsequent home owner is an attractive feature. NAR says such a care program can recover $1,000 in value of the $330 average cost, or a 303 percent ROI. • Low-maintenance lifestyle: When choosing materials for projects, those that offer low-maintenance benefits can
be preferential. These include low-maintenance patio materials, composite decking, vinyl fencing, and inorganic mulched beds. • Fire pit: A fire pit can be used for
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pit that has a gas burner is low-maintenance, and the National Association of Landscape Professionals says that most can recoup about $4,000 of their $6,000 average price tag. • Softscaping: Hardscaping refers to structures like outdoor kitchens or decks. Softscaping involves the living elements of the landscape. Hiring a landscape designer to install trees, shrubs, natural edging, and rock elements can do wonders toward improving the look and value of a home. • Pool or water feature: In certain markets, particularly hot climates, a pool or another water feature is a must-have. However, in other areas where outdoor time is limited, a pool or water feature can actually lower the value of a home. Speaking with a real estate professional can give homeowners an idea of how a pool will fare in a given neighborhood. much of the year. In the spring and sum- Outdoor improvements can improve mer, the firepit is a great place to congre- the marketability of a home, as well as gate to roast marshmallows or sip wine enhance its appearance and function. and gaze into the fire. In the fall, the fire - Metro Content pit can make for a cozy retreat. A fire
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Spotlight on Real Estate, Friday, August 06, 2021
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