Aeration – The process of perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grassroots, encouraging deeper root growth and a healthier lawn.
Alkaline Soil – Soil with a pH level above 7.0, which can hinder nutrient uptake for certain grass types and plants.
Annual Weeds – Weeds that complete their life cycle (germinate, flower, and die) in a single season, such as crabgrass and chickweed.
Bagging – Collecting grass clippings during mowing and disposing of or composting them, instead of leaving them on the lawn.
Bare Spots – Patches in a lawn where grass has died or failed to grow, often caused by heavy traffic, poor soil, pests, or disease.
Bentgrass – A fine-textured, cool-season grass commonly used on golf course greens and lawns in cooler climates.
Blade – The flat, green part of a grass plant that performs photosynthesis.
Broadleaf Weeds – Weeds with wide leaves, such as dandelions and clover, that are usually easy to distinguish from grassy weeds.
Brown Patch – A common lawn fungal disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani, appearing as irregular brown or tan circles in the turf.
Buffalograss – A warm-season, drought-tolerant grass native to North America, ideal for low-maintenance lawns.
Chinch Bugs – Insects that feed on grass blades, causing yellow or brown patches of dead grass.
Cool-Season Grasses – Grass types like Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue that thrive in cooler climates and grow best in spring and fall.
Core Aeration – A type of aeration that removes plugs of soil from the lawn to reduce compaction and improve root growth.
Crabgrass – A fast-growing, invasive annual weed that thrives in thin or bare spots in lawns during warm weather.
Creeping Grass – Grass that spreads horizontally using stolons or rhizomes, helping it fill in bare spots naturally.
Crown – The base of the grass plant where new growth begins and leaves, shoots, and roots emerge.
Dethatching – The process of removing the layer of dead grass, roots, and debris (thatch) from the soil surface to promote lawn health.
Dormancy – A natural survival state where grass stops growing and turns brown during extreme heat, drought, or cold.
Drought Tolerance – The ability of a grass species to survive and recover from extended dry periods with little or no water.
Fertilizer Burn – Lawn damage caused by applying too much fertilizer, resulting in scorched, brown grass blades.
Fescue – A cool-season grass known for its shade tolerance and adaptability, commonly used in both residential and commercial lawns.
Fill Dirt – Soil used to fill in low areas or level out uneven spots in a lawn before seeding or sodding.
Fine Fescue – A group of grass types known for their fine texture, shade tolerance, and low maintenance needs.
Fungicide – A chemical or organic substance used to prevent or control fungal diseases in turfgrass.
Grading – The process of leveling or sloping soil to promote proper drainage before establishing a lawn.
Grasscycling – Leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing to decompose naturally and return nutrients to the soil.
Grub Worms – Larvae of beetles that feed on grass roots, causing brown patches and loose turf that pulls up easily.
Herbicide – A substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of unwanted plants, especially weeds.
Humic Acid – An organic soil amendment derived from decomposed plant material that improves soil health and nutrient availability.
Kentucky Bluegrass – A popular cool-season grass known for its rich color, fine texture, and ability to spread via underground rhizomes.
Lawn Renovation – A process that may include dethatching, aerating, overseeding, and fertilizing to restore a thinning or damaged lawn.
Lawn Scalping – Mowing the lawn too short, which can stress the grass and expose soil to sun and weeds.
Lime – A soil amendment used to raise soil pH and reduce acidity, often applied to promote nutrient uptake in acidic soils.
Mowing Height – The recommended height at which grass should be cut to maintain its health and appearance.
Mulching Mower – A mower that cuts grass clippings into small pieces and returns them to the lawn as natural fertilizer.
Nitrogen – An essential nutrient for plant growth, especially important for promoting lush, green lawn growth.
NPK Ratio – The ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in a fertilizer, indicating the nutrient content.
Overseeding – Spreading new grass seed over an existing lawn to thicken the turf and improve its health and appearance.
pH Level – A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity, with levels between 6.0 and 7.0 being ideal for most turfgrasses.
Perennial Weeds – Weeds that return year after year from the same root system, such as dandelions and plantain.
Perlite – A soil additive made from volcanic glass that improves drainage and aeration in lawn and garden soils.
Phosphorus – A nutrient that supports root development and seedling growth, essential for new lawns.
Post-Emergent Herbicide – A type of weed killer applied after weeds have already sprouted and are visible in the lawn.
Potassium – A nutrient that helps grass resist drought, disease, and temperature stress.
Pre-Emergent Herbicide – A type of weed control applied before weed seeds germinate, often used to prevent crabgrass.
Rhizomes – Underground stems that spread horizontally to form new grass shoots, helping lawns fill in quickly.
Roller – A heavy cylindrical tool used after seeding or sodding to ensure good seed-to-soil contact or flatten uneven areas.
Root Zone – The area of soil surrounding a plant’s roots, where nutrients and water are absorbed.
Scalping – Cutting grass too short, removing most of the leaf blade and potentially damaging the lawn.
Seeding – The act of sowing grass seed on a lawn to start or thicken turf.
Sod – Pre-grown grass and soil held together by roots, installed to quickly establish a new lawn.
Soil Compaction – A condition where soil becomes tightly packed, reducing air space and inhibiting root growth and water absorption.
Soil Test – An analysis of soil to determine pH and nutrient levels, used to guide fertilization and amendments.
Spreader – A tool used to distribute seed, fertilizer, or other lawn products evenly across a lawn.
Sprinkler System – An irrigation setup designed to provide consistent watering to a lawn or garden.
St. Augustine Grass – A warm-season grass known for its thick, carpet-like texture and tolerance of heat and shade.
Stolons – Above-ground runners that grow horizontally and produce new grass plants, helping the lawn spread and thicken.
Thatch – A layer of dead grass stems and roots between the soil and green grass blades that can impede water and nutrient flow if too thick.
Topdressing – The application of a thin layer of soil or compost over a lawn to improve soil quality or aid in overseeding.
Turfgrass – Grasses used specifically for lawns, sports fields, and ornamental purposes due to their dense growth and durability.
Warm-Season Grasses – Grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, and St. Augustine that thrive in hot climates and grow best in late spring through summer.
Watering Schedule – A planned routine for lawn irrigation based on grass type, climate, and soil conditions.
Weed Barrier – A material laid under mulch or soil to prevent weed growth, often used in garden beds but not typically on lawns.
Weed and Feed – A combination lawn product that contains both fertilizer and herbicide to feed grass while controlling weeds.
Zoysia Grass – A warm-season grass known for its dense growth, drought tolerance, and ability to crowd out weeds.