Welcome to the latest issue of the Home Lawn Care Newsletter from UMN Turfgrass Science! We will provide up-to-date information to address all your lawn care tasks at the times when you need to know.
June 14, 2024: Issue 22
After a few years of focusing on drought, regular rains in Minnesota have given our lawns time to grow, and grow, and grow…. This month, we hope you are able to take a break from mowing and learn more about ants, tall fescue, electric mowers, and clover lawns.
Controlling ants in lawns
Ants are rarely considered a pest in lawns, but anyone who has had a colony form knows they are not easy to get rid of. They are most often found in new establishments, in under-managed thin turf stands in full sun, or along pavement. There are numerous beneficial species of ants that can actually reduce other insect pests in turf, so care should be taken when attempting to reduce their numbers. Ants can also help by loosening soil to improve air and water movement, aid in decomposition of plant and animal matter, and help fertilize soil and recycle nutrients.
Most ant colonies go unnoticed and they typically cause very minor harm to your turf. However, if they are left unmanaged over several years, colonies can expand. They can loosen soil and cause uneven areas in the lawn. Ants may eat grass seeds or store them in their nests. As they tunnel, they may break off roots which can lead to dead patches in the lawn or further dry out areas around their nests.
Several home remedies such as applying boiling water, vinegar, or dish soap are often touted as effective controls for ant colonies. These can reduce populations temporarily, but rarely work to kill the queen, which is what sustains the colony.
If further long-term control is needed, remember that insecticides can harm beneficial insects as well as those considered to be pests. You should select insecticides specifically labeled for ants, preferably dusts or granules. Baits that worker ants can take back into the nest are the most effective, because they have a greater likelihood of killing the entire colony, including the queen. Use them sparingly when spot treating, and always follow label instructions. Target your treatment on the ant mounds or trails only. Most effective treatments should eliminate the colony within a couple of days. Products containing the active ingredients hydramethylnon or fipronil are the most effective.
The best way of preventing ants is to maintain a dense and healthy turf. Proper cultural practices of adequately fertilizing, mowing, and watering results in thick, healthy stands of turf that can withstand ant colonies. However, if you already have established colonies that are several feet in diameter or more, it may prove difficult to improve these areas without some form of control.
Ants | UMN Extension
Ants in Home Lawns | Penn State Extension
Improving your lawn using turf type tall fescue
Repairing bare spots and overseeding with turf type tall fescue can improve your lawn without starting over. It’s a good eco-friendly seed choice that is relatively quick to establish. Adding turf type tall fescue to an existing Kentucky bluegrass lawn has the added benefit of decreasing water and fertilization needs as well as maintaining a greener appearance during the heat of the summer.
Awareness of soil temperature is especially important for spring seeding. Seeds germinate starting at about 7 days after seeding if soil temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees. Seedlings need time to develop a long root system to tolerate heat and drought stress, which will promote long-term survival.
While late summer is generally a good time to seed tall fescue, it is recommended to avoid seeding much after Labor Day. This is because tall fescue seems to suffer from greater winter stress damage if it is too young going into the winter. If the fall is long, this isn’t a problem, but an early winter could be problematic if you seed tall fescue too late. Spring seeding is a good option for tall fescue, but you won’t see very good germination until the soil temperatures rise later in the spring. Because tall fescue germinates at warmer soils temperatures, competition from some spring weeds could be a problem.
Regardless of when you seed, ensuring seed to soil contact is essential for a successful establishment. Overseeding immediately before a heavy rain or thoroughly watering right after seeding can help get the seed through the existing canopy and in contact with the soil.
Seeding and sodding home lawns | UMN Extension
Finding the right grass seed | UMN Turfgrass Science
When seed is short, the solution is tall (fescue) | UMN Turfgrass Science
An overseeding success story | UMN Turfgrass Science
Are gas or electric mowers the better choice for your lawn?
If you have been shopping for a new lawn mower or have paid attention to what your neighbors are using, you have probably seen more and more electric mowers. Some of the increased adoption of electric lawn mowers has been brought on because of consumer interest in reducing their environmental footprint. Other reasons for this change in adoption have to do with the usability of battery powered mowers.
Gasoline powered mowers use an internal combustion engine that emits many pollutants when operating, including greenhouse gasses like carbon monoxide (CO) carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). A common misconception with all electric powered equipment is that they are carbon emission free. Emissions caused by production of the electricity used to charge the battery or operate the mower will depend on the source of the electricity. According to the EPA, a little less than half of the energy produced in Minnesota relies on fossil fuels, so there is a good chance the battery used to power an electric mower is still relying on fossil fuels. You can use the Power-Profiler tool to find the source of energy used in your area.
Traditionally, gasoline powered engines have been popular because of convenience. A single tank of gas can mow most lawns, and people are familiar with purchasing gasoline for their vehicles. One of the common concerns with battery powered mowers is if it will be enough to mow a whole lawn in a single charge. Most newer electric mowers can mow the average Minnesota lawn in a single charge. If the grass is thicker or taller, or you have a bigger lawn, you may not be able to mow it in a single charge, or you would need a second battery.
One of the more appealing aspects of battery powered mowers is the reduced engine maintenance. Battery powered mowers do not require gasoline, oil, changing of spark plugs, and do not need to be winterized like their gas powered counterparts. Finally, battery powered mowers are quieter to operate.
Quantification of the environmental and economic benefits of the electrification of lawn mowers on the US residential market | University of Illinois
Power Profiler | US EPA
Electric Lawn Mower Study Results – Sustainability | Williams College
Research highlight
Paige Boyle, a new member of the UMN Turfgrass Science team, recently conducted research that evaluated a number of clover species for use in lawns. Read about some of the project’s results below.
Testing alternative clover options for use in Kentucky bluegrass lawns | UMN Turfgrass Science
Events
We will be at these events to answer questions on smart irrigation and lawn care as part of our collaboration with the Metropolitan Council.
- Park Discovery Days in New Brighton, MN on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Summer in the City at Prairie Oaks Park in Coon Rapids, MN on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Market on the Rum in Anoka, MN on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Sports, Parks, and Grounds Turf Field Day in Saint Paul, MN on June 26, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Community Night at Eagan Market Fest in Eagan, MN on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- All About Bee Lawns at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen, MN on Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Have a question on a topic we didn’t cover in this email?
We have resources to answer your questions! Check out these options for even more lawn care information from the University of Minnesota.
We provide research updates, lawn care tips, info about field days, and more at @UMNTurf.