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A 12-12-12 helps promote growth and is good for all vegetables, flowers, fruit and nut trees, shade trees, evergreens and shrubs. A 1-1-1 ratio (10-10-10,15-15-15, 20-20-20, etc.) is widely used at the time of lawn establishment, but established lawns generally respond better to fertilizer ratios high in nitrogen. Two of the more common complete fertilizers used by homeowners for flowers and vegetables are 10-10-10 and 5-10-10. A high phosphorus fertilizer such as 6-18-6 is often recommended for vegetables when transplants are set out.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

There is a product specially formulated as a pre-emergent that prevents crabgrass but allows grass seed to germinate.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Simply fertilizing the lawn and prepping the power equipment is insufficient to ensure that garden areas will thrive during the spring and hot summer months. Success in the garden is the result of know-how that includes proper soil cultivation and improvement, pest control, pruning and irrigation well before new plant growth emerges.

Plant and soil requirements vary in different regions of the country. I always suggest that homeowners contact their local county co-operative extension agency or neighborhood hardware dealer for recommendations on the appropriate grasses, fertilizers, pest and disease controls and plants. But here are a few more professional insights as to ways you can achieve better growing conditions in your yard:

Test the Soil

This easy, but usually overlooked step will reveal the needs your soil has for improvement. For example, the pH level indicates the acidity or alkalinity of the soil; that will dictate the types of plants that will grow best in a particular location. Without knowing the soil make-up, you could inadvertently apply the wrong combinations of nutrients or amenders or plant the wrong varieties. Submit soil samples for analysis to the county extension agency. You also may obtain test kits at your local Ace Hardware store.

Amend and Cultivate Soil

Heavily compacted soil hinders the health of plants. They prefer well-drained, loamy soil. Add compost to flower, shrub and vegetable beds and turn over or till the soil to break it up. Do not cultivate soil when it is wet. That will compact it even more and disturb beneficial microorganisms. Aerate lawns using power equipment designed for that purpose.

Fertilize Properly

Improper fertilizing can do more harm than good to plants. Never use a single type of fertilizer universally. Lawns, shrubs, trees, flowers and vegetables each have specific requirements. Soil conditions (based on testing) also dictate specific needs. Also, fertilizing at the wrong time, too little or too frequently will have a negative result. Consult local experts and product labels for specific recommendations.

Control Pests and Diseases

Indiscriminant spraying and dusting of pesticides can be harmful to plants, pets and humans. Controls are formulated for specific purposes and should be used only as recommended on the product's label. As a first step, determine what pests or diseases your plants have by providing samples to your extension service or the garden center manager at your local Ace store.

Irrigate

Plants are like people when it comes to water. Too little and they dehydrate; too much and they drown. As a general rule, most plants prefer water at their "feet," not on their "heads." So, water at soil level, not by overhead spraying an entire bed. It is important to know when to water. An inexpensive moisture meter, available at a hardware store, can be used to indicate the need. Simply push the prong into the soil to various depths around a plant and read the meter.

Mulch

Covering a soil bed with the proper mulch will retain moisture that will benefit plants and maintain better soil conditioning. Three to 6 inches of straw has proved effective as a mulch. Bark gives up moisture quickly except in humid climates where, in turn, it can mildew. Rock is risky because it absorbs, retains and radiates heat, which can damage plants.

Prune Selectively

Some plants prefer pruning in early spring, while others can be trimmed during summer or fall. Generally, anything that flowers in the spring should be pruned after flowers die off. There are exceptions, however, so consult your local extension service or the garden center manager at your local Ace store to learn what those are when in doubt.

Check Soil Temperatures Before Planting

Interestingly, horticulturists have found that how well plants adapt to transplanting or seeding depends upon the temperature of the soil at the time of planting. In some cases, plantings before the last frost do well; in other cases the soil must be at a consistent temperature (say 55ºF) for a period of time to achieve maximum results.

By following each of these procedures faithfully each year you will be rewarded with an even better lawn and yard than you imagined.

Credit:  Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware

It's almost impossible to get rid of poison ivy by cutting it or digging it out, since the roots are very well established under the ground. It can look like you have it all out, but you almost never get it all, and it comes back with attitude.

Herbicides like Roundup, which is a glyphosate-based herbicide, and Ortho Brush-B-Gon, which is triclopyr-based, can be used to get rid of poison ivy. These products will kill a great variety of woody plants, but they will kill many other plants, too, so don't use them near specimens you wish to keep.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

A landscape fabric lets water through while preventing weeds from growing. While plastic will stop weeds, it does not allow moisture penetration. Cutting small holes for your plants prevents weeds from growing in the bed but still allows your plants to get moisture. A sheet of plastic could be used if you are trying to keep anything from growing in an area, such as under a deck.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Most perennial lawn weeds, like dandelion, clover and ground ivy, are most susceptible to attack in the Fall when they're winding down and getting ready for Winter.

If you treat perennial weeds with an herbicide in the Fall, the chemical moves from leaves to roots, essentially killing the weed at the root.  And killing the roots is key to killing these weeds.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Admit it, at some point in time, you have had "lawn envy!" Surely you've driven past a neighbor's home, wondering how they got their grass to look so good. "Is it some special seed blend? A secret fertilizing plan?"

While the neighbors may have a few tricks up their sleeves, that can't stop you from getting a lawn that is deep green, lush and long-lasting. But, to do this, you'll have to get rid of those pesky weeds.

Weeds really detract from the look of the lawn, but there's hope if you treat them properly. First, give the lawn a good raking and pull out any dead patches or excess build up of thatch. Treat your lawn with Ortho Weed-B-Gone Lawn Weed Killer. This product will eliminate many of the most common "problem weeds," including clover, chickweed, oxalis and it'll even do a pretty good job on 'ol Creeping Charlie or ground ivy (these are the same thing). This product is rain-resistant in just hours and it won't harm the lawn.

Keep in mind, you will get a little grass kill by using the Weed-B-Gone, but once the weeds are taken care of, you can loosen up the soil and reseed the area. Then watch your lawn thicken up and look great!

Often times, really tough weeds get into the cracks in sidewalks, driveways and patios. If you need to tackle these and there is no surrounding vegetation (like grass you want to keep or a flower bed), it's best to use a total vegetation killer such as Round-Up Season Long Grass & Weed Killer. Many Ace stores are also carrying a new product called Concern, a fast-acting non-selective weed killer that uses a soap blend to kill nearly all weeds in just hours. What's more, Concern targets plant tissues and doesn't move through the soil, so nearby vegetation is pretty safe. You can replant after about two days.

Important tip: All of the aforementioned products should be used with caution. Be sure you read all labels, adhere to all applicable safety precautions and use the products as they are intended to be used.

Credit:  Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware

There are basically two types: systemic and non-systemic. The systemic is absorbed by the plant and makes it poisonous. The non-systemic provides a coating on the outside of the plant.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

There are sprays that have a range of 20' so that you can stand far away and still be effective. Some sprays leave a foam so that returning pests will also be killed.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Usually, this is the result of damaged seals in the pump. Most manufacturers sell a repair kit. In addition, the sprayer will not work if the tip is clogged and needs cleaning.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

There are many brands, but they will all harm flowers. You can try to shield the plants from overspray, but the best way is to simply pull the weeds.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.