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fertilization of grass #866714

Asked May 02, 2024, 1:58 AM EDT

I have a lot of dandelions and last summer I had problems with moles in the ground.  What type of fertilizer would be the best for me to use?

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response

The best way to find out the proper fertilizer for your lawn is to do a soil test!  You will learn more about your soil including soil type, pH, nutrient levels and more. Knowing the type and fertility of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, moss, insects/grubs and look great at an optimal cost. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer  It's $26.00 well spent.  In their response, they will give a fertilizer recommendation and how much to apply per 1000 Sq Ft of lawn.
There are two types of moles active in Michigan: eastern moles and star-nosed moles. Their favorite foods are earthworms and insect larvae. The eastern mole is the mole that creates tunnels just below the lawn surface all over the place. The star-nosed mole is the mole that forms the big piles or volcanoes of soil on the surface from soil in deeper tunnels. Moles do not hibernate; they just use deeper tunnels during the winter. This time of year, as the soil warms up they are mating, giving birth and seeking food for their young. They eat mostly earthworms and some grubs, rarely plant roots or bulbs (mice & squirrels).
More info in the attached links:
Moles in the Lawn-MSU
Who's Digging in my Yard-MSU - eastern & star nosed moles
https://extension.psu.edu/moles
https://blogs.cornell.edu/nysipm/2020/10/14/dealing-with-mole-problems-in-turfgrass/
How to Control Moles-SG-MSU - a bait recommendation
Diagnosing wildlife holes in yard-Iowa
Controlling Moles, Racoons & Skunks - MSU
Moles In Lawn-Purdue
I've Got Moles (video) MSU
Wear latex gloves when setting the trap or placing the bait to keep human scent off the trap or bait. Follow the instructions on the package. To win this battle you must be patient and persistent. Start now! MSU Extension does not endorse any retailers or brands. Good luck!
Info on dandelions and their control:
Plant & Weed ID-MSU - scroll down to Dandelion
https://turf.purdue.edu/dandelion/
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-scoop/2023-04-22-lawns-and-pollinators-case-dandelions
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-scoop/2023-04-22-lawns-and-pollinators-case-dandelions
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/weed/idlist.html
Dick M. Replied May 02, 2024, 10:13 PM EDT

I have 5 burning bush plants that are 10 years old.  I keep them trimmed to only about 2ft high.  This is the first year that 2of them only have half of their leaves divided vertically, and one of them doesn't have any leaves on it.  The sides that have leaves looks perfectly fine.  I examined the branches  they don't tear when trying to bend them.  I don't see any bugs visably.  Do you know what could be the problem.  I didn't do anything different since the first year we planted them.  The only thing that was different this year was the winter time had an ice storm.  Will these bushes come back or should I replace them.  And if I had to replace them would I have to do anything different with the spots they came from?

thanks 

The Question Asker Replied May 03, 2024, 8:04 AM EDT
Burning bushes normally grow up to 15 ft tall so pruning them to only 2 ft tall is quite severe and may be the source of your problem.  I'd check the leafless branches, if they do not have any buds swelling they most likely are dead.  You might be able to salvage the bushes that are only half dead by pruning over the next year or two.  The dead bush could be replaced by two excellent cultivars, which produce smaller, dwarf forms of this bright Euonymous:
  • ‘Rudy Haag' is a slow growing diminutive form of the bush that will get only 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall in 15 years.
  • ‘Compactus' is aptly named and may grow 10 feet (3+ m.) tall over many years.
Burning Bush is considered an invasive species in some states and sales are restricted there.  Not in Michigan per MISIN.
Open the attached articles for more info on Burning Bushes:
https://extension.psu.edu/burning-bush
https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/burning-bush
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/flowers-fruits-and-frass/2021-10-15-what-you-should-know-about-burning-bush
Dick M. Replied May 05, 2024, 10:44 PM EDT

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