Hi Ken,

Why do you think you have a problem with grubs in your naturalized lawn? We always have some grubs because many beetles live underground in grub form before emerging in summer.

Usually a grub problem is defined by having more than a dozen grubs per square feet of lawn. Tell me what you're seeing.

Thanks!

I get dead spots.  No real big deal.  I also would like to get salamanders and toads.  Any advice on creating a hospitable environment?

Hi Ken,

Clover sometimes needs to be reseeded, because though the plants spread they live only a few years. Reseed bare spots with clover or other plants you want. Turf-type tall fescue grass is another possibility, drought-resistant and tough.

Sadly we don't have anywhere near the number of salamanders we used to have in this part of the state. They're very sensitive to chemicals and fertilizers, and that has contributed to their small populations. I've never seen one in the city.

But I know from personal experience that you can get toads in a city garden. When I had a garden pond a big toad showed up, alerting me to his presence by bumping into my foot when I was standing in a bunch of hostas. I parted the leaves and there he was, a giant American toad. Shortly after that he began singing at night, trying to attract a mate. It was absolutely beautiful.

His song worked, because a month later the pond was FILLED with tadpoles. It was amazing. I don't know how many survived. After three or four years I stopped seeing toads. Eventually I had to remove the pond.

Toads also are sensitive to chemicals, so your yard needs to be pesticide-free. You should provide a shallow source of water for the toads to sit in, and they need a place to hide in shady spots. Broken flower pots or boards with a little space underneath work.

This is a good guide:

https://wildones.org/toad-habitat/

I hope you get toads! Thanks.

The U of M soil testing lab will give you an accurate report.

https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/