Home > Lawn & Garden > Home Gardening > Lawns > Investigating Problem Turfs [Image: problem] Turf problems can be categorized as cultural (man-made), environmental or pest-related. Often two or more of these factors contribute to the problem. Thin Areas in Summer Lawns [Image: Bare areas] When attempting to determine the cause of dying patches of grass during the summer, always check the soil first. Essential Steps When Starting A Southern Lawn Spring is the time to begin working on a new lawn, and LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske has advice for those undertaking such a project. Controlling Weeds in Lawns [Image: weeds] Simple and common materials to control weeds in lawns.  more articles... Weed and Feed Damage [Image: yellow] Weeding and feeding are two different operations. Sometimes they can be done in combination, but not always and not for best results. Tips Offered For Managing Shaded Lawns [Image: Groundcover] Having a good lawn in a tree-shaded landscape is a challenge since all of the warm-season turfgrasses were developed to grow best in full sun, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Drought-dormant Lawns [Image: dormant] Without good irrigation and resources to do so, allowing your turf to go dormant during extended summer drought may be the best management practice. Zoysiagrass [Image: seed] Zoysias can be the most beautiful and slow growing lawns, but they can also be big problems. These lawns are very dense and uniform in appearance. Should new sod be fertilized? [Image: lawn] Many wonder if newly laid sod should be quickly fertilized to help speed establishment. Acid Soil Problems [Image: pepper] Acidic soils (low pH) cause more gardening problems in Louisiana than any other soil factor. They affect so many other soil factors in both pest management and soil fertility. Dealing With Salinity in Lawns Soil salts affect turf mostly by withholding moisture from plant tissues. They may also compete for uptake of nutrient ions. Try these suggestions to manage a soil salinity situation. Spring Critical In Establishing Lawn Care Routine Spring has sprung, and the grass is now growing. But, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske, there is usually no good reason to push early growth with lots of fertilizer. Best Mowing Practices for Southern Turf [Image: mow] The good mowing practices are okay with most lawns and tall-cut turf. Tall cut grass often has more abuse tolerance by nature of more leaf area and more root mass. Low-cut turf does not have these extended benefits to draw from and requires the best mowing practices to sustain decent quality. Topdressing Turfgrass Sod [Image: dress] The term ‘topdressing’ is used for both the material used and the process of adding a thin layer of material to the surface of a sod or seed bed. Click for more information...