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Blue Grass Enterprises

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Precision Sod Farming & The Environment
    • Environmental Benefits of Grasses
    • Tours & Education
    • Careers
  • Homeowners
    • How to Order Sod
    • Installing Sod
    • Establishing New Sod
    • Soil Sampling
    • Lawn Care Products
    • Spreader Settings & Usage
    • Seed Varieties & Other Products
    • Aeration
    • Mowing
    • Watering
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Turf Times Newsletter
    • Weed IDs & Archive
  • Professionals
    • Builders & Contractors
    • Sports Turf
    • Golf Course
    • Architects & Project Managers
  • Contact
  • Search

Spring Blog


 

Featured
Oxygen Production of Grassy Spaces in Urban Settings
Lawn care
benefits of lawns, urban, grass, kentucky bluegrass sod
Oxygen Production of Grassy Spaces in Urban Settings
Lawn care
benefits of lawns, urban, grass, kentucky bluegrass sod

What’s the point of having tiny strips of grass in downtown areas? As you can imagine, a well-informed sod farmer has a strong opinion about the benefits of grass and lawns.

Read More →
Lawn care
benefits of lawns, urban, grass, kentucky bluegrass sod
Recovering from Wet Conditions and Lawn Flooding
weed control, Lawn care
wet growing season, weed control, flood damage, flooding damage, orange lawn disease, rust in iowa lawn, lawn diseases, fairy rings, mushrooms, rain
Recovering from Wet Conditions and Lawn Flooding
weed control, Lawn care
wet growing season, weed control, flood damage, flooding damage, orange lawn disease, rust in iowa lawn, lawn diseases, fairy rings, mushrooms, rain

Wet growing seasons come with their lawn set of lawn challenges, including mushrooms, fairy rings, weed pressure, disease pressure, and flooding recovery. Read all about these items (and more) here!

Read More →
weed control, Lawn care
wet growing season, weed control, flood damage, flooding damage, orange lawn disease, rust in iowa lawn, lawn diseases, fairy rings, mushrooms, rain
Bluegrass Billbug - The Most "Boop-Able" Snoot of the Lawn Insect World
Bluegrass Billbug - The Most "Boop-Able" Snoot of the Lawn Insect World

Bluegrass billbugs might have boop-able snoots, but the damage they leave behind in Iowa lawns is far from funny.

Read More →
Blue Grass Seed Information & Techniques
Fall, Spring, Tutorials
seed, grass seed, fall, overseeding, dormant seeding, spring seeding, spring, how do I get grass seed to grow in iowa
Blue Grass Seed Information & Techniques
Fall, Spring, Tutorials
seed, grass seed, fall, overseeding, dormant seeding, spring seeding, spring, how do I get grass seed to grow in iowa

We are coming up on prime seeding time. Read here to learn more about best techniques and frequently asked questions.

Read More →
Fall, Spring, Tutorials
seed, grass seed, fall, overseeding, dormant seeding, spring seeding, spring, how do I get grass seed to grow in iowa
Recovering from Drought - To Overseed, or Not To Overseed?
Tutorials
drought, lawn, damage, 13-13-13, Summer, Iowa drought, Iowa drought damaged lawn recovery, drought recovery in lawns
Recovering from Drought - To Overseed, or Not To Overseed?
Tutorials
drought, lawn, damage, 13-13-13, Summer, Iowa drought, Iowa drought damaged lawn recovery, drought recovery in lawns

Recovering from a drought takes time, food, and water (hopefully from Mother Nature). Here are helpful tips to help your lawn recover quickly from the last few months of heat stress.

Read More →
Tutorials
drought, lawn, damage, 13-13-13, Summer, Iowa drought, Iowa drought damaged lawn recovery, drought recovery in lawns
Summer Lawn Maintenance - Irrigation, Mowing, and Feeding in the Heat
Summer, Tutorials
drought, summer, Heat Stress, brown lawn, brown Iowa lawn, gray patches in lawn, yellow spots in lawn
Summer Lawn Maintenance - Irrigation, Mowing, and Feeding in the Heat
Summer, Tutorials
drought, summer, Heat Stress, brown lawn, brown Iowa lawn, gray patches in lawn, yellow spots in lawn

Best practices for irrigation, mowing, and feeding during the heat of summer can be found here!

Read More →
Summer, Tutorials
drought, summer, Heat Stress, brown lawn, brown Iowa lawn, gray patches in lawn, yellow spots in lawn
Test Plots - How We Select Cultivars for Blue Grass Sod and Seed
Research & Information
sod, grass seed, grass seed cultivars, NTEP trials, grass seed genetics, choosing kentucky bluegrass
Test Plots - How We Select Cultivars for Blue Grass Sod and Seed
Research & Information
sod, grass seed, grass seed cultivars, NTEP trials, grass seed genetics, choosing kentucky bluegrass

Cultivars matter when it comes to grasses. Read this article to learn more about how and why we select the cultivars we do for growing our Master Blend sod here at Blue Grass Enterprises.

Read More →
Research & Information
sod, grass seed, grass seed cultivars, NTEP trials, grass seed genetics, choosing kentucky bluegrass
Moles!!!
Research & Information
Moles, Lawn Care, Pests, damage, mole damage in lawn, mole tunnels, getting rid of moles
Moles!!!
Research & Information
Moles, Lawn Care, Pests, damage, mole damage in lawn, mole tunnels, getting rid of moles

Moles can be a huge pain for lawn hobbyists. Read more about these specialized hunters, including our best recommendations for how to trap them on your property.

Read More →
Research & Information
Moles, Lawn Care, Pests, damage, mole damage in lawn, mole tunnels, getting rid of moles
Phosphorous in Grasses
Feeding Programs
phosphorus in fertilizer, phosphorus in lawns, root development in lawn, root development in grasses, phosphorus deficiency, purpling leaves on grass
Phosphorous in Grasses
Feeding Programs
phosphorus in fertilizer, phosphorus in lawns, root development in lawn, root development in grasses, phosphorus deficiency, purpling leaves on grass

Phosphorus in fertilizers has had a bad reputation for several years; it is time to rethink our attitudes (and usage) of this essential nutrient.

Read More →
Feeding Programs
phosphorus in fertilizer, phosphorus in lawns, root development in lawn, root development in grasses, phosphorus deficiency, purpling leaves on grass
Feeding Your Lawn - Nitrogen
Feeding Programs
nitrogen in lawns, nitrogen in fertilizer, nitrogen burn in grasses, what does nitrogen do in a lawn, why is there nitrogen in fertilizer?, plant food
Feeding Your Lawn - Nitrogen
Feeding Programs
nitrogen in lawns, nitrogen in fertilizer, nitrogen burn in grasses, what does nitrogen do in a lawn, why is there nitrogen in fertilizer?, plant food

Plants need food to survive. Learning more about what nutrients the grasses in your lawn need and crave can help you take a step toward more informed and responsible lawn care.

Read More →
Feeding Programs
nitrogen in lawns, nitrogen in fertilizer, nitrogen burn in grasses, what does nitrogen do in a lawn, why is there nitrogen in fertilizer?, plant food
Mowing Sustainably - Reflections on the "No Mow May" and "Slow the Mow" Movements
Research & Information, Tutorials
mowing, cultural practices, environmental, environment, no mow may, slow mowing, why you should mow your lawn high, what height should I mow my lawn
Mowing Sustainably - Reflections on the "No Mow May" and "Slow the Mow" Movements
Research & Information, Tutorials
mowing, cultural practices, environmental, environment, no mow may, slow mowing, why you should mow your lawn high, what height should I mow my lawn

Alternative mowing strategies such as “No Mow May” and “Slow Your Mow” are gaining in popularity. What does the research have to say about these strategies?

Read More →
Research & Information, Tutorials
mowing, cultural practices, environmental, environment, no mow may, slow mowing, why you should mow your lawn high, what height should I mow my lawn
What to Expect When You Are Expecting: Droughty Fall Edition
Fall, Feeding Programs
Fall, Feeding Programs, Weed and Feed, drought, fall lawn care, fall mowing height in iowa lawns, killing dandelions
What to Expect When You Are Expecting: Droughty Fall Edition
Fall, Feeding Programs
Fall, Feeding Programs, Weed and Feed, drought, fall lawn care, fall mowing height in iowa lawns, killing dandelions

It’s fall y’all! But this year things are a little different due to crispy, dry conditions out there.

Read More →
Fall, Feeding Programs
Fall, Feeding Programs, Weed and Feed, drought, fall lawn care, fall mowing height in iowa lawns, killing dandelions
Wildflower Seed at Blue Grass
Wildflowers
wildflower seed, wildflower seed in small quantities, when to seed wildflowers in iowa, best wildflower seeding techniques
Wildflower Seed at Blue Grass
Wildflowers
wildflower seed, wildflower seed in small quantities, when to seed wildflowers in iowa, best wildflower seeding techniques

Wildflower seeds are here!! <3 <3 <3

Read More →
Wildflowers
wildflower seed, wildflower seed in small quantities, when to seed wildflowers in iowa, best wildflower seeding techniques
Summer Annual: Life Cycles of the Rich (in Seeds) and Infamous
Feeding Programs, weed control
Summer annuals, summer annual weeds, how to kill a summer annual, crabgrass in iowa, killing crabgrass, purslane, foxtail, yellow nutsedge, spotted spurge, iowa lawn weed id, weed control
Summer Annual: Life Cycles of the Rich (in Seeds) and Infamous
Feeding Programs, weed control
Summer annuals, summer annual weeds, how to kill a summer annual, crabgrass in iowa, killing crabgrass, purslane, foxtail, yellow nutsedge, spotted spurge, iowa lawn weed id, weed control

Summer annual weeds are presenting in lots of lawns right now. The good news? Mother Nature is going to kill them for you sooner, rather than later…

Read More →
Feeding Programs, weed control
Summer annuals, summer annual weeds, how to kill a summer annual, crabgrass in iowa, killing crabgrass, purslane, foxtail, yellow nutsedge, spotted spurge, iowa lawn weed id, weed control
Step 3: 16-4-8 The Grow-In Fertilizer We Need
Feeding Programs, Summer
Feeding Programs, Step 3, Summer, chemical-free fertilizer, chemical free fertilizer
Step 3: 16-4-8 The Grow-In Fertilizer We Need
Feeding Programs, Summer
Feeding Programs, Step 3, Summer, chemical-free fertilizer, chemical free fertilizer

The perfect time for Step 3 is nearly here!

Read More →
Feeding Programs, Summer
Feeding Programs, Step 3, Summer, chemical-free fertilizer, chemical free fertilizer
Brand New &amp; Juvenile Lawn Care
Feeding Programs, Lawn care
caring for a young lawn, caring for new sod, new sod in iowa, how do i take care of new grass, kentucky bluegrass sod
Brand New & Juvenile Lawn Care
Feeding Programs, Lawn care
caring for a young lawn, caring for new sod, new sod in iowa, how do i take care of new grass, kentucky bluegrass sod

Someday your lawn will look like this… But it will take time, patience, and effort to get there.

Read More →
Feeding Programs, Lawn care
caring for a young lawn, caring for new sod, new sod in iowa, how do i take care of new grass, kentucky bluegrass sod
Jumping Worms
Soil Health
worms, soil health, insects, invasive species, compost, jumping worms
Jumping Worms
Soil Health
worms, soil health, insects, invasive species, compost, jumping worms

Jumping Worms

Read More →
Soil Health
worms, soil health, insects, invasive species, compost, jumping worms
Quackgrass - The Ducking Worst
weed control
quackgrass, perennial weeds, weeds in iowa, spring weeds, tall green grassy weed
Quackgrass - The Ducking Worst
weed control
quackgrass, perennial weeds, weeds in iowa, spring weeds, tall green grassy weed

Quackgrass = Sarah’s least favorite grassy weed

Read More →
weed control
quackgrass, perennial weeds, weeds in iowa, spring weeds, tall green grassy weed
Poa Annua: An Unwelcome Guest
weed control, Feeding Programs, Lawn care
poa annua, grassy weeds, dead spots in lawn, winter annuals in iowa, invasive species
Poa Annua: An Unwelcome Guest
weed control, Feeding Programs, Lawn care
poa annua, grassy weeds, dead spots in lawn, winter annuals in iowa, invasive species

Poa annua may rank among the most difficult weeds to control in Iowa lawns. Read more about this unwelcome guest here!

Read More →
weed control, Feeding Programs, Lawn care
poa annua, grassy weeds, dead spots in lawn, winter annuals in iowa, invasive species
Understanding Fertilizers
Feeding Programs, Research & Information, Soil Health, Tutorials
Feeding Programs, Fertilizing, Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4
Understanding Fertilizers
Feeding Programs, Research & Information, Soil Health, Tutorials
Feeding Programs, Fertilizing, Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4

A brief history of fertilizers and what you can learn from a fertilizer label

Read More →
Feeding Programs, Research & Information, Soil Health, Tutorials
Feeding Programs, Fertilizing, Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4
Updated Feeding Programs - How Do We Make Our 4 Step Programs
Feeding Programs, Research & Information, Soil Health, Winter, Summer
Fertilizing, Feeding Programs, Step 3, blue grass feeding program
Updated Feeding Programs - How Do We Make Our 4 Step Programs
Feeding Programs, Research & Information, Soil Health, Winter, Summer
Fertilizing, Feeding Programs, Step 3, blue grass feeding program

New product alert! Be the first to know more <3

Read More →
Feeding Programs, Research & Information, Soil Health, Winter, Summer
Fertilizing, Feeding Programs, Step 3, blue grass feeding program
The Benefits of Lawns
Tutorials, Research & Information
lawn, environment, environmental, ecoservices, iowa, grass, soil health, soil sample, benefits of lawns, lawns and mental health, do lawns hurt the planet?
The Benefits of Lawns
Tutorials, Research & Information
lawn, environment, environmental, ecoservices, iowa, grass, soil health, soil sample, benefits of lawns, lawns and mental health, do lawns hurt the planet?

All kinds of green spaces do all kinds of good things for our bodies, minds, and communities; we need to collectively take the next step of actively making choices that support all kinds of life and habitats for generations to come. The good news is that lawns can help.

Read More →
Tutorials, Research & Information
lawn, environment, environmental, ecoservices, iowa, grass, soil health, soil sample, benefits of lawns, lawns and mental health, do lawns hurt the planet?
Winter Damage Recovery - Dogs, Voles, Snow Plows, and Salt (Oh My!)
Winter, Spring
dog damage, dog spots, gypsum, 13-13-13, vole damage in lawn, snow plow damage in lawn, salt damage in lawn
Winter Damage Recovery - Dogs, Voles, Snow Plows, and Salt (Oh My!)
Winter, Spring
dog damage, dog spots, gypsum, 13-13-13, vole damage in lawn, snow plow damage in lawn, salt damage in lawn

Dogs, voles, snow plows, and salt just love to make a mess of our early spring lawns. Read here to learn how to help your plants recover quickly!

Read More →
Winter, Spring
dog damage, dog spots, gypsum, 13-13-13, vole damage in lawn, snow plow damage in lawn, salt damage in lawn
Grassy Weed Control
Fall, Spring
Weed, Grassy Weeds, Fall, Spring, Summer, Lawn Care, Crabgrass, Yellow foxtail, goosegrass, crabgrass in iowa, orchard grass, tall fescue in iowa lawn
Grassy Weed Control
Fall, Spring
Weed, Grassy Weeds, Fall, Spring, Summer, Lawn Care, Crabgrass, Yellow foxtail, goosegrass, crabgrass in iowa, orchard grass, tall fescue in iowa lawn

Grassy weeds can be especially frustrating to control. Check out our suggestions for control of some of the main offenders in Iowa lawns!

Read More →
Fall, Spring
Weed, Grassy Weeds, Fall, Spring, Summer, Lawn Care, Crabgrass, Yellow foxtail, goosegrass, crabgrass in iowa, orchard grass, tall fescue in iowa lawn
Fall Feeding &amp; Broadleaf Control
Feeding Programs, Fall
Fall, Lawn Care, Feeding Programs, 13-13-13, Weed, Weed and Feed, weed and feed in iowa, weed & feed, purslane, creeping charlie, how to thicken my lawn in iowa
Fall Feeding & Broadleaf Control
Feeding Programs, Fall
Fall, Lawn Care, Feeding Programs, 13-13-13, Weed, Weed and Feed, weed and feed in iowa, weed & feed, purslane, creeping charlie, how to thicken my lawn in iowa

Fall is the best time of year to do lawn projects. Read more about your feeding options, and the importance of aeration, here!

Read More →
Feeding Programs, Fall
Fall, Lawn Care, Feeding Programs, 13-13-13, Weed, Weed and Feed, weed and feed in iowa, weed & feed, purslane, creeping charlie, how to thicken my lawn in iowa
Fall Armyworm - A Rare Pest
Fall
insects, bugs, fall, fall armyworm, fall army worm damage in iowa, invasive species, caterpillars in lawn
Fall Armyworm - A Rare Pest
Fall
insects, bugs, fall, fall armyworm, fall army worm damage in iowa, invasive species, caterpillars in lawn

Fall Army Worms have only visited Iowa a handful of times in the last 50 years. Read more about this rare (to us) pest here.

Read More →
Fall
insects, bugs, fall, fall armyworm, fall army worm damage in iowa, invasive species, caterpillars in lawn
Thatch, Friend or Foe?
Tutorials, Soil Health, Feeding Programs
Lawn Care, thatch, Feeding Programs, Fall, should i dethatch my lawn?, is thatch good or bad
Thatch, Friend or Foe?
Tutorials, Soil Health, Feeding Programs
Lawn Care, thatch, Feeding Programs, Fall, should i dethatch my lawn?, is thatch good or bad

Is dethatching really something you should do everywhere? What is thatch anyway?

Read More →
Tutorials, Soil Health, Feeding Programs
Lawn Care, thatch, Feeding Programs, Fall, should i dethatch my lawn?, is thatch good or bad
Yellow Nutsedge
Summer
Summer, Weed, Yellow Nutsedge, water grass, watergrass
Yellow Nutsedge
Summer
Summer, Weed, Yellow Nutsedge, water grass, watergrass

Yellow Nut Sedge is a common summer “water grass” (spoiler: It’s not actually a grass). Read more about Yellow Nut Sedge and what you can do about it here!

Read More →
Summer
Summer, Weed, Yellow Nutsedge, water grass, watergrass
Step 2 Preventing Crabgrass with Dimension (and Grubs with Acelepryn) - Choices, Choices...
Spring, Feeding Programs
Weed, Crabgrass, Grassy Weeds, Spring, crabgrass control in iowa, how do i kill crabgrass, how do i prevent crabgrass, how do i kill grubs, grub control in iowa
Step 2 Preventing Crabgrass with Dimension (and Grubs with Acelepryn) - Choices, Choices...
Spring, Feeding Programs
Weed, Crabgrass, Grassy Weeds, Spring, crabgrass control in iowa, how do i kill crabgrass, how do i prevent crabgrass, how do i kill grubs, grub control in iowa

When it comes to crabgrass control (and grub control), you have options our feeding programs.

Read More →
Spring, Feeding Programs
Weed, Crabgrass, Grassy Weeds, Spring, crabgrass control in iowa, how do i kill crabgrass, how do i prevent crabgrass, how do i kill grubs, grub control in iowa
Merry Christmas, a Song, and an Announcement
Winter
Christmas, Holiday
Merry Christmas, a Song, and an Announcement
Winter
Christmas, Holiday

Please enjoy a Merry Christmas, a song, and an announcement from your friends at Blue Grass…

Read More →
Winter
Christmas, Holiday
Top
 

LOCATION

3965 C Ave Ext.

Alburnett, IA 52202

PHONE

319-842-2165

HOURS

April - October Hours:

Mon - Fri: 8AM - 5PM; Sat: 8AM - 12PM