--- title: Green Meadow Lawncare Learning Center | Brian Gerber description: Learn everything you need to know about lawn care and lawn services. Topics include pest control, fertilization, and overall lawn health. --- [![GreenMeadow](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Green_Meadow_LawnCare_January2019%20Theme/Image/download.png)](http://www.greenmeadowlawncare.com/) ## Learning Center ## Brian Gerber ### Recent Posts ## [Irrigation for Clay Soil vs Sandy Soil](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/irrigation-for-clay-soil-vs-sandy-soil) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on May 18, 2023 9:24:06 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Sandy vs Clay soil and irrigation ](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(2)%20(1).png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/irrigation-for-clay-soil-vs-sandy-soil) What's the difference between sandy soil and clay soil? Soil characteristics play a large role in what your irrigation strategy should be.  Sandy and clay soil hold and retain water differently.  Water moves slowly through clay soil and quickly through sandy soil.   [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/irrigation-for-clay-soil-vs-sandy-soil) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/irrigation-for-clay-soil-vs-sandy-soil#comments-listing) ## [Winter Lawn Care Myths - Debunked](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/winter-lawn-care-myths-debunked) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Nov 2, 2022 2:47:59 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Winter Lawn Care Myths - Green Meadow Lawn Care Ellington Connecticut](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Green%20Meadow%20Insta%20Posts%20(2).png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/winter-lawn-care-myths-debunked) ### Winter Lawn Care Myths - Debunked ## **Myth #1 - Grass and Plants die over winter.** - False.  A brown lawn doesn’t necessarily mean your grass is dead - it could be dormant.   Dormancy is a natural cycle of grass.  Plants go into dormancy to preserve water and nutrients.  Dormancy can be brought on by stress in either cold temperatures in winter or dry conditions during the summer. It might appear to be dead,  but inside the crowns and roots remain alive and well.  [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/winter-lawn-care-myths-debunked) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/winter-lawn-care-myths-debunked#comments-listing) ## [4 Signs of Acidic Soil (Low pH)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/4-signs-of-acidic-soil) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Apr 18, 2022 2:37:48 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![proper soil pH for New England lawns](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/proper-soil-pH.jpg)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/4-signs-of-acidic-soil) Do you live in the Northeast region of the US? Have you noticed yellow spots in your lawn or patches of grass that seem limp? Stunted growth in your yard? These could all be signs that your soil’s pH is either too acidic or too alkaline.  While both can be an issue, we are going to discuss high soil acidity. Many lawn grasses thrive in a pH of 5.8-7 on the 1-14 scale.  In New England, our soil pH is generally slightly acidic. For this reason, New England lawn programs should include a Lime treatment.  [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/4-signs-of-acidic-soil) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/4-signs-of-acidic-soil#comments-listing) ## [Is a Winterizer Fertilizer Neccessary? \[Fall Lawn Care\]](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/is-a-winterizer-fertilizer-neccessary-fall-lawn-care) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Sep 7, 2021 2:09:12 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Winterizer Fertilizer benefits](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Untitled%20design%20(14).png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/is-a-winterizer-fertilizer-neccessary-fall-lawn-care) Is a winter fertilizer something you really need? Is it worth the money?  The answer is yes!  It’s arguably the most important fertilizer application for your lawn (especially if you live in Northern climates).  We’ll explain why:  --- ## Regular Fertilizer vs Winter Fertilizer: What’s the main difference? Fertilizers applied throughout the year are intended to keep your grass *growing*.  A winter fertilizer is intended to make sure your lawn stores enough food over winter to rapidly grow *once* Spring comes. Winter is a tough time for lawns.  A winterizer is a late fall application of fertilizer designed to help lawns store more food to survive winter and improve growth in spring.  It makes these stored nutrients readily available in Spring. This stored food ensures that your lawn is ready for a spring green-up. [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/is-a-winterizer-fertilizer-neccessary-fall-lawn-care) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/is-a-winterizer-fertilizer-neccessary-fall-lawn-care#comments-listing) ## [Fall Lawn Care Myths](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/fall-lawn-care-myths) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Aug 10, 2021 12:57:11 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/IMG_8943.jpg)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/fall-lawn-care-myths) ## Myth #1: I do not need to Core Aerate my lawn every fall.  - This all depends on your lawn. If your lawn has a high clay content, we recommend a yearly Core Aeration service. Clay soil will compact when dry.  High traffic areas will also compact more and need aeration.  If you have a healthy, well maintained lawn, you only need Core Aeration services every other year. - [Why Does My Lawn Need Core Aeration? \[Explained\]](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/why-does-my-lawn-need-core-aeration-explained) [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/fall-lawn-care-myths) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/fall-lawn-care-myths#comments-listing) ## [How To Fix Mole Damage](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/how-to-fix-mole-damage) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Apr 26, 2021 10:43:27 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Mole damage in lawn](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Moles%20can%20dig%20up%20to%20100%20feet%20worth%20of%20tunnels%20per%20day.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/how-to-fix-mole-damage) Moles can expand their runways at a rate of about 100 feet per day - for this reason, many people think they have *multiple* moles when it really just might be *one*.  If you have had a mole in your yard before, you know how destructive their digging can be.  Assuming you have gotten rid of your moles and they are no longer an active threat, now it’s time to follow the steps below to *fix* the damage.  If you have not yet gotten rid of the moles in your lawn, read this article below: - ## [How To Get Rid of Moles in My Lawn?](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/how-do-i-get-rid-of-moles-in-my-yard) [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/how-to-fix-mole-damage) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/how-to-fix-mole-damage#comments-listing) ## [Will Ants Damage My Lawn?](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/will-ants-damage-my-lawn) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Apr 22, 2021 11:36:07 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Ants in Lawn](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/AntHill.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/will-ants-damage-my-lawn) ## **Will Ants Kill my Grass?** If you live in the Northeast, ants will not kill grass. In fact, they won’t even feed on grass. What they will feed on is anything sugary or protein-filled.  This can range anywhere from a cookie dropped in the lawn by your toddler to the carcasses of other dead insects around your yard.  [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/will-ants-damage-my-lawn) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/will-ants-damage-my-lawn#comments-listing) ## [What Do Moles Eat? It's NOT just Grubs!](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/what-do-moles-eat-grubs-earthworms) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Apr 1, 2021 12:58:44 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Moles eat more than just grubs](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Grubs-Optimized.jpg)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/what-do-moles-eat-grubs-earthworms) ## **Mole Myths: Moles eat MORE than just Grubs!** *Have you ever had moles wreak havoc on your lawn? If so, you know just how time consuming of a fix it can be.  Many people believe that if they have a lawn service that includes grub control that this will eliminate moles. The reality? Grubs are only a part of a mole’s diet. * [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/what-do-moles-eat-grubs-earthworms) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/what-do-moles-eat-grubs-earthworms#comments-listing) ## [Pink Snow Mold vs Gray Snow Mold](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/pink-snow-mold-vs-gray-snow-mold) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Mar 12, 2021 12:33:45 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Pink%20Snow%20Mold.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/pink-snow-mold-vs-gray-snow-mold) # What is snow mold? It's a fungus that affects cool season grasses and is found after spring snow melt. The conditions that are favorable to snow mold is when we have heavy snow fall on cool season grasses in years when the first snow fall is on ground that is not yet frozen. [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/pink-snow-mold-vs-gray-snow-mold) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/pink-snow-mold-vs-gray-snow-mold#comments-listing) ## [Tunnels in My Lawn When the Snow Melts \[Voles?\]](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/tunnels-in-my-lawn-when-the-snow-melts-voles) Posted by [Brian Gerber](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber) on Mar 11, 2021 1:38:48 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/hubfs/Vole-Damage.png)](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/tunnels-in-my-lawn-when-the-snow-melts-voles) We had a decent amount of snow fall this past winter and as all of this snow melts, we are hearing from several customers who are seeing series of small trail systems all over their yard.  What are they? If this trail system is on the surface of your lawn, the odds are good that you have voles (or field mice) in your yard.  Their "highway system" will show signs of trampled grass from repeated use. What is the reason we are seeing this now? Snow melt. A warm ground plus about 6 inches of snow pack throughout winter creates the perfect habitat for voles.  Snow acts as ground insulation and temperatures between the ground and snow usually linger around 32 degrees. Their protected tunnel system minimizes their time out in the open exposed to predators.  [Read More](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/tunnels-in-my-lawn-when-the-snow-melts-voles) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/tunnels-in-my-lawn-when-the-snow-melts-voles#comments-listing) [All posts](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/all) [Next](https://blog.greenmeadowlawncare.com/author/brian-gerber/page/2) ### Top Learning Center Articles [Get a Quote](https://go.greenmeadowlawncare.com/request-an-estimate) [Refer a friend for a $25 account credit!](http://www.greenmeadowlawncare.com/refer-a-friend) Green Meadow Lawn Care, LLC, 100 West Road, Ellington, CT, 06029, United States860-870-5700[sales@greenmeadowlawncare.com](mailto:sales@greenmeadowlawncare.com) [Refer a friend for a $25 account credit!](http://www.greenmeadowlawncare.com/refer-a-friend) Green Meadow Lawn Care, LLC, 100 West Road, Ellington, CT, 06029, United States860-870-5700[EMAIL](mailto:sales@greenmeadowlawncare.com)