Andrew Grider
Owner, Southern Sun Landscaping
Andrew Grider is the owner of Southern Sun Landscaping. He shares practical lawn-care and landscaping advice drawn from years of hands-on experience helping homeowners keep their yards healthy and beautiful.
Articles by Andrew Grider
34 articles
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Most Shade Tolerant Zoysia Grass (Ranked)
If your yard gets more shade than sun, picking grass can feel weirdly stressful. You walk outside, look at the trees, look back at the patchy lawn, and start wondering if anything will actually grow there. Zoysia is often the first grass people hear about for partial shade, and for good reason
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Can You Over Aerate Your Lawn? (Explained)
Lawn aeration gets talked about a lot, usually as this magic…
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Can You Use Neem Oil On Lawns? (Explained)
Neem oil always sounds like one of those things that works g…
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7 Great Reel Mowers For Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is one of those lawns that looks amazing when it’s cut right and looks rough fast when it’s not. It loves short, clean cuts, and that’s exactly where reel mowers shine. A good reel mower gives you that crisp, golf-course style finish without shredding the grass tips. Plus,
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Can You Use Car Motor Oil in Lawn Mowers?
Let’s be honest, nobody wakes up excited about buying lawn mower oil. Most people just look around the garage, spot a bottle of car motor oil, and think, “Eh… close enough?” And yeah, it can be close enough. Small engines aren’t as fancy as modern car engines, and plenty of mowers run just fin
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Can You Put Down Too Much Grass Seed?
If you’ve ever stood there with a bag of grass seed and thought, “More seed has to mean more grass,” you’re definitely not alone. It sounds logical. It feels safe. It even seems like a quick fix for thin spots. But tossing down giant handfuls like you’re feeding pigeons in the park usually bac
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Too Much Iron In Lawn? (Read This Guide)
Iron is great for giving your grass that deep, rich green color. But like most things, too much of it can backfire. Excess iron in your soil can lead to weird discoloration, unhealthy grass, and even harm nearby plants. If your lawn is starting to look a little “off” and you suspect iron
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Dark Green Patches In Lawn? (Here's Why)
It’s happened to most of us at some point: you’re admiring your lawn, and out of nowhere, you spot those odd, dark green patches. Maybe they’re even too green. They stand out like sore thumbs and kind of mess up the vibe. If you’re wondering where these weird dark green spots came from, you’re
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What Sand To Use To Level Lawn? (Guide)
Ever tried mowing your lawn only to feel like you’re bouncing over speed bumps? Uneven lawns are super common, and while they might not seem like a big deal at first, they can make mowing harder, cause water to pool in low spots, and even stress out your grass. The fix? Leveling. And the
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Glyphosate Vs Diquat (Compared)
Weeds are stubborn little things. You pull them, they come back. You mow them, they pop right up again. That’s where herbicides come in, and two of the big names you’ll see on shelves are glyphosate and diquat. They might look like they do the same job, but the way they work is totally d
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Can Grass Grow In Clay? (Solved)
If you've got clay soil in your yard, you're probably wondering if grass can actually grow there. It's a fair question - after all, clay can be pretty stubborn. It’s dense, heavy, and doesn’t always let water or nutrients through easily. But don’t worry, with the right approach, you can
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How Much Peat Moss Do I Need? (Guide)
Ever stood in the garden supply aisle staring at those giant bales of peat moss, wondering how much you actually need? You’re not alone. Peat moss can be a bit deceiving since it’s super light and expands a lot once it’s fluffed up, which makes estimating tricky. The good thing is, figur
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Will 2,4-D Kill Trees? (Solved)
If you’ve ever battled weeds in your yard, you’ve probably heard of 2,4-D. It’s one of those go-to herbicides that promises to knock out dandelions, clover, and all the other broadleaf troublemakers without messing up your grass. Sounds perfect, right? But then you glance at your trees a
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Can You Use Garden Soil For Grass? (Solved)
You’ve got a bag of garden soil sitting in the shed and a patchy lawn begging for some love. The thought pops up: can I just use this soil for grass? It feels like a quick win, right? Grass is a plant, soil is soil, so it should work. But the truth is a little […]
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Can You Use Miracle-Gro On Grass? (Solved)
If you’ve ever stood in your yard staring at a patchy lawn, you’ve probably wondered if a little Miracle-Gro could save the day. After all, it makes your houseplants explode with growth and your flowers look like something out of a magazine. So, why not grass? The short answer is yes, you can
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6 Alternatives To Straw For Grass Seed
So, you're planting new grass seed and trying to figure out what to cover it with? Most people grab a bale of straw and call it a day. Straw can be messy, full of weed seeds, and honestly, not always easy to work with. The good news is that straw isn’t your only option. If […]
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Spiky Balls In Grass (Solved)
Ever walked barefoot in the grass and suddenly felt like you were stepping on little landmines? Yep, those spiky balls are no fun! These little troublemakers - often more painful than you’d like to admit - are a common problem for many homeowners. The good news is that they’re actu
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Will Gas Kill Grass? (Yes - Explained)
We’ve all had a moment where we’re messing around with our lawnmower or maybe topping off the weed eater, and whoops - gas spills on grass. Now you're staring at the spot, wondering, “Is this bad? Did I just kill my grass?” Unfortunately, the answer is yes, gas can kill grass. It can burn the
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How to Refresh Your Yard This Season (Ultimate Outdoor Cleanup Guide) for virginia Homeowners
As the weather warms up in Powhatan, Virginia, now is the perfect time to give your outdoor space a complete refresh. A seasonal cleanup isn’t just about aesthetics-it’s also one of the best ways to maintain your home’s value and create an environment you’ll love spending time in. From lawn care to
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The Hidden Value of Landscape Lighting
Landscaping isn't just about shrubs and mulch anymore - today, it's just as much about how your yard looks at night as it does during the day. And if you're thinking about adding a finishing touch to your outdoor space, lighting is probably the most underrated upgrade you can make. My go-to co
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The Dangers of Root Intrusion!
Tree Roots in Pipes & the Danger of Root Intrustion Most people expect to deal with things like dripping faucets or the occasional clog. But what a lot of homeowners don’t realize is that one of the biggest threats to their plumbing is actually growing right in their yard-tree roots. Yep, roots from
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Will Cayenne Pepper Kill Grass? (Solved)
If you're looking for a natural way to keep pests away from your lawn, you might have heard that cayenne pepper can do the trick. But is it really safe for your grass, or could it cause more harm than good? In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about using cayenne […]
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Can I Put River Rocks Around Trees? (Explained)
So, you're thinking about sprucing up the area around your tree with some river rocks, right? They do look pretty-nice, smooth stones that can make your yard look super nice. But before you start hauling rocks, you might want to take a second to think about how they could impact your tree's health.
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Do Pine Needles Kill Grass? (Explained)
Anyone with pine trees knows what it's like to have those needles cover their lawn. While they might not look too concerning at first, pine needles can actually cause problems for your grass over time if you don't take care of them. In this post, I’ll explain how they affect grass, and if pine needl
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Is It Too Late To Treat For Grubs?
If you're asking this question, you’ve probably missed the ideal time to act. But don’t panic just yet! Late-season treatments might not be as effective as catching grubs earlier, but you still have options to minimize the damage. In this post, I’ll explain whether it’s too late to treat for grubs a
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Will Lime Kill New Grass Seed? (Explained)
Wondering if lime will kill new grass seed? It's a fair question, especially when you're putting in all that effort to get your lawn looking great. Seeding a lawn isn't exactly a walk in the park, and the last thing you want is to accidentally mess it up with something like lime. Don't worry, though
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Too Much Lime On Lawn? (Here’s What To Do)
Ever wondered what happens when you get a little too generous with lime on your lawn? We've all been there, trying to perfect our green spaces. But sometimes, in our eagerness to nurture our grass, we might overdo it with the lime. Don't worry, though! This guide is for you. In this guide, I’ll expl
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Does Crossbow Kill Clover? (Solved)
Maintaining a lush, weed-free lawn is the dream for many homeowners, but sometimes those pesky invaders like clover just seem unstoppable. If you're battling a clover takeover, you might be wondering if Crossbow could be the solution. The short answer is yes. Crossbow can kill clover. In this post,
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Is GrubEx Safe For Pets? (Explained)
Are you a pet owner who's been eyeing that bottle of GrubEx, wondering if it's safe to use around your furry friends? You're not alone! Everyone of us wants a beautiful, grub-free lawn without putting our beloved pets at risk. GrubEx is not safe for pets immediately after you apply it. But it’s pret
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What Temperature Is Too Cold To Mow Grass? (Solved)
Ever wondered when it's just too cold to fire up that mower? As the weather cools down, it's a question that pops up for many of us. It's usually too cold to mow grass when the temperature drops below 40°F (4°C). In this post, I'll explain why anything below this temperature is too cold to […]
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Using Peat Moss For Bare Spots In Lawn? (Go For It!)
Do you have those annoying bare spots in your lawn? You know the ones - they pop up here and there, making your grass look a bit patchy? It's a common problem that many of us face, and it can be pretty frustrating. These bare patches don't just look bad; they also invite weeds to […]
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Pet Friendly Ground Coverings for Your Yard
Choosing pet-friendly ground coverings for your yard is simpler than you might think. Not only can aesthetic options like pebbles, mulch, or artificial turf add visual appeal, they're often safer bets for your furry pals. Ponder clover for a beautiful, green carpet that's easy to maintain and acts a
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Liquid or Granular Fertilizer - What's the Best Option for Your Lawn?
When choosing between liquid and granular fertilizers for your lawn, consider this: both contain essential nutrients, but differ in application and effectiveness. Liquid fertilizers provide immediate absorption and quick results, ideal for instant greening and growth. Granular fertilizers slowly rel
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Plants That Grow Great in Sandy Soil
Your sandy soil, with its excellent drainage and quick temperature regulation, can be ideal for specific plants. Truly, lavender, yarrow, rosemary, and sedum genuinely thrive in such an environment. Likewise, coneflowers, attract pollinators and are drought-tolerant, offering a low-maintenance addit
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