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Question: A friend wants to line his back sidewalks with monkey grass, but his wife heard that it attracts snakes. We can't find any proof of this one way or another....have you ever heard of this?”

Thanks so much for your question. That is quite a slippery situation that you are faced with and I will do my best not to monkey around and give you a straight answer. To get to the heart of this issue, you need to understand some basic information about snakes and their habits. Knowing a little bit about their natural movements and tendencies will help you get a better feel for this issue.

Monkey grass, with its long, spider like blades, provides a great hiding space for all critters and creatures that make their living on the ground. There is no specific evidence that suggests that monkey grass attracts snakes. The snakes do not feed on monkey grass nor are they attracted to the sight or scent of it. What is appealing to them is the potential for good cover. But this is also the attraction that many smaller creatures have to monkey grass as well.

The fact that snakes frequently hide in monkey grass should not discourage you from planting monkey grass. If you follow some basic pruning guidelines, you should be able to surround your house with monkey grass without increasing the average number of reptile encounters reported every year. Simply make sure that your monkey grass is trimmed back neatly to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Another thing that should put your mind at ease is that usually only harmless garden and grass snakes make their way towards monkey grass columns. While this is no consolation for the squeamish, at least you know that they usually is not going to be any poisonous types waiting in the bushes to eat you.

Question: I need to know what the lawn area is suppose to look like before you sod. I tilled it twice and raked up all the grass I could but there is some grass left. I need to know if it’s alright to lay the sod down. I will appreciate a response. I am clueless. Thank you!”

Thanks so much for your question. The good thing about laying sod is that it is very hard to screw up. Once you follow the basic steps, the grass will take over for itself and produce a thick, lush lawn that you will enjoy year round. Sod is fairly inexpensive and easy to maintain, which makes it a popular lawn option for home owners in nearly every part of the nation.

Preparing the soil is one of the more critical steps. The lawn should be tilled thoroughly to give the sod roots plenty of soft ground in which to anchor. It is not necessary to remove every scrap of grass and root before you lay your sod. Just make sure that old grass is ground up well, as it will make a fertilizer for your new sod turf. You should till the soil at least 2 inches lower than the grade for best results. You can apply a good topsoil over the area to increase growing.

Sod should be watered fairly frequently in the beginning. Do not cut or allow anyone on your lawn until the blades are at least an inch and a half high. This gives the sod plenty of time to take solid roots. Sometimes, it is helpful to water two or three times in a day, depending upon conditions.

If you follow these simple steps, you should have no trouble getting your sod laid properly. Another helpful hint to begin growing in the fall, as opposed to the spring, when the weed factor comes into heavier play.

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