BC Living
How to Support BC Wineries Now
Embark on Culinary Adventures: 5 Must-Try Solo Dining Experiences Around BC
You Gotta Try this in April 2024
4 Tips on Balancing a Nutritious Diet with a Side of Indulgence
Choosing Connection: A BC Family Day Pledge to Prioritize Presence Over Plans
Embracing Plant-Based Living this Veganuary and Beyond
Inviting the Steller’s Jay to Your Garden
6 Budget-friendly Holiday Decor Pieces
Dream Home: $8 Million for a Modern Surprise
Protected: Spring into Fun in Kamloops: The Best Events in the City
Travel Light, Travel Right: Minimalist Packing Tips for Solo Explorers
A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Cozy Accommodations
Melodies and Museums: Solo-Friendly Entertainment for the Independent Traveller
Arts Club Theatre Company Celebrates 60 Years
Films and TV Series that Inspire Solo Travel
8 Gadgets and Gear for Your Solo Adventures
A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Souvenir Hunting in BC
Sḵwálwen Botanicals – Changing the Face of Skincare
Q: We live in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The property backs onto Buttertubs Marsh Bird Sanctuary. Our lawn is an eyesore and very difficult to walk on. I was going to say it has lumps everywhere, but perhaps a better description would be it has dips everywhere. They are about 10 cm wide and 6 cm deep and no grass grows in them. When we moved in two years ago my partner ordered some soil from a nursery, spread it and rolled and reseeded the lawn. It was not bad for a while and then the lumps or dips started again. I don’t know if the two are related but we have another problem in our yard. This spring there was an infestation of thousands of tiny white flies. We did notice them last year but this year was particularly bad.
There is not enough information given so I am going to take a wild guess since I have not encountered this type of problem. The dips and the insects could be related or two separate problems.
If possible try to capture the insect in question and have it identified by a specialist, e.g., local garden centre or nursery (hopefully the staff might recognize the insect). The insects could be the “ground nesting bee,” which are beneficial for pollination. Insects should be considered harmless unless proven otherwise.
The soil condition must be determined, e.g., is there proper depth (min. 10 to 15 cm of soil), adequate drainage, optimum soil texture. Other factors necessary for a successful lawn are correct soil pH, light exposure, grass types appropriate to the conditions they are growing in, etc. Dips, holes and unhealthy lawns can also result from skunks looking for grubs, worms or other insects. Review cultural and environmental conditions to improve chances of growing a successful lawn.