Each spring the blade should be sharpened. A dull blade tears the ends of the grass blades. The damaged tissue dries out, giving the turf surface a whitish appearance. The torn leaf tissue loses greater amounts of water and increases the possibility of disease problems. The mowing pattern or direction should be changed each time the lawn is mowed to prevent compaction.
Some rhododendrons posses excellent cold hardiness and are good choices for the landscape.
The 'PJM' rhododendron grows well over much of the upper Midwest. The small evergreen foliage is dark green in the summer but turns to a maroon purple in the fall. The buds are hardy to a -35 degree F. and they produce bright lavender pink blossoms in mid to late April.