INPUT ARTICLE: Article: the area with desirable grass and cover plants. Suppress quackgrass by growing more vigorous plants around it. In a lawn, for instance, spread plenty of grass seeds to fill in gaps between the existing grass blades. You don't need to till the new seed into the soil. This doesn't get rid of the quackgrass right away, but the new growth may prevent it from spreading. To overseed a lawn, you need at least 2lb (0.91kg) of seed for every 1,000sqft (93m2) of soil. You may need more seeds for other types of grass, such as bluegrass or ryegrass. Overseeding is a way to limit quackgrass without destroying existing greenery. It's good for lawns and fields. If you don't wish to save the existing plants, clear the soil through solarization or by applying an herbicide. the grass at least 2 times a day until the new seeds grow. Never let the seeds dry out, or else the grass won't grow lush and full. Keep the first 14in (0.64cm) of soil moist for about 14 days. The seeds will germinate, and after this point, water the lawn deeply about 2 or 3 times a week to keep it healthy. A lawn needs about 1in (2.5cm) of water per week. You may need to water it more often during warm weather. To ensure the grass gets enough rain, build a rain gauge. Also, try sticking your finger in the ground to see how far down the soil dries out. Adjust your lawnmower to a 3in (7.6cm) setting. Cut back the grass, as well as the quackgrass, as often as necessary. Keep the entire lawn around this height as much as possible. The good grass will eventually outgrow the quackgrass. You may need to mow the grass twice a week in order to prevent the quackgrass from overgrowing. Cutting the grass too short may cause the quackgrass to spread. It may grow faster and taller than the regular grass. In addition, slicing its root system causes it to divide into new plants. Choose a granular or fast-release fertilizer, add it to a spreader, then walk the spreader over your entire lawn. The nitrogen causes good grass to grow dark and thick, which in turn inhibits quackgrass. You need about 14lb (0.11kg) of fertilizer for every 1,000sqft (93m2) of soil. Look at the numbers on the bags of fertilizer at the gardening center. The first number indicates the percentage of nitrogen in the mixture. An example of a fertilizer high in nitrogen is 18-6-12. During very dry weather, you do not need fertilizer unless you are able to provide enough water for the grass. The grass can't absorb nitrogen without enough water. As your lawn flourishes, watch the patches of quackgrass get smaller every year. The leaves will blend in at first, but eventually the desirable plants fill in most of the yard space. Continue fertilizing, watering, and mowing your lawn to prevent new weeds from forming. Some quackgrass may survive for a long time. It is a very difficult plant to stop, but regular maintenance is the only way to eliminate it without more drastic measures. To speed up the process, try spreading a glyphosate herbicide onto quackgrass leaves. The herbicide will kill any other plants it touches, so apply it sparingly with a paint brush to reduce the damage.

SUMMARY: Overseed Water Mow the grass every week once it surpasses 3in (7.6cm) in height. Spread a nitrogen fertilizer every 2 weeks from spring until fall. Maintain the new growth every year until the quackgrass disappears.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Remember, teens are very insecure and self-conscious. They're also striving to carve out an identity, which may explain bouts of rebellion or acting out. On top of all that, your teen's brain is still developing, and he doesn't yet have an adult-sized capacity for things like impulse control and decision-making. Try to remember your own teenage years. For example, if he wants to stop an activity he once enjoyed, put yourself in his shoes. If he was forced to play hockey during middle school, he may want to try something different so that he can gain a sense of individuality. It's important to understand the changes your teen is going through as a parent. One of the best things you can do to understand teenage boys is to educate yourself about your teen. Read articles about teenagers, especially ones about the hormonal and mood changes they undergo. Young adult fiction books can also help you remember the emotions teens undergo. Keep in mind that this research may not describe your teen exactly. It's important to get to know your teenage boy, not just the boys described in literature. Take an interest in the things your teen is passionate about to connect and get to know him better. While it's important to know what your teen is doing and who he is with, remember teenage years are part of the transition into adulthood. It's important your teen feels he has some privacy in your home, so be respectful of his need for space and occasional alone time. While it's reasonable to want to know where your teen is going and with whom, you should give him some privacy. Your teen may feel he needs a certain amount of privacy to establish his identity. Things like text messages and phone calls should be private. Consider lessening some rules as your teenager ages. If he is unreliable or violates your trust, however, you may need to keep stricter rules in place for longer. The teenage brain is not fully developed. As a parent, it's vital you understand teenage boys often have a limited understanding of consequences. This can result in engaging in risky behavior, so be sure to be vigilant. You should make sure your teen is not taking major risks, such as using drugs or alcohol. A teen's developing brain does not give them a free pass for reckless behavior. Consequences are how he learns to make good choices. You should still have expectations and boundaries. Things like bedtimes and curfews should still be enforced, and you should know where he is at all times. Teenagers undergo a lot of hormonal changes. This can lead to things like mood swings. Try to be patient if your teen seems aggravated or is easily angered. You should make sure your teen faces consequences for inappropriate or rude behavior, but try to be understanding. It will take a few years for your teen to adjust to hormonal changes. Have patience. Many parents feel the teenage years will never end, but your son should eventually grow out of mood swings and anger problems caused by puberty. Once he has calmed down, discuss his behavior. Don't lecture. Instead, focus on what he can do differently in the future. Odds are, your son will start thinking about sex during his teenage years and may even explore pornography. Recent research says the majority of adolescent males explore pornography websites. While this is a normal part of growing up, it's important you talk to your son about sex and porn. Talk to your son about sex and sexuality and let him ask questions. If he's uncomfortable discussing the subject with you, find a trusted third party, like an uncle, to help. Don't panic if he asks about sex; it doesn't mean that he's having sex or considering doing so. He may just be curious, which is normal. Leave any conversation you have about sex open-ended. Say something to your teen like, "If you have any questions, it's always okay to come to me with them."

SUMMARY:
Put yourself in your teen's shoes. Do research about teenagers. Allow your teenager some privacy. Make sure your teen does not engage in reckless behavior. Be prepared for the effects of hormones. Expect that he will start to think about sex.