Healthy Lawns
Condo News Volume 2
2008
Spring.
When the wind is whistling around your ears and the snow is blowing across the
yard, it's hard to remember there's a lawn under the snow, waiting for the warm
spring sun.
It also seems that as soon as the grass pokes through the snow the yellow flower everyone loves to hate, the dandelion, appears. Controlling dandelions in your lawn or yard can be a real challenge. Treating your entire lawn with pesticides is rarely necessary. This method may also damage the beneficial organisms in your lawn and leave your lawn vulnerable to new pest problems. Pesticides give a short-term solution to a problem, but rarely solve it in the long term. If you feel you have to use a pesticide, follow the directions on the label and only apply it where the pest is present. So the question is, do you always need to use pesticides for weed control? The answer is, not really. With some simple preventative practices, you can keep your lawn healthy without using pesticides. Don't bag your clippings unless the grass is very long or wet. Short clippings are a good source of nitrogen and the worms and insects that break them down help aerate the soil. Leave the thatch on your lawn unless it is deeper than 1 cm. It helps preserve soil moisture. Deep thatch should be raked out as it can shelter harmful insects and even prevent air and moisture from getting to the grass roots. Bare or damaged spots on the lawn are favorite spots for weeds to start. You should seed the spot heavily and top dress with soil or compost. You could even replace the area with fresh sod. Keep the new seed or sod well watered for the first couple of weeks until it's well established. Once established, lawns need one inch of water once a week to maintain healthy root systems. A healthy deep-rooted lawn is less susceptible to damage and pesticides are usually not needed for pest control. A thick healthy lawn will smother weeds and stop weed seeds from germinating. A healthy lawn will have better resistance to pest problems, drought, temperature extremes and general wear and tear.
Mowing is also important. Keep your mower blade sharp. Grass can recover more quickly and stays healthier if it is trimmed by a sharp blade instead of being ripped and torn by a dull one. Mow high by cutting grass at a height of 6-8 cm (2.5 - 3 inches). This will help your lawn develop a deep extensive root system, grow thicker blades and retain more soil moisture.
If you use a
fertilizer be aware that some, i.e. weed and feed products, also contain
pesticides. Combined fertilizer/herbicide products should only be considered if
your lawn has a widespread weed problem. If not, hand weeding or spot treatment
are two options if the weeds are beyond your comfort level. Regardless of your
choice, be sure to follow manufacturer's directions and do not over apply. You
may also want to consider growing other plants, such as ground cover, that are
adapted to the area. Another option is to consider alternatives such as native
plants, mulched perennial beds or rock and alpine gardens. A variety of plants
not only adds to the appeal of your lawn and garden, they also attract birds and
beneficial insects that are often fun to watch. More information can be found on
the web at http://www.healthylawns.net.
HEALTHY LAWN
TIPS:
Keep your lawn healthy using good maintenance practice.
FEED your lawn with compost and leave grass clippings where they fall for nutrient recycling.
If the soil is compacted, AERATE in the fall. This helps oxygen, water, and nutrients reach the roots. MOW HIGH to promote vigorous growth, prevent weeds and discourage insect pests.
WATER DEEPLY and infrequently to promote deep roots. Too much water starves the soil of oxygen and invites disease.
OVERSEED thinned areas or choose alternative ground covers in difficult spots.
REPLACE grass with paving stones or mulch in heavy traffic areas.
CHECK the lawn regularly to detect pests and other problems early.
DISCOVER that healthy lawns are less susceptible to pest problems.
ENJOY!
Copyright 2008 CCI Golden Horseshoe Chapter
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Permission to reprint individual articles is hereby granted provided: