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Lawn maintenance tips for a
healthy disease free lawn
Lawns
are the central landscape feature of many homes.
Generally, conventional lawns are made up of turf
grasses that require regular lawn maintenance i.e.
weekly mowing, watering on a regular basis and scheduled
fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide applications.
Certain Lawn care practices, i.e. the application of
chemical fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides, can
adversely impact the health of humans, animals, plants
and the environment and reduce soil fertility.
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Lawn disease can be prevented or significantly reduced by
implementing a proper lawn maintenance program that
addresses fertilization, drainage, watering and mowing. Typically, lawns thrive in well drained
soils with high biomass levels and high organic matter.
Excessive watering and fertilization (especially excessive
nitrogen applications) can be problematic to most
lawns.
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Topdressing
can be beneficial to most lawns. A good topdressing
consists of peat moss and/or composted manure mixed with sand
and/or topsoil. Apply a thin layer over the entire surface of the
lawn.
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Compaction is prevalent in clay
soils but can occur in any soil that is subjected to
high traffic. When irrigation water fails to percolate into the soil,
it may be time to aerate.
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Aeration
reduces soil compaction and enables oxygen, water and
nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil encouraging
healthy root growth. Aeration is required only in compacted soil and should be carried
out in the fall. Aerating in the spring can cause weed
seeds to germinate. When aeration is complete,
apply a thin layer of organic matter i.e. composted
manure and/or peat moss mixed with sand and/or topsoil
to the entire surface of the lawn.
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An
inch of water once a week is about right for
most lawns. This may vary with environmental conditions,
soil composition, and time of year.
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When
filling in bare spots, loosen soil in the affected area and apply compost or
top soil. Spread grass seed over
the affected area and use a tamper or roller to push seeds into
soil. Apply a natural soil conditioner to promote
healthy plant growth.
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Typically,
the appearance of mushrooms on a lawn points toward
healthy soil.
Though unsightly, mushrooms pose no threat to
a lawn and generally disappear as quickly as they
appeared.
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Unnecessary
lime applications can result in serious lawn damage.
Typically, lime raises soil pH and, under certain soil conditions,
this swing in pH can result in an iron
deficiency and other potential problems. A soil pH
in the range of 7.0 is ideal for most turf grass. When in doubt, conduct a soil analysis
and add lime based on the results of this analysis. Simply
put, a healthy vigorous lawn that is responding to normal
fertilizer applications does not require the addition of
lime.
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Pre-emergence
herbicides
applied too early in the spring may expose the herbicide
to soil microbes may break it down. Conversely, applying
too late may miss the early germinating weed seeds.
Applying herbicides, at the proper rate in late fall and
early spring, will provide adequate control
throughout the summer.
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Growth fertilizers,
with high N content and
relatively low P and K content, promote shoot growth but are
virtually ineffective in supporting root development and
plant health.. To promote root development and sustain plant health
use a natural fertilizer or soil condition containing trace elements
i.e. iron, magnesium and zinc, etc.
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A 1,000 square foot, that is intensively managed,
requires about 50 to 60 inches of moisture
per year.
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Complete fertilizers
provide
nutrients in a formulation that satisfies most lawn requirements.
Complete fertilizers are recommended to those who make
less than three fertilizer applications per year.
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Typically, Creeping Charlie flourishes under moist and shady
conditions and is difficult to control. When all else
fails, "Borax" might be the solution.
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Natural fertilizers,
formulated with, sea plants, macro and
micro nutrients, carbohydrates, amino acids, enzymes,
microbes etc., stimulate soil biomass and promote healthy root and
shoot growth. Chemicals do not provide essential
nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth. In fact,
chemical fertilizers can kill soil biomass and inhibit
plant growth. Fertilize at the right time of the year using
complete fertilizers that satisfy the nutrient needs of
the grass.
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Contrary to popular belief, grass clippings, left on the
lawn, do not cause lawn thatch. In fact, grass clippings
benefit the lawn by adding nitrogen, Phosphorous,
Potassium and organic matter.
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