An integrated, well balanced natural lawn care program

Mowing practices influence lawn grass density, health, uniformity and aesthetic quality. Each time a lawn is mowed, it goes thru a period of stress. The degree of stress is determined by mowing height. When grass is cut short, the following problems arise;

1. Photosynthesis, a process by which plants use energy from the sun to produce sugar, which cellular respiration converts into the fuel for regrowth, is disrupted.

2. Grass develops shallow roots. Shallow rooted grass cannot take up sufficient moisture and nutrients to sustain healthy grass growth and, as a result, the lawn can become susceptible to drought and nutrient stress.

To optimize Photosynthesis and limit drought stress, avoid cutting more than one third of the grass blade in any one mowing. Twice a year, the first cut in the spring and the last cut in the fall, cut to a height of 2 inches. The spring cut is intended to remove winter fungus and the fall cut is intended to prevent or limit the establishment of fungus during the winter. Typically, tall grass is more stress tolerant, has a larger root structure, which increases uptake of water and nutrients and provide shade which limits or prevents weed growth..

When normal rainfall does not provide sufficient moisture, grass can go dormant and turn brown. Under this condition the lawn must be watered. Apply water in the early morning, before mid-day, when the evaporation rate is low. Applying water in the evening can encourage disease development. Too much water can cause thatch, fertilizer leaching, increased disease and weed growth. Too little water, applied frequently, can result in shallow rooting which can result in disease, drought stress or winter injury.

The amount of water required for the average lawn is around 1 inch / week. Slopes, areas near buildings, curbs, side-walks and light sandy soils may require more. Low-lying areas, shaded areas and heavy soils may require less. To determine the amount of water required, place a straight sided container in the area being watered and run the sprinkler apparatus for 15 minutes. Check the water level in the container. If the watering apparatus produced 0.25 inches water in 1 hour, you will need to water for 4 hours to get the required 1 inch of water.

Thatch is a layer of organic matter, made up of decaying grass leaves, stems and roots, that build up in between the lawn and soil surface. This is common in established lawns, that have been under watered and over fertilized using synthetic fertilizer. Thatch can harbor insects and diseases and restrict grass roots from growing into the soil resulting in a shallow rooted lawn. Thatch also reduces water infiltration. To determine the degree of thatch, use a knife to remove a small segment from four different areas of the lawn. Measure the width of the layer between the soil and the green vegetation. If the layer is one half inch or less, the accumulation might not adversely affect the health of the grass. If the layer exceeds one half inch, thatch removal should be considered. Thatch can be biodegraded with CB-712 Thatch digester. CB-712 can be applied any time during the growing season.

A properly conditioned soil provides vital nutrients to plants, retains water, limits pest infestations and plant disease, and supports indigenous soil microorganisms and beneficial insects. All of these elements are important to growing a healthy lawn. For a healthy pest resistant lawn, apply CBLC Lawn & Turf Conditioner in early spring, mid summer and late fall when the grass has stopped significant blade growth and is storing nutrients in the root system. Fertilizing in the fall will also encourage fast green-up in the spring and may delay the need for spring fertilization.

NOTE:
For thatch prevention apply once per season.
For thatch reduction apply 2 times per season depending on the thickness of thatch.
CB-712 will not burn or damage plants - Over application can be a benefit.
CB-712 can be mixed with CBLC for ease of application.