So, you want a green lawn throughout the summer?

Picture taken June 26, 2012

    

Before you can achieve the green lawn you want, you need to understand your lawn and soil. As each home maybe the same in design, there really are no identical homes and as such, your lawn is not the same as your neighbors and home are. What may work for them might not work or even be enough for your lawn.

Let’s look at the grass type you may have. These are the most common types found in our area: Blue grass, Perennial Rye grass & Chewing Fescue. Most common weed grasses found in our lawns: Annual Blue grass, Wild Bent grass, Barnyard grass, Quack grass, Twitch grass, Crabgrass, Foxtails & Timothy.

With the extreme weather (Our Blue grass lawns do not want to grow when temperatures exceed 22⁰C /72⁰ F. They will want to go dormant as they do during the winter. They love the 12⁰C/54⁰F range.), our lawns were caught off guard and under prepared due to cutting height and watering habits. These two practical habits put the balance of the lawn’s health in your hands.

Each grass type will grow well if all variables are met, but if not you will see the weed grasses creep in as well as weeds. We need to understand the grass type we want and provide the needed variables and control other variables to succeed. For example: Blue grass and Perennial Rye grass need to be cut at 2/3/4inches high, but most home owners and some lawn cutting services butcher the lawn by cutting it low to look like a golf course.

Cutting your lawn excessively short only stresses out the grass plants you want and will allow the weed grasses the ability to take hold and flourish. Take for example crabgrass; each plant can produce 5000 seeds and they can stay dormant for up to thirty years waiting for the right conditions. As such, each weed grass plant does the same. They lay dormant until the right conditions are present for them to germinate.

Let’s talk about watering your lawn. I have heard every excuse out there why the lawn is brown and dormant. Most of them are directed at the lawn care providers. Unfortunately they do not have a magic wand or product to protect your lawn from Mother Nature and her wrath. I can say that if you can water your lawn regularly to your soil types, you’ll have a better chance of having a healthy green lawn, but combine it with the proper cutting height and you will be amazed how green your lawn will look throughout the summer months.

Lawns are more than cosmetic as some would like to believe. They can change your local environment for the better by reducing temperatures around your home, increase oxygen, decreased carbon dioxide, as well as decrease noise, dust, erosion and injuries. Green lawns provide reduced rodent populations also as well as noxious weeds.

On Thursday June 4^th an MP was disappointed when his private member’s bill was defeated at loosening the rules for Ontario’s pesticide ban. Some homeowners would love the use of pesticides by commercial companies, while some cross the border to bring back their chemical warfare. Pesticides are not needed if you know what you are growing. These pesticides are a quick fix providing short term results and potential environmental impacts such as health issue for both you and me. For great results, the natural way is the best. Farming has been around from the beggining and it was only in the 1950’s that pesticides became a staple in the agricultural industry to provide grade “A” fruit and produce.

WEEDS IN OUR BEDS, GARDENS AND LAWNS!

Weeds are said to be plants out of place, but they only grow to heal the soil and will stop once what is needed in the soil has been mended by the weed itself or by you. By reading the weeds you’ll understand what the soil requires today. Just a side note, just like gray hair, weeds will always grow so try not to stress about them.

Applying N-P-K fertilizers is not enough and in fact they only force your lawn to grow through all seasons and even through stressful times. You will require more water than the natural organic approach. These N-P-K Fertilized lawns get themselves into an inevitable money pit to get the plants health up all the time. Why are they still being pushed from the corporate world? They are making money off each application sold.

Natural organic programs can reduce stress from disease, drought, insects and weeds which N-P-K fertilizer programs may increase and then would cost you more to remedy. A healthy green lawn is what the majority strive for but most do not have the knowledge to achieve this and result, and may in fact result in costing more money in the end.

I would have to say that going through the net has its pros and cons, so tread through and find what resonates with you. Finding common info from one site to another would be a great sign. There is so much to know when it comes to soils and how to work it’s magic on your plants and lawns. Look into what type of plant you want to grow, it’s needs and requirements then put it into practice and watch what it will do. Now you have the experience to make an educated decision to do again or to go forth and find further info to try again.

What do I recommend?

Stay away from pesticides! They only harm the soil environment and establish dependence for them. Once these pesticides have been used, their effect on the soil can be long term and requires a soil rebuild.

Use organic soil to top dress areas in dire straits. This will help hold moisture and reintroduce a needed eco-system. Seeding regularly works well to thicken and stop weeds from establishing themselves. If a weed does come in, read what it is telling you about what is lacking in the soil and then amend it.

How often should I feed my lawn and plants? Does this one time do it? NOPE! You need to be consistent. Does eating one meal a day do it for you? How about eating candy all the time? You will get results by repeating what works. A lawn or any kind of plant requires feeding and then water to dissolve the food found throughout the root area so it can be picked it up by the roots in a soluble form to feed itself.

For lawns, cutting at the mowers highest level will provide great success. It will promote a healthier, thicker and a strong stand of turf. Some mowers do not have adjustable wheels. If you have one of these, get rid of it and step up to one that can be adjusted. You need to be cutting over 2 3/4/inches for the start of some best results. Cut often and leave the clippings on the lawn to reintroduce the natural nitrogen that has been supplied to the plant.

How much water? Well water is dependent upon soil type and climate conditions. Since you live at your home, you will have the experience to know how much water is enough and what is not. Water does cost and unfortunately, all plant life requires. Do your best.