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Thread: Caring for your lawn now that spring is coming

  1. #1
    sleddy2008 Guest

    Default Caring for your lawn now that spring is coming

    Caring for your lawn:

    It is never too late to start caring for your lawn, but special attention must be given if you want to be successful.

    Lawn care is not just about feeding nutrients, watering and mowing on a regular basis. Without any control on these aspects, you may begin to see negative effects.

    The following are general tips you should consider when maintaining your lawn:

    Summer Lawn Care Tips:

    Mowing

    To manage your mowing habits, you must consider the behavior of your lawn. This will differ according to the temperature, season and location. But points to consider are frequency of mowing, length of grass and the lawn mower itself.

    Grass will grow quicker or slower at different seasons of the year, so therefore frequency of mowing is affected, which in turn affects the length of grass. Most lawns are often mowed too short or not enough. Mowing with a blunt blade is also very bad for the lawn. Mow your grass high. A 2 ˝ to 3-inch high cut makes your lawn look fuller, feel softer, and helps keep it healthy. Taller grass shades pesky weed seeds and keeps them from getting established. In addition, a taller lawn is better able to absorb sunshine and better able to retain moisture, the two main contributors to a healthy lawn.

    Aeration

    Like us humans and most other living species, grass needs air to breathe and water to absorb. Grass roots need air as well as water and fertilizer. The grass can actually poison itself as a result of the various chemical processes that occur in the individual grass plants if the grass roots do not have enough air. Soil that lacks sufficient air can result in; slow growth in the affected grass, excess irrigation runoff due to poor permeability, shallow root systems, and a lawn that's highly susceptible to insects, disease, and heat damage.Soil compaction is the most common example of soil deficient in air. The growth habits of grass in compacted soil are shallow root development, a substantial decrease in the number of grass plants per square foot, and an inability to properly use applied fertilizers.

    Soil compaction in lawns is caused primarily by pedestrian traffic, whether it is children playing in a playground or people taking shortcuts across a lawn. Stopping the use of the affected lawns is generally impractical. A better solution would be frequent aeration and, depending upon the composition of the soil, the application of lawn and garden amendments such as peat, sand, or gypsum.

    The benefits of aeration are an increase in the:

    * growth rate of the grass thus an improvement in its ability to withstand and recover from pedestrian use
    * ability of water and fertilizer to penetrate to the grass roots soil's absorption rate from irrigation
    * root growth activity contributing to the strength and health of the grass
    * ability of bacteria present in the soil to break down and decompose the thatch layer thus increasing the soils ability to hold sufficient amounts of moisture between watering
    * grass's ability to withstand low water situations and heat stress

    Aerate it in the spring while it's still moist and before the spring rains are done.

    Aerating your lawn in the springtime gives microbes and other small life forms a breath of fresh air after winter. Aeration also makes new paths for drainage and keeps your lawn from becoming saturated.

    Fertilizing

    A lot is written about lawn fertilizer and the big question is why? Grass is the most efficient user of nitrogen on earth!

    Feed your soil with nutrient rich compost and let your lawn get its nutrients the natural way. The more chemicals you use, the more you disturb the natural biological processes that convert organic matter into nutrients and the microbes and other small organisms that take natural care of your lawn. We use organic fertilizer on our lawns. No need to keep your pets, children or family off the lawn after we’ve treated it! It's completely safe for everyone.

    Thatch Control

    Thatch is the layer of dead and decaying matter at the base of living roots. This problem can be alleviated by scarifying or raking the lawn.

    Watering

    The most obvious is sufficient watering. Watch out especially in the summer period for prolonged dry spells where growth can be affected. Lawns need about ˝ inch to 1 inch of moisture per week. Never water your lawn at the peak of a hot day. It is best to do it early morning or just after supper when it starts to cool down for the night.

  2. #2
    steelpicker Guest

    Default

    great tips for most home owners. i use a tractor with a 6ft finishing mower to cut about 2 acres of lawn.
    here in the Carolinas, we've been in a drought for 4 years, we are finally out of it. we've got 14 acres with a 30x100x 13ft deep pond, which up until now has been dry. hopefully, this years crop will survive longer...would be nice. hope my gas pump still runs.

  3. #3
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by steelpicker View Post
    great tips for most home owners. i use a tractor with a 6ft finishing mower to cut about 2 acres of lawn.
    here in the Carolinas, we've been in a drought for 4 years, we are finally out of it. we've got 14 acres with a 30x100x 13ft deep pond, which up until now has been dry. hopefully, this years crop will survive longer...would be nice. hope my gas pump still runs.
    Wow..How nice... I live in the jungle...the "conrete jungle" and I do mine with a push mower...lol... Good tips Sleddy.. I will be renting an aerator and doing that.. Any more tips are welcomed...Salud.......


    The only thing I am afraid of is what I am capable of

  4. #4
    Chubsnub Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sleddy2008 View Post
    Caring for your lawn:

    It is never too late to start caring for your lawn, but special attention must be given if you want to be successful.

    Lawn care is not just about feeding nutrients, watering and mowing on a regular basis. Without any control on these aspects, you may begin to see negative effects.

    The following are general tips you should consider when maintaining your lawn:

    Summer Lawn Care Tips:

    Mowing

    To manage your mowing habits, you must consider the behavior of your lawn. This will differ according to the temperature, season and location. But points to consider are frequency of mowing, length of grass and the lawn mower itself.

    Grass will grow quicker or slower at different seasons of the year, so therefore frequency of mowing is affected, which in turn affects the length of grass. Most lawns are often mowed too short or not enough. Mowing with a blunt blade is also very bad for the lawn. Mow your grass high. A 2 ˝ to 3-inch high cut makes your lawn look fuller, feel softer, and helps keep it healthy. Taller grass shades pesky weed seeds and keeps them from getting established. In addition, a taller lawn is better able to absorb sunshine and better able to retain moisture, the two main contributors to a healthy lawn.

    Aeration

    Like us humans and most other living species, grass needs air to breathe and water to absorb. Grass roots need air as well as water and fertilizer. The grass can actually poison itself as a result of the various chemical processes that occur in the individual grass plants if the grass roots do not have enough air. Soil that lacks sufficient air can result in; slow growth in the affected grass, excess irrigation runoff due to poor permeability, shallow root systems, and a lawn that's highly susceptible to insects, disease, and heat damage.Soil compaction is the most common example of soil deficient in air. The growth habits of grass in compacted soil are shallow root development, a substantial decrease in the number of grass plants per square foot, and an inability to properly use applied fertilizers.

    Soil compaction in lawns is caused primarily by pedestrian traffic, whether it is children playing in a playground or people taking shortcuts across a lawn. Stopping the use of the affected lawns is generally impractical. A better solution would be frequent aeration and, depending upon the composition of the soil, the application of lawn and garden amendments such as peat, sand, or gypsum.

    The benefits of aeration are an increase in the:

    * growth rate of the grass thus an improvement in its ability to withstand and recover from pedestrian use
    * ability of water and fertilizer to penetrate to the grass roots soil's absorption rate from irrigation
    * root growth activity contributing to the strength and health of the grass
    * ability of bacteria present in the soil to break down and decompose the thatch layer thus increasing the soils ability to hold sufficient amounts of moisture between watering
    * grass's ability to withstand low water situations and heat stress

    Aerate it in the spring while it's still moist and before the spring rains are done.

    Aerating your lawn in the springtime gives microbes and other small life forms a breath of fresh air after winter. Aeration also makes new paths for drainage and keeps your lawn from becoming saturated.

    Fertilizing

    A lot is written about lawn fertilizer and the big question is why? Grass is the most efficient user of nitrogen on earth!

    Feed your soil with nutrient rich compost and let your lawn get its nutrients the natural way. The more chemicals you use, the more you disturb the natural biological processes that convert organic matter into nutrients and the microbes and other small organisms that take natural care of your lawn. We use organic fertilizer on our lawns. No need to keep your pets, children or family off the lawn after we’ve treated it! It's completely safe for everyone.

    Thatch Control

    Thatch is the layer of dead and decaying matter at the base of living roots. This problem can be alleviated by scarifying or raking the lawn.

    Watering

    The most obvious is sufficient watering. Watch out especially in the summer period for prolonged dry spells where growth can be affected. Lawns need about ˝ inch to 1 inch of moisture per week. Never water your lawn at the peak of a hot day. It is best to do it early morning or just after supper when it starts to cool down for the night.
    Huge question now is what is the best organic fertilizer to use now to help control dandelions, is there a organic way of controlling dandelions? I know keeping your lawn as healthy as possible is one of the only ways for now but that will not last long.

  5. #5
    sleddy2008 Guest

    Default

    Try Corn-gluten it wont eliminate your weeds(you will have to pull them out) but it inhibits germination of new ones.As for organic fertilizer alfalfa pellets are the best for organic and also use a mulch blade on your mower then you have a natural fertilizer there leaving your grass clippings on your lawn. Hope this helps you cheers.

  6. #6
    Chubsnub Guest

    Default

    I cut high with a mulch mower, question about Corn-gluten? to your knowledge does the gluten cause any problems with access birds or animals taking up residency on your property eating until it totally dissolves? really wondered about that. Thanks sleddy2008

  7. #7
    sleddy2008 Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chubsnub View Post
    I cut high with a mulch mower, question about Corn-gluten? to your knowledge does the gluten cause any problems with access birds or animals taking up residency on your property eating until it totally dissolves? really wondered about that. Thanks sleddy2008
    Mix it with sand or some topsoil,just enough so it will deter any birds or animals from eating it.

  8. #8
    sleddy2008 Guest

    Default

    Also I almost forgot Corn gluten works on germinating seeds and it doesn't discriminate whether that's a grass seedling or a weed so be aware of this our you could have problems if you overseed your lawn.

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