Tip of the Month

Rethink your lawn

• Grasscycle.  Grasscycling is the practice of leaving grass clippings on the lawn.  Regular grasscycling releases nutrients back into the lawn and reduces the need for fertilizers.
• Use organic or slow-release fertilizer – if any at all. Fertilize only if a soil test indicates a need or if you lawn is looking extra pale even after the soil warms in the spring. Fast-release fertilizers are more likely to run off your lawn into waterways after a rain.  A healthy lawn is a light meadow-green color.  A blue-green lawn indicates excessive nitrogen use.  This leads to more growth on the top of the grass at the expense of the roots.  A poor root system can make your lawn more vulnerable to disease and pests.
  
• Water deeply but infrequently.  About an inch a week is all a lawn needs. Let lawn dry out between watering to encourage deep roots that will withstand the stress of drought.
• Aerate, overseed and use compost.  Older lawns can benefit from a little extra help in late spring or early fall.
• Skip the weed and feed.  Weed and feed contains weed killers that may damage soil and lawn health, as well as pollute waterways.  There also is evidence that pesticides may harm humans, pets and wildlife.

Learn more about how to grow a great lawn  http://www.healthylawns.org/how/

Do The Right Thing