Fri 25 May 2007

Stony Plain Reporter

Pesticides not necessary to maintain healthy lawn

BY NEWS CANADA

A lush green lawn is a must-have for many Canadian homeowners.

A common myth is the belief that pesticides and weed eater are
necessary in order to achieve a healthy thick lawn.

In fact, with the proper care and information, lawns will grow lush
and thick, which will make them better prepared to choke out weeds and
to prevent new weeds from sprouting and better equipped to handle
disease, insects and drought.

To help gardeners achieve a healthy lawn, the lawn and garden team at
Canadian Tire has provided the following tips:

Watering

- Water less often and for longer periods of time.

- Water in the morning when the sun is not as hot. This will prevent
evaporation and ensure the moisture gets where it needs to go.

- Over-watering can lead to poor growing conditions and diseases. You
need just 2.5 cm of water per watering session to create a lush,
healthy lawn. To keep track of how much you water, put a container on
your lawn and check it after every watering session.

Cutting the lawn

- Lawn mower blades should be set at three inches. Longer grass will
develop deeper roots, keeps moisture in the soil longer and help to
prevent weed growth.

- Lawn clippings help retain moisture and slowly release nutrients, so
leave them on the lawn.

- It's best to mow the lawn later in the day when it's dry. This will
help achieve an even look and prevent clippings from clogging your
lawn mower.

- Sharp mower blades will ensure the grass does not tear and will also
prevent burning.

Seeding and fertilizing

- Spread grass seed in the spring or fall. The cool temperatures help
the seeds to germinate.

- Fertilizer improves the thickness and colour of your lawn as well as
its overall health.

Like seeding, it's better to fertilize in the cooler temperatures.
Visit any garden centre for a wide selection of fertilizers.

Aerating

- Aerating your lawn improves the soil consistency because it improves
the flow of water, nutrients and air to plant roots.

If the ground of your garden is hard or water does not penetrate the
ground, then it may be time to aerate.

Soil

- Lawn or topdressing soils are the best soils for the lawn because of
their consistency.

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