Month: April 2019

2019-04-01T16:03:00

(BPT) – Now that the temperatures have warmed, families are emerging from weather-imposed hibernation to delight once again in outdoor living. For some homeowners, however, the spring season can be fraught with embarrassment as they covet their neighbor’s lush lawn and seek help from Mother Nature (and her helpers) to fix all that ails within their own backyards.

Let’s face it. We all want a beautiful carpet of green to create the backdrop for entertaining, playing and relaxing. However, what you may not realize is the benefits of a beautiful lawn go well beyond its aesthetics.

Environmental benefits

Well-maintained lawns support healthy community environments. For instance, grass captures dust, smoke particles and other pollutants to help keep air cleaner. Plus, grasses absorb carbon dioxide and break it down into oxygen and carbon.

Healthy lawns also protect important water resources. A thriving lawn can help absorb unhealthy runoff that would otherwise reach water sources used by communities. An average, healthy lawn can absorb more than 6,000 gallons of water from a single rainfall, according to the Journal of Environmental Quality.

Additionally, lawns are natural coolants. Lawns can be 31 degrees cooler than asphalt and 20 degrees cooler than bare soil. Just consider: If you don’t have to turn on the air conditioner, you save energy and reduce your electric bill.

Community benefits

Communities that house healthy lawns, parks and commercially landscaped spaces just look nicer and feel more welcoming. Properly managed green spaces also help minimize the growth of weeds that can cause allergies, making it difficult for residents to enjoy time outdoors. Additionally, studies show that public green spaces can reduce stress, lower health care costs and improve quality of life.

Noise reduction is another big benefit for communities with healthy landscapes, particularly important in urban settings. Studies show that lawns and landscapes can reduce noise levels by 20 to 30 percent over hard surfaces like concrete and pavement. More than just providing a quiet, calm space, healthy landscapes make communities safer, too. Neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and larger yards have reduced crime rates, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Take action

The benefits of a healthy lawn are limitless — environmentally, emotionally and financially. Take the first step in creating a beautiful — and healthy— lawn by consulting a lawn care professional. Find one near you using the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ directory at www.loveyourlandscape.org/find-a-pro.

Get a head start on smart lawn care with these fast tips from the experts at NALP:

1. Daily watering is not necessary. Instead, give your lawn a deep soak every couple of days, so the moisture can penetrate the soil down to the roots.

2. When mowing, never remove more than one-third of a grass blade for a finished height of 2 to 3 inches.

3. Keep grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. They break down and provide nitrogen and nutrients to the soil for a healthier lawn.

4. Change directions when mowing. The pattern change will control coarse grass and create more even surfaces.

For more lawn care tips and information on the benefits of a healthy lawn, visit www.loveyourlandscape.org.

2019-03-31T23:31:00

(BPT) – It’s been a rough winter in many parts of the country, but spring is here at last — and that means it’s time to give your lawn a bit of TLC.

Although grass is highly resilient, you can help your lawn recover from winter and make sure it’s in top shape for summer with these tips from turfgrass researchers around the U.S.

1. Aerify to relieve soil compaction.

If your lawn is old or heavily trafficked, or if it sat under wet snow for much of the winter, the soil may be compacted. Aerifying the turf with a core aerator (you can rent the equipment or hire a professional) can open up the soil, allowing water, nutrients and oxygen to reach the roots of the grass more easily. Aerification is recommended annually for cool-season lawns, but according to Clint Waltz, Ph.D., of the University of Georgia, a warm-season lawn that suffered drought-induced dormancy the previous summer can also benefit from aerification through mid-May.

2. Interseed for a thicker lawn.

Lawns that are sparse or have worn patches can be interseeded when the soil warms up in the spring. Aaron Patton, Ph.D., of Purdue University said, “The earlier in the year that you seed, the more time the turf will have for root development before summer.” Be sure to use a high-quality seed that is a good match for your geographic region and your lawn’s soil type, sun exposure and irrigation patterns.

3. Watch your mowing height.

Don’t wait too long to start mowing your lawn. Scalping an overgrown lawn causes stress that can affect the grass the rest of the season. As a rule of thumb, never cut more than one-third of the grass blade height at a time. Leaving the grass a bit taller can also improve the wear tolerance of the turf, said Geoffrey Rinehart of the University of Maryland. More leaf tissue allows the grass to better withstand foot traffic and protects the growing point at the base of the blade.

4. Grasscycle to feed your lawn naturally.

You’ll probably want to remove the grass clippings the first few times you mow, to reduce shading, but once your lawn gets going, consider “grasscycling” — simply leaving the clippings on the lawn. Grady Miller, Ph.D., of North Carolina State University said, “Grass clippings decompose quickly and can provide up to 25 percent of the lawn’s fertilizer needs.”

5. Fertilize — but sparingly.

Even if you’re grasscycling, you should fertilize your lawn at least twice a year (mid-May and mid-September work well in most areas). Cale Bigelow, Ph.D., of Purdue cautioned that the spring application should be sparing and should feature slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to minimize excess growth. Too much fertilizer can lead to rapid but weak growth, leaving your turf more susceptible to wear and stress.

6. Water properly.

Proper irrigation in the spring can help prevent or reduce pest problems and environmental stress later in the summer, said Miller. He recommended watering to a soil depth of 4 to 6 inches. (You can check the depth by pushing a screwdriver into the soil. If it goes in easily, the soil likely has enough moisture.) Watering deeply once or twice a week is better than frequent light watering.

7. Take it easy.

Moss, mushrooms and other lawn pests may make an appearance in early spring, but once your grass comes out of dormancy and begins growing quickly in late spring, the hardy turfgrass will push many of these invaders out. Issues will often resolve themselves if you create the conditions that favor the grass. If infestations recur, your county extension agency can help you identify the underlying problem and provide recommendations that are specific to your region and type of grass.

A little spring maintenance can pay off big later in the year. If you want healthy, wear-resistant turf for the high-traffic summer season, now is the time to start setting your lawn up for success. Learn more about quick, easy lawn improvement and maintenance tips from the experts at Grass Seed USA, a coalition of grass seed farmers and academic turf specialists, at www.WeSeedAmerica.com or follow @WeSeedAmerica on Facebook and Twitter.