They cut the grass when it’s wet, hack it too short, and leave their lawn more prone to fungal diseases, insect infestation, and weeds. To fi x the problem they’ve created, they pour on petroleum-based fertilizers and weed killers. And it all costs money. A few tips to reduce these costs:
Don’t mow during the heat of the day, or when the grass is wet from rain or dew.
Don’t bag clippings; they can provide up to half of the nutrients your lawn needs. Use a mulching mower.
Set the mower height so you never remove more than one-third of the grass plant at once. And keep the blade sharp.
Water Wisely
Watering is the second issue. Most people water the grass too much, which is bad for the lawn and the planet. Some guides suggest an inch a week during the growing season, but factors including the grass species and soil type alter that rule. New products such as moisture sensing sprinkler controls can be combined with older technologies such as rainwater harvesting to reduce H20 demands on local utilities. A few general rules:
Water deeply and infrequently. You want to soak the roots, so grass grows down into the soil.
Water in the early morning, so the lawn surface can dry during the day. Don’t water in the evening, because a damp lawn is prone to fungus. If you’re too busy in the morning, set a sprinkler on a hose timer.
DEEP ROOTS
Grass grown in organic soil tends to have deep roots, with organisms and earthworms breaking down grass clippings. Grass grown with synthetic chemicals and fertilizers may suffer from thatch build-up, which makes it harder to establish deep roots.
FIREBELLY ORGANIC LAWN CARE
This seasonal, six-step program of organic sprays takes a lawn through the year with natural fertilizers. It begins in the spring with a turf builder that includes strains of beneficial soil bacteria, continues with a mid-season kelp spray, and ends with biofertilizers aimed at root development. Containers are shipped for lawns up to 48,000 square feet.
www.firebellylawncare.com
TRUE BREWER COMPOST TEA BREWER
“Make Tea not War”—that’s the motto East Coast Organics uses for its 30-gallon compost tea brewer, which is big enough for a serious gardener or small landscape company. It brews enough to cover two acres of soil-drench application per day, and is made with a heavy-duty polypropylene, stainless steel quick connectors and low-power diaphragm pumps.
www.eastcoastorganics.com
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