PREPARING YOUR LAWN FOR SUMMER

by Tish Holt
Spring is here and many of us are getting our homes and gardens ready for the season. And on the to-do list is getting your winter lawn into shape for the warmer months ahead.
When approaching the care of your lawn it is important to remember that the goal is not to create a weed-free, emerald green carpet but to have an attractive, naturally sustainable environment that sets off your home. There are natural methods for preserving and/or creating a healthy lawn and now is a great time to begin preparing. Here are some introductory tips to get you started.

• Early signs of life from your dormant lawn.
• Potential problem areas (areas that have fostered crabgrass, weeds, etc. in the past).
• Healthy, rich soil for new grass growth.
• Re-emergence of friendly insects (such as ladybugs, earthworms, bees, butterflies, etc.) around your yard.

• Choose grass to plant that is best suited for your area. There are quite a few varieties that fit a wide range of environments. Look for grasses that resist drought, disease, needs little fertilizer or mowing and are able to handle foot traffic.
• Lawn Alternatives. Some climates are poorly suited for turf grass. Other groundcover (such as native meadow grasses) could also be considered in hard-to-maintain areas.
• When mowing, leave the grass clippings where they are scattered. Grass clippings provide needed nitrogen for new grass growth, reduce water evaporation and keep the soil temperatures cooler.
• Mow often but keep the lawn taller during the spring season (between two to four inches depending on the kind of grass). This allows the roots to deepen which helps the grass fight diseases, withstand droughts and compete against weeds.
• Plant Earthworms. They are great aerators for your soil.
• Composting. This is a great aerator/soil loosener for compacted soil.
• Avoid pesticides. They may provide short-term results but are detrimental to the health of your lawn, your family, your pets and other living things in your yard. Pesticide runoff also contributes to pollution in streams and groundwater.
• Natural Fertilizers. If you wish to use fertilizers to provide nutrients for your grass consider using natural, slow-release products such as grass clippings, compost, manures (dehydrated cow manure, dried poultry manure), fish emulsion, cottonseed meal and mixed organic fertilizers.
• Avoid chemical and/or synthetic fertilizers. They promote compacted soil, shallow roots, fungus growth, and are toxic to the soil in the long-run.
• Test your soil. Kits are available at many local garden centers and there are services that offer to test your soil for you as well. This only needs to be done every 3 – 5 years to check the pH (acidity and alkalinity) and fertility needs of your soil - but if you are a beginner to natural or chemical-free lawn maintenance, testing is advisable.
• Do not over-water your lawn. Your soil should be moist, but not wet. Excessive watering encourages harmful plant fungus and if your lawn has been improperly treated with chemicals, over-watering can contribute to runoff of those chemicals.