Prevention Through Planning, Environmental Awareness Website

Prevention Through Planning

Mowing

Mow High - Cut grass at a height of 6-8 cm
Sharpen Blades - Sharpen at the beginning of the season or if dulling
Rake Less - Clippings provide a source of nitrogen and humus
Mow weekly when your lawn is actively growing

EXPLANATION
Mow high to develop a deeper and more extensive root system, grow thicker grass and to help retain soil moisture.
It's important that the mower blade be sharp as it is easier for the grass to recover from one clean cut than from many tears. It also makes the grass less vulnerable to disease.
It is not necessary to rake after each cutting. The clippings provide a free source of slow releasing nitrogen and humus for the soil. However, do remove clippings when the grass is wet such as in the spring so that the grass is not smothered.
Mowing too infrequently when your lawn is actively growing can cause the turf to thin, leading to weed infestations. ...more about lawnmowers

Watering

Water Deeply and Infrequently- Apply at least 2.5 cm of water/week (unless it rains)
In the hot summer water more frequently (every other day) but in less amounts .25 cm -.5 cm
Water early in the morning
Consider large trees - Grass near large trees may need more water

EXPLANATION
Water deeply; you can check how much water the grass is receiving by placing a container on the ground while the lawn is being watered. Remember excess watering can lead to disease.
Watering early in the morning means less of it is lost through evaporation and wind. When watering at night the grass stays wet longer making it more susceptible to disease.

Fertilizing

Compost - Apply it any time; mix it into the soil before seeding or laying sod. Rake a thin layer over the existing lawn
Soil Analysis
Commercial Fertilizers - contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Good proportions to look for include 4N, 1P, 2K or also may be labeled as 29N-3P-4K, 28N-3P-6K or 28N-3P-3K
Use lower rates in spring & summer
Use higher rates in the fall

EXPLANATION
If you have your own compost box, you have a free source of vital nutrients. Compost adds organic matter back into your lawn and supplies nutrients for plants growth.
Commercial Fertilizers can be purchased that contain nitrogen, which is good for leaf growth, phosphorus root growth and potassium that are needed for stress resistance. Make sure to get a product with slow releasing Nitrogen.

Overseeding

Overseed - Fill in bare patches to beat out weeds
Timing - Best done in early fall
Method - Use topdressing of compost or topsoil at the same time
Amount - Use up to twice the seeding rate

Aeration

Mechanical Aerators - Spiking and coring machines
Manual - Shoes with spikes
Timing - Best done in the fall before overseeding and topdressing

Dethatching

Check out your lawn - If thatch is more than 1cm thick it poses a problem
Method - Remove with a heavy rake or dethatching equipment

EXPLANATION
Thatch is mixture of dead grass and roots accumulated at the soil surface. It prevents water, air and nutrients from getting to the roots and provides a good breeding ground for harmful insects.
In healthy lawns insects, earthworms and fungi break down the thatch and aerate the soil. However, excess watering, over fertilizing with nitrogen, heavy use of chemicals all increase the amount of thatch.

Regular Check Ups

Early Detection - Regular Inspections make it possible for you to detect pests and other problems early
Reoccurring pests? - Maybe a sign that your lawn care practices need to change
Know your lawn and soil - pH & soil type

EXPLANATION
Regularly inspecting your lawn means you'll notice right away if a problem arises. If certain pests keep coming back your lawn care system might need to be altered. It may be beneficial to have your soil analyzed every few years to determine your soil pH and type. Depending on the type of soil and pH, the lawn needs will vary.