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Friday, May 13, 2005
  Articles on this page: • Secrets for a Happy, Healthy Lawn Secrets for a Happy, Healthy Lawn Struggling to compete with the neighbor's pristine, well-tended lawn? If you're wondering what the people next door are doing to keep their backyard looking as meticulous and lush as a golf course, you're in luck. And it's easier than you may think. A well-manicured lawn doesn't just happen by itself. But it doesn't need to be backbreaking work, either. Landscaping pros -- and in-the-know neighbors -- understand that a little extra effort can produce a beautiful, healthy turf all season long. If you follow these three simple tips this season, you'll have a thriving backyard in no time, without a ton of extra effort. 1. Aerate -- Just like it needs water and nutrients, grass needs air to thrive. Aeration removes plugs of soil from the lawn, which loosens areas that may have become compacted by heavy use, and lets air get down to the roots. Whether you use a power machine or a hand tool, keep in mind that an aerator that removes plugs is much more effective than one that just pokes holes (which can actually make soil compaction worse). Depending on the type of grass in your yard, you'll want to aerate in spring, early fall, or both. 2. Top dress -- After you aerate, top dress your lawn by spreading 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch of peat moss over the grass with a rake. The top dressing of peat helps gradually condition the lawn throughout the growing season, strengthening the grass to resist disease and thatch, and reducing the amount of water and fertilizer it needs. Peat moss absorbs moisture and reduces the leaching of nutrients by holding and releasing them slowly over time. 3. Repair bare spots -- Discolored patches on the lawn can ruin the look of your whole backyard, but they're often easy to fix. It doesn't matter if the culprit is disease, animal urine, or soil compaction; a repair job takes just a few minutes, and it works wonders on a backyard's overall look. Spring or fall are good times to tackle reseeding; the cooler temperatures help the grass grow. First, loosen the top 6 inches of soil in the affected area. (Throw away the top inch or so of soil if Rover is the reason for the bare patch.) Then, work 2 inches of peat moss into the soil. Scatter grass seeds on the soil, add fertilizer, and water with a fine spray. You can sprinkle a thin layer of peat moss over the new growth to add an extra measure of conditioning, and keep the area moist until it germinates. That's all there is to it -- three simple ways to give your backyard the equivalent of a fresh coat of paint. Pretty soon, your backyard will perk up so dramatically, your neighbors will be coming to you for lawn-care advice. To order free brochures on "How to...with peat moss" and other gardening tips, send a self-addressed, unstamped, business-sized envelope to: Peat Moss, Box 385102, Minneapolis, MN, 55438, e-mail cspma@peatmoss.com, or visit www.peatmoss.com. The Canadian peat industry is committed to making peat moss a sustainable resource. Only one acre in every 6,000 is harvested, and when harvesting stops, the bogs are restored to functioning peatlands. For more information on peat and the environment, visit the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association's Web site at www.peatmoss.com.  RETURN TO TOP |
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