Posted by Dewey J Capasso
Imagine I mentioned there are a couple of things you might do that could permanently eliminate the need to feed your lawn? Would that peak your interest? Excellent. So let me share exactly how simple it is to set your grass up so that you can retire your spreader permanently.
You see if just five percent of your lawn is laced with white clover it can save you on what you shell out to fertilize. That's because a smattering of clover can easily crank out two pounds of nitrogen for every 1000 square feet of lawn. That comes to fifty percent all the nitrogen necessary each year. Plus if you leave your mulched clippings behind you might be able to create a self sustaining feeding system.
So it's almost shame on you for viewing clover as just another weed. Besides it wasn't always that way. Actually it wasn't until late into the 20th century that lawn enthusiasts started to regard clover as a less than desirable.
Just so you know clover is a member of the legume family. It is capable of capturing nitrogen from the air and storing it in its roots. That nitrogen is then released into the soil. Pretty much sounds like a natural fertilizer factory, don't you think?
But don't think that's all cover can do for you.
Clover can attract bees and parasitic wasps which are useful if you garden.
Clover can also bring a dash of green in your lawn even during periods when rain is lacking. It holds its vibrancy well even during dry spells.
The nitrogen clover produces won't change your soil's PH as chemical based fertilizers might. Plus the fact clover is thriving tells you your soil is balanced and fertile.
Weeds are kept in check better in lawns with the right blend of grass and clover. Clover does its part by shading the weeds out.
Homeowners supporting clover often enjoy lower water bills too. Because clover is on the drought resistant side. It also requires less mowing being low growing yet does tolerate being mowed regularly. Overall it's a low maintenance grass alternative ideal for they busy homeowner who sometimes lacks time for yard work.
One more plus? It readily adapts to low fertility soils and is somewhat shade tolerant. Okay that was two. Both of which suggest it's a pleasantly flexible plant.
Of course one of those pluses might be minus for some. The bees. If you are allergic and like to go barefoot in the back yard you may end up getting stung. You can avoid that for the most part by mowing often enough to keep the clover from flowering.
Another problem some cite is it doesn't do well in heavy traffic situations. Which is true. But when sheltered among sturdier blades of grass which do stand up well to foot traffic that is less of a problem.
Now if this brief overview has changed how you look at clover you can get bulk seed locally at most garden centers. Likely for less than $7 a pound - with a pound covering about 4000 square feet in some cases. When planted in the spring, which is best, it should germinate in a week or so.
So given all these advantages, why not do your bit for the environment and throw some white clover into the mix? It's a smart choice for those who want to water less, mow less and fertilize less while still enjoying a green lawn.
And for those wanting to find out more about the John Deere zero turn mowers, or who are curious about lawn tractors vs garden tractors, or who just need some ZTR mower reviews, then MowerMania.com is the place to go. That helpful site has the ideas and advice you're looking for about lawn care.
Tags: Consumer Goods and Services, Gardening Articles, home and garden, lawn and garden, lawn care, Lawn-Mowers, lawns, tools and equipment
Posted by Jim Poniente
You do not always need a lot of time in order to care for your own lawn. No matter where you live, in the city, suburbs or a rural area, you will always need to care for your lawn. While you can always hire a lawn service to do this for you, doing everything by yourself is a lot more rewarding and enjoyable. Having a beautiful lawn can also add value to your home.
One of the most important things you have to do to is mow your lawn often. Most people don't know this, but there is actually a right and a wrong way to mow a lawn. The blades of the mower should be lowered in order to get a clean cut, but they should not be too low either. If they are grass will burn up during hot, dry weather. You should try to maintain the grass at around three inches high. Never let the grass grow too tall before you cut it and always keep the lawn mower's blades sharp. If you cut tall grass you can damage new growth as well as leave clumps all around your lawn.
You should also frequently water your lawn. How often will depend on the weather in your area, as well as the kind of grass and soil. If you can see your footprints in the grass after walking on it, it is usually time to water. Dont be too stingy when watering your lawn, but dont use too much either as this can cause the grass to rot.
When engaging in lawn care you will have to deal with several problems. One is weeds. Another is brown patches. These are usually a sign that your lawn needs water and fertilizer.
Insects can also damage a lawn, but these can be dealt with using one of the many products available. You should be able to get lots of advice on how to deal with these problems at your local garden center.
To find out more about lawn care and related topics like lawn sweepers, lawn drainage and more, visit TheLawnCareGuide.com
Tags: Garden, Gardening, Gardening Articles, landscaping, lawn care
Posted by Mike Taylor
Do you want to help the environment and keep your lawn green at the same time? I hope so, because not enough people think about this before implementing a lawn care strategy. Really, if you think about it, if everyone implemented an organic lawn care strategy the world really would be a much better place. So, how can this be done? How can you have a nice, green lawn without using tons of man-made chemicals? Follow a few simple steps, and you will find that an organic lawn can be the answer.
First and foremost, you need to realize one very important aspect when it comes to lawn care: you can have an organic lawn, use less man-made and potentially damaging products, and have your lawn be very green, soft, and perfect for your kids to play on. But, you have to be willing to work (gasp!), yes work! However, if you do things properly, it won't be as much work as you might think. In fact, in the the long run, you will probably do much less work by operating a organic lawn than you would otherwise.
The first thing you need to work on in order to have a green lawn is not the grass-you need to work on the soil first and foremost. If you don't have good soil, then you may need to work on this for a while, because green grass will not grow long term on bad soil, period.
If your soil is hard as a rock, won't absorb any water, and is completely devoid of all nutrients, then you may need to go talk to a local guru for some advice, as you may need to start over or spend some really good time on developing the soil. However, that is probably not the case and you can most likely just do a few things to improve the quality of your soil and help your grass become green for the long-run.
Improving your soil will do amazing things for your lawn. So, what is the best tip I have for doing this? Use organic fertilizer instead of the man-made chemical kind. Why? There are several reasons. Using organic fertilizer will do amazing things for your root structure by improving the amount of water and air your soil can retain and allow to flow to the roots. Basically, organic products allow and encourage bacteria and fungi to grow in the soil (like they should, don't worry ). This in turn improves the soils structure, helping it to retain water more efficiently and allowing air to flow better to the roots. This in turn will help your grass get more nutrients from the roots and stay green longer with less water and care!
So, as you can see, organic fertilizers have some very key advantages over man made ones. Mainly, the above advantages will help out your lawn for the long-run, which is the key. Why is it the key? Because in the long run you will have to use less water, even while doing less work. Less water is obviously much better for the environment. You will also have less weeds and will require much less weed killer and other toxic products, which is also another win win for you, for mother nature, and for your soon to be green lawn.
Mike is an writer who helps people to develop greener lawns by using Organic Lawn Care Products and the Best Organic Fertilizer
Tags: Gardening, Gardening Articles, lawn care, organic fertilizer, organic lawn care, organic lawn care products, organic weed control
Posted by Phil Caxton
Just like humans, even plants require some basic elements for their healthy survival. As per different studies it has been found that plants approximately require around seventeen different chemical elements to grow a healthy. One of the most important elements is potassium which is very often neglected in fertilization of plants. Growth and health of the grass can be enhanced by using potassium in your garden. Using soil rich in potassium is always beneficial as it helps in regulating the functioning of the plants and grass biologically in your garden. Most experts on lawn care and efficient and skillful gardeners would suggest using soil rich in potassium.
For healthy growth of plants:
Different types of lawn fertilizers are like phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium help in providing the required nutrients to the soil. Plants receiving a low supply of potassium may not ground healthy, as compared to plants receiving a high quantity of potassium. It is not that only potassium is required but all other elements in minimum quantities are also required. Different elements help the plants in various ways. For treating fertilizing problems zinc is essential.
During winter salt can cause damages to plants, for which calcium is of great help in combating the damages caused by salt. Plants develop well and their growth is accelerated with the help of phosphorous. Grasses develop blades that are sturdy, when there is regular supply of potassium. Plants can also fight against various diseases on receiving a constant supply of potassium. Potassium sulphate, potassium chloride and potassium nitrate are some of the chemicals different grasses and plants need which are suitable to them accordingly.
Strengthened plant fibers:
Capacity of crops is increase with the help of potassium as the develop resistance against drought, variations in temperatures and plant diseases. This element also helps the plant to absorb more water and improve the health of the plants. Lawn care techniques in their proper form when implemented can help plants in increasing their enduring capacities. Grass looks rich green in color and grows in length too. As far as vegetables are concerned, they grow well in terms of thickness as well as size. If you are going to take so much effort in maintaining the lawn, then why not ensure that the plants and grass receive nutrient in the right quantities.
It is understood by many that grass just grows randomly and does not need much care. It must be noted that every living thing, be it the ordinary grass, it too needs proper care and maintenance for healthy growth. If you check out the difference between a well maintained lawn and a less maintained lawn you will see the difference in quality of grass and plants.
When you see new shoots of grass in the garden, think of adding potassium to accelerate its growth. A spreader helps in spreading granular potassium and liquid potassium too is absorbed by the soil very easily. Studies show that potassium works well in combination with manganese thus hastening the photosynthesis process. Ensure not to sideline potassium in your strive towards a healthy and well balanced garden.
Interested on lawn care??, Phil Caxton is the editor of some internet magazines on similar subjects. More articles on potassium fertilizer and winter lawn care at http://www.lawnmania.com/3098_potassium/ .
Tags: Gardening Articles, lawn care, potassium fertilizer
Posted by Michael Tait
Organic or green lawn care products can easily be applied to your lawn instead of chemicals. You may be wondering why anyone would want to use green lawn care products instead of chemical products - if so, then read below to find out what the benefits of organic lawn care products are.
Lawn care can be a complex practice that entails various different components that need to support each other in order that your lawn can really be healthy. The first thing you need to consider is why you want to use green lawn care products. If you would like to utilize them since they are less expensive and easier to use, then perhaps they are not for you. However, if you desire the best looking lawn and would like products that are safe for you, your children, and your pets then green lawn care products are for you.
Organic Lawn Care Product Benefits
Not only do green lawn care products make your lawn healthier, they also make things healthier for you and your family. More often than not, chemical treatments for your lawn replace the natural elements or minerals in your lawn with chemical ones; your lawn will become reliant on these chemicals to stay alive. With no chemicals, the lawn browns and becomes unhealthy. Natural, green lawn care products do not have this problem as they maintain the lawns natural development with natural minerals and nutrients. Whereas your lawn would not do as well without these organic products, it does not shrivel up and die as severely as when you stop using chemical products.
In addition, the natural green lawn care products are by and large not at all harmful, so your family and your pets can relax on the lawn without worrying that you will become ill. If you apply chemicals, you have to use gloves, a mask, and possibly eye protectors - would you want your children playing on the lawn or your pet eating the grass when it is full of unsafe chemicals?
A further reason why green lawn care products are generally better is that they make your lawn stronger on the whole. They maintain the growing process that will cause your lawn to develop strong roots that will enable your lawn stand up to harsh winters or scorching summers. In the end it means less work on your part to keep your lawn vigorous in the long term. A chemically treated lawn won't be as able at fighting off these things because it relies on the chemicals to stay strong not its inner strength.
Pet and Child Safe Lawn Care Products
One of the most commonly used child and pet safe lawn care products is organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer not only helps your lawn to prosper and support its natural resistance to disease and insects, it is also completely safe. By using a natural, green lawn care product like organic fertilizer you not only aid the health of your lawn but of everyone in your house.
Normally two applications of organic fertilizer a year is more than enough. At first, if your lawn is considerably damaged, you could need further applications. An organic pet and child safe lawn care product will improve the health of your lawn and the strength of its root system so that you don't need to continually apply it.
In addition to organic fertilizer you can use seaweed to support the health of your lawn. Seaweed is very rich in minerals and is not expensive - it is a product you can apply for a small amount of cash on a quarterly basis.
I hope this has given you a bit of insight into why using green products for your lawn is the safest way to go. I administered an organic coffee plantation with the use of organic material as well as organic insecticides and fungicides. Also, I have a chemical free garden that produces organic citrus fruit and vegetables - change over to organic and natural gardening because it is really fulfilling and safe.
Michael Tait is an expert in organic farming and also enjoys gardening. Visit his his newest web site on Yard Machine Parts where you will find information on many yard machine parts like Riding Mower Parts.
Tags: Garden, Gardening, Gardening Articles, green lawn care products, lawn care, organic fertilizer, organic gardening, pet safe
Posted by Neoma Archer
Your lawn is your pride and glory and you definitely want to make sure that it stays as green and as healthy as it is now. You definitely do not want it withering or developing some kind of disease. And that is why you give it your utmost attention. That way, if you see anything amiss, you can easily take a look at it and give it a diagnosis and then give it the right treatment. Just like what real doctors would do with real people. Only this time, you are the doctor of your lawn.
Your lawn can easily be the home for weeds. You think that when they come, you can get them out that fast. But that is not always the situation. Some can sink their roots really deep in a short period. When you try to get them out, that can prove to be a difficult task because the roots are really anchored that deep. Don't worry though because you can get some out. But there will always be some parts remaining and still growing.
Mallow can find its way to your lawn. This weed comes with round and green leaves and flowers which are colored white or lavender. It is at its best form during July and August which is the late part of the summer season.
The leaves of the mallow are round and lobed. With that, it looks like ground ivy and many people make that mistake. But there is a difference. The mallow leaf is attached to the stem at its back portion. It is important that you know how to differentiate mallow from ground ivy and other weeds so you will know how to attack it.
There are different types of mallow. There are those which can live right through a whole season and these are the annual type. And then there are those which are known as perennials for they can thrive for years. July and August is the glory period for them so that means that they are on top of their business during this time.
So you think that the mallow should not stay on your lawn. If that is the case, find a herbicide meant for mallow. Then apply it every five to six weeks. Six applications should do it and the leaves of the weed will wither because the chemical is working.
Mallow may come back. If you do not want them to do so for this season, make sure you have a pre-emergent herbicide. Apply this on your lawn around April or May because this is the period when the seeds have not yet started to germinate.
To find out exactly how Neoma Archer did lawn care Utah way, go to her website about Utah lawn care. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
Tags: Gardening, Gardening Articles, landscaping, Lawn, lawn care
Posted by Julia B Larkin
Every year millions of dollars are spent on lawn and garden equipment from lawn mowers to tillers. These tools allow the home owner to make their property look its best and get the work done quickly and easily. Most home owners will purchase a large collection of lawn and garden equipment over the first five years of owning their home which typically represents a sizable investment. In order for you, the home owner, to protect your investment and ensure that next year when you reach for that weed whacker that it runs its best it's very important to take the proper steps to winterize your gas powered equipment.
Many ask, What equipment should be winterized? Any equipment with an engine, from your gas powered blower to you lawnmower, should be winterized in this order.
First, wash the equipment and clean off any dirt or debris followed by thoroughly drying the equipment to prevent rust.
Second, drain the gas from the reservoir either by pouring it out or running the piece of equipment till empty. (Please note that you may also purchase fuel additives that may be mixed in the reservoir if you prefer).
Third, remove the spark plug and place a few drops of oil into the cylinder and then pull the starter cord slowly three or four times to lightly coat the piston. This step prevents rust from forming over the winter months. And finally, look through the socket where you removed your plug and have someone pull the starter cord slowly until the piston is at top dead center (when the piston is closets to the opening of the socket). Replace your spark plug and store your piece of equipment with piece of mind that your investment will be protected over the cold winter months.
Want to find out more about Phoenix Landscaping, then visit Phoenix's best contractor site on how to choose the best Phoenix Landscaper for your needs.
Tags: Gardening Articles, landscaping, lawn care, Phoenix Landscapers
Posted by Dewey J Capasso
Anyone wanting a lawn that is heat and drought tolerant should consider Bermuda grass. It's a weed and wear resistant turf that has minimal watering needs. Combined with it's fine to medium blades it's a near ideal choice for southern home owners packing plenty of kids and pets to put it to the test.
This easy care strain fares well with the least bit of attention. You'll want to attend to any thatch buildup you see as well as make use of a core aerator each spring as your grass emerges from its dormancy. This will make deeper water penetration easier.
Despite it's reputation for drought resistance, if you water it regularly Bermuda grass will take off. Naturally you'll want to water deeply at about an inch each time to stimulate the development of deep roots. Doing so will enable your lawn to withstand dry periods that much better.
If you want a nice tight turf that can tolerate heavy traffic you'll want your Bermuda grass to get full sun. Simply put it should not be used on a shady site as it's not shade tolerant. So don't be disappointed it you plant it under trees and end up with grass that is thin and spindly.
When it comes to the height to mow at shorter is better. When it is vigorously growing in the summer cut off about of third of the blade length keeping it at an inch or so high. If you get out the mower a couple times a week you should be rewarded with a dense even looking lawn.
As a warm season grass, fertilizing starts once it starts growing again and has greened up about half way at least. Feeding then will give your grass a needed boost. You'll also want to feed again each fall. Typically you want to lay on the nitrogen at a rate of a pound or two per year for each thousand square feet of grass.
Weeds don't stand much of a chance here. Once established Bermuda grass can hold its own without much help from you. Then too, mowing regularly will keep weeds from gaining a foot hold by eliminating their flower heads as doing so prevents them from going to seed.
As the seasons change, don't be surprised if your Bermuda grass takes on a brownish cast as it goes dormant. Those that prefer green grass will over seed with perennial rye and not miss a beat. Others enjoy the break from mowing and will just wait for warmer weather to rejuvenate their lawn to its prior luster.
Warm season Bermuda grass is popular because it has many desirable traits homeowners covet.. You will find it to be very hardy, durable and resilient. Plus being heat-loving it requires relatively little supplemental water once it has become established. One other plus is it can usually fed off the encroachment of weeds without help from you.
As a lifelong lawn lover author Dewey J Capasso has ridden a lawn tractor or two. From his experience he can also advise you as to the best zero turn mowers, talk about the good points of electric mowers and suggest ways to get rid of the moles that have taken up residence in your backyard.
Tags: bermuda grass, Gardening Articles, home and garden consumer goods and services, lawn and garden, lawn care, Lawn-Mowers, lawns, tools and equipment
Posted by Dewey 'Jeep' Capasso
Question: I want golf course lush. So how much and how frequently should I water my grass?
A fairly common question actually. For which a pat answer is often provided when really the best answer is "It depends." Because there are many things that come into play when answering it.
Generally the rule of thumb answer given is you want to water about an inch a week. But sometimes rules of thumb become unquestioned rules that can't be violated. You know, the type that are cast in stone to be followed at all costs?
I put it that way because how much and often you need to water comes down to a number of things. So there is no one size fits all answer that covers the issue. Because it can't.
For starters you need to know how often it rains. Pretty obvious, yes. But I had to point it out.
A related point is it's best to water only when you have to. Is your grass looking rather limp? Stressed? Are your foot steps clearly seen> All suggest your grass isn't springing back like it should. If so it's not a stretch to say you should be watering.
What type of grass do you have? Different varieties have different watering requirements.
Then too what setting your mower is set to plays a role. The longer the grass the less often you'll likely need to water and still have a decent looking lawn. Then too leaving the clippings is a good way to recycle moisture back into your lawn.
"How are your roots?" is another good question to answer. Obviously the deeper your lawn's roots the less often you should need to water. One way to get deep roots is watering deeply. Recognizing water that has soaked beyond the root zone is of little use to your grass.
Grass Truth: The height of the blade dictates the depth of the root. The longer the blade the deeper the root.
It's not the end of the world if the upper part of the root zone dries out either. In fact your grass benefits three ways. Weeds with shallow roots struggle and die. Weed seeds don't germinate as well and lawn diseases are kept at bay.
Another thing to take into consideration is the type of soil you're dealing with. Clay soils hold water longer than a sandy loam is apt to. There is no one size fits all here. Everyone's yard will have different water holding properties. You want to water to the point the top three to four inches of soil are wet.
Finally you're got flow rate. Or putting water down so fast it runs off. That doesn't help.
See? There is more to watering your grass than the old inch a week rule of thumb alone. Those that realize that soon realize a lusher looking lawn as well.
Dewey "Jeep" Capasso has authored many lawn care articles like the one you just read. So whether it's the best riding lawnmowers, or ztr mower reviews, or eliminating moles that are tearing up your grass, you'll find the help you need at MowerMania.com.
Tags: Gardening Articles, home and garden consumer goods and services, lawn and garden, lawn care, Lawn-Mowers, lawns, tools and equipment
Posted by Dewey J Capasso
Spring arrives and the smell of freshly mown grass fills the air. Which is your signal to begin the annual rituals of spreading synthetic lawn care products, firing up the mower and having at it against nature.
Or not. Because if you're tired of your chemical-saturated lawn maintenance routine maybe it's time to get your grass off performance-enhancing drugs. Turning instead to more sustainable methods to achieve a lawn that's still perfect, the envy of the neighborhood, yet eco-friendly too.
Now organic lawn care begins with the grasses you plant. It also involves watering wisely, feeding sustainably, mowing right, while dealing with weeds or pests organically. Let's briefly learn what each entails and then some.
Going Native When Deciding Which Grass to Plant
How much you have to water, feed and treat depends in large part on the seed you plant. Grass species known to thrive in your local climate are more likely to fend off pests naturally without much help from you. So plant cool season grasses in the north, warm season grasses down south or transitional strains if you're in-between.
Feeding Organically and Sustainably
Even the best strains of grass need to be fed. The organic way is to improve the soil. Some find spreading compost is enough. Others try compost tea. While for micro nutritional needs you can add things like sea weed fertilizers, cotton seed meal and so on. Nitrogen can be added naturally by adding some white clover into the mix.
To pull that off, you want to get an idea of the soil's pH. That will tell you want it needs to best support the grass. Because if your soil is anything other than a pH of 6.5 (just slightly acidic) to 7 the grass will have trouble absorbing nutrients. To fix that you'd use either sulfur or limestone depending on whether it's too alkaline or acidic.
Turf Truth: A green lawn in an integral part of home ownership. Americans have roughly 40 million acres with sod under cultivation. That comes down to an area equal to about the state of Washington covered in grass.
Wise Watering Practices
Certainly watering is necessary at times. Yet too much watering either by you or from rain and you wash away vital nutrient. Too little leaves you with grass that's dull and parched. Watering is best done early in the morning. Both to minimize evaporation and keep plant diseases away.
More Mowing Means a Better Lawn
You can water less if you mow more - often. The idea is to remove no more than a third of the blade each time you mow and leave it behind. So you can't let the grass grow too long. Leaving clippings to break down can provide up to 50% of the nitrogen you lawn needs to stay vibrant and green. The most earth friendly may opt for a hand powered mowing machine - if you're up to it and your yard it sized right for it. But going electric is a good alternative too.
Dealing with Weeds and Pests Organically
A lush lawn naturally crowds out the weeds. While corn gluten can be used to keep weeds from sprouting. Up to 90% control takes a couple two three years to achieve but it's an earth friendlier way to keep weeds at bay.
See, nothing totally radical in that list of organic options? So if another year of chemical warfare isn't something you are looking forward to, maybe it's time for a different tact. Because in the long run organic is not only more sustainable, it's simply better for your yard, your pets and your family. Why not give it a chance?
Doesn't matter if you're talking organic lawn care, ultra quite electric lawn mowers or fun to mow with riding lawn mowers the site for you is MowerMania.com. You definitely want to visit if you have questions about lawn care, mowers or yard tools.
categories: lawns,lawn care,lawn mowers,tools and equipment,lawn and garden,home and garden consumer goods and services
Tags: Gardening Articles, home and garden consumer goods and services, lawn and garden, lawn care, Lawn-Mowers, lawns, tools and equipment
