Getting that perfect lawn, naturally

Getting that perfect lawn, naturally

Newmarket

Blades of glory
By: Amanda Persico

It’s time for Newmarket residents to wean themselves off using pesticides and fertilizers to nurture their piece of grassy paradise.

The town is joining the green movement and has a ban for residential lawn chemical use effective Sept. 1.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll talk to experts on how to achieve a drug-free lawn using organic, natural products and more traditional means to achieve a healthy, weed-free lawn.

Video: mowing

Video: dandelions

But it’s not going to happen overnight.

The Town of Aurora and most other York Region municipalities are still considering a ban on private residential pesticide use: only Markham, Georgina and Newmarket have taken the matter that one step further.

Historically, grass was planted as forage for sheep and cows.

But now, getting green grass on your side of the fence has become a turf war between natural and chemical fertilizers.

Longtime landscapers Gloria Marsh and Mike Johnson, owner of Georgina Garden Centre, encourage the use of compost as natural fertilizer.

“Synthetic fertilizers are powerful,” Mr. Johnson said. “But we have to get used to using less. There are natural and organic fertilizers.”

Although fertilizers provide grass with nitrogen, the amount is too high for growth, said Mrs. Marsh, chairperson of the York Region environmental alliance.

Instead, leave lawn clippings on your grass for natural nitrogen. You can also overseed the grass with a mixture of clover and grass seeds. But be careful not to purchase seeding with a mixture of Kentucky Blue grass, Mrs. Marsh warned.

Getting golf turf on the front lawn is only a matter of taking care of your grass roots.

Sustaining a deep root system is key to keeping grass lush, green and healthy, she added.

“People just see the top grass but it’s what’s underneath that counts.”

A deep-root system of about 20 centimetres will not be affected by grubs, Mrs. Marsh said, adding watering the grass deeply also ensures roots go down into the soil for moisture.

So, when the water ban takes effect, the roots are long enough to survive. Watering the grass a little every day has the opposite, less desirable effect in that it brings the roots to the surface.

“Grass normally goes dormant,” Mrs. Marsh said.

“You won’t have artificially green grass all the time, unless you buy AstroTurf.”

Tips to help grow green lawns

Mow, mow, mow your grass:

• Mow high: cutting the grass between six to eight centimetres will develop deep roots and thicker grass. Cut your grass when it’s dry.
• Regularly sharpen motor blades. Grass can recover faster from a clean cut, rather than ripped by a dull blade.
• Leave lawn clippings after mowing. This is a great source of nutrients, nitrogen and humus for the grass and soil. Rake clippings when wet to avoid smothering the grass.
• Mow in different directions or patterns.

Water works:

• Water deep and infrequently. Grass only needs about 2.5 centimetres of water. Place clean tuna cans on the grass when watering to measure the amount.
• Water according to need. Don’t water on a tight schedule and routine. Start watering your lawn in late spring, after most of the rainy weather has passed. Otherwise, the lawn will get waterlogged, losing the nutrients and oxygen in the water.
• Watering in the morning is ideal. Water won’t be lost by evaporation and wind. Watering at night leaves the grass wetter longer, making it more prone to disease.
• No matter how dry the conditions, grass will become green again when regular moisture returns.
• Mind your number. Local bylaws call for even numbered homes to water the lawn on even number days, and odd number on odd days.

Green health:

• Healthy lawns recover faster from damage.
• Thick grass will smother weeds.
• Damaged grass are the favourite spots for weeds to grow.
• Overseed the grass with a mixture of seed and clover. Avoid purchasing grass seed with Kentucky Blue seeds.
• Spread about a centimetre of compost over the grass as a natural fertilizer in spring.

Air it out:

• Aerating allows better flow of water and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass. Aerating the lawn is best done in the fall.
• Wearing cleats and even stiletto pumps can be used to aerate smaller lawns.

Over the next several weeks, readers can watch weekly video clips as professional lawn care experts take us through the motions, show us the methods and teach us how to obtain, groom and maintain a perfect lawn.

For more tips, visit healthylawns.net, yrea.org and newmarket.ca

What do you think of this issue? E-mail newsroom@erabanner.com

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