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Turf Talk
Spring 2010
Mycorrhizae!
Strengthen your grass roots with this super beneficial fungi. It will improve your lawn’s growth, drought tolerance, disease resistance and even it's colour. The perfect treatment for any stressed out lawn!
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What's new at Lush this Spring?
This winter we did our research, discovering that not only can we keep plastic bags out of the landfill, we can do it with style! We studied all the many methods of dog poop composting (and learned that yes, it is indeed safe and effective!), settling finally on our in ground system. Next, we found a local artist that was thrilled to join in our no-bags endeavour, creating a lovely variety of cedar lids, exclusive to Lush Eco Lawns. What more could a dog ask for?
For more info on how others are doing it, check this out.
Local Eco Biz Feature!
If you’re looking for organic produce check out Heather and Brock’s box program or look for them at your local farmer’s markets!
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Check out the difference a little fungi can make!
Don’t shoot the messenger!
Those pesky weeds we try so hard to get rid of are really only telling you what’s lacking in your soil. Before you dig them up, or worse, spray them down (but of course you don’t do that, do you?:-)) listen to what they’re telling you and address the source of the problem, not the symptom. Here’s a few tips to get you started:
Dandelions- your lawn needs more calcium, apply a good quality, low magnesium lime.
Moss- poorly drained, acidic and shady soil, both helped by aerating, compost and lime.
Clover- your soil is asking for an organic nitrogen source, such as fish meal or those free lawn clippings we throw away!
Buttercup- your soil is too compacted and acidic. Try aerating, lime and a nice topdressing of quality compost.
These treatments will not kill your weeds today, but they will certainly address your particular soil problems, creating a lush and healthy lawn that will outcompete them over time. Until then- use the hand, not the poison!
Eco Mowing Tips
•Avoid cutting your lawn
Avoid cutting your lawn in extreme temperatures-
mowing will only cause more stress, and who wants stressed out grass?
•Maintain a 3 inch height, higher in times of drought. This will reduce your irrigation needs and create stronger plants.
Maintain a 3 inch height, higher in times of drought. This will reduce your irrigation needs and create stronger plants.•Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.
Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.•Ensure that your blade is sharp and your machines are eco-friendly!
Ensure that your blade is sharp and your machines are eco-friendly!•Give your grass a nitrogen feast by leaving those nutritious clippings, saving you time and money (and a phone call to Lush!)
Give your grass a nitrogen feast by leaving those nutritious clippings, saving you time and money (and a phone call to Lush!)What is EM?
Effective Microorganisms and they belong in your soil! Naturally occurring, but usually depleted because of chemical use, these guys can be added in liquid form at any time of the year. Also, if you plan to aerate, make sure you take advantage of those exposed roots by applying a dose afterwards. EM can be purchased at some nurseries (call first as it can be hard to track down) and applied with a sprayer.
John Close
www.lushecolawns.com
john@lushecolawns.com
250- 597- 0408
What to do with dog poo...
Upcoming Workshops
'Natural Lawn Care'- Dinters Nursery, April 3, 10:00 am
'Pet Safe Lawns'- Arbutus Ridge, April 15, 2:00 pm
'M.O.M's Turf'- New Life Baptist, April 20, 9:30 am
'Natural Lawn Care'- Warmland Center, April 10, 10:00 am
Now's the perfect time to start that compost pile. A quick google search will turn up hundreds of different ways to build simple composters, and starting one now will mean that by fall you'll have rich black compost to feed your lawns and gardens with. Free, environmentally responsible and super nutritious, compost is the best thing you can do for your lawn! www.compost.bc.ca
