Archive for the ‘Lawns’ Category

As the season comes to a close there are a few things you can do to your lawn to make sure it winters over as best possible. Topping the list would be to apply an organic fertilizer (I would recommend “Cascade Natural” blended nutrients with microbes and mychorizae) at the rate of 25# per 1000 sq. ft.. Through the winter the granules will break down and begin to do their thing getting your lawn ready for the 2009 season. Next in line would be to edge your lawn followed by an application of “Corn Weed Blocker” (an organic weed pre-emergent) around the edges, which in turn should be top-dressed with about an inch of organic compost. This practice will stop your lawn from creeping back out into the area you just edged….. It does work and work well!!!! Drop me an email if you need additional instruction. Redmond Greenhouse carries both the fertilizer and the organic weed pre-emergentventer. Next in line if  you have had vole problems in the past (little trails that show up in the lawn as the snow melts and the lawn re-appears as the 2009 season warms) I would recommend you apply a mole/vole repellent… “Mole Go”. Concerning questions as to if you should thatch or aerate at this time of the year, my answer is NO. In cold climates such as ours that task is best left to the late spring season as the lawn really begins to get green and growing. Make sure to keep dropping leaves off the lawn as they will suffocate the crown of grass if left throughout the winter season. Continue to mow the lawn as long as the season keeps warm. The grass should be kept about two” to no longer that three inches for the winter time. Blades of grass that are left to long during the long winter season will be slow to recover. Well, that about wraps it up for late season lawn care. Hope this helps and has your lawn looking good not only through the cold season but looking green and healthy as the spring arrives.  Happy Gardening……….. Doug

How do I get my lawn going, is probably one of the most asked questions of late. With this thought in mind lets take a look at what we can do to hasten the green and shed the winter brown. As weather warms and the lawn begins to dry it might be good to do a deep watering of the entire lawn area. It is also advisable to to give the grass a good clipping going possbly shorter than in past seasons, however make sure you don’t “scalp” the crowns of the grass or it will be very slow to recover. Next I would have you aereate (get one of these big machines at a rental store) whole lawn area. Don’t be afraid to go over it several times. Upon completion if you are still not satisfied with the looks you may also rent a “thatcher” and give it another going over. As with the aereator make sure you don’t go to deep. Remove the debris and make a big pile for composting. The plugs especialy will make GREAT compost if you will just give the added effort instead of hauliing off to the landfill. Next step is appling the fertilizer. I STRONGLY recomend a blended organic nutritional package that would also contain natural “Microbes” and “Mychorizae”. Our “Cascade Natural” offered in 25# bags has got to be one of the finest on the market. This exceptional fertilizer will not only help in the natural breakdown of thatch but it won’t leach out of the soil and pollute the groundwaters. It will not contribute to salt build-up as do chemical fetilizers and it can potentally feed for the entire season. It will reduce the amount of water needed to keep your grass green, reduce if not completly eliminate disease problems, and it will slow down damage caused by insects. Many have found that they also mow their lawn less. I have watched with interest over many years the advantages of organic lawn maintenance and I am convinced of the results. It would also be great to apply a granular application of “Azomite”. Rich in calcium plus seventy some natural micronutrients this is a great product for creating healthy soils. If you have any bare spots on your lawn give them a good hard “steel” racking and apply a bucket or so of earthworm castings plus a pinch of lawn seed. Earthworm castings are also belived to be helpful in reducing the damage from “fairy ring” and “neurcrotic ring disease”. You may top-dress throughout the active growing season with this product. Deep water as needed (not ever other day) and you should start to show the green. When applying the Cascade Natural fertilizer  make sure you don’t skimp…………… yes I know I am the one selliing it and you are spending your money plus doing the work), but if your lawn is in the trenches of “not so good looking” then you need to bite the bullet and give it your best. You might even want to consider reducing your overall lawn size so you can finacialy do a better job and have that big green smile. Always feel free to email me if you have addional ?’s.                     Doug

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