Grass containing crocuses, colchicums and snowdrops can be mown short now.
A slope of 6 inches per 100 feet is needed for excess water to
run off your lawn and not pool up on it. Also, reseed any bare
spots in your new lawn immediately to keep weeds from growing.
The average family's needs and activities change in cycles of
six to seven years. The smaller the property, the greater the
landscape planning challenge. Design outdoor areas and facilities
to be modified easily with your changing needs.
Sharpen your lawn mower blade monthly since a dull blade can
pull grass seedlings from the soil instead of cutting them.
Lengthening the time between waterings combined with deep,
heavy watering encourages root growth while reducing top growth
in lawns. This increases the root-to-shoot ratio and produces
plants that are more resistant to wilting when exposed to
infrequent watering.
Letting a young lawn grow too tall and then cutting it back to
the recommended height is detrimental. Such extreme leaf removal
stops the flow of food to the roots, weakens the plants, and
opens the lawn to diseases. Never let it grow so tall that you
have to cut off more than one third of the grass blade.
Poor soil drainage can be improved by regrading and filling
water-collecting areas, installing underground drain pipe/tiles,
or a combination of both. When possible, connect rain gutter down
spouts to drains to carry excess water away from foundations and
other undesirable areas.
Mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs. This practice
reduces weeds, reduces fluctuations in soil temperature, retains
moisture, prevents damage from lawn mowers, and looks attractive.
Save money on mulch materials by using 1 to 2 inches of wood
chips before spreading 2 inches of decorative shredded bark. Wood
chips are less expensive than shredded bark and last longer, too.
Keep mulch several inches away from the trunks of trees and
shrubs so air can circulate near the trunk discouraging diseases,
and so that rodents will not feed on the bark.
When you visit gardens and arboreta, take your camera and note
pad with you. Plan now for changes you will make in your
landscape to add spring glory.
For maximum landscape interest in a small space, try annual
vines. They can disguise ugly walls and enliven fences. When
trellised, they create shade and privacy while hiding undesirable
views. Morning glory and its relative cardinal climber (Ipomoea
spp.) can be started indoors or sown outside after the last frost
date. Canary creeper (Tropaeolum spp.) can be grown in
mountainous areas. For edible ornamentals try scarlet runner
beans or Chinese bitter melon (Momordica spp.).
Plan a landscaping project on paper first. Do not over plant,
be sure you know the ultimate size of each plant, and allow for
growth.
Lawns maintained at the correct height resist disease and weed
infestation. Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue should be kept
between 2 to 3 inches in height. Mow frequently, removing no more
than one third of the blade at each cutting.
Don't over water your lawn this summer. Too much water leaches
nitrogen from the soil, encourages weeds, and invites disease
problems.
Creeping red fescue may be used for turf in shady, drought-
prone areas. Keep this grass at 2 to 2 and 1/2 inches in height.
If your lawn is bluegrass/fescue, resist the urge to fertilize
now. Fall is the time to fertilize these grasses. Fertilizing now
will keep you behind the lawn mower all spring and increase
chance of injury to your lawn from summer disease and drought.
Moles feed on white grubs and can ruin lawns while burrowing
after them. Moles can be eliminated by eliminating the grubs.
Consult your Cooperative Extension Service
for current pest control recommendations.
Grass clippings can be used as a mulch in flower beds and
vegetable gardens if allowed to dry well before use. Fresh, damp,
grass clippings will mat and may attract pests. Never use
clippings from a lawn that has been treated with a herbicide.
"So many seeds -- so little time." --Author unknown
Join "Garden Notes" and plan for Harvest
Success as you track and record your gardening progress. Your Free Personal
Garden Journal includes printable pages making it easy for you to:
Monthly
FREE
Refer a Friend
to Garden Simply!
