Eco-Lawn Care Tips for March
While SCVL usually encourages cutting down on large lawn areas altogether, we
recognize that having some areas of practical turf grass is important to most
homeowners. Having an environmentally healthy lawn that is functional, low
maintenance and contributes to the overall beauty of your property is not so
difficult once you know some basic principles. Early spring is the time for
taking two of the most important steps towards having an Eco Smart Lawn. Here is
what you can do.
Step One: Sharpen Mower Blades
Make sure your mower blades are sharpened at the beginning of the season. Bad
mowing practices cause more problems than many other cultural practices. Mowing
with a dull blade makes the grass susceptible to disease.
Step Two: Get Your Soil Tested
Before making any decisions, have your soil tested. Most local County Extension
Services offer soil testing for around $15. The soil test will tell you how much
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and lime (pH) your soil needs to grow grass. Let
them know that you want to use organic methods so that they can adjust
their recommendations. March is a good time to test the soil, as the service
gets very busy in April. What you add to the soil throughout the season should
be based on the soil test results. Tailoring your plan based on your results
will save you money and minimize wasted fertilizers that pollute our water
quality and environment.
Back to Newsletter
| 
