By Diedre Russeth
An ecologist shares lawn-care tips that will keep Mother Nature happy:
- Use lawn-care products that are nontoxic and do not use a lot of natural resources.
- The main nutrients yards crave are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. You can send a soil sample to your local county extension service and they'll provide an analysis and tell you which fertilizers your lawn needs.
- Use organic products on the lawn. Organic products are carbon-based and are therefore not harmful to the environment. Bone meal, mulch, cottonseed meal, compost and manure are all examples of organic yard-care solutions. They are safe to use around children and pets, too.
- Apply fertilizers in the spring and fall, when there's less rain and less of a chance for runoff.
- Corn gluten is a great natural herbicide. It's a pre-emergent herbicide, meaning it should be applied in the spring. Corn gluten is an effective combatant for dandelions and other broadleaf weeds.
- Use native grasses and wildflowers as borders. They're easy to care for and require less fertilizer and watering.
- Mow frequently can help control weeds before they have a chance to mature.
- Brown patches of thatch are breeding grounds for disease. Thatch also prevents water and fertilizers from penetrating into the lawn. Get rid of thatch by giving the lawn a vigorous raking with a heavy wrought-iron rake.
Provided by HGTV - http://www.hgtv.com
Copyright ©2008Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.