Healthy Lawn Healthy Environment

Caring for Your Lawn in an Environmentally Friendly Way


Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment


Caring for Your Lawn in an EnvironmentaIly Friendly Way





Picture a healthy green lawn: perfect for lounging, great
for ball games and cookouts, a real asset to your home. But did
you know that your lawn--and how you take care of it--can also
help the environment? * Healthy grass provides feeding ground
for birds, who find it a rich source of insects, worms, and
other food. Thick grass prevents soil erosion, filters
contaminants from rainwater, and absorbs many types of airborne
pollutants, like dust and soot. Grass is also highly efficient
at converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, a process that helps
clean the air. * Caring for your lawn properly can both enhance
its appearance and contribute to its environmental benefits.
You don't have to be an expert to grow a healthy lawn. Just
keep in mind that the secret is to work with nature. This means
creating conditions for grass to thrive and resist damage from
weeds, disease, and insect pests. It means setting realistic
goals for your lawn, whether you or a professional lawn care
service will be doing the work. And if you choose to use
pesticides, it means using them with care so as to get the most
benefit and reduce any risks. * Caring for your lawn in an
environmentally sensible way can have a bigger impact than you
might think. Your lawn is only a small piece of land, but all
the lawns across the country cover a lot of ground. That means
you and your lawn care activities, along with everyone else's,
can make a difference to the environment. And that's why taking
care of the environment begins in our own backyards.





Working With Nature: A Preventive Health Care Program For Your
Lawn


To start, think about lawn care as a preventive health
care program, like one you would use to keep up your own
health. The idea is to prevent problems from occurring so you
don't have to treat them. As they say, an ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure. A healthy lawn can out-compete most
weeds, survive most insect attacks, and fend off most
diseases--before these problems ever get the upper hand.



Your lawn care program should be tailored to local
conditions--the amount of rainfall you get, for example, and
the type of soil you have. The sources listed at the back of
this brochure can help you design a lawn care program that
suits both local conditions and your own particular needs. But
no matter where you live, you can use the program outlined in
this brochure as a general guide to growing a healthy lawn.

A preventive health care program for your lawn should have
the following steps:

1. Develop healthy soil

2. Choose a grass type that thrives in your climate

3. Mow high, often, and with sharp blades

4. Water deeply but not too often

5. Correct thatch build-up

6. Set realistic goals


1. Develop Healthy Soil


Good soil is the foundation of a healthy lawn. To grow
well, your lawn needs soil with good texture, some key
nutrients, and the right pH, or acidity/alkalinity balance.

Start by checking the texture of your soil to see whether
it's heavy with clay, light and sandy, or somewhere in between.
Lawns grow best in soil with intermediate or "loamy" soils that
have a mix of clay, silt, and sand. Whatever soil type you
have, you can probably improve it by periodically adding
organic matter like compost, manure, or grass clippings.
Organic matter helps to lighten a predominantly clay soil and
it helps sandy soil retain water and nutrients.

Also check to see if your soil is packed down from lots of
use or heavy clay content. This makes it harder for air and
water to penetrate, and for grass roots to grow. To loosen
compacted soil, some lawns may need to be aerated several times
a year. This process involves pulling out plugs of soil to
create air spaces, so water and nutrients can again penetrate
to the grass roots.

Most lawns need to be fertilized every year, because they
need more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than soils
usually contain. These three elements are the primary
ingredients found in most lawn fertilizers. It's important not
to over-fertilize--you could do more harm to your lawn than
good--and it's best to use a slow-release fertilizer that feeds
the lawn slowly. It's also important to check the soil's pH.
Grass is best able to absorb nutrients in a slightly acidic
soil, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Soil that is too acidic can be
"sweetened" with lime; soil that's not acid enough can be made
more sour by adding sulfur.



Have your soil tested periodically to see whether it needs
more organic matter or the pH needs adjusting. Your county
extension agent (listed in your phone book under county
government) or local nursery should be able to tell you how to
do this. These experts can also help you choose the right
fertilizer, compost, and other "soil amendments," and they can
advise you about aerating if your soil is compacted. If a
professional service takes care of your lawn, make sure it
takes these same steps to develop good soil. There's no getting
around it: your lawn's health is only as good as the soil it
grows in.



2. Choose A Grass Type That Thrives In Your Climate


The right type of grass--one that suits your needs and
likes the local weather--will always give better results.
Grasses vary in the type of climate they prefer, the amount of
water and nutrients they need, their resistance to pests, their
tolerance for shade, and the degree of wear they can withstand.

If you are putting in a new lawn, it will be worth your
while to do some research to identify the best grass type for
your needs.

If you're working with an established lawn that fails to
thrive despite proper care, you might consider replanting with
a different type of grass.

Why struggle to grow grass that's susceptible to fungal
disease if you live in a humid climate? Or a water-loving
species if you live in an area with water shortages? Grass that
is well-adapted to your area will grow better and resist local
pests and diseases better.

New grass varieties and mixtures come out on the market
every year.

Ask your county extension agent or another one of the
sources listed in this brochure for recommendations.


3. Mow High, Often and With Sharp Blades


Mowing high--that is, keeping your lawn a bit long--will
produce stronger, healthier grass with fewer pest problems.

Longer grass has more leaf surface to take in sunlight.
This enables it to grow thicker and develop a deeper root
system, which in turn helps the grass survive drought, tolerate
insect damage, and fend off diseases. Longer grass also shades
the soil surface keeping it cooler, helping it retain moisture,
and making it difficult for weeds to germinate and grow.



A lawn's ideal length will vary with the type of grass,
but many turf grass species are healthiest when kept between
2-1/2 and 3-1/2 inches. The ruler at the back of this brochure
will help the best mowing height for your grass variety. You
may have to readjust your mower--most are set too low.

It's also important to mow with sharp blades to prevent
tearing and injuring the grass. And it's best to mow often,
because grass adjusts better to frequent than infrequent
mowing. The rule of thumb is to mow often enough that you never
cut more than one-third of the height of the grass blades. Save
some time and help your lawn and the environment by leaving
short clippings on the grass--where they recycle
nitrogen--rather than sending them in bags to the landfill.

You don't have to grow a foot-high meadow to get good
results. Just adding an inch will give most lawns a real boost.


4. Water Deeply But Not Too Often


Watering properly will help your lawn grow deep roots that
make it stronger and less vulnerable to drought. Most lawns are
watered too often but with too little water. It's best to water
only when the lawn really needs it, and then to water slowly
and deeply. This trains the grass roots down. Frequent shallow
watering trains the roots to stay near the surface, making the
lawn less able to find moisture during dry periods.

Every lawn's watering needs are unique: they depend on
local rainfall, the grass and soil type, and the general health
of the lawn. But even in very dry areas, no established home
lawn should require daily watering.

Try to water your lawn in a way that imitates a slow,
soaking rain, by using trickle irrigation, soaker hoses, or
other water-conserving methods. It's also best to water in the
early morning, especially during hot summer months, to reduce
evaporation. Apply about an inch of water--enough that it soaks
6-8 inches into the soil. Then let the lawn dry out thoroughly
before watering it again.

The best rule is to water only when the lawn begins to
wilt from dryness--when the color dulls and footprints stay
compressed for more than a few seconds.



5. Correct Thatch Build-Up


All grass forms a layer of dead plant material, known as
thatch, between the grass blades and the soil. When thatch gets
too thick--deeper than one-half inch--it prevents water and
nutrients from penetrating to the soil and grass roots. Some
grasses tend to form a thick layer of thatch. Overuse of
fertilizer can also create a heavy layer of thatch.

You can reduce thatch by raking the lawn or using a
machine that slices through the thatch layer to break it up.
Sprinkling a thin layer of topsoil or compost over the lawn
will also help.

In a healthy lawn, microorganisms and earthworms help keep
the thatch layer in balance by decomposing it and releasing the
nutrients into the soil.



6. Set Realistic Goals


Setting realistic goals will allow you to conduct an
environmentally sensible lawn care program. It's probably not
necessary to aim for putting-green perfection. Did you know
that a lawn with 15 percent weeds can look practically
weed-free to the average observer? Even a healthy lawn is
likely to have some weeds or insect pests. But it will also
have beneficial insects and other organisms that help keep
pests under control.

Also realize that grass just can't grow well in certain
spots. Why fight a losing battle with your lawn, when you have
other options? At the base of a tree, for example, you might
have better luck with wood chips or shade-loving ornamental
plants like ivy, periwinkle, or pachysandra. If your climate is
very dry, consider converting some of your lawn to dry-garden
landscaping. It could save time, money, and water resources.



What Is IPM?


Integrated Pest Management is essentially common-sense
pest control. IPM is not a new concept; some forms of it have
been practiced for centuries.

IPM involves the carefully managed use of three different
pest control tactics--biological, cultural, and chemical--to
get the best long-term results with the least disruption of the
environment. Biological control means using natural enemies of
the pest, like lady bugs to control aphids. Cultural or
horticultural control involves the use of gardening methods,
like mowing high to shade out weeds. Chemical control involves
the judicious use of pesticides.

IPM is a highly effective approach that minimizes the use
of pesticides and maximizes the use of natural processes. Lawn
care professionals who use IPM should have a sophisticated
understanding of the ecosystem of your turf and the available
pest control tactics. Home gardeners can also practice IPM by
following the steps outlined in this brochure.











Tips For Using Pesticides


Sometimes, even with good lawn care practices, weather
conditions or other factors can cause pest problems to develop.
Pesticides can help control many lawn pests. But pesticides
have risks as well as benefits, and it's important to use them
properly.

The chemicals we call pesticides include insecticides,
herbicides, and fungicides. These products are designed to kill
or control pest insects, weeds, and fungal diseases. Pesticides
can be very effective. But don't be tempted to rely solely on
pesticides as a quick-fix solution to any lawn problem.
Serious, ongoing pest problems are often a sign that your lawn
is not getting everything it needs. In other words, the pests
may be a symptom of an underlying problem. You need to correct
the underlying problem to reduce the chance that the pest will
reappear.

All pesticides are toxic to some degree. This means they
can pose some risk to you, to your children and pets, and to
any wildlife that venture onto your lawn--especially if these
chemicals are overused or carelessly applied. Pesticides can
also kill earthworms and other beneficial organisms, disrupting
the ecological balance of your lawn.



Store pesticides out of children's reach in a locked
cabinet or garden shed.



When Spraying, Protect your skin, your eyes, your lungs









Wash this clothing separately before using it again.


Before Using Any Pesticide, Be Sure To Review These Basic Rules


1. Take safety precautions. Never assume a pesticide is
harmless.

* Read the entire label and follow its instructions. Use
only the amount directed, at the time and under the
conditions specified, and for the purpose listed.

* Be sure to wear any protective clothing--like gloves, long
sleeves, and long pants--indicated on the label. Wash this
clothing separately before using it again.

* Keep children and pets away from pesticides, and make sure
no one goes on a treated lawn for at least the time
prescribed by the pesticide label.

* Remember to follow any state or local requirements for
posting your treated lawn or notifying your neighbors that
a pesticide has been applied.

* Store and dispose of pesticides properly, according to the
label directions and any state and local regulations.

2. Use pesticides to minimize pests, not eradicate them. The
latter is often impossible and unnecessary.

3. Be sure you have accurately identified the pest so you can
choose the best pesticide for the job and use it most
effectively. Obtain professional advice from your county
extension agent or a local expert.

4. Spot treat whenever possible. In most cases, it isn't
necessary to treat the whole lawn with pesticides if the
problem is confined to certain areas. Spraying more than
necessary is wasteful and can be environmentally damaging.



If you have questions about a pesticide, call EPA's
tollfree National Pesticide Telecommunications Network
(1-800-858-7378). For general information on minimizing
pesticide risks, call or write EPA for a free copy of the
Citizen's Guide to Pesticides. The number to call is
703-305-5017; the address is: EPA, Office of Pesticide
Programs, Field Operations Division, H7506C, 401M Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20460.


Choosing A Lawn Care Service


Many people choose to hire a professional company to help
maintain their lawn. Lawn care companies offer a range of
services, from fertilizing and pest control to aerating,
mowing, and renovation.

Lawn care companies should follow the same healthy lawn
program outlined in this brochure. They should also follow the
same precautions for minimizing pesticide risks.

How can you be sure that a service will do these things?
Start by asking questions like these:

Q. Is the company licensed?

A. Nearly all states require lawn care companies to be
licensed. The qualifications for obtaining a license vary
from state to state, but having a license is one
indication that the company is reputable and operating
legally.

Q. Does the company have a good track record?

A. Ask neighbors and friends who have dealt with the company
if they were satisfied with the service they received.
Call the Better Business Bureau or the state or local
consumer protection office listed in your phone book; have
they received any complaints about the company? Determine
from the state pesticide regulatory agency if the company
has a history of violations.

Q. Is the company affiliated with a professional lawn care
association?

A. Affiliation with a professional association helps members
to stay informed of new developments in the lawn care
field.



Q. Does the company offer a variety of pest management
approaches? Does it apply pesticides on a set schedule or
only when they are really needed? Does it use integrated
pest management, or "IPM"--an approach that often reduces
pesticide use by combining it with other, non-chemical
methods of pest control?

A. More and more lawn companies are offering integrated pest
management (IPM) in response to public concern about
pesticides. Be aware that IPM is a general term and that
companies may use it to describe a wide range of
activities. Find out exactly what a company means if it
says it uses IPM.



Q. Is the company willing to help you understand your lawn's
problems and the solutions?

A. Lawn services generally apply fertilizers and pesticides.
But you may be the one who mows and waters--and poor
watering and mowing practices can lead to disappointing
results. The company should tell you how it plans to take
care of your lawn, and advise you about the work you need
to do to keep your lawn in good shape.

Q. Will the company tell you what pesticides it applies to
your lawn and why, and what health and environmental risks
may be presented by their use?

A. You have a right to this information. If asked, the
company should readily supply it. All pesticides sold
legally in the United States are registered by EPA, but
such registration is not a guarantee of safety. Ask to see
a copy of pesticide labels to make sure they bear an EPA
registration number, and to review the directions that
should be followed. If the company can't answer your
questions about the chemicals it uses, call NPTN
(1-800-858-7378) for more information.



For More Information


Affiliated with the Land Grant university in each state is
a system of County Cooperative Extension Offices. Usually
listed in the telephone directory under county or state
government, these offices often have a range of resources on
lawn care and landscape maintenance, including plant selection,
pest control, and soil testing.

State agriculture and/or environmental agencies may
publish information on pests and pest management strategies.
The state pesticide regulatory agency can provide information
on pesticide regulations, and may also have information on
companies with a history of complaints or violations. NPTN (see
below) can identify the agency responsible for pesticide
regulation in each state.

The National Pesticide Telecommunications Network is a
tollfree, 24-hour information service that can be reached by
calling 1-800-858-7378 or by FAX at 806-743-3094. The operators
can provide a wide range of information about the health
effects of pesticides, and provide assistance in dealing with
pesticide-related emergencies.

Libraries, bookstores, and garden centers usually have a
wide selection of books that discuss lawn care and other
aspects of landscape management. Garden centers may also have
telephone hotlines or experts available on the premises to
answer your gardening questions.

The Environmental Protection Agency can provide
information on integrated pest management strategies for lawn
care. Write EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, Field
Operations Division (H7506C), 401 M St., S.W., Washington, D.C.
20460.

Some suppliers of lawn care products can provide helpful
tips, answer questions, and help identify problems. Look for
information/hotline numbers on product packaging.

The Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC), a non-profit
organization formed in 1978 through an EPA grant, has
information on least-toxic methods for lawn care. BIRC's
address is: P.O. Box 7414, Berkeley, CA 94707.