The environmentally friendly Lawn care approach

Steps To Take For A Healthy Lawn

1. TEST YOUR SOIL!! – The most important step to a healthy lawn is healthy soil. Obtain soil samples from your lawn (procedures for doing this can be found at clermontswcd.org) and send the sample to a lab for analysis. OSU Extension (513) 732-7070 provides soil testing for a nominal fee, or find a lab online such as www.spectrumanalytic.com .
2. KNOW WHAT YOUR LAWN NEEDS Over-application of fertilizers is costly and unnecessary. Once your soil test results are back, only add the fertilizer your lawn needs. You will save money, and the over-application of phosphorus can have a huge effect on the environment. Excess phosphorus washes into storm drains and waterways when it rains or if the lawn is over-watered. The excess phos- phorus stimulates algae growth in streams, ponds and lakes, which is unsightly at best. At worse, the algae growth depletes oxygen from the water, causing harm or death to aquatic life. If you use a lawn care company, discuss your soil needs and ask for low or no phospho- rus fertilizer.
3. USE PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES SPARINGLY OR NOT AT ALL
   Once your soil is in balance nutrient-wise, your lawn should flourish. Learn to live with the few weeds that pop up, or spot spray.

Applying herbicides over your entire lawn is un- necessary, expensive and harms the environment. The same is true of pesticides – if you see a pest problem, spot treat it. Spraying the entire yard will kill beneficial insects as well as harmful ones.

4. MOW HIGHER
By mowing your grass at 21⁄2 – 31⁄2 inches, your lawn gets a chance to send down deep roots, helping the plants survive dry weather with less watering. In addition, the longer grass makes it difficult for weed seed to germinate… less herbi- cides!

5. WATER DEEPLY LESS OFTEN
By watering slowly and deeply, grass roots will grow down deep into the soil. Frequent, shallow watering encourages the roots to stay near the surface causing problems during dry spells.

6. SET REALISTIC GOALS
Did you know that a lawn with 15% weeds looks practically weed-free to the average observer? Having a few weeds or insect pests living in your yard means you also have beneficial insects and other organisms that help keep soil healthy and pests under control.
Grass just doesn’t do well in certain spots. How about planting a shade loving ground cover under that tree? Got a wet spot or drainage area? Consider putting in a rain garden with native plants that thrive under these special conditions. Many books are written on this subject, or contact your Soil & Water Conservation District or Storm water Department for more information.