Sudbury Living - Summer 2008 - 27

n continued FRoM PAGe 23 gar de ning mat-like layer of dead grass that lies at the base of the grass blades. Aeration involves punching holes in the thatch and extracting plugs of soil. Other benefits of aeration include reducing soil compaction and encouraging deep rooting. Spring and fall are the best times to aerate the lawn. Even healthy lawns can benefit from over-seeding once a year, says House. “But you’ve got to get the seeds in contact with the soil. You can’t just sprinkle seeds on top and expect them to grow. You need to aerate first or you need to cover the seeds with a top dressing (compost or topsoil) and keep the area moist for a couple weeks.” Early fall is the best time for over-seeding because the warm soil and frequent rain help the grass get established. “The grass seed available now is so much better,” says House. Some of the new varieties are “endophyte-enhanced,” meaning the grass seed contains a beneficial fungus that increases the hardiness, drought tolerance and insect resistance of the grass. It is also important to spread as many varieties of seed as possible to increase the diversity of your lawn. Going pesticide-free means changing the way the way lawns are managed rather than substituting products A thick, healthy lawn is the best defence against weeds and insects. “If the turf is thick and not a lot of sunlight is getting through to the soil, weed seeds are not going to germinate,” says House. Proper watering, mowing, thatch control and fertilizing should eliminate the need to control large weed infestations. Hand pulling, with removal of the root, is recommended for occasional weeds. Chinch bugs are Sudbury’s most menacing lawn insects. These tiny red and black insects love our dry, acidic soils and are hardy enough to survive our winters. To prevent chinch bug infestations, House and Seguin recommend removing excess thatch and maintaining adequate soil moisture. If chinch bugs have already found a home in your yard, spot treatments may be an option for preventing further spread. By focusing on prevention and having a little bit of patience, it is possible to have a lawn that’s green, healthy and soft on the toes. SL VERD O OW SOL N% 50 Karla Colasimone at 560-9770 or contact Summer 2008 Sudbury Living 27

Sudbury Living - Summer 2008

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