Healthy lawns - why they matter

(NC)—Lawns, turf and large, open green spaces, such as, parks, golf courses and sports fields are critical to our environment – especially in urban areas. They contribute to our quality of life in many important ways:

• Cleaning the air by neutralizing pollutants and trapping dirt, dust and other airborne particles
• Keeping us cool – the front lawns of eight average homes have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning – the equivalent of central air for 23 average-sized homes!
• Reducing noise levels by 20 to 30 per cent – in cities
• Diminishing soil erosion and flooding by absorbing rainwater
• Recharging our groundwater supply by reducing run-off to impermeable surfaces, such as roads, sidewalks, parking lots and patios.

Remember the healthier the lawn, the bigger the pay-off! The lawn care experts at Scotts Canada offer homeowners a number of tips to help keep their lawns healthy this season:

Seeding
• prepare the soil properly and keep seed moist after planting
• buy quality seed, such as Scotts Pure Premium for a quick germinating, thicker, weed-free lawn. Cheaper brands and no-name products often contain weeds.

Fertilizing
• select a quality fertilizer and read package labels noting type, application timing and proper usage – usually one application in Spring and another in Fall is sufficient
• choose slow nitrogen release fertilizers for consistent, controlled feeding that promotes strong root development

Mowing
• keep mower blades sharp and don't cut too short – never cut more than 1/3 the length of the grass blades in a single mowing
• mowing once a week is usually sufficient
• allow grass cuttings, if not too heavy, to remain on the lawn and decompose, providing valuable nutrients for your lawn

Watering
• watering in the morning is ideal before the sun overheats your lawn; watering after dusk promotes fungus
• soak well every 3-4 days for 30-40 minutes rather than a daily sprinkling to promote deeper roots and a more drought resistant lawn
• increase watering if you note a silvery blue tinge to the grass or if the grass doesn't spring back when you walk across it.
Visit Health Canada's www.healthylawns .net or call Scotts' 1-800-543-TURF hotline for more information about healthy lawn maintenance.

- News Canada