Identifying and controlling White Clover in residential lawns.
White Clover is very apparent in lawns in late spring and early summer when they are producing their white blooms.
The appearance of white clover is a low growing; mat forming; round, dark green leaves in groups of three; multiple white and pink-tinged flowers in late spring and early summer; soft stems and fleshy roots.
White clover will flourish in soils that are low in nitrogen and pH. So a good Lawn Fertilization program will help control infestation.
Control: In an Organic Lawn Care Program you can just let it grow or add nitrogen, lime, compost.
Benefits: fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere; good nectar source
In residential lawns white clover is easily controlled with some sound Lawn Mowing practices and lawn fertilization techniques.
Dandelions are a broadleaf perennial that people love to hate. If you are looking to control your dandelion population through a lawn care program here are some tips you should know.
- Dandelions like moist weather and acidic soil (soil test!)
- Low calcium levels in the soil could be helping dandelions outcomplete your grass
- You could be mowing too low.
- Bag while mowing to prevent spreading the seed heads.
As for any weed control timing is key. Careful observation of weed populations and weed seedling emergence patterns will help us landscape companies develop an appropriate Lawn care program.
As the 2010 Lawn care season takes shape; here are a few guidelines for managing your crabgrass organically. Crabgrass control can be accomplished for Organic lawns by taking these 5 Steps:
- Maintaining nutrient levels in the soil by using Organic Fertilizers and applying Corn Gluten Meal in early Spring.
- Seeding, Seeding, Seeding. keeping a thick lawn will discourage crabgrass encroachment.
- Mow high, reduce the sunlight to the soil. This will prevent the weed seeds from germinating.
- Mantain a proper PH level. allowing the nutrients in the soil to be fully effective.
- Hand pull out heavily effected areas and be cautious not to shake and distribute seeds.
The weather has broken, and the need for landscape services is here. I am proud to see the great work the crews are producing. It certainly makes my job easier. Here are a couple photos of a crew in Franklin, Ma performing some Spring clean up and edging work.
Caught up with the crews today doing some fantastic Spring Clean up work in North Attleboro. Here are a picture of Ervin creating some beautiful looking edges. When the lawns begin to "green up" the contrast will b
e much more striking!
I run into people/clients all the time who have been made to believe that the best way to “green up” their lawn and make it weed and pest free is by applying the latest chemical product. Since they are obtaining this information from T.V. commercials, uninformed garden center clerks and hardware store workers, it is easy to see why so many buy into this way of thinking.
I find this approach to be reactive as opposed to proactive. In my experience, getting back to the basics is the best approach. The healthier and thicker a lawn is, the less chance of weeds. In turn, the grass will be greener and pests are less likely to cause harm. Therefore, no need for a chemical interference.
Simply Put: to have a healthy lawn you need to have healthy soil. By taking the time to test the soil for nutrients, PH levels and organic matter you will be closer to identifying what you need to do to create healthy soil. This will in turn produce a healthy lawn.
I do not buy into the theory that consecutively applying a chemical fertilizer every 5-6 weeks is the best way to have a healthy , green lawn. If you are looking for answers about how to treat your lawn then you need to start by asking the soil. Tests can be done by a Certified Landscape Professional (http://www.certifiedtreeandlawn.org/) or a local university’s extension program. (http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/ )
Our next post will address your concerns that consecutively applying a chemical fertilizer and pesticides will keep your lawn green and pest free like the Jones’, but may also be harming our environment.
If you have a question or comment please send me an email at Jason@redtrucks.net or call me @ 508.695.8579.