- Make yourself comfortable in the dappled shade
It’s officially summer. Long days and warm weather have us all on hose-patrol. Here are some savvy tips for today’s eco-conscious lawn-lover from an article I wrote for Angie’s List Magazine. We may have passed our spring window for lawn renovation, but it’s not too late. In many parts of the country, the Northwest included, fall is actually the preferred time to improve your sward.
The whiff of freshly mown grass is a pungent reminder of languid days and childhood abandon. For many the lawn is the very essence of summer; room for kids and animals to romp and a cushy setting for picnics. But in an age of environmental awareness, changing climate patterns, and a population boom here in the Northwest that places further strain on natural resources, can we responsibly afford this nostalgic pleasure? The answer is yes with natural lawn care practices.
“Right plant, right place” is especially important when determining where to site a lawn. Turf requires a mostly sunny, well-drained, level area. Coincidentally, these are also ideal conditions for romping and picnicking so pick an area that will meet your recreational needs as well as the cultural requirements for a healthy lawn. A smaller yet well-sited lawn will be easier to maintain and provide the greatest return for your efforts.
Eliminate grass beneath trees, on slopes, and soggy or difficult to access areas. Instead, establish low growing groundcovers or a gravel or woodchip mulch for a more satisfying and beautiful result. The Northwest native beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) is a handsome, low maintenance, evergreen plant that adapts to a wide range of conditions.
Early spring or fall is the time to aerate worn areas where soil is compacted to improve drainage and promote healthy roots. Overseed with a seed mix appropriate to your growing region (see sidebar) to establish thick turf and choke out weeds. Rake in 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost to cover the seed and improve the soil.
In late spring, apply natural lawn food that will slowly break down over the coming months to provide a steady supply of nutrients. High octane fertilizers not only provide an unhealthy and potentially scorching blast of chemicals, but in rainy spring weather most of their water soluble components are washed away before reaching turf roots. The result is toxic runoff that contaminates groundwater and local streams, harming fish and wildlife.
- Shaggy Chic lawn
Mow to maintain actively growing grass at 2 – 2 ½ inches. Save a step and leave the clippings where they fall to quickly break down returning valuable nutrients to the soil. In the heat of summer mow to 3 – 3 ½ inches – think of it as “shaggy chic” – to slightly shade and cool the roots.
Without water most turf will turn brown. The lawn isn’t dead, but foot traffic and other wear can harm turf during this summer dormancy. To remain in active growth – that is, green – grass requires one inch of water a week, either from rain or irrigation. Carefully monitor the weather and only supplement water as necessary. Early morning or late afternoon watering will diminish evaporation; avoid wetting pavement or creating unhealthy and wasteful soggy conditions. When the weather cools and the rains return in the fall, dormant grass will bounce back to a healthy robust lively green.
- Green gardeners are scaling back the size of their lawn
Regional turf seed blends
West of the Cascades choose a blend of mostly tall fescues and perennial rye. With cautious irrigation these cool-season grasses thrive in cool, yet dry summer conditions and maintain growth and good color throughout the cold, rainy season as well.
Hot, arid summers and harsh winter conditions east of the Cascades and into Idaho require turf blends that incorporate the tougher Kentucky bluegrass. Many eastside gardeners are experimenting with warm season lawns; lush and green during the summer with less mowing and little irrigation, and going dormant – that is light tan – with cold weather. Buffalo and zoysia are both slow growing, warm season grasses that tolerate drought, heat and cold.
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