Anyone with a lawn knows that keeping it picture perfect can be a challenge. As team leader of Sunnybrook’s Grounds Department, and an accredited organic lawn care practitioner, Rohan Harrison shares his top tips to achieving the best green space so you can enjoy the health benefits of the great outdoors.
Do many people assume that all grass is the same?
A common question I get is, “why can’t I get my lawn to look as nice as yours?” When I follow up by asking about what type of grass is in their lawn, most people have no idea.
Not all grasses are equal. To name a few, there is grass for shade, for sun, for areas more prone to drought and even grass that uses significantly less inputs (fertilizer and water) to perform well. To have a great lawn, use the principle of “right plant, right place.” Always chose your species of grass based on the conditions of the location. That means considering factors like light and moisture levels, as well as soil type and pH.
What is the most common mistake people make when it comes to lawn care?
In a word, fertilizing. It’s really not our job to feed plants. Rather, we should be improving the soil environment by increasing the soil nutrients and microbiology. You can do this by incorporating compost, mycorrhizae (beneficial fungi) and compost tea into your lawn care program. If you feed the microorganisms in the soil, they will feed the turf grass. Many microorganisms responsible for essential biological activity in the soil are active at a pH level that is near neutral (7).
If you still want to use a fertilizer, opt for an organic variety. Together with vegetable and yard waste compost, it can be applied without the need for a soil test because it contains a wide spectrum of nutrients and doesn’t hinder pH levels.
How can a lawn be kept healthy through all seasons?
Avoid using core aeration tools, which create holes in the soil. This approach opens the door for weed seeds to deposit and grow. If needed, opt for the liquid form of aeration, which means a natural solution is applied to your grass to improve lawn health. Liquid aeration can improve water and fertilizer uptake as well as root growth.
Also, avoid chemicals. Targeting a particular pest can have far-reaching negative effects, and is usually counterproductive to creating and maintaining a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem.
Rohan Harrison, team lead of Sunnybrook’s Grounds Department
Are there special things to keep in mind when it comes to mowing and raking?
Mowing is very important in maintaining a healthy lawn. Mowing height must always be determined by the type of grass you have, and no more than one-third of the grass height should be removed during a single cut. If you mow lower, this can “root prune” your grass and compromise its health. In turn, mowing higher can result in deeper roots and improved moisture and nutrient uptake. That means you won’t need to water as much!
When you do mow your lawn, avoid doing so on hot days. Also, be sure to keep your blades sharpened to minimize excessive damage to your grass.
When it comes to clippings, avoid bagging them. Returning grass clippings to your lawn provides valuable nutrients and helps conserve soil moisture.
You’ve mentioned organic lawn care. What do people need to know about that?
Organic lawn care is not about substituting chemicals, but rather taking a holistic view of the entire ecosystem needs in your garden. It’s much better to determine the root cause of an issue in your lawn and address that directly. That usually starts with soil nutrition. Most pest and disease issues are directly influenced by the lack, or toxic abundance, of soil nutrients. Here are a few common examples that may be helpful:
- Quack grass indicates heavy clay or compacted soil
- Pigweed indicates rich soil with high levels of readily available nitrogen
- Plantain indicates compacted, acidic soil with low fertility, as well as the possibility of heavy clay.
- Moss indicates soggy, acidic soil that is low in nutrients
- Oxalis/wood sorrel indicates low calcium and high magnesium
